"I love this time of year," Yuri murmured thoughtfully as he walked arm in arm with Minako. The sun was setting, and the dying light saturated the path before them in alternating shades of brilliant orange and yellow in between the buildings they passed. The bars and restaurants they went by in the entertainment district along the way spread their doors wide, beckoning to both locals and those visiting the sleepy seaside town.
"Hmm, yes. The cherry blossoms always bring more tourists…and money," She replied immediately, tilting her head to the side, a small knowing smile on her face. The younger Omega resisted the urge to roll his eyes, ever conscious of the gazes upon their flawlessly painted faces as he floated along in a black kimono with intricate floral patterns in contrasting snow white and goldenrod along the sleeves and hems.
"You're absolutely terrible, Minako," Yuri held up his fan before his face, chuckling quietly behind it.
As a Geisha who was also an Omega, he was only allowed to wear black kimonos when in the traditional clothing of the profession, as it indicated his dynamic clearly for all to see. Yuri was further identified as male by the elaborate gold obi he wore, glinting as the waning daylight struck it.
"Perhaps…however I prefer to believe that I'm simply a highly astute businesswoman," She replied playfully, a glint in her eyes that Yuri knew only too well. Her views on life, independent nature, and her no-nonsense personality were a big part of exactly why he'd chosen this life in the first place after presenting as an Omega.
Being a Beta, Minako had considerably more flexibility which allowed her to wear any color kimono aside from black, but she usually chose something to complement Yuri's appearance. Tonight, she wore a crimson kimono with subtle white and gold scroll-like swirling patterns on the sleeves and hem. Her obi was the same white as the pattern on her kimono.
These were just some of the many traditions Yuri had learned of years ago, as he'd entered 'the flower and willow world' of a Geisha and started his training…
The gentle swish of silken fabric, the soft pitter-patter of their zori on the pavement as they strode along. The sounds sent a message to every man, woman, or child within earshot, calling their attention to the beautiful creatures passing within their midst. The beloved Geisha of Hasetsu.
They provided their enthralling company to an exclusive clientele, acting as living blooms at parties as they ensured that a guest's cup was always full. That all were happy as they engaged in stimulating and pleasant conversation. After several years, Yuri and Minako had established themselves as two of the most talented and sought after Geisha in the prefecture.
Known as Ai and Eros, the Beta and Omega were skilled in a great many forms of performance art, but none more so than dancing. Minako's precision was unmatched. The control she maintained of her lithe form was second to none. While Yuri may not have been as technically perfect in his execution, his ability to fully immerse himself in a dance was stunning, often pulling his audience along with him and making them feel like they were part of the performance.
They had quickly built a reputation once Yuri became a full-fledged Geisha a couple of years ago. The duo soon found that with this came the ability to draw those interested in spending time with them directly to Hasetsu due to the connections they'd made with various well-to-do politicians in the region and wealthy clients.
As the funds rolled in from many nights chatting up clients, drinking, playing games, performing dances, and smiling beautifully, they'd gathered enough to collaborate with Yuri's parents to upgrade the ailing Yutopia onsen into a Ryokan and Tea House worthy of a destination trip to Hasetsu for those seeking a premium experience that included relaxation in the onsite onsen and if desired, entertainment and company of either or both Geisha in one of the rooms of the Tea House. Of course, this was not available to every guest at the Ryokan. Many simply enjoyed the tea ceremonies performed by the staff there. Only those clients that were regulars for the two Geisha already or those new guests whom an existing client would vouch for their character and credit were allowed this privilege.
Overall, they rarely ran into problems with clients, either current or new. Hatsetsu was a quiet haven, able to cater to elite visitors in the manner they expected and off the beaten path where they would not be hassled by the press or other obligations for a short while at least. Other larger cities just couldn't provide the kind of tranquil break from the hustle and bustle that the renovated Yutopia Ryokan & Tea House could.
The two of them nodded politely as they were bowed to by several well-dressed men in suits coming down the street together, seemingly heading out for dinner and drinks. One of the men's gazes lingered on Yuri's black kimono, slowing down to scent the air in a not so subtle manner as they passed by.
A low growl sounded out from the man, whom Yuri assumed was an Alpha now. The noise was swiftly cut off by a smack, followed by a yelp from the man.
Yuri and Minako laughed softly behind their fans as they continued on their way, the perfect picture of poise as they kept their heads forward, not bothering to glance back as they heard one of the men chastise the Alpha.
"Show some goddamn respect!"
"I'm sorry! But he smelled so-"
"Idiot! You can't just touch them without permis…."
The voices faded into the night as the Geisha headed further down the street, until they could be heard no longer. Fortunately, Yuri knew that the man they'd just seen was an exception, as most Alphas understood there were severe consequences for aggressively laying hands on a Geisha without permission depending on the crime, much less one that was also a rare male Omega.
The reverence with which they were addressed and regarded was a stark contrast to how many other Omegas were treated in general. For most, it was only a matter of time before you were married off and knocked up, usually a pregnancy or two under your belt before reaching Yuri's age of 23.
The young man had watched as several classmates disappeared from school as they began to present their dynamic as Omega in their teens, only to see them occasionally pop up around town, trailing behind their Alpha, months later. He supposed some looked happy and he couldn't begrudge them that…
But every time he'd seen a rounded belly on a former student he'd felt a sickness in the pit of his own stomach. In the last couple of years, he'd caught glimpses of those few classmates that turned out to be Omegas pushing strollers…often a toddler, sometimes two in a double stroller. Their belly already stretched taut with a third as they made their way down the street and their Alpha hovered possessively.
Yuri resolved in those moments not to become another one of those Omegas who was just lucky if they were allowed out of the house every once in a while, not to become a baby machine whose job was simply to pop out children for their Alpha.
He'd been lucky in many regards. Because Minako was a family friend, Yuri had the opportunity to observe her for years as she worked and witnessed the freedom she had as a Geisha. She could go nearly anywhere she wanted, do anything.
When her okee-san, the woman who had trained her, passed away, Minako continued independently, having been a Geisha for several years at that point and able to support herself financially.
Once Yuri had presented as an Omega, she had quickly made an offer to allow him to train under her. His family had eagerly accepted given Yuri's desire to avoid a rushed marriage and mating. But they knew until he was ready, which they still held out hope that he would be someday, he would need the means to support himself. With no Alpha to do so, this was one of the few options available to him.
Minako had been encouraging Yuri to consider taking a Danna for the last year or so, to better solidify his own support system, both financially and in, umm, other ways…
He knew she worried constantly that he wasn't getting enough physical contact for an Omega, that he was touch starved... The raven knew she was right but wasn't willing to take the chance to become close to someone, no matter how beneficial it might be. The risks outweighed the rewards in Yuri's mind every time.
I can't let my guard down. If I do…I could end up like one of them… He shook off thoughts of former classmates with weary eyes and armfuls of children, ignored the twist in his stomach that had started out in his teenage years as absolute disgust with the idea of being 'bred' by an Alpha mate, but had morphed into a painful longing to be wrapped up in love, to feel arms around him, to breathe deeply of his mate's scent…
Yuri sighed softly at the urge pressing at the corners of his mind and knew he'd have to double up on his medication when he got home that night. The meds were a synthesis of the hormone an Omega released when they were receiving adequate physical contact and minimized the symptoms of being touch deprived.
More likely it wouldn't be until the early hours of the next morning before he could take it if their clients wanted to keep drinking. It's not like it mattered to Yuri. He got paid by the hour, so the longer the better. The older woman nudged Yuri slightly as she observed the last fading rays of light and pursed her lips slightly.
"We'd better hurry up," Minako murmured, picking up the pace as they headed to meet their evening's appointment. "It wouldn't do to keep them waiting," She whispered, giving him a wink, and squeezing his hand as they hurried off into the night.
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