There is no such thing as a city without crime. Drugs, violence, and adultery will always exist. When there is light, darkness will always be right behind it in a form of a shadow. There is one shadow in particular that resides in KabukichÅ, Shinjuku. The Red Light District of Tokyo, Japan. Yes, people, I'm talking about the Dancing Peacock, the hottest strip club of the 21st century. That is where I work. No, I'm not the bartender or the waitress. I am that girl on stage, playing the guitar...naked.
My name is Kara Yorokobi and I'm a stripper.
The young woman on stage was playing an acoustic guitar while singing a sexy ballad. Her voice belonged to a siren that was blessed by the Greek muses. She can lure men and women into a world of danger. Kara was one of the few strippers in that particular club that can sing and dance at the same time. She always puts her all into the shows so she can rake in the cash that's thrown her way. Cigarette smoke filled her nose and the blue lighting was getting into her violet colored eyes, she felt like an animal in a sick zoo. When she finished her song, she saw the bills rain down on her and a crowd of men howling and whistling. Looks like another job well done on her part.
The curtains closed and she took the time to sweep up some of the money and snuck it into her guitar case along with her instrument. Kara quickly walked off stage, with the guitar case pressed against her to hide her modesty, before the official money sweeper came on to collect the money. The young woman walked down the dimly lite hallway before going entering a dressing room that belonged to her and her friend.
"Sounds like you did great out there, Kara." Another young woman, with short brown hair and dark green eyes, said as she put her make up on.
"Really? I thought I sounded flat..." Kara moved around the dressing room and started putting on some clothes that were lying around the room.
"You certainly don't look flat. Kara, you put on a wonderful show, no buts about it." The woman said with a smile.
Meet Doll. She is not just my friend, she is like my sister. She's 20 so she is a year older than me and has been in this place far longer than I have. Her parents, God rest their souls, left her in debt so she has to work days and nights to pay the money back. Doll performs on the floor with the crowd while I dance on stage with the pole. Funny, it should be the other way around. I don't know how she finds the courage and strength to deal with dirty hands trying to fondle her. I would have decked the guy before the song ended.
Once Kara was decent she sat down by the vanity mirror and brushed long black hair with her signature purple stripe on the left side. "Hey check the case and see if I made enough for us to blow this town."
Doll look at Kara's guitar case by her side and knelt down to open it. She picked up the wad of money and started counting. "No...We have enough for a train ticket but we'll be homeless when we get to our stop."
"Ugh damn it," Kara cursed and rested her head on the wooden surface of the vanity table.
Doll and I planned to put our earnings together and run away from the Dancing Peacock. However, that dream won't become a reality at this rate. Between sneaking in cash and our small percentage rates that they pay us with, we only have enough to eat and pay for motel rooms. The clothes on our backs are provided by the club because they want their product to look pleasing to the eye. I desperately want to leave this club but there's one thing that's keeping me here...
There was a loud knock at the door and the girl scrambled to try to hide the money. "My jewel, I'm coming in." A male voice said before opening the door. He was 5'10" with dirty blonde hair and dark red eyes.
And here he is. This is Rai Ko, he's handsome in the face and hard in the right place. I would say he's my boyfriend but that would be a lie. He gave up that role when he chose to be my Player In the Management Profession. Just understand that I didn't join this strip club willingly.
"Ah, Rai-kun...What brings you here?" Kara asked as she stood up and smoothed out her short black skirt and blue tank top. She subtly kicked the guitar case out of sight.
"Well," The 24-year-old male said as he walked up to her and placed his hands on her waist, "I have some business to discuss with you." He told her before kissing up her jawline.
When she was younger, she used to feel pleasure from this. Now she just felt disgusted because this is how he asserts his claim on her. The feeling increased when she felt him tug at her skirt, trying to lift it up. "You know the least you can do is not initiate fake business meetings in front of my friends." Kara pushed him off of her and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Tch Doll has seen me do worse to you," Rai said as he cast a glance at the sweet brown hair girl. Doll quickly turned her head in response.
"Anyway, I have two guys that want to take to you."
"Well, I don't want to talk to them. I just got off the stage." Kara said angrily then turned her back to him. She knew that what he wanted her to do with them, had nothing to do with talking. Kara never wanted to do such things like that for money again.
"Too bad for you since they already paid me up front." Of course, Rai didn't appreciate her attitude. She was really testing his patience tonight.
She sharply turned around and yelled at him, "Then you sleep with them!"
Things went from zero to one hundred real quick. Next thing I know, the front of his right hand made contact with my right cheek. This isn't the first time he raised his hand at me for yelling at him and it won't be the last. I will always yell at him for giving me bullshit but I never hit him back. Not because I'm afraid. It is because the last time I fought with him physically, I lost...consciousness.
The older male watched Doll help his girl off the shaggy floor. "You know, my jewel, one of these days you're going to make me beat all the rebellion out of you."
I bet King George said the same thing about America...when they declared independence. I looked over at Doll and gave her a nod before leaving the room with my oppressor. Do you see why I want to go far away from here?
Obscene noises can be heard from behind every door as the two walked deep down the rabbit hole of this Underland. It's no surprise really that most of the exotic dancers do a little more in their private dances for some extra money. This is all part of the grind to get what they need fast. Kara stopped in front of the familiar redwood door with gold trimmings. Her hands started to tremble and she was on the verge of retreating.
Rai saw the body behavior and held her wrist, snapping her back into the present. "Hey. Don't mess this up for me. These men paid 50,000 yen for you." He firmly held her jaw so that he can examine her face to make sure that there were no bruises or tear stains. As always, his jewel was flawless. "You are going to be in there for 25 minutes so be on your best behavior...or else." His dark red eyes seemed to glow in this lighting.
"I got it...this isn't my first time," Kara said then took a breath. She collected herself before entering the room.
Hopefully, I get a drink so I can just put myself on autopilot. I haven't done this since I was 17 and 'accidentally' injured a client. When I entered the room, everything looked the same as it was. From the dark red carpet that I constantly scrubbed to the full-size bed that I wanted to burn. I looked over to the black leather couch and saw two older men sitting there.
The man sitting on the right side of the couch was a large man with dark brown hair and tanned skin. He was wearing a tan jacket, a red polka-dot necktie, and sunglasses indoors.
The other man appeared tall and has a muscular build. His hair was orange and his eyes were blue. He was wearing a white polo with black pants and a jacket. He also wore a necktie that was white and black.
Are these two undercover cops something? They don't look like the type to come to a place like this to pay for entertainment. Rai you idiot! You set me up to be arrested!
"I was told that you requested to see me about something?" Kara chose her words carefully in case if these two were officers they can arrest her for prostitution. She took a seat in a cushioned chair and crossed her legs.
"Miss Yorokobi, what would you say if I offer you a way out of this lifestyle?" The man in sunglasses said.
Kara raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side. The man before seemed serious; however, she knew better than to trust a guy in a polka-dotted tie to be serious. "I would say why are you pulling on my dick if I had one..."
The man chuckled at her brash humor and waved his hands, "I assure you it's no trick." He stood up and struck a signature pose, "I am Shining Saotome and I want you to be apart of my agency!" He pointed at her and Kara blinked in surprise.
Is he serious?! I know that name because my mom said she was crazy the guy when she was a girl. He want's me to a part of his business but as what? Oh, who cares this might be the break I needed to get out of here!
"And what would I be doing in this agency of yours? Secretary work, internship, custodian?" The dancer was curious about what position this man is offering her.
"I want to make you an idol."
"E-excuse me? I'm not sure if you noticed this Mr. Saotome but I'm not exactly a role model for little girls." It was hard to believe that this guy wants Kara the stripper to be an idol.
"Trust me, we noticed," the other man said, "When we saw your performance, we believed that with some training and cleaning up, you have the potential to attract a large male fan base." He explained.
Kara blushed lightly in embarrassment when the guy said that they saw her do one of her 'acts'.
That's definitely not the audition I was expecting. Wait I've seen him on television before...Oh my god action star, Ryuya Hyuga, saw me playing the guitar naked! Great, this guy probably thinks I'm a reckless whore. I'll admit I'm reckless, but I'm not a whore...I have some morals.
"Question. Wait, scratch that...Questions. First how much does this idol gig pay?" She asked bluntly.
"35,000 a month along with a 15% from merchandising," Saotome answered, "Did I mention you get free housing and transportation. "
Wow this deal is pretty sweet, but I know there's a catch to this...there's always a catch.
"Second question: I have a close friend here that I'm taking care of. She's not much of a singer but is it possible that you can offer her a job?" She asked. If Kara is leaving this place, she is taking her friend with her.
"We can find a place for her so the two of you can see each other," Saotome said. It tugged at his heartstrings a bit to see someone help others rise to the top as well. "Any more questions?"
"Yes, how did you two know about me anyway? Do you two just start looking for talent in the Red Light District now?" There was no way this was a coincidence. Why would they be hanging out here and they just so happened to see her?
"You can thank your...Ahem... admires for that," Ryuya answered that question. "They have been posting some of your performances on the internet. You get a million views within months."
Well, that's embarrassing. I hope those pervy nerds didn't put my name on the videos.
"Miss Yorokobi, do we have a deal?" Saotome asked.
Kara didn't need to think. This was her chance and she plans on taking it and leaving this club in the dust. "We can leave tonight."