/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>44975642
(2/4)
“Yamashiro-kun, you’ve already figured out information is leaked?” I asked.
“Well of course, Go-O-kun.” She replies, crossing her arms. “It’s inevitable when one deals on the level of commerce, we’re on.”
The cold wind blows through Youkai mountain, swaying crooked trees and punctuating the truth of her statement.
I sigh. “I’m being followed more than usual and I’m betting the increase in amateur observation means proportionally more crafty agents are on my tail.”
“Faries?”
I nod. “They wouldn’t be on my tail if they hadn’t learned something about my involvement, plus the Buddhist temple got a replacement before we met there, and Mima’s been unsealed.”
The Yamawaro taps her lips.
“That last bit could be to our advantage. Going over the legends and seeing how she operates personally; I can tell she’s not used to having this much attention on her plots without several layers of misdirection. She’s the type to put her rain barrel in the second most popular spot first while spreading rumors about how she plans on claiming the first.”
While not recognizing the Yamashiro’s simile, I got the message. “You’re saying she’s out of her element on center stage and the crowd’s getting bigger.”
“Exactly, the Gap Youkai is strongest in the cracks.” She nods. “But let’s set aside Yukari for now, who do you think is tailing you and what do they know?”
I put an arm in my robe and stroked my chin, thinking about all the parties I knew were involved. Eintei could have my number for leaking the list, the Buddhist temple’s new rat was probably up to no good, Youkai Mountain’s God’s were probably at home plotting, the Scarlet Devils were too spontaneous to do recon, the Taoists were probably waiting to take advantage of the fires after the fact, the Goat gang leader was spotted recently and she’s pretty crafty, if the other Sages were acting against or, Gods forbid, with Yukari then the terrible possibilities multiplied, and all these people were connected to other troublesome parties.
“I can see the steam coming out from your ears.” She remarked.
“The field of customers is vast and beautiful.” I say with a shrug. “Besides, they’ll never figure out our plan.”
“Because we don’t have one?” She asked, cocking her head.
“Exactly. Yukari’s rumored to be able to flip defeat into victory, but if she could do that then her surveillance wouldn’t be stretched to this extent. I plan on stacking the deck, so our victory is 99.9% certain. Who needs a plan then?”
“You just plan on throwing all these groups into the ‘Yukari hotpot’? Are you trying to thin our field of customers?” she smirks.
“Yeah, don’t you hate all this plotting we’ve had to do recently? But trust me, it’s not about who wins, whatever happens, Yukari just has to lose, I guarantee it.” ‘Guarantee’ is a phrase you should never say in business, but I was damn excited.
She squinted her eyes at me. I prayed she had the tact to pick up on the fact that the more I told her, the less our odds of success, especially with this information leak.
“So, what about the out group?” She asked.
“Anon? I’m sure he wants to get out too.” I joked. Yamashiro stifled a chuckle.
“No, there’s Yukari’s allies, those of us that want Anon rescued, and then everyone else who hasn’t picked a side. The third group is the most unpredictable and is the biggest risk to our business, they could charge in midway and kill anon or-“
“Flop to one side or the other, creating chaos.” I finish her though.
“Right, so whatever contingency you have planned, does it mitigate the chaotic types?”
I nod. “I’m telling you, even if I die, Anon’s going to get out of there.” I’m careful not to say ‘in one piece’. “What’s more important is the date. When is the HSE going to be at its apparent weakest?”