/jp/ - Otaku Culture

I felt that I'd started the new year off on a high note as I finally pulled away from Yamame. "Wow." She mumbled. "Um, yes - That's very - good." I raised an eyebrow. "Um...Love you too..." She finally said. "Really, really glad that you fell down that hole." So was I. Kogasa really did need a lot more thanking. I wasn't sure where I'd be right now if it hadn't been for that funny umbrella youkai. Above us, the sky still thundered with the sound of explosions, and I noticed that Yamame flinched slightly at the next one. I wrapped my arms around her and asked her if she was okay. "Y-Yeah...Um, it's just - Loud noises." She flinched again, so I hugged her tighter. "It'll stop soon..." She did seem to relax a little more once I was holding her, and that made me feel better too.

Keeping an arm around her, I brought her around to the side of the Eientei stall so that we had a slightly bit of privacy while we waited for the booming sounds to stop. I looked up and did at least get a chance to admire what I was seeing. I could hear plenty of cheers going around as youkai and human alike welcomed in the new year in their own way. I wondered how long Reimu had been talking to the kappa about this whole idea, because the light show taking place in the sky above me did seem very elaborate. I remembered a time, several years back, when Reimu had organised something similar, a 'fireworks display' which was essentially a spell card demonstration by various individuals around the valley and the underground. It had been quite the spectacle, at least until it had turned weirdly more violent in the second half and my last memory was a massive laser coming right at me before Reimu had managed to pull me out of the way. Since I didn't remember anything after that, I assumed that I'd probably decided that I'd had enough excitement.

Or not. I wasn't sure, because I still had plenty of hazy memories from those days. Either way, the fireworks going off today were not danmaku. They were explosive and they sent vibrations straight through my soul. Each one made Yamame jump, and I wondered if I should perhaps cover her ears or something.

After several, there was a reprieve, and the sky was dark once more. "...Phew, I think that was-" Then, I heard another one shoot into the air, but this one was infinitely more intense and massive in scale, and it practically lit up the whole sky. For a moment, I thought that daylight had come early as all of the shadows were scoured from the grounds. The sound was even louder, too, and I knew that it had spooked Yamame too much when she jolted violently.

A moment later, I felt something wrapping around me. More limbs than it should have been. Slowly, I asked her if she'd just wrapped her spider limbs around me. "Um...Maybe." She mumbled. I felt like I was being gripped tighter than ever, and I could already see the limbs themselves sprouting from Yamame's back. They were...Surprisingly gentle. In fact, where the tips were touching my body, it felt very gentle and actually rather pleasant. Plus, they seemed to feel quite secure, even with her regular arms wrapped around me too. It was like being hugged twice at once. After a moment, I felt them fade. "Sorry, um, I'll try to control it better." I shook my head and said that it had felt quite nice, actually. "You - Really...?" I nodded. "...Huh. Maybe Satori Komeiji was right about you." Frowning, I asked her what she meant. "You really are a spider-obsessed lunatic." I snorted, then clarified that it was one particular spider I was obsessed with. "...Charmer." She mumbled.

Finally, the fireworks show came to a close, and I heard Raiko's voice boom out across the grounds again. "...And that's another year down! Now, we'll get busy welcoming in the new year with another performance!" And right after that, the music started back up, this time beginning with Raiko's drumbeat providing a background for Lyrica's keyboard notes. I poked my head out from behind the Eientei stall that we had taken refuge next to. I wanted to gauge the crowds. I spotted Reimu coming back in for a landing over by the main Shrine, Marisa waving her in. I also saw Lady Kasen heading in her direction, though I noticed that Raki hadn't joined her. I scanned from side to side, and finally spotted her over by a stall that was selling what looked like animal bones. It did seem...Slightly fitting for her. Reimu, in telling me the story of her battle against Raki in Avici, had mentioned the hordes of skeletons. Either way, as long as she was doing well, I was happy enough. Over by the torii gate, I caught sight of Kisami, still staring doggedly up at the performance. I had a feeling that if I tried to interrupt her, she'd probably toss me off the stairs for diverting her attention.