Japan, a federal nation full of local traditional cultures. The splendid view of mother nature, the Mountain Fuji, sakura trees, and local districts are symbolic cultures of Japan. But here is also the tradition which has passed through generations for hundreds of years, the Yukaku, where geisha and oiran live and perform arts for the rest of their lives.
In a town name Shinkatsu, merchants from all across Japan always pass through and rest from their journey on trade routes. Shops from blacksmiths, food markets, Inns, and teahouses are all over the town, but the most iconic symbol of Shinkatsu is its famous Yukaku, the legal red-light district.
The town is also well-known by the beauty prostitutes it has. There are 80 houses of geishas and 5 top-class Tayu houses where oirans live. Exclusive wealthy traders always mention the best of the best houses they ever went to, the Sanzu-no-Kawa.
The Sanzu-no-Kawa Teahouse has an old rumour that it was built by a former federal lord himself, brick by brick and log by log, its architecture is more splendid than the Shogun's castle. Much importantly is a place where to entertain and light up the whole town spirit.
Till now Sanzu-no-Kawa is still the most famous place in Shinkatsu, and a new apprentice life is starting to begin.
-^-^-^-
Sunshine pierces through the dark sky with the cries of the morning roster, the town of Shinkatsu starts to lively. Local workers and residents start to flood the streets as shops open one by one, however, the Yukaku remain silent and so Sanzu-no-Kawa.
The teahouse itself is still in slumber besides workers and staff who are woken up for the new day. In a new bedroom, a young girl sleeps soundly in her futon until someone opens the sliding door and enters the room.
"Wakey wakey, it's time to wake up new girl," a female staff member rocked the girl with both hands. The girl slowly wakes up and scratches herself, the staff helps her up and changes to her new kimono.
"You sleep well?" the staff asked.
The girl yawns with her sleepy eyes still hanging on her face, "Yes, I am good. Did I wake up late?"
"You are still 15 minutes ahead to help Kongiku-sama, she told me to guide you for the rest of the day," the lady replied. "To say the truth this is the first time we have a "male" taikomochi and personally chosen by Kongiku-sama herself."
The girl made a smirky face and replied, "You can say that, but I have promised her I will work hard as a Kamuro to let her know that I have the ability to be her Furisode Shinzo (Apprentice Oiran)."
After the obi is fixed, the lady staff claps her hands, "That will do, let's go to Kongiku-sama's room."
The lady followed by the new girl walked through gardens and corridors as they chatted along.
"The whole house would be a maze for your first time, but you will get used to the directions as I guide you," the female staff said and introduced herself, "I am Uzuki, a fellow servant to Kongiku-sama. From now on we will work together and I will be in your care."
"Wakumi is my name, let's do our best, Uzuki-senpai," the girl replied. The moment they talk, they have arrived in front of a bedroom.
Before entering, Uzuki instructs Wakumi what to do every morning. As servants of the Tayu (Top Oiran) must do the morning call then follow by dressing up, she tells Wakumi that whatever requests are told they must do exactly what the Tayu wants. With a nod from the new servant, they kneel in front of a sliding door as Uzuki slides open it, then they bow with their head low to the floor as their mistress, looking at them, sits up in her futon.
Uzuki starters first, "Ohayōgozaimasu, Kongiku-sama. Hope you slept well last night." As she finishes, Wakumi and her rise up their heads.
Kongiku let out a warm smile and looked at Wakumi, she seemed glad to see her present. "My my, Wakumi, my dear child, did you sleep well last night?" she asked.
Wakumi immediately replies, "Thank you for your concern, Kongiku-sama. I slept well."
The Tayu lets out a giggle and calls them in, "Glad to hear it. Uzuki, help me dress up. As for you Wakumi dear, would you like to prepare my kiseru with the new kizami from the small red box?"
Wakumi bows, "As you wish." As both of them on their feet, the first day of work begins.
-^-^-^-
While Uzuki tidying up Kongiku's hair, Wakumi approaches the small red box, picks it up and sits next to her mistress for the preparation. She cleans the pipe nice and clean, then picks up a small paper pouch with kizami in it. Carefully opens the pouch and spoons a small gram of kizami at the end of the pipe, compresses the kizami into the kiseru and hands it over to Kongiku with her both hands.
"Your kiseru, Kongiku-sama," said Wakumi. Kongiku takes the pipe in her hand as Wakumi lights it up with a match. As the kizami smokes well, Kongiku takes a small puff and smoke exiles from her breath.
After Kongiku is fully dressed up into her usual kimono, she stands up with the kiseru in her hand, turns to her servants. "Follow me to the dining hall," she said as Uzuki and Wakumi bow slightly, following her back.
While they are heading to the hall, Kongiku turns her attention to Wakumi. "Wakumi? There is something I need to tell you," she said. "From now on, you will call me as Onee-sama as I am the top among other oirans, got it?"
"Hai, Onee-sama," Wakumi replied shyly as Kongiku smiles.
While arriving in the dining hall, there are other orians waiting for them. Kongiku sits in the first row next to an orian in red kimono, Uzuki and Wakumi sit behind their mistress. Once they sit down, the red kimono orian speaks.
"My my, I can't believe that Wakumi-kun actually is Nee-san's servant, I hope she is getting used to the place." Yusa, who was Kongiku's former apprentice, just stepped into the age of being an official oiran, a young intelligent girl.
Then, another oiran in green kimono follows up, "Geez, don't refer as "she". You already know that fellow's true identity, still stubborn like a bird doesn't know how to sing."
Kongiku exiles from her pipe and looks at the green kimono oiran with sharp eyes, "That's enough Kanagawa. Okaa-san made her decision last night so stop blubbering, also it was my decision to accept her."
"Right right, I take back what I said." Kanagawa, currently an apprentice oiran to Kongiku, a strict cold-heart looking girl who grumbles about what she hates.
Then, a white kimono oiran tries to calm down Kanagawa who is sitting next to her, "You don't need to hate everything, Kana Nee-san. Anyway, it would be funny to have her in our family, I always want a little sister."
With the word "little sister", Kanagawa is boiling with anger and shouts, "Don't 'little sister' to me! Kumiko! I told you not a girl! NOT A GIRL! And I haven't accepted that fellow to be our family!"
Kanagawa stops as she finds out the white kimono oiran is weeping, "Ow, Kanagawa Nee-san is a heartless demon... how rude."
Kumiko, the youngest among all orians and also an apprentice orian to Kongiku, a sweet shy girl who has a talent for stitching kimonos.
After being scolded, Kumiko is weeping in tears as Kanagawa doesn't know what to do. For such an occasion, Wakumi can't look for long, she stands up and walks to Kumiko, hugging her. The others are very surprised and so Kongiku, she smiles at the back.
"Eh? Wa-chan?" Kumiko is shocked by what she sees but she feels warmth in her heart.
Wakumi comforted her and said, "It is alright Kumiko Nee-san." After the comfort she gives to Kumiko, she returns back to her place. Kongiku looks at her as she takes another puff of smoke.
Soon, the slide doors of the dining hall open and a staff from the kitchen holds up a tower of small trays with meals on them enters and passes them to the orians, after that the staff leaves. Aside from Kongiku, the others including Wakumi and Uzuki are curious with a newly added seat next to Kongiku herself.
Without hesitation, she faces Wakumi, "Wakumi, come, eat with me."
The hall blasts into astonishment, for centuries kamuro are just servants to Tayu and never join meals besides serving them to their mistress. To tell the truth this is the very first time a Tayu allows a servant of hers to join a meal.
Wakumi doesn't know what to do, she kindly refuses, "But Onee-sama, I can't join you as I am just a simple servant to you."
Kongiku seems not pleased to hear from her, she takes a puff from her kiseru and says in a dangerous voice, "So you want to rebel my orders or you want a serious punishment?"
Those sharp cold fox eyes are scaring Wakumi to the depth, she looks at Uzuki and looks back at Kongiku with a shivering voice, "I... I will join you, Onee-sama..."
The dark atmosphere turns bright as Kongiku gives out a smile once Wakumi sits next to her, "Now that's my good girl. Uzuki, serve the dishes."
"Yes, Kongiku-sama," Uzuki replied and began to serve as the rest of the Oirans joined in. It is polite that the rest of the apprentices start their meal once the Tayu starts.
Almost get scolded by a Tayu, Wakumi takes a deep breathe and look at the tray in front of her, a black tray full of luxurious side dishes, soup, and rice, the meal that serves the high ranking class, 'Ichi ju sansei [one soup and three dishes]'. Reminding her past she never filled in such a huge amount of food in her hungry stomach besides yuzuke, hot rice with lots of water which tasteless. But what she is looking now is another level, she can't wait to take her first bite.
The moment Wakumi picks up her chopsticks, Kongiku is calling her. The first sight as Wakumi faces her, she almost screams in surprise, "O...Onee-sama! What are you doing?!"
Her voice catches other attention again and they almost drop their jaws. Kongiku is holding a piece of slide dish with her chopsticks facing Wakumi's lips. She is going to feed her, Yusa thought for herself. More partially is Kanagawa, she gasps in shock and drops her chopsticks on the tray.
Kongiku's chopsticks move slowly towards Wakumi's lips and said, "Here, say ah."
Looking from another's suspicious sight, Wakumi doesn't want to be scolded again so she closes her eyes and opens her mouth. Uzuki almost split Kongiku's teacup as she refilled. Kongiku puts the dish into Wakumi's mouth then looks at her with full eyes while Wakumi starts to chew.
"It's...Oishii!" Wakumi said in delight after she swallows her first bite, such delicacy and strong taste.
Kongiku claps her both hands with joy, "I am glad you like it, now enjoy the rest of yours." Wakumi nods with happiness and takes her meal slowly.
From the others, Uzuki giggles and Yusa is very jealous. Not just Kumiko too, Kanagawa is raging again.
"Cho...Chottomatte! Why are you feeding her, Kongiku Nee-san?!" Kanagawa shouts at her senior.
"Ara~ Would it be Kanagawa wants to feed Wakumi?" Kongiku teases back.
Kanagawa is pounding face red with her arms crossed, "It...It is not what you think of!"
From another side, Yusa is not reconciled, "Ah! Urayamashi! Kongiku Nee-san you are going too far!"
While looking at Wakumi enjoying her first meal, Kongiku makes a relief in her heart and looks at her for most of the time.