/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>44933132
(2/2)
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It's a usual day in the HSE. Things have been running smoothly, and I only had to solve only two little fights between the staff. For a business model relying on the genius of the kappa and the might of the tengu, that's as good as it gets. Speaking of which, my ears perk up beneath the cap when I spot just the person I'm looking for; "Yamashiro-san, one moment of your time." I call the green-haired yamawaro of about half my height, approaching with a somewhat distressed face.

"Honorable Ran Yakumo, what can I help with?" She stops and bends her neck to look at me in the eye, her hands full of papers—busy. Work never ends for the manager. I grin, hiding my mouth with one hand.

"Just Ran-sama, please. I'm not as old as my master yet." Her smile is polite, just like the little nod. Better not waste her time. "You see, my shikigami, Chen, needs help with her homework, and although I would help in normal circumstances, I won't be available tonight—so would you be as kind as to instruct her?" It's an odd request; she surely noticed it, and it's also not part of her payment.

But Yamashiro-san is a very good worker—a little kindness here and there for her boss goes a long way, and, for sure, she knows that too.

Which just makes me feel worse.

"Sure, Ran-sama—just one sec." That same polite smile is there as she calls one of the many passing workers, giving clear instructions and handing the stack of papers. The kappa nods and leaves just as I finish checking the interior of one of my sleeves, conjoining my sleeves so the inside is concealed. "You chose well, Ran-sama, I'm great with children—where's Chen-san, anyway?"

"She's in my office." I spun in place and led the way, my tails dwarfing the following yamawaro. There's small talk as we walk the maze-like insides of the HSE, people coming and going at speeds, carrying stacks for review, parts for repair of the attractions, or even supplies for the many stalls. Yamashiro-san, weirdly, looks concerned with the well-oiled machine; the reason is beyond me. Or maybe she's just asking herself why I didn't gap us to my office—well, not everyone is perfect, and not questioning your boss is, sometimes, a bad habit.

… Anyway, time's running short. Yukari should be done in 15~ minutes.

I glance around, and the corridor we are in is desert. "—Oh, I was thinking about paying you dinner for your kindness, but I guess you already ate, Yamashiro-san." She looks puzzled, and, calmly, I turn. "There's a piece of cucumber in your face—" I undo my conjoined sleeves and point to her face.

"… But I haven't eaten yet?" She probes the sides of her mouth—

"It's right here, dumbass." A voice comes from within my sleeve, and, without giving the yamawaro time to react, a hand with long nails catches her face and pulls it inside my sleeve with force. The yamawaro tries to struggle for dear life, but soon enough, she falls limp… and starts snoring.

Toutetsu leaves through the gap inside my sleeve, cleaning her mouth.

"Bleh, her 'rest' tastes like shit, even worse than her 'tiredness'—does she fucking dream about her job? Fucking disgusting." I quickly raise barriers at each entrance of the corridor, blocking the view and making the corridor seem shorter.

"Did you hurt her?" Sudden wounds would be questioned.

"Nah, she's a-okay," Toutetsu gently puts the sleeping girl on the ground. "Now, let's absorb the good stuff—kappa switch, kappa switch…" The goat youkai probes the yamawaro's mind in search of information about the switch's location: when the time comes, it's best to already know where it is.

"Sorry, Yamashiro-san—I'll reward you later…" I sigh, kneeling to gently pat the yamawaro's head. "Don't forget to eat the trauma of that scare too, okay?"

"What do you think I am, Ranni, an amateur?" She nods anyway, concealing her magic the best she can as she separates exactly what memories to absorb from those to leave behind. Sure, it'd be problematic if, all of a sudden, the manager didn't know the location of the HSE's greatest security measure—an avoidable loose end.

Soon enough, she finishes 'eating', frowning. "Man, it'll be a pain to get there—fuck you, hag… Meh, thanks for the meal, bottle cap—also: don't let her wonder much closer to Anon, 'kay, Ranni? You don't want more competition, keh-heh-heh." I roll my eyes. Yeah, as if someone as serious as Yamashiro-san would seek love in her work environment.

Yeah…

With a gap, Toutetsu leaves, and I silently bring Yamashiro-san to my actual office, where Chen is quick to cover the sleeping girl with a blanket, give her a pillow and even a good night kiss on the forehead, letting her sleep for 30 minutes or so, setting an entire scene as if the overworked yamawaro had just fallen asleep while teaching math.

I sigh. One problem down.

"Sorry, Yamashiro-san! Sorry!" I repeat, and Chen giggles as she starts to doodle on the side of her notebook.

Hope Yamashiro-san knows how to manage embarrassment well…