Azuri was right. The floor of the seeds' display room was almost empty! That's because I managed to sneak to the highest floor of the brothel, stacked by more than six levels.

The samurai prioritized the bottom levels, so there were only a few here. No more bustling noise, no more foul incense, and no more people making out in the open! It's just me and the seed!

However, the way to the seeds was sealed by chains made from heavy, thick gold and a lock. Azuri said it was sealed by talismans that work against other ghosts.

The security must've tightened over time. I've learned how to pick locks as a child to kill time, but with an advanced lock like this, nothing else would work besides the key.

It's gotta be with Mochizuki. Stay calm, Mirai. While Azuri's distracting Mochizuki in his chambers, you should be able to retrieve the key with his help! You just have to be more sneaky and give him a sign.

"Have you heard?"

A group of people was about to head my way! I hid behind a porcelain vase twice my size. When they got closer, they seriously had to stop in front of the safe room! Of all places, they chose here!

"It was cancelled? But that never got cancelled for a decade!"

"Yeah. It was caused by Kiri no Tsujigiri, they said."

These girls . . . They're from Matsuryoku! That ceremony had been confidential, and only the townspeople of Matsuryoku and the Shizuka Family knew that. They're the previous sacrificial brides from past ceremonies! Why did they look like they were enjoying this place? Look at them gossiping around with all their pretty and cheeky smiles.

"They said he caught the Shinigami King's bride, who suddenly ran away from the town, but is still alive. That's probably why he hasn't visited since he's been searching for her."

"Kiri no Tsujigiri's so hard-working, reckless, and cool at the same time!"

"Yeah, he's got a face. A really good one."

"And that charming and obedient attitude of his! He's like a warrior! My samurai!" The shirabyoshi giggled, blushing forming on their pale cheeks as they sighed wistfully in unison.

Hahahaha . . . I highly doubt what they just said. Sorry to break it to you ladies, but your noble 'samurai' is busy right now, trying his best to be a part of your pretty little group by seducing your boss.

I don't understand what they see in a guy who literally murdered them. Pretty privilege, maybe?

"I've also heard that he was banned from this brothel? How come?"

"Ah, about that . . . ”

Azuri, banned? I should've guessed with the way we snuck in here.

Feeling mischievous, I found myself leaning my ear a bit, just a tad bit close enough to hear them. I bet he and Mochizuki got into a petty little argument about winning over Michiko. Azuri lost and got banned as a result.

"Apparently, Kiri no Tsujigiri attempted to steal the blue Higanbana seeds after he fooled Lord Kamoshida."

What?

"Is that true? Then, why would he ever want to steal the seeds? It's not like he needed them to retrieve the Shinigami King's bride."

"I don't know either. Whatever it was, I think it has something to do with his job. The man never takes a break!"

Their voices drifted into silence as they walked farther and farther away until they were out of my sight. Huh. Azuri, trying to steal the seeds before he caught me? Whatever. That's not my problem. All I had to do was get Azuri to steal the key for me so I could unlock the safe room. As soon as I left the vase—

"Mirai-chan?" A sweet-sounding voice called. Shit! I'm caught!

"Ohh, Mirai-chan! Mirai-chan!" Michiko—the real one—dressed in a maiko kimono similar to Azuri’s, with tears pouring from her eyes, ran towards me as she stretched her arms for a hug. How did she recognize me in this disguise?!

Wait, oh no! This is bad! This is so bad! She's about to touch me!

I dropped into a crouch, just in time to dodge her arms. My tinted glasses slipped to the floor. Relief hit me, then confusion. I'm so glad she's alr—why is she here?

This must be the brothel that her father meant by 'that disgusting place. I can't believe Azuri took such an angelic girl like Michiko to a place like this. But, if the real deal Michiko was here . . .

Dread shadowed my thoughts.

"Oops! Sorry, Mirai-chan, I forgot you get jumpy with touchies!"

A sigh of relief slipped through my lips as I rose. Replacing her excited expression with a worried look, Michiko pouted. "I can't believe it. You're dead! You don't look like it, but did you volunteer to be a bride?! That's so not you! You were always calm, stubborn, and tough!"

Shaking my head, I placed my index finger on my lips to gesture to her to lower her voice down. And it's not that I volunteered. I AM the bride. Then again, it's not like I could simply explain to her with actions anyway, nor could I express my disappointment at her.

"Why are you here?! Why are you dressed up as a . . . guy?! Are you on a secret mission? Hehe, that sounds so cool! I'm sorry if I've disturbed you."

That was almost correct.

". . ."

"Mi, Mirai-chan . . . Uh, Don’t, Don't look at me like that! It's not what you think! I'm not some whore, alright?! Please don't be mad at me!"

Whore..?! I wasn't mad at her. Just . . . A little disappointed?

She could've chosen any profession aside from prostitution since she never struck me as someone openly that. Michiko even vowed for purity to the shrine before she was killed. Maybe that no longer applies to the dead.

"It's just that . . . things are a little hectic, and I kinda got involved with stuff. Please understand!" She begged as I released a sigh.

Her life isn't my issue right now. It's the missing key.

"Are you by any chance looking for the blue seeds? I hate to break it to you, but Lord Kamoshida tightened the security ever since Kiri no Tsujigiri tried to steal them. That was just a few months ago. And get this... The seal doesn't even work on him."

Really? No wonder. Azuri would've had the seeds if things escalated in his way.

Wait a second . . .

Michiko and I have been friends since I arrived in Matsuryoku with Kenichi. Surely, she would understand the situation I'm in. She should know about this area if she has been here since last year. I then gave her a stern look, startling her.

I just hope she can read expressions.

❁

Who knew ghosts were as sneaky as people to make small peeping holes in their clients' chamber walls, even the chamber of their boss? I honestly cannot understand how people and ghosts find it entertaining to watch two people . . .

Ugh, forget it.

Michiko led me into these observation walls where guards watch over their clients in case of forbidden deals—or simply for pleasure. Though I was still disturbed by the fact that Michiko chose to be a prostitute despite her innocence, she proved to be very helpful and remained kind and pure. She didn't even ask why I've been keeping my mouth shut.

"Is that..?" Michiko whispered to me, keeping a considerable distance as I mentally begged her to. I nodded. She was referring to her fling, beautifully dressed up as her.

Seeing them side by side, they do look a little alike.

Almost like siblings. That would be weird. It must be the black hair or maybe the way they carry themselves. Except Michiko is wayyyyy nicer, sweeter, and kinder than Azuri could ever be!

Her confusion was obvious and reasonable. Her identity was randomly stolen by Kiri no Tsujigiri, the legend she once feared and cried from. Strange that she never even bothered to ask why. Fortunately, Azuri wasn't seen near the real Michiko, who's now eagerly peeping through the hole beside me. I understood why he headed straight to this chamber.

"Would you kindly pour it for me, dear?"

Peeking through the holes, I watched Azuri pour sake over a fancy cup. Mochizuki's cup. He's sitting in front of Mochizuki with a tea table between them. The man's been in the act for a while now.

And Mochizuki still hasn't noticed! What an idiot! I hope you're doing well, Azuri. But how would I let him know that I need a key? While Mochizuki was drinking his sake with his eyes closed, like a wannabe nobleman, something sparkled from his neck.

Azuri must've noticed it too. The key was around Mochizuki's neck, attached to a necklace!

"So, Michiko-chan . . . " Mochizuki began to speak, and Azuri retreated to his fake gentle expression.

Ugh, even Mochizuki's voice made me want to become deaf.

"We've been together for a year now. Out of all the ladies I'm with, you're the most innocent, I must say. And most quiet. You've not spoken since you returned from a trip. You're also quite forgetful, as women usually are. It saddens me you still haven't responded to my proposal."

Proposal? To that guy?! I turned my head to Michiko, who she noticed and gave me a nervous smile before whispering,

"I, I just thought if I kept him waiting or wandered around a lot, he'd forget about the proposal . . . "

Silly me. A sweet and beautiful girl like Michiko would never marry such a man.

" . . . And because I'm engaged to one of the people who works here. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, hehe."

Oh! That's much better than being with some lousy and extremely perverted misogynistic monster.

Wait, SHE'S ENGAGED?! I gotta make Azuri spill everything later! I peeked through the hole again.

"Don't you think it's time that we... take the next step? For you to prove that you're my bride, and not the Shinigami King's?" Mochizuki flirtily suggested something that I would like to NOT imagine. It was like he had done it with other women before.

"Ugh . . . This is why I keep on avoiding the guy. He's the worst,” hissed Michiko. That's so right. Also, he mentioned the Shinigami King's bride? He must be mistaking Michiko for one.

Now I understand why Azuri was so against the idea of me acting as bait. Cold beads oozed and ran down my neck as though I were in Azuri's shoes. The air in the chamber felt damp and creepy.

How would Azuri steal the key while dealing with this?! He silently sat still, but I could feel something ominous was about to happen by looking.

"Nah." He bluntly answered.

"What did you say?"

"I said no, asshole," Azuri repeated with his normal voice, grinning with mischief.

"You whore! You dare disobey and insult me?! I took you in and nurtured you like a blossoming flower when other men would've discarded you like scrap!" Mochizuki snapped and creeped up on Azuri, pulling his hair with aggressive force as though he were a ragdoll. I clenched my fists and bit my lip to the point it bled. This awful man! This is how he treats the poor women of this brothel?!

And here I was, wondering and secretly shaming the shirabyoshi why they looked so happy. All of it was because they 'chose' to obey him! Manipulated!

"Scrap? Bullshit." Azuri hissed before a flash startled me, blinding my eye for a second.

"Eek!" Michiko shrieked, shutting her eyes from the scene and sliding her peeping hole shut while I continued to watch. Mochizuki's arm . . . Was in front of the hole I was watching from.

Bleeding. Oozing with flesh.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Mochizuki screamed in pain, holding the bottom of his arm, sliced off. "YOU..! YOU'RE NOT MICHIKO!"

"You bet I wasn't. And you've realized it just now? Pathetic."

"GUARDS—UGH!"

Azuri kicked Mochizuki's face which hit the floor before the guards nearby got alerted. His leg lifted, stepping on Mochizuki's head and rested his elbow on his knee.

"And you bet you won't see another day. Look what we have here. I thought you liked talismans." Azuri let out a deep chuckle. He aggressively pulled a string from Mochizuki's neck after ruthlessly slashing the collar of his robes with his katana under his kimono the whole time. It glimmered in the lantern's lights.

A small golden ornament. The key!

With that stomp, Azuri wasn't just defiant - he was terrifying. A killer not bound by life or death. Mochizuki coughed out blood while Azuri was enjoying himself. He wore the same expression he had on that night. I had nearly forgotten...

"Thanks for the free sake! I'd appreciate it if you accept this as a repayment . . . Master."

After that, Azuri proved that he's a mad murderer in both realms of the world.