Chapter 5

"Yokan is so small, isn't it?"

"Ramon-sama is just big, that's all."

"Oh, you're starting to talk back now."

While sitting in seiza and holding a shamisen, my head is patted firmly. Sometimes I wonder if everyone in this brothel likes patting heads. I look at the person in front of me who is teaching me the arts today.

This person is the ramon oiran. He is 17 years old, two years older than Shimizu-sama.

In terms of appearance, he has healthy white skin, green hair that reaches his shoulders, black eyes, and a mole under his slightly drooping, gentle-looking eyes, giving him a certain allure even when he's just standing there.

The strong arms visible from the sleeves give a sense of masculinity to women... and as an oiran, he is indeed a beautiful man.

His personality is a bit rough, but he dedicates his utmost love and passion to the person he spends the night with, even if it's just for one night. He is as popular as Shimizu oiran.

"Still, the shamisen is too big for you, Yokan."

"Yeah, I guess so. Well, let's do it! Today, I'll teach you how to play the shamisen and what to be careful about in the room."

Currently, I am receiving arts lessons from Ramon-sama along with Shusui. I started learning the arts a while ago, and today it was the shamisen... but the size of the shamisen doesn't match my body.

Even if I try to learn it by force, I might develop bad habits when I grow up and play it, so we decided not to practice today.

Grr, so frustrating!!

There are eight arts I need to master.

They are classical literature, calligraphy, tea ceremony, waka poetry, koto, shamisen, go, and dance.

It's quite a challenging number to learn.

It will take at least 10 years to become independent, so my goal is to master these arts during that time.

I have to work hard.

"Hey, Yokan, are you listening?"

"!, Yes!"

"Alright, let's start. First, from the thickest string, they are called 'ichi no ito,' 'ni no ito,' 'san no ito'..."

I need to start by improving my concentration.

The shamisen lesson started in the afternoon and is now approaching evening.

The red sun illuminates the tatami, and the hanging scroll in the room reflects a fiery red.

"Ah, it's already evening. Let's call it a day for today."

"Thank you very much."

After the shamisen lesson, Shusui and I bow to express our gratitude.

"Shusui, thank you too."

Shusui, who is at a level where he doesn't need to attend today's shamisen lesson, still came with me because I'm 'troublesome.'

I'm not sure what that means, but I'll interpret it as him being worried about me.

I believe it's not because I'm useless or foolish or because I might cause trouble for the older brothers.

When I thanked Shusui, he turned his face away and said,

"Well, don't worry about it. You are troublesome, after all."

...At least I understand that in Shusui's eyes, I am troublesome.

Shusui...

After this, I should go to oyaji-sama to receive instructions for the night's work.

"Then, Ramon-sama, I'll take my leave."

"Wait, wait. Yokan will be with me from now on. Prepare the comb and other things for me."

Oh, that saves me some trouble.

"Will I be different?"

"Shusui, you'll probably be with Uji no Oiran. Well, do your best."

"Is that so, I understand. I'll be on my way then."

Shusui opens the door and heads to his next assignment.

I will prepare the comb and kimono to assist Ramon-sama.

Ramon-sama wears a lot of accessories, so preparing them is quite a task, but it's surprisingly fun.

There are various accessories like coral, jade, amber, ivory, and tortoiseshell obi clasps, dragonfly glass, glass, shell earrings, and carnelian necklaces. The joy of the day when I assist Ramon-sama is choosing which ones to use and deciding together.

"Which one should we use today?"

"Hmm, let's see."

While being sandwiched between Ramon-sama's legs, I carefully examine the accessories laid out on the white cloth.

The obi clasp should be jade, I think. It will definitely match his green hair. Since today's obi cord is orange, I'll use orange dragonfly glass earrings to create a unified look, and an ivory bracelet on the wrist would be nice.

Even with all these accessories, Ramon-sama doesn't get overshadowed.

Ramon-sama must have sensed my excitement. Even though he's hugging me from behind, I can feel his laughter vibrating through my body.

"Haha, are you having fun?"

"Yes!"

"Good. It's been half a year since you came here, and it seems you're getting used to it, which is great."

He pats my head. His green hair tickles my cheek.

He really likes patting heads, doesn't he?

"Nagifū also said this morning, 'We're going to play go in Shusui and Yokan's room tonight!' Rangiku will be there too... It's good to have friends, and it's even better if you get along well."

Nagifū and Rangiku are boys who are also shirou, like me.

Currently, there are only four of us shirou in this Tengetsu brothel: me, Shusui, Nagifū, and Rangiku.

This is actually a large number compared to other brothels, where there might be only one or two shirou. Only shirou can become oiran after becoming a chonmage shinsou, so we are valuable.

That's why a sense of camaraderie naturally developed among us. Although we were awkward with each other at first, we now visit each other's rooms to play. Children's adaptability is amazing.

There are still nights when I feel anxious and unsure of who I am or who I was, but recently, thanks to my busy daily life and my friends, I don't worry about it as much.

Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, no one can judge, but at least my heart feels lighter.

"...Alright, is this good?"

"Wow! You look so cool!"

After choosing the accessories and putting them on, I can't help but spread my arms and exclaim in admiration.

You look great!!

In a deep green kimono with a jade obi clasp, a navy blue haori with an orange obi cord, his hair is tied up with a carnelian hairpin, and amber ear decorations hang from his ears.

As a finishing touch, he adds a red makeup to his eyes.

The highest-ranking oiran in the brothel is now complete.

"Wow, you're good at giving compliments. Here."

"Whoa!"

"You're so light, Yokan. So high, so high, so high."

"..."

Ramon-sama, you too!!