Chapter six
The return of the regular hostesses.
Time flew and night fell sooner then expected, and that meant Okita's shift started once more. He and Otae were putting on their make-up as the door suddenly opened. ''Brace yourself.'' Otae whispered, and Okita wasn't sure what he could expect. As far as he was concerned, the staff of this place usually had some pretty girls, of no significance to the main story, but then again, they were Otae's colleague's, so who knew what to expect?
''Ladies, so good to have you back!'' Otae cheered as seven seemingly nice women entered the room. ''Tae-san, thank god you didn't catch whatever we had! It was awful!'' a girl with short brown hair replied. ''Yeah, I've a pretty good immune system. What do you think of the new place?'' Otae asked her. ''It looks really good, and they built it so fast. I just heard the news that it had collapsed yesterday, so I didn't know what to expect. Goes to show what technology can do these days.'' the girl replied, before eyeing Okita.
''Oh my god, a new hostess. You look gorgeous, what's your name?'' she gushed, as she walked over to Okita, who frowned. With Otae's behavior he had expected very mean girls, but these girls seemed really nice. ''My name is Soko.'' he replied, using a girly voice. ''Soko, mmm, really suits you. You and Otae must have been swamped the past days. Oh dear, I should introduce myself as well, shouldn't I? My name is Mikeuru, but you can call me Mika-chan.'' she said.
''Pleasure to meet you.'' Okita replied, wondering how any of these girls were supposed to be a threat? She smiled sweetly, before clapping her hands. ''Okay, girls, gather around!'' she ordered, and instantly, the girls huddled up. ''This is our comeback. Otae nee-san, and Soko here tried really hard, so we'll have to step it up. Remember, the tips are a part of your salary, and you want to make the most out of it.'' she said, and the other girls nodded.
Okita sweatdropped, for someone that tiny, Mika-chan sure was fierce. ''Otae nee-san took the liberty of determining the theme for tonight, for some reason it ended up being an Egyptian one. We'll even be dancing for or with the customer if we have to.'' she said, and the girls cheered. ''So get dressed, and put yourself out there. We'll even make it a contest. The one that receives the most tips gets to decide the next theme.'' she ordered.
That was something that grabbed Okita's attention. The grin on Otae's face told him that this was clearly her idea. 'So, that's why she wanted to share tips, and beat them so desperately. These girls seem nicer then her, and therefore more professionial.' he figured. ''Okay, ladies, let's go for it!'' Mika exclaimed, and they got to dressing. ''You can decide the next theme if we win.'' Otae told him, and Okita nodded. The stakes were high tonight.
Gintoki, who was already seated with four other young men, sweatdropped. He had tried really hard, but most of the people he found were perverts, or just a no-go. And his friends, well 'friends' weren't any good either. Considering that one of them was actually his arch enemy, the other a girl, one currently being busy as 'police' and not to mention that Zura was a terrorist bomber. Nah, none of those options seemed good enough.
And with no budget to bribe people, he found it a miracle he had even found these pathethic excuses for people he had with him. ''Ah, sir, are we really going to meet real girls? No androids, or robots, or something else?'' one of them asked. They were kind of a nerdy bunch, that had probably never seen an actual girl before without running away scared. And somehow, some way, Gintoki had managed to convice them that this was worth spending their allowance on.
''She is a special woman alright. But no worries, she's the best.'' Gintoki told him with a grin. ''Oh, boy.'' the nerd said, kind of excited, his friends seemed just as eager. ''Good evening gentleman, may I get you something to drink?'' he heard a familiar voice ask. As he turned, he noticed Okita was wearing a special attire, namely a long black wig, some jewelry, a cotton white dress, and sandals. The nerds' breathing hitched as they spotted Soko.
''Wow, miss, you really are beautiful.'' one of them managed to gush. Gintoki rolled his eyes, Soko-chan looked way more stunning in her usual attire. ''Thank you very much.'' Soko replied. ''Miss, I actually had a question about the menu. It seems you only serve variants of Dom Perignon, but such things didn't exist in the Egyptian timeline you are representing.'' one of the nerds admonished her.
''Oh, dear me, seems like you are right. But they had water back then, which wasn't very clean. If you'd like accuracy, I can fetch some for you.'' Soko said. ''That'd be great, thank you very much, miss.'' the boy, who clearly didn't get sarcasm, said. ''One dirty water, and five Dom Perignon, then.'' she said, and all of them nodded. ''But I'm not that strong. Please sir, be so kind to help me out.'' Soko-chan said dramatically, before she dragged Gintoki along.
''What the hell were you thinking bringing them along? They aren't real customers, they are barely old enough to enter this place.'' Soko told him as they headed towards the bar. ''Don't pin this on me, you were the one that told me to get you more customers. You dragged me into this in the first place. Also, they are eighteen, I checked, and they have an allowance of at least 3500 yen a week each, that they were willing to spend tonight on a girl, whether she's a capable hostess or not didn't seem to matter. So, the perfect way for you to make some money, right?'' Gintoki said.
Soko nodded, Gintoki sure knew his stuff, she wondered how he had pried this information out of them. ''I suppose you're right, I just expected more, well, different customers.'' Soko replied. ''We'll get there, eventually.'' Gint/oki promised, as Soko drew near the bar. The bartender, from the shifts before, already seemed to be waiting for her order. ''What can I get you?'' he asked Soko.
''I'd like four Dom Perignon's, and one water. My customer wants something accurate, so get it from the toilet or pour it in a dirty glass.'' Soko said. ''One of those, eh. People shouldn't take these theme's that seriously. Just a sec.'' the bartender said, as he prepared the drinks. ''You don't expect me to carry it for real, right?'' Gintoki asked Soko, who eyed him. ''Of course I do.'' she replied, before adding, ''After all, a queen should be entertaining, and her slave should carry the drinks.'' then she headed back to the table, where the four nerds waited for her.
''Drinks are coming right up, sirs.'' she said. ''Aren't you supposed to be the one serving them?'' the obnoxious brat with his accuracy thing said. 'Yeah, but then I'd pour it all over you.' is what Okita wanted to say, but instead, he smiled, and said, ''I could have sir, but that wouldn't make it worth your time to come here. After all, don't you want your hostess to be able to spend time with you?''
''Ah, yeah, of course miss.'' the other four nerds said. ''In the ancient Egypt-'' the boy started, but he was shut up as a couple of drinks fell over him. ''Eww.'' he yelped, as Gintoki said, ''Oh, oops, my bad. Oh well, at least I didn't drop yours, and you four shouldn't be drinking so early anyways.'' he shrugged, as he sat down. None of the boys seemed to have the balls to object to that, though they seemed kinds parched. ''So, what do you do on one of these nights?'' one of the shyer boys asked.
Okita blinked a few times, these guys were way too innocent, and that made for easy money. But, it felt bad, Mitsuba would've scolded him afterwards, and he was sure the boys' mothers wouldn't like the idea of them going to places such as these either. 'Damn my good nature.' he thought, as he spoke up, ''Well, I'm kind of a new hostess, so seeing that it's your first time, we can go easy. Usually, it's just talking, playing some games, and spending time. You know, the good life, as we adults always say.'' she explained.
Gintoki twitched a few times, these people were good money. Then again, he would have done the same thing. Sure, he was a jerk, but using people violated his principles. And he knew Okita was opposed to that too. He smiled, as he watched Okita explain some silly game, and listen as the boys explained some facts about girls, and Egypt. 'For a cop, he's not a bad hostess at all.' Gintoki thought.
Okita was acutally having fun, as he pretended to listen to the boys. He remembered those days when he used to come home, and tell his sister about everything he had experienced. 'I'm glad I was able to support her trough all those years.' he thought, before he shared a look with Gintoki. He smiled, before pretending to listen again. He was glad Gintoki was here to support him somewhat, even though he was sure Gintoki didn't know it was him,
'Oh well, better not tell him yet.' Okita figured, before he asked, ''Does anyone wish something to drink for real this time?'' ''Yes please.'' the four nerds said. The fifth, still having his filthy water was not so keen on having another drink, as he scraped his throat, and stiffly said, ''Well, better make it quick. We'll have to be back home before ten, preferably before that.'' ''I'll order you some water then, clean of course. May not be as accurate, but at least it doesn't give any health issues.'' Okita offered, before heading towards the bar one more time.
''Sir, we're really glad you took us here. She is really nice.'' one of the nerds told Gintoki. ''Yeah, yeah, whatever. Once in a lifetime experience. Do you need any of that allowance back that you paid beforehand?'' he asked. They looked at each other, before shaking their heads. ''Nah, she earned it, just like you said, Sir. But it seems to me that you should bring in more adult people next time. I can imagine her wanting to get betrothed, and live the life of a regular wife eventually.'' one of them told Gintoki.
''I don't think Soko is like that at all.'' Gintoki deadpanned. ''I wouldn't be too sure. Eventually, everyone settles done. I read this fanfic about clash on tiny's where this blonde whiny kid got together with a sociopathic supe-'' Gintoki interrupted him right there as he said, ''I'll be sure to give the money to her, then.'' The nerd smirked, and kept quiet as Soko returned with the glasses.
They drank their water, and indeed, after that, they left as they thanked Soko for her services. ''Oh, they left this for you.'' Gintoki casually said, as he handed Okita an enveloppe. Okita opened it, and found a decent sum inside. ''They had been saving up some money, and when I told them about this, they really wanted to meet someone nice. Apparently you exceeded their expectations because they decided to give you quite a sum. They wouldn't have given you as much had you been the hostess you usually are.'' Gintoki said.
''I'll take that as a compliment. Oh, there is a payment for you too, naturally. The owner offered to buy you a parfait, if you could arrange at least five customers for me.'' Soko said. ''Oh, that's good. Better be a good one, unlike the cheap one you offered last time. Can I have my yukata back?'' Gintoki asked. ''Sure thing. I can get it, it's in my locker.'' Soko said. ''Did you even wash it? I don't want it to smell like you.'' Gintoki retorted.
''What do you take me for?'' Soko said. ''Well, the kids already said you would make a good housewife, I never thought you actually could. So, this is going to be a thing? Me, bringing in customers, and you, entertaining, until you've earned enough? Or are you just plotting to stay here, and be another insufferable person in my life?'' Gintoki asked. ''No, I'm going to be out of here eventually. There is this small sum I have to make before I can continue with what I want to do.'' Soko explained.
''Sounds familiar. My friend is in the very same situation.'' Gintoki said. ''Oh?'' Soko asked. ''Yeah. He's a cop, one of the worst kind, but still a good guy, despite all that. Even though he's had a rough time, he is obligated to repay some large debt. I hope it works out for him fast. His name is Souchiro.'' Gintoki said. ''Ah, I see.'' Soko said, calmly. ''Maybe you two should meet sometime.'' Gintoki teased.
''Maybe. I'm gonna go ahead and get your yukata!'' Soko said, before running towards the dressing rooms. ''Heh. And so it all begins.'' Gintoki said, it was so much fun messing with Okita, and he was kinda cute when he was all flustered. 'Oh my god, he was talking about me! What if he connects one and one, and figures I'm really Okita. I'll never hear the end of that, especially if he leaks that to Hijikata. I'll never live that down, and my squad will never respect me again!' Okita thought as he headed into the locker room, where he found Mika-chan adjusting her make-up.
She looked up, as Soko closed the door. ''Oh, Soko-chan?'' she said, as she turned her head to face Soko. ''You seem nervous. Is that older man among your group hitting on you? He seems like a leech. Is he rich?'' she asked. ''I'm not nervous.'' Soko lied, before adding, ''And he doesn't hit on me, and he certainly isn't rich.'' ''Then, what is he doing here? If not for perving, or spending money? We could have him kicked out for you.'' she offered.
''I don't think that's necessary.'' Soko said, kicking Gintoki out seemed somewhat drastic. ''Ah, are you two, like that? That's awful, you can't have a perverted relationship like that in a business such as this.'' Mika said. ''We aren't seeing each other. I don't even remotely view Danna like that.'' Soko said. ''If you say so. But you seem more involved with that guy, than any other. And you had such cute young customers. First timers, I guess. Oh well, I bet you didn't raise enough yet for you and Otae to win.'' she said.
''What do you mean by that?'' Soko asked, and Mika smirked. ''Oh please, as if Tae would randomly come up with something like that, without some plan in advance. I don't like new girls, and I do like my tips, Soko. I think it's highly unlikely that you are going to beat us.'' Mika said. ''You mean that you and the other girls co-operate, without involving Otae?! That's not nice.'' Soko replied. ''Oh well, that's the world of entertainment, dear. Don't like it, feel free to leave anytime, and you can leave your customers in my capable hands.'' Mika said, as she stood up. ''Have a fun night, Soko-chan.'' she added, before leaving the room. 'Girls are so mean.' Okita thought, now prepared to do whatever was needed to win this contest.