Ever since the day when Fuyou had first broken her promise to him, gone to visit her aunt, and been extremely rebellious towards him, Butsuma had been ruminating on Fuyou's words in his head.
"Thinking about how to live from now on"
When I closed my eyes, memories from long ago came back to me.
"Because ninjas only see us as commodities."
This was the answer Butsuma received when he asked Suiren why she hated shinobi.
"Human trafficking, arranged marriages, espionage, child-producing devices, and prostitution. Among other things."
These words were inappropriate for a 12-year-old girl with an innocent and cute face.
"Do you know us, the Tachibana clan?"
"N-no... sorry. I don't know."
"Yeah. If I had known, I don't think I would have been friends with you."
Suiren spoke with a smile on her face.
"Hey, am I cute?"
"Huh? What's with that, all of a sudden... I don't understand."
"Most of my family are beautiful. It's just the way we evolved."
"evolution?"
"Yes. We are dolls that have evolved to seduce and exploit the weakest instinct of humans, which is to be attracted to beautiful things."
"What's that..."
"And then the ones who buy those dolls and sell them are the ninja."
Suiren went to pick up the wooden sword that had flown away. After picking it up, she turned around with a smile.
"One day, I too will be bought by someone or sold somewhere."
Butsuma said nothing. Finally, Butsuma understood what Suiren was saying.
Then, suddenly realizing something, he said:
"Sure, there may be some bad ninja out there, but most ninja fight to protect their families, their friends, and the general public. That includes me, too."
"Yes, to protect. I think some sacrifices are natural in order to protect."
"Are you saying that the sacrifices are you?"
"Let's stop this. I don't like shinobi. But I like Butsuma. Okay, let's get along."
Saying this, he once again readied his wooden sword and shouted, "Come on!" Butsuma also readied himself and headed towards Suiren.
From then on, the two began meeting frequently, when Butsuma was not on missions or training with his compatriots.
They practiced sword fighting, ran races, and sometimes even reluctantly played house, and the two of them became closer. There were times when they couldn't see each other for days. A week, two weeks... a month, sometimes even two months... But when they met again, they were absorbed in spending time together, as if to make up for the days they had been apart.
Being with water lilies in the butsuma makes the mind feel at peace and joyful, and their beautiful appearance makes the heart flutter.
Butsuma vowed to himself that he would definitely protect Suiren, who had called her a doll.
It was the day Butsuma turned 14 years old.
Her father told her that he would decide on a fiance for her. They wouldn't be getting married right away, but once a fiance is decided, there will be no future for her and Suiren together.
"I don't want to. I don't want to be engaged... I'm just going to get married."
"Don't be selfish. Even if you are engaged, you will have freedom until you turn 18 and are ready to get married."
"So then, is it okay for me to become engaged to the person I love?"
"What's up with you? So you already have someone like that. Well, you're talented and have the skills to rival any adult, so I won't complain. So, what kind of family does she come from?"
"A child of the Tachibana clan... fourteen years old, just like me. Well, we're still just friends, though..."
"Tachibana?! I see. It'll cost a bit of money, but that's okay. I'll give it a go."
Butsuma told my father about Suiren's name, and my father went to visit Suiren's parents.
"Oh my, I can't believe my child and Lady Kagami's son knew each other! I hope that wasn't rude."
"No no, it seems that my son likes you very much and says that he won't get engaged to anyone other than you."
"We would be honored if my daughter were engaged to the son of the head of the Senju clan. Even if an arranged marriage is decided, it is customary not to inform my daughter until the day of the marriage, so I'm sure she will be overjoyed when she finds out that her arranged marriage partner is Butsuma-sama!"
"Hahaha. That would be good. So, how much would it cost for a 14 year old girl..."
Thus, Butsuma and Suiren were arranged to meet. Butsuma was overjoyed. But unfortunately, he was forbidden to tell Suiren that she was the one he was to meet.
I think Suiren likes me too, so it'll probably be okay.
"Suiren. Your arranged marriage has been arranged. It's in a week. Make sure you're well prepared."
"Huh..."
"There's no need to worry. Your partner is a ninja from this territory and lives close by, so you won't have to go far. Best of all, he's the same age as you and has a bright future! That's great."
"...."
Even seeing her parents looking happy, there's no way Suiren would feel happy.
Matchmaking.
That means they will be bought at high prices.
For generations, the Tachibana clan has married off their children in exchange for high amounts of money, creating connections through political marriages and doing business. When they married ninjas, they were promised strong protection, and when they married daimyo or government officials, they were involved in politics and had their business favored. That's how the clan has survived.
The Tachibana clan has an overwhelmingly high birth rate of girls, and almost without exception, they give birth to beautiful men and women. They are born with natural beauty, and high intelligence and culture cultivated through elite education. They have used these as weapons. Even if they marry into other clans, the genetic traits are almost always passed on, so there was a high demand from shinobi and some daimyo of other countries who knew about the Tachibana clan, who wanted to buy, use, or make wives of Tachibana girls.
And within the territory of the Senju clan, a custom had developed of using the Tachibana clan to trade with the country, other countries, and other clans.
To Suiren, the idea of an arranged marriage is essentially an order. A child has no right to refuse.
The meeting place was the usual training ground.
I promise to hold Suiren in my arms and climb a tree today.
Just as Butsuma was thinking about what funny joke he could tell Suiren to make her laugh today, he heard the usual footsteps behind him.
"You're too late!"
He complains about Suiren being late, but Butsuma's voice just keeps getting lively.
"I was busy cutting the wooden sword out of the tree so I was late. Sorry."
"Don't just say things like, 'I went fishing at the diner and my order was late.' Seriously, you're so funny…Hey, weren't we supposed to be climbing trees today?"
"Shut up. Today we'll practice swordsmanship first! Great!"
"Oh, yeah, yeah. I guess there's no other way."
Butsuma took out the wooden sword he had hidden in a gap in the wood and reluctantly took up his stance.
Suiren's expression was more serious than usual, but Butsuma didn't notice the change.
Clang, clang, clang!
Suiren waits for an opening in the altar and rhythmically strikes with her wooden sword.
Butsuma honestly had no intention of taking the fight seriously. He watched as Fuyou approached earnestly, seeming to enjoy it. There was no way Suiren could win against him in her current state anyway.
...And soon, Suiren will be mine...
YAAAHHH!!!
Suiren did not miss the moment when an opening appeared in the Buddhist altar.
He opens his eyes wide and strikes the left side of the Buddha's abdomen with all his might.
"Ouch――"
Butsuma clutched his side and knelt to the ground.
As he endured the pain, he looked at the water lily with a distorted face, and even though it was the first time he had taken a lily from the Buddhist altar, his face looked very sad.
Tears were about to spill.
"Butsuma! Why didn't you come seriously? I won't be happy at all even if I win like this!"
"...N-no, I was serious...You've gotten stronger, haven't you?..."
"You idiot from the altar!"
"...?"
Suiren turned her back to the altar and sniffled. She seemed to be crying.
"Hey... what's wrong? Did something happen?"
"What a cute, cute doll...I wonder who will buy it!!"
Butsuma thought that Suiren was still worried about being bought by someone.
He walked up behind Suiren and picked her up.
"I won't let anyone buy you!"
Butsuma picked up Suiren and climbed the tree at breakneck speed. Suiren closed her eyes and tightened her arms around Butsuma's neck. A sweet scent faintly tickled Butsuma's nose.
"Look! The sunset looks beautiful today."
"...It's all thanks to me being late..."
"She's still not cute as usual. Seriously..."
Suiren held her hand up to shade the setting sun and looked through the gap at Butsuma's face.
"Am I not that cute?"
Suiren removed her hands and stared at the altar with an expression that seemed both dazzled and sad.
Suiren's face was illuminated by the setting sun, her skin, eyes, and long eyelashes all shining. Her long black hair was tied high at the back of her head and fluttered slightly in the wind.
"...That's not true...cute."
Hearing these words, Suiren embraced Butsuma's head and kissed him on the lips.
"...You finally said I was cute... How many years are you going to make me wait? You idiot..."
"It's weird for a man to casually call a woman cute!"
Butsuma's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of his mouth, and he turned to face the front.
Soon the sun will set over the mountain ridges.
And another beautiful day passes.
The sound of the cooling rain made Suiren's heart feel incredibly cold and sad.
Beautifully dressed and wearing light makeup, Suiren was walking down the hallway, flanked by her father and mother.
The rain-soaked peonies in the garden were drooping their heads, and it was as if they were looking at me.
We went into the room and waited for the person to arrive. My parents were talking to each other with happy looks on their faces the whole time.
What kind of ninja boy her arranged marriage partner was...that didn't really matter to Suiren.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
A large man, about my father's age, came into the room, bending slightly to avoid hitting his head.
Afterwards, a little later, the boy she is being arranged to meet comes in.
Even though she knew in her head that Suiren didn't really matter, she couldn't help but look timidly at the boy.
"B-Buddhist altar?! Wh-why?!"
"Hahaha. You're surprised. You and Butsuma-sama are friends, aren't you? Butsuma-sama actually said that if he were to marry me, I'd definitely want you to be my bride. That's great!"
My father smiled cheerfully and asked my mother to agree, and my mother nodded repeatedly with a smile.
"Sorry Suiren...I surprised you."
"Even if we were just friends, it must have been a big surprise to you to hear that your arranged marriage partner was Butsuma. I'm sorry. I'm my father's Senjukyōma. But even so, you're a beauty far too good for Butsuma."
Suiren's heart was pounding, but everyone else was smiling.
"So, there's no need for us adults to be here. Come on, you two, talk slowly."
"Suiren, you've been chosen by the son of Kagami-sama, head of the Senju clan. You're amazing! Butsuma-sama, I look forward to working with you. Ufufufu."
The adults left the room, chatting happily.
"...."
"No, I'm sorry! I was told not to mention the arranged marriage to you, so I guess it can't be helped. Cheer up. Look, the Japanese sweets here are delicious. Have some."
"Do you understand what it means to go on a blind date with me, and yet you are going on a blind date with me?"
"Of course. I want to marry you in the future..."
Butsuma had been sitting with his legs crossed, but suddenly sat upright and stared straight at Suiren.
"I'll say it properly. Suiren. My fiance... No, marry me!"
Saying this, Butsuma bowed deeply.
"Sorry. I can't."
"...!?"
Butsuma quickly raised his head and looked at Fuyou, who was shaken by Suiren's unexpected response.
"Your parents are going to buy you a doll of me, aren't they?"
"What? That's not true! I said myself that I wanted Suiren to be my fiance. It's true that my father ordered the matchmaking to take place, but I have no intention of marrying anyone other than Suiren!"
"...That's not an answer. Even after being together for so long, you still don't understand me or my family."
"No, wait a minute. I..."
Butsuma suddenly realized that he had indeed been ordered by his parents to choose his fiance, and it was just by chance that he had been arranged to meet Suiren.
However, Suiren is the daughter of the Tachibana clan, who sell their clan for a high price.
...Marrying Suiren through an arranged marriage means that in the end, I...
"I'm sorry. I was thoughtless... But! Even if it turns out like this, as long as the result is good, then isn't that fine? The most important thing is that we get married and that result, right?"
"Don't be so conceited!!!"
"...I thought you liked me too, but I guess that's not the case..."
"...."
The silence between the two is answered only by the sound of cold rain at the end of spring.
"...I'm sorry. I guess I was just assuming things on my own. Let's not do this kind of matchmaking."
…Why didn't you propose to me directly?
Suiren's words almost came to her mouth, but she managed to hold them back with all her might.
Butsuma's situation was easy to understand. It was customary for a male ninja to find a bride when he turned fourteen, and it would have been impossible for Butsuma, the son of the head of the Senju clan, to refuse.
I have always hated the idea of being bought into a marriage with money, but as Butsuma says, perhaps I should just accept the outcome of being able to marry Butsuma. Or rather, I should welcome the fact that the partner was Butsuma as a lucky miracle. And either way, I have no right to refuse.
"That's not true... I love Butsuma too. I never wanted to go through an arranged marriage, so I got carried away... Butsuma is right! If we can get married, then that's good!"
As Suiren said this, she looked down with a crooked smile.
"No, it's my fault. When I was deciding on my fiance, I should have asked Suiren directly myself. I'm truly sorry for making you feel bad. But I will definitely make you happy!"
Butsuma apologized to Suiren sincerely.
Normally, he should call off the arranged marriage and propose to her again, but arranged marriages are an agreement between families. Money is also involved. If he cancels it now, it will become an obstacle to their marriage in the future.
Although Butsuma was unwilling, he decided that it would be best to go ahead and marry Suiren through an arranged marriage.
Knock, knock, knock. There was a knock on the sliding door, and soon the adults came in.
"What's wrong? You both look pale."
"It's okay, Father. Everything went smoothly and we received a positive response."
"Oh, I see. That's good. Suiren, from now on, please support Butsuma as my fiancee."
"Y-Yes... I'm a bit incompetent, but I look forward to working with you."
Suiren bowed deeply to Kagami. Seeing this, her parents were relieved and looked at each other.
"With this, we can realize our new business of trading with the Cloud Country."
"It seems that many of the merchants over there employ members of the Uchiha clan, so it would be reassuring to know that we have the Senju clan protecting us."
"Even if Butsuma does not become the next head of the family, he is recognized as a very powerful man in the family, and even if either Kagami or Butsuma is killed in battle, there will be great benefits to marrying him."
"Hey, should I tell Suiren about that now?"
"That's true... Well, he's still only fourteen so it may be a little early, but the younger guy will have a better effect. Butsuma seems to be in love with Fuyou so he might act quickly, so it's better to tell him soon."
While Suiren was playing with her sisters in her room before going to bed, her mother called her to come into another room.
As we entered the room with a small flickering light, my mother sat with Fuyou knee to knee, held her hand and began to talk.
"I've already taught you about sexual relations, so you know."
"Uh, yeah..."
"I'm going to tell you the most important thing now, so listen carefully. It's something that will have a bearing on the future of our family, the Tachibana clan."
Fuyou swallowed. What other important meaning could there be in a man and woman's sexual activity? Her heart pounded with a sense of embarrassment.
"When a man and a woman come into contact with each other for the first time, that's the only time they have the power to use it."
"...?"
"We're not ninja, but we call it the 'Art of Toppling a Nation'. The beauties of our nations know it, right? That's right, it's a technique that allows us women to manipulate men..."
My mother said with a grin.
"How do you use this technique?"
"Hehe. The moment you make love for the first time, imagine what you want to do and look into his eyes as if you are trying to convey it to him. At that moment, he will never be able to take his eyes off you. Then kiss him. Don't stop having sex there. Continue until he climaxes."
"...."
At the graphic expression, Suiren blushed and looked down.
"It's a kind of illusion. During sex, your pupils send signals that stimulate the chemicals in the other person's head, making them addictive. It's brainwashing. The more you think about what you want to do to the other person, the more effective the brainwashing will be."
"So what is that about...?"
"When you have sex with Butsuma for the first time, look him in the eyes and tell him, 'My words are absolute. Obey me for the rest of your life.'"
"...Wh-what are you talking about! Stop it! We're not going to do that until we're married, and besides, you're brainwashing Butsuma...why?"
"That's true. But if he tries to embrace you in the Buddhist altar, don't resist, just let him embrace you. Make him your slave as soon as possible, and brainwash him into doing what you want. Chastity is irrelevant. The most important thing is to brainwash him. Don't worry, I won't get you pregnant unless you want to."
"...Has Father also been brainwashed by Mother...?"
"As the head of this family, I adopted you as my son-in-law, so I told you about the marriage before we got married. But even if you don't have sex with the intention of brainwashing your partner, once a man has sex with a Tachibana woman, he instinctively becomes unable to resist... Hehehe."
With a fearless smile I had never seen before, my mother began to look like a villainous woman.
Suiren was astonished that a woman from the Tachibana clan had such powers.
"Do we really have to do that brainwashing? And why do we have to do it in the Buddhist altar?"
"Of course it's to manipulate the Senju clan from behind the scenes."
"...!"
"There's no need to feel guilty. The ninja are just using our clan. This is how the Tachibana clan survives in this world of ninjas."
Suiren ended up not being able to fall asleep, and when she woke up, the sky outside the window was bright and blue.
I quietly left the room so as not to wake my sisters who were sleeping next to me, and walked to the gazebo in the large garden. The deep blue color gradually faded, and the shapes of the trees and objects became clearer.
Suiren was confused.
The women of the Tachibana clan were not simply dolls to be bought and sold with money.
He was a devil who made it look like he was selling people to them, but actually brainwashed them and used them.
However, this fact also felt like a relief to her, as she had been lamenting her fate as a doll.
However, it is true that her marriage to Butsuma is a means for the Tachibana clan to exploit Butsuma and the Senju clan.
He must use the Buddhist altar, which loves him so dearly, for the benefit of the Tachibana clan.
But if there is love there, then maybe it's okay.
Yes, as long as the results are good.
"No. That kind of outcome is not a good outcome. I don't want to brainwash Butsuma. I'm not sure I can live the rest of my life with him while deceiving him!"
Fuyou spoke out loud, tears spilling down her face as she held it with both hands.
"Are you serious?!"
"Do you know what would happen to your family and clan if you broke off your engagement? There's no one better for you than Butsuma-sama!"
"The Buddhist altar... I actually hate it. I'd rather marry someone else."
Slap! Mother slapped Suiren across the face.
"Just go ahead and marry Butsuma. You have no right to choose!"
Holding her left cheek, Suiren glared at her mother.
"Do you really like Butsuma that much? Pure love... If you call off this marriage because of something like that, you'll be the one who regrets it later! It's a miracle that you can marry the man you love! Close your eyes."
Her mother knew everything that Suiren was thinking.
Hearing those words, Fuyou was once again filled with doubt.
As my mother says, I can marry the man I love, so should I just pretend not to notice anything else?
"None of the women of Tachibana can choose their own husbands. But Butsuma-sama chose Suiren. You love Butsuma-sama too. This is a miracle. That's enough..."
Her father spoke gently, encouraging Suiren's feelings.
From then on, Suiren and Butsuma walked close together in the cold winter, kissed under the cherry blossoms in full bloom in the spring, splashed water on each other and laughed in the river in the summer, and looked up at the night sky and gazed at the stars together in the autumn.
And so the beautiful time filled with love between the two passed.
The summer they turned 17, they put on yukata and went to a summer festival together.
Children are running around excitedly, and people are laughing happily as they play and eat.
Butsuma, who was more than twenty centimeters taller than Suiren, looked at Suiren walking next to him. Her white nape was visible from the open collar of her yukata, which was tightly fastened as if to hide her bulging breasts.
"Hey... Neither Dad nor Mom are home today, so can you make us something to eat?"
"What's that? Why don't you just buy something and eat it here?"
"Yeah, but dinner! Even if I eat now, I'll be hungry at night."
"If only I had a candy apple."
"Okay. I'll buy 50 candy apples then, and we can eat them together at home!"
"Oh, it's not good, but you've gotten good at telling jokes. I get it, I'll make one for you! But it'll be expensive, you know?"
"Yeah. I just got my pay from the last mission so I'm fine."
"No, that's just a joke."
Butsuma's parents were away at home, and all of his siblings had been killed in the war several years earlier.
With the ingredients in their hands, the two of them enter the empty house.
"Wow, it's so beautiful. I love the Butsuma house because there are always lots of different flowers blooming whenever I come here!"
Suiren goes into a room overlooking the garden and becomes mesmerized by the competing flowers blooming.
Then Butsuma gently hugged Suiren from behind. Suiren's heart skipped a beat.
"Oh, do you know where I keep my clothes? It's hard to cook in a yukata..."
She tried to cover it up by saying this and trying to push Butsuma's arm away, but Butsuma hugged her even tighter.
"I want to hold you."
Suiren's heart nearly stops, then begins to beat even faster.
Butsuma's right hand slips through the gap in the collar of her yukata and grabs her left breast. Butsuma bites her earlobe, where his hot breath has been blowing, with his lips. He then slowly traces the white nape of her neck.
"S-stop..."
When he finally managed to say those words, Butsuma ignored him and began to untie his obi.
"N-no, this is not good..."
"I can't wait until we're married."
"No! Hold on!"
Suiren had buried the truth she had learned three years ago deep in her heart.
Now that things had come to this, I was filled with fear that there was no way I could escape. If I was embraced by the Buddhist altar, what would happen to it? I was terrified.
However, there was no way he could match Butsuma's size and strength, and while he was thinking, his yukata was gradually stripped off. Before he knew it, he was lying on the tatami mat, and Butsuma's hands were on the strings of his undergarment, the last remaining hold on his body.
Smoothly, smoothly, smoothly... Finally, the belt was untied, revealing Suiren's large, white breasts. Butsuma silently sucked on them.
...What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?
When Butsuma's hand was about to reach Suiren's crotch, Suiren screamed.
"Today is my period! So I can't do it!"
Butsuma raised his head and looked at Suiren with a sad look on his face.
"I-Is that so... sorry."
Her heart was pounding so hard that it threatened to shake right in front of her eyes, but Suiren quickly wrapped a kimono undershirt around her body and stood up. She put on the yukata that had been taken off of her and quickly tied the obi around her.
Watching this, Butsuma quietly spoke to Suiren.
"When you get married... you should plant lots of your favorite flowers."
"Yes... thank you. That's right... I suddenly remembered I have something to take care of, so I'll be heading home now."
Suiren hurriedly ran outside in her yukata, which she hadn't put on properly. Butsuma chased after her in a panic.
"Did you hate it that much? I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I'll walk you home."
The sun is setting and the sound of cicadas can be heard.
"No. The Buddhist altar isn't bad. It's still light out, so I'll go home by myself. See you later."
Saying that, he ran off. I didn't want to be with Butsuma any longer.
"I'm home…"
"Oh, you're back? I finally got the two of you to be alone... Oh, you've finally come?"
As her mother looked at her closely, Suiren also looked at herself. Her yukata was messy because she had put it on in a hurry. Her hair was also quite messy.
"No way! I won't do it until I'm married!"
With that, I ran past my mother and into the house.
"She's stubborn too... Maybe I should teach her how to hug again from the beginning."
Suiren was remembering the events of today.
When she actually saw Butsuma about to embrace her, all of her anxieties suddenly became a reality, and she once again began to have doubts about marrying Butsuma, and a storm of conflict came over her heart.
For the past three years, Butsuma had loved her with all his heart, and Suiren loved Butsuma too.
So I told myself that it was inevitable that I would cast the "captivating spell" on him by being embraced, even if the power was weak. Rather, I even thought that it might be good to cast a spell like "Love me, only me, for the rest of your life."
However, when he saw what a man looks like when he desires a woman's body, he felt a sense of anxiety similar to fear.
The Buddhist altar is my captive... I will be obedient for the rest of my life. I and my family will use that...
The human desires and instincts that are revealed in love, and the desires and instincts that we use to survive.
I felt nauseous with disgust.
The fear of changing the Buddhist altar room. The fear of seeing the Buddhist altar room change.
And the fear that one day I might no longer be able to love the Buddhist altar.
I couldn't bear it.
"Hey... you're kidding, right?"
"I can't do this anymore. I understand... I will definitely pay you back."
"I regret trying to force myself on you. I will never do it again!"
"No... it's a matter of my feelings. I'm not sure I can love the Buddhist altar anymore..."
"It's just a temporary feeling. I'll wait... until you feel more confident. Please don't break up with me. I love you with all my heart."
"Maybe it would be better if I wasn't a member of the Tachibana clan and you weren't a ninja."
"...?"
Butsuma had no idea what Suiren was saying. Things that were hard to understand had always been meaningless, but this was no laughing matter. He wanted to be told the exact reason. But that was frightening.
"You may be a member of the Tachibana clan, but you're no longer a doll. You and I will marry, and together we will change the system in which ninjas exploit the Tachibana clan!"
Dolls are bought and sold.
No. I'm a demon pretending to be a doll.
Why...why, why am I of the Tachibana clan?
Why do we use ninjas and ninjas use us?
Why is this the only way we can survive in the world?
Suiren silently turned her back on the Buddhist altar and walked away.
"Wait!"
Butsuma grabs Suiren's arm.
"...I... will never accept this kind of ninja world..."
Butsuma couldn't say anything in response to those words, and could only watch Suiren leave.
After that, Butsuma asked to call off the engagement, and Suiren's parents accepted.
The trade route with Cloud Country had been completed over the past three years and had even been officially approved by Cloud Country, so there was no longer much need for the protection of the Senju clan.
However, before the engagement was called off, Suiren expressed her desire to separate from Butsuma, which caused quite a dispute. Butsuma tried to persuade Suiren many times, but she stubbornly refused. This left some resentment between the Senju and the others. The matter was also seen as a major issue within the Tachibana clan, and at a clan meeting it was decided that Suiren should be held responsible.
"It was Butsuma-sama's last act of kindness that he asked to call off the engagement... But now that things have turned out like this, I'm going to make you take responsibility for it."
"I understand."
"There is a family from the same Tachibana clan that runs a brothel catering to ninjas. We have decided to have you work there."
"...."
Naturally, there were no women from the Tachibana family among the prostitutes working in the brothel.
So it was the greatest humiliation for a daughter of the Tachibana clan to work as a prostitute, especially since the customers were ninjas.
"I understand."
Without resisting, Suiren replied softly.
Suiren is brought by her parents to the house that runs a brothel.
It is a fairly large mansion, and in addition to running a brothel, it also operates a wide range of businesses, including commerce, trade, and running an inn, so it seems to be doing quite well.
"Come in."
A tall, lanky young man came out.
"Oh, this is Suiren-san... please, please come in. Oh, I'm Mitsu. Nice to meet you."
The man smiled kindly and invited the three in.
"So, when should I give you the lotus?"
My father spoke in a heavy tone, studying the man's expression. My mother added,
"…The truth is, this child is still inexperienced… Even though this is a punishment, well, please be gentle…"
Suiren didn't even blush, and just stared at her lap without any reaction.
The man tilts his head and smiles.
"Um, would it be possible for me to marry your daughter?"
The man's smile was so fake that he suddenly said something unexpected, surprising his parents.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"So please let me marry your daughter. Oh, no, give your daughter to me. Hmm, that's not it. Umm, I'll protect your daughter for the rest of my life, no, I'll make sure she's happy..."
"This child is being given to you as a punishment for his crime of working in a brothel. What does it mean for him to marry you?"
My mother calmly asked the airheaded man.
"Ah, sorry. I forgot to explain. When I saw Suiren at the clan meeting, I fell in love with her at first sight. But at the time, everyone was screaming that Suiren should be punished, right? So I suggested that I get her to work at my brothel, and I thought that inevitably Suiren would come to me, or rather, excuse me, I thought that she might come. Hahaha."
The man was laughing heartily, showing no sign of remorse.
"So Suiren doesn't have to work at the brothel?"
"Yes, of course. But for the sake of the family, let's pretend that I'm working. There are a lot of beautiful women in the house, after all. Let's ask someone to play the role of Suiren. Oh, in the brothel we use stage names, so anyone will do. Haha."
"Suiren, you say this, but what about you?"
Her father asked Fuyou, sounding a little shaken. Suiren slowly looked at Mitsu's face.
The man, who was smiling at me with narrowed double eyelids and raised corners of his mouth, had an androgynous face, almost as beautiful as a woman. He had curly chestnut-brown hair that fell to his shoulders, deep amber eyes, very pale skin, long, slender, bony fingers, and looked tall but thin.
He had long, straight black hair, large, narrow eyes, thick eyebrows, a broad chest, and thick fingers...the complete opposite of Butsuma.
"What do you like about me?"
"You're a beautiful person. And also... you stick to your beliefs."
Ever since she lost her Buddhist altar, Suiren's emotions had become weak. It might be more accurate to say that she was numb. Even when she had to go to the brothel, it didn't bother her that much. She wasn't even that surprised when this man suddenly proposed to her.
However, when he said, "I never compromise on my beliefs," my heart suddenly warmed.
I was thrilled to discover that there was someone out there who understood me.
"…I accept your marriage proposal."
"That's good... I was very surprised as it was unexpected, but it's really a great help. Thank you very much. Please take good care of this child."
"Oh, thank goodness! I'm so happy. I can marry such a beautiful woman. Well, I guess I can't refuse in this situation. Oh, I'm sorry. Hahaha."
"It seems that a beautiful woman from the Tachibana clan has recently moved into that brothel over there!"
"Seriously?! But it would be expensive to buy."
"Yeah, but she's a woman of the Tachibana clan. She's someone that low-ranking ninjas like us have no connection with, and there are apparently a lot of people waiting in line who want to get in on her even if they have to pay a lot of money."
After the meeting of the Senju clan, Butsuma heard such a conversation nearby and couldn't help but react.
... Surely... it's not Suiren...
Suddenly, I became worried and couldn't sit still, so I ran to the red light district. I removed myself from Suiren to relieve her of some of the responsibility, but I could imagine that she would be punished in some way. I never expected that it would be...
When they arrived in front of the red-light district, there were many ninja hanging out there even though it wasn't yet opening time.
Having come this far, I was left standing there confused and not knowing what to do next.
Eventually it was time for the store to open, and a skinny, pale man unlocked the door and bowed.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, everyone. We have three new kids joining us today. Please come and see them."
...What if one of them was Suiren!...
Butama's heart aches, but he has no proof, and there is a risk that if he uses the person's real name and asks about their whereabouts, his personal information will become known to those around him.
...how should I check...
"Isn't it Senju Butsumana? I heard you've come here to fill the void of your solitude after being dumped by your fiance?"
Before I knew it, the store had opened and a man who seemed to be the owner was standing in front of the altar, smiling. All the ninjas who had been hanging around had gone inside the store, leaving only the altar and the man in front of the store.
What a rude guy, even though it was our first meeting. And how did he know that?
"I was just kidding. Hahaha. You came here because you were wondering about something, right? I also have something to tell you. There will be people around here, so let's talk inside."
Butsuma nodded and followed behind the man, entering the store through a different entrance than the main one.
"Does Suiren work here?"
"I was planning to work. But that changed. Hmm? No, that's not right. It's more accurate to say that things went according to plan."
"Which one is it? Answer me quickly!"
I inadvertently raised my voice, but the man didn't seem flustered and answered with a smile.
"Oh, yes, yes. He married me."
"...?!"
"Because Suiren-san broke off her engagement with you, she was going to be severely punished by her clan. At the meeting to decide on the punishment, I suggested that she work in my brothel."
"You married Suiren... at a brothel..."
"No, no, no, please listen to my story to the end."
The man points his palm at the Buddhist altar, which is glaring at me and looking as if it could attack me at any moment, then he laughed again.
"The reason I suggested this is because I actually wanted to marry Suiren. I had her marry me under the guise of working at the brothel. Of course, she never became a prostitute."
...This man used Suiren's punishment to make her his own!...
Butsuma's anger reached its peak. He clenched his fists and stood up.
"Well, I understand that you feel that way. But if I hadn't helped Suiren, things might have been much worse. You abandoned Suiren, didn't you? Ah, maybe Suiren abandoned her. Well, it doesn't matter either way, but Suiren is now my wife. So, please don't come here again. That's what I wanted to ask. Well then, please go home."
The man doesn't seem sorry at all. He talks a lot and always ends up upsetting Butsuma.
She smiled, stood up, opened the door to the room with a smile on her face, and urged him back into the Buddhist altar.
"The story isn't over yet. Have you and Fuyou known each other before?"
"No. I first met you at a family meeting. It was love at first sight. But that's enough. I have work to do."
"Butsudan… Stop it."
Suiren appeared in front of the Buddhist altar, standing there with a sad look on her face.
"Suiren. I told you not to come out. Don't start any fights between you two..."
"My husband helped me. That's why I married him. Now you and I are strangers. Don't ever come here again."
"Hmph. Did you really want to marry someone like that?"
Butsuma looks at Suiren with a forced smile and contempt.
"Yes. He is the person who understands me best. We are both from the Tachibana clan after all."
Suiren kept a straight face and didn't change her expression at all...the smile that had attracted Butsuma back then was no longer there.
Butsuma walked past Suiren without saying anything and left the room.
"...Looks like he'll never recover from that. Poor thing. Hahaha."
Mitsu was still laughing heartily as usual.
I wanted him to just hold me tight without saying a word. But now that won't happen.
As the seasons changed, time pushed the two of them away from each other forever.
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