Pri-chan 1410 ; EclipseKuran: I understand both your aggravation, people like that won't learn from their faults, believe me...
*yukaku: pleasure district
* momme: It's one of the currency (coins) in the Edo-Period
Staring at the old man with his blue doe eyes, Kuroko doesn't move a muscle and still continued sitting on the wooden floor of the wagon.
In his head swirls a lot of question, which needs to be answered. Where was they bringing him? Was it really a good place? What kind of people are there but isn't Yoshiwara a famous yukaku?
Still unsure about that place, he felt the man's rough hands on his left shoulder.
"Don't worry kid. My reaction was the same as yours when I was brought here the first time to pay off my debt."
Having the same fate as the man, Kuroko kinda pitied him. Slowly he stood up and climbed off the wooden wagon. Now seeing the actual sight of the Yoshiwara district in the afternoon, the powder blue head stared in awe. Compared to him the young and old people here are dressed in fine kimonos. Between the stone pavement are rows of different looking houses with their typical hanging red oval lamps. The most houses have grid looking front walls where you can look through. Something like that, Kuroko never once has seen. Staring further around, he notice the air having a nice scent of cinnamon with a mixure of new baked bread. Still in a daze, he could feel a hand on his shoulder again. Looking over he sees the man pointing a thumb to some direction.
"Let's go to a bakery first. I need to buy a few things if you don't mind." Shaking his head Kuroko followed Shirogane's driver.
"From here we can walk by feet. The bakery isn't far from the house of Shirogane."
The bakery looked well visited. Many people go in and out. So the strong scent of cinnamon and bread came from here. The bakery got a big reception which is located in the middle of the bakery infront of the wall. On the right side of it are small table and chairs, where people can have a small chit chat over tea and biscuits. After they entered, a tall lean man cam from the back of the kitchen.
"Welcome, welcome- long time no see!"
"Well hello there, Murasakibara! I see it's still the same here." Laughing slightly they hugged each other friendly.
"It is. I can't complain though. The customers come from the golden pavillion satisfied and hangs here a bit before they leave." The driver nodded briefly before going to the bread shelves.
"You're interested in them, Ogiwara? We also have today's special bargain, you know?" The tall man grins bridely, making his nasolabial crease prominent.
"And that would be?"
"Melonpan with vanilla sauce in it. Only 2 momme." Said the owner enthusiastically.
"And this loaf of bread?"
"one cost 4 momme."
Kuroko stared at the shelves with the melon pan. He wished he could have a taste of those delicious looking breads. He had always had a thing for vanilla. But to express his selfish desire, was too much to ask for. So he just stared at the subject with a sad frown.
Ogiwara catches Kuroko staring at the sweet filles shelves and from what he could read from the boy's face he was sure what he would have to do.
"Pack me one of that bargain of today's week and two loaf of this bread, please.
Handing Murasakibara the price they wave at the each other and leave the bakery with a ringing of a bell.
"You didn't have to buy me that."
"Don't be so modest, young boy. It's good to enjoy the things you wanted to have now and then, and I bet you were hungry anyway, so it's okay."
Packing out the sweet melon pan, Kuroko happily - which you couldn't exactly tell, took a small bite of his bread and munches slowly, taking in the delicious taste. Glancing toward the driver he see the man eat like a wild man. Taking bites and munching opened mouthed. Crumbs all over his mouth area.
"Let's hurry up a little bit, we are kinda late." With big steps he was half running with Kuroko in a trail rope.
Running they both stood infront a huge wide building. At the front hangs two big japanese flags and the typical red oval lamps hangs accurately in a row at the grid polished wood wall. Sliding the entrance door he let Kuroko enter first.
The room they just entered- which woould be the corridor, looks like a huge hall. The ceiling got numerous of chandeliers. And at the entrance wall stood many drawn portraits in an ukiyo-e style. Many courtesan in several ages are scatteres around the hall chattering with each other or hanging out with clients in the open lounge chamber near the reception.
"There you are Ogiwara! Shirogane-sama was asking for you every 10 minutes, geez!" Scratching his tannes skin, the newly arrived person clad in a dark navy blue kimono with white and light rose lotus flower on it and a thick gray haori with pattern hangs loosly over his shoulders, frowned dissatisfied at the dirty looking driver.
"Ah! I'm on my way. By the way that's Kuroko Tetsuya, he must be around your age, Aomine-kun. Starting today he will also be living here." Introducing the boy behind him, the dark skinned youth looked interested at the newbie.
"Eh? I didn't notice you, but you look nice. I'm Aomine Daiki, the bodyguard in trainee. Nice to meet ya Tetsu! Let's be friends. You can call me Daiki." He laughs sheepishly.
Tetsu? Never once did his friend in school called him by his first name, not to mention giving him a nickname. Not used to it, Kuroko blushed slightly turning his head in the other direction, hoping to hide his flushing face.
"I'm okay with it, but I never once call someone I just met by the first name, for now let me just call you Aomine-kun."
"Fine, fine. If you finished the contraction we can hang out, if you like." Waving at Kuroko he left in the mass of the courtesans and Kuroko turns his attention back to the driver, who now begans to walk to the mahogany staircase.
The polished staircase with ornaments lead to a wide corridor where you could go to the west- or the east wing. Seeing Ogiwara go to the east wing, he opened one of the many doors.
Sitting in the wide room, what resembles a japanese traditional tea room was SHirogane. He got gray hair slicked back. He was smoking on a pipe, while counting the money. Looking now and then out of the long windows.
"Thank you for bringing Kuroko Tetsuya. I would like to have a talk only with Kuroko-kun here." Understanding, Ogiwara bowed deeply before leaving the powder blue head alone in the tea room.
"I bet Soji have introduced me to you already, but I would like to do it myself. I'm Kozo Shirogane, owner of the Golden scent Pavillion and the Smaragd Pleasure House, which is a branch also located in Yoshiwara. I have heard about that fate of yours and I can feel your sorrow with you, since many boys started here with parents selling them. At first I would like to know if you can read or write."
The sudden air around them changed after Ogiwara left. The aura around that man was intimidating, letting Kuroko staring at his lap the whole time.
"Yes. I can also do arithmetics."
"That's wonderful Kuroko-kun." Standing abruptly up he went to his desk and with his hand he reckons Kuroko to himself.
"Here is the contract. It concludes the duration of how long you will work for us as a trainee until a danna pays the completely fees for you. Until then you are bound to us. Your salary is monthly but can also happen weekly if neccessary. In your meantime as a trainee you will at least learn two instruments and learn three different types of traditional dances. Your assigned mentor will help you accustom to this place. If we see you esablish well in your first year we will support you further for you to become a chuusan, where you can work up to become a Yobidashi. But if we see no use of you in the first year I have to sadly give you to our branch the smaragd pleasure house as a simple prostitute." Bending forward Shirogane lifts Kuroko up eyeing his clear sky blue eyes.
"Your looks are special."
Blushing it the sudden compliment he avert his gaze to the contract. So if he doesn't give his best he will end up as a prostitute, for the end of his life. Being a Yobidashi does have a benefit. And he would earn a lot of money. He could save it and help Shiroi. With that in mind he agrees to the contract.
"Please give me your hand, Kuroko-kun."
Taking the pale hand of the boy, he hold his thumb press it on the inkpad before pressing the underside of the thumb on the contract.
"So this is settled then. I will bring you to your chambers then, remember the way to it well."
They went to the west wing down the staircase, down to the other corridor. There were two huge doors.
The one door reads private chambers and the other read yard. Opening the private chamber they went down completely the hall. Kuroko's room was on the right side almost at the end of it.
"Make yourself at home. Your assigned mentor will arrive soon, to bring you clean clothes. You sure need a bath."
With that said, the owner leaves Kuroko in his room. It was nice and big for one to live alone. He got a double bed and a window paper. Because of the oval looking lamps hanging at the front exterior facade, the room got a light red touch to it. He got a dresser near the window and a personal bathroom. All in all it was better than his former home. Letting himself sink on the soft bed he closed his eyes for a bit before his rest was broken.
Inside came a boy about his age but much taller than him. His hair shines brightly, when he clicks the lighter of the rooms on.
"You must be my assigned pupil- how cute~, I'm Kise Ryouta!" He smiles charmingly placing the kimonos and fundoshi's he brought with him in the dresser.
"I'm Kuroko Tetsuya, nice to meet you." He took the plain Yukata with him in the bathroom, before closing the door, in hope to shoo the blonde away. Slowly he strips off his dirty closed, folded it neatly near the sink on the floor, before he heads to the showers. He sits on a stool and showered coarsely and shampooed him througly. After that he stoped the water at the bathtub before sinking down the relaxed water. Today will be a long day but for now he just relaxed his granted time in the bathroom.
A/n: Hope you enjoyed reading!
Here a small survey of this chapter:
Kuroko: signed contract and starting off as a trainee
Kise: Kuroko's assigned mentor in trainee
Aomine: bodyguard in trainee
Murasakibara: Atsushi's father; Owned bakery in Yoshiwara
Ogiwara: Shigehiro's father; Driver of Shirogane