[x]"Well... you hadn't done anything. I couldn't just stand back and do nothing when you were completely innocent."

Dunno, something like that. Not feeling too creative right now.

[x] Youkai or not, she deserved a chance to explain herself.

I'd like to add in a cute remark but can't think of the exact way to add it on.

[X] You've shown me nothing but kindness, you shouldn't get thrashed for simply being a youkai. Then again I'm a sucker for cute girls human or youkai it seems.

I'm sure some one could word it better.

[x] "Well...you hadn't done anything. I couldn't just stand back and do nothing when you hadn't done anything."

[x] "Well...you hadn't done anything. I couldn't just stand back and do nothing when you hadn't done anything."

Think that it emphasizes the whole question of why wouldn't he help her. But don't want to try and open another route. That will just lead to trouble.

[x] "Well...you hadn't done anything. I couldn't just stand back and do nothing when you were being threatened like that."

[x] Tease her and say its because she is cute.

Someone has to vote for the ultra-cheesy line. That someone is me.

[x]"Well... you hadn't done anything. I couldn't just stand back and do nothing when you were completely innocent."

Well, maybe I gave the write-in with the wrong girl. Seems there isn't much interest in pursuing something more personal with Yamame. That's fine though, poor old Matsuo was starting to sound clingy with every girl he's ever laid eyes on.

There wasn't much variation in the votes, and the wording isn't too big a deal, so I just picked one.
------------------------------------

"Well..." I start, pondering this a bit myself. "You hadn't done anything. I couldn't just stand back and do nothing when you were being threatened like that."

Yamame gives me a sweet smile as her response, and as I smile back, a hand grasps my shoulder.

"Don't get too close." Marisa says with a complicated expression, her sentiment trapped somewhere between distrust, worry, and...perhaps a tinge of jealousy? No, it couldn't be..

"We're here!" Announces the spider suddenly, and her voice echoes across a gigantic cavern. The usual darkness of the tunnels is kept at bay by hanging laterns, and a sprawling cityscape lies a small hike down a cliff face. Luckily there is an easy man-made...or youkai-made path leading down the short overlook we're standing on, but to see this place from such an altitude is a wonder. As we descend into the streets of the city, I can get a better impression of the inhabitants.

The lanterns and laughter in the distance appear to suggest a festive atmosphere, but holes in the sides of the buildings and stone debris in the streets say something else entirely. Is this place safe and kind? Or rowdy and dangerous?

As if in response to my question, something goes flying through one of the stone walls of the building near us. That something is a humanoid, being flung with great force through the air until he collides painfully with a stalagmite across the street.

The man is beaten and bloody, and clearly a bit monstrous. A youkai, and a big one. If upright, he'd tower over me and anyone I know. His arms are like tree trunks. What kind of monster could have possibly thrown such a being?

Stepping out of the newly made exit in the side of the wall is a woman, tall and masculine, with long blonde hair down to her waist. Despite her tall and tone frame, she is also somehow feminine. A single red horn emerges from her forehead, and in her left hand she holds a sake dish, which she takes a sip from before stepping forward with a laugh.

"Try again another time, it was certainly fun!"

Her opponent smiles at her, and picks himself up without much trouble. He limps away, but not looking unhappy. What exactly are the rules like down here?

"Ah, its you!" She waves to our group, and everyone looks a bit confused as to who she means. "Marisa, right? I never forget a fun fight!"

Marisa gives a grin as the tall woman approaches. "Seems like you've brought a fresh batch of suitors this time!" She looks us over for a moment with kind, laughing eyes. "Here for a brawl? Danmaku in your case, of course!"

"Hmm...depends on if you can tell me something about the earthquakes above ground lately or not, Yuugi." Marisa says, but her smile betrays her feelings. She too seems itching for a rematch.

"Oh ho ho~! Well, I am curious about that myself. They say there is a brawler around here who rivals me. They say this guy is insanely strong in a fight! I've been looking all over for him, so it sounds like we are seeking the same person." The horned woman seems to study each of us in turn. "Maybe I know a bit more than that, but...you'll have to earn that information!"

"Oh, and how do we do that?" Alice asks, clearly annoyed with the carefree woman. They seem to be polar opposites in personality. "I'd rather not get into a fight without good reason."

Yuugi seems a bit annoyed with this answer, but she quickly recovers. "Alright, then. Impress me. Each of you gets one shot to do something interesting."

We turn to each other and huddle up.

"I want to go home.." Yamame complains. "Aren't I done here?"

"I don't like abiding by the requests of such a rowdy person, but if it helps us learn something, I'll do it." Alice chimes in.

"I don't mind fighting her. I can entertain her.." Marisa says with a grin. They all turn to me. I guess our best bet is..

[] Marisa. Blast away to your heart's content.
[] Alice. Maybe your dolls can impress somehow?
[] Yamame. Surely a spider has some tricks?
[] Write in what you'd like Matsuo to attempt.

Trying to make the choices more interesting instead of just "this will earn favor with the girl I like".

[x] Marisa. Blast away to your heart's content.

She's a veteran of various incidents, if anyone would do well, it's Marisa and the only person better would be Reimu.

[x] Matsuo: Take off your shirt and go MAN MODE

[x] Marisa. Blast away to your hearts content.

Because lasers.

[x] Marisa. Blast away to your heart's content.

Since both wanna go at it, why not?

[x] Marisa. Blast away to your heart's content.

[x] Alice. Maybe your dolls can impress somehow?

While I was going to say Marisa at first, note that Yuugi wants to be impressed. And I'd say that Alice is probably the one she is least familiar with, and as such has the largest chance of actually accomplishing the objective.

All assuming that this is not simply a case where whoever we pick gains affection points, and they win out anyways.

[x] Alice. Maybe your dolls can impress somehow?

>>26154
There is good reasoning here.

[X] Alice. Maybe your dolls can impress somehow?

Hmm...

>>26154

Didn't she say that she would give them all a chance anyway?

>>26158

That she did. But first impressions are the most important, so I stand by my reasoning.

Besides, since that's the case, it'll give the chance to build up to Marisa's Magic Time. Put the most impressive by way of being different first, put the weakest candidate in the middle, and put the most visually impressive at the end.

Tick tock, you bum.

[X] Ask yugi out to dinner.

>>26956
>Forest LA action
Oh, don't start that again.