/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45658609

Still, that didn’t mean that things were done. Hana pulled out another present: a rectangular object wrapped in simple brown paper bearing the sign of Kosuzu’s shop. Curious she opened it, undoing the book binding and seeing the plain cover that didn’t give away a detail. Kosuzu spoke up above the din of conversation with a soft smile, “Ah, I didn’t think you’d open it yet, it’s not the best gift or anything and its handmade and all, but I’m confident of the quality you know!”

As if to answer the question Hana didn’t get around to saying Kosuzu responded and elicited a soft jingle form the bells that adorned her hair, “It’s a little bit of everything since I didn’t really know what you liked too well, I had Marisa help me out as well as Aya!”

Hana flipped through the pages skimming over it, at the start was a short introduction of well wishes by Kosuzu and beyond that, “Ah, the first pages I devoted to compiling some information back when Aya ran an article and some follow up headlines that talked about your birth and all, everyone was excited and while I doubt you still have it, I got you a rattle since your parents were lacking on goods at the time!”

Hana had mixed feelings looking upon its pages, a picture of her, her father… and mother… all with smiling expressions in what must have been one of the few photos Aya would ever get her family to take willingly, in the background there were a few other figures though she couldn’t make them out, was that a mob cap on one or two? What about the horns on the other? Ah, that one had to be Aunn… Still, she smiled skimming through an interview with her father accompanied by a photo of him, healthy, young, and happy.

The voice of that grinning book keeper didn’t lessen in excitement, “Oh but do keep going, it’s a couple of other things as well!” Hana turned the pages, and this time she saw Marisa grinning, seemingly recovered… there was also a bump on Tewi’s head that wasn’t there before… “This part was a collaboration by Marisa and me, she helped me write and illustrate some of the new spellcards she’s encountered.” Marisa added in, “That’s right, I had them laying around and stuff but I never got around to compiling a new grimoire, so this is a one-of-a-kind never before seen look at some of the crazier spell cards you’ve never seen before ze!”

Hana was impressed, the illustrations were in full color containing all sorts of useful notes about this and that youkai’s spell cards. Unlike the previous grimoire that she read this one included practical commentary underneath about what she could learn from it and strategies that could be used to counter some of the crazier ones. It was invaluable just for that alone and Hana’s eyes shone seeing some of the special spell cards developed by Sanae and Marisa appearing.

Flipping the pages beyond she found another part of the book, recipes? They were familiar too, all of them were Hana’s favorite dishes. How did- Letting out a chuckle Kosuzu was enjoying the limelight, “Suzunaan is the supplier of books directly to your father after all, so in between me and an unnamed source we were able to get your father to give us some of your favorites, even if it lacks his touch, it’ll taste great!”

Hana was flattered that she went out of her way so much, but before she could thank her Kosuzu spoke again.

Kosuzu was clearly letting it get to her head, “but wait, there’s more! That’s right Hana-chan. Last time I went to loan him books your father told me you would love to read and reread Agatha Chris Q’s works, so as a privilege of being their publishers I’ve even included an unpublished story. The last one they wrote before Aky- er, they died!”

Hana gawked at Kosuzu before flipping the pages and finding it, a short story titled ‘a winter’s vanishing’ with Agatha’s pen name under it in her handwriting. Hana got up and hugged the book keeper as Kosuzu wrapped around her as well, Hana letting out a deep ‘Thank you so much, it means a lot!’. As Hana separated from the hug, she noticed that Kosuzu looked a bit… no, way too smug. An expression which Marisa shared as Hana sent a thanks her way as well.