Chapter 11
Aki and Inochi woke up from their long slumber. She wrapped her arms around him.
"I want to stay like this forever, my heart breaks when I don't get to see you" Inochi whispered.
"Then why don't you become a customer at the tea house?" Aki replied
"Nah, I'd get too jealous?"
Aki rose from the bed and began putting on her kimono
"Can't you stay a little bit longer?" He pleaded, reaching out for her hand.
"I can't mother and Shizu-chan will get worried".
"How is Shizuma ? I hadn't seen her in a while"
"She's doing well in her studies but she's becoming a bit rebellious " she said while adjusting her sash.
"Don't worry it's normal for kids to start acting like that at her age"
"Maybe mother was right, I have spoiled her," she said while fixing her hair.
"I'm sure she'll calm down after a while" he smiled
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Returning from the bath house Aki discover mother was up saying her morning prayers. She slowly crept up the stairs and when she entered her bedroom, she found Shizuma fast asleep. Aki got into the covers and cuddled up next to her.
A week later Miyuki returned from her vacation after saying hello to mother. She raced to find Shizuma, but she was not there.
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"What on earth are you girls doing you girls are barely ready to perform in the spring festival"
The teacher screamed.
"Your butt is sticking out! If this is the best you girls can do, we'll be a laughingstock"
Shizuma and the other girls tried their best, but she was still not satisfied.
"Stop, I don't know what they were thinking when they chose Makina, you are letting the whole group down. Just go home!"
Normally Shizuma would not be bothered by her teacher's words but recently it seemed like Kuronoha-sensei enjoyed tormenting Makina and that filled the silver maiden with rage. Many times, her girlfriend would end up in tears and she would have to console her.
"Your mistaken sensei Makina didn't do anything wrong."
"You say that I am mistaken, and you know better. You think because you're popular that you can tell me how to do my job. I'm the one who taught you how to dance, so don't you get disrespectful with me girl!"
"I didn't mean it in a disrespectful way, I just think you're being a bit harsh." Shizuma replied.
"Harsh? I won't tolerate such insolence you can go with her"
The silver maiden took her purse and accompanied Makina.
-That old crow had the nerve to scream at Maki instead of explaining what she did wrong.
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"That little girl had the nerve to talk back to me," the teacher complained.
"That doesn't sound like our Himeka," Mother replied.
"It was her she had the nerve to tell me how to do my job"
"I will have a talk with her when I return".
This is out of character for her - Mother
Shizuma returned home to find Miyuki in the living room. She quickly ran over and embraced her.
"I missed you so much" Miyuki returned the embrace " I missed you too" she whispered.
"Shizuma, we need to talk" Aki interrupted the two
"What about neesan?"
"Your sensei said that you were disrespectful in class today".
"I didn't mean to be disrespectful, but she always screams at us but never tells us what we did wrong. I just told her she was being too harsh."
"You have to understand that's how some teachers are, and she just wants you to be the best"
" Her complains never used to bother me until she started picking on Maki-chan making her cry all the time"
"Yes, but Kurunoha sensei has a strange way of showing she cares. Let me put it this way by being a little harsh, she thinks she'll make you girls become better dancers.
"Shizuma! I heard about you being disrespectful at school today! " Mother yelled
As soon as she heard mother's a voice a shiver went down her spine.
"Let me make something clear to you, don't ever disrespect your teachers again even if you think they are wrong, you keep your mouth shut and get it".
"Yes mother"
"When you go back, I want you to apologize to your teacher
"Yes mother"
That night they all went out to work, tonight was different; Miyuki would be tagging along. It was her first night as a miranai and she was quite nervous. Mother had picked out her kimono which was a bright green kimono with flowers painted on it. Her hair was adorned with multiple hair clips. her older sister Nika wore a plain navy kimono with a golden sash Shizuma wore a white checkered kimono with red and black lines with Sakura blossoms painted at the shoulders.
"I'm so nervous," Miyuki whispered to Shizuma.
"Don't worry Miyuki, you'll be fine just watch everything we do."
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When entering the room Nika's heart sank when she saw Daisuke fixing himself a drink.
"Daisuke, we need to talk, shall we talk outside?"she asked
"Yes," he replied.
She opened the door to an empty room
"Oh, baby I missed you so much I'm as hard as a rock" he said, loosening his sash
"Daisuke, we really need to talk," she said, trying her best to stop him.
"Now come on baby don't leave me hanging" he begged holding his robe together.
"I'm serious"
"I remember when we used to have fun in this room, and I'd bend you over that table and we'd"
"Daisuke-sama please"
"Something wrong Yatsuha?" he said with worry in his eyes.
"We ...can't... I can't see you anymore"
"But why?"
"I want to break up with you" she blurted out
"No, you can't I love you please don't leave me I'll give you anything you want" he pleaded
"It's over Daisuke-sama"
"I thought you loved me"
"We were just having fun and I'm sorry, but I don't feel the same way."
"Don't you feel the same way? That's not what you said when we made love. You told me you loved me, so you're telling me that was a lie?"
" I didn't mean to miss lead you sometimes people say crazy things when they have sex."
"There's another man isn't there?" He grabbed her causing her to shake a little.
"No there isn't" she said looking away it pained her to see him like this.
"I will not be refused; I will be your danna whether you like it or not you will be mine!"
"It's over Daisuke"
Daisuke thrust the door causing everyone to stop what they were doing.
"I'm leaving" He declared
"So soon nii-san" Shizuma inquired.
"Sorry kiddo but I just don't feel very well" he replied angrily
"I'll help him get home" Adachi said
X-X-X-X
Miyuki noticed that her older sister would look stressed before she met her client but once she was in front of them, she would turn on the charm as if nothing happened.
I guess it's a skill all geishas learn - Miyuki thought.
X-X-X-X
"That bitch!" Daisuke yelled, slamming his sake cup on the table.
"Maybe she just lost interest" Adachi replied
"Lost interest! That woman was all over me. We used to do it all the time. She used to rub me under the table sometimes"
"What!" Adachi yelled
"Relax brother she only touched me outside my kimono"
"Spare me the details" he said, annoyed.
"I will fight for her; I love her Adachi'
"Love? sounds more like lust to me. If you truly loved her, you would let her, be happy"
"Like how you let Himeyuki go to that merchant, you're such a weakling. When I find that bastard that stole my girl, I'll beat the shit out of him"
X-X-X-X
" I broke up with him" Nika said, as she washed Aya's back
"How'd he take it"
"Not very well but I want us to finally be together" she said
She then placed a kiss on her lover's back
"Don't worry I will protect you" Aya said before turning around to kiss her.
The two women kissed each other passionately embracing each other in hot mist.
X-X-X-X
On her way to class Shizuma prepared herself to apologize to her teacher
"Kuronoha-sensei I'd like to apologize for my behavior I didn't mean to offend you." The young girl said, bowing her head down.
"I will accept your apology but don't ever do that again you may join the other girls."
X-X-X-X
After class Shizuma and Makina sat in the classroom alone.
"I missed you so much Makina" before moving in to kiss her
"Shizuma we can't" she said while stopping the silver maiden
"Oh, would you like to go somewhere more private?"
"No... that's not it" the girl said with her face downcast., "we can't do this anymore"
"Makina what's wrong?"
Makina's eyes dropped to the ground as she tried to find the words.
"Please tell me"
"I can't do this " Makina said, her voice almost inaudible, tears began flowing down her cheeks.
"I want a normal life"
"We can have one"
"I'd like to get married one day and have children and I can't do that with you" she said nervously, twiddling her thumbs.
"So, you want to break up, is that it?"
Makina nodded her head in agreement.
"Did your older sister tell you not to see me anymore?"
"Shizuma please don't make this harder than it has to be" she said before walking off.
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"She said don't make it harder than it has to be and left me sitting there." Shizuma complained
"I always thought she was strange but even this is out of character for her" Miyuki replied.
While combing Shizuma's hair.
" I always thought Maki loved me and she was just a bit shy but the Maki I saw yesterday was a completely different person."
"People change," Miyuki replied.
" What could have caused this sudden change?" Shizuma pondered.
During classes the two girls did not say a word to each other. Shizuma thought it was best to give Makina space. She poured all her focus into her studies.
We should just give each other space and maybe things will turn around.
Aya returned home in a joyous mood with a parcel in her hand. When she got to her room, she emptied out all the contents on a small table. Curious Nika picked up one of the items and studied it.
"Ayako, are you thinking of changing your profession? I don't think courtesan life would suit you"
"No, this is for my obake costume, we will be dressing up as courtesans"
" We?"
"Yes, I got some hair ornaments for you too," Aya smiled.
"I was planning on dressing up as something else" Nika frowned
"Please darling do this for me"
"Fine I'll do this, you're lucky you're so cute."
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The spirit of Setsubun was in the air. All the maiko and geisha were dressed up in fine kimonos. Shizuma watched Chikaru's performance from backstage when the young girl was done, and she came up to Shizuma.
"Good luck out there" she whispered
She thanked her, and soon it was time for her and the other maiko and geisha to perform.
Seeing Makina made her feel uneasy as if they were strangers. All the times they shared together flashed through her mind like a movie. Makina did not seem to care. She was so distant.
I guess Miyuki was right, people do change, it's time for me to let go of the past. -Shizuma
The young girl stepped out onto the stage to perform with her peers. After their performance the geisha and maiko threw red beans into the huge crowd that stretched out their hands hoping to receive a packet.
Smiles were painted on the maiko faces as they tossed the packets into the crowd. Some people called out the names of geisha and maiko that they wanted to toss the red beans to them.
Seeing two familiar faces in the crowd, Shizuma tossed some packs to Hanna and Konda. She winked and continued throwing to the rest of the crowd.
X-X-X-X
Later everyone dressed up in costumes for Setsubun Obake , Aya and Nika were dressed as courtesans and Aki was dressed up as a samurai. The night was full of skits and fun. All the geisha and maiko were lively. It felt like a perfect night to let go of all of your troubles.
X-X-X-X
Nagisa sat quietly in the room watching her father gamble. A woman was seated at the front watching the match. Although she did not care for the rules of the game. She was mesmerized by the cards. Every card had a black and red color scheme, some would have other colors of purple and orange and drawings of animals and flowers there were others with the moon and a sake cup on. Every once and a while she would hear the men call out
"Koi Koi" and more cards were added to the table. As she sat there, she wondered why he brought her there in the first place? She walked outside and took a cup of water from a bowl
"What on earth is father doing here? Who are the strange people he's playing with?"
Little did she know that this game would decide her future.
X-X-X-X
Setsubun wasn't the only exciting time this year. A man named Sakiwagi Hiroki brought his daughter to become a geisha. The girl had always wanted to be a mako since she was 5 years old and begged her father to let her become one. At first, he was reluctant but finally he gave in.
Perhaps this place might do her some good
A few days ago, they viewed a maiko from this okiya performance. The young girl's dance was so enchanting that her father decided upon seeing the crest of her okiya on her obi that this was the perfect place to make his daughter successful. Maybe one day his daughter would be able to dance on stage like the silver haired maiko he saw.
"I'll take her, now remember girl you must learn, and study hard do what your big sisters tell you"
"Yes mother," Kaori replied. She bid her father farewell before going off with mother.
Shizuma returned from school the young maiko lied on the floor gazing at Ukiyo e paintings
"Shizuma! Shizuma!" Miyuki called out
"What is it?"
"We have a new sister and mother would like you to meet her."
"Miyuki I'm not in the mood to meet anyone. I'm very tired, can't you just go instead" she complained, resting her head on the bed.
"She's really beautiful and fits your tastes perfectly"
The two girls walked down to meet their housemate. Miyuki opened the sliding door
As soon as Shizuma laid her eyes on the girl she was in awe of her, before Miyuki could introduce them Shizuma announced her name first then the girl did the same. Miyuki was quite puzzled; she never saw her best friend act that way before.
"You are very beautiful as Miyuki said"
"Thank you Oneesan" Kaori responded
"It's Shizuma, call me Shizuma," she replied.
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"Tell him to go away" Nika complained to the tea house proprietress
"Why?"
"I don't want to see him again"
The proprietress has never seen her so irate. She did as Nika said and informed Daisuke that she no longer wished to see him.
He was confused by this and a week later he found out that Nika had chosen a kabuki actor to become her danna. This made him fiery with rage.
How could she do this to me
While having sex with a courtesan he called out Nika's name Since he could not have her, he needed a way release his sexual frustration and the prostitute was an easy outlet.
"Say it!" He howled
"Daisuke-sama Oh Daisuke-sama it feels so good," She cried out.
After his rendezvous he became a drunken mess and shared his problems with any shopkeeper that would listen.
"I am going to find that bastard that stole my girl," he said before taking another gulp of sake.
"Don't you think you've had enough sir"
" I will tell you when I've had enough, now get me some more!"
X-X-X-X
"Shizuma, I need to talk to you"
"About what neesan?"
"I had a daughter once, but she died a few minutes after she was born. I've always wanted to be a mother and when my baby died it felt like my world had ended. Then you came along. I felt like I got a second chance, although you were my little sister, I've loved you as if you were my own daughter, if you ever need me, know that I will always be there for you"
"Neesan"
"
I'll be getting my own place soon"
"I'm going to miss you neesan, I don't want you to go"
Shizuma's eyes filled up with tears and the two hugged for a bit.
"I'll be strong neesan you don't need to worry about me"