As I wander through Hakugyokurou, the air feels unusually tense. Is it because of the rain that drizzles down from the sky? Today marks the day of my battle against Youmu, but something feels different about her.
Her usually serene face is etched with a seriousness I have never seen before.
Her eyes glare at me with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. Slowly, she tightens her grip on her Roukanken and Hakurouken.
"Shun, before we begin, I want you to know that I won't hold back. Because today is the day, I will cut to the truth and find out if these feelings are true." She pulls Roukanken and Hakurouken and then enters a stance.
"Feelings?"
"Here I go!" Youmu's determined voice echoes through the rain as she charges towards me, her footsteps resounding.
In response, I materialize my blood-crimson sword, gripping it tightly in one hand, while the steel blade emerges from my other arm.
I dash forward to meet her.
As we draw closer, our swords clash with a resounding clang, accompanied by the rhythmic pattern of raindrops.
We both stepped back, momentarily disengaging, before swiftly dashing back toward each other.
In an instant, we disappeared from our original positions and reappeared, our swords clashing once again.
"Youmu..." I dashed back and pointed my blood-crimson sword at her, summoning a barrage of red knives in the air, aimed at her.
However, Youmu displayed her skill and preparedness, swiftly parrying the incoming knives with her dual blades, Roukanken and Hakurouken. "Shun..."
Youmu sent her ghost-half flying towards me, I quickly evaded its reach, stepping back to create some distance between us then I closed in on Youmu once again.
With a swift swing of her Roukanken, Youmu produced bullets that materialized in the air, aiming at me. In response, I focused my energy and slashed through the air, generating pellets that collided with the incoming bullets.
The shockwave from the explosion reverberated through the area, causing the rain to intensify.
However, to my surprise, Youmu had silently maneuvered herself behind me, catching me off guard. With a swift and precise motion, she slashed my back, causing a sharp pain to shoot through my body.
Ack!
I instinctively backed away as the stinging pain hit me.
I locked eyes with Youmu once more, observing the unwavering gaze.
She was fully committed to this battle, and the sight of blood dripping from the blade of Roukanken only emphasized the seriousness of her intent.
As Youmu entered a stance, a magic circle materialized beneath her feet. Gripping Roukanken tightly. "Life-Cutting Sword: Slash of Nether Meditation." A massive blade of radiant energy surged forward, aimed directly at me.
Reacting swiftly, I raised my sword to block the attack, but to my surprise, Youmu's half-ghost appeared before me.
The ethereal figure emanated a luminous glow and launched its own strike, further complicating the situation.
As I hit the ground, pain shooting through my body, I pushed myself up, gritting my teeth against the ache in my back.
What does she mean by 'feelings'? There was something deeper at play here, a hidden meaning behind her serious demeanor.
Youmu charged forward, her Roukanken swinging through the air, creating a flurry of ethereal bullets.
Reacting swiftly, I focused on dodging the projectiles, each bullet a glimmer of light in the rain-soaked battlefield.
I moved with agility, my body bending and weaving to avoid the deadly rain of bullets.
Again, I found myself caught off guard by Youmu's incredible speed. She appeared before me without a sound, her hand firmly wrapped around my throat. "What's wrong, Shun? Why couldn't you take this seriously?"
My vision began to blur, I struggled to free myself, clawing at her hand, desperate for a breath. The world around me seemed to fade into darkness, my consciousness slipping away.
But then... A magic circle appears beneath me. "Time Sign: Golden Hour"
"A spellcard?!" Youmu exclaims, her eyes widening as she notices the intricate magic circle forming beneath me.
In an instant, time rewind, taking us back to the moment just before Youmu's hand could grab hold of me. It's as if the universe itself grants me a second chance to alter the course of events.
Reacting swiftly, I sidestep her grasp, narrowly avoiding her clutches. With a surge of magical energy, I drive my blood-crimson sword into the ground. Chains materialize from the ground and bind Youmu's mobility.
"What just happened..." her eyes widened as she tried to comprehend the turn of events.
"Scarlet Sign: Raining Tears." Thousands of crimson spears, knives, and blades materialize in the air, their gleaming crimson hues. The array of weapons pointed at Youmu, suspended in mid-air, creates a striking and intimidating scene.
The image of the spellcard, granted to me through my interactions with the Scarlet Devil Mansion, allows me to unleash this powerful display of crimson magic.
I raised my blade, as I held the tip against Youmu's neck. "I win,"
She looked down as she sliced through the chains that bound her. Gripping Roukanken tightly, she met my gaze. "No, I cannot accept defeat. I must cut through the truth!" With a firm grip on Hakurouken, she pointed it directly at me.
A magic circle materialized beneath Youmu, pulsating with spiritual energy. "Spirit-Cutting Sword 'Slash of Ascension to Buddhahood!'"
But before she could make her final strike, a magic circle materialized beneath me. "Sword Sign: Final Cut." However, instead of delivering a lethal blow, I swiftly shifted my movement, catching Youmu's arms and disarming her.
With a quick maneuver, I brought her down to the ground. "Youmu!"
Youmu's eyes widened as she looked at me, confusion replacing the intensity in her gaze.
"Shun, get off..." she pleaded, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
I hesitated for a moment, my grip loosening, but I remained firm. "No, I won't let go."
She struggled beneath me, her voice filled with frustration. "I must... cut through these feelings...!"
Confusion clouded my mind as I tried to comprehend her words. "Feelings? What are you talking about, Youmu?"
She paused, her voice softening. "Shun, it's because of you... I'm like this. I can't focus enough, can't find my center..."
My heart wavered for a moment, conflicting emotions pulling at me. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly released my hold on her.
She stood up, her gaze still fixed on me. "Shun... You see, Miss Sakuya told me to test these feelings on the last day. But instead, I want to let go and cut these feelings of mine."
I tried to process her words, the realization slowly sinking in. "So, you're saying you..."
She nodded.
Before I could say another word, she closed the distance between us and pressed her lips against mine.
Time seemed to stand still as the warmth of her kiss enveloped me, a rush of emotions flooding through me.
She released her hold on me and met my gaze, her eyes filled with anticipation. "That's my feelings."
"Youmu..."
"It's okay, Shun... I can wait for your answer."
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"Okay, I should get back to the Scarlet Mansion and tell them..." I trailed off, my voice weak and strained, before collapsing from exhaustion, pain, and the overwhelming ache in my heart.
"A-Ahh! Shun! I'm so sorry! Ahh... What should I do...?" Youmu's voice trembled with concern and guilt. She looked at me, her expression filled with worry and confusion.
At least Youmu had returned to her normal state.