/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>44957621 (4/4—p3)
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How do you describe the feeling?

An entire life dedicated to youkai extermination, maintaining the so-called 'peace' between us and them, a mantle I was forced to take for I was born with 'Hakurei' as my surname. The stress of the job shaped Mother into a monster—or at least was one of its pillars—, a monster that made mine and Father's lives an everlasting hell for almost two decades… Now I sit here and watch as she cuddles the thing with cat ears, Youkai, its tails wagging just like the cat's on my lap, purring even from Mother's touch; watch as she comforts Aya Shameimaru, who smeared lies aplenty about me in Yukari's name—she was forced—and that had children with Father; jests and seems everything but mad in Toutetsu's or Ran's presence, two Youkai she warned me in the past…

Youkai destroyed our lives. I spent my childhood learning from you their habits, how to hunt them—how to make money from their exterminations…

A long, long time ago, I saw eyes big and frightful, a body trembling in arrant fear for dear life. I was paralyzed; I needed to kill it… I couldn't, and she fled—you convinced that man we'd return and deal with that rat youkai, right? I don't remember very well…

… But I do remember what you did on the way back home, Mother.

The feeling is an acute, searing rage.

Sana and Sara are different; they cared and helped me, watched my performances in awe, and praised me as a sister. They're different. Yuuka is different; she's scary yet comforting, has this aura to her that almost feels human. Aunn is different; she held me when times were harsh and supported me even as my heart collapsed.

They're different; they're the good ones…

“—Mr. Anon then screamed at Yukari,” I blink, groaning internally as I noticed I had missed a part of the cat's words—eyes on Mother's hand patting its head, a surge of fire inside creating images of a face caved-in and bloodied… Understanding such thoughts made me feel dirty, a rush of guilt crushing my mind like a tidal wave. Why am I like this? “M-Mr. Anon treated my wound, talked about how Yukari was mad and to not approach her, b-but… She came to us and said she was sorry. I went to Sakuya-san and Flan-chan then,” she spoke about Father as if she knew him his whole life… “I heard Mr. Anon and Yukari argue for a bit, but soon all had changed and we were on this very warm island. Sakuya said it looked like one of Flan-chan's sister summer houses, and we spent about half a day there before Yukari returned us to Gensokyo… She didn't look sad anymore, just satisfied.”

“Whatever the hag discussed with Anon, she didn't want anyone to hear, huh?” Tetsu then looks at Ran—'ni'?—, who seems deep in thought, biting her lower lip.

“… I have a theory but lack the information.” She nods negatively, much to the mafia's boss's dismay. Aya is hurriedly noting things in a notebook, tearful eyes exchanged for concentration unlike any other. “Chen?”

The cat jumped a little. “N-Next day—this morning—I and Flan-chan were bored and followed Goro-san and Seija-san,” Mother tenses at the names, but… H-Huh?

Her eyes were on me, a deep red on her cheeks; it lasted a split second before she gawked back to Ran, as if trying very hard not to look at me— “Ah, speaking of which, that article about you and the duo’s fight has sold very well, Reimu~the Hakurei Miko winning a pacifist duel with closed eyes? Good business!”

… Mother was in contact with those two…?

Panties. I see panties in my mind.

In horror, my eyes carving a hole in Mother's back, wrists trembling. D-Did t-they—?!

“T-Thanks, Aya, but can you continue, Chen? Our time is not infinite.” Mother practically begs, the cat staring in confusion; same for Ran and Aya… Toutetsu has this sharp interest in her eyes—an eyebrow raised and pointy teeth in show.

“… Okay. About them, they have this new weird power like popping out and in places, moving very fast, and so—is that gonna be problematic for you?” She asks, looking around the table, though immediately Mother giggles, pulling on Chen's cheek for the annoyance of the cat, who hisses, “Stop that!” And clawed her face.

“Chen!” Ran scolded, the cat pouting while massaging her reddened cheek.

Mother never stopped laughing… “No, no, it's okay~don't worry about those two, Chen,” Mother kisses the top of her head, the acute rage screaming at each confusing show of affection. It's been less than a year since this mess started. How has she changed so much…? I look at Ran, who sighs, focused on Mother. “I have no intentions for pacifism during the Solstice, so I’ll kill them if need be; though, what I'm truly worried about is Flandre and Yukari…”

“Oh, only those two? Don't get tunnel vision, Reimu-san~” The voice pierces the air and makes me frigid and tense—!

Aya jumps in place before her back just… Opens wide. More, it's only me and the cat that react—she clings to Mother with her tails all bushy and a loud yelp—, Mother and the rest look placid, if cautious.