/jp/ - Otaku Culture

(1/2)
“Well, that felt like a total waste of time, I thought you told me there’d be some fun along the way.” I remarked as the bridge to Old Hell was finally in sight.
“Not my fault all those cowards ran at the sight of us. I remember underworld Youkai having more of a spine. Makes me wonder why we had to go the long way instead of just being gapped here.” Seija complained.
“Because It’s about the journey you know!” a sing-song voice said from behind.
There floated the torso of Yukari, chin resting on her hands, happy as a clam. She kind of looked like one of those pictures of a mermaid I saw once upon a time.
“Everyone’s working hard on our side see, so I can’t just play favorites. It’ll breed contempt in the ranks. You should see how hard I’m working Ran, Kasen, even that Yamawaro is doing her part!” Yukari proudly explained.
We were far from a unified front, that much was certain. I knew Takane from prior engagements and Flan we could mostly deal with, but Kasen, Ran, Seiga, the Great Tengu, and whoever else Yukari had under her thumb I either hadn’t properly met, didn’t get along with, or were a mystery to me. At least when we visited New Hell, I’d get a chance to talk with the Otter Spirit gang. Whatever round table we had coming up couldn’t come soon enough.
“Yet you came all this way just to explain that? What, are you lonely or something?” Seija asked.
“Oh no, my dear Amanojaku, on the contrary, I wanted to check up on your two! This is a very important assignment after all.”
“We just show up at the Satori’s house, have tea, and leave right? Nothing else?” I clarified.
“My what an excellent memory you have Goro!” Yukari said. If she was patronizing me, I couldn’t tell, it could just as well be genuine.
“Be on guard though. Those on the surface may misunderstand my intentions at the best of times, but the denizens of Old Hell especially so! So, I took the liberty to seed rumors that I was sending agents from the surface world to spy on them. Have fun you two!” She said, before giving Seija and I a peck on the cheek each and receding into her gap.
“Okay, you’re the businessman, what’s her angle?” Seija asked while wiping her cheek aggressively.
“If I had to hazard a guess, she wants us to stir up trouble, so our opponents expose themselves.” I answer.
“So, we’re bait yeah?” She remarked, now aggressively rubbing my cheek to remove the lipstick stain.
“Could very well be. Not every powerful Youkai is coming to the HSE after all. But this is Yukari, I doubt it’s as simple as us just stirring the pot. If that were the case, Seiga or even Flan would be a better pick, although the latter may have made things too much of a blood bath.”
“She could also just be taking us lightly.” Seija said, fists on her hips.
“Well then let’s at least hit up a bar while we’re in town then. Treat it like a vacation, I’ve always wanted to try Oni drinks after all.”
Seija smiled as we crossed the bridge. “You’re gonna be puking your guts out before we get to that shut-in’s mansion.”