PART II

Opening her eyes slowly, she felt a sharp pain on her head. The last thing she remembered was drinking tea her husband poured on her cup, before everything went black. Wanting to rub her forehead to ease the pain, she was scared as feeling her hands and feet tight up. Her attention was on the unknown manly voice next to her, on that ill illuminated room:

- Did you sleep well, Nakano-san? – a big middle aged man with a mean expression was in front of her.

- Who are you?! Where I am?!

- So, Yuuji-san, you didn't even tell the truth to your dear wife? Such a coward.

- Yuuji?! – her heart was tight as seeing her husband sitting on the other corner, his head down. – Yuuji, what's happening?!

The young man didn't say anything, he didn't have the courage to look at her.

- Your husband is full of debts. – the man said, scratching his dark bear. – And, as a honored man, he paid them off selling you to me. I'm Suzuki. I'm the owner of Akai Hana. Nice to meet you.

- Akai Hana?

- A brothel. A pleasure house, if you wish, but I'm really thinking if it's a fair trade, since you're no longer a virgin.

- We are married for only 2 years, we don't have children and her body is good! She still can satisfy any man very well! – that was the first time her husband spoke, desperate with the possibility of not completing the transaction.

Saya felt tears on her eyes. On the last months he was behaving strange. Arriving home late, silent and nervous, talking to men she didn't know. Money in their house was short. When when she asked, he usually told her that the sales on the commerce he worked weren't good but his boss would give him a raise as soon as possible.

- Let me see… - the man pulled her clothes, opening her kimono. She tried to hide herself in vain. Her breasts and flat stomached filled his eyes and he licked his lips. – At least you didn't lie this time, Yuuji-san. Very well, then.

- Really? – the husband asked, nervously.

- Yes. I feel sorry for such a beautiful girl getting married to a stupid coward like you. – Suzuki let her go, making her kneeled on the ground. – But, I'm sure she will bring me lots of money.

- Yes, sir! I guarantee you won't regret!

- You can go now. And don't bet anymore. You don't have any more wives to sell to save your neck.

- Yes, sir.

- Yuuji! – Saya screamed, trying to stand up, but only felt on the floor again. – Yuuji, please! I'm your wife! Please don't leave me! Please!

He stopped for a while, a few steps to the door as hearing his name being called with so much sorrow, but he left the room silently, without even looking back at her.

######

- Here, Saya-san. I think it's going to look good on you. - a dark green haired lady smiled at her, handing a new kimono. Suzuki introduced her as the manager of Akai Hana. Later on that day it would be Saya's first night.

- Thank you, Michiko-san. - she answered, her voice down.

- I know it's scary. Everyone here is the same as you and the others are going to help you trough this.

- All the other girls... ended up here the same way as me?

- Different stories, but our destines also belonged to some man in our lives.

- Can I ask... what happened to you?

- My husband was the target of affection of a younger girl, from a wealthy family. He left me.

- Did he send you here?!

- No, my father sold me. It was a dishonor having a daughter that couldn't keep her husband. And he needed the money he paid on my dowry back. – she smiled again. – He said I made him waste many sheeps.

- How can you smile like that?! Aren't you angry with them?! – Saya trowed the kimono on the ground, her eyes filled with rage.

Michiko kneeled, picking up her clothes, before standing in front of her, with a serious expression:

- Men are weak creatures. In hard times, it's a common thing to use daughters, sisters or wives to save themselves.

She put the cloth on Saya's hands, as politely as before, cleaning up the dust:

- After a while, there's no use to cultivate such bad feelings. – her light pink eyes were filled with genuine peace. – Hate will only eat you from the inside out.

Saya didn't say anything, trying not to cry in front of her.

- Let's go? I still need to tell you about the duties with the clients. A happy client will treat you well and come back. And Suzuki-san will leave you alone.

######

The night fell quickly, not listening to Saya's prayers. Her auction was brief, since she was already 19 and no longer a virgin. Her value wasn't hard to reach. On that first night her body belonged to a drunk middle aged man that pushed her to the futon and tore her new kimono apart as soon as they were on her private chambers. She didn't have time to speak or move. He grabbed her long hair and forced her to please him with her mouth.

As the strange man touched her, her entire skin started to burn and a wave of disgust hit her. His tongue felt like acid on her breasts, her heart twisted with pain. His movements inside her body were punctuated with her tears that silently left the purple eyes, hidden by her long hair.

When he was finally done, he got dressed and tossed a small bag of coins on her direction before leaving the room. Saya spent many minutes looking at the floor. The smell of that strange man on her flesh came to her nostrils like it was a dead animal. The sticky liquid between her thighs where he spilled himself. She rubbed her hands on her body, trying to get clean, until her palms and skin started to burn with the violent friction.

She cried silently again and her purple eyes burned. It seemed like crying was the only thing she was doing lately as the air on her chest was also stolen, as her freedom. Naked and cold, asking herself why she was been punished on that horrible way for her husband's acts. She had been a kind, faithful and gentle wife. Life was unfair. Her body didn't belong to herself anymore. And Yuuji was free to live his life, after ruined hers.

Saya took a deep breath. She couldn't go on. Slowly she touched a small mirror on a piece of furniture and broke it in many sharp pieces, cutting her fingers as grabbing the biggest part. Her hands were shaking but she was able to find a remaining spark of courage.

The thick red blood started to flow from her neck. And she felt free as a cold numbness started to spread on her entire body.