Chapter 7: Hisae Knows
Travelling from the North to the East wasn't exactly far, but it seeing that he was just here a month ago, Kenta wasn't looking forward to being back here again. It wasn't because services at the bathhouse was bad — in fact, the standards have risen exponentially ever since Kohaku had taken over. The truth was that there were only three reasons why anyone ever visited a bathhouse: for cleansing, for business, or for politics. As Prince Of The North, he was clearly here for political reasons.
"Might as well milk their services while I'm here… Again," Kenta rolled his eyes as he slowly made his way to his room. Being a prominent figure of the spirit world came with many perks. For one, he always had a unique private room set aside for him wherever he visited.
After a sensuous bath by a Yuna, Kenta changed into his robes. (talk about how he likes to be under the radar here)
He walked out into the balcony to get some fresh air and closed his eyes. He took a long drag of cigar as he tried to think about how he should approach Kohaku later with the discussions about the human world. Just as he was deep in thought, he heard a commotion going on outside of his room.
As Prince of the north, it was wiser to stay out of other people's petty skirmishes but the commotion was interrupting his thoughts.
Kenta opened the door and found a drunken guest clinging on to a female staff. By the looks of her salmon coloured uniform, she wasn't a yuna and she was desperately trying to get away from him. Two frog spirits were trying to take control of the situation but the large toad spirit was too strong and flung them to the ground when they tried to restrain him. At this point, other guests stopped to look at the commotion.
"Stop! Please, I'm not a yuna, I can't draw you a bath!" The girl yelled, struggling as the slimy toad spirit tried to wrap his brown hands around her.
"What a shame, you're a sweet little thing. You should be a yuna! I'd pay you a hefty tip if you'll serve me tonight," The toad spirit rubbed his face against the female staff's cheeks, dripping slime all over her skin and uniform. She was desperately struggling against his strong grip but she was small and physically weak. Clearly, she was no match against a drunken, lustful toad spirit.
"Yes, she should definitely draw baths, but she'll draw mine instead," a strong hand grabbed hold of the girl's shoulders and yanked her away from the toad's grasp. Shocked, she spun her head around and Kenta realised that this was the same clumsy stuff who bumped into him a little earlier.
Winking at her discreetly, Kenta continued with his act, "let go of her. I've already made arrangements for her to come and serve me tonight."
"Well who do you think you are?" The toad spirit spat, as he lunged forward. His strong hind legs propelled him forward and Kenta withdrew backwards like a swift gust of wind, just missing the ugly toad's blow. Since he wanted to keep his royal status a secret, Kenta was trying his best to hold back against the toad's spirit's aggression.
"You cursed spirit, return the yuna to me!"The toad spirit launched himself forward again, this time more aggressively than before as Kenta spun around with Chihiro still in his arms.
"NO!" Chihiro shut her eyes tight and held on to Kenta desperately. That was it. The first day of work at the bathhouse and she was done for - or so she thought. A few seconds passed and she waited for the blow she was expecting but, strangely, felt nothing.
"What's going on!" A tenor voice interjected. Chihiro was still shivering from fear and she tried to open her eyes — in part, she wanted to know what happened but more importantly, she wanted to know if she was still alive. Right before her eyes, just inches away from her face, the toad spirit was frozen in mid-air. He couldn't move. He simply floated there, completely restrained by an invisible force.
"Miss, you can let go now," a familiar voice behind her cooed. Tilting her head upwards, Chihiro realised that it was the spirit she had bumped into earlier!
"I'm so sorry! Oh my god, I owe you my life. TWICE! Tell me if there's anything I can do for you…" Chihiro blabbered, feeling extremely embarrassed and flustered. As she went on, she realised that the blue-eyed spirit was looking past her. Turning around, Chihiro saw a very displeased Master Haku storming steadily towards them.
"Master Haku?" Chihiro's voice was caught in her throat.
"Master Kohaku, it seems like your staff is being harassed by a drunken spirit. You know I don't usually interfere with matters in the household of others but the commotion went on and on outside my room and you know I don't enjoy these… skirmishes." Kenta straightened himself as he walked towards Haku.
Haku caught what Kenta was implying and the displeasure in his tone, "I don't tolerate these incidents either. I'll make sure this drunkard will bear the cost of his actions. Thank you for rescuing my staff," Haku bowed lowly.
"I expect no less from you, Master Kohaku," Kenta nodded. Turning to Chihiro, he softened his hard expression and spoke with a quiet voice, "I hope you're okay. Be more careful and alert next time, won't you?"
Chihiro nodded dumbly, her face turning bright red. Kenta was a tall spirit - even taller than Haku and he had to bend down a little lower to meet her eyes. Only then did she realise how beautiful this spirit was. He had flawless pale skin and long white hair to match. It made his clear blue eyes stand out even more.
"Thanks for saving me today, if there's anything you need, please just let me know. I owe you," Chihiro spoke quietly and bowed.
"Take him to the lower floors. I'll deal with this later" Haku snapped his fingers and the frozen toad spirit immediately fell to the ground. It took six frog spirits to drag the drunken toad away, each of them heaving as they went.
"Kenta Sama" Hisae approached the scene and bowed lowly to Kenta.
"If it isn't the beautiful Hisae san" Kenta's face lit up as he walked towards Hisae and the two chatted lightly with each other. At this point, the other guest and staff were going about their ways, sensing that the master of the bathhouse had reasserted order.
Turning to Haku, Chihiro exhaled deeply, her cheeks flushed from embarrassment and the after effects of the shocking experience."I'm sorry Master Haku. I've caused you so much trouble on the first day. I promise to try harder tomorrow," Chihiro bowed lowly, straightened and walked away feeling extremely disheartened. Haku looked on as the girl turned around silently with slouched shoulders and disappeared into the crowd. He wanted to hold her tightly and tell her she was safe with him. But there were guests all around them and not to mention, the Prince of the North was present. He yearned for her so much yet there was nothing he could do.
Kenta disappeared into his room and Hisae walked towards Haku. She stared intently into Haku's eyes and Haku knew she wanted to relay an important thought to him.
That girl. She's the human girl you've been waiting for, isn't she? Hisae raised a brow at Haku.
What makes you say so? Shock flashed across his face momentarily before he hid behind his usual stony-faced expression.
"Shall we finish up the tea? You left so abruptly. I knew something, no, someone important to you pulled you away… on short notice." Hisae said lightly and walked back towards the rooftop garden. Haku reached a hand to his chest. He could still feel fragments of Chihiro's lingering panic.