The two bathhouse girls Horitake had requested glided into the room.
Even though this wasn't his true intention, and even though his mission had nothing to do with pleasure, Horitake couldn't help but feel a surge of genuine nerves the moment they appeared.
Alright, he had to be honest with himself—aside from the nerves, a much larger part of him was filled with anticipation. After all, how many men wouldn't feel a flicker of excitement at the prospect of a little "forbidden" indulgence?
Horitake couldn't resist stealing a careful look at the two women.
They matched his request perfectly: one was a seductive, voluptuous "big sister," and the other was a slender, innocent young girl.
The elder woman wore a lavish, vibrant red kimono. her makeup was striking and bold, her eyes flickering with an inviting, practiced warmth. She radiated a spirited, welcoming energy. Most notably, her kimono was cut daringly low—to the point where describing the depth of the décolletage would be redundant; the view spoke for itself.
The younger girl, by contrast, was dressed conservatively in a deep navy-blue kimono, wrapped neatly and modestly. She wore only a touch of light makeup, looking fresh and pure. She seemed a bit shy, her eyes downcast in a submissive, obedient manner.
Both were exceptional beauties, each possessing a completely different charm.
The moment Horitake saw them, his heart skipped a beat.
I definitely picked the right combination, he thought. This duo is going to create some serious sparks.
If he didn't have a mission weighing on his shoulders, he would likely be more than happy to lose himself in this place and forget the world outside.
The door slid shut, leaving only the three of them in the room.
The two hostesses knelt side-by-side on the tatami before Horitake. They bowed deeply, their foreheads nearly touching the floor in a formal greeting, before introducing themselves in soft, melodic voices.
"Good evening, Guest. My name is Tao Yao. I am your chosen attendant for the evening. I humbly ask for your favor."
"Good evening, Guest. My name is Chu Ju. I am your chosen attendant for the evening. I humbly ask for your favor."
Tao Yao, the seductive sister, and Chu Ju, the innocent maiden. Their names suited their temperaments and appearances perfectly. Horitake knew instinctively that these weren't their real names—likely just stage names used within the house—but it added to the allure.
Horitake nodded, putting on his best "refined nobleman" voice. "Excellent. I am very satisfied with the both of you."
Hearing his approval, the two women visibly relaxed.
They were among the highest-ranking hostesses in the bathhouse, having undergone extensive training. While they were confident in their beauty, they still felt a twinge of anxiety when facing a new guest. If a patron was dissatisfied and sent them back to be replaced, they would become the laughingstock of the entire establishment, facing mockery from their peers and a swift decline in status.
Since the guest's first impression was positive, the hardest part was over. Now, it was up to their skill to keep him happy.
The two women rose with elegant, fluid movements. One took the spot to his left, the other to his right. Tao Yao settled against his right side, while Chu Ju sat softly on his left.
He was literally surrounded by beauty—two stunning women of completely contrasting natures.
Horitake felt as though he were floating on a cloud in paradise.
I really want to just sink into this, he thought. I want to stop caring about the mission, stop caring about the Corps, and just stay here forever.
He felt certain that if he were to reach out and pull them both close, or start getting "handsy," neither of them would object. In fact, they would probably be eager to please.
No, no! I have a bottom line!
(As if you have any bottom line at all!) his inner voice mocked.
Suppressing his impulses, Horitake forced his heart to steady. He maintained an air of practiced composure, acting as though he were a man who had seen everything the world had to offer.
The guest remained still, polite and dignified. He wasn't being crude or aggressive, appearing instead as a perfect gentleman.
This caused the two women to relax even further. In their line of work, they loathed guests who were too rough or arrogant; such men caused physical pain and mental exhaustion. Meeting a graceful, well-mannered patron was a blessing, and they genuinely preferred men like him.
Consequently, the atmosphere became light and cheerful as the two women began to engage Horitake in conversation.
Tao Yao, the spirited elder sister, was the first to speak. As she poured a cup of sake for him, she looked at him with eyes full of longing and asked softly, "I heard this is your first time visiting us, Guest. Where might you be from?"
Looking at the full-tilt charm of the woman beside him, Horitake felt himself slipping further into the "gentle trap."
"Me? I'm from Kanto."
Chu Ju, on his left, couldn't help but let out a soft giggle, her voice clear and sweet. "You're joking with us, Sir. Kanto is so vast. Where specifically?"
Horitake picked up his sake cup, glancing at the delicate Chu Ju while his mind raced to weave a convincing lie.
"Strictly speaking, I don't really have a hometown. I'm an orphan. I started from nothing. Everything I have now—my business, my wealth—I earned with my own two hands, piece by piece. You could say I fought for it with my life."
The two hostesses looked at him with newfound wonder and admiration.
Tao Yao leaned in a bit closer, her tone intimate. "How incredible. I had no idea you were such a self-made man of substance. I truly admire that."
On the other side, Chu Ju nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's true. A man who relies on his own hard work rather than the shadow of his father is the most worthy of respect."
Amidst the shower of compliments, Horitake drained his cup.
To an outsider, he looked as though he were fully immersed in the pleasure of the moment, sinking into a stupor of wine and women. In reality, it was a calculated move.
As the sake touched his lips, Horitake subtly channeled his lightning. He allowed a tiny, high-temperature spark to "wash" through the liquid in his mouth, instantly evaporating the alcohol content.
The alcoholic vapor was quietly exhaled through his nose and lips, unnoticed by his companions. What he actually swallowed was little more than water.
Even in this den of temptation, Horitake hadn't forgotten the mission. He had no intention of letting alcohol cloud his judgment; if he got drunk, anything could happen, and he couldn't afford a single mistake.
The hostesses of such a grand establishment were masters of their craft. Between their social graces, their skill in conversation, and their ability to read a room, they were second to none.
With them by his side, there was never a dull moment. The conversation never faltered. With Tao Yao leading and Chu Ju providing the perfect support, the trio chatted and laughed. The drinks flowed, the mood was high, and the flirtatious energy in the room was palpable.
The two women were professionals; through their words and gestures, they easily kept Horitake entertained and the atmosphere warm.
Gradually, the physical distance between the three of them seemed to vanish.
Tao Yao and Chu Ju attended to Horitake with incredible intimacy. He didn't even have to lift a finger to eat; every morsel of the exquisite cuisine was picked up and fed to him by the two beauties.
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