Coercion

[You have chosen - Buy a book called, "When The Blossoms Fall"]

Hmm... well I guess that makes more sense. If I was stuck in a haunted house, I wouldn't want anything to do with horror anymore.

[With the intention of running out to buy a book related to romance, Sayori rushed out of the house. There were a few ghosts that attempted to stop her, but she was too oblivious to realize that, and got out of the house. However, there was a small crowd of people waiting for her.]

Some Old Man: Hey hold on! It hasn't been a full day yet, you can't leave!

Sayori: Eh? But I want to buy something!

Some Old Man: I won't accept that excuse! We all know that you're just trying to run away! You already accepted the money, that means you have to stay!

[Sayori frowned in frustration, as she really had no intention of leaving the mansion. She really did only want to go buy a book.]

Sayori: I just want to buy a book, alright! Is that such a big deal?

Some Old Man: Still playing dumb, huh? Don't think we'll believe you!

[Sayori stamped her foot in frustration]

Sayori: What's the point of paying me money, when you won't even let me use it?

Some Old Man: Tsk, that's just excu-

Some Woman: Um, mayor?

Some Old Man: ...What?

[One of the women in the small group spoke up, and scratched the back of her head]

Some Woman: What if she really just wants to buy a book? If we really think she's trying to run away, then we can watch as she buys the book and escort her back.

Some Old Man: ...But that would just give her opportunities to run away!

Sayori: I'm not running away! I fully intend on staying here!

Some Woman: If we can't stop her from running away while in the book store, then we can't really stop her now either...

Some Old Man: ...I suppose that makes sense.

Man, the ghosts aren't even that bad, why are you going so far for this? Only cowards would be scared of them. Like... definitely not me. I definitely wouldn't be scared.

I was just screaming earlier to play along, you know?

[Sayori gave a thumbs up to the woman]

Sayori: Thanks!

[The old man furrowed his brows, pondering over it. He had a frown on his face, and was looking at the ground. Then, he looked back up with a resolute expression]

Some Old Man: Still! I can't-

[The woman suddenly grabbed onto the old man and brought him a few steps away, turning away from Sayori so she couldn't hear]

Some Woman: Listen, you old coot. I can tell when people are lying. She fully intends to stay in that mansion, and we know that by now she clearly already saw the ghosts!

Some Old Man: But...

Some Woman: Shut up! This is the first time we found someone actually willing to stay for longer than a day, are you really going to mess this up? Who knows, she may stay for an entire week!

Some Old Man: ...I suppose you have a point.

I wonder if you guys would have the same viewpoint if you just realized the ghosts were fake. I knew the entire time, by the way, and never doubted for a second. If you think otherwise then you're wrong.

[The old man and woman came back, now with calmer expressions. Then, the old man cleared his throat.]

Some Old Man: Alright, you are allowed to go shop, but we will be watching you.

Sayori: That's fine with me! Since you're already going to be following, can you tell me where I can go buy books?

Some Old Man: Er... we don't have a-

Some Woman: I know one! Just come follow me.

[The old man looked at the woman with confusion, as there really wasn't a book store in this small town. However, the woman whispered to him to clear it up.]

Some Woman: Just play along! I have quite a few books, and I can just sell them to her, alright?

Some Old Man: Got it.

[The woman then waved to Sayori]

Some Woman: Alright, just follow me!

Sayori: Okay~

[Under the lead of the woman, the rest of the group and Sayori followed, though Sayori was being surrounded almost like she had many bodyguards. Though, that couldn't be further from the truth.]

Some Woman: So, how are you getting along with the ghosts?

Some Old Man: W-What? Ghosts aren't re-

Sayori: It's going great!

Well... unlike what I expected, it is actually going pretty well.

Some Woman: Haha, it seems you are getting along quite well!

Sayori: Yea-

[Sayori originally had a bright smile on her face as she was about to confirm that. However, she then remembered the encounters with ghosts she had. The first one seemed rather displeased for some reason and then left. The other one looked like it had something planned, but Sayori was hungry at the time so she ignored it. After that, she met with Yuri, which didn't seem too bad overall, but Natsuki seemed quite annoyed by her yelling.]

...

Sayori: Er...

[She scratched her cheek with an awkward smile]

Sayori: Now that I think about it, I don't think the ghosts like me very much. But I'm trying my best to get along with them!

Some Woman: ...Ah! Um, what do you mean they don't like you very much?

Sayori: Ehehe... I might've done some things that made them a little bit unhappy. They were yelling at me a lot.

[Sayori was too afraid to speak, while the others were all confused. All of them had previously experienced what it was like to be in that mansion, and frankly, it wasn't the ghosts that were doing the screaming, but them.]

Some Old Man: ...Are you sure it wasn't you that was screaming?

What? Of course not, who even confuses something like that!

[Sayori tilted her head to the side]

Sayori: Hm... maybe it was me.

...Eh?

[The whole group fell into silence once more, now even more confused. The woman decided to try and divert the subject.]

Some Woman: W-Well regardless, just because relationships start off rough, doesn't mean they have to stay that way!

Sayori: Ah! You're right!

...You're just saying that. All people care about is first impressions anyway.

[Sayori clapped her hands together enthusiastically]

Sayori: What do you think I can do to make them like me?

Some Woman: U-Um...

Some Old Man: You can give them time! If they don't like you straight away, then with time, they will gradually forget about their bad impression, and you can talk to them all over again!

What? That sounds like terrible advice.

Sayori: Ah, I see!

[Yet, as she said that, a small pout formed on her face]

Sayori: But... I still want to try talking to them.

Some Woman: Er, that old man is just trying to say you shouldn't push it too far.

Sayori: Mm... ok.

[After a few more minutes of walking, they arrived at a house that looked nothing like a bookstore. The woman invited all of them in, and brought them to the section where she had a bookshelf.]

Some Woman: Here we are! You can buy the books you want here.

Sayori: Ah, really? I never would've known this was a book shop if you didn't tell me!

Some Old Man: ...

Some Woman: Ah, yes! Well, is there anything you would like?

Sayori: Mm... how much are the books?

Some Woman: ...Uh, it costs twenty dollars, but you can only buy one each day.

Sayori: Oh, I see!

[From there, she began scouring through the various titles on the shelves. Once her eyes landed on one called, "When The Blossoms Fall", she picked it immediately.]

Sayori: I want this one!

Some Woman: Alright. Is that all you needed?

Sayori: Um, I was also wondering if you had any food?

Some Old Man: Ah! Sorry, we forgot about that. We will have it delivered to your front door step promptly.

[After saying that, the old man darted away, while the woman worked out the transaction with Sayori, leaving her with 480 dollars. By the time the group returned, a large box filled with all kinds of foods was there, along with the old man.]

Sayori: Ah, you already brought it!

Some Old Man: Yes, yes. This should be enough for the entire week, so you have no reason to leave during that time!

Sayori: Eh? Not even for a little bit?

Some Woman: ...At most an hour each day.

Sayori: Mm... ok, I guess I do have to work for the money I'm being paid.

[She then walked up to the front door, bringing the box with her. Then, she waved to the others with a friendly smile.]

Sayori: Thank you for all the help!

[Then, she went in with her new box and book. As for the others, they were all a little astounded.]

Some Old Man: I've never seen someone go back into the house after they've left...

Some Woman: Perhaps she will soon become the guardian of the village.

Say, why don't you people just leave the damn place?

[Upon coming back, Sayori immediately went back into the kitchen. Unfortunately, both Natsuki and Yuri were already gone. A small frown formed on her face.]

Sayori: Yuri? Natsuki? I'm back! Are you guys still here?

[There wasn't a response for the first few seconds, which made her feel a little sad. Yet, just a few moments later, Yuri and Natsuki floated back in.]

Sayori: Ah! You guys are still here!

Natsuki: Huh. That's what I want to say to you.

Yuri: You really are back!

[Sayori showed off the things she brought back]

Sayori: I brought back a book! And I also got some more cooking supplies!

Yuri: W-Wow! Really?

[She rushed over to the book that Sayori was holding up, and took it reflexively]

Yuri: A-Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...

Sayori: Ehehe, I bought it just for you! Just take it. I don't really get books anyway...

Yuri: E-Eh?

[Yuri blushed and held the book tightly with both hands. Then, she put her eyes onto the cover.]

Yuri: When The Blossoms Fall?

Sayori: What do you think?

[Yuri put a hand on her chest and spoke composedly]

Yuri: I will never judge a book by its cover. Only after reading it can I determine whether or not it is a good book.

[She turned to Sayori and flashed a smile]

Yuri: But regardless, I appreciate the book. Thank you very much.

Sayori: No problem!

[While they were talking, Natsuki went through the box Sayori had brought back. As she sorted through the various things there, she couldn't help but let out an exclaim of surprise.]

Natsuki: Some of these ingredients should be pretty expensive and hard to get... how did you get these?

Sayori: Eh? They are? Um, they just gave it to me for free when I asked. I guess they gave some good stuff!

Natsuki: Hm... I guess they wish to treat their sacrificial lamb well.

Sayori: S-Sacrificial lamb?

Yuri: Lamb? I don't see any lambs.

[She then stepped up and looked within the box]

Yuri: Oh! Is it because there is lamb meat in there?

Natsuki: ...Well, there is lamb meat, but that's not what I was talking about. Anyway, it doesn't really matter.

[She picked up a few of the ingredients]

Natsuki: I could make something pretty nice outta this. Would you like to have it?

Sayori: Y-You would cook for me?

Natsuki: Not for you... I just want to try making something out of these, as I haven't tried cooking with them before. And as ghosts, we can't really eat food.

...Wait, why doesn't something make sense to me.

Sayori: Ah! Thank you then!

[Right after saying that, Sayori put a finger on her chin and looked somewhat concerned]

Sayori: Eh? You can't eat food? Then...

[She turned to look at Yuri, who was blushing in embarrassment]