/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>46571495
stop edging to your mother, you fucking cat!

>>46242950 (4/4—p2)
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“It's not a card game; were you not paying attention?!” Aya exclaims as if fiercely defending someone's honor. “Now, where was I? Ah, my naval strategy~” Tetsu groaned, holding her horns as if trying to pull them out—a sight to behold, the strongest goat around, diminished by Aya's puzzling love for weird and confusing games.

With a small muffled chuckle, Ran turned to face me, her eyes warm and soothing but soon curious. “So we meet again, Hana Hakurei. It's a pleasure.” Those words stop Aya's explanation and paint the fear of God on her face. A relieved Tetsu talks first.

“Sup, Mini-Reimu! Damn shame I wasn't told you were coming; otherwise, I'd have brought your birthday gift.” Toutsetsu laid back as she waved, exposing a tiny kitten curled up on her lap, purring softly.

“H-Hi, Hana; how have you been?” Aya had lost her bite and looked awkward and miserable, waving to Hana too before glancing towards Ran, who merely shrugged.

Chen lifted her face off my scarf and looked above my shoulder, her tails bopping and her eyes shining. I giggled as one of her perked ears tickled my nose. “Hana? Your daughter?!” She jumps off my arms and goes to Hana, who winces back with the sudden proximity. “Hello, I’m Chen! Ms. Reimu told me so much about you; you two look the same, so pretty~!” Hana stares at Chen with this uncomfortable look, then back at me as if seeking help… It was honestly very cute, and I approached, lifting Chen by the underarms. “Hey!”

“You're making her antsy, Chen—not everyone is fond of a social butterfly introduction.” The cat sulked the whole way to the table, though at least Hana seemed more at ease, gripping her gohei tighter as she cautiously followed behind. Tetsu and Ran shared a concerned look, also noticing her anxiety. Aya stared at her hands resting on the tabletop tensely.

“But I'm not a butterfly!” Chen was oblivious. I took my seat and sat the cat on my lap. The real cats approaching Hana seemed to enjoy rubbing their faces and tails on her warm clothes—cute~it should also help her feel welcome.

Despite this, she sits by my side and just… stares, nose wrinkled as if revolted.

“It's an expression, you cute dunce.” Tetsu exclaimed with a grin, to which Chen just blushed, scratching her nape, tails stopping bopping. I gave her a head pat. “Well, cat got your tongue, Hana~? Last time you talked an awful lot, but here you're now, all silent.” Hana chokes on air or spit and Chen frowns, fists closed.

“No being a meanie! She's new!”

“I agree; be kind to our guest, Toutetsu—she's Reimu's daughter and making her feel safe and sound around us should be our priority.” Ran says with a chastise tone, Chen frantically nodding…

Tetsu tries to hide a smirk, but I notice it very well, my heart warming with her next words: “Oh well, guess you're right, Ranni. Sorry for being an ass, girlie.”

Hana stutters at first, flushed, as one cat comes to loaf on her lap—! She then looks at me, her eyes featuring this weird hope, before glancing at Chen and… I don't know; there's just this thing behind her eyes that I don't understand. I nod, though, and it seems like enough. “I-It's no problem…” She mutters, eyes scurrying the table before falling on Aya, who'd just swallowed cold nothingness, eyes big as a doe’s and watery as if about to cry. I sigh with the sad display, remembering that tight hug she gave me that night… Damn crow, I think I know what the problem is—hope I’m right; otherwise, it’ll be very embarrassing.

“Aya, it's okay.” All eyes are on me and I try my goddamn best to make my voice sound soft, “No one else blames you for not returning to the party after coming to me. I dealt with Yukari just fine.” Hana’s confusion changes to surprise, big eyes jumping back to Aya, who tensely laughs. Spot on. “… Are your eggs fine?”

Face flushed, she halts her words. “Y-Yeah… All four of them—two boys and two girls, my tiny devils—were soundly delivered~” It’s easy to smile at that…

… Though less so to hide this sudden feeling of emptiness.

Hana stares at me silently as I hug Chen tighter.

“That's very nice to hear, Aya! Anon must be so happy!” Hana mumbles to herself, though I don't hear because Chen purred, nestling her head on my chest before whispering lowly: 'Thanks, Ayaya looks happy again~'… Aya didn't look like crying anymore—at least not in a bad way, as Tetsu decided to hound her with embarrassing baby questions, the crow achieving a crimson so deep one'd think she was seasoned with paprika~

Ran cleared her throat, getting everyone’s attention. “Now that everyone is here and pleasantries have been exchanged, let's start this.” Her gaze shifts to Chen, who stiffens, ears pressed against her hair, tails dropping. I tenderly patted her head to calm her down.

Hana shuffles on my side, obviously uncomfortable, and my hand instinctively reaches out to comfort her.

… Then I remember those eyes when I touched her shoulder…

Before I could reach hers, I withdrew mine.