The Red District was a place where the law weakened, a place where all kinds of pleasures were offered without restraint. Fake laughter echoed from every corner, intermingled with the naughty gasps of beautiful girls who called that place home.
In one of the largest rooms, a girl sat perfectly still, her posture flawless. Her eyes were closed as the people around her busied themselves, adorning her face with layers of cosmetics. Today, they would receive a very special guest. As the precious 'flower' of the brothel, she was being made to look exquisite, ready to greet the visitor who held an ominous reputation in the Red District.
"Sister, is Sakura going to wear this kimono today?"
Sakura was the title given to the most prized courtesan of the brothel, the girl who remained as still as a statue amidst the bustling room. The person responsible for dressing her shook her head, unimpressed, even when another girl presented a beautiful kimono, hoping it would catch her attention.
"What are you saying? To welcome them, Madam has specifically requested that we dress Sakura in the new kimono that arrived today!"
Soon, several more girls entered, carrying with them a stunning kimono that immediately drew gasps of admiration from everyone in the room.
"Sakura, look! Madam has brought you a brand-new kimono—it's gorgeous!"
One girl, eager and enthusiastic, tried to coax Sakura into opening her eyes to see the garment soon to be draped on her body. At this moment, Sakura was already beautiful. With the new kimono, anyone who saw her would be powerless to resist her charm.
"The craftsmanship is good," Sakura remarked as she opened her eyes, though her tone lacked the awe that her peers displayed. She had anticipated the outfit's grandeur. After all, even this beautiful kimono would be stripped from her body hastily when the guests arrived.
"Only 'good'?" one girl exclaimed, dissatisfied with Sakura's indifferent response. Hands moved quickly to dress her. Yet amidst the flurry, they still muttered complaints about Sakura, who allowed herself to be treated like a living doll.
"I know you're used to receiving countless beautiful kimonos from Madam, but this one is in a class of its own! Even if the guest were a Shinigami, he would surely kneel in awe upon seeing you!"
"Shinigami?"
For the first time, Sakura furrowed her brows and seemed interested in the unique nickname of his future client. The outspoken girl immediately clamped her mouth shut, especially when the person in charge of Sakura gave her a warning glare.
"That's just a careless nickname people use around here. One of today's guests is someone who has helped our Master develop the Red District. Sakura, if it's you, I'm sure you won't disappoint him tonight."
Though her question remained unanswered, Sakura understood that she could not underestimate this client. Someone who had aided their Master clearly came from a powerful circle. Two years in the Red District had taught her not to provoke such individuals.
"Will he kill me if I fail to please him?"
It was a simple question, yet none of the girls could give her a straightforward answer.
"You are our Master's favorite. Even if it were him… he shouldn't do anything reckless without thinking it through."
Her answer implied that there was still a chance Sakura could die if she failed to meet this client's expectations. Such a thought should have frightened her. Yet Sakura remained unmoved, as if life and death were matters she had no interest in contemplating.
"You're ready now. Do your best, Sakura. I hope you make it through as usual."
Draped in the beautiful kimono, Sakura was helped to her feet and guided toward the exit of her room. A thin veil was drawn to partially conceal her face. Every step she took prompted the other girls to bow in respect.
Despite the apparent reverence, Sakura felt nothing but disgust at the admiring gazes cast upon her. Her current prominence was merely the result of the owner's decision, earned after performing her duties flawlessly. Even though she had only lived in the Red District for two years, countless men had already touched her body.
People paid exorbitant sums to spend a single night with her. While others claimed Sakura held the second-highest position of power in the brothel, next to Madam, the girl felt no more than a puppet, moving only as her owner commanded.
Even as she earned substantial sums, she could no longer experience the simplest of pleasures, like watching the sunrise, as ordinary people did.
***
In the grand hall of the brothel, the atmosphere was lively, filled with dances performed by the brothel's 'flowers.' The girls laughed mischievously as their guests teased them with lewd remarks. The room radiated warmth, yet no one dared approach the man seated at the far end of the table alongside the brothel's owner.
"Please, have some more, Sir Ivan. This is the finest sake we have."
The brothel's owner was a man feared for his ruthlessness. Yet in the presence of the man called Ivan, he behaved with utmost obedience, pouring sake as if performing a ritual. His expression remained tense as Ivan sipped, without revealing a single reaction.
"Indeed."
Only a single word escaped Ivan's lips, yet it was enough to make the owner exhale in quiet relief. Gradually, the hall grew more charged with tension. Ivan's attendants began selecting their chosen girls, leaving Ivan unaccompanied for a while.
"Sir Ivan, we have prepared a very special girl to entertain you. She is the finest flower of our house. Please accept her as you did the sake just now."
At the owner's signal, the lively music was replaced by traditional melodies as a girl in a kimono descended from the upper floor. A thin veil obscured her face, yet her flawless posture and the subtle exposure of her chest left no doubt that she was the best in the house.
Ivan's gaze followed her intently. From the owner's report, he knew that this girl was the reason the brothel had prospered over the past two years. She was the jewel of the brothel. Even after two years, requests to spend a night with her were always fully booked, often inaccessible to the general public.
Step by step, she approached him, her graceful movements captivating everyone in the room, causing them to forget their own activities. She stopped before Ivan and the owner, bowing deeply in submission.
"I, Sakura, am ready to serve you."
Ivan smiled. The scene before him was far more captivating than the finest sake he had just tasted.