Chapter 10

I corrected the typo.

This is the story of the first day I started working at the Tengetsu brothel.

"Hehe, you finally came. I'm Kiyo. Can you say it?"

"Kiyo-niichan"

Of course I can say it, I'm only five years old. And I'm an adult inside!!

Even though I think that, I don't say it out loud because I'm an adult. And this person is my savior. I won't be rude.

"Alright, today I'll teach you how to take off and put on a kimono."

"Hai"

The day after I entered Tengetsu, I immediately started learning the ways of a kamuro and followed the oiran from the first day.

Today, on my first day, I was with that savior. He seemed very kind, gentle, and handsome, so I was told he must be very popular.

When I first saw him, I thought he was a woman, but I was sure he was a man after hearing his voice during the introduction. The old man had said, "There are so many people you can't tell if they're men or women," and it seemed to be true.

It's a scary world in many ways.

"First, let's start with taking off the kimono."

There aren't that many layers, but this is part of a kamuro's job. Helping a man change clothes is something that would drive me crazy, but since I'm being taken care of here, I can't be picky.

But this scene.

A small child taking off a young man's kimono from the front. It's a strange scene.

Niichan guides my hands while helping me take it off, but it's embarrassing. It's embarrassing. My face must be completely red, even though I haven't seen his skin yet.

First, I carefully take off the indigo haori.

Okay, I'm still fine, I'm still fine. I can't see anything yet.

Next, the black kimono and the obi together.

I'm still okay, I still can't see anything. The red nagajuban is hiding the skin. I'm still a maiden, a maiden.

And finally, the last line of defense, the nagajuban. As I try to take it off, my face turns completely red. "Sorry, can you look up a bit?" I hear, and in front of me appears three unnatural, long, worm-like scars running horizontally across his lower abdomen. They look like stitches.

What are these?

"Stop it!"

Smack

"Ah!"

"..."

I couldn't help but touch them, driven by a child's instinct, and my hand was swatted away.

My hand turned a little red and stung, but I didn't mind.

I was more worried about Niichan.

He must have realized after swatting my hand away, and he looked very dark and grim.

"Sorry, it must have hurt. I'm sorry."

"It's my fault... I'm sorry..."

The rest of the lesson was awkward.

It felt like I had touched something I shouldn't have, both physically and mentally.

No, it wasn't just a feeling; it was definitely true. It must be true.

I'm such an idiot!! To touch someone's wound without thinking, I'm such an idiot!! I'm an idiot!!

Even in such a tense atmosphere, time moves on. Time passes without regard for whether things go smoothly or not.

I became a little more adept at taking off and putting on kimonos, but something important didn't go smoothly. Still, I managed to finish the lesson.

When the time was right, the old man came to the room.

"Kikyo, how was today? Tomorrow you'll be with a different Niichan. What do you think? Since it's your first day, do you want to stay with Kiyo for a while? You don't owe any money, so you can choose freely."

To be honest, I think it might be better to have a different person tomorrow. It would be awkward for Kiyo too. I feel like he might dislike me.

But for some reason, his dark face wouldn't leave my mind. I made him look like that, and I was thinking of running away from him.

Now he's smiling, but I can't tell if it's a genuine smile after seeing that expression.

I was saved by his smile.

Me! Is this okay!!

"...I, I..."

"Huh?"

"...Kiyo-niichan, i-it's fine..."

"Okay. Then stay with Kiyo for about three more days to get used to it. Today is over, so go back to your room. I'll have Aikyo come and guide you. ...Good job, Kiyo."

The old man opened the door and left.

The situation returned to normal.

Kiyo-niichan was smiling with a slight frown on his forehead.

He had an indescribable expression...

"You don't have to force yourself, right? I might be a bit scary?"

"Eh?"

What a difficult thing to answer!!

To think that he feels I find him scary just because he swatted my hand away. He's too sensitive!

But, geez, what should I say! I don't want to lie and say, "No, I don't mind," here.

Because I'm really bothered by it. I deeply regret touching him. My body is telling the story.

"Should I go to the old man now..."

"Hey!!"

I called out to stop Kiyo-niichan, who was about to go to the old man. Even if he might dislike me, I have to be honest.

I, the first time I saw Niichan,

"Niichan's, y-your kind eyes, I like them!"

"Huh?"

"I like your smile!"

"......"

"I'm sorry for touching you!"

"Hey,"

"I'm sorry if you dislike me! Can, can I stay with you!!"

I bit my tongue a little, but please don't mind. I'm desperate.

"Kikyo, I don't dislike you at all."

"Okay!"

"Ha ha, you'll stay with me?"

"Yes!!"

I answered with unprecedented sharpness.

Well, I don't know if I've ever answered like that before.

The next day, for some reason, he suddenly picked me up high.

The day after that, too.

When I had a puzzled look on my face,

"I like kids like Kikyo."

He said. I see, he likes little kids. He would probably make a good mother if he were a woman.