"We should go in first anyway! It looks like it's gonna be raining hard!" said Ritsu as she opened the gate.

They walked to the front of the front door and Mio knocked the door, "Uh..excuse us...is there anyone home?"

Hurried footsteps could be heard from inside, before a young woman opened the door. She's beautiful, and her simple blue dress made them feel comfortable. They half expected that a giant woud come out, or at least a princess –which would have made them feel awkward in their dirty, tattered clothes – but this woman, even though she carried a lady-like and graceful manner, was homely.

So much, in fact, that Mio started babbling, "S-Sorry...we're lost...may we stay inside and use the phone?"

The one she was talking to only responded with a confused look. Mio instantly realized her mistake and glanced at Mugi. The keyboardist understood, stepped forward, and started talking in fluent French.

Her conversation partner gave an understanding look and said something in French as a reply. She entered the castle and nodded to the girls –who were shivering because of the sudden drop in the temperature, as it began to drizzle– telling them to come inside.

"Good job, Mugi!" said Yui and Ritsu in unison. Mugi replied with her usual smile.

After the lady -whose name was Belle- welcomed them and served some hot tea, the four girls felt much more warm and comfortable. Belle sat in front of them and started a conversation with Mugi. Mio stayed seated and watched them politely, while Ritsu and Yui curiously looked around the room.

"Whoa! Ricchan! Did you see that?"

"What?"

"That candlestick...I'm sure it just moved on its own!"

"Moved? What are you talking about?"

"Uuu...I'm sure it just moved!"

"N-No way...you're trying to scare me off, aren't you? That won't work! I'm not Mio, you know?"

"Hey! I heard that!"

Mio joined the duo and lightly punched Ritsu on the head.

Mio hadn't realized what the sticky red liquid on her hand was when she saw Ritsu's body fell to the floor.

She knew that she'd remember the scene for the rest of her life. Ritsu's body, limp and lifeless. Yui's eyes, looking at her in shock. Belle and Mugi, their little conversation suddenly turne into complete silence. And oh God, the fire burning in the fireplace, beautifully lighting Ritsu's unmoving figure, making it the center attention of this ridiculous scene. However, it was also very pretty, like a weird painting combining an old French castle setting and four Japanese girls, looking very much out of place, with one of them sleeping on the floor...with blood gushing out of her head.

The scene's so pretty...Mio didn't realize that a single drop of tear just escaped from her eyes.

The sound of alarm rang without fail, waking Mio at the scheduled time.

...That was such a scary dream. She could almost hear the beast's roar on her head. But a nightmare's a nightmare, and it had ended. Mio's always the most dependable one. She quickly set aside the blanket and rose to her feet.

She could see the morning sunlight coming through the windows. Realizing that she hadn't turned off the alarm clock, she picked her cell phone and turned the alarm off.

Her senses had finally fully came back and she noticed that her clothes are sticky.

'Weird, I must have sweated a lot in my sleep', she thought.

Maybe...the blanket was too thick?

She picked up the blanked she had dismissed earlier.

Ah...of course. Some of Ritsu's blood was soaked into her clothes. But her clothes were the cleanest ones...the others'...too much flesh and bones were stuck on them...

Mio sighed. She was too tired last night to look for a real blanket, much less clean herself. But now, the nightmare's over already. There's no need to be scared anymore.

She looked at the forests, softly illuminated by the morning sun, and smiled.

It's a new day.