/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45065142 (16/?)

Shinki and Yuuka are chattering about this and that as the three make their way through Makai, but Mima isn’t really listening. She can’t get the little Hakurei out of her head. The older brat is finished, her behavior more than makes clear that she’s no better than her predecessors. Is Hana doomed to the same fate? Well in some ways she already is better than her mother. Or rather, she never had the opportunity to sink into hatred of her own accord.

Still, despite the cynicism and bitterness… no because of the cynicism and bitterness, Mima can see a bit of herself in the girl. Is she already trapped on the path that damned Mima? Can she escape the cycle of suffering?

As Mima sinks deeper into such thoughts, a firm but gentle hand grips her shoulder, “Which of your girls has you worried?”

Looking up, Mima stares at Shinki in confusion, “What are you talking about.”

Shinki gives a patronizing smile as she replies, “You got that look. The kind Yuuka has when she’s talking about a flower she’s tending doing poorly and Sariel has when fretting over a child of Makai.”

Mima tuts internally. Shinki was a master in the mothering business so obviously she wouldn’t be able to slip anything by her. Sighing, Mima states, “It’s the Hakurei girl, Hana. I-I’m worried that she’s following a similar path I did back then.”

Yuuka seems to fall into deep thought at that, but Shinki is ready with a response, “I can’t speak specifics because I’ve not yet met the girl, though I should see to doing that soon. Nevertheless, I don’t have to be a genius to deduce she’s confused and going through a lot of pain. That’s going to be the case until this situation is over and even then… Either way, all you can do is be there for her and not let her lose sight of what matters.”

Mima nods, “Yeah. I get that, but still…”

Shinki gives a tired smile, “No logical argument is going to make you feel any better. It’s because you care, just do what you can.”

Emerging from her stupor Yuuka nods before abruptly stating, “Hana is a good girl.”

Shooting Yuuka an odd look, Shinki nods, “Yeah, what Yuuka said. She’s held strong through the worst of it. With the end of this nightmare in sight things should be looking up.”

Mima is silent as thinks. What more is there to do than to cut out the root of the problem? Easier said than done given said problem is Yukari, but when has Mima ever let that stop her?

Hoping to change the topic, Mima looks at many new additions to Makai whose designs seem foreign, “So what have you been doing with the place while I’ve been gone?”

Shinki shrugs, “This and that. Electrifying Makai was a major endeavor. Tightening security was another big thing, too many people thought they waltz right in and take things or pick fights. Given, present company excluded, those aren’t the kinds of people we want around, I’ve been warding the realm against intrusion. Besides that… Lousie left and is off somewhere.”

Mima raises a brow at that, “Somewhere? Given how you are with Alice, I’d have assumed you would have a tracker on her or something.”

Shinki shoots back, “When did I say I didn’t? But no, Louise and Alice are different matters. Some of my creations can go out and brave the world alone and others… need a little bit more nurturing. I exchange letters with Louise occasionally, but all in all she’s an independent girl.”

Mima nods, “I can see that, Alice is good with magic but…”

Shinki quickly turns to Yuuka and shifts the conversation again, “Yuuka, it’s been a while. How have you been? Anything big happen?”

Yuuka looks away, “I… the Garden of the Sun is growing.”

Shinki half-heartedly replies, “Ah, that’s good. Anything… else?”

Yuuka begins to blush, “That fairy Cirno hasn’t been around in a while. It’s nice since she sometimes freezes flowers and I have to kill her. I uhh… I’ve also have been training Marisa and Alice.”

Shinki’s damned patronizing smile returns as she replies, “So I’ve heard.”

There is a lull in the conversation as the three reach Pandemonium and Shinki leads the way through the crystalline halls of the castle before stopping outside a room deep in the fortress’ bowels.

Gesturing for her two companions to enter Shinki is quite smug as she states, “I’ve been working on this ever since our conversation at Alice’s house. I’m quite proud of the results.”