/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45064640

Lunarians were always something of a wonder for Hana, not quite humans but far from being youkai in any sense of the word. They were something Hana rarely thought about and aside from a quiet distaste born, rightfully, from their own desire to rid the earth of impure life, as they saw it, she didn't harbor much feelings for them.

Hana could count the times she's ever interacted with a lunarian on one hand and most of them had been Eirin when she came in for various checkups and once or twice a rather remarkable girl named Kaguya who she'd seen but rarely talked too. The distinction was vague to her but supposedly Reisen and even a few inaba that lurked in the village were lunarian as well. Still, now that she met Eirin again for the first time in a good couple years the distinction between the inaba and her was like night and day.

Eirin had guided her to her private office after finishing up some strange ritual called an 'ultrasound' on some wild rat youkai that she was pretty sure she handled at some time or another for messing with the farmers. The youkai avoided eye contact and Hana was just as happy for that as she was quietly disgusted when Eirin mentioned that she needed to be more cautious since it was a half-human child.

Before she left with Eirin in tow she couldn't fathom why about every visible women seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as she left the room, something to grill Tewi on she supposed...

Eirin's office itself was as neat and tidy as she remembered, in fact it was almost exactly as she remembered. It wasn't like Hana had photographic memory but she did remember that as a child she'd stare at the jar of sweets Eirin had on her desk for children. The jar seemed to be the exact same as from her memory and even in the exact same place, it was quite something.

A rich and dark wall length set of drawers seemed to cover the entirely of the right side of the room, Hana couldn't discern any labeling but she had a feeling that not a single thing was misplaced inside of them. The other wall was more conventional with a few bookshelves bound in material she couldn't recognize and with words she couldn't read, a small half-table was adorned with a tea set and some snacks for guests, if the way they were displayed was any indication, sat flush against the wall.

As Hana sat in a comfortable padded chair in front of the doctor's desk; Eirin seemed to forgo the rolling chair behind her desk for the other identical chair next to Hana. Eirin scooted her chair close allowing Hana to get a really good look at the doctor's face, her eyes seemed to be as piercing and enigmatic as Yukari's were but much different in nature. They were both unknowable but Eirin's seemed much more detached and Hana didn't get the sense of being stared down by a predator or even a guru, it was more akin to watching a master craftsman examine his product.

After a moment of analyzing Eirin spoke, "No paleness, trouble concentrating, nor other heavy symptoms seem to be visible. Good." Eirin leaned back in her chair while she wrote something in a notebook she pulled out from a pocket Hana didn't seem to notice, after a moment of quick but almost mechanically precise writing she looked off to her side and called over Reisen, who had been on standby by the doorway with practiced inattentiveness.

Reisen approached and without saying anything took a scrap of paper from her hand, Reisen glanced it over with no signs of the distressed and emotional bunny from earlier. With a business voice similar to when she was out selling meds, "Right away doctor, I'll have them prepared immediately" and made to leave.

Alone with the doctor Hana couldn't only ask with a small voice, "Am I alright doctor...?"

Eirin's expression didn't change nor did she even seem to move a muscle aside form her mouth as she spoke in a flat voice that still sounded like music to Hana's ears, "That is what we're here to discuss isn't it? Your head seems fine. However out of the interests of your health I'll have to ask if you've been feeling sick in the mornings, nauseous at times, unusually irritable or sexually frustrated, or having strange cravings."

Hana could barely process everything she said at once, sick in the morning...? sexually fustrated?! Hana couldn't help but sputter, "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

Eirin didn't react in any notable way to her panic and with a practiced ease let in a placating tone, "I'm not accusing you of anything of course and I know how touchy a topic this can be, but its for the best if you answer honestly, for you and the baby."

The what?! nononono! "D-doctor I'm not p-pregnant! I was just walking down the trail and hit my head and uh Tewi was there and... I woke up here and uh...!" Hana's arms raised before her and her hands splayed out as if to stop the accusations.

Eirin wrote something down in her little notebook and nodded quietly, "I see"

Hana wanted to shout out that she didn't see at all.

The charms and wards were in place, exactly as the miko instructed you placed them on the doors and windows. You took a step back from your rundown bungalow and admired your handiwork, the white pieces of paper were a good contrast to the age-darkened wood.

You thought that with this you'd surely be able to keep your home safe and left for work right as the sun crested the mountains bordering Gensokyo. With a light heart and peace of mind you left on your way to work almost skipping, you would've too if you didn't have a certain amount of face to maintain.

Lately you've been scared out of your wits, and for good reason! Ever since that night along the canals you've noticed things just slightly off around your house. At first you just figured that the nights when you get dragged out by your coworkers for drinks was when you moved things around and misplaced them but lately you just couldn't dilute yourself.

Things like your cups, futon, clothes, journal and all sorts of things have been moved slightly or outright stolen only to be returned a day or two later. It always happened while you were out at work according to the neighbors, some robed figure would undo the lock on your door with a supernatural ease and let themselves in, not coming out for hours at a time. Sometimes when you got home you almost smell some kind of musky scent, must be her vile magics.

They would've done something about it, after all in this kind of neighborhood you all stick together but the nature of the burglar being a youkai ensures they hold themselves back. You couldn't blame them either, the rukurokubi that seemed intent on harassing you and making you live in fear was a terrifying monster despite her beauty.

You avoided telling Reimu for as long as you could, she's already done so much for you after all. Besides, its not like she could take time out of her busy day just to housesit and catch the thus-far harmless youkai, so when you asked for enough charms and trinkets to ward your small bungalow you were naturally evasive.

However, the miko was perceptive and pressed you on the issue with what you saw was genuine worry on her face. Even now you remembered the conversation well.

The shrine was well lit by the morning sun, having taken a precious day off of work you ignored the unsettling feeling of being stalked and rushed up the path to the shrine. You had your hand on the charm in your pocket and said prayers under your breathe to the Hakurei god until you reached the stone steps where the torii and the Komainu statues greeted you.

You had barely realized you were holding your breathe until you reached the steps but fortunately nothing happened, though you didn't truly relax until you reached the statue itself and greeting the stonefaced representation of Aunn. You made your customary donation and prayer with the feeling of safety pouring over you like refreshing water.

Aunn was the first to greet you, patiently waiting by the shrine till you were done with your business before approaching you expectantly, "Anon-san you sure are early this week!" you could practically see her eyes gleam as you dug in your pouch for her treat. "I don't suppose you've seen Reimu around have you...?" you tried to keep the worry out of your voice, "I just wanted to pick up some extra supplies"

The komainu must have picked up your emotions anyways and her face surely took on a shade of worry, "Ah... Right if you're here... Reimu err... She knows when people come to the shrine so she should be here soon!" she said between nibbles. As if right on cue a familiar and welcome girl in red set down at the shrine.

Reimu seemed unusually breathless, her face was red, ribbon lopsidedly tied, and her clothes disheveled. Although you tried not to look you could swear that her usual sarashi was undone given the fact that you could see... protrusions... through the material of her outfit.

Aunn sighed as she wondered off her treat in hand, "I'll get some tea on..."

Red in the face from what you thought must have been a busy morning Reimu spoke up a bit hastily as Aunn left to the residential building, "I-I thought you worked on the weekdays Anon-san! I didn't think you'd have business with me... Err... Well don't just stand there! come inside already!"

You apologized for showing up unexpectedly and followed the seemingly rushed miko inside to the familiar living room, you felt a bit of reverence and awe at how hard working she was. She truly was an amazing women to just drop everything and attend her shrine like this!