"No fair! No fair!" cries Chen as she rushes over toward him. She is carrying a small bowl of the soup she and Yuyuko were preparing earlier.

"C-Chen?" Vincent says. "Take it easy! Don't run or you might spill -"

Without warning, she takes a large spoonful of the soup and shoves it roughly into Vincent's mouth before he can argue.

"Mmph!"

His eyes widen in surprise. Suddenly, he finds himself standing in the middle of a grassy plain. The sun shines warmly upon him from the clear blue sky. Somehow, this place feels familiar. It reminds him of a more peaceful time, out in the country. Only after a rough tug and several excited shouts does he find himself back in reality.

"How was it? How was it? How was it?" cries Chen.

"So nostalgic," says Vincent. "This flavor has such a homey feel about it. The rugged, almost rough aroma of the herbs take me back to my childhood days out in the country. The broth is thick and smooth; its distinct motherly touch can't be compared to anything else."

He closes his eyes and smiles. A single tear rolls down his cheek.

"I-I'm sorry," struggles Vincent. "I don't know why, but I feel so damn homesick suddenly. I never realized how long I've been away from home."

He quickly wipes his eyes and turns to Chen, ruffling her hair softly.

"That soup was heavenly," he whispers. "Thank you, Chen."

Without warning, Chen gives him a hug around his waist. Slowly, he returns the gesture, as if she was his long lost little sister. An innocent and pure gesture, the two of them hold each other in a tight embrace, as if they were truly brother and sister. He doesn't know how long they stayed together, but by the time he realized, Yuyuko was gently pulling Chen away.

"B-big brother," she says softly, one last time.

"Come on," returns Yuyuko. "We have to take this soup to the dining room."

Chen reluctantly follows.

...

The two dishes were simply too good - his senses must have been overloaded. By the time Vincent recovered, only he and Youmu were left in the kitchen. Looks like Komachi, Yuyuko and Chen already took their dishes to the dining room.

Youmu is almost finished with her cooking, but she seems agitated, perhaps even irritated. Did something happen?

Vincent still feels a little dazed.

[ ] Approach Youmu and see if you can help.
[ ] Head for the dining room alone.
[ ] Find a place to sit and stare blankly at a wall.
[ ] Take a quick walk around the grounds to clear your head.
[ ] Custom