/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45422646 (37/?)

As they approach the shrine, Medicine whispers to Shanghai, “I’ll go look for clues regarding that poisoner. Go make sure Alice doesn’t do something she’ll regret and/or make her do anything she’d regret not doing. Can I trust you with that, little sis?”

Shanghai proudly nods. She doesn’t think Alice really needs a minder. It was only that one time that she… w-well there was that other time… and that other time… and that- Maybe Big Sis has a point.

She certainly thinks she does anyway as she calls out to Alice, “I’ve other stuff to do around here. You go have fun with Anon and remember that no matter what you do, Shinki will find out.”

At first, Alice seemed like she was going to get angry at Big Sis, but as soon as Shinki was mentioned she winced. Without another word, She heads into the HSE.

Turning back, Shanghai gives a hug to Bis Sis before following her creator like the rest of his sisters.

The building isn’t scary when she’s with Alice, much less when she’s with all her fellow dolls, so when everyone in the building stares at them she just waves. There are a lot of Youkai in here and even some humans. Are they all going to see Anon? If so, at least he has lots of friends in this nasty place. Still, it’d be better if he could hang out with all of his friends somewhere else.

As Alice approaches the front desk, Ran eyes her doll entourage questioningly, “I take it they’re all with you?”

Alice frowns, “Obviously, they’re my creations.”

Ran gives a drawn-out sigh before deadpanning a response, “I’m just following procedures, ma’am. Now for 29 patrons that’ll come out to-”

Alice quickly interrupts, “You can’t seriously charge them as patrons. They’re dolls! They… They couldn’t even…”

For some reason, Alice begins to blush. What couldn’t they do? They definitely can hang out with Anon and cuddle with him, so it’s neither of those. Maybe it’s about talking? The dolls can’t talk to Anon, though they also couldn’t pay so it might be that. Well, they could pay if this establishment wasn’t biased against doll currencies, but alas.

Ran’s expression begins to waver until she eventually begins chuckling, “That was a joke, You couldn’t come in even if you wanted to. It’s currently a rest period for Anon so he won’t be seeing customers.

They… they couldn’t see Mr. Anon? D-Does he not want to see Shanghai? Did she do something wrong? She just wanted to-

Unbeknownst to Shanghai, every other doll was having a similar reaction. Faced with more than two dozen quivering dolls, Ran’s heart begins to break. After a quick scan of the room, she leans in and says, “I-I can see if Anon is willing to take you as a visitor. Just keep quiet about this and make sure he isn’t doing anything too strenuous, he’s supposed to be resting.”

Immediately, every doll perked up at that as if they weren’t about to cry moments ago. Alice for her part just replies, “Of course. Thank you.”

Ran nods before poking her head through a gap. A few moments later she pulls her head out and loudly says, “The maintenance team is ready to see you miss Margatroid.”

Shanghai tilts her head at that, wondering if gaps make people hard of hearing and forgetful or something. It’s only until Ran winks at her that she realizes the truth. It’s a secret! They have a secret with Ran. Doesn’t that mean that they’re friends now?

But if it’s a secret that means Ran is doing something she isn’t supposed to and she’s doing it for them. That means they’re super good friends! Now if she could only do something to repay the favor to her super good friend… Wait!

Flying over, Shanghai embraces Ran’s hand. After giving it a good nuzzle, she looks up to see Ran that weird look some people make when she hugs them. They smiling, but they aren’t not smiling. It’s like they want to smile but want to not smile, but that doesn’t make sense since who wouldn’t want to smile?

Eventually, Ran’s desire to smile wins out. After taking a breath she mutters, “I know I need to arrange a playdate with Chen, but could I survive that?”

Shanghai tilts her head again at her strange fox lady friend, why wouldn’t she survive? Shanghai only fights bad people and Ran isn’t bad.

Upon seeing her tilting her head, Ran coughs before saying, “You should go catch up to your creator. I wouldn’t want you to get lost again.”

Huh? But Alice is right… Where’s Alice? Oh no, not again!

>>16589970