"Wow, what a handsome young man!"
"I never thought a boy could be this pretty!"
"Little brother, come over here to your big sister!"
...
As Asaki arrived, the courtesans on the street occasionally threw him flirtatious glances.
However, Asaki wasn't particularly interested.
In his past life, he'd been a single dog who'd never even held a girl's hand, but that didn't mean just any girl could steal his heart.
On the contrary, having been through the information explosion of modern society, Asaki had seen far too many beautiful women.
Sure, most of their looks were probably the result of makeup, filters, or plastic surgery, but it had still spoiled his standards.
In short, if a woman wasn't a beauty, Asaki genuinely couldn't be bothered.
Besides, Asaki had come to the red-light district during the day.
And daytime was when the courtesans were off-duty, resting—they didn't take clients at this hour.
Of course, this wasn't an absolute rule.
But compared to the night, Yoshiwara was relatively quiet now.
The reason Asaki had come in broad daylight was simple: necessity.
After all, demons feared sunlight. By handling things during the day, Asaki could at least maintain some semblance of control.
Even though he'd prepared plenty for this trip, he was still a sickly weakling facing powerful demons. No amount of caution was excessive.
[What a nice place. More peaceful than Fuyuki City post-"cleansing," and part of Tokyo, the hottest city in Japan. Too bad it's a bit early. Otherwise, I might've been able to have some real fun!]
Asaki mused to himself, standing before the entrance of the Hundred Pleasures House before stepping inside.
"Guest, uh—"
The madam, who had initially intended to turn him away, froze upon seeing Asaki's face, her expression softening with obvious fondness.
"Madam, I'd like to see the oiran, Tamaki!"
"To ask for Tamaki by name... Honored guest, I assume you know the rules?"
The madam scrutinized Asaki's attire—his refined aura and Western-style suit made it clear he was no ordinary man.
Though she was quite taken with his looks, an oiran wasn't just any courtesan. She wasn't someone you could meet on a whim.
In Japan, courtesans were ranked.
The lower-tier ones were disposable. As long as a guest had the money, they could play around freely.
But an oiran was different. Each was meticulously cultivated by the brothel's owner.
Their food, clothing, and living standards were extravagant. Their quarters were exquisitely decorated, and they were trained in tea ceremony, music, flower arrangement, and other refined arts. They had to master poise, grace, and elegant speech just to qualify.
Naturally, such oiran became the brothel's cash cows.
To receive an oiran's services, a guest first had to pass the madam's test.
The first requirement? Wealth.
After all, everything was a transaction. The higher the tier, the steeper the price.
No money? Then stop daydreaming and fuck off back where you came from!
Beyond the madam's approval, the oiran herself also had the right to choose.
That's right—in Japan's red-light districts, even the most elite "merchandise" could pick her clients.
Once the madam confirmed a guest's financial capability, the oiran would be summoned for an introduction.
The two would engage in light conversation, allowing the oiran to gauge the guest.
If she found him lacking, she could refuse further meetings, denying him her services entirely.
Of course, no matter how exceptional an oiran was, she was still just a woman in the end.
"Tamaki, Tamaki..."
"Madam? What is it?"
Daki's voice came from behind the sliding door of her chambers. The madam didn't dare open it, afraid of provoking her wrath.
Swallowing hard, the madam spoke nervously, "Well, there's a guest who specifically requested your services! Um..."
"I already said I don't take clients during the day!"
"Y-yes, but... this guest fits your preferences perfectly. Would you... Consider meeting him?"
Click—
The door slid open violently, and the madam collapsed to the floor, her face as pale as Asaki's.
Especially when she met Daki's eyes—beautiful, yes, but they felt like a serpent's gaze, sending chills down her spine.
"Remember your words, Madam. I hope this guest truly satisfies me. Otherwise... I'll be very, very angry."
Daki traced her fingers along the madam's cheek, the touch instantly raising goosebumps.
"H-he will please you, Tamaki! He's the most beautiful guest I've ever seen. Far more exquisite than any you've entertained before!"
"Oh? I'm intrigued."
Daki stepped out, gliding toward the parlor.
Though demons rarely moved about in daylight, it was only the sun they feared.
As long as direct sunlight was avoided, there was no issue.
In the original story, Tanjiro could carry his demonized sister, Nezuko, around precisely because the wooden box shielded her.
When Daki, disguised as Tamaki, glimpsed Asaki through the curtain, her eyes locked onto him.
His aura, utterly foreign to this era, and his delicate, breathtaking features—slightly frail but devastatingly beautiful—instantly captivated her.
To Daki, a boy this pretty wouldn't just be fun to play with... he'd taste divine.
And delicious things were always packed with nutrients.
For the first time, even Daki had to admit it: she wanted him.
She wanted to savor him, cherish him... then devour him alive, bite by bite.
"Well, Tamaki? What do you think?"
"You weren't wrong, Madam. This guest... exceeds my expectations."
"Sh-shall I arrange the meeting?"
"Unnecessary. I accept."
Daki's declaration stunned the madam, but she quickly nodded.
"Understood. I'll prepare the procession at once!"
The madam knew the drill—when an oiran took a client, a grand parade was customary, showcasing her elegance to attract future patrons.
Every oiran's engagement became a spectacle, drawing crowds.
"Skip the theatrics, Madam. You know I loathe sunlight."
"But... It's tradition for an oiran. To omit it would be..."
The madam's words died in her throat.
Under Daki's gaze, even with the sun blazing overhead, the air turned to ice.
"My traditions are the only ones that matter. Got a problem with that?"
***
PS: tsk, even combining 2 chapters was not enough to make it long?