The fallen women
Chapter 54 A Kimono for you
Kyoko looked around her and poured herself some more water as she sipped slowly, she tried to think of what to do next. She sighed as she pulled out her phone and was not at all surprised to see that she had multiple missed calls "l will deal with those later"
There was a tap at the door "come in" Kyoko said and smiled when the young girl from before came back into the room
"Fuwa-san has asked me to show you to the dressing room so you can pick out the kimonos you are going to wear for the next few days"
"That will be good, I admit I didn't really come prepared." She stood "I'm Mogami Kyoko and I will be helping out for the next couple of days, please take care of me" she bowed slightly and then straighten.
The girl smiled " I'm Ai ,I'm glad you're here , I admit my tea making isn't very good, I only just started learning and I was not looking forward having to do it by myself" Kyoko nodded and followed Ai down a hallway.
"how long have you been working here" Kyoko asked
" I started two months ago ,I had thought about becoming a Geiko but I also wanted to continue at school and my parents don't really like the idea , so we came up with this compromise , I would complete this year of school while I work here and learn some of the skills and if I am still interested when I turn sixteen next year they will send me to Gion Kobu to do the introductory training and examination to become a Maiko"
"I wish you luck, if you need help with anything while I'm here please let me know"
"Thank you , I will keep that in mind" Ai stepped into a small room that housed multiple racks filled with Kimono's " these belong to the Ryokan and are often used for guests ,please take as many as you will need, I'll leave you to it. Pleases take as much time as you like to select what you require" Ai bowed and was backing out of the room.
"Wait Ai-chan, do you happen to know what type of tea ceremonies I'll be doing ,will they be with tourist, or casual or extremely formal or a mixed bag , it's just that depending on the type ,different kimono's will work better."
"your first one will be tomorrow, and it will be for two American tourists but overall, it will be a mixed bag." Ai smiled "will you also be doing the evening entertainments? It just that is what Sato usually does.
"is that who I'm covering for, Sato" Ai nodded "yes she is."
"well I don't know it wasn't mentioned earlier, I know shall pick something for that too, just in case"
"I need to get back; can you find your way back" asked Ai.
Kyoko look at the racks moving her hands along the fabric "I'll be fine , thank you" Ai left the room as Kyoko continued looking she pulled out one golden and one burgundy floral patterned Hikizuri kimono , she continue moving and picked a blue and white Chu-furisode kimono, a green with pink and gold flower Houmongi Kimono , two Iro Muji kimono and one red with black and white cranes Komon .
Grabbing the pile of kimono's, she carried them back to the room she had been in earlier and hung them on a rail in the room that was connected to the main area.
She sighed unsure if this was a good idea, but she was committed now. She grabbed her phone and called she needed to set somethings into motion.
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"Mogami Kyoko has requested that you meet her for a formal tea ceremony in Kyoto on Wednesday
Saena looked at the man sitting across from her in with the iciest glare she could summon, she had thought all of this had been dealt with after all the child had signed all the documents. She had hoped that would be the end of that unfortunate episode of her life.
"And why would I do that"
Jin Takido looked back at this woman and just felt sad.
"You don't have to do it, it's just a request but from what I understand she just wants this one meeting and afterward she promises to never contact you again." He sighed "and considering how easy she has made everything so far I would advise you to go but as I said it's just a request you can do as you please"
"Did she give any indication about what she wanted to discuss?"
"no, it was a rather short conversation, she wished to formally invite you to a tea ceremony at the Fuwa's ryokan in Kyoto to complete all contact between yourselves"
Saena crossed her arms "fine, please inform Kyoko that I will accept her invitation and shall be at the Fuwa on Wednesday"
"good, I'll pass that on and leave you to make arrangements"
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Lory looked at his phone and wondered at the girl who had just hung up. She had an interesting way of going about things, but he supposed that was part of her charm.
He pulled out his phone "Tomas, I need you to go to Kyoto this week Mogami is currently with the Fuwa's and has asked to end her contract , I want you there to check on her and make sure everything is on the level, ."
"Yes sir, I have a couple of unmoveable appointments for the next two days, so I'll go on Thursday if that alright sir."
"Yes, that fine, I'll make set up your accommodation and send you the details"
Lory ended the call and walked down the hallway and entered the lounge room and smiled down at Maria who was sleeping on the couch. He picked her up gently trying not to wake her, walked gently down the hall and entered his granddaughters' room softly placing her on the bed he leant over and placed a gentle kiss on her temple
"sweet dreams Maria"
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Ren looked at his watch it was getting late and he still hadn't heard from Kyoko and it was starting to worry him , the dinner with RAD had been interesting and he was happy that he was here , really the kid have been surprisingly insightful and amusing and it made him grateful for everything he had but it was now 8:00, the envelops had been handed out and guest had started to file out the younger kids had all gone ,only two older tweens and a couple of teenagers were left and if he was honest he was wishing that they would leave so he could go find Kyoko and spend the rest of the night making love to her.
He needed to hear her voice and see her face and touch any part of her that he could get to but all of that was unlikely to happen if he could not find her. He started to worry that maybe she was just ignoring his calls, so he walked over to where Kuu stood talking with a red-haired teen who if Ren remembered correctly wanted to be a writer. He smiled at them in his famous gentlemanly style and asked if he could borrow Kuu for a minute
"could you call Kyoko for me she hasn't answered any of my calls today and I'm a bit worried"
Kuu patted him on the shoulder and then rang Kyoko number but only came up with an engaged signal.
"Sorry Ren she must be on the phone, I'll try again later" Ren sighed but smiled again and went back to talking with the remaining guests.
It was only half an hour later when the hall emptied of everyone but himself and Kuu
"have you heard from Kyoko yet"
Ren ran his hand threw his hair "no not yet" he said Kuu nodded and then dialled her an again this time the phone rang but just went to her voice mail.
"Hi Kyoko, just Kuu wondering where you are anyway giving us a call as soon as you can"
"hmm sorry son, no luck"
"well at least I know she isn't avoiding just me"
"she is probably with the girls or Maria "Kuu tried to reassure him but even to himself it sounded feeble.
"I'm going to head home now; I'll see you later." Ren said as he gathered his thing and left the building. He was in his car driving when he heard his phone buzz it stopped before he could reach it and he wanted to scream but instead he continued to drive home. As soon as he pulled into his car park, he checked his phone and was relieved to see Kyoko name on the screen. He quickly called.
"Kyoko are you ok, I was starting to worry about you"
"Ren yes I'm alright sorry I didn't call you sooner, it's been an interested day"
"interesting good or interesting bad?" Ren asked nervously
"I think it will turn out to be good,"
"Well that's good I think, where are you? I'll come pick you up and you can tell me all about it"
Kyoko laughed "I don't think that will work Ren, I'm in Kyoto"
Ren stopped "Kyoto" he stared at his phone for a second "what are you doing in Kyoto"
"well for the next week I'm working at the Fuwa's ryokan"
"I'm sorry did you just say your going to be working at the Fuwa's ryokan, because that can't be possible"
"it is and I am"
"I'm having a bit of trouble here Kyoko because for the life of me I can't think of one reason why you would go back to that."
Kyoko sighed "it's complicated."
"it's complicated." Ren repeated her word " it's complicated , I've been worried about you all night and then you tell me you've gone to Kyoto to the Fuwa's and all I get is it's complicated, I know you have been unhappy but honestly I can't figure out how anything to do with any of the Fuwa is going to help you with your mother "
"I'm engaged to Shotura"
Ren froze and felt all the blood leave him and then his body filled with anger
"no, you are not, not after everything. That isn't happening no way in hell am I going to let you marry him"
"I agree I'm not going to be marrying Sho" Kyoko said stopping ren in his tracks
"what I don't understand, please Kyoko what's going on" he asked desperately.
"ok so you know when Saena sent all those documents"
"Yes, I remember"
"well one of them was a trust that I was supposed to get upon my marriage to Sho, so it's turns out the Fuwa's and my mother arranged a marriage contract between us"
Ren balled his hand into a fist "is that even legal" he asked with through gritted teeth.
"yes, it is just a little different from the way they usually do a Omiai, but it still falls on the legal side"
"so, what does that mean and why are you in Kyoto and how do we get you out of it, there has to be a way right and why didn't you tell me before"
"I just needed some time"
"time"
"yes, time to figure some things out and I'm in Kyoko to end the contract and also because I needed a bit of space"
Ren felt a stab of pain run through him "space from me" he whispered
"yes, no ,I mean not just you everyone" Kyoko paused "I'm hurt and sad and angry and everyone has been on top of me wanting to help ,being kind ,watching and waiting for me to break down and I know I should be grateful but it just made me feel so helpless and guilty for taking up time and annoyed that things seem to be going well for everyone else and then I couldn't feel anything at all. I know this is selfish but I needed some time with myself and I still do"
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you feel helpless Kyoko , I know you can do anything it's just I wanted to make everything better and I was scared that I would lose you but if you need time and space I'll give it to you, anything you need if it's something I can do I will but please you have to tell me what you need and please don't just disappear."
"It wasn't just you Ren it was a lot of things, but I promise you won't lose me if I don't lose you."
"good" Ren swallowed "so did you manage to end the contract?"
"not yet but it should be done soon"
"well that's something at least, so you're going to be in Kyoko all week." He questioned.
"yes, I'll be here until we start filming on location."
Ren sighed unhappily but shook his head "I hate that you are at the Fuwa's but if that is what you need to do" he paused " I love you Kyoko and I'll miss you"
"I love you too" Kyoko said softly
"if you change your mind or you just want to come home or you just want anything call me"
"I will Ren, I should let you go you have an early morning tomorrow right"
"I suppose but I'd rather continued talking to you"
" well that's just too bad , I need you to be at your best tomorrow after all I may not be on set with you tomorrow but Box R is my show and if my Natsu is suppose to be seduce your character you need to be worth it"
Ren laughed "ok as you wish"
"Goodnight Kyoko"
"goodnight Ren"
Ren hung up and sighed dejectedly and walked up to his home.
