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[X] Visit the Human Village.

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"The Village?" repeats Vincent.

"News travels fast around there," says Komachi. "Maybe someone will know what happened to you."

He pauses to think. Something very strange is going on, and for some reason he knows deep inside that this is dangerous business. Youmu and Yuyuko might be worried, though. He makes a mental note to head back to Hakugyokurou before nightfall. But for now, he better make a conscious effort to discover the truth. The Human Village does sound like a good start.

"Or maybe we can go somewhere fun," whispers the shinigami. "I know of a few interesting places, if you like."

"Eh?" says Vincent.

The girl looks down at her feet, smiling nervously. Her cheeks are a bit pink. For a moment, he considers dropping everything to hang out with the girl for a while. Komachi looks really cute right now. But in the end, he decides against it. There are more urgent things to worry about.

"I suppose I better head for the Human Village," he says, a hint of regret in his voice. "I really need know know what's happening. I keep blacking out and I have several holes in my memory. Maybe someone there can help."

"I see," says Komachi. "That sounds like a good idea."

"And maybe we can walk around together afterward or something..." he says.

Vincent clears his throat and pulls out his gun. He pretends to examine it so he doesn't have to look at her in the eye. Did he just think aloud again? This sort of thing can cause a whole bunch of misunderstandings. He better figure out how to explain or say things a bit clearer and-

"W-what?" cries Vincent in surprise.

Suddenly, Komachi is standing only a few inches away from him. She smiles gently and pats him on the shoulder. He can't place the emotion in her eyes, but she most certainly seems... different.

"I'd like that," she whispers.

...

The trip toward the Human Village was surprisingly tranquil. They flew over several forests and rivers in silence. Somehow, he never really appreciated how beautiful Gensokyo really is. The natural beauty of this place is almost otherworldly. He can't remember seeing so much land untouched by human hands. For a moment, he wonders idly on how large this place really is.

Below, Vincent spots something along a small path. As they approach, he recognizes it as a red-lantern stand. It looks like the type of place where one can buy grilled snacks and beer during the evening.

"That place belongs to Mystia, a sparrow youkai," says Komachi suddenly. "She might act a little odd, but she does make the best grilled lamprey in the area."

"Why lamprey?" says Vincent.

"I heard that it's good for curing eye problems or something like that," replies the shinigami. "For some reason, people easily get lost around this path even if it's pretty straightforward."

"I see," he says.

...

"Forgive us for intruding," says Komachi as they enter.

They step into an empty office. Nobody seems to be inside.

"Big sis Machi?" cries a familiar voice from behind. "And is that.."

Before the sentence finishes, Vincent sees someone running up toward him with incredible speed. He barely manages to catch her when she jumps up and gives him a tight hug.

"C-Chen?" mumbles Vincent as he recognizes the girl. The nekomata nods as she smiles brightly at him. Her tails wave energetically in different directions.

"Now that's a surprise," says Komachi. "What are you doing here, Chen?"

The nekomata girl turns to face the shinigami, though she doesn't let go of Vincent.

"Master Ran sent me on an errand," she says. "I delivered that package over there."

Vincent takes a glance around to see a small package wrapped in brown paper and twine. According to the label on it, the package seems to be from someone named Yukari Yakumo. But before he can examine it closely, someone else comes in through the door.

"Sorry about that Chen, I just had to deal with the kids. They can be a real handful at times..."