/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>44926335

It didn't take long with Ran's guidance for the girls to get; dressed all the outfits were ready to go and finely pressed, even Hana's outfit was here. If the shock on her face was visible that must have been what prompted Ran to speak, "As a VIP we won't make a fuss over you taking home the last outfit, but please be mindful that we will be charging you in the future if you do not return them."

Hana didn't respond as she took the outfit and hurried over to one of the changing rooms, leaving the Shikigami behind where she stood. Aunn was a little embarrassed to be seen like this, and the feeling was mutual it in all but Marisa who wore it ease, Hana admired by how much she risked just to see her father. If only things were different she'd be proud to call her mother...

Hana focused her mind as the Shikgami approached again, "This way please" leading them into the waiting room beyond the grand doors. As they passed through a blur of red and blond surged passed them with a, "-hai running" The voice went straight into the changing rooms as Hana tried to connect the dots, that voice... was it Alice-san?! She looked at Marisa who smiled thinly in amusement and shrugged, "Who knows, maybe she's here to scout too?"

Right... Alice was always a friend so it makes sense... Hana guessed.

The waiting room was as large as she remembered, it was semi circular with a passage off to the side on the right leading to a room labeled "baths" a door to the north with a strange screen, kappa tech? that read a number on the screen in the high double digits. On the left side was a kiosk where some women were lined up with a tired looking crow tengu negotiating something or other below a sign that read, "custom packages" with a listing of prices and prep times for each.

Beyond the tired tengu was a hallway, Ran let the group go, "Dear guests your number will be called in about 20 minutes, please enjoy our attractions or a complimentary bath. If you have any issues please come directly to me or one of the mountain Kappa in charge."

With a bow Ran left the trio to wonder around as they pleased, the women of the waiting room gave them little mind as the as even the rumor mongering tengu largely ignored them. At least there was no one here she recognized, the most unusual seemed to be the group of normally reclusive inaba crowding around a booth table.


With Marisa showing off her skill in danmaku games and the getting the top in the leaderboard time passed quickly and before they knew it a polite voice rung out over the air, magic? "VIP party your number is called, please make your way to the..." Now that it was time, Hana gulped down the lump in her throat she'd been suppressing since she walked in. She grabbed the sides of her thin miniskirt crossing the threshold into the hallway where she'd found herself last time.

Marisa was silent now as they walked forward, they came before the doorway leading to... that place where her father was held captive and this nightmare continued unashamed. Her mind was clouded with the guilt she felt at what she did... What if... What if he spurns her? What if he exposes her sin in front of the few loved ones she has left? What if he tells her to never show her face to him again?

Hana's heart raced as her sins flashed back before her eyes, how she drugged him, how she unashamedly pulled him over to bed, how she sucked the love out of him just to taste it again... and how she begged to become the mother of his children. A sickening heat burned at her face as tears filled the edges of her eyes, she didn't deserve his love even if he did forgive her!

Her descent into despair was halted out by a cool hand taking her own, Aunn held it. She said softly, "It'll be okay Hana, I'm here too remember?" Aunn smiled like that one time Hana got lost in the forest, alone and scared till Aunn bumbled out of the brush following her scent.

Hana smiled, the guilt not nearly abated but it was contained. Marisa smiled wanly seemingly not knowing how to handle this much raw emotion, she placed a hand on Hana's shoulder and despite being a bit shorter than Hana she felt as tall as a giant as she spoke with her brash voice, "It'll be fine, your father doesn't want to see you crying any more than I do ze!"

Hana nodded as she wiped her tears on the sleeve of the outfit as she readied herself, her heart was still beating wildly as she walked in past that foul barrier. She'd have to examine harder before they left, that was her purpose here after all... for now she focused on the jarring replica of her old home, the smell of autumn in the air mingling with that disgusting scent that confused her at that time and a much more prominent smell... It was the smell of one of her favorite meals being prepared.

A familiar voice washed over Hana, "welcome home d- ah" he stepped out embarrassed, dispelling all her fears as a warm smile showed itself "I'm glad to see you again, Hana, Aunn-chan, Marisa-san..."