Trick or Trouble

Trick or treat! Enjoying the festival, my friend?!

What do you mean, "what"? It's Halloween! Hal-lo-ween!

The day the boundaries blur. We celebrate it with a festival.

Exactly! The festival's in full swing, so why are you hiding away in your room... Oh...

...

Ahem... Well, looks like you had your own little festival going on in here. Mm-hmm.

...So full of energy. You must be healthy.

Ahaha! Well, the Halloween festival has begun in Quartet!

Do you know what Halloween is?

...What is it, then?

Ahahaha! Exactly! That's what I like to hear, my friend!

...Sorry about that.

Haha, fair enough. No need to get so worked up, my friend.

I've got some good news for you, too...

Payment? How cold! Is that all I mean to you, my friend?

...What are you to each other?

Hmm...

We've shared something precious, haven't we?

Something... precious...

You never gave me anything.

...Why?

What? Don't tell me you forgot! *Sob*... Did that promise mean nothing to you? Was it all just a fling?

Haha! You finally remembered, my friend!

...A promise to drink.

I see...

You never made that promise to me.

But...

I want to have a drink with you too, <:player>.

Well, my friend... Do you know what the Fairwinds Association actually does?

Indeed! Slackers drifting like wind and clouds, waxing poetic... Wait, what?! M-My friend, is that really what you think of me?

How rude. Maybe Dan Xi is, but not me.

Kouchou! That doesn't describe me either! I'm a martial artist serving the Fairwinds Association, you know!

A-Ahem! I-I am grateful for that, of course.

Anyway, the Fairwinds Association's main job is to run Quartet's daily festivals...

Indeed. Partying and lazing around day after day, never tiring of it...

Wait! Stop twisting my words, my friend!

!? Good grief, you really are hopeless.

...I'll take it from here.

<:player>, do you know why the Orchid Clan hosts a festival every day?

*Sigh.*

Ahaha! You should try giving a serious answer, my friend!

...The Orchid Clan hosts the festivals. They're the wealthiest of the four clans.

In Quartet, we fight to keep the corrupting power from spreading.

To drive it back, we need people's purifying energy.

That's why we hold festivals. To keep everyone happy.

Indeed. It's a power born of "things" that shouldn't exist.

If it takes hold of you, you gradually change... until you become "the same" as them.

It's the duty of Quartet's four clans to keep that from happening.

In any case, we fight to protect the festival from that corruption.

And we came to see you because...

Sharp as ever, my friend! No need to spell it out!

Exactly. The Fairwinds Association needs your help protecting the festival.

Of course. I know you all too well. If you help us...

...Can't you just help us?

You never had a drink with me, <:player>.

...Unfair.

I'd do anything you asked without expecting anything in return, <:player>.

Yeah.

...Anything.

...The corrupting power has grown stronger.

Hmph, so it seems.

As I said, the corruption is spreading.

They're even roaming the city now... What are the guards doing?

Those are aberrant spirits... Remnants that slipped through the Rift.

Leave them alone, and they'll cause trouble.

...

No, it's not.

Whew... The corruption has already spread this far into the festival.

I'll cleanse the corruption for now.

Haha, close, but not quite. They feed on "emotions," "urges," "memories," and "thoughts." Everything in the mind that makes up a person's Origin.

Once an aberrant spirit has consumed enough mental energy, it can take physical form. That's when things get complicated...

Still, a minor spirit won't do any serious harm if it only latches on briefly, like that. No need to worry too much.

Though they might have trouble keeping their feelings or urges in check for a while...

Because they exist beyond the boundary.

They're always longing for "something" they can't feel or find there.

Exactly! Quick on the uptake as always, my friend!

Dan Xi, let go. Keep that up and <:player> will become an aberrant spirit.

Oops! R-Right. Though you might be rather fun as an aberrant spirit, my friend.

Death by boobs...

If only mine were a little bigger.

...Hmph.

Well, about that...

We'll have to shut down the Halloween festival and exterminate the aberrant spirits.

I'm told Halloween began as a festival honoring the dead.

This is the time when the boundary between the living and the dead is at its weakest...

Holding a festival at a time like this... What is the Orchid Clan thinking?

Surely you know the Orchid Clan holds festivals all year round?

As for what they were thinking, well...

They were thinking of partying!

How can you say that so proudly?!

...Very well. I'd already factored in your shamelessness, Lady Dan Xi.

Oho...? Which means...

Yes. The Fairwinds Association's duty is to "protect the festival"...

So I knew you wouldn't back down, even now.

Then the Umbral Watch will simply do its job.

You... Yes, you could certainly handle the aberrant spirits.

One of the Moonshadow Wardens' finest. Hehe... Now this is getting interesting.

...It's been a while, <:player>. Have you been well?

My, am I invisible?

<:player>. Kage is right. Aberrant spirits have overrun the festival. It's dangerous here.

For your own safety, please leave this matter to me.

That's not happening.

<:player> promised to protect the festival with us.

...Outsiders should stay out of this.

A-A promise...? Outsiders...?

I can't accept being called an outsider.

I may not be the strongest, but I'm one of the Moonshadow Wardens. Purging aberrant spirits is our duty.

With so many running rampant, I can't just stand by.

...What will you do, <:player>?

<:player>... Whose side are you on?

Haha, quite the dilemma, my friend. Perhaps you should have behaved yourself a little better!

Back then... <:player>, you caressed my most intimate place and said...

You couldn't wait to see me grow stronger... to discover passion...

I've never forgotten that promise. Not for a moment.

Do you remember... that promise?

Come, let's go.

...You're leaving? Even though you promised me...

That power... Is that...? I see. The boundary is collapsing.

It is surely no ordinary power, but... Even if only for your sake, <:player>, I will not back down.

Yes. Of course you'd choose me.

...How could this be... <:player>... What of the promise you made to me...

Hmph. Our promise came first...

Huh? Me?

...You can't do that. And... they're not small.

True. The Umbral Watch and Moonshadow Wardens put purging aberrant spirits and protecting Quartet first. Of course they'd want to cancel. I do understand their position...

And we understand why the Fairwinds Association wants to protect the festival. It does help suppress the corrupting power...

But we can't let aberrant spirits run rampant through Quartet. Not when it's the Chrysanthemum Clan's duty to purge them.

Hmm... That's true. Even with Kouchou and me fighting, there are far too many of them.

But we have an ace up our sleeve. Namely...

If that happens, we will end up repeating the tragedy of the past.

...

Drawn to something...? What is it?

Ugh...

Heh... You never fail to surprise me, <:player>. You've done it again.

...If that is your wish, <:player>...

Hyah...?!

Haa... Understood. I'll be... looking forward to it♡

You left me out again.

Ngh...! Haah...

Who knows? Hehe... Perhaps she just missed your touch, my friend?

Right!. Let's take a look around the festival.

...Phew.

Haha, there really is no end to them!

Perhaps. But Sky Lantern Street is enormous. Where would we even start?

It'd be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

...I can't keep this up much longer.

Well, well! Looks like you've got a little festival of your own over here! *Hic!*

But why keep pouring water into a cracked jar? Hehe...

Nope. I just came to drink. ...*Hic!*

Hehe, want a drink?

Ehehe, don't give me that look. It's a festival! You're supposed to have fun!

Don't sweat the small stuff!

Hang on... You, over there... Hmm...

...What?

No, I mean... you. You've got something pretty wild bottled up in there, don't you?

Bwahaha! I've met plenty of crazies, but I haven't met one like you in ages!

...?!

Wow! How do you live with all that bottled up? I'd have jumped him by now! Ehehe, humans are a riot!

And as for you...

Heh...

Hiyori, First Sword of the Four Seasons...? So we finally meet in person.

Hahaha! What a nice surprise! Festivals really are the best!

We could have a match right here.

Hehe, I'd be happy to spar anytime. But right now... I have something else to take care of.

Say, do you like festivals?

This one might be shutting down soon.

W-What?!

That can't happen! I haven't even finished my first bottle yet!!!

...It might, unless we can get these aberrant spirits under control.

Well, we can't have that, can we?! Ngh... Guess I've got no choice.

Kyahaha! Exactly! You know me so well.

Drawing my blade on these things wouldn't even be fun!

Hey, shrine maiden! Can you put up a barrier?

...A basic one, yes.

Ehehe, that's all we need. Just make sure the aberrant spirits can't get out.

All you've been doing is taking down aberrant spirits. That's never going to work.

The trick is to keep the 'corruption' from spreading. Got it?

Put up a barrier so the aberrant spirits can't slip away... like this!

Hehe, no need for a sword with small fry like these! My bare hands will do just fine.

Anyway, do it like this, and the aberrant spirits will—

Ah, geez... Still too early for this, huh...? Hmm...

Yahaha! Never mind. Just thinking out loud.

Anyway! Cut off their supply of mental energy, and they vanish. Well, really, they just return to the 'other side'!

Mmm... You'll figure it out, Mr. Fixer! Bye!

? Who are you calling?

Ahh, nothing beats a lazy day at the Ferry Landing!

No one nagging me, no research papers due!

Now, for a nice, relaxing bit of fishing...

Ah! <:player>, hello, hello! ☆

Huh? You called? . . . Whoa, that's a ton of missed calls!

Me? Slacking off, obviously! And a little fishing on the side!

You know me so well!

W-What?! I only just got here to relax!

...Y-Yeah. P-Probably...?

. . .

...Hehe.

Waaah! Wait, wait! W-What do you want?! My next paper?! A research partnership?! Second author credit?! Or... d-don't tell me!

...

I-Is that so? Ahaha!

...

Aberrant spirits are overrunning the festival. The Fairwinds Association can't handle it alone.

R-Really...? But I'm with the Hundred Schools of Thought. I'm not much use in a fight. Wouldn't the Moonshadow Wardens be a better choice...?

Well, why don't you go ask a cat, then...?

Agh, you're really not letting me out of this! I just want a break!

...Will you let me off if I act like one?

<:player> is right. We need all the help we can get. Won't you lend us a hand?

I'll treat you to some fine wine once it's over.

...Mmm... If it's a request from Dan Xi... But... Aberrant Spirits…?

S-S-S-Scared?! Who's scared?! Not me! I'm a scholar of the Hundred Schools of Thought! Theory, logic, philosophy, thought—those are my specialties!

As if I'd be scared of some illogical, unscientific, unverifiable, irreproducible supernatural phenomenon!

W-What is it...?

...There you are, Hari. I checked every classroom. So this is where you've been hiding. ???

W-Well, you see, it's a very complicated situation...

Oh, I'm sure. It must be quite something if you skipped your lectures, student advising, and faculty meetings to hide out here. ???

Ah, ugh... U-Um... you see...

Yes? ???

Eep...

Are you... mad at me?

... ???

What do you think, you lazy excuse for a teacher?! ???

Waaaaah!

...I'll help. Actually... please let me help...

You sold me out, didn't you...?

Thank you for letting me know. May I ask your name...? ???

Ah, I've heard a great deal about you. It's a pleasure to meet you. ???

I'm Jia. A colleague of this slacker here.

She's already missed today's classes, so there's no fixing that... But a little community service might at least save the Hundred Schools of Thought some embarrassment.

Work her to the bone. Teach her to pull her own weight.

...You demon! Monster! Pervert! Heartless, cold-blooded beast...!

It's not a compliment!!

Of course not! After that horror show, aberrant spirits are a walk in the park!

Sob... I'll get you for this! If not in this life, then from beyond the grave!

Gah! Fine, I get it! Can we just go? Any more nagging and my heart's going to give out...

...Huh?

Aberrant spirits aren't just a problem for the Moonshadow Wardens and the Fairwinds Association.

A responsible teacher should take the initiative and set an example.

...And I'll be keeping an eye on you. Don't even think about slipping away.

Ugh...

Waaaaah!!

I see. No wonder you came to us for help. Jia Hundred Schools of Thought

All right, let's make this quick! ☆

...Could you not? I'm trying to cheer myself up here! Just thinking about keeping that barrier up wears me out!

Haha, people call the Hundred Schools of Thought a bunch of stuffy scholars, but there's more to them than that.

So, how about a sparring match once we're done?

No thanks! I have a strict policy against unnecessary work!

I'm not interested in fighting, and I'm definitely not doing it!

Dan Xi. We're only using our strength because Quartet needs us.

We're not here for fun, or to see who's stronger. Please understand that.

Is that so? Hmm... What a shame.

I suppose I'll have to take out my frustration on the aberrant spirits, then.

...Please do.

At this rate, we should get rid of the aberrant spirits before the festival has to close.

Oh my... That would be rather troublesome...

Hehe... It's a one-of-a-kind outfit I put together with the children for our outing...

It's been so long since our last outing, so I must make sure to show proper respect...

Hehe... This is the only way I can give the children a warm embrace...

Hmm... By the way, you're quite cute yourself...

So... Won't you become [our] child...?

Fufu... Such a handsy child, aren't you...

It's all right... You can touch me as much as you like...

Body and mind... Leave everything to us...

Your Mother is... right here...

<:player>!!

Oh my... What a pity...

You... This presence is...

The guide of the spirits... Here?

Specter of the boundary... Get your hands off my subject.

It's not a bit. But more importantly...

W-What is this...

You belong to neither side... Poor child...

How much pain... how much sorrow must you have endured...

I'm the Shrine Maiden of the Boundary. This is nothing to me.

I won't tell you again, specter. Back away.

Shrine Maiden of the Boundary... Ah... there was such a thing, wasn't there...

A pawn... to put our children to rest...

...I told you not to come any closer. What are you trying to do?

Who can say... I only wish to draw out... the drive deep within...

With a drive this powerful... our children won't need to venture out... for quite some time...

Come now... you're a good child, aren't you...? Come to Mother...

...Did you want a mother that badly?

No... The guide of the aberrant spirits goes by many names, like Mother of Aberrant Spirits or Ghost Mama, but...

"Mommy"...? I haven't heard that one before...

...She has no name. For convenience, Vermont calls her "Shade", and Quartet calls her "Ghost Shadow".

For decades, she was little more than an urban legend. There were barely any sightings... This is the first time I've seen her myself...

...Did you get brainwashed and corrupted?

...I only came to see...

The new [Star]...

Ah, O Star. Grant us new life as well...

A new light to fill this void that feels so utterly hollow...

Get back, <:player>!

Ngh...!

My, what a brave child...

Just what I'd expect from a shrine maiden... Such courage. Such determination...

But that's quite all right... Our children aren't picky eaters...

And it won't be their first taste of a shrine maiden's [■■■]…

Ah... Aaah...!

Ah...

Mmh...

Such dense energy... I simply must let more of the children taste this...

Is it because the star has drawn closer, I wonder...? The flavor is even more concentrated… and feels all the more intense...

It's all right... Don't be afraid...

Ah... Haa...! N-Ngh...!

Don't resist... Share all of yourself... with us...

Haah... N- no...

This is my...! My precious... Aaah...!

Ah... I can feel it. All the agony, the sorrow, the pain you've endured...

Child of the Boundary. Half on one side, half on the other... It must have hurt so much...

You don't have to bear it alone anymore... Come to this side... There'll be no "you" or "us" anymore. We'll all be "the same"...

No...! <:player>!!

Ngh...! Aaaah...!!

...T-This power is...?!

Haa, haa...! I c-can't hold on...!

Aaargh!!

...You pushed us back...? What is this power...?

Let... go of my hand... <:player>! You'll get caught in this too...!

!?

That's... Ngh...!

My friend, what's wrong?! What's going... Hm?

...You are...

Tch...!

Gah...!

How dare you hurt my friend!

I am Dan Xi of the Fairwinds Association. My goodwill extends to all under heaven, but I won't forgive anyone who disrupts a festival or harms my friends.

You... You're hardly a child, are you...

Even among us... A presence as vast as yours is rare indeed...

Of course. I'm an adult, after all.

W-Why are you looking at me like that, my friend...?

This was supposed to be my big heroic moment! Don't you think you're being a little harsh?!

W-What a scandalous thing to say!

I'm not slow! Even the Umbral Watch has to work up a sweat to catch me!

...

That's enough of an outing for today... Come along, everyone. Time to go home...

Our home, the land granted to us, the place where we belong... To our place of exile, filled with nothing but chaos and void...

Whew... I sensed a strange presence and came to see what was happening...

More importantly, are you all right, <:player>?

...Ngh...

Kouchou, are you all right?!

...It doesn't look like she's down for the count.

But I've never seen convulsions like this... What happened to her?

Ngh... Aaah...!

This... is different. Her power is overflowing...? If this goes on...

Too much is worse than too little. A river overflowing its banks will sweep away everything in its wake.

We need something to hold her power back... A talisman, perhaps, but...

There's no way. We can't find one at such short notice...

Of course, one person who might be able to help does come to mind... Though she is quite the elusive sort—

Hehe, did someone call for me? ???

Anytime, anywhere... A shadowy merchant appears, offering her wares only to worthy customers. ???

Yomi of the Blissful Trading Guild, at your service! Let's do business!

I always have just what you need, so do forgive a little price gouging! Hehe...

?! Yomi! Is that really you?!

You couldn't have picked a better time or place to show up!

Hehe... Who knows? Let's call it fate!

Eeeek?!

Oh, give me a moment! I only just got here!

But this doesn't look like the time to haggle! Let's see...

Ah... Haah...♡

Hehe... My, this spot's sensitive... Hold still, Kouchou.

B-But... Haah...! Aahn...!

Of course not. Yomi's checking how the energy is flowing through her body.

Mmm... Let's see. What about here? And here...?

Aha... Hah...! Mmm...!

Surely she's only reacting that way because her body's so sensitive... right?

There! Just as I thought. Two different powers are clashing inside her!

The aberrant spirits made her corrupting power stronger, but there's another, completely unknown power making things worse!

What do you mean? The aberrant spirits weren't the only cause?

Oh, their corrupt aura definitely started it!

But it's like they stirred up a hornet's nest! This unknown power is spreading through Kouchou, changing her body however it pleases!

Almost like... it's waking something that's been asleep for a very long time...

For now... Hup!

Ngh... Haa, haa...

The talisman has calmed her power down. She'll be fine for a little while!

Nope!

It's only a temporary fix! Like building a flimsy dam across a river!

It might hold for a few days... Or it might suddenly go boom! and burst!

Then we have to act before it does.

That's right! But this is tied to Kouchou's constitution, so it'll take a bit of preparation, you see?

To properly control Kouchou's energy... it has to be a place where the energy of [this side] and [the other side] meets!

Yes. A "boundary" between the two. And in Quartet, that would be...

The Northern Shrine. It's known for its many Rifts...

Bingo!

You'd better hurry! Kouchou's power keeps getting stronger... There's no telling how long that talisman will last.

Ah... That's a problem. We can't just leave the festival unprotected...

In that case, please leave the festival to us.

Hah! Kage & Chise

...We heard what happened.

I had originally intended to show <:player> my thoroughly warmed body, but... it seems now is not the time.

Hmph... Quite the predicament. Of course, I knew you'd run into trouble...

O-Of course. I anticipated that as well.

(That's a total lie.)

(Definitely a lie!)

A-A plan...

R-Right...! I... think so...?

A-Ah! Wait a second! Don't tell me just Chise and I have to handle this huge festival...?!

H-Hmm... Well, if <:player> says so...

Then I have no choice. I'll protect the festival with my flawless plan!

What a dull way to live. ???

...?!

Who...?

Just a wanderer, drifting with the wind and clouds. Though now that I have a job, perhaps I need a new introduction! ???

...If you have no business with me, leave me alone.

Hehe, business? Of course I do. ???

I'm Dan Xi, a guest of the Orchid Clan... And a warrior of the Fairwinds Association. I protect the festival.

So when I see someone looking miserable at a festival, of course I want to know why.

I'm not miserable.

Really? You looked rather envious to me...

I've never envied them. Don't put words in my mouth.

Then perhaps I was mistaken.

Still... You don't seem to be enjoying the festival.

Festivals... I hate them.

...I don't see what's so fun about them, either.

Hmm, fair enough. They are rather loud and crowded.

Exactly. So...

But how can you know until you've tried it yourself?

I've wandered the world for a long time... And there's still so much I don't know.

So perhaps... It's a little early to make up your mind.

I...

Heh, to be honest, someone said the same thing to me not long ago.

I'm sure you have your reasons for keeping people away. You tried to push me away, too.

How do you know that?

...Because I used to be the same way.

...!

I wandered for a long time. Wherever my feet took me, wherever my heart led.

I didn't want to be tied down. I distanced myself from everything that tried to bind me.

At first, it was wonderful. I felt as though all the world's wonders were mine.

New bonds, new landscapes, festivals I'd never seen before.

I thought I could live like that forever.

But... That only took me so far.

Only... so far...?

Yes. Eventually... That alone couldn't satisfy me anymore.

Like a thirst I could never quench...

...Why?

Heh... It took me a long time to understand why. But the answer was simpler than I expected.

I'd just grown too fond of it all.

Fond of what?

Everything. Every single thing.

The people I met on my travels, the happy memories, the thrill of making it through tough times together.

As those moments added up... I found I couldn't just keep passing through.

There were people I wanted to see again. Places I wanted to return to.

When they were in trouble, I wanted to help. When they were happy, I wanted to laugh with them.

And not long ago, someone pointed it out to me.

That perhaps I... have come to love this world quite a bit.

Love... the world?

Yes. The world, its sights, its people... even lively festivals like this.

Things I'd once have left behind without a second thought... Had become precious to me.

...

And so my steps slowed... Until, before I knew it, I'd stopped wandering.

And that's why... you stayed?

Well, I suppose part of me is still a wanderer.

Heh, funny, isn't it? I thought I'd wander forever. Yet here I am, with somewhere I belong.

...Still, I...

I know, "Child of the Boundary."

That friend I mentioned... They're from Quartet, and they told me about you.

About a kind child whose body and soul rest on the boundary.

I'm not... kind.

Heh, what did I just tell you? Don't be so quick to decide.

How about this, then?

...?

Let's find out. Whether you're kind. Whether you really hate festivals, or love them.

What you truly want. What you dislike, and what matters to you...

How do we find that out?

Simple. We jump right in.

Starting with the festival you claim to hate.

...I don't want to.

Haha. Try it first, then tell me what you think.

Who knows? Give it a chance, like I did... And you might meet someone wonderful.

Someone who'll open up your world and help you discover who you are.

As if someone like that exists...

Honestly. Didn't I just tell you not to decide so quickly?

So, what will it be? I've said my piece. The choice is yours.

I don't know.

But...

Just watching from a distance is worse.

Hehe... Fair enough. Let's go and see, then.

But... if it's boring, I'm leaving right away.

Of course! Let a festival expert show you how it's done! Hehehe...

Haa... haa... ngh...!

Ngh...!

S-Stay away!

Haa... It's... too dangerous right now...

Right now, two powers are clashing inside Kouchou's body.

At the boundary... One day, I found a scythe glowing red.

I took hold of it, as if something had drawn me to it... From then on, the Red Butterflies were always... with me.

That was when... my duty as a shrine maiden began.

And the other one is...

I can't tell you what I don't know! I'm not an information broker. I can't know everything!

At this point, she may be becoming a whole new 'anomaly,' neither human nor aberrant spirit!

And with a shrine maiden's power, too... Hehehe... Who knows? She might even become a supernatural being...

...

Ah, right! Well, this next part isn't up to me...

It all depends on Kouchou.

...Me?

Her power as a shrine maiden and her original power... They're trying to devour each other.

To help her recover quickly, we need to stop them fighting!

Hehehe... Don't worry. Dan Xi will cover all the extra fees anyway, right?

Urgh... We're saving a life here. Couldn't you give me a little discount...?

Well... Thanks to this, I've made a great connection with <:player>, so I won't take any money for today.

Hm? Whatever do you mean?

Instead, Dan Xi can test a few ritual tools for me!

Eek...!

I-It's nothing, my friend! Whew...

...?

Ah... At last! The perfect owner for my creation!

W-Wait... Is this... Are these... clothes...?

All the better, don't you think? This goes here... and then this...

Eek! N-Not there...! That leaves everything on display...!

Hmm... Knowing Yomi's sorcery, I suspect...

Phew, all ready!

Kouchou? Come on out! Everyone's waiting, you know?

Ahaha! Do you like it? It's my masterpiece!

Of course, custom work like this usually comes with a rather steep price tag!

That's... quite a price tag. Even with magical blessings...

To celebrate meeting <:player> for the first time today... I won't charge extra for this outfit either!

Hehehe... Think nothing of it!

Well! Now that you've seen my masterpiece, on to the next step!

Hyaaap!

?!!!

We're inside the boundary. Where traces of the past and faded memories scatter and disappear.

...Why did you come? There's nothing here to see...

...

...You shouldn't have come here.

I'm me.

You're hurt. That happened when I lost control earlier, didn't it?

It was the same before.

Yes. Before I received the power of the Red Butterfly—the power to guide and purify souls, I had another power...

...The power to draw in 'corruption' and make it my own.

I've always drawn aberrant spirits to me.

Maybe because I lived in the rift along the boundary, surrounded by the corrupt energy of 'the other side'... I'm a lot like them at my core.

That's why the people around me always end up hurt.

That's why I started keeping my distance.

So I wouldn't hurt anyone... And so I wouldn't get hurt, either.

If I let you get close, I'll hurt you too.

And I don't want that.

So please, go back.

...I will seal it away.

Then I won't hurt anyone.

I already tried. And... this is the result.

The Kouchou you're looking at now, <:player>... is the other 'half' I turned away from. The Memories I sealed away with my power. Memories I couldn't forget, even if I wanted to.

I was never meant to wake up. But the aberrant spirits stirred me awake, along with the power of 'the other side'.

...A demon's power—the ability to tear open Rifts and sever boundaries.

That's why aberrant spirits are instinctively drawn to me. Like butterflies to the scent of flowers...

Lured by the scent of 'this side,' drifting through me...

Yes. If I'm sealed away with the demonic power, the two powers will stop clashing. The aberrant spirits won't be drawn to me anymore, either.

Then no one else will get hurt because of me.

I'll go back to sleep, just like before.

Never to wake again... Alone, drifting through the void...

But if I seal myself away before the two halves have fully merged...

All the memories, all the moments I've gathered since then... Might disappear again.

Even so... If it keeps you from getting hurt.

...If it means I won't lose anyone precious to me again.

Then it's worth it.

So I have a favor to ask, <:player>.

If I end up forgetting about you...

Will you... come talk to me again?

Still... I'm glad you came all this way for me.

!?

W-What...?

I-I could do that, but...

This is the only way to keep anyone else from getting hurt...

?!

I...

That's not it!

I-I...! I...!

I...!!

I don't want to be... alone!

With Dan Xi and everyone in the Fairwinds Association! With the Hundred Schools of Thought, and everyone else in Quartet!

I wanted to get close to them... To talk to them and have them talk to me, too.

I wanted to do it again and again!!

I want you to do whatever you like with me, <:player>! You don't have to hold back! Honestly, I wanted you to be even rougher!

And...! Tie me up with ropes and @$%&# me! Then $%&...! And @#%& too...!

I want you to make a complete mess of me all night long!!

Haa... Haa... Ah.

N-No. This is...

I'm not a masochist.

I do.

I... don't know. But the moment I admitted what I wanted, it felt like something inside me broke free...

Wait. ...Can't we stay a little longer?

This is my inner world... I can do anything I like here...

Anything you want...

...Yeah. There's bedding, too...

And some... other things, too.

The boundary... collapsed...?

...

Fixer...

Please... give...

Please... give me your... [■■■]...

<:player>!

Stay out of my way...

That... might be nice, too...

Mmm... Oho, this is...

...Aberrant spirits have latched onto them. Every single person here!

Impossible. Chise is a one-woman army. Aberrant spirits couldn't overpower her.

Fixer... Haa... Fixer, Fixer, Fiiixer...♡

...I think she's always been a little like this, underneath it all.

All right, enough chatter.

It's more like... she's choosing to keep them around.

She's playing with them... with the children...

Hehehe... What a relief. You're still incomplete, but... You're growing beautifully...

I don't intend to fight...

For one night's festival, even those long forgotten... shall rise again...

You've waited so long, everyone... Through long nights and days of hunger and exhaustion...

Those who forgot, those who were forgotten, those who lost even their names, those who wander in search of a name.

Tonight, you needn't wander... A Night Parade of a Hundred Demons awaits you...

Now—let us open the pavilion doors...