/jp/ - Otaku Culture

(1/2)
Orin’s ridiculous plan had given me such an aneurism that I had been bedridden for the last couple of days. Regardless, when we received forwarding that two of Yukari’s agents would be visiting us personally, I decided to forgo bed rest to meet them. I was still the Mistress of the Earth Spirit Palace and even If I wasn’t well enough to perform my usual duties, getting to the root of this problem was still too important.
At the very least, it wasn’t paperwork.
“Satori we’re here.” Yuugi said, opening my office doors with some bravado.
Behind her was the Amanojaku, Seija, and a man who looked somewhere in between a priest, a salesman, and a solider, Goro. Instantly my ability told me who they were, why they were here, and that I wanted nothing to do with either of them.
“Very good, now see them out.” I waved.
But it was too late, Orin and Kokoro, who were both at my side in case things turned violent, saw these two and a spark of familiarity ignited.
“Aunt Kokoro.” Goro said with an abundance of nostalgia.
The Menreiki’s mask shifted to the befuddled monkey face.
“Forgive me, I don’t recall making your acquaintance.” She spoke.
Were she to dig deeply into her memories and remember one of the children at the Buddhist temples who had asked her all sorts of piecing questions about her masks, including their material, make, and storage all in the hopes of possibly starting his own little mask business.
“Oh, the onus is on me, don’t give it another thought.” He said, bowing. “This is Seija and I’m Goro. We’re agents of the Yakumo and we’ve come to talk.”
At this, Kokoro’s mask shifted to the demonic Hannya mask and no sooner then it had was her polearm besides Goro’s neck.
“State your business or lose your head.” She commanded.
“Do you have ears you violent woman? He said were here to talk and you’re pointing your blade at the wrong person.” Seija answered, jamming a thumb at her own neck.
“Goro! What are you doing underground?” Orin interjected, more relieved to have a break from the meager part of my duties I tasked her with then surprised at meeting the fool who had laid the seed that would grow into her awful plan. Which was even more reason to dispatch these two immediately.
“Kokoro would you be so kind to escort these two off the premise?” I asked, knowing the Menreiki wasn’t entirely amicable to me, but would be grateful for the opportunity to remove these two.
And then the damn dog walked in.
The large hound was a resident of the mansion, She looked at me with those deep brown eyes and I saw her displeasure at seeing her new friend go since he knew the secret to making friends with any hound: The ribcage rub.
“On second thought, I suppose I could entertain you for a spell.” I said, gesturing to the circle of furniture and for Orin to get tea.
The Menreiki retracted her polearm and her mask shifted to the red Shikami face to denote her suspicion as we all made way for our seats. Seija and Goro sat beside each other on the coach, the dog taking the open space besides Goro, while Yuugi, Kokoro, and I tool three of the chairs.
“So, let’s play a little game.” I proposed. “If I’m able to make you two leave with my words alone by the time Orin returns with tea, you’ll leave old hell immediately after Yuugi defeats you. If you endure, I’ll help you get into New Hell.”
Surprise passes Seija’s face, but not Goro’s since it’s what he planned to ask from the beginning.
“Deal.” he said, reaching his hand across the table, which I shook.
‘Such dainty hands.’ He thought.
“Now let’s begin. Seija, Goro purchased a hairbrush to help him apologize to Hijiri, which you like to guess how?”
Instantly the Amanojaku’s mind swirled with possibilities but before she could say aloud, I became impatient and simply answered.
“He wants to brush her hair like he did when he was young, should I tell her about your ulterior motive Goro?” I ask.
He thought for a second, realized, and smirked.
“You want to be dotted on by everyone like when you were young. Ever since you distanced yourself from them you’ve been starving for motherly affection.”
Kokoro’s mask changed to a confused monkey, wondering why a servant of someone so despicable had such cravings, let alone an adult.
Yuugi crossed her arms and feigned indifference, but the concept of motherhood was alien to her and she was a little intrigued.
“Mama’s little boy!” Seija teased, pinching his cheek. “Should I help you prepare a proper apology essay?”
“Ha, who isn’t nostalgic for simpler times? I was a pretty needy kid after all. Maybe not much has changed.” He admitted.
‘You call that a jab?’ he thought.
You’ll see, I always start small.
“You also thought about using the same brush to tend to Yukari’s hair, because you believe that showing her platonic kindness will improve her temperament. In fact, at this point you have thought about brushing every woman’s hair in this room.”