Spin-off: Four Demonly Kings
Part 6 of: Photo Contest arc
The Demonly Kings submit Kaguya's contest entry and hear the result.
Cardcaptor Sakura is the creation of CLAMP.
The Otomeshiya CEO's personal study was a delightful cove of wonderment. Built in the old Taishō style, it was a harmony of polished dark wood floor and paper screen doors, wrought brass sconces and ink wash paintings. In the wall alcove a delicate arrangement of pink plumeria blossoms was placed; a small shelf packed with antique hand-bound books stood beside a work desk of intricately carved rosewood.
At the desk the old zashiki-warashi sat, engrossed in her work on the laptop, pausing now and then to answer the phone. As any other day, she dressed and bedecked her person in opulent garbs and gems. She donned a luxuriant brocade kimono dyed in the kyō-yūzen style, a tender symphony of ibis pink and milk white, setting off bushes of fresh madder camellias and jade green leaves, finished with touches of gold leaf; round her midriff wrapped an obi of luscious yellow silk that ever-subtly shone gold. A silver pin sat in her brown bob, to it were fixed a camellia carved from rose quartz and small pearls dangling on gold chains. At her feet were her two most trusted shikigami ceil and seimeis, both fast asleep. It all seemed as peaceful as it could be, until someone's voice came from behind the door.
"Ms. Otomebara, may we come in?"
"Bienvenue; come right in," said she, and instantly a thick perfume odour all but speared her nostrils. She looked up and beheld a ghastly sight: the Four Demonly Kings and Arare in his rabbit form, all coated head to feet in thousands of garish colours. "Mamma mia, what happened to you, and what on earth is that smell?" she cried, whilst ceil and seimeis awoke and scrambled for a hiding place. Haruko drew from inside her obi two paper talismans, then performed esoteric gestures with her other hand. "Tomo and Daijoubu, come forth! Fetch me the air cleanaliser!"
The paper talismans went up in puffs of smoke, and in their place appeared Tomo and Daijoubu, two mini-Guardians from the Cardcaptor Sakura continuum. Within a blink, the two yellow plush-like creatures flew off and came back with two cans of air freshener, which they sprayed thick at the four humans and one snow rabbit. Once the mist cleared and the odour became more bearable, Haruko said to the yet coughing five, motioning to the soft velvet armchairs, "Have a seat, why don't you? My shikigami will bring us some treats. Tomo and Daijoubu, mes chéris, why don't you fetch us some of that rose-flavoured mochi ice cream from the freezaliser?"
When the five were seated and the delightful red pastries were served, Haruko performed hand gestures to send the mini-Guardians away. They turned back into paper talismans, which she summoned back into her hand like two butterflies. She said to the group of guests, voice sweet as candied strawberries, "Now, I believe you have something urgent to discuss with me. Go right ahead, granny is always ready to lend an ear."
"We've submitted my photo contest entry through Otomeshiya's website," said Kaguya. "If possible, we'd like to directly know your verdict."
"Mamma mia, youngsters and their youthful impatience. I'm a frail old granny and a CEO, there are lots of things on my plate, you know? But now that you're here, let me see what you've sent." Haruko went back behind her desk, and with a few clicks and types, called up the contest entry.
It was easily the most beautiful picture she had ever beholden. The photo was of Kaguya and Arare in the heat of their snowball fight; it was a feast of splashing colours, amidst which were two brave fighters full of power and fire in their eyes, their stances, all despite the rainbowish explosion around them. Even the best painting couldn't rival the excellence emblazoned across her screen.
"This was the best shot I could take; I apologise if it's not up to standard," said Momoka, only to receive hearty laughter from the old zashiki-warashi.
"Mamma mia, what are you saying? This is the best use of Otomeshiya products I've seen! The colour composition, the poses, the expressions! You easily stand toe-to-toe with our finest photographers! You know, I think I already have a verdict on the first place winner."
The five held their breaths; a frightful silence fell upon them, as though crushing them under its weight. "Winner of the first place of Otomeshiya's photo contest, who will have their face on the Multiverse Monitor cover and win a trip to Paris," Haruko continued, "is you. Yes, you, snow rabbit boy."
Kaguya's bamboo utensil speared fully through a red ball of uneaten mochi ice cream. He then slumped, as though drained of his soul. "Ms. Otomebara, what did you say just now?" he breathed out.
"You heard me correctly. You look excellent, that I can't deny, but rabbit boy has a special air to him. Don't worry, for your first contest, you did remarkably well."
Haruko's words were like a thousand blades cutting deep into Kaguya's heart. With an empty gaze, he looked at Arare, then at Haruko, then at his friends. He said, "To think of it, Mr. Usuasagi deserves the prize more than I do. He has an ailing clan and a dying species to contend with; he does need that opportunity to join the Seven Wonders and gather as much energy as he can. He has a higher purpose, while I…"
Before he could finish, he bolted out the door. Momoka almost ran after him, but Haruko stopped her. "Wait up dear, I still have another announcement to make."
