/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>46885701

Plans? Yeah, technically a shrine’s space doesn’t matter, only that it’s marked out as being for the divine. Why it mattered eluded Hana, she glanced between Sanae’s smiling eyes and her mother’s own understanding feeling entirely left out. Some of the confusion must have shown on Hana’s face, because mother spoke up, “So… If I’m getting your idea right, you’re creating talisman containing the power of both the gods enshrined. Since they’re shrines already, they can hear and see out of them, and once you put a piece of them inside… I see, it’s an easy enough security system, but would that be enough?”

Sanae’s smile faltered a bit, but it rebounded quickly enough, “No, not entirely alone anyways. But with this, no matter where she is she can easily communicate with either god, or both! And if you get in a pinch Hana, you can call upon an avatar of them in case… just In case something bad happens, Okay?”

Those last words were delivered kindly, a mercy that made Hana want to avoid her gentle eyes. She felt the guilt in soul grow a bit, both Sanae and her mother looking at her like a child… Aunn told her that she shouldn’t hide things anymore, it hasn’t her burden alone and those words made sense. She wants to believe them, a part of her knows everyone needs help and there was no shame in getting it. Hana would help others with her full power if she loved them, its natural.

It was natural, yet she hated being the one receiving this pity. She hated that they knew everything that went on in the dark, even though they all choose to stay at her side it gave her a strange sense of dread. What the hell did she do to deserve it, and why did they stay at her side despite never lifting a finger before?

>>44925132

The mugs of brown liquid steamed lightly, except for Marisa's, and filled the room with a heavenly aroma that Hana had never smelled before. She couldn't wait to drink it as she picked it up letting the warmth leech out the autumn chill faster than the little space heater could. Sanae called out, "ah Hana before you try it!" she slid over a little tray of sugar and cream.

Sanae announced, "coffee's a little bitter otherwise, prepare it like you like your green tea." Hana nodded and her, Aunn, and an unamused Marisa poured in a bit of sugar and cream into their mugs. Hana sipped at the strange drink, it tasted a tad bit bitter but it was palpable. She didn't care for it honestly, but the taste wasn't too bad.

Aunn's face must have been more expressive than hers because Sanae was quick to sheepishly say, "Well, I suppose its not uncommon for beginner's to not care for it. Its an acquired taste but it is real popular in the outside you know and uh... the tsuchigumo are in love with it!"

Aunn set the drink down, she seemed to avoid making a face but she clearly didn't seem intent on trying any more. Hana smiled a bit, Aunn always did have a sweet's loving tongue and never really cared for finishing her veggies or bitter things in general.

Marisa, rather glumly sipped at hers, it must have not been to her taste as cooled off as it was because she frowned before murmering, "Geez, I said I was sorry ze"

Sanae let out a wry grin, "Ah! that's right, you know when I was younger I hated the stuff to and the only way I'd drink it is with sweets!"

Aunn perked up at the promise of sweets and Hana couldn't help but do the same as even Marisa looked hopeful. Sanae came back with a plate filled with these little finger long cookies, refined sugar was something of a rarity in the village so having fresh sugary treats out of season was something of a luxury.

Sanae served the girls a few cookies each, Aunn and Hana got a good few while Sanae snagged only two for herself, Marisa got two as well, the broken ones.

Marisa piped up, "Hey this is abuse isn't it!? you're bullying me aren't you ze?! I said I was sorry for earlier and even donated!" All eyes turned to Sanae, who's gentle smile at seeing Hana and Aunn take their first bites of the cookies and sipping their drinks with renewed appreciation for the beverage turned to ice.

Sanae's head swung to Marisa as if on a swivel and her words were as icy as the frost behind her smile, "Yes yes, a rather large donation of 3 whole wooden coins wasn't it? I'm so impressed by your generosity that I might even talk with Suwako-sama about blessing you personally!"

Marisa shrunk back, "I'm very sorry for my rude behavior, thank you for your hospitality ze..."

Hana and Aunn smiled as they sipped at their drinks, time passed as they made small talk. Marisa took no time in bouncing back as well.


Before they knew it the drinks were empty, the cookies eaten, and the dirty cups brought to to the kitchen. Sanae settled onto her cushion again, she was the picture perfect cutout of a miko in grace and etiquette as far as Hana was concerned, and caused the girl to straighten herself out a bit. She couldn't help but notice how much of a farcry her mother was from this image. It was a strange mix of feelings.

Still she wasn't there to absentmindedly stare at a wall, Sanae called their attention to herself, "Now, then it's about time we focused up isn't it?" Sanae turned her attention to Hana letting a genuine smile cross her face, "I'm very glad you could join us now that you're safe"

Hana nodded, not sure what to feel but Aunn dismissed any sort of negative thoughts as she scooted closer taking Hana's hand in her own. She felt a peace she hadn't felt in a long time.

Sanae didn't wait too long to continue after Hana had nodded, "Right well I'll start us off with telling you about how things aren't going well..."

Sanae's face dropped a bit as she explained what the shrine had been up to recently, Sanae had been preaching to the villagers about the the sins going on there in that brothel. She'd been making some headway in convincing the passersbyers about it but after some of the recent bunbunmaru articles it seemed that her words have been falling on deaf ears more and more.

Marisa piped up next, she talked about how Anon was holding up well enough inside of there. She even mentioned that the place was loaded with magic and that she could barely withstand it all with her own magics to protect her from the effects of that incense and other hidden spells. She thought she was close to finding some weakness in the barrier.

Aunn and Hana could only keep silent at first, but eventually Sanae had turned to them. In a placating voice and a look of worry on her face, "Hana... I understand your mother taught you about maintaining barriers, I was hoping that with Marisa and Aunn you three could infiltrate and try to find a weakness we could eventually exploit..."