/jp/ - Otaku Culture

Kogasa is friends with the old lady of the mountain.

>>34140847
"It's an offering! Or a gift! Or a bribe! I'm not really sure which would be the right word... But I made it before I had to stop blacksmithing for a while! I think it came out really well, I hope you like it!" Kanako held it up, letting it shimmer in the light. This wasn't the first time she had received something so well crafted, many times in the past she had been given such things. But they were always formal, part of a scheduled offering, on behalf of a village. Never had someone made something like this out of their own volition. "I'm a youkai that isn't really... 'born', so I never had a mother, father, or anything like that. So a lot of this is entirely new to me. You, and the whole of the Moriya shrine really, have been so wonderful to us, and it's really been great talking with you, getting your advice, and receiving your blessings! I can't thank you enough, and the scheduled donation plan Sanae put us on didn't feel special enough, so I wanted to make something extra to show how thankful I am!" Kanako was a tad flabbergasted. Advice? Kogasa dominated most of their conversations, Kanako could barely manage to say anything on most of the topics, mainly due to inexperience. Suwako probably gave more practical advice to her on childcare. Maybe... Just being able to gush about her husband and her life was enough?

"... It's extremely lovely Kogasa. It'll no doubt be a highly prized addition to the Moriya treasury... Thank you."

"I'm glad! Though, I wanted to give it to you before hand, before I asked you my question, you see..." Kogasa was a tad nervous, as she took a moment. "Would you be willing to be my child's godmother?"

"... What?"

"The godmother! I read in a story long ago, every child needs a godmother! You're always so reliable, and cool and smart, I can't think of a better candidate! So would you be willing to be the godmother?"

... Godmothers were an entirely western concept, and from that... Christianity religion. Kanako couldn't actually be a godmother. Unless, maybe Kogasa meant in a more, secular interpretation? Just someone to help care for and raise the child, watch over and protect them?

Kanako's face turned a familiar red, but instead of one caused by embarrassment, she instead had a smile. The idea of it, of helping care for the child, to be an important person in their life filled her with an incredible sense a joy. One she hadn't felt since the day she saw Sanae, and Sanae saw her. "YES!" She accidentally shouted. "Y-Yes! I'll do it! I'll be happy to do it! It sounds fantastic!"

Kogasa's smile grew wide, relief arriving. "I'm so happy to hear that!"

The wind goddess leaned by Kogasa's bedside, a fire ignited within her eyes. "Tatara Kogasa, you have my word that your child will have the full unending support of the entire Moriya shrine! They'll have access to the best mentors, goddesses themselves! They'll get to enjoy learning all of the ins and outs of management, blessings whenever they need it, why, we can even..."

Sun had long set, the discussion between god and youkai lasted much longer than their usual meetings had, with Kanako for once leading things. Sanae was shocked to see Kanako so passionate and fired up. This was the goddess everyone knew, the one constantly planning conspiracies and working hard to bring them to fruition. This was entirely unlike how she usually was after a meeting with Kogasa. Kanako was eager to tell Sanae all of her plans and ideas on the flight back, and to prepare the sake. There would be plenty of drinking tonight, but for celebratory reasons instead of self-pity ones.

---

You, Kogasa's husband entered back to the bedroom, Kogasa looked tuckered out from her long talk, but happy and enthusiastic. You heard most of their discussion from the kitchen. "Hey, that was an incredibly nice thing you did for her." You could tell... well, everyone but your wife could tell how awkward these meetings made the old virgin goddess feel. It was touching to see Kogasa do something like that, though not surprising. You always knew this umbrella had a huge heart.

"I'm just so happy she was willing to become the godmother! Otherwise we'd have to ask Suwako!"

"What?"

"And if Kanako said no, Suwako would probably also say no. Then we'd have to try maybe those autumn goddesses..."

"Kogasa what are you talking about?"

"Godmother candidates of course! There's only so many gods in Gensokyo that walk around after all."

"..." You took a deep breath. Kogasa was far from dumb, but she could be a bit naive at times. "Kogasa... A godmother isn't a literal god."

"... Eh?"