5: A Hopeless Fairytale

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After leaving the bakery, you'd found a peaceful and secluded area behind an abandoned building.

You continue to stared down at the plastic wrapped chocolate cake in your lap─the one the so-called mysterious stranger had graciously purchased for you.

Just who were they and how'd exactly did they know what you were thinking?

Well, people had always told you that you were like an opened book, but surely you weren't that easy to read...right?

Perhaps, the stranger took pity on you and had decided to help you? Maybe, they thought of you as hopeless vagabond or something?

I mean, who wouldn't because of your long hair that covered your face.

'It's seems you have a suitor,'─ the words of Mrs. Tachigawa repeated in your head as you can only think about that masculine hand with red and green painted nails.

You, a suitor? That's rich...considering the men (and sometimes women) that would pass by you, found a young lady like yourself, unattractive and awkward.

You were never cut out to have the beauty of a Geisha or the enthrallment of an Oiran. No, you were just you─dull and average you, and nothing more.

Oh well, at least you got free chocolate cake, you shrugged before pulling the plastic off and eating it like a pizza, since you had no fork.

You hummed in delight as the moist chocolate coated your tastebuds. It reminded you of the chocolate served back at the Guren.

Only the more noble and wealthy clients get to enjoy the rich goodness of the chocolate bowl filled with the finest chocolate made by the land's most gifted chocolatier and a side of freshly picked fruits.

Once finished, you tossed the wrapper away and took a moment to simply enjoy the scenery. Taking in a deep breath─enjoying the sweet smell of cherry blossoms.

It felt really good to be away from the brothel. To be able to feel the sun on your skin and wind through your hair. Someday, you hope to get place to call home─so that you could be able to enjoy pleasant days like this.

However, here in Yoshiwara; work was difficult to find and for you, work hours were long and difficult, and pay was low that you couldn't afford nice things or a life of luxury.

After the death of your family (whom were secretly killed by a demon, but you didn't know), you grew up in the slums and once had a job as an umbrella maker.

Again, pay was little, making you revert to the life of a petty thief. It was then you encountered Lady Yamamoto, after she'd caught you trying to steal her wallet.

Instead of calling the cops on you, she "graciously" took you under her wing and you were brought to work and live at the Guren as a punishment to pay your debts.

The life of a courtesan wasn't really what you wanted, due to the demands and the hardships of such a life were too much for most to bear.

Evidently, work hours were long and difficult, and the abuse you suffered was commonplace, both from clients and employers.

It's said that very few women made it to middle age. But for those who did make it, were said to become legendary─and were considered extremely powerful.

You were another story, however.

Every since you allowed your hair to grew longer, people begin calling you the "Kejōrō," in which you─initially had know idea what that is?

Apparently, the Kejōrō is a Yōkai whose face or body is hidden behind a curtain of long, matted hair─just like yours, making her look like some kind of beast.

Legend says she prays on young men who in the red light district, and if they glance at her from behind, they'll think she's someone they know and would try to speak to her. But upon seeing her, the victim is horrified by her hairy appearance.

The idea of comparing yourself to such a silly urban legend, often made you laugh, if not a bit peeved. The only difference was that you weren't a spirit. You weren't a prostitute─well not physically anyway, despite the way you're dressed.

Neither had you slept with nor had any sexual encounters with men (or women). Mostly cause you were scared and didn't want to give yourself to someone you didn't love.

You often had dreams of meeting that special someone to come along and sweep you off your feet─and take you away from here.

You felt more like Cinderella rather than a Kejōrō. With Lady Yamamoto as your wicked stepmother, and Sayomei and the others as your wicked step-sisters.

Even though you didn't have a fairy godmother to help make your dreams come true, however, whoever your Prince Charming was, you hope he would love you for who you are.

But what are the odds of someone falling in love with me, you thought?

Everyone knows fairytales aren't real and there was no such thing as a happily ever after. And the chances of you finding that was zero to none.

"Fat chance." You say bitterly, before bending over to pick up a rock.

You threw it, watching it skip through the water.

Yoshiwara is not meant for love and you think it's far too late for you.

Maybe you should go back to the slums. At least, you had no one to bully you and tell you what to do.

Looking up at the sky, you noticed that it was sort of getting late. You've been so immersed in your thoughts, that you nearly lost track of the time.

You just needed to pick up a bottle of champagne. No doubt both Lady Yamamoto and Sayomei were waiting, and probably growing impatient.

You sighed halfheartedly, before turning on the heel of your zori, about to leave, when suddenly you heard rustling from above you.

You immediately turned your attention towards the sound and glanced upwards towards the cherry blossom tree. From where you stood, you saw something shimmer in the sunlight.

You parted your hair slightly and lifted your hand over your eyes to block out the sunlight to get a better look at the strange object.

Your (e/c) eyes immediately widen in shock to see not an object, but a really tall man looking down at you!

"Hey!! I was just passing by and I wanted to let you know─!" He shouted with a hand cupping the side of his mouth.

"You have an amazing ass!"


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