Loading User Commands:
[X] Ignore the pain. Don't stop running.

---

Pain. His whole body is in pain, pleading for him to stop and rest. But Vincent refuses. If he doesn't catch up to the half-ghost, then he will lose another vital clue. There must be some kind of meaning behind the dreams. Perhaps some connection between them? Youmu is definitely hiding something, and he isn't going to leave her until she tells him the truth. But still... her speed...

"What... the... hell?" he manages between steps.

He feels like he is trying to chase after an arrow speeding through the air. Humans can't possibly move this fast. Everything in his mind tells him that this isn't even possible. But there she is, clearing another corner as she runs with incredible speed. If he doesn't move faster, he is going to lose her.

Then, the pain suddenly stops.

His eyes start coming into sharp focus, and his senses grow intensely alert. He can feel it - the sharp wind slashing at his cheeks, the resounding vibration of the wooden floorboards as he takes each step. Suddenly, he feels like his own world is become more aware of itself. This feeling is... invigorating.

Vincent continues to run, only partially focused on his target. And as the seconds pass, he finds himself coming closer and closer to the half-ghost. But for some reason, he doesn't remember what he is chasing her for.

Was it something important?

He smiles cheerfully as he closes the distance between them. Youmu takes a glance again, and her cute blue eyes widen in surprise when she sees him. Her mouth opens, but he doesn't hear her. He can't explain it, but he finds this moment extremely amusing. So he starts laughing loudly as he races in front of her.

Ha ha ha! This is fun!

Soon, he is running parallel to the girl. The half-ghost watches him for several seconds, shocked for some reason. Then, she suddenly stops in her tracks. He barely manages to stop himself a few yards in front of her.

"Eh?" says Vincent stupidly.

Is the race already over? The half-ghost looks at him frightfully as she catches her breath. Perhaps such excitement was too much for her. Too bad. He really enjoyed this game. Next time, he should let her have a longer head-start, he tells himself.

Before he realizes it, his sword is already in his hands.

Checkmate.

[ ] Slice at her head.
[ ] Slice at her arms.
[ ] Slice at her legs.
[ ] Not yet. Kick her in the stomach.
[ ] Not yet. Force her on her knees.
[ ] Not yet. Pin her down on the ground.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Custom

---

Without another word, Youmu suddenly runs out of the room.

Vincent blinks stupidly. Did he do something to upset her? And what did she mean about not seeing him in her dreams? Her reaction is very strange, indeed. She must certainly be hiding something.

"... that's it," he declares to himself. "She knows something."

He quickly stands up and takes a few steps toward the open sliding door. Youmu didn't even bother closing it as she left. But before he can leave, he hears a tiny mewling sound from behind him.

"... sorry, Master Ran," Chen mumbles. "Didn't mean to... break it..."

Vincent turns around and starts walking toward the sleeptalking nekomata. He can't just leave this girl like this. She might catch a cold.

"Hey Chen," he says as he gently shakes her awake. "Wake up."

"E-eh...? Big brother?" she replies, with only one eye open.

"You'll be more comfortable in the guest rooms," he says as he pulls her up to a sitting position. "You know where they are, right?"

She nods sleepily, brushing at her eyes with her hands.

"Alright then. I'm going out for a while. Make sure you sleep properly in a bed or you'll catch a cold."

"Yes... brother," she says obediently.

He gives the girl one last nod before heading back to the door. But by the time he steps out, he sees no trace of the half-ghost. Sighing to himself, he starts walking around the mansion at his own pace.

"..."

For a moment, he pauses to watch the sky. The sun has almost set, and the clouds are tinted with a vaguely familiar shade of orange-red. In a few minutes, it will be getting dark, and soon this day will end. A lot of strange things have happened, but for some reason, he is still feeling at ease.

Hakugyokurou is still quite alien to him. The mansion is quite large, and the grounds even more so. Wisps and spirits fly about freely outside, and the cherry trees blossom out of season. Most of its inhabitants are certainly deceased (or partially so), but for some reason, this place feels... safe. He finds this more than a little odd, as he usually doesn't feel very comfortable around the dead, especially considering his profession.

Still, he can't help but feel a little unnerved by the occasional wisp floating carelessly by. Like that one hovering near a corner post on the right. Unlike the others, it seems to be staying still, as if attached to something nearby. Wait a minute. That wisp definitely looks familiar. Is that...

"Youmu?" he says aloud.

A high-pitched yelp and crash confirms his suspicions. As he rushes toward the commotion, he can see the half-ghost splayed on the ground, wincing uncomfortably. She must have tripped in surprise. Her eyes widen and quiver as she looks up at him.

"Ah, there you are," he says as he offers her his hand. "Hey, are you alright? I was just looking for you."

Youmu only blinks at him in reply.

"Sorry about earlier," he explains. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to clarify something..."

The half-ghost suddenly looks down, and cheeks turn a little pink. She opens her mouth, perhaps to argue, but in the end she says nothing. Slowly, she takes his hand and stands herself up. Still not looking at him, she carefully dusts off her dress and straightens her clothes. Then, she raises her head slowly.

"I-It's alright," she whispers. "It was inappropriate of me to act like that. Please excuse my rudeness."

"Don't mind it," he replies. "I guess I'm really not the type of person that is very good with words. We probably had some misunderstanding back there."

"Yes, that may be so," she says, regaining some of her composure.

"Anyway, if you don't want to talk about your dreams, then I won't force you. But please... just hear me out. You see... I've been having a lot of strange dreams myself, and I've been getting a bad feeling about them."

Vincent takes a deep breath as he does his best to form the words in his head.

"You see, I've been seeing you in my dreams," he says. "But not just you. Sometimes I see Yuyuko and Chen, as well."

The half-ghost slowly folds her arms and gives him a puzzled expression.

"Well... it's kind of hard to explain," continues Vincent. "Sometimes I see you acting strict, and sometimes I see you acting kind of sweet... err, not that I think you are bipolar or anything. Either way, I can't tell if you liked me or hated me. At least until it got to a... more personal level. But at those moments, I often wake up in a cold sweat or in another place, with little idea of how I got there."

"..."

"Then I also see Chen sometimes. She always acts nice and cute, but when we're alone together in the dark... sometimes it can get pretty violent. I can't help but watch her suffer, but she doesn't seem to mind. I really feel bad about her going through things like that, but I can't help it if it's a dream... right?"

"...?"

"And I see Yuyuko too. When I see her, she always seems a lot less playful and a lot more serious. Not that I don't like her cute side, but she can be... pretty forward sometimes. But anyway, she would ask me to dance with her, but it would suddenly turn into a scene where I drive my... straight into her..."

"...!"

"Sorry, I really can't bring myself to say it all," he says, smiling. "But you get the idea, don't you?"

Youmu clenches her fists and quivers slightly, but continues to stay silent.

"Anyway, I have been feeling really uneasy about Yuyuko lately. I really don't think it's a good idea to leave her wandering around alone. So... I was wondering if you and I could go look for her together. She'll probably be more open if we talk to her about these things. In fact, we could probably go deep into it all together, with all three of us at the same time, and see how it goes from there. What do you -"

Without warning, the half-ghost interrupts him with a loud slap to the face.

"Pervert..." she whispers.

Before he can react, she starts running off once more. Vincent blinks stupidly as he rubs his cheek.

"Wait... come back!" he cries out.

Steeling his resolve, he makes a split-second decision. He is sure of it now. She must definitely be hiding something. He quickly starts chasing her. She glances behind and gasps audibly when she notices him. But instead of slowing down, she starts running even faster along the mansion. Not the type to give up, Vincent forces himself to keep up, even as he feels his muscles, bones, and nerves telling him painfully to stop. His chest starts tightening as he runs, most likely due to his breathing unable to keep up. But he perseveres anyway.

What the... even after all that... Youmu doesn't seem to be breaking a sweat as she speeds along. How the hell is she moving so fast? It's like trying to chase after a goddamn arrow flying through the air!

But despite this, it seems like she isn't gaining much distance from him. Somehow, he is still able to keep up. His body, however, is pleading with signals of pain for him to stop.

[ ] Ignore the pain. Don't stop running.
[ ] Slow down and rest. She is too fast.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Tell Youmu that she went out for a walk.
[X] Custom

---

"Eh? Where did Lady Yuyuko go?" asks Youmu.

"She..." he says. "She said that she was going out for a walk."

"Ah, I see," the half-ghost says. "I'm going to clear the table, then."

Youmu gives him a small bow before taking the remaining dishes and cups. She acts normally until she spots the uneaten rice crackers on Yuyuko's plate. Clearly startled, she examines them closely before turning back to the Vincent. She looks quite concerned.

"Did anything happen?" she asks.

He considers his words carefully before speaking.

"I think... I've been seeing things," he says. "Things that didn't happen... or maybe things that might have happened. I'm not really sure myself. I don't know if they are just dreams or something more, but they felt so real..."

"What are you talking about?"

"Youmu," says Vincent. "I've seen you several times in these visions. You acted very differently. You said and did things you wouldn't normally do."

The half-ghost's eyes widen for a moment, betraying her feelings.

"Have you seen any strange dreams lately?" he says. "It's little more than a hunch, but -"

"N-n-no!" cries Youmu. "O-of course I haven't seen you in my dreams! Don't ask such inappropriate things!"

"... huh? But I didn't even..."

The half-ghost's face turns pale white as she covers her mouth. Her lips quiver nervously, and her eyes start to tear up. Moments later, she starts blushing beet red. She opens her mouth, perhaps to mutter some excuse, but no words come out. Then, without saying another word, she suddenly runs out of the room.

Vincent blinks stupidly. Did he do something to upset her?

[ ] Quickly follow after Youmu.
[ ] Carry Chen into one of the guest rooms.
[ ] Stay in the mansion and look for Komachi.
[ ] Head outside to the grounds and try to find Yuyuko.
[ ] Clear your head. Is there a bath around here?
[ ] Return to your room and think.
[ ] Wander around aimlessly.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Custom

---

"I... asked you to dance?" says Vincent.

"Yes," replies the ghost princess. "Frankly, I was surprised that you were such a good dancer. You certainly didn't seem like the type."

Slowly, he lowers his head and rubs his temple. He has seen something like this just a short while ago, but his version didn't end pleasantly. For a moment, he closes his eyes to recall the ghost princess' words at the time. "Dance with me?" she had said.

"Yuyuko," he says. "Where were you before Youmu and I arrived for snacks?"

"Eh? I was already here, of course. We had already started eating when you came."

"You weren't taking a walk around the grounds?"

"A walk?" repeats Yuyuko. "What are you talking about?"

"Hmm..."

Vincent looks up at her and forces a bitter smile.

"Well... I'm either losing my mind, or you can exist in two places at once."

"Huh?" says the ghost princess. "What do you mean?"

"Yuyuko," he says quietly, "Right before Youmu and I arrived for snacks, I met you out on the grounds. You were acting in a very strange manner, and you even asked me to dance with you. Then, you asked me to kill you."

...

After he had finished retelling his story, the room fell into an uneasy silence. Yuyuko didn't even touch her rice crackers at any point. A serious expression upon her face, she looked like she was in deeply disturbed. A few minutes passed before she finally spoke.

"Vincent," she says carefully. "I don't remember doing any of that..."

"And I don't remember dancing with you," he replies.

"I see," says Yuyuko.

A short silence passes between them before she speaks again.

"Well... I think I better have a look around the grounds," she says.

"Huh?"

"Don't tell Youmu," she says. "I don't want her to worry."

"Wait, are you going alone?"

The ghost princess suddenly gives him a cheerful smile.

"It's not like there is anything out there that can harm a dead person~" she says. "Just stay in the mansion. You should be safe within this place."

"But I can't just let you -"

Without warning, Yuyuko interrupts him with a soft kiss on the cheek.

"A mortal life is a gift," she whispers. "Don't waste it."

Without another word, she leaves the room. Several rice crackers are left uneaten on her plate. Vincent stays in his seat, unsure of what to do. Something very strange is happening around this place. A few moments later, the door slides open once more. He turns to see Youmu walking inside with a fresh cup of tea.

"Eh?" she says. "Where did Lady Yuyuko go?"

[ ] Excuse yourself and follow after Yuyuko.
[ ] Tell Youmu that she went out for a walk.
[ ] Carry Chen into one of the guest rooms.
[ ] Head back to your room and think.
[ ] Wander around aimlessly.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Have a serious chat with Yuyuko

---

With the exception of Chen asleep beside the kotatsu, Vincent suddenly finds himself alone with the ghost princess. Unlike her usual carefree and cheerful self, Yuyuko actually looks quite uneasy.

Her eyes dart up at him on occasion, though she immediately looks away when he turns to her. She bites her lip as she fiddles with her cup nervously. Vincent takes a deep breath. He takes a glance around the room, making sure that they are alone. Chen seems to be sound asleep, and the others are busy elsewhere.

"Yuyuko," he says carefully. "You weren't joking earlier, were you?"

The ghost princess shakes her head.

"It was mostly true," she says. "Except for the part where I said that I let you touch me. I slapped you before you had the chance."

"You slapped me?"

"W-well of course!" cries Yuyuko. "Even if I like to joke around a lot, there are limits. You shouldn't have played around with my feelings like that..."

"I don't understand," he says.

"You really don't remember?" she says.

"Sorry, my mind draws only a blank."

The ghost princess lowers her eyes as she contemplates her next words. Her cheeks blush a soft shade of pink as she speaks.

"You... confessed to me," she whispers. "I was really shocked when you tried to hold me, so I slapped you in reflex."

Vincent blinks stupidly. He did... what?

"Then you asked me to dance," she continues. "It was wonderful and passionate, but somehow I felt that it was a little..."

Yuyuko swallows nervously before saying the last word.

"...unreal."

[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Custom

---

Without warning, Yuyuko shields herself from Youmu by using Vincent as a shield. She clings tightly to him like a frightened child. As she shudders in fear, he can feel a pair of soft things subtly press against his back as she hides behind him.

"Y-Youmu is being mean!" cries the ghost princess. "Help me, Vincent!"

"..."

Vincent sighs heavily to himself as he places his palm on his forehead in exasperation. While her mannerisms are both cute and seductive, this really isn't the best time for this sort of thing. By the looks of it, she may have already sparked Youmu's ire.

"It's not nice to tease people like that, you know," he says.

"B-but I was only telling the truth," says Yuyuko. "You did come up to me this morning. I was surprised that you were up so early."

For some reason, she doesn't sound like she is messing around when she says that. But with the ghost princess, he can never be sure.

"Are you sure that was me?" he says carefully.

Yuyuko slowly pulls herself away and frowns at him.

"I'm pretty sure it was you," she says. "Though you were acting a little bit strange."

"What do you mean?" says Vincent.

"Well, you just walked up to me and said some... intimate things," says Yuyuko carefully. "I really didn't expect you to be so forward~"

The room suddenly falls silent. Somehow, he suddenly feels not one, but two hostile auras. He quickly coughs and clears his throat before forcing a wide smile on his face. Gently, he pats Yuyuko on the head.

"Well, that was quite a poor joke," he says. "Maybe you should just apologize and leave it at that."

"But I'm not -"

"No sense losing dessert because you didn't want to say you're sorry, right?" he quickly adds.

"Err..." she says as she glances at the others. "I-I guess that I'm sorry about that. Maybe it wasn't the best kind of joke..."

"It certainly wasn't," says Youmu. "But if you have reflected on it, then I guess that it's alright."

...

The rest of the meal went on normally after that, but for some reason, he could still feel a somewhat strained atmosphere. Only Chen seemed unaffected by the discussion, and he was thankful that she didn't seem too interested in it. However, he can't help but feel that something was off.

"I need to get some air," says Komachi suddenly.

The shinigami slowly gets up and gives them a short bow before walking outside. Youmu stands up a few moments later, saying that she must start cleaning up. She quickly clears the dishes before leaving. Chen seems to have curled up near the kotatsu. She must be tired from the day.

Before he realizes it, Vincent finds himself alone with Yuyuko. She doesn't seem to be in a very cheerful mood, and she looks quite uneasy.

[ ] Help Youmu clean up.
[ ] See where Komachi went.
[ ] Take Chen into a guest room.
[ ] Have a short chat with Yuyuko.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Custom

---

"I... umm..."

The whole room becomes quiet in anticipation. Beside him on the right, Youmu does her best to look disinterested, but she is failing miserably. To the half-ghost's right, Yuyuko has a big mischievous grin on her face as she wait for his answer. Across the table, Komachi is keeping herself busy with her drink, though she gives him an occasional glance. Beside the shinigami, Chen nibbles at her pastry as she looks from side to side, curious at the silence.

Vincent takes a long sip of tea as he gathers his thoughts. Then, as he puts down his cup, he takes a deep breath.

"Where to start..." he says carefully. "I woke up at the Sanzu River in the late morning with a headache and no memory of what had happened. There, I met up with Komachi."

Komachi gives him a small nod in response, but she doesn't add to the story.

"After that, she and I went to the Human Village," he continues. "There, we met up with Chen and miss Keine Kamishirasawa at the school. The teacher offered to read my history, but in the end we didn't learn anything new."

"I delivered a package for Master Ran!" cries Chen proudly.

"Then, Komachi, Chen and I decided to head back here," he finishes. "And here we are, talking about my day over some tea and snacks."

Vincent forces a smile as he says that. However, Yuyuko doesn't seem satisfied.

"So," she says. "You really don't remember what happened earlier this morning?"

"Nope," he replies. "Not a thing."

Suddenly, the ghost princess covers her mouth with a fan and looks away. Wait... is she sobbing?

"T-then that didn't mean anything to you?" whispers Yuyuko. "I thought that you and I had a connection. You said we had something special~"

"W-what are you talking about?" he cries.

Then, Yuyuko stands up and takes a few steps closer. She gently puts a warm hand on his shoulder as she leans herself against him.

"I even let you touch me..." she says.

He suddenly senses a powerful killing intent from the half-ghost beside him. Vincent immediately prepares to shield his head, but to his surprise, Youmu only takes a sip of her tea before speaking.

"Please, Lady Yuyuko," whispers Youmu. "Don't make such inappropriate jokes in front of our guests."

"Eh, but I was only~"

"You will take back what you said and apologize," she says coldly. "Or you will have no dessert for tonight."

"W-what?" cries Yuyuko. "How horrible! Uwaaa~"

Without warning, the ghost princess jumps beside him, using his body as a shield from Youmu. She clings tightly to him like a frightened child, shaking. He can feel a pair of soft things subtly press against his back as she hides behind him.

"Y-Youmu is being mean!" she cries. "Help me, Vincent!"

[ ] Side with Youmu.
[ ] Side with Yuyuko.
[ ] Side with neither.
[ ] Custom