/jp/ - Otaku Culture

The childcare business operation had massively shifted in direction over the past month. Various factions such as the Myouren Temple, Old Hell, and even the Tengu were constructing their own facilities to raise the new generation, of course, I was grabbing up contracts left and right to help out, but they'd own and operate the buildings, which left me in a bit of a pickle.

So I pivoted. Let the locals run their own facilities however they please, while my ventures provide the caregivers! That way, infrastructure costs are kept local and I only have to manage people! Which I've gotten quite good at thank you very much.

What proved difficult was recruitment. Getting inroads into the Grassroot Network was a huge win, but there was a short-list of other Youkai who I knew, and more importantly trusted, to take care of children. And if somebody else snatched them up, I'd lose out big.

The current targets were the former village teacher Keine, the alleged mother of 100 or so kids Yamame, and the Umbrella Kogasa. Kiene had been disgraced recently over some village gossip, which I viewed as more of a plus since she'd need work and it's not like Youkai would care, she might take issue with raising half-youkai kids though, being the de-facto protector of the human village for some time now. Yamame was a little elusive and I couldn't seem to get a team willing to go searching in the underground for her, lots of paranoia and asks for loads of antibiotics. Kogasa should have been an easy grab, but one of my agents had mentioned 'H', 'S', and 'E' which turned her straight off.

I'd gotten better at managing people, yes, but making new contacts was still a sore spot. I needed someone sociable who could understand Youkai needs, act with some tact, do what they're told, and isn't afraid to get their hands dirty. Fat chance finding anyone with two of those qualities, let alone all of them. Thankfully, I knew a guy.

"Goro! Could you come with me for a moment, I wanted to ask you something." I said, waving my hand inwards like I'd seen some village woman doing.

Seija and him were waiting in the HSE breakroom in those strange outfits. Some of our co-workers scowled, thinking they'd been passed over for a promotion, others had gingerly approached the duo, curious about the only other man who set foot in the HSE and had Yukari's ear. I cared about neither as I pulled them aside.

"Takane-kun, I thought you'd forgotten about me?" Goro smiled as he began to walk with me.

"Yeah, are you here to stare daggers at us like your merry little mob? At least some of you Yamawaro have some taste though." Seija joked.

Was Seija being friendly? Whatever, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

"You're probably already aware of my little venture in planning-" I began, but stopped as a few White Wolf Tengu passed.

"Ah, you mean your future child care ventures? I bet you're having lots of fun sourcing people for that." He said aloud without a hint of restraint.

I glared at him.

"Don't worry, we're flipping the sound coming off our conversation around a little to scramble it. It'll just sound like radom chatter to anyone else listening in. We're trying to do the same with light, but that gets a little weird."

"White Wolves have good ears." I mention.

Seija grinned "What's her name, Momiji? We played a little prank on her to test it out. Don't worry, we're clean"

I shudder to think what kind of Human Resources complaint I'd be filling in for, but trusted her conclusion.

"Stated plainly, I need your help with recruitment." I started, handing an envelope to Goro. "If Yukari gives you a free moment, please visit those people and hand them a pamphlet, I'll give you... this much per head." I say, making a few gestures with my hand.

"And how much is that?" Seija asked, raising an eyebrow.

Goro whispered in her ear and her eyes bulged. "We could build a mansion with that kind of money!"

And who would they contract to build it? Why, none other then their friendly little Yamawaro at a discounted rate of course! Thus the circle of commerce will be complete.

"What about Anon? People are going to be suspicious of us because of our Yakumo ties. I can talk past a lot, but some of these people you've listed are likely to raise a stink." Goro asked.

"I haven't told him yet. He should have a little time without such responsibility after he gets out of this place. Tell them this isn't a Yakumo venture and lean into your own record I guess? Well, I suppose the whole Sanzu incident has tarnished that a little, you'll work something out." I waved.

"And if he doesn't, that's were I'll come in." Seija said, clapping her fist into her hand.

I looked at her in horror, while Goro just looked pleased. "What? Sometimes you gotta agitate a stain to clean it. Stubborn people ain't so different you know!" Seija said.

Maybe I was better off with those sketchy Hobgoblin resourcing departments after all...