Chapter 14
I sat cross-legged on top of a futon, my fingers tapping an irregular rhythm on my knee. The nerves were kicking in hard as I waited for the 30-something "GILF" Fhew, I thought, taking a deep breath. Why am I so nervous?
The seconds dragged on, and before I knew it, my thoughts were spiraling. I slapped myself lightly across the cheek. Idiot. You were told not to mess around. Focus.
The shoji door creaked slightly, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Hello~ Hope I didn't keep you waiting," a petite-looking girl—no, wait, a kid—walked in, carrying a tray.
"The fuck? Get out" I said, waving her off . "I don't have time to play with kids."
"E-eh? B-but I…" Her voice wavered as she froze mid-step, clutching the tray tightly.
'What the hell is going on? I wanted 30 busty women, not… this. Did they accidentally send me her child?'
My eyes narrowed as I sized her up. And most importantly, why is a kid in a place like this?! Don't tell me—
"…Hey, little girl, where's your mama? You're not supposed to be in a place like this."
Her face turned beet red, and she stomped her foot, the tray rattling in her hands. "L-little girl?! I'm eleven years old, you jerk!"
I blinked. Isn't that the same thing?
"Today's my mama's birthday," she huffed, her tone shifting to pride. "Her artistry is superb, so she's always busy on days like this."
"Do you do this often, or...?" I asked, bracing for the worst.
"Nope, it's my first time," she replied confidently.
Oh, thank god.
"Why, you think I'll be clumsy or something? Don't worry—"
"Shhh." I cut her off "Do you have shogi?"
________
"Waaaah waah… Mama!" The little girl burst into tears for no apparent reason.
"Be quiet, I can't focus," I said, rubbing my chin as my eyes stayed fixed on the shogi board in front of me.
Sniff. "But you're sooo bad, I can't help but cry," she whimpered, wiping her eyes.
"Then leave," I shot back, trying to find an excuse. "I'm sleepy, okay? That's why I'm losing."
"I can't go! If I get kicked out by a customer, I'll get scolded," she said, sniffling, before making her final move—the one that sealed my fate and guaranteed I'd never touch a board game again.
Still, my thoughts wandered as I watched her. I can't believe they've got a kid working here...
I leaned back, muttering under my breath, "Should I just kill everyone behind this myself?"
"Huh?" The girl tilted her head, confused.
"Nothing," I dismissed quickly, waving it off. "Do you know anyone who goes by the name Yanagi?"
Her expression brightened. "Ah-ha... you mean Papa?"
I raised an eyebrow as i leaned in and she continued."Yeah, he's not just in charge of this place—he rules all of Yoshiwara," she explained, her voice carrying a mix of pride and bitterness. "After the ban on prostitution most officials abandoned the surface. Naturally and the people in heat from above descended underground. The officials' influence grew, and now Papa's practically the king here."
"Is your papa... here?" I asked as I slowly got to my feet, stretching my legs.
She shook her head. "He usually stays at the Palace. But don't bother trying to meet him—he's got a hideous personality. He even killed a few girls from the district just because he didn't like the weather."
I frowned. "The weather? But there's no sky in Yoshiwara."
She shrugged. "Exactly. That's the kind of person he is—makes up excuses just to justify his mood swings. No one questions him."
"I see," I muttered, stepping closer. In a swift motion, my hand struck the back of her neck, rendering her unconscious. I caught her before she fell, gently laying her onto the futon nearby.
" Goodnight " I murmured, pulling a blanket over her. Without another glance, I grabbed my jacket, draped it over my shoulders, and walked out into the night