[X] Inventory
A Mauser C96. Early semi-automatic pistol. You have two unused magazines for reloading.

[X] Storage
A small note. It reads "To use, aim and throw hard."
A few pieces of blank stationary. You'll need something to write with, first.
A map of the East Wing of the Voile library. Nothing special is marked on it.
A catalogue listing books in the East Wing. It isn't very thick, but the print is small and hard to read.
A broken door knob handle. It seems pretty useless.
A blindfold. It seems to be part of a magician's set.
A cloth gag. Not very funny, in your opinion.
A pair of police handcuffs and keys. Heavy-duty.
A bicycle chain. You can't remember what you were thinking when you took it.
Three small candles. You'll need some matches.
A length of silk rope. It probably won't leave marks.
A Stradivarius violin. It seems to have a life of its own.
A violin case. Self explanatory.
A letter from Remilia. You already read it.
An ammo crate. Holds ammo clips for the Mauser C96.
A short pamphlet. "A Draft of Spell Card Rules"
A small pink envelope. It is empty.
A book from the Voile Library. It reads "Invoking Spirits for Beginners".

Extra: Handmade Buns

The gate guard sighs heavily.

"Another slow day, this is so boring," she mutters.

The Scarlet Devil Mansion rarely has visitors, so the past weeks have been pretty peaceful. Aside from the occasional delivery, she hardly has any work to do. Not that she is complaining, of course. Thanks to the idle times, she has time to practice her Tai Chi. When she has the chance, she even takes a short nap after lunch.

Suddenly, she hears some rustling from the bushes along the path. She confidently walks forward and prepares her combat stance.

"I knew it. Humans are useless," she says aloud.

A rabbit jumps out of the bushes. It looks at her for a few seconds before scurrying away.

"That line doesn't really fit you. Also, I don't think you should say that around Sakuya."

She turns around to look at the owner of the voice. She smiles when she recognizes him. He is one of Lady Remilia's guests in the mansion. He is a human, not unlike Sakuya. His silver-rimmed glasses glint brightly in the morning sun. He gives her a gentle smile.

"Just trying it out," she says as she folds her arms. "Stop following me already~"

"You wouldn't run to some place with nothing there, right?"

"Well, actually, I think I would..."

After a moment, they both burst out laughing.

"Y-you really should come up with better lines, Ms. Gate Guard," he says.

"And you should find something else to do besides bothering people at work," she retorts.

"I suppose I should," he replies.

She doesn't understand why, but she easily opens up to this person. She doesn't have to pretend to be hardworking or strong. She can just be herself and take it easy.

"Oh yeah, I brought something for you," he says. He gives her a small bag.

The gate guard opens the bag. A delicious aroma wafts into her nostrils. She recognizes it immediately.

"Sakuya said that you like sweet buns," he says.

She gives him a bow before taking one of the buns. She opens her mouth to take a large bite. The delicately kneaded dough of the bun rubs smoothly against her tongue. Her mouth is in ecstasy as she feels the soft, sweet bean paste slide down her throat. This must be a glimpse of heaven.

"How is it?" he asks.

The gate guard gives him a thumbs-up as she swallows.

"T-that's great!" he says in relief. "I wasn't sure if I baked them properly..."

"You baked these yourself?" she asks.

"Yep, I thought that I would try something new," he answers softly. "I'm glad you liked them."

She finds herself staring deep into his kind eyes. She can feel herself blushing, but she can't look away. She opens her mouth, but she can't find any word to express herself.

"A-anyway, I'll be heading back inside now," he says.

He gives her a thumbs-up.

"Keep up the good work, Ms. Gate Guard!"

"E-eh?" she manages.

He walks back inside before she can say anything else.

...

"Ms. Gate Guard, eh?" she mutters aloud.

She takes another bite of the sweet bun. They really were well-made.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Take a seat beside her and continue watching. You're worried, and she looks pretty cute like this.

---

"There isn't anything wrong with looking out for the girl," Grey tells himself.

He takes a seat beside Patchouli and continues watching over her. When she wakes up, she might need something. He needs to be nearby in case she needs some help. Her sleeping face is quite a pleasant sight. He silently wishes he had a camera to capture this moment.

Grey leans lightly on a few books as he watches.

...

"How is it?" she asks.

He just stares at her with mouth agape. She looks simply stunning.

The lavender dress that Koakuma picked out contours her luscious curves perfectly. The dress itself is full of frills and trimming, reflecting the detailed touch of the dollmaker. She wears a short pearl necklace around her neck, a present that a friend "borrowed" from a jewelry store. A small silver tiara and a single gold crescent ornament adorns her head, accentuating her lovely purple hair.

"C-could you stop staring for a moment?" she whispers. "It's embarrassing."

Patchouli blushes brightly, further emphasizing her flawless ivory skin. Her deep purple eyes look awkwardly down at the floor. She manages a tiny smile as he continues looking.

"..."

Suddenly, she looks up, worried.

"Are you alright?" she asks.

He mumbles something incoherently.

...

"Are you alright?"

"... wonderful," Grey mumbles.

He feels something poking his shoulder. He raises his head sleepily to see Koakuma nearby. She gives him a gentle smile.

"Maybe you should get some rest," she says.

Grey sits up and looks around. Patchouli still seems to be asleep in her own chair.

"Just a dream," he mutters.

Koakuma unexpectedly takes a step backward. She manages to maintain a weak smile. He looks at the bat-winged girl thoughtfully.

"Sorry about earlier," he says. "I didn't mean to frighten you or anything. I guess I was just confused."

"..."

"I don't really understand, but I think I crossed the line somehow and -"

Suddenly, Koakuma embraces him. This close, he can easily feel the warmth from her body. He can't see the expression on her face. They stay like that for a little while.

"It's alright," she whispers.

She pulls away, smiling at him brightly.

"I'll take care of Mistress Patchouli," she says. "I believe that you should find some time to look around the mansion. Lady Remilia did leave you with that duty, after all."

Grey nods slowly.

[ ] Return to your room. You can take/leave some items (Specify)
[ ] Head to the changing room.
[ ] Head to the kitchen.
[ ] Head to the dining room.
[ ] Head to the garden.
[ ] Head to the front gate.
[ ] Head to Sakuya's room.
[ ] Head to the Flandre's room in the basement.
[ ] See if you can find a way to the clock tower.
[ ] See if you can find the lower library chamber.
[ ] See if you can find another stairway down to the basement.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Carry her to the library. Maybe you can find Koakuma.

---

Grey pauses to think.

Patchouli isn't exactly the healthiest inhabitant of Gensokyo. Casting that spell might have been too much for her body to take. This probably happens often in the mansion, so Koakuma should know how to deal with it. She is Patchouli's familiar, after all.

"Here we go," he mutters.

He easily carries the pink and purple wizard princess-style. She is surprisingly light, perhaps even too light. It is no wonder that she is in such poor health. She must find it difficult to even step out of the library for extended periods of time. Maybe she stays indoors not because she wants to, but because she needs to.

"..."

Grey takes a glance at her face. She looks extraordinarily cute at this angle. He finds it hard to believe that this frail girl is actually protecting him, and not the other way around.

"Hmmggh," she mutters weakly.

He uses all his will to resist the urge to kiss her.

Grey deftly carries her out of the room. He walks quickly along the hallways until he reaches the library. He hastily surveys the area. He seems to be in luck. Koakuma is carrying a few books near one of the shelves on the right.

"Koakuma!" he shouts at the bat-winged girl. "Patchouli needs help!"

"E-eh?"

...

He gently lays the anemic magician on a cushy looking chair. She seems to be sleeping more peacefully now. Maybe she just needs more rest.

"Are you sure this is enough?" he asks Koakuma. "Shouldn't we bring her into her room?"

Koakuma shakes her head.

"Mistress Patchouli said that she would rather be brought to her reading area when she has an attack. She insists that her anemia isn't anything to worry about. She would rather continue reading right after she recovers."

She sighs heavily.

"Though I agree that she pushes herself too much sometimes," she adds. "I was surprised that she insisted on having breakfast at the dining room. She wasn't feeling very well earlier."

"I see," Grey manages. Patchouli accepted his invitation without mentioning anything about her health. What was she thinking?

"A-anyway, I'll go and get some tea," she says. "Mistress enjoys something warm after recovering."

Koakuma gives him a gentle smile before turning to leave. Perhaps she is feeling better now?

Grey takes a long thoughtful look at the sleeping wizard.

[ ] Take a seat beside her and continue watching. She looks pretty cute like this.
[ ] Take a seat nearby and read something. This is a library, after all.
[ ] Follow after Koakuma and help her out. Maybe you can talk to her now.
[ ] Leave the library. Koakuma can take care of Patchouli.
[ ] Custom

[X] Inventory
Mauser C96. Early semi-automatic pistol. You have two unused magazines for reloading.

[X] Effects
Protective Barrier: Provides temporary defense against most attacks.

[X] Status
Patchouli - B
Koakuma - B
Remilia - C
Sakuya - B
Flandre - C
Meiling - D

Patchouli takes another book from inside her dress and quickly flips through it. She seems to be looking for something.

"Here it is," she mumbles.

"..."

She completely ignores him as she reads. She must be searching for something important. Perhaps she is looking for the best spell she can use to torture him. After everything he did, a swift death is far too merciful.

Maybe they are going to crucify him upside-down and leave him hanging outside of the mansion. Maybe they are going to slowly burn him alive inside a steel drum and leave him along some path in the mountains. Maybe they are going to disembowel him carefully and leave him impaled on a pike outside the village to be eaten by crows.

He shudders slightly as he continues picturing the different ways they can end him.

"Found it," she says.

Patchouli stands up and walks toward Grey. She raises one hand over his head as she holds the book up with the other hand. She starts chanting some words in an unintelligible language.

Grey closes his eyes as he braces himself.

A bright flash of light erupts from her hands.

...

A few moments later, Grey opens his eyes. He checks his body and finds himself uninjured. He looks up at Patchouli.

"This spell should protect you from most types of attacks," she says.

"W-what?"

"It isn't perfect, so don't expect it to last more than a few direct hits when in actual combat."

"I-I don't understand," he says.

"I think I can believe Remilia now," she says. "Maybe the tragedy can be averted after all."

"You lost me," Grey says as he shakes his head.

"If it's you, then maybe -"

Patchouli suddenly falls forward into his arms. Looks like she fell unconscious.

[ ] Stay in the room and wait for her to recover. Perhaps she just needs to rest.
[ ] Carry her to the library. Maybe you can find Koakuma.
[ ] Carry her to the kitchen. The fairy maids can help find Sakuya.
[ ] Carry her outside. Meiling might be able to help.
[ ] Carry her to your room. Maybe you can do something yourself.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Yourself.

---

"A traitor in the mansion," he repeats.

Patchouli watches him carefully.

"That would be me, wouldn't it?" Grey says slowly.

"..."

"The attacks on the mansion intensified only after I arrived. Sakuya said that up until two days ago, the incidents happened around the area of the mansion, but never inside its grounds."

She gives him a puzzled look.

"We don't have any evidence or any other clues. As a newcomer to the mansion, I must be the most likely suspect."

"I suppose that is all true," Patchouli says. "However, I can't see the person behind this admitting to the crime so easily."

She doesn't look convinced.

"While you may have some unusual ability, I fail to see you as being powerful enough to defeat any of us," she continues. "I doubt if you can even defeat Koakuma at your current level."

"..."

She narrows her eyes.

"Is there something you haven't told me?"

Grey pauses. He doesn't know why he is saying this. He may end up dead. But every time he looks back at those dreams, he can't help but feel like a monster.

"I've had some strange dreams the past two nights," he manages.

Patchouli's eyes glint with interest. She waits patiently for him to continue.

"They felt real," he says. "Like I was being another person, yet still myself."

"Another person?" she asks.

"I mean that I was sure that I was myself in the dreams. The sensations and thoughts racing through my mind were genuine. But I was doing things that I would never dream of doing."

"..."

Grey closes his eyes as he recalls his first dream. He shudders as he remembers how he enjoyed it with sadistic pleasure.

"In the first dream, I found myself walking around the mansion late at night," he says. "I entered Sakuya's room and used some sort of strange skill to overpower her. I did some..."

He cringes as he remembers.

"... horrible things."

Patchouli continues watching him, her expression unreadable.

"In the second dream, I found myself in the Voile Library with you," he says. "You led me to a chamber in the Lower Library where Koakuma was chained up. You assisted me as we conducted some kind of strange ritual..."

He feels a tear roll down his cheek.

"...Koakuma trusted us, but we betrayed her and did unforgivable things."

Grey wipes off the tear as he lowers his head.

"I'm a monster," he whispers.

For a few moments, Patchouli looks at him thoughtfully.

"Just as I suspected," she says.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Patchouli
[X] "You said you had some theories regarding how the youkai enter the mansion?"

---

"Go ahead to the library and see to it that the books are returned properly," Patchouli says.

Koakuma bows to her. She looks at Grey questioningly.

"I'll follow in a few minutes," Patchouli says lightly.

"I understand," Koakuma says. Grey can't read the expression on her face.

The bat-winged girl walks back inside dining room. Patchouli watches her until she is out of sight.

"You said that we need a place to talk?" Grey says quietly.

"Follow me," she answers.

As they walk along the corridors, Patchouli takes a book from her dress and starts reading. It looks different from the one she had during breakfast. Grey wonders idly about how many books she carries around in her dress.

They stop in front of a non-descript door. Patchouli mutters a few unintelligible words as they stand before it. Grey sees the door handle glow momentarily before returning to normal. She opens the door and beckons him inside.

"This place will do," she says simply.

Grey takes a look around. There is a large desk in the center of the room with several chairs around it. There are a few shelves full of books at the corners. A potted plant that doesn't go with the room can be seen on the left. The room has no windows.

He closes the door behind him as Patchouli takes a seat. She doesn't raise her head when he takes a seat beside her. The two of them sit silently for a few moments. Grey clears his throat.

"You mentioned earlier that you had some theories." he says. "The youkai can't break into the mansion on their own, can they?"

Patchouli nods slightly without taking her eyes of the book.

"The youkai themselves are only pawns in this game," she says as she flips a page. "They are quite powerful for beasts, but they are too weak to force their way through my barrier."

"But you said earlier that there is nothing wrong with the barrier," he says.

"There isn't. The barrier hasn't been forcefully attacked. I checked it myself."

"..."

Grey pauses as he thinks about the implications of this statement. The Scarlet Devil Mansion isn't a place that normal youkai can attack. It could be compared to a fortress if one considers the different layers of defense, not to mention the power level of its inhabitants. The obvious conclusion would be that...

He bites his lips and stays silent. Suddenly, Patchouli slams her book shut loudly. She puts it down and looks straight at him.

"You suspect as well, don't you?" she says.

Her eyes reflect a hint of sadness as she speaks.

"There is a traitor in the mansion."

Grey pauses to reflect on the events he witnessed.

The most likely suspect would be...
[ ] Yourself.
[ ] Remilia.
[ ] Sakuya.
[ ] Patchouli.
[ ] Koakuma.
[ ] Meiling.
[ ] Flandre
[ ] Don't say anything.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Tell her you won't mention it.
[X] Talk about the youkai attacks.
[X] Talk about the mansion defenses.

---

"I've heard that our new butler has been busy," Remilia says. "Doing your part in clearing the vermin from the mansion?"

"This is just part of a butler's duty, is it not?" Grey says.

"Yes, I believe that it was well within my expectations," Remilia says. "I have no doubt that you will continue to give excellent service."

"Of course, my Lady,"

He takes a sip from his tea as he surveys the room. Remilia is sitting at the head of the table. She looks both amused and impressed at his exploits. Sakuya is standing to her left, pouring tea for the vampire girl. She gently smiles at him as he watches. Patchouli is sitting opposite him, surrounded by her little fortress of books. She looks calm and cool as she reads a thick hardcover book. Koakuma stands behind Patchouli. She manages a weak smile when she notices his gaze.

He puts down his cup and looks at Remilia seriously.

"Do we know anything new about the youkai attacks?" he asks. "Yesterday's raid was pretty serious."

Remilia takes a glance at Patchouli. The pink and purple magician answers without raising her head.

"We don't know much, but I have some theories," she says. "Those creatures can't be acting on their own. I believe that there may be a magic user or similar being using them as pawns to test our defenses."

Sakuya clears her throat.

"If I may speak, Lady Remilia," the chief maid says. "The attacks have done significant damage to both the mansion and the staff. We can't rely on the barrier alone."

"A barrier?" Grey asks. He remembers hearing about a magical barrier around the mansion.

"Patchouli created a powerful defensive barrier around the mansion when we arrived in Gensokyo," Remilia says. "Until now, it was sufficient to keep out vermin of this level."

"Yet the recent attacks prove otherwise," Sakuya interrupts. "Perhaps it wasn't as reliable as we thought."

"There is nothing wrong with the barrier," Patchouli says. She looks straight at Sakuya without flinching.

"Then how are they getting through?" Sakuya challenges. "Yesterday's youkai hornets were seen flying right over the mansion walls, as if there wasn't a barrier at all!"

"I have theories," Patchouli says quietly. She returns to her reading.

Sakuya sighs heavily.

"Theories won't bring back the maids we lost. After yesterday's attack, the mansion is severely undermanned. Lady Remilia we need to -"

Remilia raises a hand to silence her.

"That's enough," she says. She turns her gaze toward Grey.

"You are to investigate the incidents," she decides. "I expect that everyone here will cooperate with your task."

"E-excuse me?" he asks.

Remilia smiles mischievously.

"Try to find a way to keep yourself alive if you have the time," she adds.

Grey thinks about who to approach after breakfast.
[ ] Sakuya
[ ] Patchouli
[ ] Koakuma
[ ] Talk to someone else. (Specify)
[ ] Custom.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Ask if they noticed anything strange last night.
[X] Ask if she would like to have breakfast in the dining room.

---

Grey pauses to think.

"Did either of you notice anything unusual last night?" he asks.

Patchouli yawns again.

"The library was nice and quiet," she says. "I stayed up a bit late to catch up on my reading."

She turns to Koakuma.

"Did you notice anything?" she asks her.

Koakuma shakes her head.

"Last night was peaceful," she says simply. Grey can't read her expression.

"I see," Grey says.

He is glad to see that both Koakuma and Patchouli are alright, but there is something strange going on. Koakuma seems to be hiding something, but Patchouli either hasn't noticed or isn't worried about it. He needs to find out more. Something is definitely off.

"Anyway, I was wondering if you would like to have breakfast in the dining room with us."

For a moment, he notices Patchouli's eyes glint with excitement.

"I suppose that it would be inappropriate to refuse your invitation," she says.

She turns to Koakuma.

"Could you ask the fairies to bring in a few books to the dining room? They can bring the ones around my desk."

"Y-yes! Of course!" she says.

The bat-winged girl quickly heads off to fetch the maids, leaving them alone together. Patchouli watches her carefully until she is out of sight. She turns to Grey seriously and pulls something from inside her dress.

"Take these," she says. She is holding a few strange looking cards. They have an ornate deck design, though the front sides are all blank. Grey recognizes them immediately.

"Spell cards," he says as he takes them.

"I don't suppose I need to explain much further," she says. "However, the details of spell card inscription will have to wait until later."

Patchouli starts walking toward the library exit. Grey follows beside her.

"Patchouli, I'm not sure if it is appropriate to say this, but I think that there is something strange happening in the mansion."

She pulls out a book and starts flipping through its pages. For a minute, the two walk along the shelves in silence.

"I know," she whispers.

She turns to Grey with a grave expression.

"Don't talk about it during breakfast."

Patchouli seems to be waiting for a response.
[ ] Tell her you won't mention it.
[ ] Tell her that you might mention it.
[ ] Tell her that you need to bring it up.

During breakfast...
[ ] Talk about the youkai attacks.
[ ] Talk about the mansion defenses.
[ ] Talk about your strange dreams.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Wait for her to calm down.

---

Koakuma looks terrified.

"I can't get close like this," Grey mutters.

He shows her his open palms as he leans back on the nearest shelf. He moves slowly and carefully to show that he isn't going to do anything. She is acting like a cornered little animal right now, and any sudden movements might cause her to bolt away.

"..."

For several minutes, the two of them watch each other in silence. Koakuma slowly stops shuddering, and her breathing starts returning to normal. She manages to sit herself up and lean against a bookcase, but she still eyes Grey warily.

"..."

Grey looks at Koakuma thoughtfully. Maybe she isn't used to physical contact? Somehow, he doubts that this could be the only reason. There must be something happening in the mansion that he knows nothing about. He makes a note to investigate further when he has the chance.

"Umm... Mistress Patchouli asked me to find you," Koakuma whispers.

She stands up and brushes dust off her dress. She doesn't turn her head to look at Grey.

"Please follow me," she says. She starts walking somberly between the shelves.

Grey gets up and follows behind her. He makes sure to keep a comfortable distance from the bat-winged girl.

...

Koakuma leads him to Patchouli's reading area. Patchouli rubs her eyes as she looks in their direction.

"Oh, it's you," says the pink and purple magician.

"Good morning," he says brightly. "Did you sleep well?"

Patchouli yawns lightly in response. She brushes a lock of her hair away from her face absent-mindedly. Grey feels himself get a bit excited by such a cute gesture.

"Slept well enough," she says.

"That is good to hear," he says.

Koakuma stands beside her mistress and stays silent. Grey can't see the expression on her face. Patchouli shakes away her sleepiness and takes a good look at him.

"How may I help you?" she asks.

Grey pauses to think. He can probably ask a quick question.
[ ] Ask if they saw you wandering around last night.
[ ] Ask if they noticed anything strange last night.
[ ] Ask something else. (Specify)

He can probably spend some time with her.
[ ] Ask if you can stay and read with her in the library.
[ ] Ask if she would take a walk with you around the garden.
[ ] Ask if she would like to have breakfast in the dining room.
[ ] Leave the library.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Lower your gun and embrace her tightly

---

Grey lowers his gun as he recognizes the girl beside him. He holsters the weapon immediately.

"K-Koakuma?" he whispers.

"I-I'm sorry!" she stammers. "I-I didn't mean to startle you, I just -"

Without warning, he embraces her. Koakuma's eyes widen in surprise. He can feel her soft body against his chest. He strokes her smooth red hair gently as he forces his tears back. He takes one of her delicate white hands in his own, as if to make sure that she is really alive and well.

"You're alright!" he whispers. "I thought that -"

Suddenly, she pushes herself away from him. He slams his the back of his head hard on a bookcase.

"G-g-get away from me!" she shouts.

He rubs his head as he regains his focus. That really hurt. He looks back at her with a puzzled expression.

Koakuma's eyes are damp with tears, and her shoulders are quivering in fear. Her legs are shaking violently. She is looking at him as if he was some kind of monster. She turns around to run, but she trips clumsily on her feet.

"Kyaaah~"

She falls hard on the floor. Grey stands up immediately to help her.

"D-don't touch me!" she shouts.

Her eyes are filled with panic. She might scream if he comes any closer.

Or worse.

[ ] Wait for her to calm down.
[ ] Try to approach her again.
[ ] Speak to her in a soothing manner.
[ ] Threaten her into submission.
[ ] Get up and leave.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Voile Library. Fast.
[X] The Mauser C96.

---

Grey grabs his coat and the Mauser C96 before leaving the room.

As he runs through the hallways, he runs through yesterday's events in his head. He knows that he went to sleep right after eating. If the tray is gone, then maybe it really happened...

"Please let me be wrong," he prays.

A pair of fairy maids wave at him as he passes by; he gives them a slight nod as he continues on his way. They watch him in puzzlement as he runs past.

"Here," he says aloud.

He pauses to catch his breath. He is standing in front of the Voile Library. The heavy double doors stand imposingly in front of him. He mutters a curse as he pushes them open.

"D-dammit!" he shouts.

He surveys the library. The endless rows of books have been restored, and the damages have been repaired. The fairy maids must have completed their work yesterday. This proves to be a problem for Grey - he can't remember where Patchouli's reading desk is. There are no visible landmarks from the entrance.

"Y-you said that you were my f-friend." she said.

He runs recklessly into the sea of books and starts searching.

"I-I told you everything. I-I even lied for you!" she said.

He sprints across the library, taking turns every now and then. The entrance is far behind him, but he doesn't bother making a mental map.

"I-I-I loved you." she said.

He wipes off a tear as he continues running. He starts calling out for Koakuma and Patchouli, but no one answers him back. He starts panicking as he runs. For several minutes, he tries to find them, but to no avail.

"W-where the hell are they?" he shouts.

He pauses to catch his breath. At this rate, he'll never find them. The library is far too large. He may not even find his way back. He leans against the side of one of the bookshelves, trying to calm himself down. Everything has gone to shit, and he doesn't even know why...

Suddenly, he hears a footstep to his left. He draws his gun by reflex before turning his head.

Koakuma is standing beside him. From her position, it looks like she was about to pat his shoulder. She stares back in shock at the gun and at Grey.

"I-I'm sorry!" she says, bowing at him.

[ ] Lower your gun and apologize.
[ ] Ask if she is feeling alright.
[ ] Ask if she saw him wandering around last night.
[ ] Ask if she can lead him to Patchouli
[ ] Ask if she can lead him to the entrance.
[ ] Embrace her tightly.
[ ] Custom.

Grey looks at himself in the mirror. His hair is a mess, his eyes are red, and his face is sweaty. He washes his face carefully as he tries to forgot the gruesome details.

Just like the other night, that dream felt real. He remembers each step he took after he left his room. He is sure that if he retraces his steps, he can find his way back to the chamber in the Lower Library. However, what he might find there...

"Urg.."

He runs to the toilet and vomits violently. As he empties the contents of his stomach, tears flow steadily down his cheek. He does not bother wiping them off as he grits his teeth and lowers his head in shame.

...

Grey returns to his room after recovering. He looks out of the window to see a familiar fog over the lake and forest. The sun peeks lazily from between the clouds. He wonders idly if Remilia will be having breakfast in the dining room.

He turns around and surveys the room. Seems like everything is exactly as he left it last night. Almost everything, anyway.

"The tray is gone." he says aloud.

He blinks.

The tray is gone.

He considers where to go first.
[ ] Kitchen.
[ ] Dining Room.
[ ] Sakuya's Room.
[ ] Voile Library.
[ ] Changing Room.
[ ] Basement.
[ ] Garden.
[ ] Front Gate.
[ ] Custom

He can take a few things with him.
[ ] The Stradivarius violin and its case.
[ ] The Mauser C96.
[ ] Other. (Specify)

Patchouli brings out a large surgical kit.

"Yukari said that this was the best she could find given the short notice," she says.

He opens the kit and looks over the tools. There are several sharp implements, including a pair of surgical scissors, two large saws, a few medium-sized knives, and several medical scalpels. There are a few other things inside, such as the materials for a tourniquet and some sterilized bandages, but he won't be needing them.

"This is excellent," he says. He examines each tool carefully.

"Have you decided where to start?" Patchouli asks.

He nods solemnly.

"The soul seems to be the most appropriate for a night like this," he says.

Patchouli opens her tome and flips through its pages. She stops somewhere near the end of the book.

"Isn't that usually saved for last?" she asks.

"That is true," he replies. "However, this night is special."

He turns to Koakuma. She looks back with defiance, but her legs are shaking.

"I want to make tonight's performance memorable." he says.

He takes one of the scalpels from the kit and starts walking toward Koakuma.

"W-what are you going to do?" Koakuma cries out.

"You may not like to hear the details," he says calmly.

He raises his empty hand toward Koakuma. Her body falls limp.

"But I suppose it won't hurt to tell you now."

He makes a gesture with his hand. She loses control of her facial muscles.

"You see, my little devil..."

He walks close to her, inches away from her face. He makes one final gesture. She can no longer blink.

"The eyes are the windows to the soul." he says with a grin.

He raises the scalpel to start the procedure.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Soul. That which one hopes never to sell.

---

"We should begin the ritual," Patchouli says.

He pauses for a moment, then smiles.

"I know exactly where we should start," he says. "But I believe that this blessed evening deserves a more graceful performance. There is something missing, don't you agree?"

Patchouli pulls out a black tome from her dress. She quickly begins flipping through its pages.

"I don't understand," she says. "I don't see anything missing."

He puts his hand gently on Patchouli's shoulder.

"My Mistress seems to be overlooking something right in front of her~" he says with a sly smile.

"Everything for the ritual is set," she says with a frown. "What are you talking abo-"

He interrupts her with his lips. Her eyes widen in surprise. He slowly pushes his tongue over and against her small lips. They part without resistance as he enters deeper inside her. He continues exploring every inch of her mouth. She slowly responds with her own tongue, rubbing it awkwardly against his. She is clearly inexperienced, but she tries her best to return the stimulation. She closes her eyes as they continue this lustful dance with their tongues.

"S-s-stop it!" Koakuma cries out. Her eyes are red from weeping.

He slowly pulls away from Patchouli to glance at the bat-winged girl.

"I just wanted you to understand this before we start," he says confidently. "Patchouli is my Mistress, and no one else."

He looks back at Patchouli. She has a dreamy look in her eyes as she holds the tome to hide her mouth. Even in the darkness of the chamber, he can see her blushing. She puts a finger in her mouth and sucks it absent-mindedly as he watches.

He clears his throat. Patchouli quickly recovers herself.

"Y-yes, we should start," she says. "I brought what you requested."

He looks at the bat-winged girl thoughtfully. Koakuma has both of her wrists shackled to the wall. A sealing circle has been drawn underneath, preventing her from using spells. She looks up at them. Her eyes widen in shock.

"Y-y-you?" she says, her face aghast.

He smiles politely and bows.

"Good evening, little devil," he says. "I will be hosting tonight's premier performance in this wonderful chamber."

"B-but why?" she asks. Tears flow steadily down her cheeks. Her dress is torn in several places, exposing her delicious white skin.

"You should be thankful that we chose you," Patchouli says. "This ritual will bring forth a new beginning."

"S-shut up! You lying bitch!" Koakuma shouts. "You had this all planned from the start."

Patchouli looks at her expressionlessly.

"Actually, most of it was his plan," she says. "You give me too much credit."

Koakuma looks at him earnestly, as if asking him to deny it. His smile widens in reply.

"Y-you said that you were my f-friend." she stammers. "I-I told you everything. I-I even lied for you!"

"And you were excellent," he says. "As a pawn, of course."

"I-I-I loved you." she whispers.

"..."

Koakuma starts sobbing uncontrollably.

"We should begin the ritual," Patchouli says.

He pauses to decide where to start.

[ ] Blood. This is the currency of life.
[ ] Flesh. A pound to repay one's debt.
[ ] Soul. That which one hopes never to sell.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Library

---

"Glad to see that you will be joining us this evening," Patchouli says calmly.

"Always a pleasure," he replies. "So, where is our guest of honor?"

"I left her in one of the chambers in the lower library," she says.

"Lead the way, my Mistress."

Patchouli gives him a slight nod. She leads him deep into the library. They pass countless rows of shelves until they reach a large staircase heading down. A glance over the side reveals several floors underground, each filled with shelves and books.

"Are Sakuya and the others asleep?" she asks without looking back.

"They have been... taken care of," he says with a smile.

"Very good," she says. "I hate interruptions."

They head down the staircase to the lowest floor underground. As they go deeper, he takes a glance at the shelves. The books in the lower floor are kept in pristine condition. Perhaps they are cleaned regularly by the mansion staff.

At the bottom of the library, he hears a few distant sobs from afar. He smiles eagerly.

"So, is she fresh?" he asks.

"She struggled a bit, but her essentials are undamaged," Patchouli says emotionlessly.

"Excellent."

He licks his lips as they approach the chamber.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Eat the food Koakuma brought in.
[X] Go to sleep.

---

"It approaches," he says.

He looks around his room. Almost everything seems to be in order. He frowns at the tray.

"Might as well," he says. He has a few minutes to spare before the appointed time.

He takes the tray with him as he heads downstairs to the kitchen. As he washes the dishes and cutlery, he wonders if he is doing this out of guilt. He easily shakes his head and laughs. Guilt is just one among many things he threw away a long time ago.

"Just old habits, I suppose," he says to himself.

After leaving the dishes to dry, he heads out of the kitchen. The hallways are deserted, just as he planned.

He walks carefully and quietly. He has no plans of alerting Lady Remilia or the little sister until his work is complete.

"This is it," he says.

A large, ornate door stands before him.

[ ] Clock tower.
[ ] Library.
[ ] Basement.

Grey takes his time cleaning the Mauser C96 carefully. The weapon may be in good condition, but it is very old. He can't afford to take any risks. After disassembling the gun, he wipes it clean with a rag. He applies some fresh grease that he found in the ammo crate as well.

Someone knocks at the door. Grey leaves his work to see who it is.

"Ah," he says. "Good evening, Koakuma."

The bat-winged girl bows her head politely. She is carrying a tray with some food and drink.

"I brought you some dinner," she says. "Sakuya said that Lady Remilia wants to continue sleeping."

"I see," he says. "That was very thoughtful of you. Thank you very much!"

Koakuma blushes pink.

"D-don't mind it," she says. "The mistress told me to watch over you closely."

Koakuma brings in the tray and puts it on the table.

"Please bring it to the kitchen once you're finished eating."

"Of course. Thanks again."

Koakuma bows again before leaving the room.

As Grey finishes his work on the Mauser C96, he thinks about what to do for this evening.

For tonight's dinner,
[ ] Eat the food Koakuma brought in.
[ ] Don't eat anything.
[ ] Go to the kitchen and make something else.

After dinner,
[ ] Go to sleep.
[ ] Explore the mansion.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[ ] Read the book Patchouli lent you. It reads "Invoking Spirits for Beginners".
[ ] Experiment with the Stradivarius violin. Maybe you can learn a new tune.
[ ] Clean and reload the Mauser C96. If it jams during a fight...

---

Grey opens the book and takes his time reading more about invoking spirits. Before he realizes it, he is engrossed in the book. Time passes idly as he finishes a few more chapters. Soon, he understands the basics and core concepts involved when attempting to invoke a spirit guardian. He notes the different methods and devices that can be used. He finally pauses when he notices that the sun is setting. He would need some daylight for the next task.

He takes the Stradivarius violin from its case. For a moment, he wonders how he was able to play this instrument at all. He has never trained in any type of musical study. He can't even read notes. However, he was able to use this device to prevent a small disaster.

He takes it in his hands and prepares to draw its bow.

[~I was wondering if you've forgotten...]

He almost drops the violin in surprise. He looks around the room, but he sees no one.

[~You didn't think that you could do all that alone, did you...]

He looks down at the violin intently.

"Why did you help me?" he asks aloud.

[~Your spirit, it is strong enough to give life to my music...]

"What do you mean?"

[~Do not misunderstand. I have little interest in the decisions of mortals...]

"..."

[~However, you are an ideal host to bring my music to life...]

"I do not understand."

[~To bring a little more good into this world - is that not a reason as valid as any other...]

"..."

Grey raises the violin into position and draws his bow. He begins playing a new piece, as if guided by the violin itself. He doesn't understand, but he feels that this music is full of power. The sun has set, and the room is poorly lighted, but he continues playing until he masters this piece.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Stay until you finish your tea.
[X] Tell Patchouli that you're going to read it in your room, though you'll probably be back if you have questions.
[X] Leave the library and head back to your room.

---

Grey takes the last biscuit and looks at Patchouli thoughtfully. Ever since Koakuma left, she stayed silent. However, he senses that she wants to say something.

"..."

He glances at the book on spirits. He starts to reach for it when Patchouli finally speaks.

"Your dreams," she says. "I would recommend paying close attention to them."

"Excuse me?"

Patchouli puts down her book and closes it. She looks straight at Grey with a concerned expression.

"You don't need to tell anyone what you see," she says. "But I believe that those unusual dreams may not be a coincidence. Something... similar happened before."

"Something similar?" Grey asks.

Patchouli stands up.

"Don't worry," she says. "I won't let it happen to you."

She hovers deeper into the library before Grey can say anything.

...

Grey finds himself back in his room. He looks around and sees everything exactly as he left it.

He lies on the bed and begins staring at the ceiling. Koakuma, Sakuya, and even Patchouli seem to know about a previous incident in the mansion. Remilia probably knows as well. But he only has a few clues: the letter with the foreboding message, the two youkai attacks, and the missing guest. There are several other suspicious things, but he isn't sure how they are related.

He needs to find more information before he can act. Some early preparation may help, as well.

(up to three selections)
[ ] Read the "Spell Card Rules" Keine gave you earlier. Looks like a short read.
[ ] Read the book Patchouli lent you. It reads "Invoking Spirits for Beginners".
[ ] Experiment with the Stradivarius violin. Maybe you can learn a new tune.
[ ] Clean and reload the Mauser C96. If it jams during a fight...
[ ] Leave/take some items. (Specify)
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Ask Koakuma about her day.
[X] If she returns the question, off-handedly mention that you had a terrible nightmare; see if you get a reaction.
[X] Take out the empty envelope and wonder out loud whether the fairy maids are playing a trick on you.
[X] Ask Patchouli about invoking spirits, and if you can borrow the book.

---

Grey takes a sip of his tea as he looks at Koakuma thoughtfully. She is tired from her work, but she looks pleased as she takes a biscuit.

"So, how was your day?" he asks Koakuma.

"It was pretty hectic," she says. "Mistress Patchouli managed to detect the attack on the library side earlier, but there were just so many of them..."

"I still don't understand how they keep bypassing the barriers," Patchouli says. She flips another page of her book.

"B-but it was good to see you earlier," Koakuma whispers. She focuses her attention on her tea as she starts blushing.

"That's good to hear," Grey says. "I had a terrible nightmare when I woke up this morning."

Koakuma still seems distracted by her tea. She has a cute little smile on her face.

"Nightmare?" Patchouli asks. She raises her head to look at Grey.

"Well, nothing to be concerned about," he says. "It's probably nothing..."

"I see," she says. She returns to her reading.

"Earlier, one of the maids gave me this envelope," Grey says as he pulls it out of his pocket. "Too bad it was empty. I wonder if the fairies are playing tricks on me..."

"I doubt it. Unlike wild fairies, the maids in the mansion are well-trained," Patchouli says. "They are quite clumsy, so perhaps she simply forgot to put it in the envelope."

"What kind of air-head would make that kind of mistake?" Grey thinks.

"I wouldn't worry about it," she says. She takes her cup without taking her eyes off her book.

Grey takes a glance at the book he read earlier. He might find some use for invoking spirits, and Patchouli mentioned that his violin can be used as a focusing device. He wonders if he can take the book out of the library.

"Why don't you borrow it for a while?" Patchouli says. Her eyes are still on her own book, but she is pointing at the beginner's manual with her other hand. "It will give you something to do."

"T-Thanks, I guess," Grey manages. Can she read minds or something?

"Oh!" Koakuma says suddenly. "I-I'm sorry, but I need to check on something."

She stands up and gives Grey and Patchouli a polite bow before she heads deep into the library. Patchouli gives no reaction to her departure.

Grey notices that they don't have much tea left.
[ ] Stay with Patchouli and continue reading.
[ ] Go after Koakuma and see what she is doing.
[ ] Explore the library and look for an interesting read.
[ ] Leave the library and head back to your room.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Bring three cups.
[X] Biscuits.

---

There are only a few fairy maids left at the library. Grey gives them a smile and a nod as he passes by. The floor has been cleared up, and the books are neatly on the shelves. Looks like the place will be back to normal in a few more hours. A glance at one of the windows tells him that it is late afternoon.

"Tea and biscuits for the lady," Grey says.

"Thank you," Patchouli says. She doesn't raise her head.

"Looks like the maids are almost done with their work."

"I believe so. They are used to tasks like cleaning and repairs. Unfortunately, they aren't very helpful for anything more complicated."

"I see," he says. He takes a seat beside Patchouli.

She takes a sip of tea without taking her eyes off her book.

"Koakuma will be here shortly," she says. "She finished earlier than I expected."

Grey remembers meeting Koakuma at the library during his first day.

"Hmm, wasn't she a bit clumsy at her work?"

Patchouli flips a page of her book before replying.

"She still is," she says. "Despite that, she always tries her best. She is a good familiar and companion."

She looks at Grey thoughtfully.

"In fact, I believe she is trying even harder the past couple of days. I wonder why?"

Grey maintains a poker face. He takes a bite out of his biscuit as he shrugs.

"..."

He hears the sound of footsteps from behind. He turns around to greet the newcomer.

"You summoned me, Mistress? I -"

Koakuma's eyes widen as she sees Grey. She loses her balance in surprise.

"Kyaaa~!"

Koakuma closes her eyes as she braces for the impact. Grey jumps from his seat and manages to catch her. It takes a few moments for her to realize she hasn't hit the ground. She opens her eyes.

"Are you alright?" Grey asks.

"Y-yes, thank you."

She quickly stands up on her own.

"Have some tea with us," Patchouli says. She is calmly reading as she speaks. "You've worked hard today."

"T-thank you, Mistress!" Koakuma says. Though she is blushing furiously, she has a very bright smile on her face.

They each take a seat beside Patchouli.

Grey can probably talk about one or two things.
[ ] Ask Koakuma about her day.
[ ] Ask Koakuma about the attack on the library.
[ ] Ask Koakuma about other incidents near the mansion.
[ ] Ask Patchouli about the youkai beasts.
[ ] Ask Patchouli about the mansion defenses.
[ ] Ask Patchouli about invoking spirits, and if you can borrow the book.
[ ] Talk about something else. (Specify)
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Head to the kitchen.
[X] Make her Earl Grey tea.

---

Grey heads back toward the library entrance. The fairy maids aren't finished with their work, but they have made significant progress. Most of the damaged shelves have been moved to a pile in the corner. The broken glass from the windows has been cleaned up. He can't see any books left lying on the ground. They work much faster than he expected, perhaps they have been trained well.

He spots the fairy that gave him the letter earlier. She is carrying a tall stack of books. He gives her a wave and a polite smile.

"E-eh?"

The fairy trips on her feet with a loud crash. The books lie scattered around her. A few of the other fairies giggle at the commotion. Grey sighs as he walks over to her.

"Need any help?" he asks. Without waiting for her answer, he starts gathering the books. After collecting them into a suitable stack, he gives them back to her.

"T-thank you very much!" she manages.

Some of the other maids are already peeking from behind the shelves to watch. He doesn't feel like causing another misunderstanding. Grey gives the fairy a wave before leaving. She just manages a slow nod as she stands rooted to the ground with the books. He hopes that she doesn't drop them again after he goes.

While walking toward the kitchen, he remembers the envelope. After making sure no one is walking the halls, he pulls it out of his pocket and opens it.

"Huh?"

The envelope is empty. He examines the envelope carefully, but he finds nothing written on or inside it. He checks his pockets and coat, but finds no trace of the envelope's contents. Did she forget to put the letter inside?

At the kitchen, he searches through the cupboards for some tea. There is an unexpectedly large variety of blends stocked in the kitchen. One brand catches his eye. He wonders how Remilia got hold of this well-known British tea. He takes the package with a smile.

Grey takes a glance at some teacups as he waits for the water to boil.
[ ] Bring two cups.
[ ] Bring three cups.
[ ] Bring four cups.

He can probably make some snacks as well.
[ ] Sandwiches.
[ ] Biscuits.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Greet her normally.
[X] Ask her how she is feeling.
[X] Ask her if she would like to have some tea.

---

"Good afternoon," Grey says.

"Y-yes, good afternoon," Patchouli says. She quickly composes herself.

"How are you feeling?" he asks.

"I'm perfectly fine. Just a little tired from the day," she says.

She straightens up and looks around for her hat. She replaces it on her head carefully.

"You are back early," she says. "Did something happen with Sakuya?"

"N-not really," he manages. He clears his throat. "She just wanted to get back quickly, I guess."

"I see," she says, taking a book into her hands. She starts flipping through its pages. "Did you already meet with Keine Kamishirasawa?"

"Yes I did, though she didn't have much time for me. While I managed to get a few answers, they just lead to more questions."

"That is expected," she says. She doesn't look up from her book. "She gets news from many places, but she rarely comes to the mansion."

"..."

"Have you tried it?" she asks.

"Tried?" he repeats. He feels himself blushing as he imagines something lewd.

"Invoking spirits," she says. "You already have a suitable item to serve as a focusing device."

"I do?" he says. "Sorry, I don't quite understand."

She flips a page before continuing.

"The violin you left in your room seems to have some unique properties. If you can synchronize yourself with it, you can probably communicate with spirits."

"I see," he says. "Thanks for the tip."

She pauses as she flips a page. Looks like she noticed something. She slowly reaches for her back, feeling the rough fabric of his coat. Her eyes widen momentarily before they return to the usual neutral expression. Putting down her book, she takes the coat and carefully folds it before handing it to Grey.

"Thanks," she manages. Her voice is wavers slightly.

"No problem."

An awkward silence follows, interrupted only by the occasional sound of footsteps from afar. Patchouli seems to be absorbed in her reading. Grey clears his throat.

"Would you like to have some tea?" he asks.

Patchouli closes her eyes for a few seconds.

"Koakuma is still busy. We should let her finish her work."

"Hmm," he says. "Then perhaps I can prepare some tea instead?"

Patchouli closes her book and stands up.

"I'm done with this one," she mutters to herself as she walks a few steps away.

She pauses for a moment, as if thinking. She turns around and gives Grey a gentle smile.

"I would enjoy that Grey," she says.

Grey watches as the pink and purple wizard disappears deep into the library.

[ ] Head to the kitchen.
[ ] Head back to your room.
[ ] Wander around the library.
[ ] Stay here and continue reading.
[ ] Explore the mansion.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Wrap your coat around her.
[X] Take a seat beside her and read something.

---

Grey gently wraps his coat around Patchouli. The poor girl must be exhausted. He takes a glance at the magician. She actually looks pretty cute like this. He resists the urge to stroke her hair as he adjusts the coat. She must have been working hard on her research, or perhaps she was looking for a way to improve the mansion's defenses. She didn't even find time to return to her room to rest properly.

Come to think of it, he hasn't had a chance to speak with Patchouli today. He surveys the nearby shelves. Perhaps he can find something interesting while he is in the library. He takes a few minutes to browse through the nearby titles.

"Nnnggmm..."

Grey turns around to see that Patchouli shifted her head to the side. Looks like she is still sleeping. He grabs a book from the shelf and takes a seat beside her.

"Invoking Spirits for Beginners" he reads. He doesn't know much about magic, but somehow this title caught his interest. He opens the book and starts reading. It is surprisingly interesting, and soon he is engrossed in it. The minutes pass by quickly as he flips through its pages. He learns about amplifiers and focusing devices that allow spirits to manifest themselves in this plane. Seems like some of them can be used by those with little or no magical ability.

After finishing another chapter, he takes a glance at Patchouli. He jumps slightly when he sees her staring dreamily at him. The afternoon sun accentuates her delicate features. Under this light, her long purple hair has a thousand different shades, like a rainbow. Her deep violet eyes reflect an indescribable wisdom and intelligence. Her cheeks are tinged pink in a beautiful contrast to her flawless skin.

He didn't hear or feel her move. How long was she awake?

[ ] Greet her normally.
[ ] Ask her how she is feeling.
[ ] Ask her if you can stay here and read.
[ ] Ask her what she thinks about the youkai attacks.
[ ] Ask her if she would like to have some tea.
[ ] Ask her where Koakuma is.
[ ] Ask her for your coat back.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Visit the Voile Library.

---

The Voile Library is bustling with activity. To the right, he can see a group of fairy maids filling up a wheelbarrow with books. Looks like several shelves were destroyed during the attack. Patchouli probably asked them to collect the undamaged books. To the left, another group of fairies is sorting and replacing books back on the shelves. They look pretty busy. Koakuma isn't in sight, but she is probably somewhere inside.

Grey walks deeper into the library. He hasn't seen Patchouli in a while. Maybe he can try to catch her while she isn't busy.

"E-excuse me," someone asks.

Grey feels a gentle tug from behind him. He turns his head to see one of the fairy maids looking up to him. She looks familiar. He gives her a gentle smile.

"Yes? Is there anything you need to tell me?" he asks.

The fairy maid blushes as she fidgets with something under her apron.

"P-please, take this!" she says, shoving something into his hands. She immediately runs off to the group of maids sorting the books. Several of the other maids are cheering or giggling.

Grey looks at the item. He is holding a lovely pink envelope sealed with a red heart-shaped sticker. He pockets the item quickly as he heads deeper into the library. Seems like he is making more friends each day.

After several minutes of navigating through the endless sea of books, Grey finally spots a familiar face. Surrounded by a fortress of books, a splotch of pink and purple catches his eyes. He raises his hand to wave, but she doesn't react. He barely stops himself from calling out to her.

Patchouli is sleeping on top of an open book on her desk. Her cloth cap has fallen to the side, revealing her long purple hair. For someone who spends most of her time indoors, her hair is surprisingly well-groomed. Her smooth unblemished skin contrasts beautifully to the rigid arrangement of books around her. Her pink dress is slightly loose, exposing part of her delicate shoulder. Grey just continues watching her sleep, completely mesmerized.

Suddenly, she coughs. The sound she makes is hardly louder than a baby's. Her cheeks turn slightly pink. Is she feeling cold?

[ ] Wrap your coat around her.
[ ] Adjust her dress to cover her shoulders.
[ ] Nudge her gently and try to wake her up.
[ ] Take a seat beside her and continue watching her face.
[ ] Take a seat beside her and read something.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Try to find out what she's looking at before greeting her.
[X] Surprise her from behind.

---

"What sort of item would Sakuya be interested in?" Grey mutters to himself.

Grey walks casually toward the shop, but he doesn't call out to her. Instead, he walks right behind her. She doesn't seem to notice. Her hands are fidgeting with her apron. He carefully takes a peek over her shoulder. He smiles as he recognizes the item. Sakuya didn't seem like that type of girl.

"A hand mirror?" he asks.

"W-w-what the?" she stammers.

She trips on her feet and loses her balance. Grey manages to grasp her hand to stop her from falling.

"Careful!" he says.

For a moment, the two of them look into each other's eyes. Then, Sakuya quickly pulls her hand away.

"I-I-I can take care of myself!" she shouts.

"..."

"B-but thanks, anyway," she whispers.

Grey nods. He doesn't recognize it immediately, but something looks strange with her face. Is she blushing?

Before he can observe further, she takes his hand and starts walking forward. They take two steps on the pavement. Grey blinks. Without warning, they are standing in front of the entrance to the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

"Huh?" he asks.

"I have a lot of work to finish, so I'll leave you here." Sakuya says.

In the next moment, she vanishes.

Grey pauses to think. Seems like she isn't in the mood to talk.

A glance at the sun tells him that he has a few hours before sunset.

[ ] Head outside of the mansion.
[ ] Go back to your room.
[ ] Walk around the garden.
[ ] Visit the Voile Library.
[ ] Wander aimlessly around the mansion.
[ ] Custom

Grimnír muttered something about taking a walk around the village. He doesn't seem to be very social, but he seems to be a decent fellow. Perhaps he can invite him for a drink after this mess is all cleared up.

After thanking Keine, Grey heads back to his agreed meeting place. He isn't carrying a watch, so he better not risk Sakuya's wrath.

"..."

He sees Sakuya standing outside of an antique shop. She seems to be looking at something inside. She has an expression of longing on her face.

[ ] Greet her normally.
[ ] Surprise her from behind.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Ask about other outsiders who stayed at the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
[X] Ask about the attacks on the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

---

Grey takes a glance at Grimnír, and he sees that he is still thinking. Grey clears his throat.

"If I may go first," he says. "I'd like to know more about other outsiders who stayed at the Scarlet Devil Mansion."

"Hmm," Keine says. "As far as I know, Remilia and the others welcome outsiders who end up near the mansion. She often sends them here to the village after a while."

She pauses, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Now that you mention it, there was that one guy who stayed with them for a pretty long time. He used to come here to the village together with Sakuya and Remilia. I heard that he isn't at the mansion anymore."

"Do you know what happened?" he asks.

"I'm not exactly sure. Sakuya came here after a while, asking if anyone has seen him. Looks like he went missing, but neither Remilia, nor any of the others said anything else. I think it might be a sensitive subject for them."

"I see," he says.

Sakuya mentioned something similar earlier. He thinks that he heard some hints about it from the others, but he can't recall exactly what they said. If he could find more clues to this person's whereabouts, perhaps he can resolve the incidents at the mansion.

"How about you?" Keine asks Grimnír.

"Alice and Marisa mentioned something about a meeting today at the Hakurei Shrine. I'm curious to why the shrine maiden would call a meeting. Would you know?" Grimnír asks.

"I have to admit that I was surprised when she called for it. She invited some of the most influential youkai and humans in Gensokyo. Kaguya, Remilia, Kanako, Yuyuko, Yukari, Sikieiki and several others were sent invitations."

Keine sighs.

"Unfortunately, I'm too busy to go to Reimu's little gathering. Mokou went in my place. I can't really afford to leave the village right now."

Both Sakuya and Remilia left this morning to attend that meeting. It must be really important, or maybe Remilia just wanted to get out of the house. Either way, he should remember to ask them about it later.

Grimnír looks like he is in deep thought. Grey gives Keine a nod.

"May I ask if you know anything about the attacks on the mansion?" he asks.

Grimnír looks up at him. Grimnír gives him a slight nod before turning to Keine.

"I want to know more about the attacks around the Forest of Magic," he says. "Are these attacks all related somehow?"

Keine looks at them both thoughtfully.

"From what I know, the attacks on those two places are unrelated. Various beast-type youkai have been attacking the Scarlet Devil Mansion and the lake around it. I heard some youkai merchants have gone missing around that area. Around the Forest of Magic, a human carrying a trident has been attacking travellers. I heard that some fairies have been unusually aggressive, as well."

Suddenly, Keine bangs her hand hard on the desk.

"And that doesn't even count the incidents around the village. Several of the villagers have gone missing, some of them youkai. I've been patrolling every night, but I've found nothing!"

She composes herself before continuing.

"There are incidents in other places, as well. Reimu thinks that they might all be related, but she hasn't found any proof. Hopefully, they decided to do something in that meeting of hers."

"A-ahem!"

Both men jump at the sound. Keine is standing at the doorway with an exasperated look on her face.

"If you have a conflict to resolve, then I would appreciate it if you would take your danmaku duel somewhere else. A school is no place for violence," she says as she takes her seat behind the desk.

"Danmaku?" Grimnír asks.

Keine opens her desk and takes a couple of sheets of paper. She gives them each a copy.

"Spell Card Rules," she says. "Just read through this when you have time. The shrine maiden asked Akyu and I distribute these to outsiders."

"Thank you very much," Grey says. He needs to read through this later.

"Unfortunately, I don't have much time for you two," Keine says. "I have several errands to run after this. So, may I ask you to limit yourselves to two questions each?"

The two nod slowly.

Grey pauses to think.

[ ] Ask about the attacks around the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
[ ] Ask about other outsiders who stayed at the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
[ ] Ask about the attacks on the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
[ ] Ask about Remilia.
[ ] Ask about Sakuya.
[ ] Ask about the Hakurei Shrine meeting.
[ ] Ask about the attacks around the village.
[ ] Custom

For a moment, the two men watch each other in silence.

Grey looks at the stranger. He is wearing a hooded traveller's cloak, and he is holding a long walking stick and a thick book. However, his other clothes are clearly of modern design. He must be an Outsider.

The man is frowning slightly, and his eyes betray a sense of suspicion. Maybe he didn't expect to find him in Keine's office?

"My name is Grey, are you here to see the Village Guardian?" Grey asks.

The man pauses before replying.

"Village Guardian?"

"Yes, I heard that Keine protects the Human Village from youkai attacks and other threats. She acts as a school teacher for the children during the rest of the time, if I'm not mistaken," he says.

"I see," the man says. "My name is Grimnír, and I just recently arrived here in the village."

"Pleased to meet you. If I could, I'd offer you a cup of tea," he says. He shifts his legs to more comfortable position.

Grimnír pauses and tightens his grip on his staff. Something seems to have agitated him. "Did I say something wrong?" Grey thinks as he maintains his smile. The last thing he needs is another misunderstanding.

"Perhaps you don't like tea? We can probably find a tavern somewhere if you like," he says. "We Outsiders should stick together. Gensokyo is a dangerous place, after all."

Grimnír smirks, but he hasn't loosened his grip on his staff. Grey didn't expect him to react that way. He needs to find a way to change the atmosphere before something stupid happens.

"So, why carry a gun when meeting a schoolteacher?" Grimnír asks.

"Self-defense," he answers. When did he notice the pistol under his coat? This man is perceptive.

The two men stare at each other in silence. Neither of them is smiling.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Wait patiently in the room.

---

Grey decides to wait patiently in the classroom. Among the youkai, he knows that Keine is the most friendly to humans, but he shouldn't push his luck. If he is to learn more, he needs to get on the good side of the Village Guardian.

He reflects on his recent confrontation with Sakuya. He never expected to see that expression on her face. She was scared. Something horrible must have happened in the past. Someone betrayed her.

He pulls out the Mauser C96 from his holster and examines it. He doesn't exactly understand why he did it, but he risked everything that time.

"That was a really stupid thing to do," he says to himself.

He knew he didn't do anything wrong. He knew that Sakuya was willing to kill. But thoughts of running away or fighting back never came to mind. Was he guilty from having that bizarre dream? He shakes his head. That wasn't the reason.

He just couldn't bear watching her cry.

The sound of footsteps interrupts his thoughts. He quickly replaces the gun in its holster. He prepares his best smile as he glances at the door. Someone comes inside.

But it isn't Keine.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Wait in Keine's office for the class to end.

---

Grey nods to himself as he makes a decision. He is sure Keine would know about the villagers' odd behaviour, but she might not be able to discuss it in front of the children. After all, their parents live and work in the village. He needs to talk to her in private. It may turn out to be nothing, but the way the villagers are acting is strange. In any case, hanging around outside or at the back of the classroom might just creep her out. He doesn't want to be mistaken for a stalker.

He makes his way inside the school. Keine should have some kind of office to do paperwork or discuss things with the parents. After a bit of walking around, he finds a door with a sign "Principal's Office". As he enters, he wonders if there are other teachers in the school.

The room looks like a typical educator's office. On the walls, he can see a world map, a few educational posters, and some framed certificates. Near the right corner of the room are several filing cabinets. One of them has its drawer open, revealing it to be full of student records. There is a large desk in the center with a metallic nameplate on it that reads "Keine Kamishirasawa". Behind the desk is a cushy looking chair. In front of the desk are a pair of wooden chairs meant for guests. There is a single potted plant positioned by the left corner of the room.

Grey takes a seat on one of the wooden chairs and waits. Keine doesn't seem to be coming any time soon.

[ ] Look around, but don't touch anything.
[ ] Search the room, including the desk drawers and cabinets.
[ ] Wait patiently in the room.
[ ] Head to Keine's classroom.
[ ] Explore the school.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Try to find Keine's school. As the Village guardian, she would know much about recent news concerning the village.

---

Grey manages to get the directions to the school from one of the villagers. It is only a short walk from the center of town.

But as he walks, he feels that he is being watched. From the side of his eye, he notices several of the townsfolk eye him suspiciously. A few of the vendors give him a polite smile as they offer their wares, but those who aren't selling anything seem to be giving him the cold shoulder. He even notices a couple of youkai scowl at him as he passes.

"This is strange," he mutters to himself. Usually, the Human Village welcomes Outsiders. He knows that Sakuya visits the village quite often, so it can't be due to his association with the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Is there something about him that the townspeople dislike?

He reaches the school without incident, but a quick glance at one of the windows shows that Keine is busy teaching her class. Looking around the area, he sees a children's playground and a cozy cottage that can only be Keine's house. There are a few other non-descript buildings nearby, but he doubts if they house anything of interest.

Grey pauses to think.

[ ] Stay outside in the playground. Wait for her class to end.
[ ] Enter the classroom. Sit at the back until class ends.
[ ] Poke around near Keine's house. Maybe you can find something interesting.
[ ] Wander around the block. A short walk is fine too.
[ ] Custom