"Neon lights and flowing wine."
Haruto walked slowly along the streets of the Yoshiwara District.
"As expected of the most famous pleasure district in Soul Society."
Pink and red lights overlapped and reflected everywhere. Expensive gauze and silk hung like curtains in front of the shops lining both sides of the street.
The heavy scent of perfume mixed with the sharp smell of alcohol and tobacco. And from time to time—no, more accurately, quite frequently—came unrestrained sounds from deep in people's throats, voices belonging to both men and women with absolutely no intention of hiding their excitement.
"The level of prosperity here is no less than the top-ranked districts of the Rukongai."
This was the night street of Yoshiwara, the forty-fifth district.
"It's not my first time here…"
"But the sheer number of 'nightclubs' here is still impressive."
It was only the early hours of the night, yet the entire district was already bursting with energy.
"Hmm…"
Haruto casually observed the scene along the street.
Far more people were entering shops than leaving them. Even the cheaper hourly rooms—and the even more budget "quick-service" establishments—were currently at their busiest hours.
Even customers who had already finished would linger inside as long as possible. Leaving too early would only invite ridicule.
"It seems finding a normal inn in Yoshiwara is unrealistic."
"I'll just have to spend a little more money…"
Night shifts demanded overtime pay, especially in places like this where attendants worked late into the night.
Fortunately, Haruto only needed a place to sleep for one night. The extra cost was manageable.
"If the opportunity presents itself… I suppose freeing up my hands a little wouldn't be impossible."
Haruto subconsciously rubbed his smooth chin, carefully controlling his facial muscles so he would not reveal an expression inappropriate for his apparent age.
"I've been a Shin'ō Academy student for so long that I almost forgot my former 'profession'… youth really is wonderful."
"…Wait."
Haruto suddenly slapped his cheeks.
"Now isn't the time to think about that."
"A Shinigami's lifespan can stretch for centuries. That's hardly a peaceful road."
"How can I let such distractions affect my—"
Before Haruto could clear those thoughts from his mind, a soft yet piercing voice called out from nearby.
"Hey there, handsome!"
Though the voice sounded sweet, its penetrating strength suggested the woman possessed remarkable vocal talent.
"Why not come try our shop?"
"New young customers get a discount~"
"…A discount?"
Haruto definitely wasn't tempted by anything other than the financial offer.
"If you're young enough, we might even give you a bonus envelope~"
"…."
This wasn't unique to Yoshiwara. Almost every pleasure district had similar traditions.
However, unless someone had grown up here, anyone who knew about this place had long passed the stage of receiving welcome bonuses.
Yes—both men and women.
Although Haruto hadn't seen them yet tonight, Yoshiwara's host clubs were equally famous.
"In that case, I'll have to give it a try."
Haruto decisively walked toward the shop that had called out to him.
"Thud."
Haruto sat down on the tatami floor lined with rough straw padding.
"Hard as a rock."
He shifted uncomfortably.
"The exterior looks luxurious, but this is still the forty-fifth district… the facilities can't exactly be high-end."
In places like this, the most important factor was always the quality of the women. Everything else was secondary.
In Haruto's opinion, such thinking was outdated.
But in the stagnant outskirts of Soul Society, where centuries passed without change, this mindset remained the norm.
"Well, it's fine."
Haruto patted the travel bundle he had placed against the wall.
"I never liked hotel bedding anyway. Carrying my own bedding roll might be inconvenient, but it has its advantages."
He glanced around the empty room.
There wasn't even tea.
The small room—less than three tatami mats in size—didn't even contain a table.
Since this was merely a temporary waiting room for customers before confirming their spending level, complaining too much would be unreasonable.
When Haruto first entered, he had already noticed that this shop was one of the largest establishments on the street.
Fortunately, the shop did not keep him waiting long.
Knock knock knock.
The orderly knocking came from outside the door.
The sliding door was made of rough layered paper, so "knocking" essentially meant tapping the floor or frame.
After Haruto called out, "Come in," the doorway was immediately filled by an enormous figure.
A burly man stood outside the door.
His arms were covered in fierce-looking tattoos. Rather than a waiter, he looked more like a hired thug.
"…."
Haruto spent half a second evaluating him.
An ordinary person.
Despite his intimidating appearance, Haruto felt no spiritual pressure from him. At most, his large physique helped him bully other ordinary souls.
From what Haruto knew, Yoshiwara was one of the more famous districts of the Rukongai. Its public order was relatively good compared to other districts around the forties.
The establishments here didn't need to train male enforcers.
Local gangs were responsible for street patrols and maintaining order.
Men like the one in front of him were usually gang members forced to work in the shop to repay debts they couldn't afford.
"Sir."
The large man rubbed his hands together with a flattering smile completely at odds with his intimidating build.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We've had a lot of guests tonight."
"So…"
Although his tone was respectful, his sharp eyes openly scanned Haruto from head to toe.
"What kind of service would you like?"
"What do you offer?"
Haruto had already seen enough of Yoshiwara's customer service to know that expecting a neat menu listing package deals was unrealistic.
Understanding the hidden meanings behind such offerings was practically an art form.
"Three strokes, four twists, five strings. Seven mouths, eight books, nine courtyards."
"…?"
The rhyming slang left Haruto momentarily confused.
It took him two seconds to process the meaning.
Even describing services this way required a certain level of literary creativity.
Just the prices alone—
"Copper coins?"
Haruto asked cautiously.
"Silver dollars."
"…."
No wonder gang members who couldn't pay were forced to work here.
The prices were genuinely expensive.
These so-called "silver dollars" were high-value coins in Soul Society's economy, second only to gold koban.
Haruto once casually spent a gold koban at Ōmaeda Kagura Ramen—but that had been near the noble districts inside Seireitei, and the price included intelligence information.
Here in the forty-fifth district, payments already required silver currency.
He remembered the price around the fiftieth district being less than ten copper coins.
Celebrity economics really was ruthless.
"How much for the entire night?"
The man looked at him again.
"…Ten silver."
Clearly this had always been part of the package, but the man hadn't expected Haruto to afford it.
"I'll take it."
Expensive, yes.
But Haruto only needed a place to sleep. If he chose a cheaper option, he might be forced out after a few hours.
Besides…
The room he was currently in had terrible soundproofing.
"Right away, sir! Please follow me!"
The man's attitude instantly changed.
Haruto wasn't surprised.
Different prices naturally earned different treatment.
Even if service quality wasn't highly valued, the environment still had to separate customers by status.
Haruto stood up.
"I'll carry it myself."
He picked up his bundle, refusing the man's offer to help.
"You just lead the way."
"…Of course, sir."
Anyone working in such a place likely had sticky fingers.
Haruto had no intention of letting him touch his belongings.
The wooden staircase leading to the second floor creaked under every step.
Unlike the brightly lit first floor corridor, this area was dimly illuminated.
The corners were deliberately spacious.
To inexperienced eyes, they might resemble locations for ambushes or robberies.
But those familiar with such places knew they were designed for certain… specialized activities.
At the top of the stairs, the man pulled open a blue-purple curtain.
Bright light flooded the hallway.
And with it—
A chaotic scene.
The paper partitions separating the rooms were thin and translucent.
Silhouettes of intertwined bodies flickered under candlelight.
Opposite those rooms was a large open hall.
It resembled a playground of indulgence.
And the guests inside clearly had no intention of closing the doors.
They were the type who didn't care at all about being watched.
Haruto glanced inside.
"…."
White makeup covered their bodies.
Paired with distinctive dotted eyebrows and even deliberately blackened teeth.
Haruto simply could not appreciate such refined artistic tastes.
Instead, the person at the center of the room caught his attention.
A figure wearing a Shinigami uniform surrounded by half-dressed courtesans.
A shaved forehead hairstyle, a massive physique, and a Zanpakutō that remained at his side even while shirtless.
On the floor beside him lay a seat officer badge.
"Eighth Seat of the Eleventh Division."
Haruto's sharp eyes instantly recognized it.
"I thought only the Tenth Division visited places like this…"
He glanced around the room.
The other guests seated at long tables had flushed faces and youthful features.
"They look familiar."
He didn't recognize them personally.
But he felt like he had seen them somewhere before.
"If I'm not mistaken, they're probably Shin'ō Academy students."
"Some of them might even be lower nobles."
Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to invite a seated officer from the Eleventh Division.
Among the nobles Haruto associated with at the academy, the lowest-ranked were already middle nobles.
As for lower nobles, in Haruto's eyes they were simply a system used by the aristocracy to recruit talent.
If the family head died or their bloodline lost talented members, their status would quickly decline.
Even newly promoted families had no seat in noble assemblies.
That alone spoke volumes.
There were more than ten people in the room.
Most were drunk.
Only a few fearless individuals were already engaged in open combat with their companions.
Haruto did not stop walking.
Before anyone could focus their attention on him, he withdrew his gaze and moved on.
With his reputation at the academy, he might have saved some money by joining them.
Unfortunately, their tastes were incompatible.
And Haruto had little interest in chaotic group entertainment.
Soon, they reached a side room near the end of the corridor, close to the stairs leading to the third floor.
This was Haruto's room for the night.
"Do you have any other requests, sir?" the man asked politely.
"That costs extra?"
"Well… that depends on whether it's within our service range."
"As long as it's not like the ones I saw earlier…"
Haruto recalled the previous scene and spoke honestly.
"Younger would be better too."
The pleasure district economy of Soul Society changed slowly.
Compared to when Haruto first entered Shin'ō Academy, the market probably hadn't changed much.
Typically, both new and regular customers avoided night workers close to their own age.
That was why Haruto made the request.
Otherwise, encountering a heavily made-up elderly woman without makeup would be… terrifying.
"Leave it to us!"
The man didn't mention extra fees.
Clearly, Haruto's request wasn't difficult.
In fact, Haruto didn't wait long.
He had just finished placing his luggage aside when gentle knocking came from the door.
Compared to the shabby first floor, this area was noticeably more comfortable.
If not for the noisy hall in the middle, it would have been an excellent place to spend the night.
"Come in."
Haruto sat formally on the tatami floor.
His hands rested firmly on his knees as he faced the sliding door.
It had been a long time since he visited such a place.
The unfamiliar anticipation before the "battle" made him slightly nervous.
Then—
The door slid open.
A young girl stepped inside.
She wore a pale blue short kimono with semi-transparent fabric.
The hem stopped twenty centimeters above her knees, revealing glimpses of layered colored cloth beneath.
Bare legs.
Bare feet.
And she walked in quietly.