#shirachi

Shiranui’s eyes widen in surprise, but his expression melts into a mischievous smirk within the moment. “Oh, I’d let her do it,” he says. “Just because it’d be interesting. But whenever I was done humoring her, I’d tell her to get lost and try seducing Harada next time. That way, she’d have a fighting chance of making it.” Shiranui’s grin widens. “I may not be the nicest guy around, but I couldn’t lead her on when she doesn’t know any better. Besides, I’m not into teaching people the ropes, so there’s no way I could turn a situation like that to my advantage anyway.” He laughs. “And speaking of advantages, the real fun part’s gonna be rubbing all that in Kazama’s face. Everything else is just a bonus.”

I try to push Shin away by his chest… But he stands his ground, refusing to let me go.

Shin: “See, you can act like a girl! That’s more like it.”

Shin looks down at me, smiling triumphantly. In contrast to his relaxed expression, I am growing more and more embarrassed, the blood rushing to my cheeks as I do. I can no longer look him in the eye.

Shin: “Seeing as I’ve already lifted you up, I’ll take you to your room. What do you think the elders and the other chieftains will say if they see you like this? Maybe they’ll throw an engagement party, and start blessing us… or do you think we’ll get in trouble?”

Shiranui: I don’t normally forget a face. Where was it… Strange, I can’t remember. You sure we haven’t met? Chizuru: I—I’ve heard that each person has three people that look just like them somewhere in the world. Maybe you ran into one of my doubles, Shiranui. Shiranui: …Pretty sure I never offered up an introduction. How do you know my name…? Chizuru: U-um… Well, sir…! I was just thinking, well, your face looks like you’d be called Shiranui. Th-that’s really your name? I had no idea! Maybe I have some sort of psychic power? Shiranui: …That’s the lamest excuse ever. Chizuru: N-no, that wasn’t an excuse! It… it really is the first time we’ve— Shiranui: Ah, it doesn’t really matter. Come sit down. Drink with me.

Shiranui: Who’d have thought I’d bump into a female demon in Shimabara of all places. When did you decide to become a geisha? Chizuru: Sh-Shiranui… You knew who I was…? Shiranui: What, you thought I wouldn’t notice?! It was so obvious! Chizuru: Y-you’re horrible…! Why didn’t you stop and tell me if you knew from the start? Shiranui: I was gonna, but every response you made was golden. The best was when you went off on that ‘your face looks like you’d be called Shiranui’ bit!

Note: Answering out of order to reveal that I seriously had no idea there were any bad endings on Harada’s route, and that I have now played through all three of them, thanks exclusively to this ask! …Which has in turn given me a story idea, the gist of which can be found right here…

Harada does not answer. After all, how can a soul in a spear respond? Shiranui glances up at the blade briefly, glinting in the setting sun, and sighs. “I heard about that,” he responds, shaking his head. “From Kodo, a few seconds before Harada killed him. He was a real asshole about it,” he adds, narrowing his eyes. “Harada might’ve died of a broken heart if he hadn’t bled out first. He could’ve lived a little longer if he wasn’t still trying to walk, saying he’d kill Kazama and take her back—no two ways about it.” Shiranui sighs, shaking his head, and shoulders the spear as he walks on. “Harada came all the way back to Edo and tracked down Kodo just to find her. There’s no way I can ignore conviction like that, so…” He grins. “Think it’s about time somebody put Kazama in his place. Not that I give a shit about humans,” he adds, “but it gets me pretty fired up when someone puts his life on the line for something he really loves. And I’d pity anyone if they had to marry Kazama, but the girl demon… oh man. She probably ain’t holding up too well.” He laughs darkly. “But let’s face it, I just wanna see the look on Kazama’s face when somebody steals his wife right from under him,” he finishes. “So I’m gonna give him a taste of his own medicine, and see if I can’t repay Harada like that. He can thank me once I see him in hell someday.”