Vol. 5 Ch. 2 Ep. 2: A New Ghost Story

...A good brew takes time.

This silence has grown stale. Is that a little snake I hear slithering outside my walls?

You look exquisite as always, Miss Kokuriko.

And you've been...quite absent.

Well, I'm afraid I've been occupied. You see, my lady, I've been engrossed in composing a new story.

Ah...how far along are you? Will this story build? Will it simmer and creep into the hearts of all who read it?

I'm aiming for something slightly...more impactful. While mere words require imagination and attention, I find that a well-crafted image instantly captures the mind.

Ah, yes. I understand that you fancy yourself as quite the artist.

But remember, truly elegant beauty blooms naturally at its own pace. Like the seasons, it cannot be forced.

Indeed...

Speaking of that, I've heard that the flower you've planted is nearly ready to bloom.

Is she? My, how time flies!

Lovely. I can hardly wait to press those elegant petals in the pages of Toutei's Phantom Illustrations. Now THAT would make a story for the ages.

Well done. Soon, we shall finish our stories, and at last...find our home.

And when we feast at the Twilight Temple, my dear, I will ensure you are seated at my side.

I'd be honored, Miss Kokuriko.

I know. But on to more practical matters: where is Shuro?

She disappeared after that fiery festival... I'm worried she's sulking somewhere.

Worry not, Miss Kokuriko. Shuro is perfectly healthy...for her.

She is still working tirelessly to grant your wish.

As we all are. Nature's Beauty is committed to finishing the new Hundred Ghost Stories. Soon, the burning elegance you wished for will be complete.

It's so pleasant having a diligent workforce.

When you next see little Shuro, give her my best.

As you wish.

Nagusaa...

Nagusaaaaaa...

That useless, inspirational idiot ruined my story! It was perfect!

She was supposed to fall to pieces. And there'd be no Hyakkaryouran with no stupid Hundred Lotus and no hope against my beautiful, elegant, perfectly fired-up Katashiro!

It should have been a tragedy for the ages! It should have left them broken and drowning in their hopelessness!

...Where did the story go wrong?

Maybe it was that drippy Sensei with their power of friendship drivel? That's what cracked my creation. Ugh!

Grr... This is all that stupid girl's fault! She didn't understand elegance or narrative momentum, and the ending was ruined! Wasted!

And then, THEN, I lost the precious tome Miss Kokuriko gave me...

Ugh! I hate you, Nagusaaa! You hear me?!

Monologuing again, dear Shuey?

I understand we all have our own ways of...coping, but if you keep swinging around like that, you'll destroy this shrine.

...What? You want to tease me, too? You want to spit your venom?

Not at all. I'm merely here because I'm...casually concerned.

...And to relay Miss Kokuriko's message.

...Miss Kokuriko? She...she asked about me?

Miss Kokuriko wants me? NEEDS me?

I see failure hasn't humbled you, Shuey.

To think Miss Kokuriko would still want you after such a failure. Tsk.

Ugh...!

She's rightfully lost faith in you. She doubts your already limited abilities.

She said that if you don't create a new ghost story soon, you're off to the spirit realm. At least you'll be quiet there.

Th-That won't happen. Nuh-uh. Miss Kokuriko always has my back!

Even after last time, she said not to worry about...

If you're unburdened by worry even after marring a precious tome and fleeing...then I fear there is no hope for you.

Or...perhaps Miss Kokuriko is so disappointed in your behavior that she no longer cares what you do.

No... Anything but that!

What should I do? How can I regain her trust?

Fret not. I've come to help.

Shuro, here's your second chance.

This is...Toutei's Phantom Illustrations?

Yes. This is Nature's Beauty's last remaining tome. Lovely, isn't it?

Originally, Nature's Beauty possessed a trio.

Miss Kokuriko lost one in the Great Snowfield 20 years ago.

You, lest we forget, damaged one while flailing away from Hyakkiyako.

And the Phantom Illustrations...is the last one. I've kept it safe for a very long time.

While your Inou's Phantom Records focused on shaping mortal desire into reality, Toutei's Phantom Illustrations are more direct. They arouse fear.

So how about it, Shuro?

If you're up to it, I'll be sweet and lend you my precious tome.

Imagine the terror you can evoke. The Phantom Fables you can bring to life...

...the newly-revived council you can destroy...provided you don't botch it like last time.

Yes. I can do all that...

As long as I have the tome, I can make ghost stories.

I will craft an unforgettable nightmare of infinite horror!

That's the spirit, Shuey.

Everything shall be complete.

Your ghost story...as well as mine.