/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45758941
Yeah, same reason why I didn't pick her up. Still doesn't change the fact that I was hoping she'd be picked up and written about. Had good potential to have Sanae included in the main plot

>>44950744

Dinner started without much of a hitch, only bit of shouting from the kitchen as Kanako and Suwako started arguing and shouting settled things down enough. It seems that the threat of Sanae sending them to bed without supper was the true method to controlling gods, Hana subconsciously took note.

With good company, nervous sips of sake on Hana's part, and easy chatter the trio of girls seemed to forget the effects of the the incense easily enough as by the time the food was served the day's events were forgotten. Hana smiled even if she felt a bit lonesome in thinking how much her father would enjoy the company right about now, with a note of satisfaction she noticed that she didn't even think of the more carnal side of things.

Surely she was making progress in forgetting that time.


The gathering wasn't a full blown party and nobody got too drunk, even if Sanae seemed a bit loose with only one cup of sake under her hakama. The goddess's bickering was the amusement of much of the night as they tended to argue about almost everything: from who got the last piece of meat, who appealed the most to believers, to who could pull of Sanae's outfit the best. The last argument got dangerously close to stripping down Sanae.

Good times were had but they were here on some business after all, and after Marisa helped put the dishes away and Hana cleaned up the table they were all relaxing. Kanako was the first to bring up their mutual project after a lull in the conversation, "Hana-chan, first I do want to say that I'm please you're safe and sound even after your extended absence, but I believe this little get together has more importance than just a mere social call. Isn't that right?"

The mood became a bit heavier at her words, but they moved things along nice even if Suwako yawned out as if she wasn't invested into this as well. Hana nodded and looked to her mentor Marisa who sensed her nervousness and spoke up first, "Yeah, you're right ze. You know that I've been keeping tabs on that place for awhile now and all, covered in magic like I told you, seems to be pouring out everywhere. Wasn't able to get anywhere on analyzing that barrier since there's always that gap hag's eyes watching. Well, that was until Hanarin got in there, Hana why don't explain what you saw ze~?"

Hana nodded, her smile had faded already as a solemn expression settled across her face. She closed her eyes recalling the feeling of seeing the strange abstract barriers overlapping each other all around her. Hana took a moment to put her words in order as she spoke, "It was... complex. More complex than even the great barrier seemed to be in all but scale and purpose. I don't really think I could figure it all out even if I had a full day to read it... but it seems like Yukari-san has gone out of her way to ensure that nothing short of an army of oni could break it down."

All eyes had already settled on her as Sanae seemed to sober up a bit, even Suwako's aloof eyes had settled on her with interest. Hana continued, "I could see that there were many redundant layers on each other, over and over again all for the purpose of keeping anything from breaking in and out on top of layers to alter the flow of time. Something that changed perception, maybe even the body itself... though I couldn't tell you for what."

Sanae nodded with keen interest as Marisa played with her cup, already aware of the story. Kanako seemed particularly interested despite the 'above it all' attitude she usually gave off, "That was only the first few layers though, I couldn't see anything beyond that, there was simply too much to read in the time I had. Worse yet that there wasn't any weak point I could see easily, the barriers were overlapped in such a way that... Well... It was like the scales of a snake in how effective it was. I wouldn't even be surprised if it had it's own defense overlayed inside of it to prevent anyone from sabotaging it."

Kanako thought for a moment, "So Hana-san, you're saying that it has no weakness? Nothing to exploit? Seems hard to believe."

Hana thought for a moment, "It... It was all physically focused on one location, the entrance was a fake torii gate that seemed to be where all the barriers overlapped. If I had time I could possibly remove some of the layers but there's just no way right now..."

The downcast look on Hana's face must have showed because Sanae reached out a hand which Hana took, "Well, don't worry we're coming up with something even if it may seem that we're taking it easy!" Grinning she turned to Kanako, "Kanako-sama you have your meeting with the Daitengu coming up don't you?"

Kanako nodded, her extreme interest in the subject was reigned back and transformed into confidence, "Of course, I have enough bargaining chips to work out something. All it would take is removing the support that keeps her little operation running..."

For the first time in awhile Hana felt hope surge as a smile dared to surface.