/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>46284973 (66)

The small talk continued for a while longer, though Anon seemed to grow increasingly troubled. Finally, he asks, “So… are you the devil?”

Shinki’s first reaction is to smirk, but that’s not that funny so she instead pouts. “Mou! I know I’m to be your mother-in-law, but you can’t just call me the devil! At least not until I start asking about kids.”

Anon takes a long sip from his glass while eyeing Shinki, “That’s not a no.”

Shinki returns his look with a devilish (hehe) smile, “No, it was not. Now let me flip the script on you. Does my Alice have a chance?”

No answer seems forthcoming as Anon looks away seemingly deep in thought. That however is fine, Shinki has lived a long time and so can’t wait at least for a little while.

Finally Anon mutters, “I’m not sure.”

After some more time navel-gazing he adds, “She’s nice and I enjoy spending time with her. I could see us living a wonderful live together, but…”

Feeling slightly impatient, Shinki prods him along, “There are others.”

Anon grimaces before nodding, “I hadn’t… I’m not the kind man to string others along. I want to be faithful, I was faithful but what am I to do when I am left no other choice? I didn’t ask for this.”

Shinki sighs, “Oh a prostitute in strained circumstances forced to decide between multiple lovers. Truly there is nothing new under the sun.”

At the very least Anon’s suffering expression is replaced with a more palatable look of confusion, “Are you saying you’ve seen this before?”

Shinki nods, “The building is different, the meal is different, the faces are different, but the circumstances and conversation are the same. I’d say you humans keep repeating the same mistakes, but I don’t think it’s fair to your kind to consider Yukari a part of you. And if I’m to be honest, Gods, monsters, and fallen angels aren’t much better in that regard either.”

Anon asks, “So what did you say back then?”

Shinki shrugs, “It’s always the same advice. Follow your heart and before you call it cliched, remember I’ve been saying that before written language existed. Ultimately, you aren’t going to be able to please everyone, and trying to force yourself to do so won’t work. Please trust me on that, it doesn’t work. If you try to force it you’ll wear yourself down and things spiral from there.”

Anon seems to accept her warning, “I suppose I already knew that and just needed it said. Still, before writing?”

Shinki replies simply, “Oldest profession.”

After a brief consideration she adds, “Unless you count being a hunter-gatherer as a profession, but I don’t since that’d mean beetles have jobs and I can’t accept that. Ants, monkeys, and the like sure, but not beetles.”

Anon amends, “Well not unless they have a band.”

Without skipping a beat Shinki replies, “Nah, that’s overhyped nonsense. No beetle has a job.”

Anon snorts, though his amusement is a little hollow. “Here I am getting advice and swapping jokes with the devil. I’ve lived… quite a while in this fantasy land of magic and miracles and yet find myself… here. It should be a dream come true you know? It's like something out of a story, yet for all the fantastical elements, it… it’s…”

Shinki provides, “It sucks?”

Anon hesitantly nods, “There are so many wonderful people, but… I should have done something sooner I know, but looking back on it is it wrong to feel like they turned their backs on us?”

Shinki shakes her head, “No, they did. I don’t really have any moral high ground since I was uninvolved, but it’s your right to feel betrayed or hold some bitterness over the whole ordeal. It won’t help you, but you certainly shouldn’t feel guilty for feeling that way.”

Anon gives an almost real smile at that, “Thanks Satan, It’s to have someone to talk about my emotions with. Since I’m getting a therapy session from the dark prince herself. There’s…”

Anon trails off, prompting Shinki to inquire, “Hmmm?”

Choosing his words very carefully he asks, “Is it wrong to wish that Hana… I love her, but sometimes I wish that she didn’t have to go through all this, that it’d be better if I’d never met Reimu. I love her, she’s my pride and joy but… I could never provide for or protect her, that much is obvious.”

Shinki frowns, “Again, I’d say no feeling is wrong per se. You feel them for a reason. Still, it’s not healthy to dwell on such things. There’s no point in what-ifs, she’s alive and is a lovely girl. A better question is what can you do for her now?”

Anon echoes, “What can I do for her?”

Adopting a firmer and more serious tone, Shinki replies. “Keep your chin up and don’t let this cruel world break you. You’re her… everything really. For as long as you don’t crack, she’ll be able to find the strength to do the same. Besides that, you can wait. There’s no shame in waiting when there is nothing else to do. Better wait for an opportunity than lose what you have chasing one that isn’t there.”

Anon sighs, “I suppose, it’s just so tiring.”

Shinki nods, “Ain’t that the truth.”