_____________________________________________

Warning this novel is very scary!!!! 

Don't read the novel late at night.

_____________________________

What would you do if you happen to wake up late at night?

Or

If you stumbled something you shouldn't have?

Or

Plague by something?





_____________________________

Short scary stories found in subreddit nosleep.

I know it's pretty scummy of me to not even try reviewing some content to figure out how to write this blog but I'm dealing with newbies to writing like Nimu here. Even if Nimu DID request this, I'm going to keep this simple and easy to understand.

Why would I do that? Well, I'm pretty sure that even if I bring up tropes like the 'Uncanny Valley', no one will actually understand what I'm talking about and would only nod their heads like chickens because I said some big words or something like that...

That's why I'm choosing to keep this real. Now, let's start off with: How do does horror be 'scary'?

In movies, showing images that either poke at our emotions of unease or disgust is one way to go, or just throw a bunch of jump scares and call it a horror movie... Director's choice. Similarly, you are also the 'director' of any 'horror story' you choose to write.

Most horror writers have the wrong assumption when they think about writing 'horror'. They become trapped in unease themselves because 'fear' stops them from writing. Well, if you really DO feel that way, then just channel that into your horror story.

And no, I'm not playing with ya.

There's a reason horror's start off in a simple premise with easy-to-understand people, after all.

Have you never experienced a horrifying event or nightmare before? Fine, I'll give you an example.

There was a time when I was a kid that I suddenly started looking for my older brother who went out of the room that afternoon. As a kid, darkness made me feel uneasy, so I didn't like the feeling of going into the kitchen in the other room which was pitch-black at the time. And that's when it happened!

The older brother I was looking for jumped out of the darkness and scared the life out of me...

Now, from that short memory. What have we found that made this memory so impressionable?

The answer is that there was a 'sudden set-up' of unease before the jump scare, making it scary.

If my brother had jumped in front of me at any other time, I would only be mildly surprised. However, the transition between 'set-up' and 'payoff' made it more worthwhile. This is what you must remember.

Remember, before setting up a scary scene in a horror story, you yourself must first evaluate how much 'set-up' you are willing to make for the end payoff and if that payoff is even worth it.

The reason I got scared by my brother was because of the 'suddenness' of the event. If I had time to properly analyse the situation and realise that my brother was playing a prank, the effect of him jumping out of the darkness wouldn't surprise me.

Likewise, if there was fast or literally no set-up and the payoff was that an brain-like alien actually existed in my kitchen. I would be scared, I would be struck dumb because my suspension of disbelief would be broken. I wouldn't even know how to internalise that event if it actually happened. The only thing I would do is stare at the thing blankly.

Blankness is not fear, it's just your brain not being able to comprehend what you're seeing.

If there is less set-up to big events, the payoff would be low. This is the same for ten chapters of set-up just to reveal someone doing a prank. You yourself must balance 'set-up' with the intended 'payoff'.

However, that's not to say scary story's need surprising moments where something or someone jumps out from the dark. Even that show called 'Goosebumps' knew the best way to scare someone is to manipulate the emotions of a reader.

When something good is happening but there is subtly a small scene of watching the main character through the window, the reader's heart is gripped tightly. If THEY don't want anything to happen to your relatable and kind character, then they will feel unease even if your character is clueless.

Then when the payoff happens, the reader will be assaulted with a sense of grief and sympathy.

Horror story's are just like that. They aren't meant to scare the reader through flashing images or jump scares but cause them to feel deeply. Though this is also a reason horrors are rarely read by people who are looking for something lighthearted and bright.

You must know this target audience and prepare your story well to become a good horror. If mixed with mystery, then you must also make sure to keep what I said in my 'Mystery Genre Analysis' in mind as everything there is also essential in this blend.

(My other Analysis Blogs are in my Saved Posts.)

There are plenty of ways to make horrors not need mysteries by blending it with tragedy. However, it isn't something you can write with a bright heart free of ill-will towards others. After all, you must understand what makes people 'uneasy and disgusted' with something whenever you write something of this genre. As it is needed to bring out the best experience for those reading your work.

Some think Horror and Tragedy are two sides of the same coin. However, there is a reason these two are split up into separate genres. Tragedies might invoke sympathy in those who read it, but Horror strike the readers with true fears even if they are irrational.

Ghost stories make us fear the Supernatural, Stories about technology progressing beyond humans can control makes us fear Science Fiction, and even story about a mystical world which only curse its inhabitants with grief make us fear Fantasy.

We are rational creatures after all. We take each step carefully and are always uneasy about the unpredictable future, that is our mundane form of horror. We fear, and therefore we feel alive.

Thank you for reading~! Comment any more Analysis Blog requests to your leisure! 😆

(Cover by Darkstar Dust)

This is a story I worked on ages ago that has been refined and edited by adding foreshadowing to events while also simplifying the power system better than before. This story can be considered a prequel to An Adventure Beyond Greatness as it takes place years prior to the events of that story.

Short Synopsis:
After retiring from the battlefield, my life became empty and lifeless. The regrets of my past haunt me in my sleep. Then a change occurred, a King from another world summoned me to fight for his kingdom, but I died even before I could give him my answer. Now, after a fake God allowed me to reincarnate (albeit imperfectly) with my memories intact, into a world filled with magic and swords.

Long Synopsis:
This is about a flawed protagonist who only knew to rely on others and not socialise who gets a second chance to change himself in order to live the life he aimed for in his past life. The narrator isn’t exactly trustworthy since it is purely in his bias perspective while other perspectives given by others fill in the blanks that he either leaves out or twists to suit the situation.

The story itself can be considered a parody of Isekai’s classic tropes which are given a sense of reality as time goes by. As there exists no ‘Demon Lord’, there is also no black and white, only characters opinions and counter-opinions throughout the story.

So finally volume two is finished and now it is time for a new theme and new characters to come. I wanted to do this idea for quite some time now. What I am talking about is the theme of Modern Horror. 
This volume is going to concentrate on the fears and anxieties that come with living in this fast and technological advanced era. This era that is characterized by a urban lifestyle. 
The place, where the stories of this volume will be located, is Leipzig. This is another aspect of this volume that I am personally hyped for. Leipzig is a city I have personally been to and I can say I love it. I figured the best place for me to describe realistic Horror experiences is a City I myself experienced. To introduce you to the city, Leipzig is located in East Germany with a population of around 600.000 people. It has evolved from a small trade city in the medieval times to one of the fastest growing cities of Germany (10th biggest at the moment). It has many cultural highlights and a wide variety of different districts that are unique in their own way and give a fantastic stage for some good stories. 
What fears or topics are going to be the centre of this Volume? The topics are going to be the unique experiences only the modern days make possible. Following that, there are not going to be any general fears that are independent from time and age. Every Story is going to focus especially on the characteristic that differentiates today from the past or future. No Science-fiction and no history.  Realism is what I am trying to strive for in this volume. A task that is not easy accomplished, especially within the horror genre. Humans tend to reject any ideas that would induce fear and label them as fictional, not because they are, but because this is a natural defends mechanism of human nature. I am going to try breaking that border between reality and fiction. I want my readers to look over their shoulder while reading this, because they heard something. I want to stimulate the corner of one's mind with this chapter. Of course this is not going to be easy and I am not going to say that I will definitely accomplish it, but I have to try at least.

Each chapter is independent, but each Volume has its own tale. The first Tale is about a Daemon, hungry for souls and a soul that struggles against him.


-Release rate: Im done with this website, im sorry to everybody hoping for new chapters. 

- new Cover made by: yaoyueyi (Thank you ^^)

-Inside a luxury cafe, East of the City of Manila-

Aurora 'Aura' Meyer had always been a failure of a writer. Her editor friend, Lucy Roces, was aware of it and this was the reason why even though their friendship was quite deep, the other party never brought up the matter of publishing Aura's book through their publishing house. 

"I say, Lucy, I'm pretty sure I'm almost there. My book is already half-way done and I only need another burst of inspiration to finish it."

"Are you still working on that same horror story? The one where the main protagonist is haunted by a black lady because of a curse or hex?" Lucy gave Aura a weird look. 

Lucy could still remember reading that half-done story due to Aura's nagging and it really left a huge impression on her. 

Her friend had the command of the language; however Aura, without being aware of it, was really not cut out for this profession as her stories were always bland, dragged out and full of loopholes. The first chapter is always one of the most important parts of a story. And Aura never failed to not realize that as her leading chapters were always without appeal. Lucy could perfectly relate to why no story of hers had been published.

"I plan to visit a really haunted place to get this burst of inspiration. My goal is to conduct my own research about ghost sightings and dig deeper regarding the very famous concept of voodoo and 'kulam'."

"Can't you just do internet research? You're a girl, going to dangerous places just to finish a book is totally pushing it." Lucy's voice was tinged with worry. 

"In this world full of billions of mysteries, if all people think like you, no more progress will be made and our civilization will be stuck to where it is currently at. You know, I believe that people should do more actual research than depend on others' already researched information. Having your own set of first-hand information is a thousand times better than getting others'. You also won't have to worry about accidentally infringing copyrights or patents. What say you? My dear friend, you can be relieved that no piece or part of the problem or topic is overlooked because if you are the one conducting the research, you'll immediately realize what you missed out."

Lucy, whose main source of income was to correct what the authors' missed out, frowned as Aura continued prattling.

"So far, it was estimated that only five million of the mysteries had been discovered. What I want to do is to conduct my own research and make some contributions....."

The aspiring writer then laughed. She grabbed her bag to bring out a book. "Hey, can you guess what this is?"

The editor merely shrugged. "We published that book so of course no one could be more familiar to that than me." It was titled 'Night of Terror' and the book was a compilation of horror stories Lucy's team had painstakingly gathered and edited to package into decent stories. Actually, more than half of the compiled stories came from a single person, a ghostwriter Lucy wished for others to have no more contact with.

"Some of the stories in this book are the same in terms of writing style and usage of vocabulary. I know the stories had been penned by the same person. Since you are the chief editor, can you arrange a meeting with the author?"

"No. He's a ghostwriter who doesn't want to be named. He feared bothersome people like you the most." Lucy answered without batting an eye. "You know, you have a rather good pair of eyes for editing. Why don't you just accept my offer and become my assistant editor?"

Aura laughed. "I'll consider that when our friendship ends. As for why, let me tell you. Friends are better having different careers to avoid comparison and some nasty troubles brought by competition. And hey, you said the author is a 'he'! How did you know so much about him, you even know he's someone who preferred not to meet bothersome people like me?" Mixed in Aura's tone was suspicion, as if the woman smelled some fishy odor between the lines. Unfortunately, her friend only raised her right brow.

Aura's lips twitched, knowing that her friend has no desire to continue that topic. She lamented how Lucy was so protective of that unnamed author. Could it be, there's a shady deal underneath? Aura's author's imagination became wild as stories starring her friend and the ghostwriter churned and turned inside her head.

"Since you are so hell-bent on doing your own research, when do you plan to leave and where?" 

"Tomorrow." Aura laughed. "I will go north. I intend to visit some famous haunted places like the Diplomat Hotel and the Laperal House. Then I will try to investigate if hexers and witches really do exist. Hopefully, the tribesmen near the City of Pines knew some information. Friend, wish me luck! I will not go back unless my book is finished. I hope when that time comes you'll reconsider publishing my book. Haha."

Lucy looked away. The editor actually was not expecting much from this failure writer friend of hers. Also, a secret she would never divulge to her friend was how her boss warned her about entertaining the publishing of Aura's books. She wondered if her boss had heard some weird rumors from the other publishing houses. She could only sigh as she studied her friend's expression who seemed too excited for the trip tomorrow.

[ Perhaps, when the time comes, my only option to show my support as her friend is by educating her on how to self-publish. ]

.....

After her meet-up with Aurora, Lucy Roces decided to visit the ghostwriter behind most of the stories of 'Night of Terror'. She first bought some chicken and vegetables for dinner which she planned to share with the ghostwriter before driving his apartment located on the outskirts of the city. An hour after, she was already parking her red car on the roadside.  

"Nathan! Nathan! Please hear me out! I beg you! Why can't you accept me again?! I'm sincerely sorry for what I did before. Can't you forgive me already? I'm begging you, please forgive me. I still love you! I really do!" A gorgeous sobbing woman pleaded to a neatly dressed man. 

"I'm sorry. I no longer have any feelings for you. I'm sure you understand that when you left me three years ago for a businessman you hooked up with, we're already over, and will never be together again." The man's face was devoid of any emotion. He showed the way out to the woman but the other refused to leave.

Lucy watched as the crying woman held onto the man's shirt, "Why!? You're being so heartless and stubborn, Nathan. Can't you really give me a second chance? I swear this time, I will be the best girl for you. I-I will do my best to make you the happiest man in the world. Please believe me. Give me a chance, okay? I will love only you and will never betray you." 

The man called Nathan blinked. He eyed her with a raised brow. "But you already betrayed me, no? And since you already did it once, you can surely do it again, and again. I'm sorry but my heart is not that big. It can only accommodate one faithful lover. My heart is also fragile so I don't want to enter an insecure relationship where betrayal and jealousy can happen at any time. I'm sorry. Even if second chances are easy to say and give, we still have to see whether the person is worthy or not."

Lucy only got out of the car once she confirmed that the woman had already been pushed outside the gate. She did not immediately walk over though. Lucy waited for the other woman to completely leave before approaching the man. 

"Is she your previous lover?" she asked as she watched the woman cursed and said something like 'You'll regret this!' before bolting away.

.........
.........
.........

*City of Manila - the capital of the Philippines

*kulam - witchcraft, puts emphasis on the innate power of the self and secret knowledge of Magica Baja or low magic. Earth (soil), fire, herbs, spices, candles, oils and kitchenwares and utensils are often used for rituals, charms, spells, and potions.

*City of Pines - Baguio City, a mountain resort city located in Northern Luzon, Philippines; known as Summer Capital of the country due to its cool climate.

*Diplomat Hotel - also called Dominican Hill Retreat House, a popular haunted hotel in the City of Pines due to many sightings of ghosts and other paranormal activities. It sometimes ranked number one in the list of Philippines' most haunted places.

*Laperal White House - a house owned by the Laperal clan in the City of Pines, believed to be haunted due to the role it played in World War 2.

Ley Baler died. 
However, he later discovered that he has nowhere to go because a war of goddesses erupted in the world of the deceased and destroyed the kingdom of the dead! 

Poor him and his fellow souls!

Thankfully, he got saved by another beautiful goddess and was even turned into a Skyworld dweller. However, since he is not a natural-born Anito, one of the lowest ranking races of the Skyworld, he would have to create followers and believers on earth. Otherwise, his weak spirit will slowly wane till it reduces to not even a speck of dust in the great wide universe.

The challenge though is that his powers have nothing to do with healing or anything useful. So how would he gather followers? What should he do with his abilities that are more suited for construction sites?!!!


Follow Ley's journey as he established his own church, discover why the kingdom of the dead was attacked, and attain real godhood through his weird, no, amazing abilities.

....
Once upon a time, The Creator willed the creation of the Three Great Worlds.

Once upon a time, the soul of a dead man turned into an Anito, a weak god of the land.

And once upon a time, a myth regarding manipulation of fate took its place in history as a young man created roads interconnecting people's destinies... 


PS: Pic is not mine. All credits to the creator.

...
If you want to contact me privately, you can find me on Discord: Ifallforblue#5480



Xander POV
"I am going to really strangle you if you are wrong" my best friend and accomplice whispered looking at me.
"Scratch that, even if you are right, I will" he is now using his serious voice. And who could blame him but this is the last chance I have to have a new career in this small town.
"You do know they could hear whispers too," I say to my overly anxious friend, keeping my finger over his lips.
"Dude What the fuck!!!" he let out a horrified scream, " This is not the time for you to turn gay and take advantage" again as I may say overacting. But even my many attempts do nothing to my friend.
"You are supposed to put your hand over my mouth to silence me, not your perverted finger over my lips" he looks at me with mock horror.
"And that would have been much nicer? My hand over your mouth, Like I don't know that you would lick it and make me take it back anyway" I say back
"Now how are you sure that I wouldn't suck your finger now" He follows his action with his words. And this time it is my turn to be shocked as I fell on the floor backward trying to get away from him.
"Damm" I almost whisper scream.
I pick myself up, cleaning my finger as I do, and get back at my position.
"That was disgusting Sam, even for you" I bend again with now more distance between him and me.
"So what you mean is that you don't like me now?" he questions me.
"I didn't say that… I mean…. Wait, what?, when did I say that I like you?" I turn towards him.
"You didn't but you always take so good care of me that I assumed,"  he says with a mock blush on his face.
"Okay before my ears start to bleed. TAKE. THAT BACK".  I say in mock disgust emphasizing each word.
"You don't mean that Xander, say you don't mean it" I am smiling to myself, I know what he is doing, he is trying to make me relax, since he knows I am scared, well we both are.
Being a Vampire Hunter in his first case is Never easy. Yeah a Vampire Hunter, that's what I chose as a new career since this small town doesn't offer much than those horror stories of vampires, sucking the blood of anyone or everyone. To the horror of the people and to our pleasure, this job might bring a lot of Money I believe since I have already been paid in advance to capture this one. (Okay it's a cheque but whatever).
This is why we are at present at a Manor which as per the talks of the town folks is being haunted by a vampire.
They say they hear weird noises coming out of here, mostly of someone screaming. I have to believe in their words here.
"So what we have to do once we get him," Sam asks
"Well we would be delivering him to the town folks I guess," I say not aware of anything I am saying now.
To my side, my Best friend is laughing hysterically. " You said it like you are an online Shopping site, Deliver"
"Damm that witchywhich.com site, I used last night to get some vampire hunting tools online" I respond back
"You brought these things online huh matey," he says it like he finds it funny.
"So what do we get if any item is defective? A place in Heaven? Since we won't be making it back for replacing and returning service" he continues.
I know he thinks it's funny but it is scary too,  in case my dear stupid best friend is right.

For centuries I have lived in hiding, looking for answers. It was quite difficult since I hated the human species, they are weak, they cry all the time but still they would have made  great slaves.
There is a particular human I hate more than anyone else, a girl, who would mess things more than anyone else could, but then why, why does her face haunts me in my dreams?

I am awkward, I am clumsy and there hasn't been anyone who haven't me told to be careful. But still I love my life, with my friends, my colleagues and my grandma.
Good things don't last long, do they? Not when suddenly your world turns around, all because of a Jaw Dropping, Handsome Asshole, for whom I am as good as invisible.
My Name is Hazel and this is my story.

"Lila hurry up and start the fire! It's going to get dark soon!" One of my best friends, Azure Hillary shouted to me. 

"Alright, I'm on it!" I shouted back.

My name is Lila Maple and I'm a proud, independent nineteen year old, turning twenty. I only finished my studies recently and am currently working as an office worker under a business company.

 I am at average height for a girl, fair skinned with long wavy chestnut brown hair that reaches past my shoulders and I have blueish-grey eyes. My friends always tell me the most beautiful part of me is my eyes, which I do not entirely agree on, but I guess they are right to some point. 

I have two best friends. They are Azure Hillary and Jessica Wong. Azure is slightly taller than me with fair skin, straight blonde hair that reaches past her shoulders and light brown eyes that look like jelly.

Jessica is Asian and she is half a head shorter than me. She has the best smooth porcelain white skin I had ever seen in my entire life with straight waist-length jet black hair and clear black eyes that seemed as though it could see through your soul. They are both outgoing and funny, and the best friends I could have.

We met during college where we had to complete a group project together at the start of the year, and we have been friends since then.

I do not have parents because they both passed away when I was only the age of ten. My father died in a car crash and my mother after hearing the news went into shock, which she then followed after my father shortly in the same year. They were both very young at that time, around their thirties, and were both madly in love with each other. I do not have any aunts nor uncles or cousins that I know of.

After that, my grandparents took me in and I lived in another country for a while with them until I went back to my birth country to continue my studies. Just a few weeks ago I had received news that my grandfather had passed away, which caused me to be depressed after his funeral for quite a while. Which is why my friends had suggested we go on this trip together to cheer me up.

Right now, my best friends and I all have one week off work, so we decided to go on a two days and one night camping trip at the outskirts of the city we were living in. There was also a forest nearby that we could go hiking in.

We had reached the place late morning, and ate an early lunch of homemade sandwiches before proceeding to pitch the tents and so on. We decided to set up camp just outside the forest as it would be easy to find wood to start a fire, which was the job Azure gave me to do.

I strode through the forest and picked up a few dry sticks that had fallen from the trees above. I took a deep breath and felt refreshed from the moist and clean forest air. It was such a great idea to come here where nobody really came, to escape from all that city air for a little while. 

After gathering what I thought would be enough sticks to last us through the night, I headed back to where the camp was set up. We only rented two tents as we do not have the luxury of money to spend too much. One of them could fit two of us, and we were a group of three. Azure and Jessica were to share a tent because we had played a game beforehand for sleeping arrangements and I won over the both of them, so I was able to get a tent all to myself.

I placed some of the sticks down inside a ring of stones to prevent fire from spreading and lit one of the sticks on fire with a lighter, before throwing it down onto the pile I had placed down. I put the rest of the sticks at the side and sat down to wait for Azure and Jessica. Azure was finishing the pitching of the tents and Jessica started heating some leftover food we brought from home over the fire using a metal stand and tray.

I watched as the sun set, casting a majestic orange glow over us as the sky gradually became darker. We ate our dinner of mash potatoes and baked chicken before putting everything away to clean up the next morning. Azure suggested telling horror stories to each other while melting marshmallows and making s'mores as dessert. Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of horror stories, so I kept my distance from Azure and Jessica as they were whispering to each other about things I would not want to hear.

When the sun had completely set, we took out our torches and laid down on the open grass to stargaze together while doing some girl talk. 

"I'm glad I got to spend this time with you guys. Its only been the first day but I already feel so happy and satisfied. Thank you, you guys are the best friends I could ever have." I said to my friends as I smiled at them. 

"Don't worry girl! We all needed this break. It has been a month since we got to spend time with each other like this, so let's just enjoy ourselves." Jessica replied enthusiastically and sat up.

"Um, it looks like Azure has fallen asleep already." I chuckled and got up. 

Brushing stray grass off me, I helped Jessica carry Azure back to their tent. I stayed there for a little while as I waited for Jessica to change into her sleeping garments in my tent and grabbed a few blankets and pillows back to my tent. After changing into my sleeping garments, I as well laid down and turned off my torchlight. 

"Goodnight guys, sweet dreams." I whisper-shouted.

I heard a faint 'goodnight' back from Jessica and rested my head on a pillow. I turned to my side, pulled the blanket over me and closed my eyes.

This was going to be a great week.

Or so I thought.

Nobody believes that faeries, otherwise known as fairies, exist. They are just mythical creatures part of an urban legend used for story telling to children.

 That was what Lila Maple thought , along with everyone else in the human world. Little did she know that after an encounter with a faerie during a camping trip with her friends, she would find herself looking at the world from a different perspective as a faerie herself. The world of faeries.

 Lila discovers and learns about the new circumstances she has to adapt to, but will she be able to protect her friends from the danger of her new world?


NOTE: This book has been entered into the writing prompt contest #96, so please vote power stones if you've enjoyed the book, support is appreciated, thank you!

"Hey girls, after I rethink about it again actually it is still early to go to the theme park so how about we go to the cinema and watch a movie first and after that we enjoy our times at the theme park?"
I suggested right after I saw a big board promoting new movies outside of the shopping mall. 
" I guess that is a good idea too since it is still 11:32 a.m now and the shopping mall is just nearby. I'm okay with it but first, what is your opinion on this idea Kotomi? "
Mitsuha stopped and looking into Kotomi's eyes while asking the question. 
"Hmm, yeah why not?! This might be my first time to watch a movie in a cinema," 
Kotomi is really easy to bring along since she is not really selfish like any other kids at her age. 
"Oh right, all this time you have only watched movies on the TV," 
"You already went to a real cinema lots of times, Big Yuu?" 
"Of course!" 
"Who you usually goes with?" 
"Well most of the times I went with Mom and Dad but sometimes I goes with Mitsuha too if I'm bored," 
'Whoa when I think about it again, I'm really embarrassed to be alone with her in the cinema but I kept on inviting her since I always forgot about it,' 
Mitsuha and Kotomi went inside to buy popcorns and drinks while I queuing patiently to buy the movie tickets.
'Man,that was a really long queue and I have to mind my distance from other customers to make sure I don't smell any of their various smells and to avoid getting their flu!' 
"Nice job Big Yuu queuing in that long queue!" 
"You okay?" 
"Yeah I'm okay," 
"Then why the angry face?" 
Mitsuha concerned. 
"Big Yuu just hate to be in a place cramped with crowds," 
"Oh I see," 
Now it seems like Mitsuha is relieved. 
"You will love the movie we are going to watch, Kotomi," 
I'm showing the tickets I just bought to her and Kotomi smiling brightly. 
"What movie is it that made Kotomi smiling?"
Mitsuha asked curiously.
"Tadaaa!"
I showed her the tickets.
"The Anger of the Cursed,"
And suddenly Mitsuha's face looks like she is frightened and it reminds me that she is actually not into scary movies and get really scared everytime she is exposed to a scary stories.
'Ah I forgot that Mitsuha is not really good with horror!'
" Yuuki,"
"It is okay, I'm sorry that I forgot about how bad you are with horror stories. Trust me there is nothing to be scared of, IF there is a thing than I will protect you from it,"
I'm trying to convince her with full of confidence but I know she might still be frightened by the time the movie started.
" Okay then, "
" What? Sis Mitsuha is scared of ghost?! "
Kotomi smirking. She must be proud to know that an elder person is scared of horror movies even though Kotomi is younger, she can handle horror movies well. Actually she loves horror stories.
"I'm ashamed to admit it but yeah, Kotomi,"
"Don't worry, if you are scared Big Yuu will hug you tightly untill you feel safe!"
"Yeah I will and am ready to take responsibility of it!"
I played along with Kotomi to make Mitsuha more less worried about the horror movie.

*****
The movie is already about quarter way through and Kotomi has started to feeling cold.
"Waaaa, It is so cold in here!
She is hugging herself to warm herself.
" Yeah I forgot to mention about this. Here use my jacket as a blanket. I'm fine with this cold since I'm already used to it,"
Our seats are in the center part of the cinema not too low and not too high up while Kotomi sit left by me and Mitsuha is on my right side.
" Doesn't it feels good to sit next to the wall? "
Mitsuha lower her head a little and talked to Kotomi with a low voice. 
" Yeah, Sis Mitsuha!"
"Mitsuha are doing just fine with the temperature in here?" 
" Yeah I'm already used to it just like you, "
" Well if you feeling a little bit cold you can just ask me to hug you. I'm ready for you everytime, Hahaha! "
And suddenly the scene where the main character friend in the movie get killed brutally by ghost came up that makes quite a shock for me. But the most shocked person is of course, Mitsuha.
"Waaaaa!"
Mitsuha jumped in shock and hugged me so I hugged her too since I'm shocked by the sudden shock too.
"It's okay there is nothing to be scared of I guess,"
"Don't just guess!"
Mitsuha still can't open her eyes.
"Okay okay I'm sure there is nothing to be scared of now,"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah exactly,"
"Are you seriously really sure?"
"Yeah I'm seriously really sure of this,"
And with that Mitsuha opened her eyes back and keep on watching the movie.
"I'll go to the toilet first, I'll be back,"

*******
I entered a row of seats in the cinema and just when I'm about to sit,
"Hey!"
'What?! "
" You are having fun huh? "
I can't believe that I entered the wrong row and there is even a person sitting on the seat.
' Oh no, this is really embarrassing!'
" Ah I'm sorry, I entered the wrong row I see hehe, "
The cold cinema feel so hot because of the embarrassing mistake I made and even though I can't really see the face of the person, I'm sure that the voice was a girl's and that makes it even worse.
' How can I mistaken just one row higher than our seats?!'
" Big Yuu, you should be more careful next time hahaha!"
"Yeah I will!"
As I put my hand down on the hand rest, I touched Mitsuha's hand and it felt really cold.
"Oh Sis Mitsuha is no longer breathing,"
"What has happened while I'm away in the toilet for a while?"
' I guess she is just shocked again,'
I hold her hand tightly and there she comes back.
"Good Morning, Love,"
I'm making the most sexy face I can make to impress her. 
"Yeah Good Morning, Darling, what? I fell asleep? "
"Yeah, maybe because you have been covering your eyes too much that you forgot to open it back," 
"Oh I see," 
Mitsuha wiped her eyes and yawned. And we continued to watch the movie until the end. 
****** 
"Okay girls, now it is already 2 pm so let's go the theme park and enjoy ourselves with water splashing!" 
"Yeah, Let's go!" 
Kotomi and Mitsuha replied in sync since they both really want to stretch their muscles and joints after that long sitting in the cinema.

********
"Welcome to our water theme park and be sure to create lots of memorable memories with your wife and cute daughter!"
Said the ticket seller to me after I paid the tickets to enter the wtp.
"Yeah thanks," 
"Will you take me as your second wife? 
The cashier said with a smoky voice. 
'What the hell is this pretty sister saying?!' 
" Just kidding haha! Have fun! "
'That was one hell of an experience. I almost get caught off guard by her temptation,"
"Hey Yuuki," 
"What?" 
"Please be more careful next time when you talking with strangers especially pretty women,"
Mitsuha stopped me and whispered into my ear. 
"Yeah I will," 
I replied with a thumbsup. 

"Waaaaa! Look at all the attractions here!" 
Kotomi excitedly pointing her finger everywhere the attractions located around the water theme park. 
"Yeah sure it is Kotomi!" 
"Let's get changed into swimsuit now, Sis Mitsuha!"
"Yeah let's do that," 
And Kotomi grabbed Mitsuha's hand and went to the girl's changing room together. 
"I guess i will do the same too huh?"
Before I go to the changing room I open up my phone,
"If you both are done then text me and we will meet up at this place again"  Yuuki.

"Apparently women's and men's changing rooms here are separated away further from each other. I guess it is to avoid any unwanted incident from happening " Yuuki.

"Ok💕" Mitsuha.
*******
And we meet as we have planned.
"Look Big Yuu, am I pretty in this swimsuit?!"
"Yeah and cute," 
'Look at those frills! Kotomi sure is a definition of cuteness,' 
"H-how do I look in this swimsuit?"
"You looked totally great in it!"
Mitsuha blushed after I gave her my honest opinion. 
"Really?!"
"Yeah but where are the swimsuit that you tried on in the shop?"
"I changed my mind and chose this modest swimsuit instead since I thought it was too sexy for me, you don't like this?"
She looks worried.
"No actually I more prefer you to wear this one instead of the swimsuit back then!"

'Man, the swimsuit she tried on was really sexy but I prefer this modest swimsuit more now. It gets me excited somehow, '
Mitsuha is wearing a modest swimsuit that is not really tight on her body and looks like a swimsuit mixed with a blouse and it is quite stylish to my eyes.
And enough with all that talks we are enjoying ourselves with most of the attractions. I could say that Kotomi is the most excited among us all the time.
'Well, she is still a kid'
Splash!
A sudden attack of water bomb landed on my handsome face.
"Who did that?!"
"Kakakaka!"
Mitsuha laughing really hard and that is just how her laugh sounded like since we were kids.
"I guess you are the guilty one, so here I come!" 
And I'm chasing down Mitsuha in the pool while Mitsuha and Kotomi trying to run away as fast as they can from me. Actually Kotomi isn't running since she is using a floater. 
"Hohoho! I'm much more faster than you there is no way you can escape!" 
As I grabbed Mitsuha from her back I sensed something really soft. 
'Ah, what is this deja vu?' 
I lost in thought for a second. 
"Yuuki!" 
And I'm back to reality to realise that I'm hugging Mitsuha.
"Waaa!"
I get my hand off of her and turned my back on her.
"I guess hugs feels different depends on the situation,"
"Yeah, perhaps it is,"
I answered with a taut voice.
'Whaaaa, hugging while wearing a proper clothe and when wearing only swimsuit really makes the difference! I mean, I touched her while only wearing a swimming trunks and it felt weird? It is embarrassing!'
" Big Yuu?"
" Why don't we get something to eat now? We have enjoyed so much for now,right?"
"Yeah let's do that!"
Kotomi then starts soaking her head in the water before we leave it and Mitsuha helping Kotomi by pushing her floater along with us.
"Let's eat!"
Kotomi is really eager to eat the foods we just bought from the food stalls around the water theme park area.
"You both eat first I will buy something to drinks for us and if I'm lucky, I might buy chocolate drinks for you too,"
"Okay Thanks!"
And Mitsuha waving her hand to us before she goes. 
'When I think again, some people praised us when we was walking in search of foods,' 
"Look at their cute little daughter, she is behaving so nicely you should behave like her!" 
A mom scolded her crying child wanting to dive into water so badly from the tall waterfall.
"Big Yuu, look at Sis Mitsuha!" 
Kotomi suddenly blurted out and pointing her fingers to a direction with a full mouth of cupcake. 
' Ah, seriously? '
As I put on my glance toward where Kotomi is
pointing, I see 2 guys is approaching Mitsuha and it looks like she is being a target of two beasts. 
"Hear me Kotomi," 
"Yeah," 
And we came up with the best plan I can manage for the moment so we started walking and Kotomi starts running into Mitsuha and hugged her. 
"Mama that is my chocolate drink, right? !" 
"Ehh?!" 
Mitsuha surprised by the calling and she hugged Kotomi back as if it is a force of habits. 
"Hey honey what took you so long? You want to be beaten again or what?!" 
I acted as if I'm a violent husband. 
"No, please I'm sorry !" 
Mitsuha's face became more frightened after my acting. 
'Why would she looked so sad with that? I guess that means my acting was good Haha!' 
"Umm we are sorry for the interruptions!" 
The two guys is apologising with a really sorry face. 
"Yeah sure," 
And they walked away from us. 
"Sis Mitsuha saved!" 
"Thank you, for getting me out from that unpleasant situation," 
"Yeah, yourself must be more careful and it is the best to not walking alone so I'm at fault too for letting you to go alone," 
'I guess that kind of stuff most likely to happens since Mitsuha is a real beauty from inside to the outside,'
"Look, there is the Cuddly Bear!" 
"Where?!" 
I successfully caught Kotomi's attention. 
"Let's take some pictures with it!" 
'Mitsuha really got the same thinking way as me or our minds are linked somewhere?' 
So in order to take pictures with the water theme park's mascot which is the Cuddly Bear 
I'm standing at the left of the mascot while   piggybacking Kotomi. I'm holding Kotomi's left hand to keep her balanced and she is holding the Cuddly Bear head with her right hand while Mitsuha is standing close to me on my left. 
So the man I trusted to take the pictures of us on my phone and the other guy is using a special camera says, 
"Smile!" 
And the sweetest moments captured both in a digital way and polaroids. 
******

Surrounded by lots of Sakura tree,Takahashi Yuuki amazed by his appearance and saw a girl that may creates a new life for him as he started his highschool debut... Not really though

"I'm sorry, but I'm too old for Halloween," Amy said when her friend brought up the subject.

"Oh", Agnes said with sadness in her eyes. "Yeah, maybe we're too old for that."

"No, wait. I was talking about me."

"That's the same, right?" Agnes said with a wry smile. "We're the same age."

Amy knew that Halloween was her friend's favorite day of the year. For Amy, a fifteen years old girl, being obsessed with witches, monsters and horror stories was silly. However, seeing her friend's happy face when she talked about that, Amy always suppressed her opinions. Amy thought that side of Agnes was cute.

Agnes was a girl with blond and wavy hair. She looked like a princess but always wanted to be the witch when they played as kids. Amy, with her black hair and pale skin, looked way more like a witch. She was also taller than Agnes. And yet, her friend always gave the cutest costumes for her.

They were childhood friends and Amy felt like Agnes never grew up.

But walking around the city asking for candies with other kids while wearing a costume was too much for her. No matter how much she loved Agnes, she wanted some more mature entertainment.

"Ok, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate it in a different way," Amy said. "A grown-up way, for example."

"Grown up? Like a party, maybe? I remember our class was making a Halloween party this year"

"Yeah, that would be cool. But," Amy knew how uncomfortable Agnes was on those parties, so she always avoided it. Somehow, she also didn't want Agnes in that place. "How about a private party? Or a sleepover, maybe. My parents won't be home on Halloween night and they asked me to give candies to the kids. So, you know, if you don't mind, maybe, huh…"

Agnes jumped and clapped her hands with a smile.

"We could spend the night watching horror movies, right?!" she said.

"Ah, that's, huh," Amy wasn't good with horror movies, or horror stories in general. Still, the bright smile her friend gave was hard to resist. "That would be nice. Yeah. Horror movies. I don't mind it at all."

"That's great! So I'll bring the movies. I guess we'll need food as well, so…"

"Oh, I'll take care of that, don't worry. Making food isn't your best skill, so yeah. Better safe than sorry," Amy laughed at the grimace Agnes made. "Just make sure to bring some good movies."

Not too scary, please, Amy though, but didn't voice it.

Agnes giggled.

"Leave it to me. I'll make the scariest selection I possibly can!" Agnes said while rubbing her hands. "I won't let you sleep that night!"

Amy felt a shiver. Yet, the bright smile on Agnes' face was enough to stop her from complaining. She couldn't believe she was doing that. Amy suddenly wondered how important her friend was for her and how far she would go to make her smile.

 

***

 

When Amy answered the door on Halloween night, there was a cute blonde girl wearing a witch costume waiting on the other side with a smile on her face.

"You're still wearing a costume, huh?"

"Yeah. I had bought it already and I didn't want it to go to waste," Agnes put her finger on her lips. "Is it weird?"

Imagining Agnes happily buying that costume just for that night while planning their Halloween together, Amy felt like her heart was being stabbed. Agnes really loved Halloween night.

Amy had dressed herself to wait for Agnes. Not in a Halloween costume, that would be too much. The purple scrunchie tying her hair was a present from Agnes. So was her jeans shorts. Or her black tights. Almost everything she was wearing was a present from Agnes. Agnes loved dressing her up too much.

"It's not weird. Actually, since you're in the mood already, you can answer the door when the kids come," Amy looked away before adding: "And, well, you look cute."

Agnes giggled behind Amy's back.

"A-Anyway," Amy tried to change the subject. "You brought movies, right? We can start watching them. We also have food for when we get hungry. Mom left juice since she knows you can't stand soda."

"Oh, that's right! I spent this whole time making a selection with the most brutal, bloodiest and scariest horror movies I ever saw."

Amy felt a shiver running down her spine by listening to her friend's enthusiastic words.

"Y-You could've brought something you didn't watch yet," she said, taking the bag Agnes passed to her and looking inside. "W-Wait. There's at least ten!"

"I said I won't let you sleep tonight," Agnes gave a smile.

"No, no, no, wait! Forget about sleeping, we don't even have that much time."

"We do," Agnes looked at her clock and showed it to Amy. It was 8 PM. "Come on, it's Halloween. You don't want to sleep during Halloween, do you?" She threw herself on her friend's couch. "Choose something and put it on already."

Looking at those titles, Amy was sure they were as terrifying as Agnes made them out to be. She couldn't even look at the cover without feeling uneasy. She just took something and put it inside the blu-ray player and sat beside Agnes, who just looked at her with a mischievous smile as the movie started.

The first few scenes weren't as scary as Amy feared.

Agnes had her legs bent, putting her feet on the couch. She always felt at home when she and Amy were alone at Amy's house. Her knees invaded her friend's space a little and her long skirt touched Amy's legs.

Glancing at Agnes, Amy realized she had her eyes glued on the tv screen. She had watched that movie already, but her excitement looked the same as always. Amy could feel how much her friend loved horror movies.

Amy's body flinched as a long buzz sounded inside the house. Agnes looked at her and Amy was sure she was holding herself to not make a joke about it.

"P-Probably kids looking for candies," Amy said, hitting pause on the controller.

"You can keep watching it. I already watched that one."

"N-No. I'll… wait for you," Amy said while dreading the thought of watching it alone. Agnes giggled.

The front door wasn't that far from the living room, but she had to cross a hallway to get to it. Agnes almost skipped through the house as she went to open it.

"Tricks or treats!"

In the other side, there were three kids. Two boys wearing a werewolf and a vampire costume and a little girl wearing a ghost costume.

"I'm a witch, why would I carry candies?" Agnes said and grinned. "But I don't want to be pranked, so let's see what I can do…"

With a fast movement, Agnes managed to get candies from the bowl on her side and hide it on her sleeves. With a theatrical gesture, she made it fall on the three kid's bags. The sleeves of her dress were long, so it looked like the candies were coming out of her hands.

"Wow!" the three kids said, amazed. When they looked at her again, the first boy let out a shout.

"Eh!? Agnes!?"

"Oh, you found me," Agnes said, clapping her hands.

"What are you doing there?! We're against the children from the other street this year. If we can't get enough candies, we lose. You're our secret weapon!"

"I'm sorry. I'm a grown up now and grown-up girls spend Halloween in a grown up way! I can't be a kid forever."

"No way!" the little girl said.

"You're our leader!" The third boy said. "We can't win without you!"

"Of course you can!" Agnes said and pointed her finger towards the kids. "From today on, I elect you three to be the leaders. Pass this message to the others and say that their order is to win! That's my word, so if you lose, you'll stain my name forever!"

"Yes, ma'am!" the three children yelled and turned away running, soon meeting other kids at the street.

Agnes let out a sad smile and turned to meet her friend waiting for her, leaning against the wall in the hallway.

"Back to the movies," Agnes said and walked towards the hallway.

"You're so good with kids," Amy said. She had a serious face and didn't move from her place. "Any plans for having some of your own?"

Agnes stopped. She looked at Amy and gave a nervous smile.

"N-No. We're too young to think about these things, right?"

"We should always think about our future."

"Well, true," Agnes looked away. "I don't think I wanna have kids, actually. I wouldn't be a good mother. And I think spoiling other people's children is good enough for me."

"That's not true. You would be a great mother. You're so great with kids, so not having any would be a great waste."

"I-Is that so?" Anges was fiddling with her skirt. "G-Guess it can't be helped, though. I don't think I want it."

"Are you sure? I could be the godmother."

"Jezz, Amy, could you shut up?!" Agnes blurted.

Amy felt her body jump. She gave a startled look to her friend.

"I-I," Amy stammered, looking away. "I'm sorry. I didn't…"

"I don't want to hear that from you," Agnes stared right into Amy's eyes as she said it. "That's what mom is always saying. How she wants a grandchild. But I'm an only child and I really don't want one. I know mom will be disappointed, but…" Agnes lowered her head, asking in a low voice: "Am I being selfish?"

"No, you're not," Amy rushed to put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "I, I'm sorry. I didn't want to bother you like that. I don't know what got to me. I think I'm just upset. You really wanted to be out there tonight, right?"

Giving her friend a sad smile, Agnes went back to the couch. When Amy followed her, she met her friend with the controller on her hand, but the movie was still paused. Amy sat beside her.

"It's true that I wanted to be out there," Agnes said, staring at the paused movie. "At the same time, I understand we're getting too old for that. Can't help it, I guess. I'm just like a big child."

"I'm sorry," Amy said without facing her friend.

"And that's why," Agnes turned to Amy with a smile on her face. "I want Halloween to still be fun for me. One way or another, I want to get excited for these nights all years. And so," Agnes leaned against Amy, resting her head on her shoulder. "That's your responsibility now."

Amy gave a nervous smile as the movie resumed.

 

***

 

For the first twenty minutes of the movie, kids came to get candies interrupting them a lot. Amy sighed in relief every time her friend hit the pause button. But after some time, the kids stopped coming. Even the voices outside couldn't be heard anymore. They probably had gone to another street already.

So Amy was starting to get worried. It was just the first movie and she felt like she wouldn't be able to endure it to the end. With each minute, the atmosphere would get more intense and dark and the silence at the house wasn't helping. Her only comfort was Agnes' warmth. Her friend was still leaning against her.

She felt her heart beating strong. Part of it was the movie. But for some reason, her friend's perfume was starting to affect her as well.

When the girl on screen got inside a dark room and a shadow passed behind her back, Amy gave up.

"You know!" She said, taking the controller and hitting pause. "I'm kinda hungry."

"Already?" Agnes said. Her smile showing that she had seen through her friend's fear.

"I didn't eat anything during the afternoon. I was nervous…"

"Nervous? Why?"

"No, I mean. Huh…"

"Well," Agnes put her finger on her closed lips. She pretended to think for some minutes. "I might enjoy some snacks. Do you have anything sweet?"

 

***

 

There were all kinds of snacks already prepared in the kitchen. Amy's mother had left it for them. It was Halloween snacks. Some of them were sweet, some were salty. Agnes liked sweet food while Amy always liked the salty food the best.

Agnes threw a chocolate truffle inside her mouth and let out an expression of pleasure.

"Delicious! Did you mom make it?"

"I helped her."

"Is that so? So I'm sure they're all tasty!"

Amy hid her face so her friend didn't realize that she blushed with the compliment. Agnes couldn't take her eyes from the snacks Amy was putting on the table.

"I'll handle this," Amy said. "Go serve the juices. I don't want you ruining anything."

"Hey, I'm fine with food as long as it's done already!" Agnes pouted, but still obeyed her friend and walked to the refrigerator.

Inside there was a jar with strawberry juice, which happened to be her favorite. She grabbed it, as well as two glasses.

"Don't spill it," Amy said.

"Hey! I'm not that big of a disaster! And I'm a witch right now, so respect me or I'll curse you!"

"Is that so?" Amy looked at Agnes with the side of her eyes. "What can you do with these so powerful witch powers?"

"I can, for example, make this a potion!" Agnes poured some juice on a glass and gestured her fingers in its direction. "If you drink it, you'll be under my spell!"

"Oh?" Amy smiled and grabbed the glass from the table. She drank the whole juice in one gulp and threw a defiant look at her friend. "So, what happens to me now?"

"That was, let's see, a love potion! So you'll fall in love with me now!"

Silence fell between them.

Amy stopped and gave a serious look at her friend. Agnes covered her own mouth, feeling embarrassed. They just looked at each other for a long minute.

"W-What are you even saying?" Amy asked, finally.

"I, I," Agnes tried to look away. Her face getting red. "It's a joke."

Amy giggled.

"Well, stop joking around. We have a movie to watch, right?"

Saying that Amy took the snacks and walked away. She wanted to get away from Agnes for the moment so her friend wouldn't realize how fast her heart was beating.

 

***

 

Amy couldn't even understand why Agnes' joke had such an impact on her. It was common for her friends to do that kind of silly joke. But Agnes' words just didn't leave her mind.

The movie started to play again. Agnes had her legs on the couch again, too close to Amy. Sometimes she would incline her body to get the snacks in the chair in front of them and Amy would get a glance at her white neck. She couldn't keep her eyes away from her friend for long.

She tried to focus on the movie. It was getting to the scariest part, with grotesque creatures following the protagonists in the dark house. Amy felt a chill.

"You're bad with horror movies, huh?" Agnes said, examining her friend's scared face.

"If you know that, why do you keep suggesting them?" Amy replied, letting out a nervous sigh.

"Because I love horror movies and supernatural stories a lot. And I love you a lot, too," with her friend's words, Amy's heart skipped a beat. "So I wanna share things I love with you. You're my best friend, so I would love to talk about my favorite things with you. But if you really hate it that much…" Agnes gave a sad smile that made Amy shook her head.

"I don't hate it. I'm not good with it and, well, I'm not a fan either, but I still enjoy watching. If, if you're watching it with me, at least."

"I see," Agnes said with a happy grin seeing Amy embarrassed face. "Well, if it gets too scary for you, you can hold on to me."

"A-And what good would that do?" Amy said while sighing, but discreetly linked her own arms with her friend's.

Hugging Agnes was common for Amy, but she felt somewhat different about that situation. That gesture was usually shared by lovers, and yet she never thought about it before.

 

So you'll fall in love with me now!

 

Her friend's words echoed in her head again. Glancing at Agne's face, Amy felt her whole body react to her friend's smile. She knew that she was blushing.

"Agnes," she said with a low voice, making her friend look at her. "I think your potion might be working."

A surprised expression painted Agnes' face. She opened her mouth, but Amy talked before she could say anything.

"Just kidding…"

 

***

 

The movie seemed to be close to the climax. Amy was too distracted to be scared. She was hugging Agnes's arm, feeling the warmth and softness of her friend's flesh so close. She was confused. As a kid, they even took baths together, but she had never felt like that. They had lots of sleepovers even after becoming teenagers and in fact, they were planning to share a bed that night.

Why she had to say something like that?

Amy knew that Agnes was cute. Sexy as well. There was an occasion before when a boy asked Agnes out. That made Amy jealous, she remembered. She always thought that was because Agnes was her best friend, so she was protective of her. But now she was wondering if that was all.

Another buzz rang through the house. Probably kids from other streets were getting close. Agnes paused the movie and jumped from the couch to go after them. Amy looked at her friend's back as she walked to the hallway. The most she got away, the loneliest Amy felt.

That was bothering her. Suddenly she couldn't understand her feelings anymore and wondered what Agnes felt for her. That was scary.

She walked to meet her friend with careful steps, so she wouldn't be heard. When the door closed, Amy covered Agnes' eyes with her hands. Agnes gave a confused gasp.

"Tricks or Treats?" Amy almost whispered in Agnes' ears.

Agnes seemed to think for some time in silence. Amy was so close that she could sniff the shampoo on her friend's blonde hair.

"I don't have all the time," Amy said and Agnes giggled.

"I'm not sure. A prank can be good sometimes."

"Remember that you asked for it. Now turn around," Amy said and took a candy from the bowl. She started to unwrap it. "Now, close your eyes."

Agnes did as her friend asked. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth, waiting for the candy.

Amy stared at her friend. Her heart almost jumping through her throat. She was sure her face was completely red.

She put the candy on her own mouth and approached Agnes. Wrapping her arms on the girl's hip, she pulled Agnes close and joined their mouth. She felt the soft lips of her friend on hers. Her warm and pleasant breath. She opened her eyes while kissing to see her friend's surprised expression looking at her.

Amy pushed the candy to her friend's mouth with her tongue, brushing Agnes' own tongue on the process. She closed her lips, locking her friend's lower lips on them before parting their lips. She gave two steps back.

Agnes touched her lips. She gave a confused and startled look at her best friend.

"Happy Halloween, Agnes," Amy said. Her face completely red. "How was that for a prank?"

The two girls stared at each other. Agnes' face was just as red as Amy's.

"That," Agnes broke the silence. Her fingers still on her lips. Her voice was failing. "Was sweet. I mean, nice. I mean…"

Amy was nervous. She didn't know what her friend's reaction was going to be. She was sure of her feelings after that kiss, but what about Agnes. Maybe she would turn back and run away now.

Instead, Agnes held her hand. Her soft fingers playing with Amy's skin.

"W-What now?" Amy asked, fearing the answer.

"Now," Agnes gave her a reassuring smile. "We go back to the movies."

Amy let out a relieved sigh and her lips turned into a smile.

"Really? As a punishment?"

"Don't worry. I'll hold your hand through all the night so you won't be afraid," Agnes said, pulling her friend with her. In the middle of the way, she turned back with a giant smile on her face. "Oh, and by the way, that was hardly a prank!"

That night, the girls' hands didn't part anymore.

Lily Bouquet is a collection of different short stories with a common theme: they're all stories about love between girls.

The stories might vary in themes and genre, but they're all focused on the romantic relationship between two or more girls. While some stories might be a continuation of previous ones, this will be mentioned at the start, so any story can be read by itself.

Romance is a very popular genre in Webnovels. The first thing that come to mind when we talk about romance are the CEO novels. Even though we don't want to admit it, they are the mainstream romance stories in the Webnovel website. 

So why do people love romance stories? I hope you find the answer while reading this chapter.

----------------------------------

FattyBai: No worries, was just a bit curious. It's always amazing seeing how the Romance genre basically dominates the site.

Parasection: and CEO stories.

FattyBai: So I was sort of curious what the demographics on the reader's sex were. But yeah, it's a fair assumption to say that the ladies rule the site, lol

WWFire: Readers gender stats r ambiguous, it is manipulatable after all.

FattyBai: Unless there's this hidden group of guys who have been starving for CEO romance novels (which would actually be funny).

Parasection: But the sacred texts.

WWFire: All I see are genderless alien. *derp emoticon*

reinesse ♥: kek.

FattyBai: How do we pull in the female readers in if we can't write a romance story? *cry emoticon*

Parasection: No choice but to write yaoi then.

WWFire: We who read these kind of fantasy novels don't live our lives correctly pal.

CailinMatthews: *ghost hug emoticon*

Parasection: Give in to the demons.

WWFire: That's why we escape reality sometimes. 

FattyBai: It's like being offered a big cake and unable to take a slice.

Zehell2218: I think male reader have their own chance and market.

FattyBai: For sure, but it'd be nice to tap into both sides.

Zehell2218: @FattyBai I think I'll make fantasy romance so I can attract both.

FattyBai: I mean, it's not a bad idea, but how do you split it up? 50% romance/50% dragon ball z?


Parasection: The fuq that sounds like an abomination.

FattyBai: It does.

Zehell2218: @FattyBai No it's 80% romance 20% action. *joy emoticon*

Noveljunky: Besides Romance, what else do females like to read?

Parasection: BL, yaoi, drama.

Zehell2218: Still BL is romance.

Anjeeriku: horror lol.

reinesse ♥: @Noveljunky xianxia I think.

Noveljunky: Mmm.

Zenith: Well, need too write romance...kek

Zehell2218: Do female reader like to read apocalypse novel? Quick question since I will make fantasy romance in apocalypse.

[A/N: Sis, did you forget that you're a girl too?]

Totally Not Nano: nah oof.

FattyBai: @Zehell2218 Aww, man. But then you have to develop characters and write meaningful dialogue.

Zenith: I am probably gonna f*ck up my time trying to make a romance story.

FattyBai: We like blowing stuff up and fighting baddies.

Zehell2218: cmon it will be comedy. *laugh emoticon*

Parasection: The best thing in a novel is character development humor and action romance can be on the side.

Anjeeriku: Romance can be a great sub genre.

Parasection: how does one even write romance? I don't know where to begin with that genre.

FattyBai: I'm a simple guy, I see plot and I drown it in martial arts and manly stuff. Of course, I don't know what feelings are. Can you eat them to increase your cultivation base? *think smart emoticon*

Parasection: I've never experienced romance so i'd fail the moment i'd attempt a story like that.

Zehell2218: Actually, I like to write fighting scene but without romance my reader will kill me. So...yeah I tag it as romance! *joy emoticon*

Parasection: Fight scenes are fun to write.

FattyBai: I'm trying to break through into the "Immortal lonely sperg" phase~

Zehell2218: Very sloooooowww romance.

Anjeeriku: Please no abusive ML @Zehell2218 They're disgusting. idk why women like to read them.

Zehell2218: @Anjeeriku I don't know if girls who read xianxia will read apocalypse novel too.

reinesse ♥: I wanna write a novel like it's not easy to be a man after traveling to the future.

Zehell2218: @Anjeeriku No I won't make abusive ML. @reinesse ♥ same *joy emoticon*

Totally Not Nano: @Anjeeriku *cough* TBWWM *cough*

reinesse ♥: And an actual xianxia novel with reasonable characters.

Zehell2218: But without the romance it's bland.

reinesse ♥: Like characters, especially main character who knows how to adjust because extreme pride is not good.

FattyBai: @Zehell2218 Baby Dragon Truer words have not been spoken, and that scares me.

reinesse ♥: Some villains are really brainless. they can scheme, but they don't have a reasonable reason to do so

Zenith: Kek.

Zehell2218: @Zenith gramps I have idea for fantasy romance lemme tell you after I finish writing and see if it's interesting or not.

Zenith: Get the MC u desire! Yeah @Zehell2218 

FattyBai: I fear becoming a more wholesome and fleshed out human being. Please no development.

Zehell2218: @Zenith It's ok. Just want to see if people will find this good or not. *joy emoticon*

Totally Not Nano: I think there's a formula in getting famous as a writer.

[A/N: Oh? Such formula exist? Teach me Senpai!]

Totally Not Nano: Let's debate about it. *thinking emoticon*

Parasection: The formula is write romance and you're set.

Totally Not Nano: Any genre + xxxxxxx = top 1.

[A/N: Today… I lost faith in humanity.]

Noveljunky: If you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back.

Moonbirth: Write a lot. Write everyday. Post a lot everyday... write about what readers want to read about.

Anjeeriku: Write a lot. be a slave. Lol


----------------------------------

Elyon knew that "Romance" is not his strong point. He writes a fantasy story with romance, but he can't tell if the romance will be able to attract female readers. Out of curiosity, he asked some of his fellow authors the question "Why do you read romance stories?"

Here are their answers…

Kyosei: Because I am single. 

Reili: To fill my empty void of a love life.

Minrei: Because romance let you feel what is to be loved, plus it is universal you dont need to learn magic or cultivation in order to read.

Bajj: Due to lack of romance irl.

Murakami: I read because I enjoy the friction and conflict between the FL and ML. The insistence vs resistance is naisu.

Qin: I reads romance only for ideas and info.

VlassisBehrakis: I don't read romance novels.

[A/N: Oof I asked the wrong person.]

Elyon then  ̶a̶m̶b̶u̶s̶h̶e̶d̶ asked some readers about their opinion about romance novels.

Yin: I read romance novels because I want that kind of drama to happen to me in real life. But I know it will never happen haha.

A Certain Irresistible Meowlin: I wonder why? And I do read romance novels. Though the chance of me dropping them is also the highest out of all the genres. Every so often I come across a scene that makes me just want to squeal and fangirl. 

----------------------------------

Elyon decided to dig deeper and asked a few of his senior "romance authors" some questions about their reason for writing romance stories.

The first question is… Why did you choose to write Romance Stories?

Anjeeriku: I'm comfortable writing romance stories compared to other genres. I'm a helpless romantic person and I like novels that can invoke other people's feelings.

Bajj: First of all, I like reading romance story. It was the reason why I read books before and reading other genres comes after. All in all, due to these romance fiction books, I got the opportunity to read more great books with different genre.

MishaK: That's what I read, so write that too.

Zehell2218: Because as reader, I want to read romance novel so when I write, I write romance since my motto is I write what I want to read.

Ikazainudin: The easiest genre. Everyone can relate.

End_of_Era: It wasn't a full on Romance, it was slice of life with romance which I feel was necessary with progression of the characters.

----------------------------------


The second question… When you were making your ML and FL, did you imagine yourself as the lead of your story at any given point in time?

Anjeeriku: I would be a liar if I said no. There were instances that I'd put myself in my FL's shoes. Whenever that happens, my writing feels more passionate and truthful that sometimes it was hard to know where my fl starts and where I end. 

Shen Yi, LMD's ML was based on a person I've lost, The One That Got Away so it was sometimes hard not to self-insert whenever there were scenes that need to invoke feelings from readers. 

Bajj: I believe that every character the author was making and breathing life into it, a part of him/her is added to its character. But me imagining of being the ML/FL, never. I'm too pure for that. Kek

MishaK: Yes I did but sometimes. Otherwise you can't infuse emotions in your characters. It is important to understand your characters.

Zehell2218: Yes, I imagine myself as the lead. Of course, I tweak it a bit, such as in age and appearance. But mostly, the characteristics is similar to me.

Ikazainudin: FL and ML character based on what I want to be irl. Yup. I imagine that will be my love story.

End_of_Era: Yes, my leads had some ocassional self insertion.

----------------------------------

The third question… If you were to choose some other genre aside from romance, what would you pick?

Anjeeriku: Fantasy. I always look up to those authors who can write fantasy stories/novels well. I believe writing a fantasy novel is harder than writing romance. 

[A/N: Ahem! 10 points to Griffindor!]

Bajj: Horror/thriller/Action. Read GGGB godamnit! [Good Girl Gone Bad]

MishaK: I am writing a Fantasy romance aside from regular vanilla romance *smile emoticon*

Zehell2218: Fantasy, magical realism, fan fiction.

Ikazainudin: Psychological/horror and maybe children story.

End_of_Era: The new genre I'm writing is fantasy/violent .

----------------------------------


The fourth and final question… If you were to give a message to your beloved readers, what would it be?

Anjeeriku: I'm sorry for not being inconsistent with updates. Y'all know I love you, but a little consideration and patience as I face this rough patch in my life would be very much appreciated.

Bajj: Vote me please :* mass release comes after, deal?

[A/N: Oof!]

MishaK: Be responsible in reviewing the book you are reading. Authors love to listen from their readers. So talk to them.

Zehell2218: Beloved reader, your author here is working hard to provide your daily dose so pliz pretty pliz, read my chapter using paid SS since I don't get even a penny for free SS. 

Tips: use free SS on translation novel. The translator still get money and use paid SS on original novel so we can get a bit money to continue living *wink*

Ikazainudin: I want readers to know, that love, hope and miracles exist. Be open and value each moment of your life like the MC's did.


----------------------------------

Author's Thoughts

Hello Guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter of WWCG. Personally, I've read a few CEO novels myself. I also read some FL stories like A Slight Smile Is Devastating (Love O2O), Hidden Marriage, Doomed to be Cannon Fodder, Transmigrator meets Reincarnator, A Mistaken Marriage Match: A Generation of Military Counselor, There Is an Angel in That Church (short story), Eight Treasures Trousseau, Grabbing Your Hand, Dragging you Away, A Mistaken Marriage Match: Record of Washed Grievances…

Ai~ there's a few more that I won't add to the list because it will create a wall of text. Well anyways, the reason why I read these stories is to get an idea on "WHY" the ladies love to read them.

Let's just say that it's a unique way to see a world in the eye of a lady (if you are a man of course). When done properly, the execution of the story can capture the hearts of anyone, even male readers. I believe that no matter what gender you are, as long as you find the story interesting then it doesn't matter whether you are a guy or a gal no?

Perhaps, when I'm not too busy to write my stories, I'll once again pick a romance novel to read. Hopefully, I will find another hidden gem that will bring unexpected surprises to anyone who are lucky enough to find them.

P.S I would like to thank my fellow authors, especially my senior romance authors who answered some of my questions regarding romance novels. 

To my senior authors, May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the Power Stones shine warm upon your face, and Spirit Stones fall soft upon your fields. (￣▽￣)ノ

----------------------------------
Meet and greet some of the aspiring authors of Webnovels. Join us on discord!
https://discord.gg/sBHSFVm

Have you ever wondered what your favorite Authors in Web Novels do during their free time? Don't forget that Authors are humans too and they have their own quirks and opinions. 

How can those Domineering CEO's that you love to read even compare to the manliness of our drop dead gorgeous authors who cries like little babies when they are stressed out and can't write anything due to Writer's Block!? Cultivation Chat Group can't even compare! 

Join our fearless Author Elyon as he show you a world filled with Frustrations, Stress, Anxiety, and Procrastination! 

WELCOME to The Webnovel Writer's Chatgroup!
--------------------------------
Meet and greet some of the aspiring authors of Webnovels. Join us on discord!
 https://discord.gg/sBHSFVm

P.S The Cover Drawing is not mine. I just find it nice so I used it. Full credits go to the owner.

best horror stories

HORROR STORIES

Horror Stories

Battlefield Restart- An Identity Beyond Self!

Collection of Horror Tales

The Fate Changer's Ascension

My Lonely God

Faerie World

Fool's Love

Lily Bouquet - A Girls Love Anthology

The Webnovel Writer's Chatgroup

People search best horror stories also like: