/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45599793
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Inaba's words were plain trickery, a way of holding these saddening pieces together. I smiled anyway, eyeing my dearest Hana and her utter shock, her expression contorting throughout a million thoughts as color began blossoming—my eyes were caught by an automaton in front of her, firm eyes on me, a harmless ball of danmaku in her hands…? Hm, merely a soulless robot, so I hold gaze for no longer than a bit—, solemnly smiling as I walk, the Inaba by my waist like a parasite. Hana watches me, and I can barely hear a muttered 'n-no…' she herself didn't notice—one that'll be turned into a 'yes'. "Hana-chan, congratulations on this special day~! I know it's not your anniversary, but a party is a party!"

"H-Heh, thanks, m—Yukari…" I forcefully insert myself in her personal circle, Kazami, Kochiya, and the Ghost watching me like hawks. Trembling like the ocean waves, Hana marches forward, catching me in a mechanical hug; we kiss each other's cheeks. "W-welcome to my party! Marisa-sensei and everyone worked very hard to prepare it…"

"Oh? Sensei?" I look at the witch massaging her shoulders. "I thought I was your sensei, Hana-chan~"

Hana freezes, and the variation of others’ faces is delightful, my arms holding the teenager and looking around. Kirisame looks juddered. "I c-can have two senseis… Can I?" Ow, my heart. She's such a cute little pup with her questions sometimes~

I let her go, giggling in my palm. "But of course, dear! Why would I stop you from meeting people you're fond of? That'd be bad, right, Margatroid-chan?" With the spotlight suddenly above her, the doll maker stutters, agitated. Hana titters with the quip—which she didn’t understand—, playing with her fingers before turning to the others, eyes shining with misplaced hope, her heart frantic.

"You already know everyone, s-so here, look at this! It's the gift Yuuka-san gave me! It's a flower from Heaven!" She doesn't question why the Tanuki holds the flower pot, a gentle smile as she passes it onto her hands—after all, in her shock and awe upon basking in my abrupt appearance, she had let it slip—such is the importance of the Flower Master in her life—, shoving it into my face. "There was a beautiful show; it almost made me tear up!" She hands me the flower pot.

"It was very pretty indeed." The Inaba nods.

The Komainu looks at me, growling—Hana pats her in the head firmly, and she whimpers.

"Put to shame in my own house…" Alice groans, forcing herself to smile as to keep Hana's own smile. Look at them, trying their hardest to act as if nothing is brewing in the background for the girl's sake; lovely~the two smaller Inaba, seeing everything wasn't aflame, left their 'hiding' spots and approached, eyes curiously on me. I wave to them, smile soft—

"These are Sana and Sara; I don't think you've ever met them! They work at Eientei and are just—" She picks the rabbits up and hugs them so tightly I lose my edge for a second, eyes wide, blinking twice; if I remember well the complaints of my staff after Hana's visit to my office—ah~—she had an atrocious case of youkai racism. Fitting for a miko, but Reimu's daughter…? Well, some things go around and come around. "—the cutest!" Tewi seems satisfied with the joyous faces the rabbits take, a fake levity settling.

The wide-eyed librarian gawked at my back as if seeing the second coming, talking about useless matters with Kirisame—I immediately stopped listening—; The tanuki narrowed her eyes and excused herself to join the pregnant and the mother of two…
Hmpf…

Dolls began playing everywhere, some courageous coming to me and pulling on my hair—the only reason they aren't fuming porcelain impossible to be recycled is my infinite mercy—, the two rabbits playing with the Komainu, their words inconsequential.

Yuuka, frown creased, watches everything; Mima whispers about 'keeping it low for Hana's sake', just hammering more the nail's head, seeing the Flower Master almost crushed her cup… Still, she nodded, and I deservingly developed a smug. Hana was still nervous but steadily softened to my presence, expecting everyone to do the same. "It's indeed a beautiful flower. You're in such gentle hands when not with me, Hana-chan~" I analyze the flower closely, almost tasting Yuuka's seething glance. "Well, what more did I miss?" I gapped the flower pot away, to shocked eyes. I grinned, innocently following: "Don't fret, friends—I put it by Hana's bedside with a view to the window. A perfect spot with lots of sunlight!"

"You go to Hana's house?" It was the first time the Flower Master spoke to me, and the biting tone hurt Hana, her ached eyes judgmental on the woman—the devouring guilt behind those red eyes was sweet.

"Of course I do, Yuuka-san; someone has to be there for this poor girl to not only survive but also thrive!" Sweet Hana frantically nods, blushing. "It's tradition of mine to help—her grandmas, Reimu, Anon—” I hug Hana; she hugs back with no hesitation. “—And now, Hana-chan~!”