/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45630285
"I know right? Old Hell can't seem to catch on to that, ugh, you know, I was thinking about asking some of the religious services if they'd be willing to set up satellite locations at their reactor to sanctify the corpses they use to mediate the flames down there to see if that would prevent the problem. Although if we're on the subject of power generation, I've heard tell of generators in the outside world that use plant lifecycles. Takane-kun told me it wasn't feasible in Gensokyo, but since your an expert I'd like to know your opinion." He said excitedly.

"Oh no, you've got him going." Seija groaned wiping her face.

"My specialty is flowers so I don't know how much help I could be..." I said, caught off-guard by the sudden change in direciton.

"The ecology is what I'm worried about really. Like, Old Hell produces lethal by-products, I wouldn't want to ruin fields like this with some ill-begotten venture. However, Gensokyo's about to have a population explosion and inevitably that's going to require more power generation so best to get ahead of these things right? Oh, that's how I thought of the benches by the way, give parents a place to sit while their children play. People will appreciate energy production that doesn't sabotage nature's beauty if they have a place to see it after all. Makes cleaning all the rust off these things and polishing them up worth it." Goro babbled on, proudly showing the palms of his hands that were weathered with work.

"What are you actually trying to say?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"You said it was 'Someone else's concern' as long as Anon is free and reunited with Hana. Do you think that your atonement ends there? After all, you're the reason they're suffering."

The words fell like awful chords played on a piano and I felt a smile creep across my face. For a moment, I had forgotten these two were Yakumo agents. I tapped my parasol to the earth. "You have a minute to make some pathetic attempt at an excuse before I call in a favor and have you two slowly digested by a rather intriguing plant."

"In Reimu's history, they're perhaps four or five individuals that could oppose her. Among those, two knew Anon and could intervene, Yukari and Yourself. So, why did you wait until now, when things are at their worst, to do something? Was the guilt not strong enough until you used him? What were you afraid of until now?"

I closed my eyes and exhaled. Of course he was right, I hadn't done anything and nobody would ask me to, so, all this time I had the privilege of averting my eyes in my little garden while Anon sat on another island, crying far away from me.

"Just because one has the power to do something, doesn't mean they have the right. Carelessly swinging about your weight and imposing your will on others only cultivates more suffering. I'm not some Oni that takes whatever she wants, perhaps I could've moved hastily and saved Anon before all this, but would that really rescue him and his daughter from the shadow creeping over them? I couldn't say, so I did nothing." I explained.

"Bah, typically big Youkai behavior. You all act so wise and introspective about staying your hands, is it really that fun being so full of regret?" Seija jeered.

"You would understand if you had anything to protect." I scolded.

For a moment a flash of anger comes over her face, then surprise, then calm. "Don't pretend you know anything while sitting atop your pretty little hill. Some of us have to crawl and bite for the things we care about."

"I'm not a Yama, I don't really care about blame or station." Goro said, rubbing the Amanojaku's head. "All I'm saying is that throwing ourselves on the altar of warfare isn't enough to make the people will care about happy in the long run and someone with strength, or the ability to acquire it, has a responsibility to use it or surrender it to someone who will."

"Is that why you joined Yukari? To acquire power to carve out some bold new future? There's no shortcuts you know, a field can only cultivate so much in a limited time." I said.

"I'm a broker. In my dealings, I seek to understand both parties to reach an agreement in everyone's best interest. Power is something that has to be cultivated over ages, but we don't need to grow something that's already there. Whoever wins, seats will be emptied at the table. All I want is that whoever inherits the positions, be it in a whole or a division of duties, creates a Gensokyo where children can still enjoy fields of beautiful flowers."