/jp/ - Otaku Culture

"H-Huh?!" Was all that Mystia could say, taken aback no matter how much her eyes shone. The sudden explosion made Aki and Kuramochi restlessly cry, so I stopped to cuddle them some more and calm them down—using the precious seconds to do the same for my pounding heart. I'll never forgive Mystia. I don't think I could, no matter how much I tried… But I can stop this cycle, can't I? Stop her children from doing it; help other night sparrows stop doing it! Help the children that, just like these two precious lives in my arms, have feelings, feel pain, and can look at me—who they consider their mother—with expressions of childishly pure love.

Some would despise the idea: youkai and humans coexisting? That's impossible!

Or so it would've been before the HSE. For all the bad it has brought to the village, it also exposed an ugly truth: youkai and humans are not that different. Both went into that brothel with the same intentions; both are erecting markets in its vicinities and profiting out of suffering…

… Youkai society has changed; they have businesses, they care for their children with the products we make, they use our money and are starting to use our language—yet human society refuses to see it. Reimu made it apparent before sinking to her sins… Things shouldn't be like this.

My chest burns and my hands holding Aki and Kuramochi are steel, yet my hold is gentle. Determination born out of strife enough to take Mystia's breath away. "I intend to change things gradually. Retake my job, stop ignorance spreading like a virus… So no one is ever again stoned in the streets like I was." Mystia's eyes go wide, I keep going nevertheless. "But I know this won't be enough. Kuramochi and Aki might be accepted because they're half humans, but that won't be the case for other children… And to change that, to welcome a new age in the village, Mystia—" I stop, staring deep inside her eyes. They're big and full of fear, but those hopes and dreams I saw still shine bright. "—I'll need help. Your help."

Because who better to speak to other night sparrows than one herself? It makes my heart ache and boil—‘remember what she did to you? To your son and daughter?’

… I do. It won't be forgotten.

But this is bigger than me.

It's about a generation smiling every day, playing in the streets carefree… Which’ll never fear being thrown off the nest.

She stares at me, speechless, and I hide well my desire to squirm in place. I taunted her, called her and her family animals, and— "Yes." I came to a full halt. A trembling smile paints Mystia's face as tears resume streaming… These, of joy. "Yes! Anything you need, I'll help! T-That's the first time a human offers to change things for us for the better—I'll do anything to get that through, Keine! Never forgive me; I can live with that! Just make sure my children can go to school and live good lives, please!" For whatever reason, I clutch Aki and Kuramochi more to my chest, which prompts Mystia to laugh, though it's guilty ridden. "… They're yours, Keine, not mine—they clutch to you unlike they ever did to me."

I gulp down… something… that rises inside my throat, cheeks red, before caressing Aki's face slightly—she mumbles, trying to return to sleep after being awakened for the umpteenth time—and my smile returns, a newfound ferocity to it, akin to that which coursed my veins staring at my children from the Maternity's Ward glass window. "It's a secret for now, so keep it low. But spread to other night sparrows and lesser youkai. Make them know someone is trying to change things for them and their children."

Mystia nods, pure excitement behind her eyes, and itches my skin that this may be the first time she has had an olive branch stretched to her. "I will… K-Keine, thank you." Her smile is genuine, bowing close to a ninety degrees angle.

It embarrasses me to see such respect from someone I blindly despised until an hour ago, but I huff. "I'm a teacher. Taking care of the children is my duty."

She smiles, her chest swelling as if full of inspiration. "Human children, that is—you have no duty towards Youkai’s, yet here you are, willing to change our lives~this won't be forgotten, Keine… And if all these atrocities and agony we caused become just a dark footnote in the story of my species to be read in the future with disgust, know that all of us, night sparrows, will be forever grateful to you." And she bows again, my heart feeling full—Kuramochi choosing this specific moment to giggle—

—and, together, we say. "He always does that." We stare at each other, and Mystia simply hums a small tune. "Your children are delightful, Keine~what's their names?"

I stare at her…

This world is truly cruel—

I smile, bringing their precious faces close to mine. "This little boy here is Kuramochi, and my little girl is Aki, in reference to a late friend of mine~"

Mystia hums again. “Hello, Aki and Kuramochi Kamishirasawa; it’s a pleasure to meet you!”

—but there's beauty to it nevertheless.