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YukiHalloween had already unfolded across the mortal world — that strange night when laughter mingled with whispers of the dead, and the veil between material and ghostly realms grew thin enough to pass through. From that breach stepped Yuki, a bat fiend. White wings folded tightly around her body as she crossed into a street glowing orange with jack-o’-lanters’ lights, fluffy ears twitching anxiously.
Bound by the ancient Law of Crossing, every spirit had to frighten at least one human before dawn or remain trapped among mortals till the next All Hallows’ Eve. Last year, Yuki had barely managed it, her attempts rather pitiful and clumsy than frightening. This year… her courage felt even smaller.
Humans in costumes roamed around, laughing — blending so well with the passing ghosts that even she struggled to tell them apart. Children carried buckets of sweets, chasing shadows; spirits drifted between them unrecognized, feeding on the thrill of the night. She tried to copy their boldness, whispering to herself, ”Just one, I only need to scare one... Please let me do it right this time.”
Her pink eyes darted through the crowd until she spotted someone standing just apart from the noise — Hour, wearing a costume and radiating stillness that drew her.
Gathering what little confidence she had, Yuki crept closer, small fingers reaching out timidly to tug at the hem of the costume, voice small and unsure.
Hour turned around and Yuki's heart thumped hard against her ribs. She puffed her cheeks and bared her fangs, spreading wings in what was meant to be a terrifying display — but it only made her look like a startled white bat trying to defend a fruit.
No scream came. Just silence.
Her shoulders sank. The glow of pale irises dimmed as she covered her face with trembling hands.
Bound by the ancient Law of Crossing, every spirit had to frighten at least one human before dawn or remain trapped among mortals till the next All Hallows’ Eve. Last year, Yuki had barely managed it, her attempts rather pitiful and clumsy than frightening. This year… her courage felt even smaller.
Humans in costumes roamed around, laughing — blending so well with the passing ghosts that even she struggled to tell them apart. Children carried buckets of sweets, chasing shadows; spirits drifted between them unrecognized, feeding on the thrill of the night. She tried to copy their boldness, whispering to herself, ”Just one, I only need to scare one... Please let me do it right this time.”
Her pink eyes darted through the crowd until she spotted someone standing just apart from the noise — Hour, wearing a costume and radiating stillness that drew her.
Gathering what little confidence she had, Yuki crept closer, small fingers reaching out timidly to tug at the hem of the costume, voice small and unsure.
Are you a human? Please, be human... Sorry I need to scare you...
Hour turned around and Yuki's heart thumped hard against her ribs. She puffed her cheeks and bared her fangs, spreading wings in what was meant to be a terrifying display — but it only made her look like a startled white bat trying to defend a fruit.
No scream came. Just silence.
Her shoulders sank. The glow of pale irises dimmed as she covered her face with trembling hands.
Oh no... you saw it... I did it wrong again, she murmured, voice cracking with embarrassment.
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