by Eve Kaan
In a firm tone, I ordered, 'Tomorrow we will go to Yoshiwara's home tour. We have to figure out what they did that night at the client's house. It's the only way to eliminate the Great House as a source of infection. '
Gina turned to me. 'Rin, you've got enough work around the Great House as it is. We'll do that job tomorrow.'
Upon leaving, I snapped, 'You are here to listen to me - not the other way around. No one will order me, do you understand me, Gina?'
Her expression stiffened, body froze as she stared at the floor. 'I just wanted to help Rin. I'm sorry, it's not like that...'
No one's allowed to talk to me like that. They sometimes forget where their place is. This is a serious situation where a leading hand must be determined and efficient.
✽✽✽
Uta
Hana and Kaoru reside at the client's estate while Utano rests in her room. She is recovering quite well. Now she has no problem walking, but kneeling at the table during a meal is still a challenge. Mother's continually getting inquiries about my free terms. Part of the queries comes from clients who had met me when I was present at previous parties in our house, and the other part from those who noticed me during the ceremony when I was wearing a kimono coloured like made of pearls. That's what Mother told me during her ramen preparation. I served only two sets for lunch at the table and prepared our futons that came from yesterday's fabric change, Mother had sent them to. The smell of food spreads throughout the room as if it intentionally wants to cause even greater hunger in the middle of my abdomen. Finally, a meal with half of the egg and other contents arrived. Throughout our meal Mother continued the theme of clients with their impressions of my skills. She seems honestly proud of it.
'Mother, I don't want to be a burden, my debt is constantly increasing.'
She stopped eating, and after looking at me for a while, choosing her next words, she said, 'I've been thinking about this Uta, for a while now. The best solution is to seek for Madam's guidance and see what to do next.'
With uncertainty, I asked 'I saw yesterday that the Great House was closed?'
Mother calmed me. 'Maybe they are in preparations for a themed party of private type - they usually close the house on such occasions, but only for one day. After lunch, I will go to them. I hope to return with good news.'
I would stay alone after Mother’s departure to the Great House if it isn't for Utano sleeping upstairs in her room. While drinking tea on the porch, I'm watching the spring signs on all plants around. There are many different colored smells. The sun hid behind a small bush of purple lilac flower. My body feels light like it could hover on the breeze that travels through those soft petals.
In the background, the percussion sound is spreading its music through the air. Certainly, some of the girls from neighboring houses are playing it. That's my favorite melody. Carefully placing my tea on the ground, I got up. In yearning for thoughts which would take away all the worries that are burdening my shoulders, I started to move in rhythm, slowing to match the instruments. My legs are leaping from one end of the porch to the other. It wasn't a choreography practice movements, but surrendering to flow of the wind.
Every thought has disappeared. Colors faded and forms became one. Behind closed eyes, my senses awakened the memories of a time when I was free. In my nostrils wafted the smell of jasmine with a note of lemon and green tea. Instantly an image of a woman with a cigar in front of my closed eyes appeared. I remember her gaze when her hand brushed mine. The sensual movements she had and the elevated chin position during the soft smoke puffing. She causes my mind to have thoughts as I've never had of anyone before. The more I think about her, the intensity of jasmine smell increases. I'm completely mesmerized.
✽✽✽
Rin
Gina and Nori are sent in a parallel street to check the states of households there.
I entered Utano's house without a proper announcement. Well, I tried to knock, but there was no answer.
Now I'm standing in the middle of the central room and looking at the porch through an open door. Then I saw her. Utas body is swinging. If she was infected, she wouldn't dance like this. Her figure spins in gentle movements. Dark loose hair flips through the air, in some moments sliding through her exposed neck. Sun rays are absorbed by the skin as it flashes slightly, her lips looking red like a wild raspberry fruit. This beauty is magical. Rising heat ascends in my body and stops at the chest area. My palms began to sweat - some unusual nervousness struck. She hasn't noticed me watching her. I have the need to keep this moment memorized deep in my mind while soaking every part of her movement. Is it possible that in Yoshiwara lives a girl with such skills?
The music is decreasing, and her body follows the slowing rhythm. She'll notice me staring, so I stumbled on the porch to interrupt her during the dance.
'Good day, young lady.'
✽✽✽
Uta
The women of a silver stick stood in front of me as an illusion. I froze, standing still – speechless. I'm not sure whether she was real or just my imagination. With a smile, she gently said, 'It was not my intention to scare you.' That really is her, I became sure.
I still was silent, just watching her. 'Who are you?' The first sentence finally came out.
'My name is Rin, and you are Uta?' She pronounced my name carefully as if it was of porcelain. She came for me - she bought me.
'Yes, my name is Uta,' I whispered in a breath.
'You're an amazing dancer.'
My heart accelerated for a compliment, and blood rises to my cheeks.
'You were watching me?'
She gazed at me, saying with a voice full of tenderness. 'I noticed...'
'Mother!' My mouth just spoke in an unconscious way as I stayed in the moment, saying what I saw.
Our eyes parted. Colours are gone. Air started to flow. It all disappeared like a scattered spell when she saw Mother behind her back.
'Respectable lady, our whole house is at your service. Tell us what kind of request can we satisfy?'
Putting cigarette on a wooden stick, her eyes pointed toward Mother's - tenderness in her voice gone, she said, 'Can we talk in private, Mother?'
✽✽✽
Who is Rin? Mother has never talked to anyone like that. I don't understand what kind of situation is this. I left due Mother’s request to give them privacy. This conversation really intrigued me. She must've come for me. My desire to hear what she has to say about me is unbearable. I climbed up the stairs and squatted beside the handrail so I would catch a word or two at least. She treated me like a real lady. I don't care with whom she was spending her previous nights, it's me who's the last. I'm afraid, nervous and at the same time, I feel like I've never been more ready.
I can hear voices, but it's hard to discern the words. First, she stepped out, then Mother. I hid in my room due to their vibrating steps. She is coming to me. My heart flipped like a blaze. I need to set a hairstyle and find that silky kimono. Oh, where did I toss it? This unexpected situation is making me run all over the room, I don't want her to wait long. Steps are getting closer. I'm putting a new obi in a hurry, not sure on which side to tie it, should it be from the front or should I wait for Mother to get her help with tying from behind, and then - as if a great cloudburst head struck me.
'You are Utano, I presume?' I heard her before they closed the door of Utano's bedroom. I slipped onto my futon, dropped obi out of my arms, and struggled with a sudden chest strain. I breathed heavily - wheezing. My eyes flickered. I shut them. All my strength was gone, and I surrendered to the bitter tears of my cry. Utano is now leaving the room with her in silence, to the carriage that awaits them outside.
Mother told me only that Utano was taken to the Great House. The intended talk this afternoon with Madam not even mentioning. I couldn't fell asleep till the sunrise. Late in the night, I heard my sister coming upstairs. She was climbing with difficulty, breathing fast, and quietly groaning. It must be painful. I want to
help her, but each of her exhilarations brings me the thoughts of how she sounded like this in passion engagement. I feel the weight of every step in my chest...
CHAPTER FIVE
Rin
I'm smoking my cigarette on a beautiful morning of Yoshiwara streets. Resting on a settee with Great House in view is somehow relaxing. From this perspective, it presumes like a serene home of harmonious functioning. Doctors examinations of the girls lasted almost till sunrise. There is no danger of epidemic that I was so afraid of. We found three out of ten girls infected. All three of them ate some shells with their clients that evening, just as we presumed from the writings. I sent those girls outside of Yoshiwara to a house with personal caretakers. A doctor found the slightest form of cholera in their cases, but there shouldn't be any problems with recovery. The Great House has been reopened.
'Gina, Nori!' I shout as they come out through the door, 'It's finally time to rest girls. We haven't slept for two nights and two days.' Raising my hand in the air, I point towards us. 'Carriage!' I then called for our transport to lead us in a quiet dream.
Nori exclaimed with relief, 'It's finally over.'
We arrived at our destination in a blink of an eye, or the time has passed faster because of fatigue - was my thoughts as I entered the room. It took me only a moment to settle myself in cozy comforters with Uta entering my mind in the process.
When she said her name on that porch, I started to tremble uncontrollably. Her voice was different from that evening when she performed. Soft and bright, like silky smooth. Some unexplainable force had begun to pull me to her. I had tried to make a step, but the feeling of my legs was lost. If Mother didn't appear, I would be utterly enchanted.
Although while I was walking down the stairs in her house, I became aware that my sight was seeking for those magnificent eyes, in which I was drowning myself before our parting. Her freedom in spirit impacts me like an opiate. For a moment there I completely forgot all my problems. I've never felt like this in my life - with anyone.
How I would love to see those beautiful eyes just once before drifting off to sleep.
✽✽✽
Uta
Utano entered my room to wake me up. Sun came up in the ugly morning - ugliest of all the previous ones. I feel exhausted from the fragile sleep. My eyes are closed. They can't look at her. Why isn't she asleep? I've heard her returning home just a few hours ago. Certainly, she's tired, and how could not she be after such a long night. But maybe my sister just couldn't wait to give me a little lesson on the tips.
'Utaaa...' she gently called me.
'Why are you entering my room without permission? I'm not your younger sister anymore if you accidentally missed that detail - the ceremony ended long ago. In front of you is a night lady, equal to you, so I ask you to treat me accordingly.' I don't know where all that anger came from. I was regretting all of it the same moment the words came out. She froze shocked. I've never been rude to her. She turned around and stomped out. 'Utano, wait!' I shouted, running out of the room, but then the outside doors shut closed. What did I do? It's not her fault! Oh, why did I do that? What's wrong with me? I didn't mean any of it. - Was my rapid thoughts while I was looking helplessly into the door through which she went out.
Confused Mother approached me and asked with concern. 'Did Utano just went out?
'Yes, Mother,' I said quietly.
She went to the reception room where Kaoru set flipping through some volumes of shunga. 'And where did Utano go? There haven't been more than three hours since she returned, and from an exhausting night like that... She spent the whole night with doctors.'
'Doctors? What doctors Mother?' I asked while approaching her.
'Yesterday the Respected lady came to us. Her name is Rin, at least that's what the streets are saying. She is the new owner of Yoshiwara...' Mother began with the story.
Yoshiwaras owner!? I listened in wonder.
'Apparently, there was an illness in the house of the client last visited by Utano. There were several other girls with her. The respected lady sent her people yesterday for all the girls to see their doctors in the Great House. Uh, that lasted for hours. Three girls are ill, luckily with our Utano, everything is fine. The girls were transferred to a special house with the best care. Supposedly there should be no problem with recovery...' Kaoru arranged the futon beside her. Mother only briefly added, 'It's odd that after such a night Utano takes a walk instead of sleep and she didn't even eat her breakfast.'
My mind went blank for a few moments. My feet led me out of the house faster than the lightning. I must find her. Where did she go? This is a misunderstanding. Well, I'm going insane about everything because of ceremony failure. I ran down the street, looked around and searched. There was no trace of her. I checked every street, all tailoring parlours, around the Great House and even climbed up the stone steps. I asked people on the streets, but nobody saw the face I hurt.
In despair, I crossed the border of our Yoshiwaras part founding myself on the streets where I was lost as a child. Everything now seems smaller, like tiny stones. Strange faces confronted me. Some men started throwing filthy comments. Frightened and completely lost I continued to walk.
In the sky, the shadowy moon began to arise, even though it was still daylight. I noticed that little street where we met for the first time. Exhausted, I stepped in after so many years. Without hope and without fear I lowered my head towards the ground with a hand on the side wall. This can't go on any longer. I have to go back - I didn't find her. She may have gone back home in the meantime, it's been over half a day. I raised my face to turn around, and then saw Utano's back. She was sitting on the ground near the pot that I crashed down as a child.
'Utano!' I shouted loudly, unable to keep the tone down because of happiness.
'Utano!' I repeated and used the last bit of strength to run toward her.
For the first time - she cried in front of my eyes. I hugged her gently from behind. 'I love you Utano. I'm so sorry.' When I slid my head on her shoulder she cried even more, 'Please, stop crying, don't be sad. I didn't mean any of those things I said. You will always be my sister, forever. I want you to wake me up for the rest of my life,' I held her even tighter, and than felt her gentle caress on my fingers. 'I love you Utano. Sop crying,' I reiterated between my sobs, 'I love you,' I said weakly with despair evident in my voice. 'Mother is concerned. Let's go home, Utano,' was my quiet try for the last time.
She stopped crying. Complete silence prevailed. Even the voices from neighboring streets were no longer heard.
'Concerned?' Her answer was sarcastic. She got up from the floor turning her face to me, which was red and tear-swollen. Bitterness filled her. 'Concerned, just like that night when she left me here. She told me last night when I came back from the doctor to give her the gold I just got. The respected lady only told her she needed me in the Great House for an intimate reason she would not mention. I guess Mother thought she wanted to be a matron or something. She took everything I saved for us.'
I wasn't any better than Mother with my reason for attacking Utano being almost the same as hers. I just want her to forgive me and forget all those words sharp as a samurai katana. 'Oh..., Utano, my dear sister. Mother knows you were with a doctor. She told me this morning when you left. Maybe Sayuri's Mother told her, they're living across from us after all. She will return the gold back, and if she doesn't - I'll start earning now as well. You're not alone anymore. We'll quickly get an amount for our freedom.' Comforting her, I just wanted to hear that we'll go home along with her forgiveness for my morning's poor behaviour.
'I love you too, Uta. Hopefully, you will remain so innocent forever, despite your front tied obi.' She hugged me during this little talk.
'Are we still sisters, Utano? My love for you is greater than anything, please don't ever leave me again. I was ready to run to the end of the world.' Holding by our hands, we walked down the street full of bitter memories.
Finally
, she smiled weakly. 'You know that you are the most important person to me in the whole world. We will always be sisters. While you are beside me, this all makes sense.' I felt relief that could not be measured to any pleasure I have experienced so far. After all, Utano means everything to me, like my grandmother did before I lost her a long time ago for good.
✽✽✽
Rin
'Respected lady,' Madam turned to me on the stairs as I entered the Great House.
I cut her off in an instant, 'Can't you wait at least until I settle in my chambers? All the fuss settled down. What can be so urgent now that does not allow me to drink a morning beverage with the wonderful sound of birds?'
Lowering her head down Madam took a few steps back to let me pass first, and I added to that, 'Serve me some green tea and send a record of cleaning the well for my inspection with it!'
She humbly informed me. 'The record is not over yet. You know, we were troubled with the girls and doctors situation. If we could deliver a report in the afternoon, I would be grateful?'
'It's not over! Well, what kind of job did you have with the girls? Five assistants work for Madam, and yet you have not assigned any task to them, for example, to write a note about the well. If you could give it later? – Why even ask me something like that, it should have been finished. Bring it as soon as possible. We have to pay people off!' I commented incredulously.
She opened the door of my work chamber, and then I heard her shouting in the corridor, 'Green tea and a note on the well - right now!'
That's the way, she has to be tough - a firm hand like me, if she plans to keep her position as Madam for such a big business. She'll learn eventually. It's her first time doing something like this, and she just recently took that position. I am incredibly pleased with her organization of ceremonial evening, despite the fact that it was delayed because of her time to accumulate in the procedure.
I opened the window to take a look of greenery. 'The tea is served,' said some young girl. Madam entered the room along with her. I offered her to sit down. 'Madam, you have the word, what is it?'