/jp/ - Otaku Culture

Miss Yuuka offered a deep bow, one which didn't seem particularly mocking to my surprise. It actually seemed very respectful considering the barbs that the two had just exchanged. "If you're not coming," She laid her closed umbrella over her shoulder. "Then I'm going."

It felt like the energy was just about to come to a head when Reimu arrived. At speed, she suddenly shot past my left shoulder and dropped into a gap, emerging on the other side of Miss Yuuka and Lady Hecatia just in time to slap two ofuda down in front of the two and push some spiritual energy into them. Two large boxes formed of crackling lines of energy formed around the two. "Right." Reimu said, her voice just as deadly as the two in the boxes. "We don't have these sorts of fights at parties. Not on the first day of the year. Not at my Shrine. And especially not when there are humans around to be injured." She looked between Miss Yuuka, who had crossed her arms again, and Lady Hecatia, who's hands were interlocked behind her head. Suddenly, it seemed like neither had just been about to start a massive fight. "Got that!?" Reimu shouted, her face looking especially displeased.

"Why, Reimu, I was only responding in kind. Perhaps you should approach she who started this little argument." Miss Yuuka replied lazily, indicating Lady Hecatia with her hand. The goddess of Hell, meanwhile, was examining the box she now stood in. She reached out a hand as if to try interacting with it.

"Lady Yuuka!" I heard an exasperated voice cry. Looking over my shoulder, I saw a girl with blonde hair that curled at the ends upwards and back onto itself, clad in a red dress and holding a very curled scythe. I'd seen her before. Elly, the girl who seemed to be Miss Yuuka's gatekeeper. "I've been looking for you everywhere!" She stomped over, her face sweaty, but her nose looking cold and her body shivering. "You just disappeared and wouldn't tell me where you were going! I was getting worried!" I watched Miss Yuuka tilt her head, before the very slightest flicker of a warm smile crossed her face before she stamped it out. Appearances, I realised. Suddenly, I was aware of how privileged I was to have seen the Miss Yuuka that wore the apron and baked delicious pastries. That was Miss Yuuka in a much more relaxed environment. "Are you, ah, coming back home soon?"

And before Miss Yuuka could reply, there was another voice. This one was much quieter, but just as sharp and mature. "Hecatia." I turned in the other direction to see Miss Junko. I hadn't seen her since...Well, since she'd introduced me to Lady Hecatia, actually. She still dressed the same, dark robes and a tabard with red, yellow, and blue on it. Her eyes still had that same fire in them. I immediately felt my back ache. With my head a lot clearer than it had been in those days, seeing her brought back the pain of those scars all over my back. "I have been waiting." Her voice was the same, too. It seemed that the intervening months had not had a single effect on her.

"Oh, Junko! Hi!" Lady Hecatia said cheerfully. "I got a little busy! I've been with that boy you introduced to me! It's been a bit of a mess, y'know, so I got kinda distracted! Found Piece, by the way!" She indicated the fairy, who looked over to Miss Junko.

"Hi, Miss Friend!" Clownpiece said cheerfully, running over to Miss Junko, who offered her hands to the fairy. "It's been ages since I've seen you!" She did seem pleased about seeing Miss Junko, which was nice. I hoped that things would remain nice and fine now. "I've been making friends with the fairies in Gensokyo and living under the Shrine, so I don't get to come and see you very often."

"It is okay, Clownpiece. I am happy as long as you are enjoying yourself." She looked up at Lady Hecatia. "Hecatia, I do not want my life on Earth to become dull again were the Hakurei Shrine Maiden to seal you." She still held no real inflections in her voice. It was about as pure as it could get, and it seemed to actually have an effect on Lady Hecatia, who turned her head to the side just slightly. "Come. We shall explore the curiosities of this festival." She reached a hand out toward Lady Hecatia, who looked over at Reimu.