/jp/ - Otaku Culture

"Hmm..." Akiru hummed, looking between us again. "I think you're interesting. I'd like to know more about you, and about how you and my daughter have become so close. Still...You're not who I would have picked." I thought about that for a moment, then decided that I didn't care. I cared that Yamame had picked me. Even so, I couldn't help but slowly ask who she would have picked. "Hmm...Someone a little bit less...Built." She smiled, revealing just enough of her teeth for me to see their sharpness. "And perhaps just a little more...Worldly." I had thought that I was plenty worldly, but I wasn't looking to argue about it. "Not that I'm disparaging your love, Yamame, dear. He did ask me." She raised her hands. "I simply need to know these things, since you don't visit me nearly enough." Yamame looked away, her teeth gritted.

"Then again, neither do your sisters. At least the elder ones do. Kisami helped me choose this dress, did you know? Do you like it?" She asked the question generally, but it seemed to be for me. Awkwardly, I cleared my throat, coughed once, and told her that it was definitely very...Eye-catching. I did keep my gaze directly on her eyes, and I just thought about Yamame instead. I was sure that many would find it very alluring, I said. Truthfully, I thought, she was like Kisami in that regard. Plenty would fall over at her feet, I imagined. She smiled widely. "It's good to know that Kisami still has excellent taste." Akiru smiled widely, then turned on Yamame. "Now, you, Yamame. What's this I hear about you working with the goddess of Hell?"

Yamame looked back at me, betrayed. I mouthed an apology to her. "Er, well - Mother - Miss Hecatia likes him, and she approached me and asked if I would like to work with her on some clothing, so...Well - I said yes." She shrugged slightly. "She's really fun to work with, though. It's been an excellent opportunity."

"Hm. Well, I'm glad that your work is going well. You were involved with that business in the Hot Spring Town too, weren't you? Oh, don't give me that look. Obviously, I heard about it. In fact, I did provide some critiques for Kisami to pass along." No one had mentioned that bit to us, unless Yamame hadn't told me. "You know, dear, you've always had quite the skill for drawing. You should really branch out. You could be designing some of these projects. Yamame Kurodani, architect. How does that grab you?"

"I'll - I'll take it into consideration, Mother. Thank you." Yamame muttered. "So, er - Just so I'm clear, you're fine with - With us?" She vaguely indicated me.

"Well...Yes, I suppose so. He wouldn't be my first choice - Too...Looming. If he was more on the slim side..." She trailed off thoughtfully.

"Mother, please keep it to yourself." Yamame ground the words out like they were stuck in her throat. "Look, um - I'm sorry that I haven't visited you in so long." She finally said, her voice much more hesitant. "And I'm sorry that I didn't tell you anything. But - Well, I really do want you to come to the wedding." She looked up at her mother. "I'm inviting all of the family, so - It'll be fine." She said, keeping her voice steady. "You said yes - Before, I mean, but now that you've been here, I just want to...Make sure." Yamame's hands were grasping at nothing, so I reached out and took one of them. "Are you coming to our wedding?"