The human village was buzzing with morning activity as Akyuu wove her way through the crowded streets, carrying a basket filled with herbs and supplies for the local shrine. Her light pink flower-shaped ornament and traditional attire made her stand out amid the vibrant market scene. Despite her youthful appearance, her role as the "Child of Miare" gave her an air of authority that belied her years.

As she navigated the market, exchanging friendly greetings with familiar faces, she spotted a figure she recognized. Edouard Brunet was seated at a nearby stall, having just finished his breakfast. His black cap and hooded jacket made him easy to pick out in the crowd. Akyuu's face lit up with a genuine smile as she made her way over.

"Hey, it's you again!" Akyuu called out warmly. "We met a few days ago, remember?"

Edouard looked up, a mix of surprise and pleasure crossing his face. "Yeah, I remember. Didn't expect to run into you here."

"I'm glad we did," Akyuu replied with a friendly tone. "I've been running errands for the shrine. It's a pretty busy morning."

"I've been wandering around the village, trying to get a better grip on things," Edouard said. "Your insights have been really helpful."

Akyuu's curiosity was piqued. "The village definitely has its charm and secrets. If you're interested, I can tell you more. There's a lot about Gensokyo that's intertwined with our daily lives, and some of it might be pretty enlightening for you."

As their conversation continued, Akyuu decided to give Edouard a deeper look into the village and its dynamics. She was aware of the delicate balance between humans and youkai in Gensokyo. "You know, there's a fine balance we have to keep here. Youkai and humans have a complicated relationship. While youkai are often seen as threats, understanding this balance is crucial for our way of life."

Edouard nodded, clearly interested. "That's really interesting. I felt like there's more going on beneath the surface, but I didn't realize how crucial the balance was."

Akyuu nodded. "Yeah, if we don't respect this balance, everything could fall apart. Our society relies on this fragile equilibrium. Even though youkai are often feared, they play a vital role in Gensokyo's harmony."

Akyuu's gaze then fell to the hidden blade peeking out from under Edouard's jacket. Her expression shifted subtly, a mix of curiosity and recognition crossing her features. "I see you've got a pretty distinctive accessory," she said, her tone calm yet pointed. "That hidden blade… it's a tool of the Assassins, isn't it?"

Edouard's hand instinctively moved to cover the hidden blade, but Akyuu had already seen it. The knowledge seemed to change her perspective. "You're with the Assassins, aren't you?" Her voice was certain.

Edouard tensed, a shiver running through him as the word "Assassin" echoed in his mind. The familiar pain of the Bleeding Effect began to overwhelm him, and he winced, clutching his head with one hand. Memories from his past and flashes of a different time surged through him, each more vivid and disorienting than the last.

Akyuu's eyes softened with concern as she watched him struggle. "Are you okay? You look like you're in pain."

Edouard struggled to steady himself, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "It's… nothing," he managed, though the strain was clear in his voice. "Just… a side effect of my… condition."

Akyuu regarded him with a mix of empathy and understanding. "I see. Carrying such a legacy can be a heavy burden. But in Gensokyo, being linked to the Assassins can make things complicated."

Edouard looked up, trying to clear his foggy thoughts. "Honestly, I didn't mean to end up here. I just sort of stumbled into this place—was actually trying to find my way and ended up at the Hakurei Shrine. I'm just trying to make sense of everything, but it feels like I'm getting tangled up in stuff I don't fully get."

Akyuu's expression softened slightly, though her eyes remained keen. "It's not uncommon to find yourself in unexpected places, especially in Gensokyo," she said, her tone more measured. "But you've chosen a particularly sensitive spot for your mishap."

Edouard shifted uneasily, feeling the persistent strain of the Bleeding Effect pulling at his senses. He gripped the edge of a nearby stone for support, trying to steady himself. "I didn't know," he said quietly, frustration tinging his voice. "I'm just trying to figure out what's happening around me. Everything here is so… different."

Akyuu studied him thoughtfully. "Gensokyo is a place where the line between the known and the unknown is thin. It's easy to end up in the midst of complex issues if you're not careful." She stepped closer, her gaze sharp and discerning. "You might have ended up here by chance, but you're not completely unaware of the significance of your presence, are you?"

Edouard looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Akyuu's gaze fell to the hidden blade peeking out from Edouard's sleeve. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the sight. "There are things you carry that suggest more than mere curiosity," she said, her tone direct but calm. "The hidden blade… it's a tool of the Assassins, isn't it?"

Edouard winced as another sharp pang of pain throbbed in his head. He gritted his teeth, trying to push through the discomfort. "Yeah," he admitted through clenched jaws. "It is. But there's more to it… I'm dealing with something called the Bleeding Effect. It's a side effect of using the Animus, a device that lets you relive your ancestors' memories."

Akyuu's expression shifted to concern. "The Animus? And this Bleeding Effect?"

Edouard nodded, pressing a hand to his forehead as another wave of pain hit him. "The Animus connects you to your ancestors' genetic memories. It's supposed to let you experience their lives. But it comes with side effects—like the Bleeding Effect. It makes you see and feel things from the past, blurring the line between those memories and reality."

He paused, his voice strained. "The more I use it, the more it affects me. The memories and sensations from my ancestors are overwhelming. It's hard to tell what's real and what's not. Right now, it feels like I'm constantly on the edge of those memories, causing me constant headaches and confusion."

Akyuu listened intently, her concern deepening as she observed his discomfort. "That sounds… troubling," she said softly.

Edouard nodded, his eyes reflecting his ordeal. "Exactly. I didn't mean to get caught up in this. I just wanted to understand what's happening to me, but it's becoming much more complicated."

Edouard took a deep breath, trying to steady himself despite the throbbing pain in his head. "There's one particular instance that keeps popping up," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "It's like a recurring vision. I keep seeing myself as a French officer and an Assassin in Japan during the Bakumatsu era."

His eyes took on a distant, faraway look as he described the fleeting images that haunted him. "I see a bustling street in Kyoto, the traditional architecture, and the people in period clothing. There's a sense of urgency, of being on a mission. I'm wearing a uniform that's distinctly French, but there's this blending of cultures and times that feels so vivid. The colors, the sounds—it's like I'm there, reliving those moments."

He paused, wincing as another wave of pain hit him. "I see brief flashes of confrontations, secret meetings in shadowed alleys, and the tense atmosphere of political intrigue. There's a specific figure—a mysterious person I seem to be working with, but their face is always obscured. I suspect I might know who my ancestor is, but it's like trying to grasp smoke with my bare hands. I can't quite put a finger on it."