Mei regretted sitting back on the seat to continue playing Go. She might have gotten a bit overconfident. She trembled, handing over the last stack of money she had left. She had repeatedly lost against her opponents, were her strategies that clear? Anyone could decipher them. She felt a hand comforting her and bitterly smiled. But deep inside, she was crumbling.

Mei clung onto the arm, hoping that all this mess would just disappear. All the adrenaline rush she was feeling had vanished, replaced with fear. She stood up shouting in panic, “This game is a scam! How do I keep losing? It doesn’t make sense”.

Yoshio, sitting nearby, coldly glances at Mei. “Sit back down,” he said in a low but commanding voice.

Mei hesitantly sat back down, but she felt as if she was stuck in quicksand. If she continued playing, she would keep drowning and suffering more. Mei realized she was blinded by desperation, and that’s why she couldn’t keep herself away from the table. She had thought she could win—no, she had to win, but everything was already lost! Everything that Yoshio-san gave her!

The crowd surrounding the table dispersed, watching the predictable defeat of the young lady. They weren’t surprised; this happened regularly here.

Mei, realizing how deep she was sunk in debt, grabbed her hair in frustration as she fell to the floor. Screaming in agony, her tears falling to the ground. I…I don’t have the guts to look at him, she thought. The debt has now doubled from before, and I have no way to pay him back.

Mei was humiliated, devasted, and felt utterly trapped. Yoshio approached her, his expression unreadable. “I believed in your abilities,” he said softly.

Hearing Yoshio’s voice, Mei screamed louder, not wanting to know what was going to happen to her. Her eyes widened, turning red as her tears flowed faster. I don’t want to hear it.

“It’s unfortunate you couldn’t win. But a debt is still a debt, Mei”, Yoshio continued, his voice a bit cold.

“I…I’m sorry! I’ll do anything to fix this. But I don’t have the money!” Mei sobbed, begging, looking up at him.

But Yoshio remained stoic, not reacting to Mei’s pleading. “Look at you. You could have won…just how far you have fallen. Even after the deal I gave you”, he commented, no warmth in his voice.

Mei’s pride shattered, crawled forward and grabbed the hem of his pants. “Please trust me once again, Yoshio-san. I’ll do anything. Please…” she begged.

Yoshio sighed, tilting his head. “There’s always a price to pay. You should know better than anyone”, he said calmly. “However, I might be willing to offer you another chance.”

“Anything. Anything, just say the word”, Mei cried aloud desperately.

Yoshio’s lips curved into a small smile. “We can discuss this further in a private room,” he said. “There are too many eyes here”. He gestured for a worker nearby to come and guide them to the rooms.

Mei obediently followed Yoshio deeper into the underground casino. Where were they taking her? Unbelievable. Was he going to have his way with me?

But Mei couldn’t be more wrong. They arrived at a private room, and the worker, bowing, left the premises. Entering the room, Yoshio locked the door behind him.

Mei fidgeted her fingers nervously, her face pale. Her fingers sunk into her palm, bleeding. She kept overthinking how she was going to deal with the debt. Did she have to sell herself in the end?

“Mei, let me cut to the chase.” Yoshio broke the silence, sitting in his chair. “You can either pay the debt in cash, or you can work for me.”

Mei calmed down, hearing she was being offered such a deal. “What kind of work?” she asked.

Yoshio leaned back. “You're quite greedy, aren’t you?” he mused.

Mei’s expression fell, staring at the ground. She fisted her hands in frustration. “But I have to ask what kind of work?” she persisted.

“If you insist,” Yoshio said, narrowing his eyes. “You can either sell me the information on the other courtesans or if you prefer working in the underworld with that face, I can guarantee some income will be coming my way.”

Mei’s mind twisted she couldn’t help but choose the easiest option for herself. She dropped to the floor again, throwing herself to Yoshio. “Please have mercy on me,” she pleaded, rubbing her hands together.

“Your choice?” Yoshio asked bluntly.

“I can’t do such a task. It goes against my values. It’s none of the courtesan’s fault I have a debt. Please don’t force me to do this”, she pleaded teary-eyed. Just the thought of betraying others and lowering herself even further made her despise herself. I don’t think I could live with myself If I did such a thing.

“Values, huh?” Yoshio scoffed. “Are those so-called values more important than the debt you owe. If you can’t sell the information, then you’re of no use except selling yourself here in the underworld”.

“No! Please! Not that! I’ll do it…I’ll sell the information”, Mei agreed, whispering, her spirit broken. She knew she had brought it onto herself.

Yoshio sighed, rolling his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. Your debt is still not that high you should be glad I forgave you the interest fees”, he said.

“Yes. Thank you”, Mei thanked him, kissing the tip of his shoes.

Yoshio chuckled manically. “You’re welcome,” he said satisfied.

The next morning arrived, and the Pavilion greeted Its regular customers, guiding them to their seats. During these hours, the Pavilion wasn’t full like the night, and only the regulars visited. Aika, the top courtesan, sat at the center table entertaining the new merchants who had just entered the district in the lobby. She was the star everyone looked at.

The sounds of the shamisen filled the lobby as courtesans fluttered around the tables, attending to their patrons with grace. Among them, Aika stood out with her smooth skin and elegance she curated over the years, explaining the reason she was number one. Then, a peculiar man entered the Pavilion, seeming out of place. The man had sharp eyes and held a wooden stick for his leg support, walking toward the corner table. He didn’t look around or stare at the courtesans floating past him. He simply sat alone.

None of the courtesans approached him as a man with a limp wasn’t something they desired. He didn’t seem rich or poor but a normal, slightly handsome middle-aged man. The desolate area of the lobby caught Aika's attention in the corner of her eyes. She was slightly unsettled, noticing no one attending to him. There was a rule for the Pavilion: they had to serve new patrons no matter who they were to get them addicted to the luxuries and desires of the Pavilion.

Aika clenched her fists in frustration as she was the one who had to step up. She didn’t see the other courtesans even going near him. These third-rate courtesans can’t even complete their duties, she thought, forcing a smile. The drunk man at her table had passed out, so she was safe to approach another man. She had to get the money to have enough patience to deal with these drunkards.

Aika approached the man’s table, but he seemed in thought and wouldn’t even glance at her. She scoffed; she had seen these types of men pretending to be indifferent to catch her attention. “Welcome to the Pavilion,” she said with an alluring voice. “You seem to be new here may I offer you a drink?”.

The man’s thoughts were interrupted as he looked up, annoyed. “Tea is fine,” he replied calmly.

The lack of interest made Aika a bit taken aback. She couldn’t care less if he continued with his act.  

Aika returned to the table and poured the tea for him gracefully. “Tea, as you asked,” she said, setting the cup before him.

The man merely nodded, taking a sip without thanking her or acknowledging her. The frustration of dealing with such men gnawed at Aika; she wasn’t used to this. This interaction made her uncomfortable; she should call over another courtesan to take over this table.

Forcing herself to regain composure, she smiled. “You’re a rare individual. Most men who come here can’t seem to take their eyes off of me”.

“Beauty isn’t permanent. Everyone gets old, and life happens. That is why you don’t affect me”, he commented, casually taking a sip of the tea.

Aika’s chest tightened. “Maybe for others,” she said, waving her hand dismissively with a slight tremor in her voice. “But I take care of myself and my surroundings.”

The man glanced at her with a thin smile. “How much longer do you think it’ll last? I imagine putting such coverage on your face is exhausting every day”.

Aika’s expression froze for a minute. Of course, it was exhausting, but she would never admit such a thing. Keeping away from alcohol and keeping a clean diet. She spent hours finding good makeup in the auctions that hid her blemishes and wrinkles. “You speak as if it is a burden rather, I enjoy myself,” she spoke.

The man chuckled. “I’m sure you do. I don’t believe in beauty.”

Aika stiffened. “I think you’ve had enough tea,” she said. “Before I leave, may I ask your name?”.

“Yoshio. Yoshio Uno”, the man grinned, replying.

Aika gave a slight bow gracefully and excused herself from the table. She tried her best to forget this uncomfortable interaction, but she couldn’t get his words out of her head. The thought of losing her beauty sent shivers down her spine.