Chapter Text
*Giyu’s Pov*
I walked with Tengen in the afternoon and we sold Tanjiro and Inosuke. “Now we need to sell you off Netsu,” Tengen pats Zenitsu’s head affectionately. I watch Zenitsu grimace and speak in a girly tone “must I get sold? There's no other way?” Tengen laughs and shakes his head, “nope, you gotta make me money my daughter. Does anyone want her for a discount?!” Tenben hollers where he sees a lot of people trying to buy working girls. An old lady says an offer that piques Tengen’s interest, “SOLD!” He pushes Zenitsu to go with the lady. He looks over at me and pats me on the shoulder. “Now you'll go into the house I saw my wife at last,” I nod at his notion. I feel my stomach slowly sinking. I don't want to do this and will feel worse if he doesn't find a hint about Uzui's wife. I hope I can succeed.
Tengen and I walk into a house, "my friend here wants to be entertained, he needs someone that won't scare him.” I keep quiet and can smell an overwhelming amount of incense. It's disgusting. The lady of the house walks me and Tengen to my room, “how long will you be staying?” Before I can answer, Tengen answers, “2 days and 2 nights and afternoon brunch. I'll pay the best price my dear for my friend.” The lady smiles happily, “yes sir I'll get the sweetest courtesan for you my dear.” The lady leaves excitedly. Tengen turns serious, “listen Tomioka, have fun. But just remember the mission,” he leans closer to my ear, “loosen up a little bit and enjoy yourself with the little lady. This is a good house for anything you want entertained.” I feel my stomach drop and I look at Tengen annoyed, “I will leave right now if you keep taunting me, Uzui.” Tengen laughs loudly. “Ya ya, I was kidding,” he walks out, “maybe?” I shake my head and take a seat on the tatami mat. I’m only here for information to help out Uzui. I just hope I'm helpful enough to him. I feel my hands tremble and I feel my heart beating fast.
THUMP.
THUMP.
The room is decorated with lanterns and cherry blossom designs. There's red accents to represent the ranking of the courtesan house, this one is one of the highest ranks. I lay my sword to the side to keep near, but not to startle the courtesan. Light footsteps approaching. I just have to focus, it's not like I'm easy. I don't need help with anything. I don't want anyone too close to me anyways.
The door opens slowly and the lady of the house walks in first. She bows, “I brought our courtesan that would suit your preference, Tomioka-san.” I nod. A young lady walks in. My eyes widen from what I'm seeing. The young lady walks in with her eyes looking down. Her eyes are light silver almost blending in with the moonlight. Then, her hair is a lilac purple to match her eyes. Her physique is curvy, but elegant. She's slightly shorter and she carries herself fragilely, but controlled. I've never seen anyone as beautiful as her. She truly looked like an angel and when she finally looked at me, my heart was beating fast for another reason. Nervousness.
She bows elegantly, “my name is Yurei Noshika, nice to meet you.” I look at her. I forget that I'm able to speak. She doesn't speak again and she sits the tray down that has a few array of sweet treats and wine with two glasses. Then, the lady of the house walks away saying that she'll be back again later. I nod softly, but instantly look back at Yurei. Her body's essentially glowing and she doesn't say much. Dammit, I nearly forgot this is a mission. I cough, “u-um.” Yurei finishes pouring the wine and passes his glass making direct eye contact with me. She smiles faintly and I take the wine glass. She lifts her glass slowly and we do a light cheer. I sip the wine and speak once again, “So Yurei is your name?” She places her wine glass down and nods, “yes, Yurei Noshika and you're Giyu Tomioka, a Water Hashira. It’s an honor to meet you,” she bows again.
An honor?
Not really.
There's nothing special about me.
Nothing to be proud of.
Focus. Yurei lifts her glass again and while she sips it, I ask “so, Yurei has anything odd happen in the house? Like any disappearances or anything?” Yueri instantly stops drinking and I can see her body shift uncomfortably. “I-I cannot speak of things like that,” Yurei looks away from me. She probably feels cornered by my question. I shouldn't have pushed her that far. I feel guilty for doing that to her. I fucked up. Before I'm able to speak again, the lady of the house re-enters. She looks at Yurei with an annoyed face, “is she satisfying you Tomioka-san?” I watch Yurei flinch and I feel myself clench my fists. Yurei is just trying to do her job and I've already made her uncomfortable. I'll make sure I repay her for my mistake. I look at the lady of the house, “she's been wonderful, I would love to spend more time with her, alone, for tonight.” The lady of the house looks between us and nods. She leaves and Yurei's body instantly relaxes. I finish drinking the wine and Yurei stands to move closer to me. She sits next to me. Seeing her up close is even more breathtaking. Her skin is lightly tanned, extremely smooth, a natural beauty mark below her left eye, and her eyes look at me dangerously seductive. I realize she's looking at me with nervous eyes, her hands start to tremble near mine.
She's trying to seduce me.
It's her job.
I just claimed to want her alone for the night.
I’m stupid.
I watch her hand tremble when she tries to place her hand towards my chest. Her body becomes stiff as she approaches me. I watch her as she tries to lean closer to me, but I see the panic in her eyes. She leans back and slides over to the side slightly. I can see tears lightly prick her eyes and she looks down into her lap. She has to ‘seduce’ me as a part of her job. I don't want that. She's too delicate for me to ruin. She's so small and too beautiful for me to taint. I get up and lower myself in front of her. “Yurei, will you look at me, please?” She slowly makes eye contact with me, sniffling. “You don't have to do anything with me because I haven't asked you to,” I say to her softly, reassuring her. I see the relief settle in her eyes, “I've never had to…I'm very new to this whole thing. I'm only used for conversation or simple entertainment. Not like this.” I shake my head gently, “I only want you as you.” I sit back down next to her and give her her space. I know that courtesans are not treated like this normally, treated like humans. It's the same with pillars. They treat us like we're great beings, but at the end of the day. We're both only humans.
I let Yurei take as much time as she needed, and her tears fell. I would look at her every so often to make sure she was doing well. The night continued and I wanted her to make the next move. Whatever it may be, I want her to feel seen. Something that I understand a lot. I don't want her to feel like she's just an object that has to be used and has high expectations. Just like me. Something I fully understand. Oddly enough, I feel something peaceful about being around someone who's outside of his world, but in a way understands how my life is.