"Dear customer, she is not one of the geisha, she's a customer too so-"

The owner of Shimabara tried to negotiate with the drunken man who wants to spend the night with me however, she was slapped by him and lands on the floor with a loud thud.

"You bastard!" Shinpachi had his hands on his katana, already preparing to use it.

"Huuuhhhhhh?! Who do you think you are calling bastard?! Do you know who I am?!" The grip on my wrist started to tighten and I let out a yelp unintentionally. The guys started moving towards us when they heard my little cry.

"We don't. But we don't give a damn!" Sanosuke had his spear in front of him, preparing to attack. His expression was frightening.

"Hey, don't I have a say in this?" I said calmly, interrupting their conversation while keeping a poker face.

"Ooohhhh pretty girl, say, I'm a high ranking officer, whatcha say? Follow me and you'll live a life full of riches!" He pulled me into an embrace, or more like he was trying to squash me to death. He had his arms around my waist and was touching me inappropriately.

I put my hands on his shoulders gently, which he misunderstood as me accepting his little suggestion. His face was greasy and disgusting, not to mention the puddle of saliva left on the floor when he speaks.

"Well, as tempting as that may sound... I'm afraid I'll have to decline since you will not have a functional organ to use in bed any longer." I said with a service smile. His face turned black. Before he even open his mouth, I kicked his crotch, hard. He fell down grabbing his crotch in pain but since I had not hit it that hard, I know that he'll recover quite quickly.

"I'm not something you can just buy and walk away with. Aren't you a gentleman, hitting girls like that..." I used the heels of my shoe to step on his crotch, making sure the pain continues for him while I stared down at him with cold eyes. The Shinsengumi members were shocked as they watched the entire scene.

"B-blood! Blood is coming out!" Another greasy man, seemingly to be the drunken man's underling shouted while staring at the crotch I was stepping on. I took my heels off and grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"Good luck trying to fix that mess~" I gave a very sweet smile but my eyes were as cold as ice. They hurriedly scuttle away.

"T-that was awesome!" I turn back and saw all the men looking impressed with what I did. I feel a little elated by their response though. If I do this in the 21st century, I might be in jail by now.

"That was nothing..." I looked down and scratch my neck in embarrassment as they continue the praising.

"Man you really are strong!" Shinpachi's praise continues even after the sake arrives and even when we're sitting down. I smiled in response. Oh! I almost forgotten the main reason I came here! I look around, trying to find the geishas. I approach them when I saw them in a corner. When I came closer to them, I saw the owner surrounded by all the other geishas. Her face was bruised and terribly red. It was from standing up for me... in that case…

"Hi." I voice out, breaking their attention away from the owner. She immediately stood up when she saw me.

"Oh, you're that customer from just now. Thank you for stopping that man." She bowed ninety degrees to me. She then apologized for the ruckus caused. She's really a nice person... it's obvious that it wasn't her fault but she still took responsibility for it. Or maybe that's just her job?

"Wait, where are you going?" I asked when she started to walk away.

"I'll have to go entertain the other customers too."

"With that face?" I pointed at her bruise. She cover it and replied me sheepishly.

"No choice, if we don't work, we won't have enough money to support ourselves." I sigh.

"Come here." I forced her to sit down and pulled out some makeup products: concealer, foundation and blush, from my handbag. It's lucky I decided to commit suicide with my entire luggage truck full of my beauty products. No idea what was I thinking at that time though...

I started gently putting on the concealer on her bruise, first covering the colour of the injury. I applied quite an amount to cover the redness. I follow by patting powder foundation on her face before applying a bit of blush to give her colour on her face.

"Wow!" All the geishas and even the owner gape at the now, missing bruise.

"This is amazing! This looks flawless compared than what we normally put on our face!" I felt proud hearing the compliments I got. But I wasn't happy with her makeup. Because all of them have to whiten their entire face, I couldn't draw out her natural beauty...

"Thank you so much! I would love for you to teach me your amazing skills one day. It looks beautiful!" I guess they know how to appreciate beauty~ she went on to serve the customers.

"If you want to become prettier but still look very natural, you can ask for me, but of course, a price is needed." I said before walking back to the room full of Shinsengumi members. When I opened the door, I saw Sanosuke in the middle of showing a scar on his belly. Oh right... according to history, he cut himself when someone dared him to... kind of stupid though... what if he dies?

I shook my head as I return to my seat.

"Where did you go?" Shinpachi asked while gulping down the sake in his cup. I smiled instead of replying. Seeing that I'm not replying, he shrugged and went back to drinking.

"Sano! All the girls always flock to you! You must tell me your secret!" Shinpachi grab Sanosuke by his shoulders.

"What secret? I just treat them nicely... and be polite I guess?"

"I do that too but I don't see them flocking around me!" Seems like someone is desperate to be popular...

They were arguing about girls the entire time when I decided to slip out of the rowdy room to get some peace and quiet time by myself. I sat down on the cool floor and stared at the moon. It was a beautiful crescent. I reminisce of the times when John and I spent time on the top of the roof, gazing at stars that can barely be seen. But, we are still happy to be at each other's side.

"Ohh! Look at that!" John pointed at the constellation in the sky.

"Wow! It's beautiful!" I smiled happily while snuggling in his embrace. Ehh?... that actually looks like... I grinned slyly before poking at John's cheek.

"Look look! That looks like you!" He raises his eyebrows.

"Is that a compliment or an insult?" He knew me well... whenever I say he looks similar to something, it always ended up as me teasing him.

"Mmmmm... depends~ what do you think that looks like?" He knitted his brows and thought for a moment before answering me.

"A handsome, young man?" He winked. I pinch his cheeks.

"Ahh!" He yelp as I grin at him. "It looks like a pig nose, like yours!" I giggled as I protect my head from being flicked.

"Chris! I must punish you!" I leap out from his embrace and ran around as he tries to flick me again. When he finally caught me, I embraced myself for the flick on my forehead by shutting my eyes.

Is it coming yet? I don't feel any pain yet though... emm? What is this...!

I opened my eyes. John was kissing me. Was this supposed to be my punishment? He pulled away and locked eyes with me.

"I love you" I looked down, blushing.

Gentle wind caress my cheeks as I reminisce on my first love. I sighed. Then, I started humming one of my favourite songs. I sang out softly.

Inside the photo, both you and I

We had both smiled happily

I hid your smile with my finger

I wish it could disappear like this

When will this wound heal?

Escape my thoughts and become free

All I wanna do, wanna do

Is forget about you

I won't cry anymore

All I wanna do, wanna do

Is forget about you

Even if I thought of you, i can't reach you

If I could hate, it would have been easier

Being unable to do so hurts my heart...

Tears rolled down my cheek as I sang the last two lines. True, I love him, even now... it would have been easier to hate him but I just cannot do it... I snicker at myself, thinking that I'm such an idiot. When am I going to get over this impossible relationship?

Please enjoy and review!

Edited: 26/5/2015