6 April 2023
I realized I was trying to too much at once with this visit to New Chizu (I don’t know what they’re going to call it yet, but it’s all the Chizu refugees). Especially when the focus of this arc is on the attack form the yokai army in the area (still not sure if they attack the new town or the Chizu refugees). So, I tweaked the stuff I wrote in this post to make it a little more directed. I probably need to add back in a reference to the kitsune’s shrine, though, or remove Mikuzume and place her in the new village instead.
“...five miles from here. They mentioned searching for survivors from Chizu; you may want to tighten security.”
Keiko scowled and nodded. “Damn it. If it’s not wolves, it’s bears. Still, thanks for the warning.”
Hanako bit her lower lip…
…recognized what was happening sooner. “Do you think it’d be okay if I stopped by and said hello to her before I left?”
Keiko’s eyes widened. “Leaving so soon?”
“The oni mentioned a bigger force moving on Nanmoku; I’d like to track them down as soon as I can.”
For a long moment, Keiko studied Hanako. “Alright, but don’t push yourself, alright? You can’t save everyone all by yourself.”
Hanako hesitated. Was she talking about Chiaki, or Nanmoku? Either way, the logical part of Hanako knew Keiko was right. But what could a group of peasants hope to do against a horde of yokai?
In the end, she nodded, and Keiko slapped her on the back. “And don’t stay away too long, either. The construction crews are already talking about how much they miss you.”
Eh? Really? Hanak had been worried they’d think she was putting them out of work or something. She bid Keiko farewell, and headed over towards Chiaki’s tent, near the medical center.
Current Draft of Hanako’s story (including unposted content)