[x] ... He said, “Tewi is the youkai that I’m in love with, but it will never be anything more than that. She is the youkai I love, and I’m only a human.”

I was between this one and the last one, but the latter seemed too naive.
Would anyone be so cruel as to give someone you claim to love a few decades of happiness and several centuries of suffering? At that point, the best case scenario is breaking up before you die so she can get over you.

[x] ... He said, “Huh... Tewi, she’s... She’s like family, but... I can’t say there isn’t something like ‘non-familial love’ there. I honestly have to say, like you mocked when you were yelling, that she is ‘someone important to me’.”

how hard will youmu fight

[x] ... He said, “I... Well... Well—Mmf... Of the few precious bonds I’ve made, the one I have with Tewi is the most special... but I’m not in love with her, Youmu. That isn’t... how I’d describe it.”

[x] ... He said, “I love her,” and, “I intend to marry her.”

[x] ... He said, “Tewi is the youkai that I’m in love with, but it will never be anything more than that. She is the youkai I love, and I’m only a human.”

[X] ... He said, “Huh... Tewi, she’s... She’s like family, but... I can’t say there isn’t something like ‘non-familial love’ there. I honestly have to say, like you mocked when you were yelling, that she is ‘someone important to me’.”

As much as I dislike the "like a sister" trope, there really an answer that feels appropriate while still suggesting some level of romantic attraction.

[X] ... He said, “Huh... Tewi, she’s... She’s like family, but... I can’t say there isn’t something like ‘non-familial love’ there. I honestly have to say, like you mocked when you were yelling, that she is ‘someone important to me’.”

This answer feels most fitting to me.

[x] ... He said, “Tewi is the youkai that I’m in love with, but it will never be anything more than that. She is the youkai I love, and I’m only a human.”

In so much what Taro-boy believes "love" means, in any case.

Huh, looks like there's a tie here.

I'm going with
[x] ... He said, “Tewi is the youkai that I’m in love with, but it will never be anything more than that. She is the youkai I love, and I’m only a human.”
by determining general consensus

The tied vote means most want him to feel romantic attraction toward Tewi, while the remaining votes are one for "it's not love" and one for "BIG love, I want that bun".
If the majority is for love, and the first vote is more openly into the idea than the second, I feel like ... He said, “I love her,” and, “I intend to marry her.” can count in spirit toward the honest admission of love than the somewhat reluctant admission.

I might have an update today or more likely tomorrow, along with updates for everything else probably (day off!)

>>201348
Sound logic. Looking forward to it!

[x] “Go!”

[x] “Go!”

Gotta milk the heartbreak drama for all its worth.

[x] “Go!”

OOF

No happy endings allowed

[x] “Yes, I am!”

[x] “Yes, I am!”

youmu would not just go gentle into that dark night. She's gotta fight for her man

[x] “Yes, I am!”

[x] “Yes, I am!”

[x] “Go!”

[x] ... I said yes. Once she said that I—I really wanted... to...

Obvious best choice here. Either Taro gets to fuck a bunny or it's a trap and Youmu can come in on the rebound

[x] ... I said no. I wasn’t there for that... and I didn’t want to make things... c-complicated... yeah.

[x] ... I said yes. Once she said that I—I really wanted... to...

[x] ... I said no. I wasn’t there for that... and I didn’t want to make things... c-complicated... yeah.

[x] ... I said yes. Once she said that I—I really wanted... to...

Yes, Yuyuko, absolutely no bias there, none at all.

[x] ... I said no. I wasn’t there for that... and I didn’t want to make things... c-complicated... yeah.

I like this one. The prospect of sex is exciting and terrifying in equal measures for young adolescents. Hell, even now I think I would be a bit flabbergasted if I was suddenly propositioned, whether or not it was someone I'm into.

It's tied...

Not sure what I'll do. Most likely I'll flip a coin over it when I'm ready to write again, though due to the significance of this choice I'd rather not of course

[NOPE]I said no. I wasn’t there for that... and I didn’t want to make things... c-complicated... yeah.

Tewi is the kinda girl you fuck, not make love to.

[x] and come at him with all my might.

[x] and come at him with all my might.

[x] and come at him with all my might.

[x] and wait for him to make the first move.

Youmu is brash, honest and straightforward. That is reflected on her blade, too. But not here and not today.

It feels that this is the fight of her life, one way or another. She has to be better.

[x] and wait for him to make the first move.

[x] and come at him with all my might.

[x] and come at him with all my might.

Oh crap it sent twice, please count that as one

[x] and wait for him to make the first move.

[x] and wait for him to make the first move.

Man I love these two.

Calling [x] and wait for him to make the first move.

out of preference

The flowers on the ground, the leaves and petals stir.

A rare wind is blowing over the land of the dead.

I know that Taro is no ordinary human...

I watch him steadily, gripping the handle of my sword tight.

Come on...

I know.

Neither of us are going to hold back.

His stance shifts lightly...

I shift mine in turn. I know how quick and sudden he can be... I won’t let him catch me unawares.

I twitch, he bends—

And—

There, he rockets forward, sprung from his heel.

—The leap of a rabbit...!

I slash forward, and our blades meet with sparks and a vicious crash. Beside us, vortices of air spiral and explode outward, shaking the trees of the garden.

I push against him, and he pushes down right back. The metal groans and roars between us.

“Taro...!” I growl.

He looks at me through our swords, his expression almost void.

... And he lifts his left hand.

Reacting quickly, I move my right hand to my Hakurouken and withdraw it at once from my hip—but, he brings his palm forth in a blur—Fast! Down, onto the wakizashi pommel. I can’t remove it...!

For a moment we shake in place, struggling to overpower each other.

I, of course, ultimately succeed.

My blade tosses his aside. I switch my grip in an instant while he’s open – blade-arm high in the air – and I slash down over his front.

Taro doesn’t fight in a usual way...

Like I use two swords, he uses two legs.

Before I can cut through him, he jumps left – his right – letting go of my short-sword and skidding backward, tossing up dust.

“Okay...” we say in unison, lifting our heads each to the other. We take our stances, and judge: “... Good!”

And so we rush at one another.

I will take the offensive...!

I swing powerfully at him and Taro defends: one hand firm against my double grip. He twists the long-sword in his hand, and tries to plunge it down on me like a dagger. But... I can redirect it!

I aim my own blade to make his slide down into the ground beneath us, I’ll go for the my Hakurouken again, and he’ll try to disarm me or—

Taro releases his sword and punts me firmly in my chest with the sole of his boot.

“Guh—!!” It... doesn’t hurt, exactly but... I wasn’t expecting it. While I stumble he retrieves his blade and swings wide, horizontal, at me.

Hmph...

I’ve always been impressed with these unconventional strikes and movements. He fights like he really refuses to lose.

I finally draw the Hakurouken and parry his attack. Now both swords are out. I think that’s enough... oh, oh that would be cool to say!

“I think that’s enough fooling around!” I shout. Yeah! Taro crouches low and I hold both my blades up. “I’m coming at you one hundred percent!”

In a flurry we go at each other again, me speeding around him and Taro staying fast and reliant on his legs. Cut and cut, clash and weave! Dodging, thrusting—any technique we can think of, and mindful always of our sword-arms. Very mindful... Every time we’ve fought, he’s always sought to disarm me first of all! He strikes hard. He holds and twists. He is aggressive! Little like a rabbit: he moves like a swift and hopping, strong-fanged beast! I can’t let him gain the upper hand.

I slash at his ankles, forcing him to jump. So high...! Could he be flying now...?

I can’t allow his confidence...!

I send myself behind him in a flash.

This, I’ve never done: not in a single duel with him. The phantom part of me takes my human shape and, with copied swords, flies where I command. “I” cut him over his back in a rising arc as soon as I am able, and he grits his teeth. I move to join myself, preparing a pair of strikes, and he elbows the phantom in her chest, drops to me and slams the pommel of his blade down on my shoulder. I groan in pain, and we all fall to the earth unceremoniously, wasting no time to clash again.

And now he’s slower, but hardly weakened.

Red dashes on the stones of Hakugyokurou as he swings his blade.

The two of me fight him fierce, and he keeps us from taking him down by confusing our aim with sudden jumps, grabs, and tugs in other directions. One sword against four shouldn’t be able to do so much...! Just how many... how many youkai could he have exterminated until now!?

I... I forced myself... not to follow his exploits. I do not know.

But, he’s much more skilled than when we used to practice together.

I falter and he manages to strike across my right forearm and the left of my forehead. It feels like fire blazing over me... As my severed hairs dance before my eyes, I grit my teeth from the pain. My other half catches my free wrist and tugs me away from him. I fall to one knee, and so does Taro...

Everything falls suddenly silent.

Now...

That rare wind blows again.

“Hahh...! Hahh...!” Incredible... I’m breathing heavily.

But... so is he.

My phantom half waits quietly at my side, with a hand on my back, its Roukanken sheathed.

Only two hits landed, and we’re both this fatigued...

I've never fought so hard.

That's just... funny.

...

How... will I take him down?

Take his sword away?

Try to overwhelm him?

I hate to say it, but we’re matched on technique.

I can overpower him, though.

Though... that’s much too graceless. Isn’t it?

“Hah...” I sigh. I wonder... just what is he thinking?

“So, Taro... could you be... tired yet?” I say, short of breath.

“Not at all, Youmu, I’m just thinking,” he lies with his head hanging.

“Liar,” I call him out. He laughs a haggard laugh.

“So you won’t explain yourself, even with blood drawn...” I mutter, forcing myself to stand and groaning as I do so. My legs tremble for a moment... No. Keep steady!

He doesn’t answer me for what I said.

And my jaw clenches.

Behind me, my other half looks on. We’re of the same mind so I know: that I’m questioning myself. Asking what this fight is for.

But I did not start it.

I don’t know.

In the next moment, I find myself yelling.

“Can’t you use words!?” I shout! “Stand and answer me...! Taro!”

And he looks up, at me, determined and sincere.

Damn it...

Just... do what you want.

Do it. Let’s do it, already!

I hold the Roukanken high and he stands too.

A flower petal rises and twirls between us, white and gleaming—like a signal. We rush forth in the next moment, and slice right through it.

Another phenomenal clash, and a vicious rending of air. This clear and brutal sound surely reaches all the way to the boundary of life and death itself. My arms tremble, and so do his. Once more our swords screech against each other. And... I can see my countenance reflected in the flat of his blade.

The tears in my eyes... infuriate me.

Taro...

We push apart... and we fight.

The two of us, just the two of us, fight once again with our all.

Blade meeting blade, arc to arc. Cuts past our clothes—over our skin. My heart is pounding... The echoes of our parries and blows match its beat. Sweat flies from my face and hand. Am I yelling...? I feel... like I’m yelling.

I destroy his defense with my short blade and feel the hit in my bones. I stab at his abdomen and slice his torso’s side. To achieve it, I received many cuts along my hands, arms and legs. My blood and his swirl together in the air, meet and spiral under our stomping feet. Taro knees me far out his way, and my other half arrives, a mere five meters off.

She readies her blades and I ready mine. Taro lifts his sword, its tip pointing down to the ground as he takes a posture prepared to counter.

I’ll take you down, right here...!

My heart resonates with reality around us, and so for all three of us: our movements enter a lag. It’s... a trick, which my master taught me. Using it, I can see where his attention is light... but he can just as well see where I intend to seek him with my blades... all four of mine. His eyes move smoothly, carefully, between my two halves, and when we finally reach him, when the flow of time properly resumes, he cuts up through our blows, leaps over my phantom half and steps down heavy on her back. Quickly, he switches his grip and thrusts his blade through the back of her right hand—in time to deflect a strike I’d been throwing his way. Not bad at all...! I waste no time to stab once more toward his gut, now with my Hakurouken. He kicks up something glinting in the second before I can, catching it and thrusting it down at me: it is my... “my” own wakizashi, snatched from my phantom’s wounded hand, and he stabs it into the sword’s guard. At equal lengths, they stop each other soundly.

My phantom half begins to lose her human form, and the Hakurouken that he stole from her clinks and shifts as it starts becoming incorporeal. As soon as it fully does, my sword rushes through while my phantom flies to my back. Braving this, desperate, Taro throws his now-open hand forward to grab my wrist.

He does. The blade only just pierces his skin. He drags my arm up and I move the Roukanken from his still-plunged sword. I bend my elbow back to thrust at him again. Ripping the Hakurouken from my grasp, he lifts his right foot and kicks into the Roukanken’s hilt, stopping my sword at the guard once more and only narrowly avoiding castration. How precarious... He’s such a fool.

And now he breathes like every breath is his last....

I huff a hot breath from my nose. It feels as if steam is flowing from my body...

Yuyuko-sama... are you watching?

What would you say to what is happening right now...?

Would you say I’m being foolish? We’re being foolish?

We probably are...

Yuyuko-sama...

Yukari-sama.

If either of you are watching...

Before I can complete my thought, in a blink Taro slides out of certain doom and kicks the sword from my hand, his robes flying wildly with motion. As my longsword turns over our heads, I act quickly and pull his sword from out his grip. He reaches up and catches the youkai-forged blade, and I cut upward just as he brings the Konpaku’s heirloom weaponry down on their heir. There is a brilliant flash, a sheer and blinding blue, and with weapons exchanged we break apart and back fast from one another.

The Hakurouken is “just a blade” outside of my family’s hands... In his, any blade is a danger.

I’ve... dropped onto a knee. I’m not too wounded, but I’ve never had to push myself to such limits before. Taro... can’t last long after this either.

...


[] I’m going to defeat him.

[] I’m going to cut him down.

[] ... God, I don’t want this. I want this to stop.

https://mega.nz/#F!BYtzEYjR!6FNJkmmL1amh3Uf2fH-irg

image sources:
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/515901
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/1129389
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/1323763

[x] I’m going to defeat him.

[x] I’m going to defeat him.

[x] I’m going to defeat him.

[X] I’m going to defeat him.

Pride is important, you shouldn't have to let go of it. But no one should die because of that either

[X] I’m going to cut him down.

No more doubt, no more hesitation. He chose to do this, now let him reap the consequences.

[x] “I don’t know what I want. Decide for me, Youmu.”

To the victor go the spoils. She seems entirely willing to go with him, even after that, but it should be her choice.

I think a relationship can't survive such a weird start, if not, I'd have voted for the last one.

[x] “I don’t know what I want. Decide for me, Youmu.”

[x] “I don’t know what I want. Decide for me, Youmu.”

[x] “It should be obvious that I want you, Youmu.”

the Virgin Half-Phantom vs. the Chad Youkai Hunter

[X] “It should be obvious that I want you, Youmu.”

Chad route is a go

[X] “I want you to hold my hand.”

This is exactly what a dork would want.

[X] “I want you to hold my hand.”

2 dork 2 handle

[X] “I want you to hold my hand.”

the tables have turned

[x] “I want you to hold my hand.”

[X] “I want you to hold my hand.”

[x] “You want to put down that blade and sit on your knees, awaiting my judgement.”

"Are you hurrying me up you fucker? It's been years" - Youmu, maybe

[x] I only have to say: a pair of idiots.

[x] I only have to say: a pair of idiots.

[X] I only have to say: a pair of idiots.

If I shall be perfectly honest I had a hard time following the story, it felt like it jumped around quite a lot and maybe I was just being a idiot but at times I had no idea who was speaking.

>>201473
That was deliberate, including attempts at confusion.

And I'm not saying it was a good decision. A lot of decisions made for this story were... odd. I'll get more into it with the final update, along with explaining perspectives and such. Someone might be curious enough to read such things

[x] I only have to say: a pair of idiots.

Severing Doubt.

Music: https://mega.nz/#F!5Ys11DQa!FMY6tJ48GvDpeYD9YSmEvg
lyrics: https://www.jpopasia.com/lastalliance/lyrics/90124/csc-20022011/mafuyu-no-semi-%E7%9C%9F%E5%86%AC%E3%81%AE%E8%9D%89/ (translated, the meaning is decently relevant)

C'est fini. This is without a doubt (SNRK) the most directionless and whimsical story I've ever written. I didn't have a concrete idea for the Nanowrimo of this past year, and decided to go off of an image that struck me as compelling in my head: an ordinary villager witnessing the end of the Spring Snow Incident, and realizing that he will never amount to anything. Vaguely, the story originally would have been about him severing the doubt inside of him that that assumption was true: he'd have discovered that he could be someone. Instead it ended up referring to "doubt" within all of the major characters, which personally I think fit a lot better and less generically, but since it wasn't something I thought of in the first place, as Yukari puts it: it was messy.

I said nearer the start of the story that I wasn't satisfied with it. That led me to doing things I liked. Basically (might sound stupid) I identified what I was enjoying about the story and cut to that. The bold narration style was sort of fun, and I decided to indulge in it more. I didn't think it was Yuyuko at literal first, but quickly decided it was. I ended up quite liking this idea of nested narration and skewed perception; a real story "told". Yuyuko being so flippant also allowed me to dip out of anything I thought wasn't very interesting. That said partway through it definitely became something of a "mess with the format itself" story, and I was overall deliberately trying to either make it unclear or only hint 1) who was talking and 2) who they were talking to, assuming it was a narration section. I'd advise not to do this yourselves. Again, it's messy.

People seem to have liked the story. I'm glad but if I wanted to be, I could be extremely critical of this one myself. If I had to evaluate the entire thing succinctly it would be with: "I tried my best to make everything make 'sense', and be enjoyable to read as well." Thanks for reading.

Fuck y'all for not letting Taro dick the bun

Leave questions/comments/harsh or light criticisms if you like, errone

Also here, image sources for this final pic:
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/3766307
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/2446158
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/3770523
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/720022
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/2947181
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/690890

>>201477
>Fuck y'all for not letting Taro dick the bun


Shouldn't have made youmu so cute then

>>201477
I tried man, she rejected him. Shit happens.

Also I really liked the ending. A common trope in anime for teenagers (most of it) is to let one mistake determine the personality of a character. As if everyone is perfect.

He commuted a mistake-a big one- and got away with it. That isn't bad, that's life. It happens. There's no need for him-and Youmu-to suffer just to balance an imaginary cosmic balance?

>>201479
Mm. If anything that's sort of the "point" in that Taro believed in justice and ideals, and though he mostly kept his grander plans to himself (and Tewi) they were dramatic and running counter to what he was seeing. He wanted to believe the case was black and white, and it's not as if he discovered OH THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOOD PEOPLE it was more Oh, I like them, and that they had done wrong, but doing wrong doesn't condemn you utterly.

Youmu, at least in this story, sees things that way already. It's never been about right or wrong for her since she doesn't really have a solid concept of either. She's devoted and FEELS heavily. Probably what Taro genuinely liked about her. She wears her heart on her sleeve and judges people as they are--she isn't even really offended that Taro attacked her in the first place.