There isnt really any new information. You're right that its mainly a way to inform newcomers on Takeru's character and emphasize Mikoto's fear and guilt over what happened.

Oh interesting. Well his involvement in the Miyuki Shiratori arc probably gives us even more backstory to the "lewd demon bugs" lol. Will be cool to get more of that figured out someday.

It occured to me that, if the next chapter I'm writing is going to be about Kikuka and Ouka, I should probably have a better handle on their characters, and since the sum total of their characterization in the OVA is "more stoic than the regular trio before getting mindbroken", I should probably ask what they're supposed to be like as people, which would also help going forwards if I write anything else involving them.

There are some doujin I can find where they show up, but I don't trust those to give me much more than the OVA.

Gotta say, that would be immensely helpful for me too, given that I'm about to write a chapter with them!

Right now all I've got is that Ouka is the one who can summon a dog spirit, and Kikuka apparently has a similar skill set to Mikoto (I assume this means she stabs things)

In the Shoku game, Kikuka is the high IQ type that was on the beach with that daring little swimsuit that guys and people took pictures of. Later? She slips a "bill" under their door or something to that extent that they owe her money for her services. Freaking hilarious lol. Other than that, the vibe I have gotten for so long is that she's maybe similar to Mikoto in ways, how she gets broken sexually (more of a fighter), etc, but I'm not 100%.

Introvert might not even be the word for Ouka. She's extremely "different" because she was alone for so many years while Kikuka was captured by Meioki. We see this highlighted further in the Kyou arc where Ouka falls in love, or allows the fat human guy to have sex with her, and maybe cherishes him in a romantic way. Unlike normal societal standards that view him as ugly, Ouka doesn't see him that way. So she's very quirky and could maybe be the hardest character to write for. I don't think ditzy or aloof fits either, but yeah she is... different. Unique and cute in her own way. Probably making the Kikuka moments with her even more precious.

Power level wise, I think Ouka is one of the strongest. I want to say in one of the main good endings of Shoku, she saves the whole gang by herself. Since she's a summoner I guess it makes sense, she probably has a huge mana pool and spiritual energy.

I'm still not sure about Kikuka and her abilities. Might have taken some damage from torture like Takeru. These are the two girls in the canon that have lost their virginity to demons.

Um yeah, Kikuka loves money. 

This is giving me a few ideas of how to handle them, albeit in a "lets get weird with it" way, since while I want to write with some basis in canon, the actual context is still going to mostly be in their reaction to watching and experiencing youma sex.

Like what you're saying about Ouka suggests that there might be youma she'd be legitimately attracted to (or at least indifferent to the appearance of them)

Also Kikuka looks like she likes being a little shit in those pictures you posted.
Also based on what you said about her role in Shoku, she'd be doing the "you gotta pay for looking" routine while she's Meioki's slave, right? Because that is some strong smart-ass instinct if she's keeping it up while she's possibly mindbroken.

GOD I CANNOT WAIT TO PLAY HANAMARU 2 every screenshot looks amazing

Anyway got that off my chest.

In my current fic, I made them both highly experienced in demon hunting and the various situations that can exist (which I assume is canon). Ouka is sort of reserved with kind of a weirdly formal quirk to her speech, while Kikuka is also very knowledgeable but a bit more cheerful...ish. She also suggests charging for their advice.

From Chapter 13, "Wandering Cherry Blossom":

Funny thing is, since I ended up setting this story at basically the same time period as Etsu with the consequence that it would also coexist alongside Kowaku no Toki, I also threw in a reference to literally that very scene that @EchelonV posted from it:

Hopefully my assumptions about the plot and events of Kowaku weren't too horribly off, seeing as I haven't gotten around to messing with it whatsoever yet.

Love that, it fits them I think. Ouka does speak a bit differently. I forget if that was captured well when I ran through Shoku with Textractor...

@lonesomebro: Hard to say if the tone changes with them around demons though, or how they are with Meioki (possible PTSD?). I'm not really sure. We need answers!

I don't know how canon Hanamaru 2 will be with them and the cameos, but it seems extensive with several scenes worth. So I think it will be a nice window into finally giving us some personality in how they are in the games. And the cameo involves both Meioki and Nightmare even, though Nightmare is only involved with the white haired schoolgirl, the one that looks like Mikoto and Takeru fused. But yeah I can't wait... this will contain one of the earliest biggest insertions/stomach bulge and cum inflation scenes uncensored. Hanamaru 2 is like more Shoku with amazing hardcore CG's despite the game being goofier.

Heyo @NotImportant, just wondering if you ever continued that Inyouchuu Goku playthrough. Curious if any other notable plot stuff came up on the other branches.