/jp/ - Otaku Culture

I didn't really want to be here. Satori Komeiji looked at me with an annoyed expression. "You think I do? If a certain Shrine Maiden hadn't delayed a very important investigation over a squabble with a spider, I wouldn't be here at all." I decided not to resp- "No, I'd rather you didn't. You're just as guilty, after all." I opened my mouth, then closed it again as I thought about the events that had caused that little incident. "No - Don't think about it." Satori Komeiji sighed deeply, screwing her eyes shut. "It's always like this with you people. Mention one word, and they think about it for the next year."

"Humans?" I heard Miss Tenshi ask from over by the wall.

"Men." Satori Komeiji replied icily. "And stop referring to me by my full name in your head. It's getting tiresome." I frowned at Satori Ko- "Stop." At Satori, then asked her what she'd called me here for. "Ah, well. That's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, I am here on the surface for an important investigation. A vengeful spirit, escaped from it's prison in Former Hell." I could see why that was an issue. "Quite. And, right as I think that I'm finally about to get the upper hand, I come here and find our all-important Shrine Maiden," She fixed me with a withering stare. "And, target of said vengeful spirit, stuck in one room and terribly ill." I looked down at the floor, trying not to think about what could happen. "Oh, no need for you to dwell on it. I can do that just fine. At least you - or, now that I'm reading you, your hermit friend - had enough sense to refuse most guests. That komainu was a dangerous call, but you seem to have made it through unscathed."

That sounded good, at least. Silence reigned, and I looked up when Satori didn't say anything. She was leaning forward, her chin resting on her interlocked fingers. She stared at me, and I found my gaze faltering after a few moments. Her eyes were just as surrounded by dark shadows as they had been the last time. "You find some interest in my sleep schedule, don't you?" I heard Miss Tenshi snort in laughter from the wall. "I wouldn't laugh, ex-celestial. You might think yourself perfect, but even you cannot hide from me. What was it you used to say? 'Lay bare the scarlet hearts of men!'?" Tenshi's mouth shut with a click. Satori's third eye flashed with a strange intensity. "Quiet, before I lay bare the scarlet heart of a former celestial." There was total silence from Miss Tenshi.

Satori looked back at me and I found myself fixed intensely by that gaze. "You're wondering why I called you here today." I inclined my head by the slightest amount. "When I found Reimu upon my arrival here, I wondered just what had gotten her so worked up." I remembered her fall into Yamame's work area. "Well, that was part of it. She was none too pleased about all the bruises. But, that wasn't it." Satori stared at me again and I realised that she hadn't blinked since I'd got here. "No, the thing that had gotten her so worked up was you. Tell me, did she say anything to you?" I opened my mouth. "As I already told you, don't bother speaking. The echo is rather murderous on my head." I remembered the words Reimu had said while in the grips of delirium. "A promise, hmm? How very interesting. She actually managed to not think about it when I spoke to her. Do you know how difficult it is to not think about something? I very much doubt you know, but being able to evade someone like me, with the most unstoppable power, is nothing short of astounding." That sounded like Reimu, I said. "Yes, well, as a result, I still don't know why she reacted as she did. Oh, I have some suspicions - Why were you still shirtless?" I blushed as I remembered the events in Yamame's house. That got me thinking to the...other events that had taken place in Yamame's house. "Hm. Clothes? I see. And - Oh, for the love of - Stop thinking! Honestly, it's like a waterfall with you. No, I'm not interested. Your overly complex love life is your business. That is, until you make it my business."

"Complex?" I heard Miss Tenshi ask. I was stuck staring into that third eye, unable to do anything but replay the events that had led to Reimu falling ill in my mind. "How complex can it be?"

"That," Lady Satori waved her hand dismissively. "Is a conversation I would dearly like not to be involved in. Therefore, I ask that you put a halt to it, Chi-"

"Tenshi." Miss Tenshi growled, so loudly and harshly that it actually cut Satori off.