Nene ran.

She ran and ran and ran, as endlessly as the tears poured from her rosewood eyes. The bushes and bramble tugged at her black stockings, shredding them along with her skin. The further Nene went into the forest, weaving around dark trees that only seemed to get more twisted as she went, the more she was convinced this place- this plain of existence- was never ending. Even so, she couldn't stop.

It couldn't be real. This couldn't be real. There had to be a mistake. Sure, she didn't remember why she had been walking around in the forest in the first place; only to end up at that damned hotel. Sure, maybe she should have worried more over the fact the entire place was filled with ghouls and monsters that never seemed to check out. And sure, maybe she should have questioned her situation more. Worried a bit more about herself and her hazy memories and the strange way the sun never seemed to come up and the rain never stopped.

Even now the storm passed easily through the empty spider web of branches, staining the magenta fabric that made up her dress and boots a deep plum. She promised herself she was just waiting out the storm. Staying who knows how long in a fancy hotel without any sort of payment. Where was she even going? Why had she left? Nene couldn't even remember where she left from and why. All she knew is that it stung her heart in a way that should no longer be possible.

"Hotels are for people passing though," that ghost-boy had said with a grin, "or passing on, in this case." It was such a cruel, yet simple, answer to the questions Nene gradually searched for during her seemingly-never-ending stay at the ghost hotel. Said so gleefully by the vampire manager's twin brother before his transparent body faded into the ceiling, leaving behind his laughter.

Nene had died.

There was no other way around it. Nene Yashiro had passed away, who knows how long ago, and her soul wandered through these very woods- losing all her memories in the process- and ended up at that Ghost Hotel. But this forest couldn't wipe away the feelings in her heart. Not the affection she felt for her best friend who couldn't tell her she was the fairy maid Nene had grown so close to.

"Oh Aoi! I feel like I've known you my whole life!" Nene had gushed today over tea. The fairy looked from her spot hanging sheets, violet eyes sad in such a familiar way.

"That feeling might be true, Nene," the maid offered sadly.

That was when it all came crashing down. Scotland Yard searching for days only to give up after less than two weeks. Nene dashing out of the house in her best dress, hiding a stolen police baton under the skirt, with a desperate hope to lure out the man who took her friend away. Finding him, Aoi's bloodied dress, then nothing at all. Another victim of Jack the Ripper.

Of course Nene ran into her room. The place that had at some point became home, and was more permanent than she realized. Spirits besides her had passed through, only to disappear at an appropriate time. Nene had been impressed they managed in the rain. But now she knew it was because they had moved on. On to the other side, wherever or whatever that was. She had been terrified, begging the ghost to push the bureau in front of the door to keep Aoi out. By the time her friend got her boyfriend, a demon who worked the front desk and had died for Aoi when they were children, Nene was already on the floor in a deep conversation with the ghost, Tsukasa.

"Well it's cause you still have lingering feelings. Things you still felt you had to do or a want to remain as you are," he said, "since that's the case, you're stuck here. And the longer you stay here, the more your body will change." The ghost explained as he pointed to Nene's most recent concern.

Recently, before this Earth-shattering realization, Nene noticed that the more seconds that ticked on with her at the hotel, the more red creasants weaved their way across her skin. Their deep red lines trailing up her arms and legs, unable to be removed by any medicine. Nene thought they were bed bugs or some sort of food poisoning. But it was her transformation into something. A mermaid, from what Tsukasa said, a powerful being on par with the manager and a handful of others. She would be used for something, something the manager had planned, but Nene couldn't fathom hearing it.

Now, whether it was because of their acknowledgement or the exposure to rain, the fish scales turned into calluses, a light and shiny blue, as they stuck out of her arm and legs. Nene scratched at them, trying and failing to rip them out of her limbs. Her nails dug at their ends, drawing blood, while removing them felt like removing her own fingernails. The teal tips of her blonde hair started to latch together, flattening into some sort of fin material. Why? Why did it have to be her? Why was she special? And what did the manager have planned for her?

The manager.

A boy who appeared to be about her age, who called himself Hanako. Full of boyish smiles and choppy black hair that hung over glowing amber eyes. A vampire at least half a century old that ran a hotel full of monsters whose ages far exceeded his own. He had been so welcoming. So attentive of her wants and needs. Going from being a courteous employee of hospitality to a friend that teased her every second he could and listened to her thoughts and feelings. Nene helped his estranged relationship with his brother, helping him be more open and approachable with the rest of his staff. They had grown close. Even in the rain, though the heartbreak, Nene felt her cheeks burn under her tears. He started skipping his daily duties to be with her. Focusing on her more than the other patrons. Despite being a vampire she had forever invited him into her room, trusting him with the ability to walk in and out of her room as he pleased. Something the pervy manager used often. Nene didn't want to believe it at first. It took Aoi's teasing to even notice that he smiled more around her than anyone else, and her as well. In highsight Nene must have realized she's been there too long. Long enough to look forward to being pulled down the hall and hiding in closets while the staff looked for him. Keeping each other quiet with lips pressed together while she sighed his true name.

"Don't tell him anything," Nene growled at the ghost. His choppy black hair hung awkwardly as gleaming amber eyes watched her up-side down. He clearly understood her plan and wouldn't move to help. Instead, levitated the salt shaker from under the cloche. Behind the bureau, the pounding on the door stopped and Nene felt the hair on her neck stand.

"Manager!" Aoi and Akane exclaimed. They explained the situation and Nene's fear rooted her to the floor. She already had three sheets knotted, the curtains already pulled down, ready to be added to the rope. A fairy was not able to push such a heavy piece of furniture. A demon could, but not after his beloved begged him not too. But a vampire? Her vampire? Would have no problem opening that door and pushing through all her boundaries to get what he wanted. Unless she used his weaknesses against him.

"Yashiro? Yashiro! I'm coming in!" Hanako shouted. She heard his hand grasp the handle and took a deep breath.

"No! Don't come in! I don't want you to enter!" Nene declared. With her words, the vampire was denied entry and Nene heard his shout of alarm and pain as the boundary flung him backwards. Nene clenched her eyes against the sound, pushing out the first of her tears, and ran to grab the salt shaker from lunch. She readied the rope.

How could he? How could he after he said- after she said-? Nene was getting tired but she couldn't stop. Spirits shouldn't be able to get tired, to breath, to feel such heartbreak. But she did. And if she stopped the powerful vampire manager would catch up with her and do who knows what? He promised he didn't want to eat her but he also promised he would never lie to her so who knows what else Hanako lied to her about? Her own death was a pretty big betrayal on its own.

"How do I escape? How do I leave?" Nene had desperately asked the ghost.

"You mean besides passing on?" Tsukasa hummed with a smile, "I suppose you could reach the end of the forest? That's what happened with Sakura! You know, that pretty lady that's been asleep forever down stairs? That's what happens when a spirit tries to leave." He sounded so happy that a person he claimed to be a friend has been stuck in this half-spirit-half-ghoul limbo since trying to escape her fate.

"But why don't you ask the question you already know the answer too?" Tsukasa's grin was sharp, cutting his face in half, "you know you want to."

The tree parted and Nene stopped with a sharp gasp.

Hanako fell to the floor.

The door had been open just a crack but it was enough to send Hanako flying. The moment his love shouted her rejection the simple oak wood snapped shut and the force sent him flying.

"Manager!" The maid and front desk shouted in alarm simultaneously. Aoi knelt beside him, worried and panicked. Thankfully Hanako's hat fell over his face and hid his shocked- his hurt- expression. The sound of a harsh clatter sounded from Yashiro's room. Like the heavy metal poles holding up her curtains were being yanked to the floor.

"Yashiro!" The fairy and vampire exclaimed. Hanako quickly leapt to his feet, glaring at the door then at the demon.

"Kick it down."

"I won't," Akane said simply, "my love has asked me not to."

"Akane-" Aoi cautioned. Teeth bared, Hanako took dangerous steps forward and grabbed the front of Akane's uniform. The demon looked unfazed, but his pupils turned to slits.

"Kick. It. Down." Hanako snarled, "Yashiro is about to start transforming. If her mental state isn't handled properly, her monster half will consume her and when that happens-!" He couldn't bring himself to finish that sentence. Since he'd become manager that sort of thing has only had to be dealt with twice. Neither time was pretty. And even though both monsters still lurked around his hotel, they were not the same as the spirits that wandered in. That werewolf Kou wouldn't forgive Hanako if he let another friend be consumed. And Hanako would never forgive himself if Yashiro had to be re-written. Memories and all.

"You'll what? Have to act like a proper manager for once and do your job?" Akane sneered, demon horns slowly growing out of his head. Fangs at their sharpest, Hanako hissed and lunged. Suddenly, Yashiro's dazzling smile flashed across his vision and Akane was shoved to the floor.

"I don't have time for you." Hanako glowered.

"Akane!" Aoi rushed to his side, "you're not helping!"

"Well he-!"

"Manager!" Another voice shouted. From down the hall, the spider concierge Tsuchigomori and Kou thundered down the hall, both in human form.

"Kou said he heard shouting from Miss Yashiro's room?" It was clear the concierge already put the situation together while Kou did not.

"What's happening? Is something wrong with Miss Nene?" The blonde wolf's ears went flat as sky-blue eyes darted to and from the door. Hanako ignored him, fixing his glove and hat while he worked to calm himself.

"Yashiro has denied me entry and Demonic-useless here won't open the door."

"Well some of us actually care about our lady's feelings," provoked Akane. Hanako visibly swelled with rage as Kou barked with alarm. Kou was unable to fully transform thanks to his priest of a brother and therefore couldn't push the door open. That left no other choice.

"Mr. Tsukigomori," Hanako faced the door, "revoke her room number."

"Right away, manager." With a wave of one of his many human arms, the concierge signaled the bugs posted all over the property to take away Yashiro's claim over the room. It took mere seconds for a spider to lower itself from the rafters and whisper in it's master's ear.

"It is done," said the concierge. Hanako didn't wait for him to finish, sending the door and whatever was blocking it harshly to the floor with a swift kick. Any harder and the bureau would have been sent flying across the room. He didn't want any harm to come to her. But he also didn't want to scare his love any more than he already has. That thought quickly vanished when fresh air blew past Hanako, alerting his senses that Yashiro's scent was stale.

"Where is she?" Aoi cried as they looked around the empty room. Hanako's eyes narrowed at the hand-made rope tied to the foot of the bed and out the window. Immediately he rushed over and tried to climb out, only for his being to be blocked again.

"Sonofa!" Hanako growled, looking at the line of salt hastily poured across the window sill. His heart- which only beated when she was involved- took another lashing as he tried to process his love using his species' weaknesses against him. It hurt. But he deserved it.

"I'll track her!" Kou immediately ran forward, nose tinted a dark color as he swiped the salt away. Hanako grabbed the younger's shoulder before he could leap out the window.

"What's the hold up? We have to go after her!" The memory of his friend caused his voice to crack. All in all the mummy apprentice-patissier was fine. His memories were wiped and his existence was still slightly unstable, but he still functioned with thought and emotion. Even so, neither of them wanted that for their Nene Yashiro.

"No. You need to find your brother." The exact reason was unclear. They would need the priest's help to- help if things went wrong. But if he even got a whiff of Yashiro as she was now he would eradicate her on the spot. Kou seemed to understand this and darted out the window with a nod. Following, Hanako's foot was on the sill, half way through his bat transformation.

"Tsuchigomori."

"She's in the west forest, continuing at a steady pace." The concierge relayed, eyes closed, "the butterfly will lead you." With that, the vampire bat jumped out the window, relying on his echolocation to follow the purple bug through the rain.

"No please, Yashiro. Not that way," Hanako's thought's begged, "please don't go there!"

Nene stopped running.

For the second time that night- day? Period? Who even knew- Nene fell to her knees. Somehow the half-spirit-half-girl had outrun the rain and ended up in a foggy clearing. Despite that the tall, dull grass was dewy. The ground underneath was hard and dry, easily supporting Nene's footsteps as she stumbled over nothing but flat ground. There was something, or several things, that marred the seemingly-perfect land. Large stones that stuck out of the ground. Their smooth, chiseled shapes uniting them in their distinction. It was warmer here, silent, free of rain or the sound of monsters that partied forever. Nene still shivered, refusing to look at the surrounding headstones too closely as she weaved around them.

This is where she came from, Nene realized as she walked through the graveyard, where her journey to the hotel began. How could she have forgotten? She must have been in a haze, much like the one she was drifting into now. By now Nene's limbs were covered in thick, pearl colored scales. Their hard and sharp tips sticking up as her clawed and webbed fingers absentmindedly rubbed them up and down. Her stockings were torn off and her hair was one long fin, a gradient from silver to teal. Water droplets easily slid off her, her wet dress and shoes still weighing her down. More than her shoes, Nene felt like her already thick ankles were getting heavier, causing her to keep stumbling. Even though she felt the solid ground under her as she took one step after the other, the swollenness of her feet made the action seem so far away. Nene faintly thought she fell a couple times but by the time she processed it she was already up and walking again.

She knew where she was going. Somehow, somewhere in the back of her mind, Nene knew where to go. Where she was. Her paternal grandparents bought a plot for them and their son. That was fine since her mother, a woman whose face she couldn't remember, wanted to be cremated and kept by their daughter. By Nene. Of course no parents expect to lose their daughter so suddenly. Nene herself had been much too young to think about that sort of thing. There was no plan. So the Yashiro's had no choice but to bury her beside her grandparents. But here, wherever here was, Nene's grave stood alone.

Unable to move her feet any more, Nene fell before her own grave. She wondered where her body was. What her family was doing. Her hamster. Nene's fingers clutched the grass, pulling at their roots. Despite everything, Nene could only think of Hanako. Of Amane. The boy her heart still longed for when it was in such pain. But, even if she wanted to turn right around and ask him, Nene found she couldn't. The lead feeling that weighted down her ankles had long since traveled up her legs. Some invisible force, like a thick blanket, felt like it had wrapped itself tightly around her bottom half. Nene couldn't stand even if she wanted to. Not that she gave it much thought. The panicked tears had long since dried and now that the denial and pain had left her numb, Nene had no other choice but to sob. Thick tears poured down her cheeks as she hiccuped through her heaving breaths. The name etched so beautifully on the stone belonging to a human girl that didn't exist anymore. She would never be able to go back home and since Nene wasn't able to pass on, she didn't have a home anywhere.

Hanako flew.

Wings pumping, the vampire cut through the wind and rain so fast he had to force himself not to run over the butterfly. Yashiro most likely ran blindly in a straight line but there was still a chance she veered off or stopped somewhere. What if she was hurt? Or bleeding? Hanako swallowed the drool that immediately gathered at the thought, disgusted with himself. He never had any qualms about drinking another's blood before but since they got closer, Hanako couldn't bring himself to do it. She smelled so so good but the thought of piercing her skin, tainting her, and taking her blood just made Hanako nauseous. He promised himself he wouldn't. The kisses and gentle caresses were more than he deserved no matter how much she assured him. Besides, she would most likely be leaving soon. Yashiro had been at the hotel, completely unchanged, for longer than anyone else. It was only a matter of time before she crossed the boundary and disappeared. A girl like her deserved to.

Instead, Hanako's fears were realized when the bright butterfly led him gently to the grave yard. One headstone for each hotel guest, permanent or otherwise. The field was large when Hanako first took it over but some had been added since his management, more had been added. It wasn't as if everyone passed through here. But enough. Though none were like Yashiro. The butterfly continued easily out of the rain and over the fog while Hanako landed solidly on his feet, just on the edge. He still couldn't see Yashiro but he didn't have to. He knew where she was. From the dark of the trees, Hanako's eyes narrowed as water dripped from his hat. He didn't see anything; no bright light of a spirit exploding like a dying star. He didn't hear anything either. No monster-like sounds of a wailing person whose mind devoured them.

Time was of the essence but Hanako still couldn't bring himself to step out onto the grass. It wasn't like he avoided this place. Quite the contrary, part of Hanako's job as manager was to ensure the land was maintained. He just feared what he would see, what he would find, through the fog. But that was unfair. Yashiro needed him now more than ever. Clenching his eyes, Hanako took one step out of the rain and into the graveyard. He took controlled, heavy steps, his cape sending the fog around him into small spirals. Despite knowing where she would be, Hanako's eyes scanned the surrounding headstones. Hoping that maybe she didn't make it all the way and didn't end up seeing her name in stone.

He almost tripped when the sound of sniffles breezed past his ears, quiet and tender. Hanako felt his heart sink with his shoulders, pulling his lips down with them. At least the crying sounded human but not even that would console him. Who knows if she would ever forgive him. The vampire had to force himself to continue forward, finally seeing a hazy silhouette on the ground, head bowed before her tombstone. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped, taking a couple more steps forward when he realized the odd shape the figure was in. Breath hitched, Hanako took silent steps forward, ignoring her hiccups to narrow his eyes at her.

Nene Yashiro's mermaid form was complete. Not only that, she was beautiful. Of course Yashiro has always been beautiful to him but this form was breathtaking. Hanako felt his mouth and lungs work uselessly as he took her in. Her tail fin was like the ruffles of a dress, turquoise tips fading into a light rose color. Her tail was thick and smooth, gleaming different colors when the light hit it. Her dress was still intact for the most part, black gloves and tights ripped off to allow for the scales that coated her arms. Some of them were still flared but the rest of what was once her skin seemed to calm down and flatten out. Her hair was also one big, flowing fin, matching her tail. It was thinner, more transparent, allowing for dorsal spines to move easily around her like a blanket. Hanako leaned forward a little more, trying to close his mouth and eyeing two stubby black horns on her hair line. He flinched back when she let out a harsh hiccup, followed by a sob.

"Yashiro?" Hanako tried. His voice came out forced and he had to clear his throat but he was more concerned with the way she suddenly stopped crying. He swallowed, nervous for the first time since she confessed to him. It seemed so long ago. The girl remained quiet and- more frightfully- stayed perfectly still. It was so unlike her that Hanako had to fight the urge to run away.

"Yashiro, darling, I-I," Hanako searched for the words, "I'm sorry." He really wasn't. He did everything he was supposed to but things could have gone much worse had he been there to handle it properly. She didn't answer.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there during your realization. I guess- I didn't notice how far along you actually were. I was distracted and you had to pay for it. I'm sorry, I'm not supposed to get close- and now you finally understand why- but that's no excuse. I guess I just started to think you would move on? But," Hanako's hands danced in the air. It would be selfish to say he was happy she would stay here with him, forever. No matter how much he wanted to. That wasn't at all what he was supposed to say, he was supposed to give her the spiel of how she wouldn't be able to pass on and she was stuck here to help with others passing on. That she would be able to control her transformation and powers and he would find her a proper job and thank god she was okay and not devouward and that he wouldn't have to kill her. That lost thought struck him and forced his jaw to click shut. He looked down in shame.

"I'm sorry, Nene." Hanako repeated. Again he was met with silence. The immortal thought he knew what an eternity felt like, but it was never more prominent than in these seconds. He had half a mind to turn around and get her friend, resigning himself to the fate of her contempt, when she suddenly spoke.

"You lied to me, Amane." She said, The coldness of her tone was something Hanako didn't know his love was capable of. The lash to his heart was the final one last hit needed to send the vampire to his knees.

"Yes," Hanako confirmed, eyes to the ground. Yashiro took a moment to sniff again, wiping her face with her hands. Hanako lifted his head just in time for the mermaid to spin around and give him the full frontal of her sorrowful expression. Her eyes were slightly larger now, her iris a deep crimson and almost completely swallowed up by her pupils. They glimmered with unshed tears as her eyebrows loosened their tight knitting. The fist tightened over her heart trembled as Hanako bit his lip to keep it from doing the same.

"But you had a reason, right? So that I don't- so that I wouldn't- freak out? You wouldn't- I mean you just couldn't tell me?" Yashiro pleaded. The desperation in her voice clenched Hanako's own fist. Of course she already figured out what was happening. Of course she was able to transform without his help. Leave it to her to be more concerned about him- about them- than to ask about herself. Silly, romantic Nene Yashiro only wanted to know if the boy of her affections was honest rather than what was happening to her. She deserved better.

Still, Hanako- no, Amane- was a lonely, broken creature. Someone who could only nod to confirm her questions and who could only run into her arms when she held them out, stumbling and burying his face in her neck like he often did recently. Her body was cold just like his, her skin hard and sharp if he rubbed it the wrong way. But she was still her, still had her sweet voice and strong heart. His hat had tumbled somewhere behind him, allowing her sharpened nails to weave through his hair. He let her hold him while she cried one last time, in her final stage of grief, and properly explained everything.

"It's not so bad," Hanako mumbled, "I know we're monsters and it takes some getting used to, but mermaids are rare and lucky creatures. You'll be such a celebrity on the far-shore, you love that sort of thing."

"I'm not worried about that," trembled Yashiro. She took a deep breath and relaxed the vice-grip on his shoulders. Hanako rose and rested his forehead on hers. Yet another shock and wonderment with her: he could see himself so clearly in her eyes. He could before when they got close, but it was always overshadowed by the burgundy. But now her once pinprick pupils were large and endless, a perfectly round blackened mirror that easily showed a vampire his reflection. Hanako hadn't seen himself in decades. God he looked awful. If this is how Yashiro saw him, how did she ever fall in love with him?

"What are you worried about?" Hanako asked his reflection, thumb rubbing the small, unseeable scales of her cheek. She smelled good. Not like before when she smelled of flowers, instead like an ocean. But more than that, her blood still made him drool. When she was human, her scent drew him in like cold water to a dying man. This new form, however, was dessert after a full meal. He didn't need it to live, but it would be a sin not to refuse such a guilty pleasure. Such was an unholy creature like himself. Meanwhile, his love was staring at him through her whirlwind of thoughts.

"Well," Yashiro sniffed, "I can't move."

"What? You can't?" Hanako squawked, worried about injury and completely forgetting her reaching for him.

"No, no, like, my legs. I can't get up." She looked off to the side at her tail, laying limp and useless next to his leg. Her tail fin wagged at being called and Hanako couldn't help but snort a laugh.

"H-Hey! Hanako!" She whacked his chest and it was like a breath of fresh air. His laughter eventually brought a giggle out of her too. The vampire unclipped his cape and fixed her with his cocky smile.

"Don't worry. You'll eventually learn to float, I think," Hanako wrapped her in his cloak and easily scooped her up in her arms, "until then, you'll just have to rely on me to carry you around!" His legs were shaky as he stood but Hanako carried her away from her grave in quick, clipped steps.

"I will not! I know the hotel has wheelchairs! And I can transform my legs back!" Yashiro huffed at him. As she harrumphed her tail wagged back and forth, making it difficult to hold her.

"Like trying to carry a wriggling snake," Hanako thought. Not that he would tell her that.

"Awe come on, love, don't be stingy!" The vampire whined, leaning down to nip playfully at her neck.

"Don't! I'm a gross, disgusting fish!" Yashiro tried to push his face away.

"That's okay! You know I love sashimi!" He let out a ghoulish laugh while her squeals evolved into giggles. The vampire's harmless lips traveled up her neck, past her gills, and landed happily on her smooth, soft lips. She hardly tasted like a fish, just his Yashiro.

Nene smiled.

"Are you sure I look okay?" Nene shyly asked when they seperated. Hanako softened at her doe eyes, squeezing her close.

"Yes. I think you look beau-"

"Nene!" Aoi's voice cut through their moment. Without realizing it, Hanako had taken them right to the end of the forest and at the hotel's back door. The fairy ran forward with worried eyes and outstretched arms while her boyfriend stayed where he was the glower at the manager. Next to him was a relieved and embarrassed Kou who stood beside a smirking Tsukigomori. That's when the couple remembered the blue butterfly that was perched atop Nene's headstone the whole time, and when he realized it had been fluttering innocently overhead as they returned; allowing it's master to watch the scene through it's own eyes. The man's grin didn't leave as the bug finally returned to his side and if either of them could blush they'd probably rival a tomato.

"Aoi!" Nene welcomed her friend in a hug, the manager holding her awkwardly as they did so.

"Nene I'm sorry I didn't mean to! It was all my fault!"

"No, no Aoi! It wasn't your fault it was supposed to happen! You couldn't tell me!"

"Still! But my goodness Nene, look at you! You're so pretty! Almost like a bride being carried by her new husband!"

"Oh stop it, Aoi! I'm not nearly as pretty as you!"

"Damn right you're not." Akane butted in, stepping behind Aoi with narrowed eyes.

"Hey," Hanako immediately challenged, pulling Nene closer and bearing his teeth. Before the two could start something, Kou and Tsukigomori came forward.

"Now, now," Tsukigomori sighed.

"Miss Nene! Are you alright?" The werewolf asked, sniffing her for injuries.

"I'm fine!" Nene beamed. The familiar sight eased the remaining tension.

"Well that's good then," Tsukigomori spoke through his pipe smoke, "cause while you were gone, a new guest checked in." The concierge snickered as he watched the soul leave the manager's body through a heavy sigh. At least until Nene spun around and fixed her love with excited eyes.

"Does this mean I'm an employee now? That I get a job and I get to help?" She asked.

"Yay! Miss Nene gets to work here!" Kou's tail wagged happily.

"Not that you'll be very helpful in that form," Akane muttered with crossed arms. His insult was met with a harsh elbow to the gut, courtesy of the smiling fairy standing beside him.

"You do! And I got the perfect job for a fishy like you!" Hanako chirped.

"You do? Is it a maid with Aoi?"

"Or a lifeguard?" Kou tacked on.

"No no! That wouldn't be a proper use of all the abilities she's going to have!" Hanako laughed, "Our Miss Nene will be in charge of plumbing!" The manager grinned slyly at the girl in his arms as all the joy in her body hardened into cement and rumbled to the ground. While the rest of the group gasped in outrage, the mermaid gently placed her hands on her lover's shoulders. Hanako's smile was quickly knocked off his face, the part where Nene's knees would be, rocketing into his cheekbones. With a painful gag, Hanako's arms dropped the girl in his arms. Thankfully, the mermaid landed softly atop the young werewolf, who threw himself on the ground to soften the blow. Meanwhile, Hanako plummeted harshly to the floor and remained there in a daze.

"Alright, manager, that's enough," Tsukigomori stepped forward, "powerful ghouls like our manager and Miss Nene have many abilities and attributes." One of his large arms reached down and scooped the mermaid off the flattened wolf.

"Of course you will have to help with all the water gigs but that mostly gets sorted out through magic," Tsukigomori lifted her up and smiled, "of course the front desk could use a cute little receptionist. It'll help Akane and I with the phone calls and paperwork, at least until you can walk around." The spider-monster's grin was leering but Nene felt nothing but honest happiness and excitement. Her fish-scaled arms and webbed fingers were thrown up in the air as Nene fixed the ghost hotel staff with a cheery smile. The soft expression of her love, her Hanako, dusting her cheeks pink.

"I look forward to working with you!"