/jp/ - Otaku Culture

Hearn sighed deeply. "Well, I'm sure you have plenty to think about. I do hope to see Reimu soon, but I think you've gotten used to taking care of her, hmm?" I looked away, but nodded. "Once the storm ends, you should really take the time to hear from Marisa Kirisame." She told me. I opened my mouth to ask her what she knew, but before I could, I felt my chair disappear from underneath me, and then I was scrambling for purchase in mid-air, with nothing surrounding me but murky reds and purples, and plenty of bloodshot eyes. Before I could get used to it, I found myself slamming into the veranda of the Shrine, and driving all the breath out of me. I groaned as the pain began to register, then fell onto my back. I looked to the side and saw with annoyance that the shutter I had pulled open earlier hadn't fully closed, and the rain was getting in. I stumbled to my feet and pulled it shut before falling back down.

After a moment, I heard footsteps, and then saw the head of Aunn appear, blocking my view of the ceiling. This was the Aunn who wasn't all that talkative, so I mumbled hello and simply waited to see what she would do. After a moment, she crouched down, then grabbed my wrist and began dragging me through the sliding door and back into Reimu's room. I could have gotten up, but I just didn't feel like I had the energy. Maybe I had eaten too much. Aunn dragged me over to the futon, where Reimu had dragged all of the covers over her and curled up into a ball. I turned my head and watched Aunn, who gave me a pointed stare before turning and padding out the door, which she slid shut behind her. I sighed and rolled over, dragging my shirt off with my hand.

After forcing Reimu's body into a more normal position and working the covers free from her iron grip, I managed to drag them over myself, and within seconds, I'd fallen asleep to the smell of cinnamon.

Fortunately, salvation revealed itself in green. "Miss Reimu! I'm back!" I heard a voice calling, and the sound of sandals on the veranda. "I've got the Myouren Temple's purchase ledger!" The door slid open, and I was surprised to see the short, green haired girl who stood there. She had a grey horn sticking out of her head, and her ears were large, grey, and looked like they were made of stone. More like ornaments than actual ears. She wore a shirt with a big, swirly heart on it and baggy shorts. Her hair was long, but the way it bounced made it look almost stiff, like a statue. "Oh!" She stopped when she saw me cradling Reimu in my arms. "M-Miss Reimu! Are you okay!?" She rushed in, kicking off her shoes. "Um, who are you?" She said to me. I introduced myself and told her that Lady Kasen had told me to take care of Reimu. Realisation dawned on her face. "Oh! You're the one Miss Kasen told me about!" That sounded...worrisome.

"Aunn." Reimu muttered. "I'm just a little ill." I shook my head and reminded her of how weak she currently was. "Shut up." She muttered at me.

I turned to Aunn and told her that Reimu wanted a bath, and probably didn't want me there for it. "I can help her! I've been watching her for so long and I never get enough of a chance to repay the favour." Relief washed over me. I smiled and thanked the komainu, then lifted Reimu up. Aunn led the way to the bathroom, and I placed Reimu down on the small stool inside. Once I was sure that Aunn could take care of her, I told her that I was going to return home for the night and would be back tomorrow. Reimu looked at me with some emotion that I couldn't describe on her face, but Aunn had a frown. "Um, okay, but please don't leave her for too long. Miss Kasen said that she wanted you two together." I promised that I would be back early tomorrow morning, and that I would be taking care of Reimu as much as I could. Then, I pulled my clothes back on from where they'd been dumped on the floor and made a swift exit before I could be side-tracked any further.

I probably could have made it to the cave that led to Yamame's home in record time, since it was only just past noon but I found myself walking faster than I'd expected. I was just approaching the village and planning to skirt around it to reach the tunnel, when I suddenly had a thought. I didn't know how Yamame was feeling, but I knew she was probably injured and likely hungry. I remembered that she'd mentioned liking spicy food, and for a moment, I stood and stared at the path leading to the village, debating with myself. I knew it was a bad idea, but I didn't really want to go and see Yamame without being able to do something nice for her. I swallowed and made up my mind, then began to proceed down the road toward the village. I'd stick to the shadows and get out as soon as possible. But first, I'd need to go to my old home. Once I started to get to the buildings, I moved over to the side of the street, so that I was as hidden as I could be without looking outright suspicious. I didn't feel like I was being watching, but I still wanted to move as quickly as possible.

All in all it was a pleasant day as far as the Earth was concerned with only a light breeze, overcast skies fought with the noontime sun for dominance, and the colorful leaves were falling providing a nice and pleasant view even at ground level as you walked down the well traveled road. You grew close to the intersection that would take you to the village if you so chose and regretted that you couldn't have gotten sent to Eientei with your wallet on you. You were ruminated as you passed by that it might just help to bring a souvenir home with you and amused yourself for a bit at the thought of Reimu's slightly goofy grin at seeing a gift of honey covered dango, which of course only reminded how hungry you were now as skipping breakfast and taking a rather lengthy 4 hour walk will tend to do that. Lost in thoughts you finally sighted the familiar approach to the shrine and soon enough sighted the long staircase with a deep red Torii placed on top standing as the final guardian to the those who were less then sincere in their resolve. You were oddly lighthearted by the time you finished ascending the stairs, perhaps it was the idea that you made it home, or getting closure to this emotional and physical journey, or maybe simply it was the effects of good exercise but regardless it felt good to be home and no matter what would happen next you would face it.
The shrine had a different air around it, it was a gloomy and dispirited feeling backed up by the clutter around the yard and path. Branches were scattered about along with the leaves littering the yard and paths going to the various auxiliary buildings. The clouds seemed to hang lower and darker here as well the wind seemed to be unimpeded by the trees and the chill was enough to start irritating you, it was like the ghosts of all the pain suffered were willingly expressing itself stark and unmasked for any would be visitor to see be forced to face. However you were calm despite the minor anxieties that tinged you as the knowledge that you were yourself again centered you better then any gyroscope ever could, Kasen and Marisa's influence healed you in more ways then one it seemed and you mused that you'd have to think of a way to treat them later.
You caught a flash of green out of the corner of your eye, turning you spotted the small Komainu you knew as Aunn peaking out at you behind from behind one of her statues, "Aunn-chan, i'm home!" you said with a grin as you waved her down. Aunn couldn't contain her tears that seemed to hit her like a gotei and she rushed out, "Anonnnnnnnn! I'm so happy you're back! I was so scared you weren't gonna come back!" she dived into you rocking you a bit as you ignored how much a horn jabbing into you hurt and cried into your torso as you stroked her hair grateful for the warmth. "Yes thats right... of course i'm back, how could I leave my sweet Aunn-chan all alone here? you're part of my family too you know!". It took awhile for the emotional Komainu to calm down but eventually she did enough to merely go back to being teary eyed and redfaced, you squatted down a bit reaching eye level with the short girl and said like a father, "Aunn-chan, I have to go see Reimu now. It'd be improper if I didn't right?" Aunn nodded softly and spoke softer "You'll be okay right...? You won't get hurt like that again right Anon-jiisan? I... I won't forgive Reimu-san if she does that again! Really!". You stroked Aunn's hair as she spoke and nodded along as she spoke happy that you were so close with the little guardian. "How has she been... Reimu I mean...?" you couldn't help but asking the Komainu with some trepidation in your voice, you heard from Marisa mostly about how Reimu has been searching for you up and down Gensokyo right after you vanished, Eientei feigned ignorance thanks to Marisa and Kasen smoothing things over and greasing palms and outside of the people that were there nobody would've known your location aside from maybe the troublesome Aya but if she did it didn't make the papers according to the Bunbunmaru Kasen brought in every week. Aunn's eyes took a bit of a darker shade as she recalled what happened, "Reimu-san... was real angry when she woke up... I hid as good as I could so she didn't bother with me but she flew off right after she woke up! I don't know where she went but she didn't come back till well after night fell.." Aunn looked troubled and you were about to stop her but she spoke up again "Then she left a lot everyday staying out real late but eventually she stopped after about a week... Then... there were some nights she just started yelling and breaking things.. I was too scared to see what was happening but when I checked after I thought she was asleep the house was a huge mess! I've barely seen her since.. only every now and then when she visits the well to get some water". You thanked the gentle child with a kiss to the forehead after she finished and turned face residence hidden behind the main shrine.