Efflorescence
Chapter Two: Chestnut
by Autumn Win-Dow
Natsume was stunned. He had never seen a brown haired maiko before in his life, even when he had travelled up to Tokyo and lived there for years.
She donned the traditional make-up – white powder covered every inch of skin on her face and neck, and her eyebrows were dark and defined. Her small lips were a deep red, and they were curved into a content smile, just like the other maiko who sat next to her.
The head geisha noticed his slight interest in the brown haired maiko, and spoke up, "I've seen you've already taken an interest, Mr Hyuuga."
Natsume ignored the smirks on his friends' faces as his eyes met hers, and he ended up wondering if this woman was really Japanese – the brown hair and eyes contradicted the orthodox appearance of the traditional geisha, as well as a Japanese woman. She appeared briefly stunned at the fact that he was looking at her, and she slightly bowed her head.
The head geisha turned to look at the young maiko at the end, and gently signalled to her before speaking, "Why don't you introduce yourself to these men."
Her head perked up at the head geisha's order – her hair ornaments swaying in the air as she looked up – before slowly facing the three men. However, she couldn't help but keep her eyes on one man in particular.
"My name is Kurike, meaning chestnut." She introduced herself, as she bowed her head once again.
Natsume had heard that maiko were often named by their older sisters based on their particular traits, and he knew immediately that 'Kurike' was not her real name – it was evidently referring to the colour of her hair.
But somehow, he didn't really find the name suitable for her despite all of the connected traits.
He looked up at her once again, but saw that she had secretly turned her head in order to avoid any more chances of eye contact. However, the small smile on her lips remained in her face – he couldn't tell if it was in order to keep her image as a calm and collected maiko, or if she was somehow happy about the brief happenings.
"That's a beautiful name."
It was what he was thinking, but Natsume hadn't been the one who had said it.
His eyes left Kurike for a moment in order to locate the source of the compliment – Koko. Unlike himself, Koko had the confidence to say what was on his mind, as he smiled at the shy maiko, who bowed her head – for the third time during their encounter – and thanked him with a genuine smile of her own.
Natsume decided that her voice wasn't at all 'twinkly', like the ideal woman, but he didn't feel the same when he heard her speak even an introduction or a mere 'thank you'.
After that moment in time, Natsume was no longer the same.