/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>44955880
(2/3)
“We have a saying: ‘Youkai schemes end at a human’s whim’, not because we’re proud, but because you all are easily influenced. I’ve seen disasters abated by children’s hugs and markets crash because an old man sheltered a stray cat. The point I’m trying to make is: watch your people, the HSE may be impervious from the outside, but Anon is, well, the common point of failure.”
It struck like a nail, why had I tried so hard to get a foot hold in the village? Was it just because of our rivalry with the Kappa? Had I been unconsciously swayed to get closer to humans? Even now, I was here, talking to a human I had some trust in.
“It gets worse though, are you aware of the news coming out of the Eientei Hospital?”
“No, the Inaba take great pains to preserve their patient’s privacy.”
Before he continues, he looks around and rubs his face, clearly pondering if he should share the following information: “Many of those patients are pregnant, Youkai and Human, and a majority of them are your clients.”
I feel my eyes widen. If what he’s saying is true, then the entire balance of Gensokyo is in peril. It’s almost unthinkable, had it been their mistake? Could Anon have taken the wrong pill? Did a customer get something past us somehow? This was part of the reason we had them change clothes, to prevent smuggling something like drugs in. How could Yukari have let this happen?
Luck. That was the how the Inaba kept their patient’s visit so private, it’s not like even Yukari could have complete control over something like fortune right? But no, the why wasn’t important right now, the implications of this…
“Your institution’s on a time limit. Given a few months, a lot of unexplained births are going to occur and even if the mothers stay quiet someone’s going to ask questions, it’ll be an incident with too many variables. Absolute Chaos.” He states, rubbing his forehead.
“My my, what are you all discussing at this hour Goro-san and is this your family?” Byakuren Hijiri stated, appearing behind Goro, who licked his lips.
“Byakuren-sensei! I didn’t think you’d be up and about so early after finishing the Sultra chanting! Your endurance is truly enviable, I don’t think I could speak for an eight of that time and still look so lovely and youthful. These two aren’t my family unfortunately! They’ve just been nice enough to accommodate my schedule and have come here for a consultation. Can you believe my fortune when they said they wanted to see the new amphitheater anyway? Truly, truly a lovely coincidence.” Goro proceed to say, as if he already had the vitality the monk had acquired through Youkai magics.
“Ah, is that so.” Byakuren replied, swaying slightly.
“Yes yes, so very fortunate, and pardon me a second you two, it’ll be only for a moment, Byakuren-sensei, may I discuss a matter in private with you?” he asks, guiding the Monk by her arm a bit far out in the clearing.
I can’t make out the exact words, but some tidbits like ‘coerce’, ‘proposal’, and ‘futility’ come though. All the while Goro expression range from enthused and waving his arms, to sad and reserved while kicking a little dirt, to hopeful and clasping the monk’s hand, and finally waving her off after some profuse thanks.
“Sorry about the interruption.” He calls. “I take a lot of my meetings her out of convenience and I prefer to be a good guest.”