/jp/ - Otaku Culture

(1/2)
Hello, I’m Kuma, a young Tanuki working under Miss Takane at the HSE. Don’t worry if you don’t remember my name, hardly anyone does.
Tonight, Miss Takane is taking me to a ‘business meeting’ at a youkai dinning pub so I can learn how to properly behave in professional matters. I’m happy that she’s taken me under her wing, although I don’t know why she bothers with someone so feeble as I…
Anyway! Master Futatsuiwa told me I shouldn’t reject an opportunity to learn from someone above my station, even if I don’t feel deserving so I’m going to give it my all regardless!
From the outside, the place looked like any other closed up shop, but as we passed the entry the difference was as if we’d dived into a lake. All kinds of Youkai, big and small we’re eating, drinking, conversing, and there was even a human or two here and there.
This gave me pause, Master always told me to be cautious about getting too close to humans, told me there were consequences for such a thing. It was strange since she and my sisters were always soliciting pets, guiding lost and drunk people home, and playing with children. What were the rules really?
At the back of the building, I saw two people seated at a table we approached, the strange broker we met before, Goro, and with him was what looked like a small Oni. They were sitting awfully close and Goro seemed more… comfortable? mature? I couldn’t say. Perhaps it was that strange priestly garb he wore or the black gloves he had on, humans are always changing but it’s so hard to tell how.
“Good evening you two.” He said with a smile as we approached.
The woman merely grunted, her chin firmly rested on her hand and staring at us as if we’d intruded on something.
“Yes, it’s been quite a while since we saw each other. Not sense Seija here last attempted to assault the HSE.” Miss Takane commented, nodding at the small Oni-like woman. “Or sense you protested in front of it. Gave us quite a scare.” She continued, this time nodding to Goro.
“Ehhh, I’ve seen inside that place to know it’s practically just another workday for you all.” The woman named Seija scoffed.
“My apologizes for that. Although I hope you know me well enough to tell my actions weren’t so senseless.” Goro remarked.
There had been several attacks at the HSE since it started, but Goro’s protest had made everyone nervous for some reason, even Ran, who is usually so cold looked at me with kind eyes and gently told me to retreat, even though I’m a tanuki and she’s a, well, I’m told slurring is bad and all our words for her kind qualify as one.
“Not senseless? Perhaps, but I wonder if you could say the same thing about coming over to our side or your choice of company.” Miss Takane said, squinting at the two.
That had seemed strange to me. As far as I knew, Miss Takane and Goro were plotting to free Anon somehow, but now Goro was working with Yukari? What’s more, I didn’t think that a Youkai so high up as her would ever deal directly with humans, although I heard Master Futatsuiwa and him where on good terms. It was all so confusing.
“Things are complex. You could say I’ve exhausted my options on one side and sitting on my laurels is just boring. I’m still working toward the same end.” Goro shrugged.
“Things are more fun around this idiot is all.” Seija sighed.
“Then I’ll take your word for it.” Miss Takane said with a curt smile.
“So, how is Anon? I’ve heard some wild rumors about him lately, but I can’t tell fact from those comics they’re selling around the place.” Goro asked.
“He’s doing better if you can believe it. A few visitors have become more, conjugal-like and less carnal. It’s not as if we still don’t have problem customers and the bosses’ private sessions are taking a toll, but he’s less defeated than before at least. The real concern is the number of bombs we’ve had to defuse these last few weeks, the scarlet vampire showed up out of the blue and that flower demon, Yuuka, brought an entire wheelbarrow full of compost for something we couldn’t fathom at the time.” Takane explained.
“I was wondering how she got all friendly with Flan.” Goro said, rubbing his chin.
“You’re acquainted? I didn’t think she ever left The Scarlet Devil Mansion or even roamed that place freely.”
“That blonde brat was dropped on us by the blonde hag.” Seija grimaced.
“She’s a handful alright. Can’t say I didn’t enjoy my time with her though, kind of a sweetheart if you’re durable enough. What about Yuuka though?” Goro added.
“She made a garden with Anon. Yuuka’s been the most surprising turn around, going from thrashing him to being one of his most cherished supports. I might rethink my image of her, were it not for those scars she left on him. “Takane answered, closing her eyes.