Natsuhi appears and makes the first offer.

... Well, I pictured that Natsuhi would step from the darkness and make the first offer. Instead, the woman timidly inched out of the darkness and remained completely silent, already seeming drenched in sweat and like she was about to have a panic attack.

"Aunt Natsuhi?" Battler looked surprised, leaning forward and staring at her as if trying to make sure it was who he thought it was. I couldn't exactly blame him, since she was still so far in the dark. "Is that you? Wait, you're part of this game, Aunt Natsuhi? Do you mind telling me what's going on...?"

"Uuu... B-Battler..." Natsuhi gulped again, fighting back tears. As she emerged from the darkness, her mortified expression became visible. She was still fully dressed, with the very notable exclusion of any footwear, forcing her bare feet to contact the floor. For whatever reason, she was also crossing her arms in front of her chest. That only stood out to me because I was so predisposed to look at her chest: to anyone else, it probably seemed like she was nervously fiddling with her lace tie. "This is... I c-can't, after all..."

"Can't what, Aunt Natsuhi?" Battler stood up with concern. "Hey, is this masked freak forcing you to do this? You can tell me!"

"Battler!!" Natsuhi cried and lowered herself to a deep bow on her hands and knees, yelling with a noted absence of that dignity she claimed she'd have earlier in the night. The motion was accompanied by a strange, dry rustling that seemed out of place. "Please, Battler! I know Player has given you that money to offer me for a performance, but please, consider our position! I'm... I'm...!"

"Woah, hold it, Natsuhi! Nobody told me anything about what's going on!" (I thought that was a bit dismissive of the effort I put into the game's introduction, but I held my tongue.) "I mean, are you supposed to be offering me something...? I don't have a clue!"

"I'm so ashamed... B-Battler, I... I had planned to offer a provocative dance in return for that money!"

Battler's eyes grew wide as he stared at his aunt, stunned speechless.

"I had planned to, but that was a mistake! I'm so ashamed of myself, I... Please, Battler! Can't you part with just a bit of that, for the sake of your cousin Jessica, your uncle and me? I know I hardly deserve it, but... It would mean so much to us! Please, can't you grant us that? I'm begging you!"

The young man struggled to find his words. "... W-what kinda 'provocative dance?'"

"... I can hardly say." Natsuhi glanced to one side evasively, biting her lip.

"I mean, is it something that's really, uh, provocative? 'Cause, if we're being honest..." Battler crossed his arms, looking awkward. "You and I can both see how much money's stacked up there, right? I mean, that'd be a lot to give away for nothing. If you agreed to it beforehand... it can't be anything that crazy, can it?"

"I was so foolish," Natsuhi repeated herself, lowering her head to the floor once again. "I made a mistake..."

I interrupted. To be clear, Natsuhi, Battler can't just give you the money. Even if he hands it over, if you don't perform, I'll simply take it all back.

"Hiii!" Natsuhi gasped, looking at me with teary eyes. I had to admit that hurt, as a man who loved her, but I needed to remain firm for my plans to come to fruition. "Very well... Battler, I'll put my fate in your hands. If you're willing to pay me, I will perform for you, as agreed... It would be a foolish decision befitting my own foolish decision to appear before you like this. However... on behalf of my family, I would be **** to show you my gratitude." The woman fixed her frown on Battler from her position on the floor, but showed new determination.

The young man scratched the back of his short red hair, glancing away awkwardly. "But, seriously, Aunt Natsuhi, what kind of dance are we talking about here?"

"I'd rather not say," she answered quickly, glancing away as well.

"Don't you think you ought to?!" Battler begged her, grinning helplessly at the ridiculousness of it.

I cleared my throat and reminded the two I didn't have all night for antics. There is a time limit... I'd give Battler ten seconds to decide before I retracted my offer and took my money home.