/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45104478 (3/3)
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I… really don't know how to feel about this. I just stare straight into her belly, frowning. Ran, as if expecting that, approaches Chen. "Let's leave Ms. Aya and Ms. Reimu alone, okay? They need to have a conversation." So she catches the bakeneko's hand, opening a gap. Distraught with the sudden leaving, Chen asks Ran something, the fox youkai appearing surprised before nodding, slowly.

I share one last glance with Chen and smile before waving to her. In the next moment, they leave.

Toutetsu stares at the both of us, rhythmically hitting the spork on her shoulder, as if pondering, waiting. Aya paces in place, nervous to the point she's sweating… What am I missing here?

"We don't have the entire night, reporter," Tetsu says bluntly, squatting on a tree branch and watching us from above. "Don't worry—am not letting you and your little bastards die tonight."

… What? I tensed, digesting the words. She expects me to attack Aya in some capacity.

I feel betrayed—Toutetsu has seen it again and again, saw me changing, trying, and still… The thoughts are short-lived, followed by an even shorter meditation. No matter what, change is not ultimate. Without strength, there's always the chance everything returns to how it was before…

If anything, Tetsu being here is a challenge.

I've changed. I've become someone better.

And I'll show that with whatever Aya has to tell me.

The seconds pass in silence, a tarp of pressure layering the air, Aya uncomfortable, struggling to stay in place, tears welling behind her eyes as her trembling arms held dear to her belly, wings quivering uncontrollably and ready to raise flight at any given threat to her or her kids.

I wait, patient.

Truth comes one time or the other; "I-I'm… pregnant—you already know t-that—" The following words must've felt like lead in her mouth. “But, the f-father—" tears streamed, thick and of a regret so immense it was like looking into a mirror. My body perked up, hairs like metal rods. "… it's Anon." It was a whisper.

One that sounded like thunder.

… I'm not that far away from Aya. One swing, her head turns into tree decoration. It'd be immensely easy, and not even Toutetsu—watching like a hawk—would be able to do something…

But I don't move. Another time, I would've.

In the silence, I look up at the moon and stars, my eyes a bit droopy; breathe in and breathe out, then I fluff my scarf. It's so warm and cozy…

Aya's body trembled like a leaf in the wind with that small gesture. "It wasn't right, I know! I spoke of your crimes in my newspaper and profited out by calling them out—I-I, Anon… I didn't know at the time that he wasn't there by choice! I did not, too! And what it'd entail next—I—I—" Despite the breakdown, there was a smile on her face, one so fragile yet bathed in love. "—I love my children… They haven't been born yet, but I love them… Please don't kill me!" She kneels. "I know my mistakes; I've raped him, he doesn't even know he'll be a father yet! Please…—N-No! No! I won't bow and beg anymore! I'm tired of bowing to powerful monsters like you and Yukari! I'll be a mother, and I'll live! I WILL not let you kill us!"

… Woah. The range of emotions she showed felt like a metronome, going from one extreme to the next quickly. The words, however, struck true like a sword, the pain a deep wound that overflowed with memories of my little Hana, so tiny and so precious, yet with a shadow always looming, never able to see the sun properly with it on her back.

A shadow called 'me'.

A single tear escaped me, eyes turning down from the stars and looking into Aya's eyes, her body fervent with fight spirit…

I get my gohei in between my fingers. Aya tenses up like never before, tears still there, but facade and posture never breaking, danmaku shining at her fingertips, prepared to do whatever it takes to live.

… The moment stretches.

I smile, then sigh, storing the gohei in my sleeve. "… Congrats."

"… H-Huh…?"

I pity this smile forming on my face; having to fight so many dark emotions, explosive rage and regrets—just to show up in this moonlit face of mine… Though I don't think it cares, "It's your first, right? I dunno how it's for Tengus, but I know mine was tough. Ah, I'm so lucky he was there for me—he's a great man for the job… Under him, Hana was happy."

Her eyes shine, mouth opens, cheeks glow red—tears falling just as much. Oh, the metronome broke. Happiness.

"… Thanks…"

"You have everything prepared already?"

"I… need a bigger house. Some cradles… and a lot of diapers."

"You happy?"

"Never been happier."

"… You love him?"

"I do." No hesitation. Good.

"You should go tell him."

"… I will…" The smile growing on her face trembled like an earthquake.

"… Want a hug?" A hug can do wonders for someone in a bad spot—right, Chen?

Aya stared, pondered…

Toutetsu will never admit it, but I think she was crying too when I held Aya, crying like a kid, in my arms—smile wide.

"Thank you so much, Reimu…"

I cried too.