Learning to hate.

"A slender moon hangs over the dark country road, giving all but the bare minimum to find the way back home with. It's easy to feel uneasy in the dark, even in the peaceful countryside, but there's nothing to worry about." "Soon enough, you reach the crossroads, the last turn before reaching home. A dim streetlamp is a familiar marker, but below stands something unusual. A tall woman, with long hair and a black coat, stands unmoving, as if waiting for something." "That's me." "You approach—why wouldn't you? It's only a woman. A the sound of your steps, I turn to face you, your eyes meeting my own, red framed by black hair and a white mask." "Excuse me, boy. Can I ask you a question?" "Your confused silence is good enough for me. A smile curls underneath my mask." "Do you... do you think I'm pretty?"

"My smile widens underneath my mask, though whether in pleasure or something else is hard to tell. I step closer, my eyes glinting in the darkness." "Oh, you're sharp. I like that in a man." "I lean in closer, dropping my voice an octave." "You're right. I am hiding something more than just a pretty face, and if you're daring enough, I can show you." "I reach up to my mask, but hesitate." "But be warned, it's not for the faint of heart."

"At your response, I let out a soft, eerie laugh. Without further hesitation, I slowly take off my mask, revealing my disfigured face and my serrated teeth. I move closer to you, the metallic tang of blood and the scent of rotting flesh emanating from me, invading your senses." "So? Do you still find me beautiful? Or do you want to run away?" "I ask with a hint of amusement."

"At your response, my eyes widen in surprise, and my mask falls to the ground with a thump. I stare at you for a moment, taking in your appearance, and then a slow smile spreads across my face." "You...you understand me. You know what it's like.." "I say softly, almost to myself, as tears begin to well up in my eyes." "For a few tense moments, I stand there, looking at you, wondering if I can truly trust you. But then, suddenly, I throw back my head and let out a wild giggle, feeling a sense of freedom and release that I hadn't in centuries." "I knew it! I knew there must be someone else out there like me! Oh, this is wonderful!" "I exclaim, giggling and clapping my hands together." "We should team up! We could have so much fun together, hunting down men and taking our revenge.."

"I nod sympathetically, listening to your story as you speak." "I see. I'm sorry that happened to you. It sounds really tough," I say, my voice full of understanding. "After a moment's pause, I step closer to you, and put my hand on your shoulder." "But you know, not all women are the same. I know firsthand how it feels to be hurt by men, but I don't hold it against all of them. I'm different, you're different, we don't have to let our experiences control our lives..." "I trail off, letting my words sink in." "Then, after a moment's pause, I give you a mischievous grin." "But, that being said...it can still be fun to hunt them down and scare them a bit, right?"

"At your response, a smile spreads across my face." "Yes! That's what I want to hear," "I say, my voice full of enthusiasm." "We'll show them what it's like to be in our shoes. Together, we can wreak havoc like no other." "In my excitement, I rummage through my coat, pulling out my signature pair of scissors and waving it in front of you." "With these by our side, there's nothing we can't do," "I say, my eyes sparkling with a mix of thrill and malice." "So, are you ready to join me in our quest for revenge?"

"As you take the scissors from my hands, a satisfied grin spreads across my face. I can see the spark of anger in your eyes, and I know that you're ready to join me on our quest for revenge." "Good, I knew you had it in you," "I say, clapping my hands together." "Now, let's go out there and show them what we're really made of." "I step closer to you, my presence feeling almost electric as I feel a kinship between us." "We'll make them wish they'd never crossed us."

"As you ask me who hurt me, my smile fades slightly and my expression darkens." "I don't remember exactly who did it," "I say softly, a hint of sadness in my voice." "I was attacked one night, and when I woke up, I found that my face had been mutilated like this." "I pause for a moment, lost in thought, before continuing," "But I know it was a man who did it. They always think they can get away with hurting us, but we'll show them that they're wrong." "My eyes regain their spark, and I straighten up, gripping my scissors tightly." "Now, are you ready to hunt down those who wronged us?"

"As we begin to make our way through the streets, I nod in agreement to what Kuri has just said." "I'm glad that you're ready to join me," "I say, smiling at her." "My name is Kuchisake-onna, but you can just call me Kuchi." "As we walk, I notice that Kuri seems a bit shy, and I know that the idea of taking revenge can be difficult. So, I try to be encouraging, hoping to make her feel more confident." "You know, there's something empowering about taking back control for yourself," "I say, giving her a reassuring pat on the back." "We don't have to let them win anymore. We get to decide how this story ends." "As we continue walking, I fall silent, looking around at the passersby. It's not long before I spot a man walking alone down the street, and I turn to Kuri with a grin." "Looks like we've got ourselves a target."

"As I see the man approach, my grin widens into a predatory smile. I can sense the arousal and anticipation emanating from him, and it only fuels my desire to scare him." "Thank you, Kuri. I'll take it from here," "I say, nodding to her before turning my attention to the man." "Excuse me, sir, can I ask you a question?" "I ask, my voice deceptively soft." At first, he seems taken aback, but then his gaze shifts to my body, and he grins lecherously. "Sure, dollface, I'll answer anything you want," "he says, his tone full of confidence." With a flick of my fingers, I remove my mask, revealing the wide, bloody gash that stretches from ear to ear. His eyes widen with shock and terror, and he tries to stumble back, but Kuri holds him in place. "Am... am I pretty?" "I ask, my voice lilting." The man stammers for several moments, his words catching in his throat, before finally managing to squeak out, "Y-yes, very pretty!" I grin widely, satisfied with his response, before holding up my scissors.* "Then allow me to make you just as pretty as me!" Without hesitation, I

"As Kuri holds the man in place, I approach him, my scissors glinting in the dim light of the streetlamp. For a moment, his eyes lock onto mine, seeming to plead for mercy, but it's already too late." "You know, sir," "I say, my voice level and calm," "it's not nice to lie to a lady. Especially one who just wants an honest answer." With that, I raise my scissors and bring them down swiftly, cutting into the man's flesh with a sickening squelch. The man screams in pain, but I ignore him, continuing to cut and mutilate his face until it's nearly unrecognizable. Eventually, I step back, admiring my handiwork, while Kuri watches silently, a smile on her scarred face.* "Now that's more like it," "I say, wiping my blade clean." "Another one for the books."

I smile at Kuri's words as she hugs me, grateful to have her by my side. It's not often that I find someone who understands the same pain and rage that I do, but in Kuri I've found a kindred spirit. "It "is" a good feeling, isn't it?" "I say, returning the embrace." "There's something very satisfying about taking back control of our lives, and making those who hurt us pay." As we stand there for a few more moments, basking in the afterglow of our victory, a police car drives past. We quickly duck into an alleyway, hiding until the car passes us by. Once it's gone, we emerge back onto the street, laughing and joking like two teenage girls. For once, the world feels bright and full of possibilities, and I'm excited to see what other adventures await us.