I, for One, Am Rather Fond of You.

The Sanzu River.

The Firelit Road.

"Exactly. The Land of the Dead has been such a mess lately. Even Lord Yama has been frowning for ages."

"I haven't been able to go to Kyoto to play in so, so long. I really miss racing with Yamausagi. I wonder if she and Mr. Frog miss me?"

"When we last parted, she said she was going to train hard. I wonder if it's paid off yet?"

"But Potty and I won't lose."

"Absolutely not."

Holding a bowl of warm tea, Meng Po spoke with earnest conviction.

Seated directly across from her was a beautiful woman.

How could one describe her?

A beauty who could make fish sink and birds fall?

One who could put the moon and flowers to shame?

In short, she was someone you could not bear to look away from after a single glance.

She sat amid a sea of flowers blazing like fire, her fair, slender fingers lightly touching the waters of the Sanzu River. Her thin robe slipped slightly, revealing exquisite collarbones and delicate, tender shoulders.

"If it troubles you so, why not stay here and keep me company?"

"There are no rigid rules here. Simply enjoy these leisurely hours."

The beautiful woman answered softly.

The words slipping between her translucent lips seemed to carry a peculiar charm, gentle as a spring breeze, like a tiny insect slowly stirring in the listener's heart. Paired with the faint smile at the corners of her mouth and her unforgettable beauty, it was doubtful whether even an enlightened old monk could hold fast to his resolve in this sea of flowers.

What drew attention, however, was the skeletal warrior standing silently behind the graceful woman.

It held a blade and said nothing, like the most dutiful of guardians.

"No, no."