/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45283652 (4/4)
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The next hours with Yamame were, for the lack of a better word, magical. Our conversations brought to the surface the worst of my heart, yet as we knitted together, laughed, and exchanged stories of both her human and Mr. Anon, the sad hole that undoubtedly awaits me in the future began to feel less antagonistic… It'll be dug; nothing can stop death—postpone it, maybe, but that's it—however, it doesn't need to remain a hole forever. I'll fill it with the many books I'll write of stories about a gentle man; a small spider; a tall kitsune; a purple hat; red and white; hair bells; green camo; a lone woman with power over boundaries—all I love so much…

Ran will also have a hole in her heart; Ms. Takane; Ms. Reimu; Suzu—if they're still here—, Yukari and so on.

I'll be there for them, to help close the hole… because that's just another part of life.

The cozy fire and atmosphere of Yamame's atelier served as the background; her voice and presence my guiding moonlight; this undying love and loyalty to those I love the many threads, and these tears I shed, with a smile on my face, blessed the three-colored… Gloves. Warm and snug to the touch, a surface so perfect and smooth one could use them as pillows—though lumps and mistakes were visible, I didn't bother. A story without those is not a story.

As I finished knitting the gloves and released a sigh I didn't notice I was holding, Yamame came from her sewing station… And my eyes grew big when I saw my hat on her hands. The remarkable silhouette of a Joro Spider hovered in the front, just above the right eye, and across the entire lower part of it an aureate spider-web was stretched, the exact patterns of Flan's web with the precision that only a master could achieve.

Her smile as she gave me it was one of utter happiness, her eyes on the pair of gloves. "May I?" I nodded, watching honored as a sewing master gently picked up the gloves, tested the firmness, consistency, friction, and, finally, rubbed them on her face… Her proud smile filled my heart. "There's more heart than threads here—perfect~… But why gloves, Chen?"

"It was the first thing Mr. Anon gave me…" I say, fondly, inspecting the hat: the patching was impossible to see without focusing, new additions nicely woven onto the hat as if an expensive tapestry, feeling like they were always there. I rub my finger on the small spider—

—stopping when something on one of its legs catches my eye: two shadows, one of a man and the other, smaller, a girl with two tails. I look at Yamame, my eyes gigantic and gleaming.

She simply opens her arms, smiling kindly, already knowing what's about to happen… My hugging is tight; ten limbs hug back even tighter. "I love it…" I whisper. She pats my head. "… It's so beautiful."

"It's to reflect a beautiful heart, is it not? It has to be up to par." She giggles, I follow true. "Chen… I've decided I want to teach you; help your latent talent to flourish—so, if you'd like it, I wish to be your teacher." Perplexed, I look at her from beneath, not breaking the hug; her smile is genuine… and makes me so impossibly embarrassed.

A master asking me to be their apprentice?! I've never heard of such a thing! Yet, all I could do with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was frantically nod, tails bopping fast. Mr. Anon will be so proud of me~!

She titters, patting my head, and I purr. "Many thanks, Chen~now, I guess you should go home. Ran and Mr. Anon will be worried if you spend the whole night here." Confused, I look through the window—it's already night! Time passed so fast… "Come to learn or simply to visit whenever you want, okay? You and your loved ones are welcome anytime!" And so she kisses me on the forehead, breaking the hug and going to put the gloves in a small sack made out of strong webbing.

"Wait!" I say, rummaging my pockets. "How much I owe—"

"Nothing~I already got what I wanted." She hums and giggles, giving me the sack…

Red and confused, albeit excited and happy, I nod respectfully. "O-Okay! See ya, Yamame! I-It was very fun!" I fly to the door, hard waving constantly, her eyes smiling as she demurely waves back, and, when I finally leave, it is with a hearty laughter that echoes through the cave as I shoot through the hole in the cave roof.

The Moon is my background as I spin and laugh, feeling lighter than ever before, parcel in hands and heart ready to burst.

I swim amidst the sea of stars, whirling with delight as memories come rushing back, joyous tears in my eyes: Mr. Anon teaching me; our first meeting, his gentle arms, his lessons; Ran and her love; Yukari's cold eyes, yet her undeniable love; Ms. Kogasa's forgiveness; Ms. Reimu's happiness upon overcoming her sad, every day appreciating life a tad more…

A long life; a short life…

A happy life with people by your side to help when the inevitable hole is dug.

The path ahead is hard, for sure…

Yet, I’m just so happy…

… That this long life of mine can be used to help others!