Efflorescence

Chapter Eight: Expectations

by Autumn Win-Dow

(AoGA House Cup. Words: 500)

Another forced smile.

"Yes, of course," She confirmed grimly, averting eye contact, "How did you know?"

"Just guessing. I mean, isn't that the normal reason why most geisha work?" He explained, but then turned to the young maiko questioningly, "Unless, there's a motive?"

"Of course not," Kurike sighed, "Why would I have another motive in wanting to become a fully fledged geisha who serves customers?"

Natsume opened his mouth to speak, but he paused in noticing something strange about her words."...Another? So you do have one?"

He noticed Kurike's grip on her parasol tighten - he was now sure that his bluff about knowing about her motives had effectively worked in telling him that there was something.

"What else would I be able to gain from being a maiko?" Kurike kept her cool, while staging an ovlivious expression. "You were right, before. I have a debt to pay."

She hadn't lied. The costs of her necessities for being a maiko was initially paid for by the okiya, but it was inevitable that with her services, she would pay them back. It was a normal process for all maiko.

But Natsume knew that as well, and he could smell something fishy - in both a literal and a metaphorical way, but the koi fish in the pond in front of him was not at all his concern.

However, he decided that he was pressuring the woman too much, and was risking the possibility of having her move to another ochaya.

I need to talk to the one in charge about this. They'll have heard of me. It'll be fine and dandy. He reassured himself as he turned on his heel and started making his way along the pathway. Natsume noticed that for a moment the shade of the parasol did not follow him, but it immediately caught up to him, followed by a shocked gasp.

She's out of it. I can tell.

They did not talk until they reached the end of the pathway. There, Kurike's onee-san awaited them.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" She asked him with a smile, as the duo stopped in their tracks in front of her.

Kurike could predict what would happen - she was convinced that Natsume would say no, and then go on to describe the disrespect she had been showing him. She was certain that it would eventually lead to a harsh scolding, and perhaps a punishment of being banished from that ochaya.
She could feel her nails digging into the wood of her parasol, as she awaited his answer.

"Yes, I am." Natsume replied with a grin as he bowed his head slightly. "In fact, I'd like to express an interest in Kurike and her services."
He disliked that sound of her geisha name off his tongue.

Meanwhile, Kurike couldn't believe her ears. A part of her considered that perhaps banishment was a less excruciating punishment than this.
But as always, she couldn't talk back to her customer in front of her onee-san.