Chapter 5

It was already dawn when the last customer left Ai. However, even before the man left Midori's room, the women were in an uproar, wanting to know why Sakamoto Shin hadn't attended the party itself, and why Mamoru hadn't shown up since Shiromiya's presentation.

Residents Midori, Rika, and Keiko got together and walked to Aiko's room, around two in the morning. They found it empty and then spotted Nana, who warned them under the threat.

Despite Mamoru's reassuring words, none of them were at peace that night. Every movement and noise coming from the street scared them, and they all waited in front of Shiro's room as if they felt safe there next to Aiko, who was sitting beside the bed.

The boy woke up close to dawn. His eyes met the pimp's, and he smiled. He immediately realized that he was being taken care of by the other and was grateful for the attitude.

"Didn't you sleep, Aiko-san?"

Aiko denied it. Even if he wanted to, he wouldn't be able to close my eyes. It was true that he had tried to reassure women about Shin's threat, but he didn't feel so confident. At least, Shin didn't know his secret; if he did, his death would be even crueler.

Thinking about it, he thanked Kami-sama, since, he imagined, he would die quickly and respectfully. Most of the members of Kempeitai wanted it very well.

Nana appeared in the room at dawn. It was six in the morning and the old woman brought a cup of tea. Mamoru felt his eyes cloud with tears when he realized that the old woman had not rested. She sat down next to him and held his hands comfortingly.

"Take care of Shiromiya " Mamoru whispered the request. " I promised him that I would never let him become a prostitute again. So don't let anyone take Shiro by force."

The woman nodded. In bed, the young man had already fallen asleep again.

" I never thought that Shin Sakamoto would react to your request to leave."

Aiko laughed.

"Shin would never accept an order easily."

Nana felt guilty, but she didn't say it. She had gone to the harsh life of the streets very early. Her parents died when she was fifteen, and the husband who had married her at fourteen was shortly after. Alone in the world and without money, she discovered that what she did at night with her husband, could earn her dinner.

However, she learned later, the streets were not easy for a woman. There were violent men, disgusting men, bad men. Some didn't even pay her, preferring to give her a beating at the end of the pleasure.

Already approaching old age, feeling customers thinning and hunger tightening, she met Masami. The geisha, the most beautiful of all, was looking for a maid to help her on a trip. Nana volunteered and boarded the captivating young woman on a ship where the geisha would perform in the main hall every night.

Smiled sadly as she remembered the past. It was such a beautiful time, so magical ... A few months after that, Mamoru was born. Masami asked Nana to raise him in a rented house south of Tokyo. She saw the boy growing up, going to school, playing, and calling her grandma. She loved him from the moment she held him, and she still loved him too much. He was a perfect and faithful copy of Masami, who often came to the house to see his son and bring money.

When Mamoru was about seventeen, his mother died. It was a shock for everyone, especially for Ai's customers, who at the time were a respectable and beautiful geisha house. It didn't take long and the young man took over from his mother, welcoming prostitutes at risk. He taught them to dance, flirt and talk. It was naturally pleasant and welcoming. Only then did Nana realize that Masami had taught him how to deal with the situation during his visits to the house they lived in.

When he turned eighteen, Mamoru Aiko moved permanently to Ai. He took old Nana with him, who maintained everything with strict discipline. The House of Love lost its imposing tone, but it soon became a success. It even had its clientele increased.

The memory was interrupted by a loud bang on the solid wooden gate. They had not heard the sound of cars, nor of many men. It was just the beat, dry, followed by silence.

Aiko stood up, just as the women were running towards the door of their rooms. In the wooden corridors, everyone watched the courtyard, waiting for the Kempeitai to break the gate and enter.

Mamoru walked towards the center of the land. Keiko appeared beside him and took his hands. Aiko looked at her and smiled.

"There's some money under my mattress," he warned her. " I would deliver when you left, but I ended up forgetting. Please take it and go to Hiroshima. I was going to get you a job, but given the facts, that's all I can do for you."

More beats. The female eyes watered.

"You did more for me than anyone else, Aiko-san," she said sincerely.

The succession of loud, nervous, and anxious beats almost made him panic. Mamoru knew he should open the gate to avoid the sight of the women and be taken away by the police, but he was staked in place. He began to tremble and curse himself for cowardice. Within seconds, Nana was with him, holding his hands.

"Take me with you, my son," the old woman said quietly. " Don't let me die alone, Aiko ..."

He wanted to cry, but he held on. Two steps, and then he was surprised by Shin's tearful cry.

"Aiko!"

He looked at the women in disbelief. It was Shin, a drunk, tearful and shameful Sakamoto.

"Aiko! Aiko, open it!"

There was a mixture of relief and anger in all of them. The female eyes met as if transmitting inappropriate words. However, in Aiko, all there was was a white void, as if it were slowly fading.

"Don't leave me, Aiko ... " the male voice pleads or.

Shin was crying. He deserved it, Mamoru knew, but even so, that emptiness became pitch black, and he felt himself moving forward, even against his will. Nana took his hand, the boy's and the old woman's eyes meeting a silent request.

"Aiko!" He shouted. " Aiko! Open the gate!"

Mamoru felt his heart cry. The whole body was leaning forward and the only thing that kept him still was Nana.

"Don't go, Aiko. This is the chance of a lifetime. Shin did not call Kempeitai, and we have just seen that he will not. Let him go, get rid of him."

The council entered his mind. He knew it was reasonable; more, Aiko knew it was what he had to do.

" I have no one else, Aiko ... " The agonized cry made him turn to the gate. " Don't leave me alone ... You are the only reason I have to live ..."

He wanted to cover his ears, but the sound of his name being shouted over and over hit him brutally. Detaching himself from Nana, he finally opened the heavy gate. The sight of Sakamoto crying, dirty and drunk took him. Shin was sitting on the floor, and Mamoru ran to him, bringing him into his arms.

"Of course, I would never leave you, my love," he murmured in his ears, forgetting everything, including the hurt.

Shin hid his face on Aiko's shoulder. He was convulsing in tears, holding a bottle of sake in his fingers.

"I was angry because I saw you hugging the boy�� he assumed, without fear. "You can not do that! You can't hug anyone else ... Just me ... Only me!"

The sentence made Aiko squeeze Shin even closer to his chest. He seemed to want to put it inside himself. He knew that behind them both, women looked at him with an air of contempt and anger. He could hear Nana snorting. But, nothing mattered. Anything. He had no pride of his own when it came to the best friend.

"Fool," he murmured. "Fool!" He exclaimed. "Look at yours condition, you're drunk and dirty. Where did you sleep?"

"Do not know."

"It stinks" amazed, he realized he was smiling. " You need to take another shower."

Head held high, Mamoru helped Shin to his feet. Do not blink before the looks he received, he was the owner of that house and would put anyone who stood between Shin and him on the street. With a steady look, he passed this message on to Nana, and then to the women. They all seemed to understand because he saw all the eyes drop, in submission. However, when he saw Shiromiya standing behind a pillar, his heart was in tatters.

However, there was no resentment in Shiro, as in women. On the contrary, it was the vision of understanding that shook him deeply. It was as if Kazue not only forgave his act but supported it.

However, the thought quickly shifted when he heard Shin's cry come back. Already completely focused on the man, Aiko carried him to his room. There was no need to ask, Rika came up with a bucket of water. The woman organized everything and, shortly after, the friend was already sitting in the wooden tub, with Aiko at his back, in the usual ritual of purification.

They remained silent for the entire time. Even so, Aiko couldn't help herself, and in the face of a passive Shin, he kissed the other's back while drying it. When they both lay down on the bed, they hugged each other so tightly that they knew that nothing could separate them.

Forgotten from the world, Mamoru closed his eyes and slept peacefully and happily.

***

Roosevelt had stated many times that the world needed to stop the advance of imperialism. In the 1930s, his moral condemnations of Japan were said to even with shameful repetition, without anything more being done to stop the imperial army and its violence against more fragile countries.

In Japan, both in government and in the army, Americans were treated as weak, a thought shared by Hitler, who made it clear that there was no need to fear military power across the ocean.

Japan clearly stated that its military intended to subject all of Southeast Asia to the Rising Sun Empire. The United States feared that it would be economically harmed by this. Until July 1941, Japan unsuccessfully attempted an agreement with the Americans. However, in the same month, the United States definitively ceased trade relations with the Japanese.

In the years to come, the blockade would be of extreme weight in the economy and life of the Japanese people, however, until then, everything was very quiet for those who ate and drank in abundance in Japan.

The year 41 was marked by occupations and demonstration of warlike power, but at Ai, everything seemed peaceful and cheerful. Since the problem with Sakamoto Shin in January, nothing more important has happened between the wooden corridors.

Shin returned to the war two days after the shameful demonstration of dependence on Mamoru. He did not speak, nor did he apologize to anyone but Aiko. But before he left, he discreetly nodded to Shiromiya, who was watching him around.

Aiko smiled throughout February. He showed no bitterness or concern for the elusive way in which women spoke to him, he seemed oblivious and surrendered to his inner happiness.

Shiro started dancing again in the middle of February. March was a month marked by the clientele in abundance and the lack of spaces in the House Ai. Suddenly, sex became the least important thing there. Watching the perfect-faced geisha dance for a few minutes was worth the night for most of those men. April, May, and June were followed by the routine.

In July, Mamoru received a letter from Shin. Japan took over French Indochina, landing about 50,000 soldiers in Cochinchina. In the letter, Shin declared his pride in the army, in the way that Japan was indestructible and in the certainty of the promising future that was ahead. With the take, Cochinchina was delivered to Thailand, a Japanese ally.

In October, another letter arrived from Shin. He warned that he was in Tokyo, but that he could not go to see him. Shaken, Mamoru tried to discover the reasons, but the news soon reached the radio. Prince Konoye, who had tried in every way to prevent the United States from entering the war, asked for his resignation, a few days after the Americans suspended the sale of petroleum to Japan. That could - and should - be seen as a bad sign. , but Sakamoto, soon after, warned him of the formation of the Tojo government in the country.

Mamoru smiled as he remembered the way he ended that letter: "Everything is in good hands, and soon, the war will end and I will be able to stay with you forever".

There was an implicit promise in those words that made him very happy. Still, in October, food prices started to rise, but Aiko only increased the rate for customers to see Shiromiya and the girls.

In November, local radio spoke highly of the new government's attempts to negotiate with the Americans. And it was in that stormy moment that another letter arrived at Ai.

"Ryo-san! " Mamoru shouted, calling for Nana. "Ryo-san will return from this trip today and intends to celebrate a new commercial agreement at Ai."

The woman who was doing the dishes turned to him.

"Our wine is almost gone," she observed.

Mamoru nodded.

" Buy wine and sake. Ryo prefers sake " he returned to the door. " Where 's Shiro? Has he rehearsed the new step? I want him to do his best tonight ..."

He left again, leaving Nana angry behind. Every time one of the two (Ryo or Shin) appeared it was like this: Mamoru wanting to offer all the news and the best possible service. Calling Midori, she grumbled about the reasons for the differential treatment. Masami never made any respect among customers, but it was annoyingly different when it came to Sakamoto and Ryo.

"Nana?"

She looked at the young woman and pulled some change from a pocket.

"Have wine and sake delivered until the afternoon," said.

The woman bowed respectfully and left.

***

The night air was pleasant and calm. Ryo lifted the small glass and sipped the excellent sake that had been served by Ai. In front of him, Tamura Ito seemed delighted with the place. The middle-aged man had, that afternoon, closed a commercial agreement with Ryo, and the night was reserved to celebrate the happy business.

" I've been trying to get on Ai's list of clients for months. " Ito said. "And did you get a reservation without any problem?"

"I'm a friend of the owner" Ryo smiled. "Ai has always been very disputed, but I admit, luckily, I don't need any effort to enjoy this heavenly environment."

Ito laughs.

In his lap, Ryo kept a girl locked up. She laughed softly. Ryo couldn't resist and pressed his nose to the back of her neck, inhaling the scent of flowers.

"Do all women live here? " Ito asked the girl.

"No, sir," she denied. " Only the fixed ones. At the moment, only Rika-chan and me. The rest live in the region and come at night."

"And Keiko? Where is it?" Ryo asked.

Keiko was Ryo's favorite. Pleasant, she did what needed to do for a man, received money with her head down and did not charge any emotional bond.

"Keiko-san went to Hiroshima," Midori said, simply.

Respecting the privacy of women, Ryo shrugged, and went back to drinking. Then, however, he noticed that the number of regulars seemed even greater. Curious, he looked at her.

"Tell me, Midori, what happened so that so many men are here that night? This place is overcrowded."

The woman looked at him and smiled.

"We have, since the beginning of the year, a new attraction."

"Really? A new lady?"

Ignoring sexuality, Midori denied it, clarifying the doubt with the phrase that everyone said in the city.

"The most beautiful face in the world, perfection in the form of dance".

Clearing his throat, Tamura joined the conversation.

"They say that all the refinement and beauty of Ai, mixed with its beautiful women, pleasant conversation and excellent drink, became just an addition to the real show " agreed with her. "I attended Ai in my youth and saw with my own eyes the beauty of Masami Aiko. However, they say that this new dancer surpasses the beautiful Masami. They say that like the mermaids, she hypnotizes men and that you will never be the same after watching her dance."

Ryo laughed out loud and went back to drinking.

"Is that so, Midori? Is she more charming than you?"

The woman laughed, kissing him on the mouth. She didn't answer, and Ryo didn't insist. He knew that Mamoru did not tolerate intrigues or disputes between them. Therefore, allowing a woman to achieve star status went against what she always saw at Ai. He didn't care, of course. Aiko had a way of dealing with self, the biggest proof of that was the way he acted with Shin Sakamoto.

He turned his face to look for his friend. Contrary to what always happened with Shin, Aiko did not usually wait for him at the door to cover him with hugs and kisses. However, he always showed up a few minutes later to see if everything was at his friend's liking.

He was about to turn towards the entrance when he felt the gentle hand on his shoulder. He sighed in relief, already afraid that he had done something that had offended his friend.

"Where were you?" He asked, without even saying hello." I worried about your absence."

"I've been solving some pending issues. Are you ready for the best dance show you will ever see?"

Ryo pud Midori away a little and turned to Mamoru.

"Everyone says the same thing, so I'm curious."

"Does not seem."

"My dear friend and brother, knows well that nothing can provoke me to the point of losing control. I am on a long and faithful search for my wife."

" Your wife? " Ito looked surprised.

Aiko laughed, sitting down beside the men.

" Ryo-san believes that there is a woman destined for him."

"Not only do I believe " Ryo completed "but I know his face because I see her in dreams."

The men smiled. The woman just pretended not to hear, preferring to refrain from calling Ryo an idiot. Love did not exist, and it was overwhelming that a man his age still believed in those fables. So just did what she was paid to do: she smiled. Even if she didn't feel like it, the night's money was going to keep her mother and younger sister for an entire month.

"Now I need to pay attention to the other customers" Aiko stood up. "Ryo-san, feel free, I hope you enjoy the show."

Ryo turned to Midori. Bringing her close again, he sought her lips. He felt a slight resistance that broke quickly, placing a note of considerable value inside her kimono. The woman felt the touch and stood before him, without further imposition.

When the lights went out, he knew then that Ai would begin the famous show. Stunned, he noticed all the faces turned to the wooden stage, anxious. Midori got out of his lap and sat down next to him, also looking enchanted by the existing magical aura.

A light in the middle of the wooden stage came on.

That's when he saw her ...

The small figure appeared standing, in the middle of the stage. His face was covered with a white fan, but his light brown eyes were sharp and perfect. Ryo was genuinely interested and leaned forward to see more.

The music started and he noticed the light and perfect movement of his feet, from side to side, as if the mysterious geisha was dancing over clouds. Her hand flew in the air, and the fan was blown away. her body spun, and then he saw his face ...

There, in front of all those people, in front of all the fascinations of men, he danced without shame to his wife, the woman of his life, the woman that Kami-sama had given him in dreams many years ago.

He wanted to get up, but the music became more rhythmic, and he couldn't interrupt it. He felt his heart leaping, in desperate, horrible, accursed jealousy. Ryo wanted her to dance, but only for him ... Only for him.

The fan flew and returned to the gentle fingers. Then, in love, he saw her smile. It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful and delicate sight I had ever seen. God, how beautiful she was! So perfect ... even more, beautiful than he remembered. His hands shook and his mouth dried. He studied the white skin of the make-up carefully, and the upturned nose. The smallmouth, with full and delicate lips and the white neck, left her with almost a mystical, overwhelming vision.

Then, in an idyllic way, everything ended exactly as it started: with the lights out. Shortly after, the atmosphere became clear again and he saw the men standing, shouting words of congratulation such as "Bravo" and clapping their hands.

Still amazed, he pushed Midori's hand lightly over his. His eyes focused on the stage, but the vision was gone.

Ryo had found his goddess destined. Nothing would separate him from her.

Rising, he went to find the exit door. The woman, certainly, should have left the side door. Whatever it took, he would find her. And, caring for nothing else, he would make her his forever.