/jp/ - Otaku Culture

TENKO is the one who gave Anon the gift of life
TENKO is the one who is willing to put his interests first
TENKO is the only one who isn't a horny slut and unfit for marriage
TENKO is also the only one who isn't forcing herself upon him.
TENKO is anon's rightful wife!

Miss Hakurei is watching me. I'm not sure why, but I've spotted her three times in as many days. Never overt, but it does stretch incredulity to imagine she always just happens to be in the same place as me. Eientei is still out of commission, because whatever happened while Marisa was there caused some damage to the building and as such, Doctor Yagokoro isn't accepting patients - with one caveat. I'm free to go back there now, but I'm a little worried about a roof falling on my head while I'm there, so I decided to wait. That, and I'm concerned that I'll go there, Miss Hakurei will follow me, then start another firefight with me in the crossfire.
Marisa has been by a few times. She said she hasn't found anyone that she thinks is a match, but she's not given up. That's nice, at least. I thought about asking her why I was being followed, but I don't think she'd know.
Not everything has been idle. Yesterday, I found Miss Tenshi walking down the street in front of my home. I called out to her and she jumped. I wasn't sure if she was looking for me or just passing through, but once she realised it was me, she calmed down and came over to talk to me. I asked her how she was, and she told me she was 'Heavenly'. I didn't think it was that funny, but I laughed anyway, which seemed to please her. I asked her if she wanted to walk around, because I really didn't have much else to do, She agreed, saying that she might as well "See what little worth there is in the village", but I could already tell that she was excited by the idea. If she tried to do this on her own, it wouldn't take all that long for her to upset some shopkeeper and get thrown out.
I decided to take her along the canal that runs through the village. It's lined by trees and a nice place for a walk, As we were walking, I asked Miss Tenshi how she was doing on the surface instead of in Heaven. She paused before telling me how much better it was in Heaven and that she couldn't wait to go back. So, she was the same as she was the last time. I then asked her why she had been catching so many fish when we had first met, and she said "There's a hermit who lives up in the mountains. I was doing her a favour by gathering her some actual food instead of that mist she's supposed to eat." I didn't know there were others living on the mountain. I wonder if Marisa knows her? I'd like to meet a hermit. Maybe she can tell Miss Hakurei to stop following me. In fact, I'd already spotted the Shrine Maiden once since we'd begun walking, leaning against a wall. I turned at the next break in the houses, sending Miss Tenshi and I through an alley and back to the main streets. Here, there were plenty of shops and I decided to buy Miss Tenshi some sake. I'm not really sure why. If I had to guess, it was because she's one of the few girls I've met who hasn't injured me recently. Even Miss Hecatia, nice as she was, did burn up half of my clothing. I've carefully folded the clothes she made and placed them in my wardrobe. It's not every day that a girl makes you clothes, after all. Miss Tenshi accepted my gift with an offhand complaint about it's lack of quality, but at this point I'd heard enough of her backhanded compliments and poorly-concealed happiness to tell that she liked it.
As we walked, I asked her what she had been up to, and she got quiet. I stopped at a seating area near the middle of the village and took a seat. After a few moments of silence, Miss Tenshi told me that she had been "I was with a poverty god. My luck cancelled out her misfortune, so we worked well together. But...well, she's gone now. Took off with her sister. The last I heard, she's giving tour guides in Former Hell's hot springs." I replied that I didn't know there was a Former Hell, but I'd been to the current Hell and I hadn't seen any hot springs there. Miss Tenshi gave me a funny look at that, but she did seem down, so I awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. I think it worked, because she did seem to cheer up a little.
Then, I spotted Miss Hakurei flitting between a gap in two houses, and I abruptly lurched to my feet. I offered my hand to Miss Tenshi and told her that it was probably getting late and we should head back now. She slowly took my hand - and I found her hands were very soft - and got to her feet. I led her back through the streets, resisting the urge to check over my shoulder and see if Miss Hakurei was following me. By the time I reached my house, my nerves felt like they were a taut wire a hair's breadth from snapping. I realised that I was still holding Miss Tenshi's hand, and abruptly let go as if I'd made a breach of etiquette.
Just as I was about to bid her goodnight, Miss Tenshi spoke. "It's rare for any of you surface-dwellers to appreciate someone of my stature. It's...nice. Thank you for being with me today" I didn't really know what to say to that, but I didn't have to say anything because she had already turned to leave.
That night, I found a peach in my pocket.