/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>34056955
Alright anon. You know writing stories like this is pretty fun. Here it goes.

You are working in the forge with Kogasa when you notice something peculiar. There is a man standing in the road in front of your shop, just staring. He is tall, and looks somewhat ragged in appearance. A long and tattered brown cloak conceals most of his body, and a large brimmed back hat conceals his face. Yet, you are getting an odd feeling from him, like he is bearing towards you some animosity in particular...


You think that you might go and tell him stop menacing the roadway, when someone enters the shop. It is a youkai. The first thing you notice is the crow sitting on her shoulder. Her red eyes met with yours and she smiles in greeting. The puffy white balls on the tassels of her little hat bounce as she hops over to you. It's Aya Shameimaru.

"click click" She's pointing her camera at you and mimicking the shutter with her mouth.
"Just kidding! it's broken, see?" She thrusts it out at you as if you know how it works.

You have met Aya in your travels. She never hesitates to begin (often unprompted) to tell you about the goings on in Gensokyo, and always asks you if you know of any rumors she could look into.

"Um, Aya. You know we work with metal here right? I don't know anything about technology from outside Gensokyo."

"Aw, but it has metal on it. See? See?!"

"Caw! caw!" The crow was supporting its master.

"Let me see to Aya" Kogasa had finally looked up from what she had been doing. "I can look at it at least"

Kogasa smiled brightly. Ah, she's so cute...

"Say, Aya, with all your comings and goings to happen to know anything of regarding that mysterious man out there?" You inquire.

Aya whips around and peers at him.

"Tch! could you be more conspicuous?!"

"Ah I know him. That man's a youkai hunter. Honestly, he's second rate. But he's violent and tenacious. They say that he takes his time the youkai he overpowers. Even still, he's seen as an old drunk by most, so not many are willing to hire him. Ah, what was his name..."

In an instant you realize why the man put you on edge. You subconsciously place your hand on your ribs.

"That bastard! He's the one that burned my parents' house down and put me on the street! I know he is! And he also gave me a beating that I haven't paid him back for."

You pick up a nearby hammer and tighten your grip. You take a step towards the doorway.

"Stop!!" Kogasa jumps out in front of you, her eyes full of concern. "That man is scary. I've seen him on the road, but I always was too afraid to try and surprise him. You don't need to go over there. He's not doing anything. Please."

"Oh yeah that's right!"

You both look at Aya, who has been thinking this whole time.

"Now I remember his story. I had written an article on it when it happened. That suffered tragedy at Scarlet Devil Mansion."

Aya began her telling of the events.


In the road the man glared at the young man and two youkai talking in the shop across from him. He hated the boy, honestly. It was not that he had done anything, but it was a grudge borne of past events, events that couldn't ever be forgotten. How could he be happy, after what a youkai did to his parents? Yet here he is, having taken one as his lover and always entertaining others. That bastard...he should wipe that smile off his face. He has no idea. The man grits his teeth as his mind wanders back to the past.

Many years prior he was the same age as the boy. And at that time he had a fiance, whom he had know all his life. Her name was Rin. She had two friends, also a couple, who became close friends of his too. They were Shin and Megume.

Not unlike other youths, but perhaps more brazen, the four had been possessed by wanderlust. They ranged far from the human village, and did not fear youkai. Overtime they even became friends with the more amicable ones, and with fairies and other entities of Gensokyo. Through good fortune, they had never encountered any youkai which might threaten their safety. One day, with the red spires of Scarlett Devil Mansion in sight, the four encountered a sight which they had never seen before. Taking cover behind a small rise, they watched the events unfolding on the road.

"Ojou-sama! OJOU-SAMA!" What look to be tall woman with white hair was yelling. She held in her arms a purple-haired young girl, except she had black wings protruding from her back.

"See? This is why I said that we should have gone back already. Oh, Why did I have to be dragged away from my studies!" The one complaining had long purple hair and wore a large purple had. She was leaning on a walking stick and appeared to be quite tired. A red haired youkai with little black wings on her head put a hand on her shoulder.

"Now, now master. You'll be back in your library soon. But should you really be carrying on like this, with the young mistress in that condition..."

"You shut up Koakuma!!"