/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45566937
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The bottom of the raging river was freezing.

Yet, I felt nothing. A warmth swam inside like I was fireborn, my limbs strong and head clear, not a scream of terror echoing; no iron chains pulling me to the depths, my mind on the objective: catch those fish.

Holding a basket, I swam touching the bottom, catching all I could while holding my breath. Grinning, I noticed it was a much better haul than in my past excursions, though the effects of hypoxia started to appear, so I immediately began resurfacing.

Breaking the water barrier with flowing platinum hair and drinking from fresh air never gets old; same for the thunderous laughter on the shore. “Look at your sexy mother go, kiddos!” Mokou yelled, the twins in their small shared cradle by her side, both under a mountain of blankets and winter clothes despite having Mokou's blessing of warmth—so cute~—; their loud mother busy sewing something. I scoffed, huffing and paddling out of the water, flushed despite the harsh climate and few clothes.

“I still haven't gotten used to this,” I mumble, putting the basket down and graciously taking the towel Mokou extended to me—she looked smug.

“You better get, then—under me, none of you three is feeling cold ever again~” With a hearty laugh, she nuzzles the kids, and my heart grows. Ever since Mokou decided my single bed could surely fit all of us four, my night terrors of cold and devouring water currents have faded away… It's a welcome change. “Get yourself dressed already; it's almost time! I don't want anyone to see you with so much exposed skin, Keine.” Her pouting is cute; Aki mumbles with the loudness, and Mochi chews on his fist.

I giggle before actually getting myself dressed properly. The meeting we're going to have in about half an hour is very important, and attending it in my bra and undies could be offensive.

I guess.

… After all, it's a meeting with various youkai. Mystia contacted me recently, saying she had talked to a bunch of youkai in situations similar to hers and amassed a good number for our cause—though rage persists, it has cooled off; this is much bigger than me—and with the letter reviewed again and again until perfection and then cloned by hand, nothing else stands between us and defying Gensokyo's status quo.

Success… failure…

… Sweet smiles, beautiful wings—so much is at stake.

Frightening doesn't begin to describe it.

Though, no chill comes as a strong, warm arm envelops me from behind, gentle lips kissing my nape. I feel safe. “Overthinking again?” There's no need for an answer; a simple hum and she nods slowly. “… I don't know what'll happen either, Keine. However, no matter what goes—we win or we lose—know that I won’t let anyone or anything destroy our family, okay? I'll protect us. Forever and ever.” I turn to her, seeing the fire in her eyes—the fire of someone who'd burn the world for you.

It’s warmer than her blessing.

“Thank you, Mokou~” I place my head on her chest, her heartbeat a calming, beautiful song. The moment lasts for a bit more, her hands caressing my back and soft lips kissing my scalp, before Mokou undoes the hug with a mischievous grin.

“But fuck that doom and gloom—we're gonna crush when the time comes!” She walks to the black fabric she was sewing on. “And, with you being our cool leader, it'd be nice if you could, you know… Stand out a bit more?” My smile turns into a frown, eyes looking at my clothes: blue sundress, a red tie, quaint ballet shoes. I look back at Mokou, who titters. “There's nothing wrong with how you dress, dork. You’re beautiful~But for a leader…? That won't cut it. Soooo—I made this!”

With a toothy grin, she shows me the black fabric, revealing it to be a long cloak that would probably be centimeters away from brushing against the ground if I wore it. Hm… It can work; it's gaudy and simple, easily recognizable too. That over a blue dress like mine would just enhance the colors and—

Then Mokou turns it, and color drains from my face.

“I know, I know—rad, isn't it? It's a design from one of my Spellcards, more: I read in a book I got at Suzu that it means prosperity or something, and it has relations with gods of Thunder, so it's very strong-looking~but you already know that, right? And, oh, I used red and white so you'd always have me at your back~Heh, so, what do you think?!” She looked very proud of herself. Mochi was laughing.

Well… She wasn't wrong in most of what she said.

Still, that'd apply if the thing wasn't crooked.

With the gentlest tone I can muster, I say: “Mokou… I appreciate your effort and thought—but you see, the ura-manji, when crooked like that, has a very… particular history.”

She blinked, ignorance latent. “Oh, and what would that be?”

After explaining it to her in detail, Mokou swiftly began unstitching the crooked swastika from the cloak, constantly sobbing and mumbling: 'I-I'm s-sworry!' Mochi laughed cutely, Aki was grumpy at the noise, and I kissed Mokou's head a lot to comfort her.