/jp/ - Otaku Culture

Once we were walking back through the corridors, she spoke again. "I'm pleased that you were both willing to humour me and enter my home." She said. Personally, I thought, it had been less humouring and more that I hadn't thought we had a choice. "The majority get hung up on my reputation and don't take the time to learn if there's more to me or not." I wondered what reputation she was talking about. I knew that there were rumours of a green-haired monster out in these areas, but assuming that it was Miss Yuuka seemed like a rude assumption.

"Miss Yuuka?" Yamame asked, though she seemed a little more reserved this time. "That, um, recipe-"

"I extend my invitation to approach me in the village and ask to visit me to you, too, Miss Kurodani. If you would like, I shall show you the recipe more personally." Miss Yuuka sounded just the slightest bit pleased at the situation. "I have one condition."

"Y-Yes?" Yamame replied, now sounding a little worried.

Miss Yuuka's eyes swept across the both of us, and she placed a hand on my shoulder which effortlessly held me in place. Once she was certain that we both were paying full attention, she spoke. "In the future, when it comes time to decide a date, I want you both to come back here. Under the peach tree that you planted yourself would be the perfect venue, would it not?" I stared at her blankly, then proclaimed that I didn't get it. Miss Yuuka laughed. "You will, but perhaps not quite yet." And off she walked, Yamame and I following behind her with some confusion on both our faces.

Before I knew it, we were at the entrance to the mansion and stepping outside into the cold air. It was still light outside, but it wouldn't be for much longer. "Well, I've rather enjoyed myself today. Miss Kurodani, dear, it was lovely to meet you. And you," She clasped her hands behind her back again, leaning down just slightly. "Ensure that it does not take as long for you to come and see me again, this time." I nodded, and she beamed again. "Can I assume that you can both find your own way back from here?"

"Er, yes. I think I remember the path you took to get us here." Yamame said, nodding her head. "Um, thank you for your hospitality, Miss Kazami." Miss Yuuka nodded, her demeanour shifting slightly back toward what it had been at the start of the day. I cast a glance at the massive tree just off to the side of the mansion, again wondering just how it had gotten so big, as well as what Miss Yuuka had meant by her condition.

"Goodnight, both of you." Miss Yuuka said. "I'd better get back to work." She nodded at us both once more, then stepped back inside the mansion, leaving Yamame and I stood outside. Remembering the way that the whole place had disappeared last time I had seen it, I decided to drag Yamame down the steps before anything strange happened. Then, we could figure out how to actually get home, though I could already tell that I would probably have to let Yamame fly me back.

I just hoped that Reimu wouldn't be mad at us for not having shown up earlier.