Breaking Binds

Chapter 1: 10 Years Later

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#092523

‧☾Present Day☽.𖤐

The dimly lit corridors of the Yūkaku, the traditional Japanese entertainment house, echoed with the hushed whispers of its inhabitants. Here, the hierarchy was as structured as the kimono-clad women who graced its halls, each with her own story and destiny entwined in this labyrinthine world of pleasure and performance.

"Lila-san, oksan is looking for you," a low-ranking girl called out, her voice barely rising above a murmur. She was one of the newcomers, those who served as maids before they could even dream of donning the vibrant, intricately embroidered kimonos that defined the house's allure.

In the Yūkaku, the social strata were as complex as the intricate patterns on the silken fabrics they wore. Entertainers, held varying levels of experience and prestige. To rise in this world, one had to start at the bottom, where Kay herself had once been—a "some," the lowest rung on the ladder.

Lila, a name she had adopted within the Yūkaku, as was customary for all its inhabitants, had clawed her way up from the depths of obscurity. Here, you could be anyone you wanted, except yourself. The price for using your real name was a hefty one, equivalent to paying double the cost. It was a sacrifice many willingly made to protect their identities and secrets.

"Okasan? Why?" Lila groaned, her voice still heavy with sleep as she struggled to emerge from the embrace of her dreams.

"I don't know," replied a fellow some, her face reflecting the same confusion that hung in the air. "She just said you must seek her as soon as possible."

With a resigned sigh, Lila forced herself to wake up, her gaze drifting toward the small clock on the wall. "Fuck" she muttered under her breath, realizing it wasn't even her usual wake-up time. Lila typically rose at 7 PM, preparing meticulously for the evening's performances and festivities.

"Hey, what's your name again?" Lila inquired, her memory slipping in the drowsy haze.

"Haru-desu," the girl replied with a slight bow of her head, a sign of respect ingrained in their daily lives.

"Haru, can you please ready my bath and clean the room?" Lila asked, her authority and familiarity with the routine evident in her tone.

Haru nodded, a silent promise to fulfill the task diligently. With that, Lila left her quarters, making her way through the labyrinthine corridors toward the heart of the Yūkaku—the office of Oksan, the mysterious and powerful woman who held the strings to their destinies, where secrets were bartered, dreams were woven, and fates were sealed.

Lila, with graceful precision, knelt before the ornate door of Oksan's chamber. She wrapped her knuckles gently against the wooden surface, a signal of respect, before announcing her presence. "Okasan, your daughter has arrived," she said, her voice a mix of formality and warmth.

"Come," Oksan's voice, though soft, carried the weight of authority, a testament to her position within the Yūkaku.

Lila slid the door open with a practiced ease, revealing the opulent chamber within. She stepped across the threshold and bowed respectfully to Oksan, who sat on a raised platform, exuding an air of quiet power.

"Good Evening, Lila," Oksan acknowledged. "Why don't you sit down?"

Lila gracefully moved to a spot directly in front of Oksan and, with a reverence that came from years of training and devotion, knelt down on the tatami mat. Oksan's seat on the raised platform placed her in a position of prominence, her gaze steady and penetrating.

The room was adorned with traditional Japanese decor, each element carefully chosen to reflect Oksan's refined taste and stature. She held a pipe to her lips, the fragrant wisps of incense curling upwards like secrets whispered into the hallowed space.

Lila knew the significance of this meeting. Conversations with Oksan were not to be taken lightly; they held the power to alter destinies and shape the course of lives within the Yūkaku. Obedience and loyalty were paramount, and Kay embodied these qualities as she waited for her beloved okasan's words, her heart a mix of anticipation and respect.

"I have good news for you," Oksan began, her tone carrying a note of satisfaction, "it's been a long time since someone paid a huge amount on the spot."

Lila's curiosity piqued, and she leaned forward slightly, eager to hear more. "And what does this have to do with me?" she inquired, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity.

Oksan regarded her protege thoughtfully, her eyes appraising. "Hmmm," she hummed, "this young lad has specifically requested you. I understand your preference for not meeting men in private, but he insisted on you, even after I suggested other girls."

Lila's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression unreadable. In her decade within the Yūkaku, she had declined the opportunity to ascend the ranks, preferring her current role as an Omina, a performer who combined entertainment with service for clients. It was a role that allowed her to maintain a measure of distance and security. She had steadfastly refused any offers to be alone with high-ranking politicians and powerful figures who frequented the establishment.

The prospect of meeting this persistent client, who had paid a substantial sum, clearly presented a dilemma for Lila. Her principles and boundaries had served her well over the years, but this request seemed different. The decision before her weighed heavily, and the air in Oksan's chamber held the tension of an impending choice.

⋆˙⟡♡
(sorry for the grammar and typos. I'll check it again after ;) please don't forget to comment and like my story)

— sidenote
• the timeline of this story is from late 80s to early 00s, i know that Mickey was born on the 90s but eh it's my story hahah
• geisha and oiran (based on my reseach) geisha and oiran are two different thing, geisha is for entertainment, they don't do sexual act. as for oiran, they are prostitutes, but also do entertainment
• since oiran belongs Yūkaku (were legal red-light districts in Japanese history, where both brothels and prostitutes) known collectively as yūjo ("woman of pleasure") oiran are the higher rankings, but oiran has also rankings, making it so confusing, help
• to make it less confusing, sorry japan history, but i'll do this on my own.