The Half-Phantom Swordmaster

“The only reason I don’t have a job is because I don’t need one. You need better manners.”

“I feel sorry for the people around you then. It’s okay, you don’t have to be a disappointment you know, you have a choice in this. If you’d like, I could help you find a job.” Youmu does need better manners.

Send me a question you have always wanted to know about my muse.

“Outgoing and… perky?” Well, Youmu clearly wasn’t around for the days where Sanae would content herself with just laying in bed, feeling awful. Though she doubted this girl had voyeuristic tendencies. And telling her ‘Fake it until people believe it’ just seemed… cold. “You… want me to help you be more social?”

“Er, yes. That’s what I had meant. I’m what you might call preserved.” She means sheltered, but she’s trying hard here. It’s not easy for Youmu to talk to people outside her very small circle. “I’m ashamed to admit this, but you might not be aware that I’m socially awkward, and have difficulty forging bonds. It’s not at all like the stories of samurai and wandering ronin that I’ve read. Where friendships are made with the clashing of steel.”

“I don’t know why I need discipline or self control, but kendo sounds interesting!”

“Then you will learn the way of the sword. First order of business, cutting things.”

“This is going to be an odd request, but can you smile for me?” She’s keeping her close, she’s attached to this shorter Youmu.

“Like this?” It was odd, but Youmu didn’t think anything of it. She didn’t smile much, but she was never unhappy. However a request from herself isn’t something to be ignored.

On a day that seemed like it would be as dull as many others… Sanae found herself being met with an unexpected, but pleasant, surprise! A visitor! For her! It’s not often the Moriya shrine got visitors these days, especially once the Buddhists started cutting in on their faith… Which was already in short supply! Yet here she was Youmu, apparently here for Sanae. How exciting! “So… What was it you wanted to talk about?”

“This may come as a surprise, um Miss Sanae, but I’m not exactly good with socializing or being a um...” Youmu was fumbling over her own words, clearly embarrassed. “How to be like you. I mean, outgoing and perky.”

She’s pulling the shorter Youmu onto her lap now.

“Um, I can oh. Well... Okay.” She’s not going to bother arguing, the lap is comfortable.