/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>46885706

With a voice like it was trying to handle fragile glass, Sanae spoke as she returned the trinkets to her pocket, “You okay, Hana-chan? You looked like you were about to cry for a second...”

It gave Hana a start, she realized that she could feel her the edges of her eyes were a bit wet. She blinked once, twice, with purpose to clear that feeling from the side of her eyes, she could feel her face flushing as red as her outfit was. Shifting where she sat, Hana nodded and quickly mutters, “I-I’m fine, I’m just grateful that you and Kanako-sama would still want to help me, e-even though I lied and-“

Her mother’s face shifted, but didn’t get quite as far as showing any real emotion, she folded her hands together instead. Sanae’s face was much the same, but instead it formed into a soft smile, she reached towards Hana, taking her hand in her own, “Nope! Theres nothing to apologize for, Kanako-sama’s been busy but she still found time to gush over dinner about how solid her advice was last time to you, even Suwako-sama has been wanting to play again, and all that overgrown brat likes is dessert and lazing about!”

Hana nodded, she felt the guilt grow as Sanae’s genuine smile washed over her. She glanced at her mother, who nodded and tried her own version of a comforting smile, at least Hana supposed… given the sharpness in the rest of her face, the effect was just…

Her mother spoke up next, “Sanae-san, I do believe time is flying by. I’d be fine to keep you for lunch, but you said you have business this evening”

Sanae nodded, pulling her hand away along with the warmth that came with it, “That’s right, the nonsense with the Heida… Well, you already know the gist of it.” She turned her attention to Hana, “Nothing to worry about, just some feud in the village I’ll have to oversee. Anyways, come on Hana, are you ready and packed?”

Making to stand, Sanae gracefully rose to her feet, despite the stretching that made less than dignified noises leak out. Mother and herself rose as well, Hana silent and her mother’s glancing gaze watching Hana like a hawk. It made Hana a bit uncomfortable…

It didn’t take long for the girls to find their way outside, the sunlight called to Hana after being cooped up inside for so long. Gifts in hand, and Yakumo outfit tucked away deeply in the sack of gifts she carried, she turned one last time to her mother.

Her mother seemed a tad bit unsure after opening her mouth and calling Hana’s name, “So… Like we talked about, the training… you were still interested in learning, right?”

Ugh, there it was again. That discomfort, she did say she wanted to get stronger the other day, right…? Well, she could say no and just be done here forever, she didn’t want to see this women’s face any more than she had too… However, if it was the sake of father then even a fraction of her mother’s… no, that training was supposed to be hers by birthright, it was stolen and this is merely her mother making things right…

Hana nodded, she didn’t feel any particular joy as she nodded her head, but she felt a smile rise to her face. It was only for the sake of leaving quicker, a smile made all the difference sometimes, “Sure, it was nice…”

Drawing a blank on what to say, Hana let the silence linger. It was supposed to be awkward, but instead her mother’s smile grew wider and blasted the perpetual grumpiness away for just a moment.

Reimu nodded and stepped back, Hana was already lifting off the ground as Sanae gave a quick bow to mother before lifting off as well. Before Hana knew it, Sanae had grabbed her free hand and the two let her home fade into a speck, only to find the busy Moriyan shrine forming itself out of the greens and browns of the youkai mountain.

>>42091975
a true appreciator of the pit mikos