Chapter 3

### Translation

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

It has been a month since then.

I have been diligently doing the work assigned to me every day.

By the way, the name 'Nozomi' was given to me by that uncle, the madam of the Tengetsu brothel. He was surprised that I didn't know my own name, but he thought, "If that's the case..." and decided to name me.

When I asked why Nozomi, he said, "I like chrysanthemums."

Yeah, no twists at all.

The next day after I was found, the madam introduced me to the other male courtesans, letting them know that I was a girl. Despite being a young five-year-old, I was deemed harmless and not a cause for concern regarding order and discipline. There were no objections to me working at the brothel. Everyone said, "Understood," with bright smiles and firm voices.

As the madam had said, I was placed here as a bald (a young male attendant) and a trainee male courtesan.

My job is to assist one of the male courtesans each day, helping them with tasks like undoing and tying their hair, dressing them, and other daily chores. While doing these tasks, I learn about the ways of being a male courtesan by serving under a fully-fledged courtesan.

No, I don't want to become a male courtesan.

I want to become a geisha, a male geisha. Well, I am a girl, but...

Anyway, today I am assigned to the courtesan named Kiyomizu.

Before meeting him, I always feel a bit tense.

"Good morning, Kiyomizu-sama..."

"Ah, you finally came? I was waiting for you. But Nozomi, you're as cute as ever today."

"Look, up high, up high," he said, lifting me up high by my sides.

His name is Kiyomizu. He is a courtesan. At 15, he is a fully-fledged courtesan. Isn't that young!? But apparently, it's normal here. Most courtesans start being bought by clients between the ages of 15 and 19 and become fully-fledged courtesans.

Kiyomizu, who has the title of courtesan at such a young age, is a very handsome person. His skills are top-notch.

His skin is as white as snow, his hair is long and black as lacquer, reaching his back, and his long, narrow eyes sparkle like black pearls. The alluring charm that seeps through his black eyes is like a drug that drowns women.

His personality is generally calm and gentle, and his welcoming aura is one of his popular traits.

In short, he is super handsome.

---

Let's go back to the first day I started working, when I was introduced to all the male courtesans I would be working with.

"Please take care of me from today on."

Following the madam's instructions, I bowed deeply and respectfully in front of the other balds and courtesans. The first one to speak was Kiyomizu-sama, who was sitting right in front of me.

"What a cute child. It's tough for a girl to do business with women, but we will properly educate you until you can stand on your own. At five, you'll be the youngest here, so think of everyone as your older brothers and rely on them."

He said this and, with his gentle eyes, eased my tension, which I still remember vividly.

"Hey, do your best, little one."

"I'll be strict, so be prepared."

"Madam, who is Nozomi assigned to today?"

"Who knows?"

Kiyomizu-sama's words were followed by the other brothers, who, though a bit rough, welcomed me by patting my head.

---

Kiyomizu-sama, my savior, apparently loves small children, and every time I am assigned to him, I get the "up high, up high" treatment.

Since I am mentally an adult, this treatment is embarrassing, and I honestly wish he would stop.

But deep down, I kind of enjoy the floating sensation, and I wonder if I should pretend to be a child and squeal with joy.

In the end,

"Yes, you're so cute."

"..."

I always end up silent.

Kiyomizu-sama, who rubs his cheek against mine, continues to dote on me regardless of my silence.

He is a very lively person, despite his appearance.

"Ah! Kiyomizu-sama is doing the 'up high, up high' thing again! Nozomi, get down quickly!!"

In the midst of this, a loud voice echoed through Kiyomizu-sama's room. It was Aizumi, another bald who works here. He is three years older than me and has been working as a trainee bald for a year. In other words, he is my senior bald.

He is a handsome young boy with fair skin, dark blue hair, and deep blue eyes.

Not just Aizumi, but in this world, there are many people with various hair and eye colors.

Red, yellow, purple, silver, and even blonde like foreigners. I had a vague sense that this was an unusual world, so I don't ask questions like, "Is that your natural hair color? Is that normal? Is that weird?" because I am an adult. I am an adult, after all.

I can't make the madam any more trouble with such questions.

By the way, Aizumi has been a trainee bald since he was seven and is being groomed to become a courtesan, a golden egg.

However, those who enter at ten or older, no matter how talented or good-looking they are, cannot become a courtesan, the highest rank of male courtesans. Without the early education, they cannot aspire to be a courtesan. It's a rather harsh system.

Aizumi, who has a promising future, is frowning and glaring at me.

Hey, hey, that ruins your beauty.

"Kiyomizu-sama, you have a tea ceremony today! Hurry and change out of your kimono."

"Hehe, Aizumi, you're so responsible. I'm sorry."

He smiles at the pouting Aizumi and puts me down.

Kiyomizu-sama, combing his long, unbound hair with his hand, smiles at me and Aizumi again and signals for us to get ready.

"Then, I'll leave it to you two."

"Understood!"

My days have just begun.