Loading User Commands:
[X] Talk to Youmu, then Yukari. The one in gray robes, if you have the time.

---

"H-hey, Youmu! Wait up!"

The half-ghost stops in her tracks, but she doesn't turn around. Vincent slows down to catch his breath.

"Wha.. what's going on?" he manages.

"..."

Youmu doesn't respond. Komachi opens her mouth to say something, but Yuyuko signals for her to keep quiet. The shinigami gives Vincent a little bow in apology before walking off with the ghost princess. And before the two of them are out of sight, Yuyuko turns around to give him a playful wink. Vincent just scratches his head.

"What's going on?" he says again. "I don't understand what's happening."

Suddenly, Youmu speaks with a low, cold voice.

"Why don't you ask the others?" she says. "I have nothing to do with it."

"Nothing to do with it? But I -"

The half-ghost turns around, almost shouting.

"I said that I have nothing to do with it!"

Vincent just stays silent, shocked. Her eyes quivering and damp. He waits until she calms down. Slowly, she turns away.

"A different route," she whispers. "You already chose a different route."

"Huh?"

"So just... leave me alone, alright?"

The half-ghost sighs heavily. Then, she starts walking toward the kitchen. Vincent stands there for a few minutes, feeling confused. What the hell is going on?

...

"And so you came back to get answers," she says. "Isn't that so~"

Vincent nods slowly.

"Was it all a dream? What was that all about? Why was I fighting Youmu?"

"Oh! But if I tell you everything right away, then that isn't any fun, now is it?"

Yukari simply smiles a little wider. But before she can say anything else, the person in gray robes interrupts her.

"You were part of an important experiment," he says. "The simulation data that Ran collected will prove invaluable. The cause of this incident has almost been isolated."

The gap youkai almost chokes on her tea. After she recovers, she frowns hard at the man in gray.

"Hey! Don't get in the way of my fun!"

"Confusing him will only create new problems."

"Exactly! Don't get in the way of my fun~"

The man in gray sighs and puts his hand on his forehead.

"You never change, Yukari. Not even in this place."

"Hmph! You're no fun."

Yukari puffs up her cheeks, clearly irritated.

"..."

Vincent takes a better look at the stranger in gray. He wore thick robes that reached his ankles, and he had a long walking stick leaning beside his seat. His face was hidden by a hood, but for some reason, this person really felt familiar.

"I'm sorry," Vincent says. "But do I know you?"

The person in gray paused before answering.

"Maybe," he responds. "Maybe not. I'm just a simple wanderer who is in search of knowledge and truth."

Yukari snickers at the words "simple wanderer".

"You may call me the 'Grey Traveller'. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

He pulls something from his robes and hands it to Vincent.

"A token for a new friend," he says. "And now, I must be leaving."

"Eh?"

"If you need more answers, you can ask Yukari or Ran, though I believe that Ran might be a little more honest."

"D-don't talk about me that way! I was just -"

The person in gray suddenly whispers something in a language he doesn't recognize. In the next moment, he fades away without trace.

"Wait, what?"

"Hmph! He always leaves whenever he likes."

Yukari pouts as she finishes her tea. Then, she glances at the item in Vincent's hands. Her eyes widen slightly in surprise, but she doesn't say anything. Vincent looks down and stares at the odd gift.

It looks like an ancient gold coin with a raven engraved upon it.

[ ] Ask Yukari about the gold coin.
[ ] Ask Yukari about the experiment.
[ ] Ask Yukari about the Grey Traveller.
[ ] Excuse yourself and look for Ran.
[ ] Excuse yourself and look for Chen.
[ ] Excuse yourself and head for the dining room.
[ ] Awaken from this nightmare.
[ ] Custom