hanafurirou book 1, chapter 3, first scene (short ^_^)
I've been distracted by video recently. Really, really distracted by video, be it anime or actual American (sf/f) tv (and some British, come to think of it). ^_^ But translation has been happening too, off and on, and I now have the next Hanafurirou scene ready. Actually, I've had it almost ready for the last several weeks, but I didn't realize I only had a few more paragraphs to go until the end of this (very, very short) first scene of chapter 3.
While it's a short scene, it's also a pretty important one. Fuki gets some really not happy news here... (luckily, no one's dead ^_^). So yeah, here it is, and I'll start working on the next one soon.
3
"New Years, huh..." Fuki murmured as he looked up at the at the "Happy New Year" sign placed at the entrance.
It was Fuki's second New Years since he had come to Hanafurirou. He had served as a shinzou during the past year, and now he was fast approaching an appropriate age for his debut. His uniform had changed from the cherry blossom colored cotton to a crimson silk furisode(1).
Sometime around his next birthday, the owner would choose someone for his debut. Of course, it wouldn't matter what he thought about the matter.
"Eh, once you get used to it, it's not really all that bad," Kichou had said. "After all, everyone has sex. It's not very good for you if you come every single time, but there are some customers who treat you really well. Though there are some bad customers too..."
Fuki tried to think of it that way too. After all, it wasn't like he could run away.
Some time after the new year, the owner called Fuki to his side.
Just as it was the day Fuki came to the brothel, the owner's room had red walls. He hadn't been to the room since that day. Just standing there made his legs shake as he remembered how his body had been inspected from head to toe that day.
"It's still a bit too soon, but I have decided on your partner for your debut," said the owner.
Though he had expected something like that, Fuki felt as if someone were squeezing his heart.
"It will take place after the flower viewing banquet. Your partner will be Yamafuji-sama."
The moment he heard that, Fuki felt the blood drain from his face. The owner may or may not have noticed the change. Still, he continued.
"Because Shirayuri was taken in by a different man during this past year, Yamafuji-sama has requested that you be his next partner. This is good news for you. Yamafuji-sama is generous with his money. Be sure to work hard so that he takes you as a najimi and continues to care for you for a good long time."
"Umm, but...!"
"What?"
Even as he shrank back from the owner's glare, Fuki somehow managed to gather his courage. He gripped at the fabric of his kimono around his knee area.
"...C-couldn't it be some... other man...?"
"Another man? Why?"
"...Ummm..." He just couldn't come up with anything to say to convince the owner.
Yamafuji was a fairly high level customer when compared to the other men who frequented the brothel. Not only was he not stingy, but he was young and good looking. In fact, Fuki wasn't quite sure what it was about Yamafuji that bothered him so much. Just that there was something he didn't like about the man.
It might be because Shirayuri looked so exhausted when Yamafuji had been at Hanafurirou. Or maybe it was because the voices that leaked out from Shirayuri's room just seemed too wanton.
"Maybe it's because I just don't want to start making the same noises that Shirayuri did."
"As a matter of fact, there was another man who put forth a bid for you," the owner said to Fuki, who had fallen silent in search of words.
"Then...!"
"However, Yamafuji-sama was willing to pay the highest fee. Besides, he is a member of the police force... Even though the anti-prostitution laws have been abolished and the red light districts have become legal again, there are always secrets to be found in this business. Of course, this establishment has support from outside, but I would rather avoid any problems with the police."
"But..."
"At any rate, I am the one who decides who you debut with, not you."
Having been told that, Fuki shut his mouth tightly.
"If I have made myself clear, then please leave."
There wasn't anything else he could do. All he could do is take his leave, like he was running away.
note:
1: A style of formal kimono with long, trailing sleeves worn by unmarried women. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furisode for a little more info and a picture.
While it's a short scene, it's also a pretty important one. Fuki gets some really not happy news here... (luckily, no one's dead ^_^). So yeah, here it is, and I'll start working on the next one soon.
3
"New Years, huh..." Fuki murmured as he looked up at the at the "Happy New Year" sign placed at the entrance.
It was Fuki's second New Years since he had come to Hanafurirou. He had served as a shinzou during the past year, and now he was fast approaching an appropriate age for his debut. His uniform had changed from the cherry blossom colored cotton to a crimson silk furisode(1).
Sometime around his next birthday, the owner would choose someone for his debut. Of course, it wouldn't matter what he thought about the matter.
"Eh, once you get used to it, it's not really all that bad," Kichou had said. "After all, everyone has sex. It's not very good for you if you come every single time, but there are some customers who treat you really well. Though there are some bad customers too..."
Fuki tried to think of it that way too. After all, it wasn't like he could run away.
Some time after the new year, the owner called Fuki to his side.
Just as it was the day Fuki came to the brothel, the owner's room had red walls. He hadn't been to the room since that day. Just standing there made his legs shake as he remembered how his body had been inspected from head to toe that day.
"It's still a bit too soon, but I have decided on your partner for your debut," said the owner.
Though he had expected something like that, Fuki felt as if someone were squeezing his heart.
"It will take place after the flower viewing banquet. Your partner will be Yamafuji-sama."
The moment he heard that, Fuki felt the blood drain from his face. The owner may or may not have noticed the change. Still, he continued.
"Because Shirayuri was taken in by a different man during this past year, Yamafuji-sama has requested that you be his next partner. This is good news for you. Yamafuji-sama is generous with his money. Be sure to work hard so that he takes you as a najimi and continues to care for you for a good long time."
"Umm, but...!"
"What?"
Even as he shrank back from the owner's glare, Fuki somehow managed to gather his courage. He gripped at the fabric of his kimono around his knee area.
"...C-couldn't it be some... other man...?"
"Another man? Why?"
"...Ummm..." He just couldn't come up with anything to say to convince the owner.
Yamafuji was a fairly high level customer when compared to the other men who frequented the brothel. Not only was he not stingy, but he was young and good looking. In fact, Fuki wasn't quite sure what it was about Yamafuji that bothered him so much. Just that there was something he didn't like about the man.
It might be because Shirayuri looked so exhausted when Yamafuji had been at Hanafurirou. Or maybe it was because the voices that leaked out from Shirayuri's room just seemed too wanton.
"Maybe it's because I just don't want to start making the same noises that Shirayuri did."
"As a matter of fact, there was another man who put forth a bid for you," the owner said to Fuki, who had fallen silent in search of words.
"Then...!"
"However, Yamafuji-sama was willing to pay the highest fee. Besides, he is a member of the police force... Even though the anti-prostitution laws have been abolished and the red light districts have become legal again, there are always secrets to be found in this business. Of course, this establishment has support from outside, but I would rather avoid any problems with the police."
"But..."
"At any rate, I am the one who decides who you debut with, not you."
Having been told that, Fuki shut his mouth tightly.
"If I have made myself clear, then please leave."
There wasn't anything else he could do. All he could do is take his leave, like he was running away.
note:
1: A style of formal kimono with long, trailing sleeves worn by unmarried women. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furisode for a little more info and a picture.