/jp/ - Otaku Culture

I remained silent. "Excellent. Remain silent and my chance of a headache drops immensely. You men still do think too much, but at least I'll only hear it once." What exactly was Satori getting at? "Koishi has befriended you." Satori murmured. "She is my only sister, and I worry for her daily. You feel sympathy for her, though you aren't sure why. She closed her third eye because her heart was too fragile to withstand the pain of the world's hatred." That sounded exceptionally sad. "My sister is trying her best to reawaken her heart. This I do believe." How...Did this relate to- "You are conflicted. You want me to come to the wedding because, for some reason, you believe that Koishi would want this. That it would make her happy."

"You should go, Big Sis! And - Um, I didn't think I was worrying you so much..." There was a vague scraping sound that everyone ignored. But something was happening. Something...Strange.

"However, you should not blindly follow what you believe to be Koishi's wishes. She will come home to me eventually. I would have a difficult time if I were to attend, so do not worry yourself about my refusal. Koishi, if she could see through her third eye, would understand too."

"Um, Big Sis, let me just..." I stared again. It was like...There was something there, but I couldn't see it. It wasn't hidden - But...The corner of my eye. For a split second, I saw it. That same mint green hair. Blueish purple wires connecting her closed third eye. For a split second, I could see Koishi Komeiji, wrapping her arms around her sister. And then, it was gone again. Satori stood alone.

"Koishi...I don't know if she's here right now. Perhaps that's the worst of it. Your mind - It just flashed." This time, it was Satori to squeeze her eyes shut. "An image of her. Koishi, if you are here...Your big sister loves you." I couldn't tell if what I'd seen had been real, but Satori didn't seem to be able to tell either. She drew in a long breath, then turned and padded back to her place at the head of the table. "My apologies. I believe we've gotten a little bit too intense. Allow me to establish some distance." She returned to her seat, her arms shaking slightly as she lowered herself back into her chair.

"Um, so...You definitely don't want to come?" Yamame finally ventured. "Well, um, consider it a standing invitation, I suppose. In case you change your mind." She'd finished her soup. "And - Thank you for the meal."

"You're welcome, Yamame. You too," She said this to me, "Since I can tell you enjoyed it, even if you don't want to admit it. Was there any other business you wished to discuss?" I didn't think so. This had been the crux of the matter. "So it is. Might I make a request of you? Yes? Good. Your...Interviews, with the crow tengu, Aya Shameimaru. Tell her that she should reduce the wordiness of my appearances. I believe her clientele would appreciate it." Confused, I agreed to pass along the message. "My thanks. Now - Ah, Yamame, one last thing - He particularly likes it when you use your...Yes, well, I do not believe I could relate." My eyes widened. She couldn't just reveal that, could she? "Please, if you wished to keep it a secret, you wouldn't have come to see me." Satori snapped her fingers, and Orin reappeared from the doors, looking slightly more composed. In comparison, Yamame and I now looked significantly less composed. Yamame was looking at me with a curious frown, and I was probably blushing heavily. "Orin, please show our guests - No, show...My friends to the door. Preferably before the indecent thoughts filling up our Lady Kurodani's mind send me face first into my soup."