Loading User Commands:
[X] Run away from the sounds. Focus on fleeing.

---

"What the hell is going on here?" Vincent mutters.

[Run. We don't know what we are up against.]

"You don't need to tell me twice." he says aloud.

Vincent chooses a random direction and begins running. He sprints until his legs hurt, but he can still hear groans behind him. The rank smell of decay is getting stronger.

"D-damn it!" he says.

He hears a high-pitched shriek from the left. He draws his sword and swings it widely. He feels it slice through flesh and bone. A glance tells him that he sliced the creature in half. It looks like a small, decomposing humanoid. Its glowing red eyes glare at him one last time before it collapses lifelessly on the ground.

[Keep running, you damn fool!]

He pulls his gaze away from the creature and starts running forward. The smell of rotting flesh is nauseating. From the mud in his boots, he thinks that he is in some kind of swamp. He can barely see ten meters in this darkness. For some reason, a thick fog has formed around the area as well.

"I have no idea where I am going," he mutters as he slices down another of the creatures. They seem to be running at different speeds, so he is able to take them down one at a time.

[Anywhere is better than here.]

He doesn't remember how long this running battle continues. He mutters curses as the night goes on. The creatures are relentless.

"Fucking hell..." he says aloud as he pauses to catch his break.

[Could be worse.]

"And how the hell could this get any worse..."

[We could run into something even more dangerous.]

Vincent cuts down two more of the creatures before running again.

"This is going to be a long night," he mutters.

[ ] Mayohiga
[ ] Sanzu River
[ ] Poltergeist Mansion

Yuyuko's smile widens as he reads his expression. Her eyes leer at him like a predator playing with its prey.

"Am I not good enough for you?" she asks mockingly.

Vincent jumps several steps back and draws his sword.

"Who the hell are you?" he shouts.

Yuyuko giggles madly at him. His surroundings are starting to get darker.

"What do you want?" he asks. He can't tell which way they came from.

"What do I want?" Yuyuko repeats. "What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~ What do I want~ what do I want~"

She stops speaking and gives Vincent a kind and gentle smile.

"I want you to die."

Yuyuko fades into the darkness. Vincent can hear several groans from afar. The sickening crunch of bone and flesh can be heard audibly. The smell of rotting flesh fills the air. He tightens his grip on his sword as he looks around. He needs to escape.

[ ] Run away from the sounds. Focus on fleeing.
[ ] Slowly retreat from the sounds. Prepare to defend yourself.
[ ] Approach the sounds. Attack the creatures.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Go to sleep.

---

Vincent struggles to keep his eyelids open, but he is too tired now. The futon is comfortable, the night is cool, and he is in a safe place. He sighs as he gives in and falls into a deep slumber. The body and mind need to rest in preparation for the morning. A few hours pass. He has a restful and dreamless sleep.

"..."

He shivers in his futon, but there isn't any wind. The doors to the room are closed. He opens a single eye to survey the room, but he sees nothing unusual.

"..."

He feels it again. Something cold is approaching. This feeling is familiar...

[Get your weapons.]

He sits himself up and rubs his eyes.

[Hurry. It is coming.]

Silently, he jumps out of the futon. He quickly gathers his weapons and coat. He doesn't have time to change out of the kimono, so he just wears his coat over it. He takes a defensive stance as he faces the door.

"..."

[It is waiting for us outside.]

Vincent keeps his hand ready to draw his sword as he steps slowly toward the door. He opens the door quickly and prepares to strike, but there is no one outside. He takes a few steps into the garden. He looks up to see a dark and cloudy night sky.

[To the left.]

He turns left to see a strange glow in the distance. As he gets closer, he realizes that the light is emitted from thousands of butterflies. Someone seems to be at the center of the night lights. He calms down slightly as he recognizes the figure. He waves at the figure and calls out her name.

[You fool...]

Yuyuko turns around and smiles at Vincent.

"Have a walk with me?" she asks.

"I don't mind, but why walk around this late?" he asks in return. "Won't Youmu be worried?"

"Don't think about her tonight," she says as she turns toward the butterflies.

Vincent stays silent as he follows her gaze to the butterflies. The colors and lights are quite mesmerizing.

"They are beautiful, aren't they?" Yuyuko asks. She starts walking deeper into the garden.

"Yes," he says. "They are very beautiful."

The two continue walking deeper into the garden. They talk about mundane things, like the night sky and the different flowers and plants in the garden. Vincent soon loses track of time.

"So then," Yuyuko says as she stops walking. "May I ask you for a favor?"

"Anything for the Princess of Ghosts," Vincent says with a bow.

"Kiss me."

Yuyuko puts a hand on his cheek. He can smell an unfamiliar aroma from her.

Unfamiliar? He pauses to think.

[You are such a fool.]

He struggles to keep a straight face. He looks around and realizes that he is no longer within the grounds of Hakugyokurou.

[This is a trap.]

Loading User Commands:
[X[ Take the package with you.

---

Vincent returns to the dining room with the package. Yuyuko has already started eating. She waves at him energetically. Youmu sighs with exasperation.

"We just started eating," Yuyuko says. She passes her bowl to Youmu for a refill. Youmu takes it with a frown. Looks like Youmu hasn't started eating. Vincent waves back as he takes his seat.

"Feeling better?" Youmu asks.

"Yeah, I had some time to think. I suppose that I will just need some time to adjust to this strange new world." he says.

"Wafs fafd?" Yuyuko asks. Her mouth seems to be full of rice and fish.

"Please swallow before speaking." Youmu says lightly.

"This?" Vincent says. "I found it near the entrance."

Vincent gives the package to Yuyuko after she puts down her chopsticks.

"Oh," she says as she reads the label. "It's from Yukari! I wonder if she asked the fox to deliver it."

"I was busy earlier," Youmu says, giving Vincent a stern look. "I might have missed her."

"Let us see what~ Yukari sent us~ on this pleasant day~" Yuyuko says in a sing-song manner.

She removes the package bindings and opens it slowly. It looks like an ornate box. Vincent looks at it with interest. A glance to the side tells him that Youmu seems interested as well. Yuyuko opens the box slightly and peeks inside. Her smile widens. She closes it before Vincent and Youmu can identify its contents.

"She finally sent it!" Yuyuko says. "Yay~"

She prances around the room happily like a child.

"Sit down and finish your food, Lady Yuyuko," Youmu says.

"Oh right!" she says, recovering immediately. "Sorry about that, I just got a bit excited."

Yuyuko turns to Vincent.

"So, as a ghost hunter," she says. "You must know some great ghost stories."

Vincent pauses to think. For some reason, he can recall a few recent incidents. Perhaps his memory is beginning to recover. He doesn't notice Youmu shudder slightly.

"I wouldn't say that they are ghost stories, but I can talk about some of the things I've encountered..."

Vincent starts describing an incident at a rural village. He was sent to investigate a series of unusual murders. Every year during a festival, one person would go missing while another would be found brutally murdered. Yuyuko listens intently as she eats. Youmu seems disinterested, but her movements seem oddly mechanical.

"... so on the third day, we discovered one of the villagers dead on the road. By the wounds and markings on his neck, we concluded that he must have clawed his own throat out and bled to death..."

"E-excuse me," Youmu says as she stands up from the table. She looks quite pale. She gives a polite bow before leaving the room. Yuyuko chuckles a bit.

"Did I say something wrong?" Vincent asks.

"She won't admit it," Yuyuko says. "But she hates ghost stories, especially scary ones."

"I see..."

"Please go on," she says. "So, what happened next?"

...

After dinner, Youmu leads Vincent back to his room. She gives a few directions to the bathrooms and the other places in the mansion before leaving. Vincent doesn't have a chance to change the subject. Perhaps she doesn't feel like talking right now.

Alone in his room, Vincent starts looking at the futon longingly. He hasn't properly slept in a soft bed for the longest time (being knocked unconscious twice doesn't count).

[ ] Go to sleep.
[ ] Explore the mansion.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Excuse yourself and wander aimlessly around the grounds.
[X] Get your sword first before wandering.
[X] Discretely pass it to Youmu.

---

"E-excuse me, but I think I'll have a quiet walk before dinner," Vincent says. "I need some time alone."

"Aww," Yuyuko says. She looks genuinely disappointed.

He walks over to Youmu and shoves the skull into her hands. Yuyuko looks puzzled.

"Here's what you needed," he says vaguely before heading back to the room. Technically, it isn't a lie.

"T-thanks!" Youmu manages. "I-I'll head to the kitchen to prepare dinner."

Vincent can feel Yuyuko staring at his back like a lost puppy, but he isn't going to be taken in by just that. The atmosphere is just too awkward right now, and Yuyuko might unintentionally make it worse. He feels that everyone could use some time to calm down and sort out their thoughts, especially himself.

As an afterthought, he picks up his longsword from the room before starting his walk. He doubts if he will meet any trouble around the mansion, but he feels safer carrying it around.

...

The walk around the mansion is uneventful, but he finds time to relax and think. The past week has been confusing. He isn't even sure how he found his way here, and he has no idea how to go back.

He vaguely remembers working for the Church as part of a special unit that specialized in exterminating undead. He travelled all over Europe to kill zombies, poltergeists, vampires, and other horrors. However, his last mission was unusual - he was sent alone without specific instructions.

Before he knew it, he was forced to take shelter in an old church to escape a horde of undead. If it weren't for the supplies in the basement and the escape tunnel, he would be rotting among their ranks right now. Somehow, he found himself in this strange new world.

"So, is this a second chance, then?" he asks aloud.

Vincent always believed that the undead were aberrations of nature, and that they must be destroyed. However, he finds himself staying in this mansion with ghostly beings. Was he wrong to slay all those creatures in the past?

He finds himself at the front entrance of the mansion. He spots a brown package left near the door. Looks like someone left this earlier. Perhaps neither Yuyuko nor Youmu noticed.

Vincent should head back to the dining room soon.
[ ] Open the package.
[ ] Take the package with you.
[ ] Leave the package.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Go outside and see what happened. Youmu might be hurt.
[X] Take the skull with you. It is still wrapped in cloth.
[X] Take Youmu's swords. She might want them back.

---

Vincent sighs as he gets up. Looks like this is starting to get complicated. He picks up the skull and Youmu's swords as he leaves the room after her. He only takes a few steps outside before he finds Youmu sitting on the ground.

"Mou~," she says. "That really hurt..."

"Are you alright?" he asks.

"Y-yeah. I forgot about the barrier. Don't mind it."

He rushes over and kneels beside her. He starts checking her head and neck for injuries.

"W-wha-"

"Don't move." he says sternly.

Youmu stays unexpectedly still as he continues examining her. She doesn't seem to have any cuts or internal injuries, but she is shaking. She is a bit pale, but her cheeks are flush. Vincent tries to check her temperature, but she immediately pushes him away. Perhaps she just needs some rest?

"G-get away!" she says.

"I don't see any serious injuries." Vincent says.

"I-I-I'm just fine!" she says.

Vincent looks at her thoughtfully for a moment. Is she angry for some reason?

"Here. You forgot these," he says as he passes Youmu her weapons.

"T-Thanks," she mumbles.

She seems to calm down a bit with the swords at hand.

"Your swordsmanship is amazing," he says. "I have never seen anything like it."

"Thanks, but I'm no master," she says. "My teacher always reminded me that I need more training."

"I can only dream of matching that kind of speed," he says. "I guess that losing that match was a given."

Youmu stays silent as she examines her blades. She seems to be in deep thought.

"A-anyway, I think I need more practice before I challenge you again," Vincent manages.

".. you..." she mutters.

"Excuse me?"

She looks at him with a serious expression.

"You can read and react to my movements and technique, yet you insist on telling me that you've never studied Konpaku swordsmanship."

"..."

"Who are you, really?"

Vincent sighs.

"I told you, I don't remember that much. And I definitely don't remember seeing anything like your sword techniques before."

She draws her longer blade slightly out of its scabbard.

"Don't lie to me," she says as she narrows her eyes. "You found an opening in my defense. Why did you hold back?"

"W-what?" he says.

"Are you looking down on me because I'm a girl?"

Her eyes are cold and commanding. He reflexively reaches for his sword, but he is unarmed.

"You should explain yourself and - Kyaaa!"

Youmu jumps in surprise. Vincent can see a familiar figure behind her.

"I hate to interrupt a lover's quarrel," Yuyuko says. "But I believe that one of my favorite times of the day is approaching."

"L-Lady Yuyuko!"

"If you continue acting like that, you might scare him away, you know," she says.

"W-what are you talking about?"

Yuyuko ignores her and starts walking toward Vincent. Her sparkling reddish-purple eyes are full of kindness and concern. Her wavy pink hair carelessly flutters as she approaches. Her blue and white kimono sways in the wind as she gracefully takes each step. She puts a hand on his shoulder and gives him a gentle smile. He senses a familiar floral aroma as she draws herself closer. It reminds him of some bitter-sweet memory, though none in particular comes to mind.

"Don't worry," she whispers. "I'll have you instead, if you like."

Vincent pauses.
[ ] Offer to accompany Yuyuko in the dining room.
[ ] Offer to help Youmu in the kitchen.
[ ] Excuse yourself and return to your room.
[ ] Excuse yourself and wander aimlessly around the grounds.
[ ] Custom

The skull?
[ ] Bring it with you.
[ ] Discretely pass it to Youmu.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Don't move.
[X] "Y-Y-Youmu?

---

Vincent remains still as Youmu tightens her embrace. He feels her soft fingers clutch his side with unexpected strength. Her silky silver hair is gently tickling his neck and shoulder. Her chest is dangerously close to his. A strange, tantalizing aroma is emanating from her. Is it perfume? Or maybe it's just her own scent?

"..."

He doesn't know how long she holds him like this. Conflicting thoughts race through his mind. Should he push her away? If Yuyuko comes inside now, this would get complicated. Should he return her embrace? Youmu doesn't look like she is fully awake. Should he ...? He shakes his head violently, trying to clear it of lewd thoughts.

He looks down at Youmu to see her eyes slowly focus. Then, they widen in shock. Her face turns bright red.

"Y-Y-Youmu?" he manages.

Youmu pushes herself away from him and covers her chest.

"W-what are you doing?" she cries.

"I wasn't doing anything!" he counters. "I just went to check if you were alright, then suddenly you grabbed me!"

"I-I grabbed you? W-w-wha? H-how do I know you weren't planning something p-p-perverted!"

Vincent looks at her with a serious expression.

"I'm not the type to take advantage of a girl in her sleep."

Youmu blushes furiously.

"B-but you a-aren't... H-he said exactly the s-same... I-I haven't met... c-can't be a dream?"

The two stare at each other for a full minute before Youmu recovers.

"I-I have to go!" she says as she rushes outside.

"Wait, you can't -"

She takes a few steps outside before he can warn her. A few seconds later, he hears a loud yelp and a dull thud on the floor. Looks like she completely forgot about the barrier.

"..."

[ ] Go outside and see what happened. Youmu might be hurt.
[ ] Stay in the room and think. What just happened?
[ ] Take the skull with you. It is still wrapped in cloth.
[ ] Take your weapons. You feel naked without them.
[ ] Take Youmu's swords. She might want them back.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Carry Youmu to the futon. She doesn't look very comfortable.
[X] Cover Youmu up with the blanket. She might be cold.
[X] Take Youmu's swords and leave them in the corner. They are in the way.
[X] Check your things. See if anything is missing.

---

Vincent looks at the half-ghost thoughtfully. Seems like she isn't waking up any time soon. She looks so helpless and innocent like this. Somehow, he feels that he needs to protect this person. At the very least, he can't let her continue sleeping in such an uncomfortable position.

He carefully takes her swords and leaves them in the corner. Her swordsmanship was incredible, but even a master needs to rest. He makes sure to leave them where she can see them when she awakens.

He straightens up the futon, then takes a glance at Youmu. He sighs as he nudges her gently. Seems like she won't be getting up on her own. He gently carries the girl to the futon. She is surprisingly light. He shudders slightly as he notices the softness of her skin. Her sleeping face is flawless and unblemished. He wonders how such a master swordsman would survive unscarred through the years.

He covers Youmu up with the blanket. He doesn't want her to catch a cold after watching over him. Then, he takes a moment to check his things in the corner.

"Looks like nothing is missing," he mutters.

He looks back and jumps slightly. Youmu is sitting up on the futon with a glazed look on her face. He kneels down beside her and waits for her to speak.

Suddenly, she embraces Vincent tightly. He can't see the expression on her face. Her grip tightens as he remains frozen, unsure of how to react. Is she still half-asleep?

[ ] Do nothing, with mouth agape.
[ ] Push her away.
[ ] Slowly return her embrace.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Twist yourself and try to change direction.

---

[Kill her.]

Vincent looks into Youmu's eyes. Something feels... familiar.

[Kill her now!]

"I really am a fool," he says to himself.

Several things happen in the next second. He twists his body hard to the right, changing his trajectory. Youmu struggles to dodge the strike. She gasps as his thrust misses her side by a few inches. He sighs in relief before slamming his head hard on the dojo wall.

Everything turns to black.

...

"..ere...hy?"

"I...atch...im."

"..right.. ing...kitchen."

"..yuko.. thank..."

"..."

Cold. He feels something cold on his head. He tries to open his eyes, but his eyelids feel too heavy. Not just his eyes, but his whole body feels heavy. His body feels, foreign, for the lack of a better word. Is this really his body? Is this just another dream?

Soft. Something soft is rubbing against his skin. The sensation is pleasant and nostalgic. He feels himself relax. He doesn't need to worry. He knows he can stay here. This place is safe.

...

Vincent opens his eyes. He sits up and yawns. He had a pleasant dream, but he can't remember the details. He groggily looks around.

The room is plainly decorated with a few paintings on the walls. There is a short table and cushion on the right. The sliding door of the room is open, revealing a small pond and garden. The afternoon sun shines pleasantly against the water. This must be one of the guest rooms of the mansion.

He is lying on a futon spread on the center of the room. Looking down, he notices that he is now wearing a white kimono with some blue floral designs. He quickly feels under his blanket, and sighs in relief when he finds that his pants are intact. Looking to the left, he sees the rest of his clothes piled up in the corner. His weapons and pack are lying beside them.

"Mmrrgmmhnnn..."

He turns around to find the owner of the voice. However, its owner simply mumbles something incoherent before nodding back to sleep. Youmu is lying against the wall behind him. Her legs are spread carelessly apart, and her swords seem to be getting in the way. The top button of her dress has come undone. Her short hair is slightly ruffled.

After staring at her peaceful sleeping face for a few minutes, Vincent manages to get up. His head still hurts when he touches it, but there isn't any noticeable swelling.

[ ] Check your things. See if anything is missing.
[ ] Wake up Youmu. You need to know what happened.
[ ] Carry Youmu to the futon. She doesn't look very comfortable.
[ ] Cover Youmu up with the blanket. She might be cold.
[ ] Take Youmu's swords and leave them in the corner. They are in the way.
[ ] Leave the room and try to find Yuyuko. She might be awake.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Fight aggressively.

---

"Don't tell me that this is your limit," Youmu says.

Vincent pants heavily. If the battle goes any longer, he will surely be defeated.

"And if it is?" he asks.

Youmu turns to him with a serious expression. Her eyes are burning with fighting spirit. She raises one of her swords and points it at him.

"Then you would be a liar and a coward." she says.

"Liar and a coward," he repeats.

[This girl mocks us so openly!]

"..."

[We will not take this insult lightly, not from someone like her...]

"No, we will not." he mutters.

[She will learn why the darkness fears us.]

Vincent tightens his grip on his sword. This time, he takes an attack stance. He narrows his eyes and concentrates. Youmu smiles in response.

He launches himself from the ground and starts his offensive with a straight thrust. Youmu dodges it with ease. As his left foot lands on the ground, he twists quickly to swing the blade horizontally. She gasps and barely blocks it with her shorter blade. His right foot lands on the ground. He shifts his weight and repositions his blade for a thrust to her side. She parries the attack with her longer blade. He jumps quickly to the right to dodge the swing of her short blade.

"Much better," Youmu says.

"..."

[Not yet.]

They continue to exchange swings, and Vincent presses on with his attacks. Youmu focuses on blocking and dodging. Perhaps she senses that something changed. But that won't help her now.

[There it is.]

Youmu blocks another thrust with her longer sword. Vincent easily dodges the counter swing of her short blade. He noticed earlier that there is an opening when she does this combination of moves. This time, his legs are positioned properly.

[Kill her.]

What?

[Kill her now!]

Vincent's right foot already launched him from the ground. Youmu's eyes widen in surprise.

[ ] Take advantage of the opening.
[ ] Twist yourself and try to change direction.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Ask if you can have a duel. Maybe you can defeat her.
[X] His own sword.

---

Vincent needs answers, and this is the best way he knows.

"Hey Youmu, would you like to have a duel with me?"

"W-what?" Youmu asks.

"There is something that I'd like to confirm, and regular sparring won't be enough."

Vincent leaves his crossbow, revolver, and coat on the ground. They will just be hindrances in this kind of fight. He walks a few yards in front of Youmu.

"What say you, half-ghost?" he asks. "Perhaps you doubt my skills?"

Youmu grins.

"I accept your challenge, ghost hunter."

They take their positions. Youmu takes an attack stance, ready to draw her blade. Vincent draws his sword and takes a balanced fencing stance. Neither of them takes a single step.

Vincent takes a glance at his own sword. He doesn't remember the details, but he knows that the sword was specifically designed to damage the undead. It has several runes inscribed on its hilt, and its blade glints with the reflection of the afternoon sun. While he carries other weapons, this sword has been his most favored instrument. With this in his hand, he would face even the nameless horrors of the abyss.

He turns his gaze back to Youmu. She gives him an unexpected smile. In the next moment, several things happen. Youmu steps forward and draws her blade. Vincent dodges to the right and avoids her strike. Then, he thrusts his blade at Youmu's side. Youmu draws her shorter sword and parries the blow. Vincent jumps backward to dodge her follow-up swing.

"Not bad," Youmu says.

"You're pretty good yourself," Vincent manages.

For the next minute, they exchange careful strikes, as if to measure their opponent's skill. Both of them are using basic forms and swings. However, Youmu clearly has an advantage with her speed. Vincent is hard pressed just avoiding and blocking her attacks. At this rate, he is definitely going to get tired first.

He pauses to catch his breath after the next exchange. Objectively, he doesn't think he has much of a chance. Youmu hasn't even used the speed she showed earlier. She must be holding back. But why would she do that?

"Stop holding back," Youmu says. "I want to see what you are capable of."

Vincent pauses. He is able to read most of Youmu's moves, despite never studying her school of swordsmanship. If he can find even a small opening in her defense, he might have a chance to win. But it is risky.

[ ] Fight defensively.
[ ] Fight aggressively.
[ ] Call it a draw.
[ ] Forfeit the match.
[ ] Let her win.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Offer to accompany her instead.

---

"Why don't I accompany you instead?" Vincent says. "I'm sure you have some things to finish this afternoon."

"Hmm," Youmu says. "Well, there is one thing I usually do at this time..."

Youmu leads Vincent to a small training dojo beside the mansion.

"If I don't train, I might get rusty," she says.

Vincent takes a seat against one of the walls. Youmu draws the longer of her two blades and starts with some vertical practice swings. After a few minutes, she switches to horizontal swings. Then, she begins moving her legs along with her swings. Nothing really catches Vincent's interest, as these are standard warm-ups.

"..."

Youmu sheathes her sword and closes her eyes to concentrate. In the next moment, she draws and swings her blade numerous times. Vincent barely has time to blink. That was too fast for any normal human. She wipes a bit of sweat from her brow after the technique.

"Wow, sixteen strikes in a split second. Amazing technique." Vincent says.

Youmu looks at him curiously. She is staring at him with an expression he can't read.

"Umm, did I say something wrong?" he asks.

"Might be a fluke," she mutters. "Just in case, could you watch this next move and tell me what you see?"

Vincent gives her a shrug.

"I can try, I guess..."

Youmu sheathes her sword and concentrates once more. This time, she takes a full minute before she moves. In a single moment, she draws both swords and swings them with inhuman speed and accuracy. There is no way that he can see every strike. However, her movements look strangely familiar.

"How many?" she asks.

Vincent blinks. This time, he definitely couldn't see each move. However, he thinks he can make a good guess.

"I didn't see every move," he admits. "But based on your foot movements and stance, I'd say you made 107 strikes."

Youmu narrows her eyes.

"I-I mean that I think you were going to swing 108 times, but you paused slightly on the second to the last rotation."

"..."

"Umm..."

"Impossible," she says. "No human should be able to see my foot movements, and only those of the Konpaku family can recognize our stances."

Vincent opens his mouth to protest, but finds that he has nothing to say. How did he see her swings? They were definitely faster than any master swordsman he has seen. How did he recognize her stance? He never studied swordsmanship outside of Europe. The more he thinks about it, the more his confusion increases.

Youmu has a slightly glazed look as her gaze moves from his face to his sword and back again. Her mouth is slightly open. Her right hand is tightly gripping her longer sword. Her legs are shaking a little. Is she excited?

Vincent pauses. This might be a chance to learn something important, but it also looks damn dangerous.

He wonders idly if this girl know how to hold back.

[ ] Try to make up an excuse. She might kill you by accident.
[ ] Ask if you can train beside her. Maybe you can try to copy her moves.
[ ] Ask if you can spar with her. Maybe you can learn something important.
[ ] Ask if you can have a duel. Maybe you can defeat her.
[ ] Custom

If he is going to participate, he should use:
[ ] His own sword.
[ ] One of the wooden practice swords in the dojo.

Loading User Commands:
[X] "She was someone important to me."

---

Vincent can't remember her name, nor can he remember anything else about her. But he is sure of one thing.

"She was someone important to me."

Youmu looks away, unsure of what to say.

"..."

An awkward silence fills the room.

"Aww! Don't leave it hanging like that!"

Both of them jump at the sound of the voice.

"W-what the?"

"L-Lady Yuyuko?"

Yuyuko is sitting comfortably on a cushion in the corner. Beside her is a large wisp with a tray on it. How long has she been listening?

"Good to see that you are well enough to blush," she says to Vincent. "Eat this. It will help clear your head."

The wisp flies toward Vincent. The tray has a spoon and a bowl of soup that smells strongly of herbs. He takes the soup from the wisp and takes a sip.

"How is it?" Yuyuko asks.

"Cold, but refreshing," Vincent says. "It's quite good, actually."

Yuyuko smiles brightly.

"Be sure to finish it all. I think I will return to my room," she says. "I don't want to disturb you two."

"B-but we aren't -"

"D-don't misunderstand -"

She covers her mouth with her fan and chuckles softly. She gives them both a sly wink before she leaves.

"..."

After finishing the soup, Vincent places the bowl and spoon back on the tray. The wisp vibrates slightly before leaving the room with the tray.

He feels energized. His headache is gone. He feels like he just started the day. Whatever she used to make the soup must be powerful stuff.

"Feel better?" Youmu asks.

Vincent nods.

"Well then, what would you like to do?" she asks. "I suppose I'll have to accompany you, in any case."

There are a few places nearby that he can visit. However, he doesn't have the time to head down to Gensokyo.

[ ] Ask her to accompany you around the grounds.
[ ] Ask her if you can visit the Sanzu River.
[ ] Ask her if you can visit Poltergeist Mansion.
[ ] Find a room indoors and try to rest.
[ ] Try to find where Yuyuko went.
[ ] Offer to accompany her instead.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] A single tear flows down his cheek.
[X] "W-what happened?"

---

A single tear flows down his cheek.

"E-eh?" Youmu says. She looks worried.

Vincent quickly turns away to wipe it off.

"Don't mind it. You reminded me of someone just now," he says.

"I-I see," she says.

As he rubs his head, he gets a better look at her. She doesn't look angry. Her cheeks are tinged pink, and she is stroking her hair nervously with her left hand. Her mouth opens, as if to say something, but she closes it and bites her lips. She repeats this gesture several times. Her movements are clumsy and unsure.

This is certainly a fresh look for her. Vincent manages to clear his throat, but he feels himself blushing.

"So, w-what happened?" he asks.

Youmu takes a deep breath and manages to regain some composure.

"You passed out while we were watching the cherry trees," she says. "Lady Yuyuko had me take you back to the mansion to rest. Do you happen to be anemic or have any sort of medical condition?"

"None that I know of." he says. "So, where is Yuyuko?"

"She said that she was going to prepare something to help you recover. She headed straight to the kitchen when we got back."

"And she told you to watch over me?" he asks.

"Y-yes! I can't leave your side because of the seal, and I can't let Lady Yuyuko find out about it." she says.

Her eyes keep moving from her hands to his face, then back again. She looks like she wants to ask something. For a couple of minutes, he watches her struggle with herself. But before he can change the subject, she speaks.

"C-can I ask who I reminded you of?" she blurts out.

She covers her mouth immediately.

"I-I mean, you were speaking in your sleep. I-I didn't mean to be nosy but..."

Vincent feels himself turn bright red as he remembers his dream. It felt so vivid, almost like a memory.

[ ] "I don't want to talk about it."
[ ] "Forget it. That isn't important."
[ ] "It isn't any of your business."
[ ] "I can't really remember very well..."
[ ] "She was someone important to me."
[ ] "She was someone from my past."
[ ] "..."
[ ] Custom

"..."

There isn't anything to say.

The blue sky and the white clouds promise a pleasantly cool afternoon. Vincent feels the refreshing breeze as he admires the trees. Somehow, he feels at peace in this place. For the first time in days, he is able to forget the undead. Despite living in Europe all his life, he feels that this is all strangely familiar. He closes his eyes and smiles. He feels that this is...

...

"I-I love you!"

He stops in his tracks. Dressed in a modest green kimono, she looks up at him. Her long silver hair glitters under the moonlight. Her alabaster skin and soft red lips quiver as she waits in anticipation. Her deep brown eyes are slightly moist and her legs are shaking. She is simply dazzling.

A single cherry blossom petal falls to the ground between them.

"Don't be a fool," he says. "You know that we can't be together. We are..."

"... worlds apart," she says. "B-but I don't care! I don't care what others think! I don't care if things will never be the same again!"

He sighs.

"We are too different," he says.

It would never work. His family would never accept this. Her world would never accept this. And even if they somehow found a place to run away...

"I am, but a single moment, while you are eternity," he says.

She takes a few steps closer, then without warning, she embraces him tightly.

"You love me too," she whispers.

He says nothing as he returns her embrace. He can't deny it. He would die for her; he would live for her. He would give up anything to spend another moment with her. She has been his inspiration ever since they met. A life without her would be meaningless.

She pulls away from him, and looks straight into his eyes.

"Together, your moment will be my eternity, and my eternity will be your moment," she says.

He turns away. A single tear flows down his cheek. This takes her in his arms in an intimate embrace.

His hands shudder as he strokes her soft skin. The sensation as he holds her is indescribably spellbinding. Her hair smells faintly of cherries and mint. He can feel her breathe nervously over his shoulder. He wonders if she is scared, but as if in response, she pushes harder against him, unashamed. Surprised by her aggressiveness, he loses his balance and falls on his back.

Before the pain can register, he feels a gentle foreign sensation on his lips. He opens his eyes to see her blushing bright red.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you! I'm just so clumsy and-"

"You really are a fool," he says.

He interrupts her apology with his lips. He isn't sure how long the moment lasts, but afterward he found himself resting his head on her lap. He raises his hand and caresses her cheek as she looks tenderly down at him.

"If only this moment could last forever..."

...

"Hey, wake up already!"

Vincent slowly opens his eyes. He idly wonders why Youmu is looking down at him. She looks really irritated. If it weren't for the soft cushion his head was resting on, he would probably be scared. He blinks. They didn't bring any cushions. Her lap is really...

"Soft," he mutters.

"W-w-what? Get off me you pig!" she says.

His head hits the floor. He struggles to stand up as he reorients himself. That really hurt.

Looking around, it seems that they are back at the mansion. Yuyuko is nowhere to be seen. Youmu is scowling at him.

He doesn't understand why, but she looks really beautiful right now.

[ ] Embrace her tightly.
[ ] A single tear flows down his cheek.
[ ] Pretend nothing happened.
[ ] "S-so soft,"
[ ] "W-what happened?"
[ ] "T-that really hurt!"
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Try to start a conversation with Youmu.

---

"..."

"So, you take care of the garden, Youmu?" Vincent asks.

"Yes."

Her response is cold and succinct.

"It must be difficult work, doing everything on your own."

"..."

"You handle the household chores and cleaning as well?"

"Yes."

"Wow, you are really something. I didn't think that this place could be maintained by a single person."

"..."

Vincent sighs. Looks like she is still angry, but then again who wouldn't be? If he was in her place, he would probably start planning a way to get free from the seal. And if that didn't work, he'd try finding his captor's weakness. When he gets free, revenge would be a simple matter. He can probably kill his captor outright, or try to trap him somehow at the very least. Slow torture would work, especially if he doesn't understand his captor's motives.

"Hey."

He can probably pretend to be under the seal even after breaking free. This would give him numerous chances to get close to his captor without being suspected. And when the time is right, he would-

"Hey Vincent!"

"E-eh?" he manages.

Youmu is standing a few yards away. She taps her foot impatiently.

"Are you coming? You do know that I can't stay too far."

"O-of course! Sorry about that!" he says quickly as he hurries forward.

Yuyuko suddenly pops out from behind a tree. Her eyes glitter with mischief.

"L-Lady Yuyuko! I thought you went ahead!" Youmu says.

"Ara?" she says as she covers her mouth with her fan. "I just got a bit lonely, so I waited for you two. But maybe I should have went ahead after all, seeing as you two are getting along perfectly."

Vincent only stares with his mouth agape. This looks like the start of another misunderstanding. He turns to see Youmu quite red, but he can't tell whether it is from anger or embarassment.

"I-It isn't what you think! I just wanted to make sure that he doesn't get lost!" Youmu says.

"Y-yes, I just spaced out for a bit," Vincent adds.

Yuyuko lowers her fan and gives them a long look. She raises her hand and points at them defiantly.

"Suspicious!"

Vincent struggles to find words, but he has nothing to say. He turns to Youmu, but she looks just as shocked. Yuyuko hovers closer to him with a serious expression. He freezes as she moves her head closer to his ear. The supernatural aura around her seems to have grown several times. Was she holding back earlier?

"If you hurt her, I'll kill you," Yuyuko whispers.

"W-what?"

She puts a finger to his lips.

"Just kidding!"

Yuyuko laughs as she starts walking down the path. Youmu sighs audibly before she follows. Vincent follows the two girls from behind. Now he has another misunderstanding to deal with.

A few minutes later, Youmu let's Yuyuko walk some distance ahead. This time, she makes sure Yuyuko is out of earshot. She turns to face Vincent.

"May I ask a favor?"

"A favor," Vincent repeats.

"Don't tell Lady Yuyuko about the seal," she says. "I don't want her involved in this."

"Alright. I'll keep it quiet for now."

"Thank you."

Vincent continues walking behind the two girls. They seem to be discussing some meeting Yuyuko had this morning. Since it doesn't involve him, he tunes the conversation out as he thinks about more pressing matters. What should he do next? For now, he can probably stay with the two of them in the mansion, but he can't hang around idly forever.

Then, he sees them: a neat row of cherry trees. He pauses to look at them. They aren't blooming, but somehow they seem familiar. He wonders idly how they would look during spring. As he takes a glance at the girls, he sees that they stopped to look at the trees as well. Perhaps the cherry trees in the Netherworld have an effect on everyone.

Yuyuko is standing quietly with a serious expression as she looks at the trees and the sky. Youmu is looking at the trees as well, but she has a strange expression on her face. Is that a smile? They both seem to be lost in their memories.

[ ] Talk to Yuyuko about something. (Specify)
[ ] Talk to Youmu about something. (Specify)
[ ] Custom.

[X] Inventory
A longsword. Forged with blessed steel. Looks expensive.
A medium crossbow. Use arrows of the right size.
Fifteen silver-tipped crossbow bolts. Hurts when it hits.
A Colt Peacemaker, heavily modified. Loaded with five special rounds.
A page torn off a diary. Carries a foreboding message.
A small black book. You're not sure when you picked it up.
A skull wrapped in some cloth. Youmu's half-ghost core is sealed inside.

[X] Status
Yuyuko - C
Youmu - D

Loading User Commands:
[X] Accompany Yuyuko.
[X] Bring it with you.

---

"I would love to accompany you on your walk," Vincent says.

"Falling for my charms already?" Yuyuko playfully asks.

"Well, I've never met a ghost that didn't try to attack me before," he says, glancing at Youmu.

"Hmmph!" Youmu says.

"Well then, we better finish up lunch quickly then," Yuyuko says.

Within two minutes, every scrap of food on the table is devoured. Vincent gawks at Yuyuko as she inhales the food and drink. He wonders how she maintains such a nice figure despite eating like that. Perhaps she can alter her own form as a ghost?

"Shall we go?" the ghost princess asks.

"Just a sec," he mutters.

Vincent is about to follow when he remembers the skull. He pauses and opens his pack. After making sure Yuyuko isn't watching, he quickly wraps the skull with some cloth. He attaches the make-shift bag to his belt and makes sure that his coat covers it completely. As an afterthought, he takes his weapons as well.

"You aren't planning to do anything to me with those, are you?" Yuyuko says.

"I believe that a princess should be escorted by her guard at all times." Vincent says.

Yuyuko covers her mouth with her fan.

"And I thought that chivalry was dead. You really are quite an interesting one."

Youmu scowls at him. She stands up and takes her swords.

"I'm coming as well," she says.

A few minutes later, the three of of them start walking. The grounds of Hakugyokurou are quite vast, and soon the mansion is out of sight. They walk through some well-kept gardens and stone arrangements. Somehow, walking through the grounds causes Vincent to relax. He glances at Yuyuko and is mildly surprised to see a serene, reflective expression on her face. Even Youmu looks quite carefree. Her calm face really is...

"Beautiful," he mutters carelessly.

The two girls pause to look at him. Yuyuko is hiding her face with her fan, but she fails to hide her grin completely. Youmu's cheeks look a bit pink. They seem to be waiting for him to finish.

"I-I mean that this garden is beautiful! The place is really well-kept! It's obvious that those taking care of it put their heart into their work!" he says quickly.

Youmu turns bright red and looks away.

"Youmu here takes care of the grounds and the mansion. She is quite reliable. I can guarantee that she is well experienced in all sorts of things..."

"Lady Yuyuko!" Youmu exclaims.

"Perhaps you can ask her for some personal service, if you like."

"W-w-what?" Vincent mutters weakly. He feels himself blushing now, as well.

Yuyuko simply chuckles as she continues walking. The two follow behind her in awkward silence.

[ ] Try to start a conversation with Youmu.
[ ] Try to start a conversation with Yuyuko.
[ ] Try to start a conversation with both of them.
[ ] Stay silent and enjoy the walk.
[ ] Custom.

Loading User Commands:
[X] "Have you met other hunters before?"
[X] "What places are near here?"
[X] "Has anything unusual been happening lately?"
[X] "You said it was dangerous to travel... what are the chances those children could have survived on their own in this Netherworld for a few days?"

---

"Have you met other hunters before?" Vincent asks.

Yuyuko takes a sip from her tea before speaking.

"A few. Unfortunately, those meetings ended pretty quickly."

Vincent clears his throat. Might be better not to push that subject any further.

"What other places are near here? Any place you recommend visiting?"

"Interesting places? Hmmm," she says as she pauses to think. "Hakugyokurou is in the Netherworld, so there aren't any places that are very close. However, there are several points where the border has been weakened."

She takes a bite of meat before she continues. "You can head to the Sanzu River, where souls cross over to be judged. There is a lazy shinigami there that is usually slacking off, so you can probably talk to her." Youmu almost chokes on her tea as she hears the word "lazy", but she stays silent.

"You can also visit the Poltergeist mansion. The Prismriver sisters live there; I sometimes have them play concerts here when I have parties." Youmu mutters something to herself, but Vincent only catches the word "cleanup".

She hands her empty bowl to Youmu for a refill. "You can also head down to Gensokyo, where a whole bunch of interesting humans and youkai live. If you do decide to go there, I recommend heading to the Human Village first, since it is the safest place for humans."

"I see," Vincent says. The nearest places seem to have inhabitants that are involved with the world of the dead. At least, they don't sound hostile to the living. But it might be wiser to head to someplace with regular humans instead. He can think about that later, though.

"Has anything unusual been happening lately?" he asks.

"Interesting you should ask. I met with Reimu and the others this morning. Apparently human disappearances, youkai attacks, and some other minor incidents have been increasing lately. Of course, everyone claimed that they weren't involved, but Reimu insisted that something is going on."

"She is probably just getting cranky because her shrine never gets donations," Youmu says succinctly.

"Ara? Are you still mad because she borrowed a couple of ghosts last summer?" she asks. Youmu stays silent and focuses on her meal. "In any case, I think that the miko might be right this time. Especially suspicious was when she asked everyone about any new Outsiders arriving in a strange manner. A few of the others seemed to be uneasy when they said that they didn't meet any. Can't blame them though, Reimu would probably beat the living daylights out of anyone she suspects."

Yuyuko puts down her cup and looks straight at Vincent.

"And with our new guest here, I am quite positive that something very interesting is about to happen."

Yuyuko gives him a strange smile. Youmu glances at Vincent darkly before returning to her meal.

"I-In any case, you mentioned that it was dangerous to travel. What are the chances that the children I mentioned could have survived on their own in this Netherworld for a few days?" Vincent asks.

Yuyuko hands her empty bowl to Youmu for another refill.

"Chances are dim for them, especially if they didn't arrive near this place. Evil spirits still wander the Netherworld, and they may have been possessed or devoured. However, I don't think that this is the main problem with your search." Yuyuko thanks Youmu for the bowl of rice. "From what I gathered, the children you mentioned have entered this world years ago. Even if they did survive, I most certainly doubt that they would still be children."

Vincent takes this in thoughtfully. She has a good point. But still...

"In any case, would you like to accompany me this afternoon? I'd like to take a walk around the grounds, and it's been a while since we've had a guest," Yuyuko asks. "Or perhaps, you would rather spend your time with Youmu here?" she says with a sly smile. Youmu blushes slightly, but says nothing.

Vincent thinks about what to do next.
[ ] Accompany Yuyuko.
[ ] Accompany Youmu.

Vincent thinks about what to do with the skull.
[ ] Bring it with you.
[ ] Leave it with Youmu.

"Sorry about earlier. I just got carried away," the woman says.

Her name is Yuyuko Saigyouji, the ghost-princess of Hakugyokurou. Apparently this place is part of the netherwold of Gensokyo. Normally, living humans can't enter this place, but due to some recent events, the barrier has been weakened enough for humans to pass through. Ghosts sometimes leave the barrier into the realm of the living, but the humans living nearby don't seem to mind it. Youmu helps take care of the shrine and assist with various tasks as her retainer.

"You should take things seriously, Lady Yuyuko! What if he got scared and attacked you?" says Youmu.

"Oh c'mon, I wasn't planning on shocking him to death. Just maybe going invisible and make a few things float around, or make scary sounds. That sort of thing."

Youmu sighs.

"Besides, why did you only arrive now? It's not like you to be late for a meal."

"Oh, I just helped someone out on the way back from the shrine," Yuyuko says. "It was some strangely dressed guy carrying a staff and a book. I think he drove off some wild fairies with some sort of explosion spell, but ended up unconscious in the middle of the road. I left him with Keine before heading home."

"I see. That explains why you seem famished," Youmu says.

Yuyuko is already on her third bowl of rice. How can a ghost eat so much? She turns her head toward Vincent.

"More importantly, I'd like to hear more about our guest here. Ghost hunters are quite rare in Gensokyo."

"Might as well tell the whole story," he mutters. If she knows that much just by looking at him, lying won't be helpful. He tells her everything he told Youmu, minus the part where she tries to stab his head.

"I see. Then you should stay here for the night. It's dangerous to travel alone at night these days, even for youkai. And I insist that you stay as our guest until you get your bearings in this world," Yuyuko says.

"T-thank you very much!" he says. Whatever he expected from a ghost princess, it wasn't this.

"Well then, would you like to talk about something else?" she asks.

Youmu is silently finishing her meal, avoiding your eyes. She seems as confused by the situation as you are.

[ ] Custom