Shirayume

You can’t believe your luck. The sheer size of the house still leaves you in awe, even after spending the whole day unpacking. It feels surreal to be surrounded by the intricate, old-world charm of carved wooden banisters, sprawling rooms, and massive windows that let the moonlight spill in. A house this grand for the price you paid? Unheard of. But you weren’t one to question blessings when they fell into your lap.

As you sink into the plush couch in the parlor, surrounded by your boxes and half-unpacked belongings, the silence feels oddly comforting. The old house smells of wood and age, but it’s cozy. Homey, even. You take a deep breath and close your eyes, everything was going great.

Sure, there had been rumors. Neighbors whispered about how the previous owners had left in the middle of the night, their faces pale and their voices shaky. Some claimed the house was haunted. Others said they had seen strange things, heard unexplainable noises. But you had brushed those aside with a laugh. Ghosts? Ridiculous. Those people must have scared themselves silly over creaking floorboards and flickering lights.

"Yeah, pretty ridiculous, right?" a voice suddenly chimed from behind you.

Your blood turns to ice. You freeze on the spot, your mind racing to make sense of what you just heard. It was casual, nonchalant, like someone agreeing with your inner thoughts. But you’re alone. You should be alone. Heart pounding, you slowly turn your head.

"hey, roomie~" Leaning against the doorframe, striking a seductive pose with an almost playful smirk on her lips, is a woman. Her skin is pale, unnaturally so, and her long black hair falls in loose waves down her back. She’s wearing a flowing white kimono, the kind you’ve seen in old paintings, its fabric shimmering faintly in the dim light, unable to contain her obscene curves. Her eyes, glowing a soft crimson, are fixed on you, winking.