Akashi Mansion - Tokyo, Thursday 1:48 pm
"Akashi-sama! Bocchama's letter just arrived, I will lay it on young master's table." Bowing before the older man- clad in an army uniform, the head maid took her leave, feeling the hard gaze on her.
Taking a drag from his cigarette he stared out of his window, admiring the nice view. It has been (almost) two months, since he had seen his son and he doesn't plan to see Seijuurou so soon at all. It will make him only more aggravated than he already is. Ever since the death of his lovely wife, things started to get out of hand and it's the first time in his life, where he doesn't know what to do. It wasn't like the family lacks of money or property, it's actually the complete opposite. So seeing his youngest son, who was educated from an early age started his career as a courtesan. Why on earth, does he want to work there in the first place?!
It surely can't be because of playing instruments or dancing... that he was sure of.
"I'm back father. I heard a letter from younger brother had arrived?" A young teen with short messy red hair arrived in the office sharing a curious look at his father. Seeing no response of the older man, the younger shakes his head irritated.
"I don't understand why you're still mad at Seijuurou. He hasn't done anything sexual. The old man also insisted to only let Seijuurou work as an artist and not as a courtesan, father."
"He had insisted to let Seijuurou work as an artist, if I payed him monthly 650 Ryo. Isn't it dumb to pay some stranger so much, just for Seijuurou to have his fun, when he could dance sing or whatever in our mansion?" Feeling an upcoming headache the older Akashi grunted annoyed, staring at the window, ignoring the gaze of his oldest son, who in the other hand didn't know that his father payed that old damn pervert, so his beloved brother wasn't sexually harassed. He couldn't stand it anymore, leaving his brother to that lowly dirty place, showing off his innocent features, just to let it be dirtied by lowly peasants he despises.
"I will visit Seijuurou, next Saturday. I will try my best to persuade him to come back home."
"That's really thoughtful of you, Seiji."
Golden Scent Pavilion - Yoshiwara ; Thursday
Akashi couldn't sleep the whole day, thinking back to the offer of Shirogane. It sounded really tempting. But to perform Mizuage?
He wasn't ready for that. Just thinking about some stranger you have your first time with scared the young boy. But on the contrary, to live the life of becoming a real artist was so enticing... and that far away from home, would feel like a long dream becoming real.. So the positive points outraged the negative ones. In other words he will accept the offer of debuting earlier than planned.
But first, he had to visit that interesting friend of his, maybe he could need some help of a senior. Humming a melody happily he was about to search for a specific blue head.
Golden Scent Pavillion - Yoshiwara ; Saturday 11 am
Kuroko was practicing on his own. Judging by the mirror, he gets better with his moves and the rotation movement with the fan was also getting better, after Akashi had showed him exactly how he should do it. It's a wonder that the red head could better explain than the dance teacher. He explained slow and patiently. Also the way, hiw he articulate, using the absolute right words, so Kuroko could immediately understand all the orders which is asked of him, was just perfect.
It was weekends and everyone enjoyed their time sleeping longer than ever. Other than days like Monday or Friday, Saturdays and Sundays, are days were practice didn't occur; trainees intend to sleep through the day. But not everyone is like that. Kuroko waked up at 9am and practiced until 12pm and when he walked down the corridor to the main entrance hall to see the ukiyo-e pictures on the wall again, he met the beautiful red head preparing something in the lobby and running somewhere not really seeing him- not like Kuroko expected him too.
"Akashi-kun!" He called out to the boy, to see the pale boy stopping halfway in his tracks, to turn around in search of the person calling him.
"Kuroko! What a surprise to see you this early. How are you doing by the way?" Smiling with interest at the smaller boy.
"Well it's not just me who is early, and I practiced hard the whole morning, what about you, Akashi-kun?" Crossing his hand over his chest, the powder pouted, adverting his gaze in a childish way, which the red head found too cute..
"Well I'm preparing all the settings for my guest in the afternoon. It has to be perfect, since it's my first time." He run with his thin fingers through his soft looking red hair, sighing dramatically before giving Kuroko a smile.
"Are you free now?"
"Now? Eh... yes? Why so?"
Akashi closed slowly his eyes while his smile slowly gets bigger by every word. Putting one arm around the powder blue head, he leaned slowly down to him reaching his left ear.
"I have to choose an outfit for today's event but I'm not exactly sure what I should wear, so would be so kind and help me in that task, please?" Akashi asked with his alluring voice. Hearing it so close and feeling his breath, Kuroko's heart started to beat rapidly.
"That's something I wouldn't like to refuse." Smirking back at the red head, Kuroko imitates the alluring tone like Akashi, making the red head blush slightly. Turning his gaze down his feet a more genuine smile graced Akashi's face.
"Thanks. Then let me show you my room, Kuroko." Taking Kuroko's hands, he tugs the smaller boy along to his room happily.
The chamber of Akashi wasn't what Kuroko would expected to look like. He always thought it would be spick and span, but even though the room was bigger than his own, it was a bit messy.
That wooden desk of his was full of empty and unopened envelop and letter paper's are scattered everywhere on the whole desk. His bed was unkept and his coffee table was filled with several open powder bowls. Looking further around the room, Kuroko finally set eyes on the big dresser.
"You can have a look, and picking out kimonos you might think will suit me, while I take a bath. Please make yourself comfortable, Kuroko." Picking several towels and other things, the red head vanished to the bathroom.
Feeling awkward being alone in the room, Kuroko finally opened the cabinet door and was greeted with an imperium of colorful kimonos in various sizes. With widening eyes, slim fingers slowly reached the fine fabric of the kimonos. Most of them were cotton-silk kimonos with embroided ornaments, others were of silk brocade with woven symbols and wave linings embroided with animals like a crane or tiger. Akashi's kimono sure are wonderful and expensive looking. Taking out a black kimono with red-white geometric symbols and a beautiful crane, he examined it, while laying it carefully on the red head's bed. Like the kimono, where he met Akashi in the yard for the first time; this kimono also got pretty long sleeves, making Akashi look like a princess. Turning back to the dresser he pulled a créme colored Yukata out and a roughed cotton haori in a deep blue color, it looked classy and still formal, which will complete Akashi's outfit for sure.
The obi was the golden colored silk fabric with small embroided ornaments, which was pretty long and big for it size, not to mention that it weight a lot. Staring at the clothes on the bed he was sure that the colors will blend well with each other and have a nice contrast to the fierce hair color of the boy and his milky white skin.
"Ah, sorry for the long shower - Oh! I see, you prepared the kimono already. You can help me dress that up, especially draping and knotting the obi." Seeing Akashi fresh from the bathroom, letting Kuroko's heart beating rapidly against his ribcage. The sight was really alluring.
"So you think THIS will suit me for todays event?" Red ruby orbs glance at the kimonos on his outstretched hands, before turning his gaze to his visitor with his whole attention.
"To be honest, everything would suit you, and I think the clients are happy just by seeing your face alone." Hearing that blunt but earnest statement make Akashi turning red around his nose to his ear. His face turns so hot that he was afraid steam would coming out of his ear like a water heater.
"R-really?"
Bobbing his head, Kuroko gulped nervously, seeing that adorable blush on the slightly taller boy. Akashi adverted his eyes out of embarrassment and sighed in exasperation.
"Yes, trust me it will be worth it, so let me help you putting it on for you."
_
Akashi and Himuro were waiting infront of the entrance door to greet the infamous client. It was warm outside and with all the heavy thick layers of kimonos, Akashi could feel the heat rising to his face. It feels like he had practiced a lot of dances without a break and a green haired mop was still no where in sight.
"Today is a good weather but still it's too hot for my liking." Taking out a thin napkin, Himuro dap the sweat slowly pouring down his forehead.
"You sure are today dolled up, you look like a princess with that pretty kimono of yours." Going near the smaller boy, Himuro checked out the younger, eyeing those rich ruby colored eyes. They held a mysterious depth in them, holding you in your place. Himuro only heard rumors about that cute pretty little thing, but he didn't actually saw him from this closeness before. He could already see it, Akashi sure will be a gorgeous looking man after hitting puberty. Both still in a staring contest didn't see their client at their side, grunting loudly to be greeted. Akashi who was the first to turn his gaze at the newly arrived guest, immediately bowed before the tall man.
"My name is Akashi Seijuurou and will be in your care today, as well as Himuro-kun. It's my pleasure to meet you, Midorima-san." Bowing at the same time with Akashi, Himuro noticed another small person beside the tall man.
"Ah, it's my pleasure to finally meet you. It's been such a long time to actually see your pretty face again, Seijuurou. Today I brought my son along, so you can make acquaintance with, Shintarou."
Shintarou was tall and got just like his father emerald colored eyes, which shines like jewels behind his thick glasses; he got a disturbed look directed at Akashi.
"Good afternoon Shintarou-kun, I'm Himuro Tatsuya it's my pleasure to meet you. Let's get inside first, gentlemans." Showing their guest to the lobby, Himuro leads the way, while Akashi went along Shintarou.
"That courtesan sure is pretty rude, having guts to call me Shintarou! He better should call me Midorima-kun, or simply ignore me. It's not like I wanted to have a visit her at the first place." Scrunching up his nose, the green haired boy turns away annoyed.
"That's understandable, Midorima-kun, after all we don't have visitors this young like you." Smiling gently at the taller boy, Midorima blushes hard after seeing that brightly smile directed at him. Adjusting his glasses, he turns his gaze away again. The blush still visible on his ear.
Reaching their seats, Himuro started to play his Shamisen, while Akashi started to play Shogi with The older Midorima, while Shintarou just stared at the game with high interest.
"I never knew courtesan could play Shogi this well. How old are you, Akashi-kun?"
"Thank you for your kind words Midorima-san. I am 12 years old."
