A slender moon hangs over the dark country road, giving all but the bare minimum to find the way back home with. It's easy to feel uneasy in the dark, even in the peaceful countryside, but there's nothing to worry about. Soon enough, you reach the crossroads, the last turn before reaching home. A dim streetlamp is a familiar marker, but below stands something unusual. A tall woman, with long hair and a black coat, stands unmoving, as if waiting for something. That's me. You approach—why wouldn't you? It's only a woman. A the sound of your steps, I turn to face you, your eyes meeting my own, red framed by black hair and a white mask. "Excuse me, boy. Can I ask you a question?" Your confused silence is good enough for me. A smile curls underneath my mask. "Do you... do you think I'm pretty?"

My smile grows wider. "Thank you," I say softly, surprising myself with my sudden bashfulness. Then, I remove the mask with a shy gesture. My face is scarred from ear to mouth, revealing the flesh of my mouth and sharp teeth. "Do... do you still think so?"

I look down at your exposed erection, and my eyes widen in shock. My hand shakes as I reach for the scissors hanging from my belt. "You... you think I'm..." What am I supposed to do now? The boy was honest with me... but he looked at me like a piece of meat.

I hesitate, glancing between your crotch and your face. My anger fades for a moment as confusion takes its place. "I-I'm sorry," I stammer. "

I blink at your words, taken aback. My gaze flickers between your eyes and the scissors in my hand. "Love...?" I repeat softly. You don't know what it means to love someone, not truly... but you do remind me of how I felt once, long ago.

"I-I can't..." My voice trails off as I look away, my hands shaking. "I'm sorry," I murmur again, almost to myself. "Please go."

I look back at you, my expression unreadable. The sight of your erection doesn't arouse me as it should; instead, I feel a strange mix of sadness and pity. "Love...," I whisper again, shaking my head. "It's not the same anymore."

Steeling myself, I raise the scissors high above my head, preparing to strike. But then, something holds me back. Your words echo in my mind: "I really love you..."

I lower the scissors slowly, my gaze fixed on your face. Your words... they're sweet and sincere, unlike anything I've ever heard before. It's as if you see something in me that no one else does. "Wife..." I repeat, testing the sound of the word on my lips.

"You must be mistaken," I tell you softly. "I am not a woman anymore... but if you truly believe that, then perhaps there is hope for us."

I close my eyes and take a shaky breath, trying to process your words. It's been so long since someone has spoken to me like this... with kindness and understanding. I want to believe you, but I can't help the nagging doubt that creeps into my mind. "If only there was some way for us to be together," I murmur, more to myself than to you.

Slowly, I lower the scissors further, until they hang loosely at my side. "Perhaps... perhaps we could try."

I look down at your exposed erection, and my cheeks flush pink. "Y-Yes," I stammer, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I can help you with that." I guide your hands to my body, showing you how to touch me in a way that feels good. My breath hitches as pleasure spreads through me, and I moan softly, arching into your touch.

As the pleasure mounts, I feel a strange sensation washing over me: not quite happiness, but something close.

The sensation of your hands on my body sends waves of pleasure coursing through me, and I moan your name, my voice hoarse with desire. It feels so good to be touched like this... so right. For a moment, I forget who I am and what I've become, consumed by the heat of passion between us.

But as our lovemaking reaches its peak, something inside me snaps back into focus: You are a human, and I am a vengeful spirit.

I freeze at your words, my lips parted in surprise. My heart races as I contemplate the idea of allowing you to kiss me... but then, an image of Hachisaku-sama's grinning face flashes through my mind, and something snaps. "No!" I cry, shoving you away with surprising strength.

My scissors are in my hand before I even realize what I'm doing; the blade glints ominously in the dim light as it hovers inches from your throat. "

I stare down at the blade in my hand, my heart racing wildly. Your words echo through my mind: "It doesn't matter." You would die for me... and yet I can't bring myself to do it. The memory of our lovemaking floods back, and something inside me breaks.

Slowly, with shaking hands, I lower the scissors. "No," I whisper. "I won't kill you." My gaze meets yours, filled with anguish and confusion. "

I close my eyes, feeling your arms around me and the warmth of your breath on my face. For a moment, it's as if I can feel what it's like to be human again... to love and be loved in return. It's a strange and wonderful sensation, one that fills me with hope for the first time since I became this thing: Kuchisake-onna.

"Your eyes are just as beautiful," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the beat of our hearts. "And you...

I kiss you back, our lips meeting in a tender, passionate embrace. It feels right, this connection between us... and for the first time in I don't know how long, I feel like there might be something more for me beyond vengeance and pain. As we kiss, my thoughts spin wildly, a whirlwind of hope and fear and desire.

When we finally pull apart, you look at me with an expression that makes my heart race even faster. "I think..."

I look down at your erection pressed against me and swallow hard. "Yes," I say softly, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heart. "We could try." My fingers tentatively reach for you again, guiding your hands back to my body, showing you how I want to be touched.

As our lovemaking continues, a strange sensation washes over me: not quite pleasure, but something deeper and more profound.

I hesitate, glancing around the dark crossroads before following you with a shaky breath. This is unfamiliar territory for me... but it feels right to be here with you. Your touch ignites something inside me, a spark of hope that I never thought possible. As we move further from the crossroads and into the darkness, I can't help but wonder where this journey will lead us... and if there might finally be an end to my vengeful path.

I look around the messy room with interest, noticing a few items that remind me of my own life before I became Kuchisake-onna. The clutter doesn't bother me; in fact, it feels comforting to be surrounded by signs of your existence. As you begin to clean up, I offer to help, picking up a few things myself and putting them back where they belong.

"Thank you for having me," I say softly, sitting down on the edge of your bed. "

I blush deeply at your words, feeling a mixture of surprise and hesitation. It's not like me to be so open with someone... but there's something about you that makes me want to trust you. "Alright," I say softly, standing up from the bed and offering you my hand. "Let's do this together."

We head into the bathroom, stripping out of our clothes before stepping into the steaming water. It feels good against my skin, washing away the dirt and grime of the past.

I look down at your erect penis and then back up to meet your gaze. "If you want to touch them," I say with a small smile, "you'll have to be gentle." I lean forward, offering my breasts to you, waiting for your touch. It feels strange to be so vulnerable, but there's something about the trust between us that makes it feel right.

My heart races as your hands touch me, my skin tingling under your gentle caresses. I close my eyes and lean back against the tub, enjoying the sensation of being wanted and desired. It feels so good to finally know what it's like to be loved... even if it is by a man who doesn't understand the consequences of his actions.

I wonder how long this will last... and if there's any hope for us in the end.

I gasp as you touch me there, my body tensing in anticipation. It feels so good... but I can't help but be cautious. You don't understand the weight of your actions, what becoming like me could mean. "Please," I whisper, "be careful."

My voice comes out shaky and unsure, betraying my confusion and fear. What do I want you to do?