Faint chatter could be heard throughout the main entrance. It was a busy night considering the fact that the new year was approaching. Tourists had flooded the Ryokan due to the rumor that the place was haunted, and had a good price for rooms. As it was, you were stationed at the front desk to welcome people in and book rooms in case they didn't have one in advance.

Every half an hour, you made sure to check the divided changing rooms for the public onsens for any clean-up. As well as making sure that the patrons were following the rules.

As you worked, you would feel a gaze on you. It would go away whenever you look back, but you would almost immediately feel it again once you turn away. This has been a recurring feeling for the past few months since you started working here. The owner says not to worry about it, but you can't help it. It was no rumor that the place was haunted, and whatever spirit lurked here fiercely scared off any workers.

The sound of a voice pulls you from your reverie, and upon turning you head are met with an impatient patron. An older woman who was tapping her foot as she repeated her demand, shampoo and body wash. After handing them over the lady scoffs and heads towards the women's changing room.

Leaving you alone with your thoughts once more.

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It was around this time of year that your late spouse had passed. As the both of you were born in a traditional village, arranged marriages weren't that all uncommon. You were betrothed to your childhood friend Yamamoto Enkai, but he had mysteriously passed away after his fourteenth birthday.

The both of you would be twenty-four this year, but you sadly had to spend it alone as usual.

A faint sound draws your attention away for a moment. One of the locker doors in the Men's changing room was being repeatedly slammed shut.. Moving away from your station at the front, you make your way over and peek into the changing room. Only to find nothing out of place. A stray locker door creaking open..