disenchant | yoshiwara

I have, yes. Is that a problem?

Not at all. What do you think about a little time under the trees?

It is always good to make time to enjoy it, if possible.

Then I'm making time for the two of us.

As you like.

I would like that. But will you?

Of course.

[She wants what he wants, it's really quite simple.]

Okay. ♡ Meet me by Kita's gate in an hour or so.

Very well. I will see you shortly, Aizome-san.

[And she will do as she is told, except she gets there early.]

[ funnily enough, kento is also a little early, though not as much as amane. call it business sense. he's dressed for the occasion thanks to effort of his employer, a simple striped kimono laying over the line of his shoulders, topped with a traditional coat. it's not what he's used to wearing, but interesting all the same. and by far not the worst thing to adorn his body.

of course, the thing he's most used to wearing is also present - a smile. ]

Hi. I figured you might get here before me.

Ah, Aizome-san.

[Amane, for her part, is dressed to the nines, wearing a very traditional, very expensive silk and silk brocade furisode far different than the common cotton.

She is not happy about the colours for the season, even if the pattern is appropriate, so she's tried to compensate for that a little, by having her obi tied in a flower shape. It clearly has subtly shining silver threads all throughout it and is rather large at the back. The zori are shine with lacquer and she is wearing an ornamental flower hair accessory to the side of her hair.

It is what she arrived in and among her best, so it seems only right ot wear it now for lack of anything else suitable.]

[ in yoshiwara, kento's become accustomed to having the most expensive taste in any given room - even if his current standing hasn't really let him portray it in anything but personality. mostly, that was enough. people got the picture, even if it was incomplete.

but the implications here are too strong to ignore, though his expression stays mellow and unwavering. ]

Now I'm the one who feels underdressed. You look beautiful.

[ he extends an arm, motioning for her hand. ]

I am n--no, thank you. Ah, I do apologise if I have made you uncomfortable, this is the best attire I have, presently. It did not seem polite or good of me to risk underdressing in such esteemed company and your personality will more than compensate for the difference.

[She slides in an implied, sincere compliment as she offers him her arm, her face a little pink. She is practised in this, and she steps closer to him as well, but, ah, there is something a little nerve-wracking about this particular occasion.

Relax.]

Why would I be uncomfortable? Anyone would be glad to be seen with you, don't you think?

[ given how she generally reacts to compliments, that question almost seems rhetorical. but whatever it is or isn't, kento accepts her hand, lifting it to place a kiss on its back as if to seal the deal. smiling over the gesture, eyes set with a playful glimmer, he gives his head a toss. ]

Shall we?

[ relax. ]

Perhaps...

[It's vague and diplomatic, not an outright refusal, though it is surprisingly a little sincere; she is not so oblivious that she is unaware of her family's standing and knows that other people had things to gain by being in her family's favour, but as for anyone wanting to be seen with her? For her own merits and not as an object?

That leaves her doubting.

But he kisses the back of her hand, not an unfamiliar thing to her, but she is unused to the flirtatious touch he puts on it and it does nothing to help the colour in her face.]

Yes, please.

[ kento's no slouch when it comes to a little interpersonal diplomacy. cavalier as he is, he often wrestles with the temperaments of his bandmates, subduing them with manners and right-dressing. but here, it's a little more simple, a little less strict. pretty boy sees pretty girl and nature takes care of the rest.

leaving his penchant for showmanship at that, he starts off out of kita, down towards the path shown to him by makoto, where classes took place. speaking of: ]

Did you see any of Kita's classes when they were taking place?

I did.

[She did not need them.]

I wished to see if there was perhaps anything different in this reality, but there was not. It was good to have a refresher, otherwise. Is that Aizome-san's faction, incidentally? I should think Kita, yes?

[ he didn't either, but a little mingling in a new environment using old tricks was helpful. or is it technically the other way around? ]

It's interesting how some things never change. I suppose that's how you end up with tradition.

[ and all it entails. ]

Kita's my faction. I work as an escort.

[ no shame detected ]

That is true, however, the argument does not quite apply considering this is a reality removed from those who arrive. A separate instance in time. It is convenient that it is the same, however.

[She's a nerd, sir.

But any lascivious meanings that could be ascribed to 'escort' are entirely lost upon her. She does think, though, because it is Higashi that provides security and the like, so what does he mean...?]

I am not familiar with the profession.

[ that you are, miss. truthfully, that's a bit deeper than kento likes to think about the world at large, though he doesn't discount her correction. ]

Convenient for us, you mean.

[ still, it doesn't take long for the path to cut down and away from the main road leading into kita. eventually, the park comes into view, a sunken space budding with new grass and the feathery canopies of sakura shifting overhead. the scent hits right away, sharp blossoms and cloying incense smoke from offerings at the small empty shrines. ]

No? Hmm.

[ well, best not sugar coat it, so she can decide if she wants to continue to see him or not. ]

People can buy my time.

Yes, I suppose that is accurate.

[But she doesn't really care about other peo--

Anyway.

She lets him lead her along and she stares at the blossoms under the moonlight. It makes for such a romantic scene, that much is not lost on her.

But when he offers an explanation it is still...lost on her? That there is anything bad about it, because like. Well, she would hope people would buy his time? Isn't that what most jobs are??? Time is money.

Listen, she is a genius but also. But also.....]

Well, I should hope so. Time is valuable.

[ it's okay, most geniuses he knows are way too literal for their own good. it actually pulls a laugh out of him, though it's the soft kind and not overly judgmental of the observation.

because it's not wrong, technically. ]

I think so too. Especially on occasions where one wants to be seen. [ if their surroundings are any indication, he at least knows how to set the tone. ] It's a mark of success, to have someone who doesn't ask questions on your arm at a meeting, or a dinner, or a reunion. And there's always afterwards, when that corporate chill has set in a bit too far...

[ that part isn't technically in his job description, but he's not exactly getting slapped on the wrist for going the extra mile, either.

he wonders if she gets the picture a little better now. ]

[A glimmer of realisation reflects in her eyes. She does understand part of it, but it is incomplete. She understands the need to be dutiful, composed, and attentive to the needs of whomever she is assisting. To be elegant and graceful at functions and parties.

But she has never had to go farther. It's been implied in her direction, certainly, but it often goes over her head--she is not worthy or beautiful for such invitations, and so they must mean something else.

She understands everything up to that point, and she has done her best to perform dutifully and there have not been complaints, but to be silent the entire while every time....

Ah, that is not important, best not to think of it.]

Afterward...?

[Still! Not! Getting it!]

Well, if I may be so bold, you are not working presently, so I want Aizome-san to be himself.

[ maybe his attempt to be coy had been a little too coy - but ah, well. it's not exactly talk he wants to roll out on a beautiful night such as this. amane's right. he's not working.

he turns a smile on her as if to end that conversation and begin a new one. ]

This is how I usually am. Even so, I'm glad you agreed to come with me.

[She blushes a little and looks away slightly, as though he is too bright to look at. He has such a nice smile.]

You do not have to be happy with something like that, Aizome-san. You are a very charming person, I am certain you would not have been alone.

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