The red box kept nagging at him. "Of all the colors that the freaking man had to wrap the box in, it had to be a bright red!", Saitou thought annoyingly of the store owner a few days ago. He reached for another cigarette, this is probably his 10th for the last half hour. He feigned attention to the reports in front of him. Still the red little box kept catching his eye. He sneered. Went up to the box and placed it on the floor so it would be less distracting.
Again back at his desk, he tried working on Chou's reports. This time he was able to get seven minutes of work in before an image of red intruded in his mind. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. No good. The red image just solidified into a square box complete with all the ribbons. "Shimatta! I have gone completely insane...", he muttered.
He quickly got up. Stared at the box and pointed a finger at it. "Alright! YOU win!", he said angrily at it.
He left the precint with Chou in charge and made his way to find a carriage.
"I need you to take me to the train bound for Osaka.", he demanded from the fat burly man in front of him.
The fat driver just laughed. "You're insane, you'll never make it on time."
"I'm sure you can make that happen. How does two weeks of pay sound?", Saitou asked deviously. If the driver tardied himself much longer, Saitou decided that he'll just have to release all the pent up steam that's been building ever since Sano paid him that stupid little visit.
The man squinted his eyes and scoffed at him. "You talk big. You better have something to show for it."
Without a word Saitou took his wallet and threw it to the fat man. The man inspected it and let out a whistle. He looked back at the lean figure and smiled revealing his broken teeth. "Get in and be quick about it."
"Yare yare... Money always changes everything don't it?", he couldn't help but grin.
------------------------------------
The driver was good to his word. They arrived there five minutes before the train was supposed to leave. Of course they subject themselves to death defying and lawless stunts to get there. Saitou never noticed as somehow he lost his voice early on and his right knee won't stop shaking. He wasn't sure what to say to Toki and his throat kept getting scratchier by the minute. He gulped when they got there. A very stiff Saitou got off the carriage.
There was absolutely too many people at the station. He was quite surprised, most of them were young ladies. He noticed a small boy passing out leaflets, he took one. The boy just gave him a weird look and said, "I don't think you'll be interested in that."
True enough he wasn't. It was just a stupid little notice about how some British men were looking for brides and that they will be in Osaka in a couple of days. His annoyance went a notch higher, so that's why all these women are out. He frowned.
He dismissed the thought. No time to think as a couple more minutes the train will be leaving and the red box was begging him for it's rightful owner. Running to every window he desperately fought for the familiar face. "Where is she?"
Finally he spotted her near the back of the train. The purple eyes looking intently at him. "Great. She already saw me and she didn't even speak out.", Saitou thought a little annoyed.
-------------------------------------
"Kami-sama! What is he doing here?" Toki got very nervous. She never expected him to come see her off. Finally her nervousness left her. He's actually here and somehow she was very glad. "No not just glad, I'm very happy.", she smiled. Maybe by some weird twist of fate Saitou actually had feelings for her and here he was going to confess.
She couldn't contain her smile when Hajime came onboard the train. Blushing she eagerly greeted Hajime. She was so glad he came that she threw herself at him. Embracing him. She was oblivious to the other passengers witnessing her unbridled show of affection.
Saitou was taken aback by this. A beaming set of purple eyes were smiling happily back at him. For a moment he wanted to embrace her back, but his uneasiness overpowered him and he gently tugged her arms off around him.
"Toki...", he gently whisphered. "I didn't come for that."
Toki realizing the embarassing situation she put herself in, immediately withdrew. Started blushing and started to realize all eyes were on her. "Gome.." was all she could say.
"Here.", Saitou gave her the red box. "This was originally meant for you. I thought, you shouldn't leave without it."
Toki barely comprehended what was going on. It was apparent that she desperately was hoping he'd ask her to stay. She was now sure of her feelings for Hajime. However, she was also sure that whatever was going on was going to be one sided. "I thought you shouldn't leave without it." So he does want me to leave..", Toki concluded. She took the box from Saitou turned her back and started sobbing frantically. The purple eyes that were once overflowing with happiness, were tearing itself uncontrollably.
Saitou saw her shaking and stepped up to comfort her. His hand started to reach out when it was interrupted by a light tapping on his shoulder.
"Sir. The train is about to leave, I'll have to ask you to get off.", the conductor told Saitou.
Saitou looked over his shoulder. Toki's back was still towards him. He could tell that she has not stopped crying. Although he wanted to stay, he heaved a sigh and decided to leave. Things will have to be explained later.
-------------------------------------------------
On the way to Osaka, Toki kept eyeing the box. She was sure she had seen it before, a couple of days ago when she met Hajime at the cemetery. "I thought this was an offering to Tokio?", she asked quite puzzled. She couldn't wait any longer and decided to open it. A very fine kimono greeted her. She ran her hands through the fabric and appreciated it's silkiness to the touch. She also noticed the lillies embroidered at the hems. "This must have costed him a small fortune."
She sighed. Hajime-san sure could push her buttons. No one could make her more happier or more sad than Hajime. To Toki, Hajime was an enigma, she could barely know what he was thinking and right now was one of those times. Mixed signals. The Kimono definitely hinted that she was appreciated. However the exquisiteness of it and the lillies, indicated more than appreciation. Toki thought no man would buy such an expensive parting away gift if he had no interest. The lillies themselves betrayed that he has been watching her. Her favorite kimono was a simple one her mother gave to her with lillies at the bottom.
"Hajime.. What are you thinking?", she shook her head. There was no point anymore, she has left and she doubted if Hajime will visit her in Osaka. She stared outside. If she was going to make a new life for herself then she'll have to bury the old one. She decided never to visit Tokyo again, eventhough her friends and Sanosuke were there. "Sanosuke-kun suma. I'm sure you'll find someone who'll love you back."
Then the question struck her. "Is it better to be with someone you love but not be loved in return? Or is it better to be with someone who loves you but you don't love back?" She frowned. "Baka Toki! Stop thinking of them. I will never go back to Tokyo! Not until that Baka Saitou decides that he really wants m.." Her frown deepened. A voice jeered at her... "I thought you didn't plan to go back? So everything will change if Saitou wants you? HAHAHA", the voice continued. "Yeah right. He'll never do such a thing."
-------------------------------------------
Toki finally reached Osaka. A short and stout woman greeted her.
"So you've grown so much!" the woman continued. "You've really turned into a fine young woman."
Toki smiled sheepishly at the woman before her. "Arigatou but I haven't really turned to ..." So this was her aunt. She'd never seen her in all her life. She'd only known about her from one of Gentatsu's letters. Basically they were both strangers to each other.
Her aunt lead her to a house situated beside a big mansion. There were festivities going on in the mansion and sounds of laughter and music was loudly heard outside.
As if reading her mind, her aunt casually mentioned that she works for the owners of the mansion and that they had several foreign guest staying for the week.
"Oba-san... When would you like me to start working?", Toki asked.
"Oh not tonight. We'll have to get you some good clothes first. Your aunt Hikari has a collection of nice kimonos, that will suit you. " Hikari eyed Toki carefully. "You'll also have to do some entertaining and it's good for you, since you'll meet a lot of new people. Especially the foreigners right now are looking for Japanese wives."
Toki almost choked on the idea. Out of politeness though she just nodded and left for her room.
---------------------------------------------------
Saitou was all alone in the household. He noticed the atmosphere in the house was heavier than usual. Although he already was at peace with the fact that he no longer has his family, still it was different when someone was at least around the house. He frowned. It was not too long ago that his wife was here. She'd usually sit beside by the shoji and they'd enjoy the night together in silence. He still really haven't forgiven himself for the misfortune he has caused them. But Saitou knew that Tokio would be unhappy he wasted away because of it. He wanted to get a drink but he also knew Tokio would be upset by that. Besides, Toki won't approve of that either.
He frowned. What the hell was he doing thinking of Toki again? Although he already settled the matter with Tokio a couple of days ago when he revealed his intentions to his wife about Toki. He still felt uneasy. He had always loved his wife, but somehow the young lady who took care of him had suddenly made him unsure of himself. He had never been comfortable dealing with feelings of affection. Kami knows that it took him forever to reveal them to Tokio. It was just equally hard to reveal them to Toki, even with Tokio's permission. Now that Toki has left, he just wanted to let go and let the feelings die. Stupid feelings however kept bothering his sleep three nights in a row now.
His thoughts were interrupted when a young man entered Saitou's gates without permission. "Still haven't lost your manners I see.", he jabbed at the young man.
"Yarou.", the young man answered back "I see you're still the pathetic man I left at the precint a few days ago.."
Saitou's eyes narrowed at Sanosuke. He didn't feel like engaging in a fight today so he let the young man continue.
"You did give it to her right?", asked Sano.
Saitou nodded.
"What did she say?" Sano focused his attention on the smoking man.
Saitou blew his smoke towards the darkness and without turning said "She didn't say anything. She just cried there."
Sano's eyes widened. This man indeed was hopeless when it comes to human feelings. "Good going. Maybe giving you that box was not a good idea after all."
"Probably." Saitou shrugged.
"Do you have news about Osaka?"
"No. Just some lame foreigners looking for wives. Nothing really to worry about.", Saitou handed Sanosuke the leaflet he got from the kid a few days ago.
Sanosuke frowned. "This doesn't bother you?"
"Why should it? Toki is a much better woman to think of getting herself involved with that."
Sanosuke smiled. Well at least the yarou wasn't insulting Toki anymore.
"I'm going out there to see her. You might have given up on her but I won't." the young man looked up to the night sky. He missed his purple eyed lady.
Whether it was spur of the moment or whether because of Sanosuke's challenge, Saitou suddenly blurted out.. "Who said I'd be giving up?"
Sanosuke smiled. His plan was working. Although ultimately he knew that it was going to end unfavorably towards him. He needed someone looking after Toki, especially now that he realized where Toki's affection lied. Saitou she would welcome, but not him.
"Well don't wait too long old man. She won't wait around for you." Sanosuke gabbed on, "With a little more perserverance, she might start looking differently at me. If you know what I mean."
Saitou was extremely getting annoyed. He threw Sano one last look and headed inside, muttering "Ahou."
-------------------------------------------
As each day passed Toki became more restless. Everyday, she'd go in the mansion and serve the guest. No doubt about it, the foreign men kept eyeing her. That made her feel uneasy. One particular man named Thomas Welsch, has been cornering her and forcing his presence. Always talking about how great Britain is. How it is so unlike Japan. Japan he said was backwards and could use a few good men from Britain. However he also said that Japanese women were a gift from God and that maybe she should consider going with him.
She was lost in thought when suddenly the dreaded Welsch grabbered her into a corner. Leaning his full weight on her and half grinding against her he asked her again.
"So how about it? I'll show you what you have been missing...", Welsch hiccupped. "I can also turn you into a woman."
"Get away from me!" She pushed Welsch but he was a big man and the effort was fruitless.
He traced her chin with his fingers. "You got spunk.. I like that.." He then forcefully turned her face sideways and traced his toungue along the nape of her neck and nibbled on the back of her ear. His hand groping her breast and reached down her waist.
Incredulous, she kicked him and ran away. She noticed a lady standing behind the screen observing them. To her horror it was her Oba-san.
--------------------------------------
At the house, Toki was still fuming. She felt she had been defiled by the wrench. She immediately took a hot bath. She could still smell the foul odor from the man. Her body shivered as the thought of him touching her made her want to vomit. Another disturbing thought was her Aunt. Why did she not do anything? Why did she just stood there?
After a couple of hours she decided she'd better come out. It was getting late and she had to prepare for dinner. Her aunt was waiting for her in her room.
"Oba-san...", she stifled her anger.
"Ah I see you are finally done Toki.", the stout woman smiled. "I see you are also upset. Take my advice though, don't take it too much to heart. It won't do you any good."
"What??? Oba-san.. What did you say?", Toki was turning red from anger.
"It's exactly how you understood it. We rely on them to keep our jobs.", Hikari said. "Don't upset them."
Toki kept her silence. Confused and angry.
"They take a liking to you. I'm sure you will find one of them suitable for you. It will be a blessing." Hikari continued, "Oh by the way Mr. Welsch has asked that you come with them for dinner."
Hikari-san left a dumbfounded Toki. Toki shakily dressed in the kimono Hikari left for her. She looked out the window, towards the ornately decorated mansion. "What exactly is happening there?", she asked herself.
To her relief, Mr. Welsch did not make anymore advances that night. Although he remained uncomfortablly close. She noticed that each "guest", had women beside them too. But to her dismay, these women were letting the foreign men touch them in sometimes, inappropriate ways. One particular girl caught her eyes though. She was probably a year or two younger than her. A big man was beside her playing with her neck. Toki noticed the girl flinch everytime the man would touch her and she felt pity for the girl.
After the dinner Toki hurriedly left the mansion. The place suffocated her. It was almost like a whore-house. From the corner of her eyes she noticed a figure silently crying in the garden. She approached it slowly. To her surprise it was the girl she had noticed early in the dinner.
"Konban-wa..", Toki said. "Anou... It's not my business but I don't like to see people crying..", she smiled meekly at the girl.
The girl looked up to her and dried her tears. "Gomen-asai.. "
"Do you want to talk?" Toki said sympathetically.
The girl did not respond.
"I'm Takatsuki Toki. Yoroshiku!", she smiled.
"I'm Tezkani Meiko..", the girl looked like she was going to cry again.
It was at this time that Toki came and sat beside her. She looked up the stars and decided to act happily. No use in having two glum souls around.
"You really should stop that you know. If you cry a little louder they'll hear you and we'll have to go back in there again."
The girl stiffled her sobs.
"You know, sometimes its better to do something about your troubles than crying over it again and again.", Toki insisted.
The girl turned her attention to Toki.
"I was just like you... I just cried and cried.. You know nothing came out of it.", she sympathetically looked at the girl. "Now tell me what's bothering you."
The girl hesitated. She was a total stranger, this was the first time ever since she got her that someone was genuinely worried about her.
"Anou. Those men... Anou.. They take advantage of me." she started crying again.. "Every night.. I can't bear it anymore."
Tokis heart ached for the girl. She knew what Meiko meant. It has not happened to her yet but she was so sorry Meiko was going through it night after night.
"Why don't you try to run away?", she asked the girl.
"I can't. My parents both of them are sick and no one ever gets to leave here.", the girl mumbled.
Toki stiffened. Somehow the girl reminded her of herself. No place to go. No one to turn to. Absolute nothingness. The harsh reality that she will soon be subject to the same defilation, struck her. She hugged the girl and tried to comfort her. She did not know what to say. All she could do was share in her sorrow.
END OF CHAPTER XIII
PREVIEW CHAPTER XIV
- Saitou learns more of the suspicious event in the mansion. He comes to help Meiko.
Thanks for the review! I was laughing to myself coz I can't believe I'm almost done. Plus I never expected to have a loyal reader such as you Imalefty!
Again back at his desk, he tried working on Chou's reports. This time he was able to get seven minutes of work in before an image of red intruded in his mind. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. No good. The red image just solidified into a square box complete with all the ribbons. "Shimatta! I have gone completely insane...", he muttered.
He quickly got up. Stared at the box and pointed a finger at it. "Alright! YOU win!", he said angrily at it.
He left the precint with Chou in charge and made his way to find a carriage.
"I need you to take me to the train bound for Osaka.", he demanded from the fat burly man in front of him.
The fat driver just laughed. "You're insane, you'll never make it on time."
"I'm sure you can make that happen. How does two weeks of pay sound?", Saitou asked deviously. If the driver tardied himself much longer, Saitou decided that he'll just have to release all the pent up steam that's been building ever since Sano paid him that stupid little visit.
The man squinted his eyes and scoffed at him. "You talk big. You better have something to show for it."
Without a word Saitou took his wallet and threw it to the fat man. The man inspected it and let out a whistle. He looked back at the lean figure and smiled revealing his broken teeth. "Get in and be quick about it."
"Yare yare... Money always changes everything don't it?", he couldn't help but grin.
------------------------------------
The driver was good to his word. They arrived there five minutes before the train was supposed to leave. Of course they subject themselves to death defying and lawless stunts to get there. Saitou never noticed as somehow he lost his voice early on and his right knee won't stop shaking. He wasn't sure what to say to Toki and his throat kept getting scratchier by the minute. He gulped when they got there. A very stiff Saitou got off the carriage.
There was absolutely too many people at the station. He was quite surprised, most of them were young ladies. He noticed a small boy passing out leaflets, he took one. The boy just gave him a weird look and said, "I don't think you'll be interested in that."
True enough he wasn't. It was just a stupid little notice about how some British men were looking for brides and that they will be in Osaka in a couple of days. His annoyance went a notch higher, so that's why all these women are out. He frowned.
He dismissed the thought. No time to think as a couple more minutes the train will be leaving and the red box was begging him for it's rightful owner. Running to every window he desperately fought for the familiar face. "Where is she?"
Finally he spotted her near the back of the train. The purple eyes looking intently at him. "Great. She already saw me and she didn't even speak out.", Saitou thought a little annoyed.
-------------------------------------
"Kami-sama! What is he doing here?" Toki got very nervous. She never expected him to come see her off. Finally her nervousness left her. He's actually here and somehow she was very glad. "No not just glad, I'm very happy.", she smiled. Maybe by some weird twist of fate Saitou actually had feelings for her and here he was going to confess.
She couldn't contain her smile when Hajime came onboard the train. Blushing she eagerly greeted Hajime. She was so glad he came that she threw herself at him. Embracing him. She was oblivious to the other passengers witnessing her unbridled show of affection.
Saitou was taken aback by this. A beaming set of purple eyes were smiling happily back at him. For a moment he wanted to embrace her back, but his uneasiness overpowered him and he gently tugged her arms off around him.
"Toki...", he gently whisphered. "I didn't come for that."
Toki realizing the embarassing situation she put herself in, immediately withdrew. Started blushing and started to realize all eyes were on her. "Gome.." was all she could say.
"Here.", Saitou gave her the red box. "This was originally meant for you. I thought, you shouldn't leave without it."
Toki barely comprehended what was going on. It was apparent that she desperately was hoping he'd ask her to stay. She was now sure of her feelings for Hajime. However, she was also sure that whatever was going on was going to be one sided. "I thought you shouldn't leave without it." So he does want me to leave..", Toki concluded. She took the box from Saitou turned her back and started sobbing frantically. The purple eyes that were once overflowing with happiness, were tearing itself uncontrollably.
Saitou saw her shaking and stepped up to comfort her. His hand started to reach out when it was interrupted by a light tapping on his shoulder.
"Sir. The train is about to leave, I'll have to ask you to get off.", the conductor told Saitou.
Saitou looked over his shoulder. Toki's back was still towards him. He could tell that she has not stopped crying. Although he wanted to stay, he heaved a sigh and decided to leave. Things will have to be explained later.
-------------------------------------------------
On the way to Osaka, Toki kept eyeing the box. She was sure she had seen it before, a couple of days ago when she met Hajime at the cemetery. "I thought this was an offering to Tokio?", she asked quite puzzled. She couldn't wait any longer and decided to open it. A very fine kimono greeted her. She ran her hands through the fabric and appreciated it's silkiness to the touch. She also noticed the lillies embroidered at the hems. "This must have costed him a small fortune."
She sighed. Hajime-san sure could push her buttons. No one could make her more happier or more sad than Hajime. To Toki, Hajime was an enigma, she could barely know what he was thinking and right now was one of those times. Mixed signals. The Kimono definitely hinted that she was appreciated. However the exquisiteness of it and the lillies, indicated more than appreciation. Toki thought no man would buy such an expensive parting away gift if he had no interest. The lillies themselves betrayed that he has been watching her. Her favorite kimono was a simple one her mother gave to her with lillies at the bottom.
"Hajime.. What are you thinking?", she shook her head. There was no point anymore, she has left and she doubted if Hajime will visit her in Osaka. She stared outside. If she was going to make a new life for herself then she'll have to bury the old one. She decided never to visit Tokyo again, eventhough her friends and Sanosuke were there. "Sanosuke-kun suma. I'm sure you'll find someone who'll love you back."
Then the question struck her. "Is it better to be with someone you love but not be loved in return? Or is it better to be with someone who loves you but you don't love back?" She frowned. "Baka Toki! Stop thinking of them. I will never go back to Tokyo! Not until that Baka Saitou decides that he really wants m.." Her frown deepened. A voice jeered at her... "I thought you didn't plan to go back? So everything will change if Saitou wants you? HAHAHA", the voice continued. "Yeah right. He'll never do such a thing."
-------------------------------------------
Toki finally reached Osaka. A short and stout woman greeted her.
"So you've grown so much!" the woman continued. "You've really turned into a fine young woman."
Toki smiled sheepishly at the woman before her. "Arigatou but I haven't really turned to ..." So this was her aunt. She'd never seen her in all her life. She'd only known about her from one of Gentatsu's letters. Basically they were both strangers to each other.
Her aunt lead her to a house situated beside a big mansion. There were festivities going on in the mansion and sounds of laughter and music was loudly heard outside.
As if reading her mind, her aunt casually mentioned that she works for the owners of the mansion and that they had several foreign guest staying for the week.
"Oba-san... When would you like me to start working?", Toki asked.
"Oh not tonight. We'll have to get you some good clothes first. Your aunt Hikari has a collection of nice kimonos, that will suit you. " Hikari eyed Toki carefully. "You'll also have to do some entertaining and it's good for you, since you'll meet a lot of new people. Especially the foreigners right now are looking for Japanese wives."
Toki almost choked on the idea. Out of politeness though she just nodded and left for her room.
---------------------------------------------------
Saitou was all alone in the household. He noticed the atmosphere in the house was heavier than usual. Although he already was at peace with the fact that he no longer has his family, still it was different when someone was at least around the house. He frowned. It was not too long ago that his wife was here. She'd usually sit beside by the shoji and they'd enjoy the night together in silence. He still really haven't forgiven himself for the misfortune he has caused them. But Saitou knew that Tokio would be unhappy he wasted away because of it. He wanted to get a drink but he also knew Tokio would be upset by that. Besides, Toki won't approve of that either.
He frowned. What the hell was he doing thinking of Toki again? Although he already settled the matter with Tokio a couple of days ago when he revealed his intentions to his wife about Toki. He still felt uneasy. He had always loved his wife, but somehow the young lady who took care of him had suddenly made him unsure of himself. He had never been comfortable dealing with feelings of affection. Kami knows that it took him forever to reveal them to Tokio. It was just equally hard to reveal them to Toki, even with Tokio's permission. Now that Toki has left, he just wanted to let go and let the feelings die. Stupid feelings however kept bothering his sleep three nights in a row now.
His thoughts were interrupted when a young man entered Saitou's gates without permission. "Still haven't lost your manners I see.", he jabbed at the young man.
"Yarou.", the young man answered back "I see you're still the pathetic man I left at the precint a few days ago.."
Saitou's eyes narrowed at Sanosuke. He didn't feel like engaging in a fight today so he let the young man continue.
"You did give it to her right?", asked Sano.
Saitou nodded.
"What did she say?" Sano focused his attention on the smoking man.
Saitou blew his smoke towards the darkness and without turning said "She didn't say anything. She just cried there."
Sano's eyes widened. This man indeed was hopeless when it comes to human feelings. "Good going. Maybe giving you that box was not a good idea after all."
"Probably." Saitou shrugged.
"Do you have news about Osaka?"
"No. Just some lame foreigners looking for wives. Nothing really to worry about.", Saitou handed Sanosuke the leaflet he got from the kid a few days ago.
Sanosuke frowned. "This doesn't bother you?"
"Why should it? Toki is a much better woman to think of getting herself involved with that."
Sanosuke smiled. Well at least the yarou wasn't insulting Toki anymore.
"I'm going out there to see her. You might have given up on her but I won't." the young man looked up to the night sky. He missed his purple eyed lady.
Whether it was spur of the moment or whether because of Sanosuke's challenge, Saitou suddenly blurted out.. "Who said I'd be giving up?"
Sanosuke smiled. His plan was working. Although ultimately he knew that it was going to end unfavorably towards him. He needed someone looking after Toki, especially now that he realized where Toki's affection lied. Saitou she would welcome, but not him.
"Well don't wait too long old man. She won't wait around for you." Sanosuke gabbed on, "With a little more perserverance, she might start looking differently at me. If you know what I mean."
Saitou was extremely getting annoyed. He threw Sano one last look and headed inside, muttering "Ahou."
-------------------------------------------
As each day passed Toki became more restless. Everyday, she'd go in the mansion and serve the guest. No doubt about it, the foreign men kept eyeing her. That made her feel uneasy. One particular man named Thomas Welsch, has been cornering her and forcing his presence. Always talking about how great Britain is. How it is so unlike Japan. Japan he said was backwards and could use a few good men from Britain. However he also said that Japanese women were a gift from God and that maybe she should consider going with him.
She was lost in thought when suddenly the dreaded Welsch grabbered her into a corner. Leaning his full weight on her and half grinding against her he asked her again.
"So how about it? I'll show you what you have been missing...", Welsch hiccupped. "I can also turn you into a woman."
"Get away from me!" She pushed Welsch but he was a big man and the effort was fruitless.
He traced her chin with his fingers. "You got spunk.. I like that.." He then forcefully turned her face sideways and traced his toungue along the nape of her neck and nibbled on the back of her ear. His hand groping her breast and reached down her waist.
Incredulous, she kicked him and ran away. She noticed a lady standing behind the screen observing them. To her horror it was her Oba-san.
--------------------------------------
At the house, Toki was still fuming. She felt she had been defiled by the wrench. She immediately took a hot bath. She could still smell the foul odor from the man. Her body shivered as the thought of him touching her made her want to vomit. Another disturbing thought was her Aunt. Why did she not do anything? Why did she just stood there?
After a couple of hours she decided she'd better come out. It was getting late and she had to prepare for dinner. Her aunt was waiting for her in her room.
"Oba-san...", she stifled her anger.
"Ah I see you are finally done Toki.", the stout woman smiled. "I see you are also upset. Take my advice though, don't take it too much to heart. It won't do you any good."
"What??? Oba-san.. What did you say?", Toki was turning red from anger.
"It's exactly how you understood it. We rely on them to keep our jobs.", Hikari said. "Don't upset them."
Toki kept her silence. Confused and angry.
"They take a liking to you. I'm sure you will find one of them suitable for you. It will be a blessing." Hikari continued, "Oh by the way Mr. Welsch has asked that you come with them for dinner."
Hikari-san left a dumbfounded Toki. Toki shakily dressed in the kimono Hikari left for her. She looked out the window, towards the ornately decorated mansion. "What exactly is happening there?", she asked herself.
To her relief, Mr. Welsch did not make anymore advances that night. Although he remained uncomfortablly close. She noticed that each "guest", had women beside them too. But to her dismay, these women were letting the foreign men touch them in sometimes, inappropriate ways. One particular girl caught her eyes though. She was probably a year or two younger than her. A big man was beside her playing with her neck. Toki noticed the girl flinch everytime the man would touch her and she felt pity for the girl.
After the dinner Toki hurriedly left the mansion. The place suffocated her. It was almost like a whore-house. From the corner of her eyes she noticed a figure silently crying in the garden. She approached it slowly. To her surprise it was the girl she had noticed early in the dinner.
"Konban-wa..", Toki said. "Anou... It's not my business but I don't like to see people crying..", she smiled meekly at the girl.
The girl looked up to her and dried her tears. "Gomen-asai.. "
"Do you want to talk?" Toki said sympathetically.
The girl did not respond.
"I'm Takatsuki Toki. Yoroshiku!", she smiled.
"I'm Tezkani Meiko..", the girl looked like she was going to cry again.
It was at this time that Toki came and sat beside her. She looked up the stars and decided to act happily. No use in having two glum souls around.
"You really should stop that you know. If you cry a little louder they'll hear you and we'll have to go back in there again."
The girl stiffled her sobs.
"You know, sometimes its better to do something about your troubles than crying over it again and again.", Toki insisted.
The girl turned her attention to Toki.
"I was just like you... I just cried and cried.. You know nothing came out of it.", she sympathetically looked at the girl. "Now tell me what's bothering you."
The girl hesitated. She was a total stranger, this was the first time ever since she got her that someone was genuinely worried about her.
"Anou. Those men... Anou.. They take advantage of me." she started crying again.. "Every night.. I can't bear it anymore."
Tokis heart ached for the girl. She knew what Meiko meant. It has not happened to her yet but she was so sorry Meiko was going through it night after night.
"Why don't you try to run away?", she asked the girl.
"I can't. My parents both of them are sick and no one ever gets to leave here.", the girl mumbled.
Toki stiffened. Somehow the girl reminded her of herself. No place to go. No one to turn to. Absolute nothingness. The harsh reality that she will soon be subject to the same defilation, struck her. She hugged the girl and tried to comfort her. She did not know what to say. All she could do was share in her sorrow.
END OF CHAPTER XIII
PREVIEW CHAPTER XIV
- Saitou learns more of the suspicious event in the mansion. He comes to help Meiko.
Thanks for the review! I was laughing to myself coz I can't believe I'm almost done. Plus I never expected to have a loyal reader such as you Imalefty!