Horitake had donned the persona of a wandering, decadent nobleman, ready to step into "The Solitary Bloom" to investigate its inner workings.
He felt quite satisfied with Shinobu's assessment of his new look. "Is that so? Then it seems this outfit was a wise investment."
With that, Horitake began walking toward the bathhouse.
After only a few steps, however, he couldn't help but stop. He turned back to look at Shinobu, who remained standing where he left her, a wave of complicated emotions washing over him.
"I say, Shinobu-nee... I'm really going in now," he said, his voice trailing off.
Shinobu gave him a gentle, narrow-eyed smile and a nod. "Mhm. Go ahead."
"I'm really going in."
"Go ahead."
The more composed and reasonable Shinobu appeared, the more conflicted Horitake felt. He couldn't take the suspense anymore and decided to lay his cards on the table, asking her directly.
"Wait... Shinobu-nee, the place I'm entering isn't exactly 'respectable.' It's a den of luxury and decadence. Aren't you afraid I'll lose myself in the excitement and have too much fun?"
"Oh?" Shinobu feigned surprise, tilting her head. "Was Horitake-san planning on going in there to play? I thought you were going in to gather intelligence and scout the situation so we could rescue that boy in time."
Horitake's expression became pained. "Er... well, that's true, but... Shinobu-nee, aren't you worried I won't be able to resist the temptation and go overboard?"
Shinobu tilted her head further, offering a soft, tranquil smile. "Will you?"
That single question, laced with effortless trust, hit Horitake like a ton of bricks. That kind of absolute, matter-of-fact confidence made him feel that if he actually did make a mistake inside, he would be an utterly irredeemable scumbag.
As expected of Shinobu-nee, he thought. She really knows how to use a soft touch to overcome a hard heart.
"Shinobu-nee, you trust me too much. The pressure is immense. I'm not even sure if I can withstand the temptation myself."
"Why would you need to withstand it?" she asked.
"Huh?"
Shinobu looked toward the opulent bathhouse, her tone remarkably frank. "It is merely a lavish, extravagant bathhouse—a place for men to relax and rest. One side is willing to pay, and the other is willing to serve. It is a pure transaction. Once the transaction is over, there are no lingering attachments. Even if you couldn't resist and decided to enjoy yourself, it wouldn't matter."
Horitake was genuinely floored. "Shinobu-nee... you're not angry?"
"What is there to be angry about? It's just a transaction without emotion."
Horitake was stunned.
Suddenly, a memory from his past life surfaced. He recalled seeing a survey online—maybe from 2020 or 2021, he couldn't quite remember—that polled married Japanese women on their views regarding their husbands visiting red-light districts to relax after work.
The results showed that approximately sixty percent of married Japanese women were fine with it. They viewed it as a form of stress relief rather than "cheating."
If modern Japanese women felt that way, it was even more true for women of this era.
Realizing this, Horitake couldn't help but feel a flicker of secret delight. Not only can I keep the flowers at home, but I can occasionally sample the wild ones without the home fire getting angry? This era is incredible!
Of course, despite that thought, Horitake still had his pride and his bottom line. Facing Shinobu's openness and generosity, he immediately declared his stance.
"I will do my best to resist temptation. I can't let you down, Shinobu-nee. No matter what, the mission comes first. Wait for me here; regardless of whether I find anything useful, I'll be back before dawn."
Having made his promise, Horitake turned and walked toward the grand entrance of the bathhouse.
As he drew closer, he began to shift his demeanor. He adjusted his gait, making it slightly more languid and arrogant, fully embodying the persona of a wealthy playboy.
With an air of supreme indifference, Horitake stepped inside.
It truly lived up to its reputation as the most luxurious establishment in the city—and perhaps the entire Kanto region.
The moment he crossed the threshold, a wave of sheer opulence hit him. The lobby's decor was extravagant to the extreme; even a cursory glance told him that every fixture and ornament cost a small fortune.
Next, his senses were greeted by a subtle, elegant fragrance lingering in the air.
He couldn't identify the incense they were burning, but it was light yet intoxicating, a scent that seemed to gently tickle one's desires and stir a restlessness in the heart.
Finally, the atmosphere itself was designed to induce a sense of blissful lethargy—a feeling of "forgetting home" that made it easy for a person to drown in indulgence and never want to leave.
As he strolled through the lobby, Horitake appeared to be admiring the decor, but internally, he was marveling at the craft.
What a formidable place, he thought. Even with my mental fortitude, I felt a momentary urge to just let go and relax the second I walked in. This really is a gold-sink and a den of vice!
While Horitake was observing his surroundings, he was immediately approached by a well-trained "Mama-san" dressed in a fine kimono.
These women had worked in such places for years; their eyes were razor-sharp, and their social graces were impeccable. To have a truly good time in a place like this, the favor of a Mama-san was essential.
She glided toward him with a practiced smile—attentive without being overbearing—and greeted him warmly.
"Welcome, guest. You look like a new face. Is this perhaps your first time visiting us?"
To be honest, this was indeed Horitake's first time in such an establishment.
He had expected to feel nervous, but a strange surge of confidence allowed him to appear perfectly at ease, playing the part of a veteran playboy who had seen it all.
Horitake didn't even bother to fully lift his eyelids as he surveyed the room. "I'm from out of town," he said dismissively. "I've heard much of this place's reputation, so I came today to see if I could find some real entertainment."
The Mama-san snapped her paper fan shut and chuckled, treating Horitake with the reverence one might show a favored patriarch.
"Rest assured, dear guest. Not just in this city, but in all of Kanto, 'The Solitary Bloom' is legendary. I guarantee you will have a most delightful time here. However..."
She paused, her smile turning slightly more professional. "As you know, we are running a business. If a guest wishes to play to his heart's content, we must first... verify your assets."
Horitake was slightly taken aback. They have "asset verification" in this day and age?
Then again, it made sense. There were likely many "poor ghosts" who dressed in fine silks but didn't have a penny to their name, looking to get a free ride.
Furthermore, "asset verification" likely doubled as a pre-payment system—once you proved you had enough money and paid an initial sum, you were free to indulge as you pleased.
Horitake nodded. "Fine. If you want to check, then check. I didn't bring a massive amount on my person today, but it's certainly more than enough."
"It is wonderful to have a guest who understands," the Mama-san chirped. "Please, follow me to the front desk."
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