Opium

About
Opium is a strange character who only seems to appear before Tsuchiya Kuon when he is alone. They are capable of switching between a male and female form at will, yet their voice never seems to change. They proclaim themselves to be a wandering poet.

Very little is know about this being. Kuon is not quick to call things supernatural, but they get through any check without issue whilst not even being noticed. For some reason their stories leave Kuon in a weird daze-like state. He seems to instinctively fear, but also long for them.

Their color scheme is somewhat reminiscent of certain poppy flowers and they are even described to spread out their clothes as if it was one before they start one of their stories.

Apart from being a character, they also are the narrator of the game.

In their route they first appear after Kuon sleeps. If Kuon accepts their stories they get told very odd yet soothing stories. After every story Kuon feels odd and Opium is gone.

After a certain point Kuon can call for them, he behaves like an addict craving the sensation. They then have some weird dreamlike H. After this it is revealed that Opium is the manifestation of the pain caused by his illness. By accepting them, he accepted the disease and he dies.

Two different endings have them reveal to Kuon that they have been dead for years and that the reason everyone disappeared was due to Kuon not being able to keep up the illusion. He then either accepts or refuses to.