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Tokito House.
The owner and proprietress eyed Chiko and the others.
"We'll pay double the normal price for all four! Will you accept?"
"Sorry, ma'am—you can only choose one. The other three go elsewhere."
"Really... well, alright. What a shame. I'll take the white-haired one! You called her Chiko, correct? Clearly from a refined family. That aura is just..."
"I want Kyogoku House."
Chiko's interruption silenced the proprietress. Confusion crossed her face.
"Why? My Tokito House is excellent! Not inferior to Kyogoku House! I can train you properly—you'll become an outstanding oiran!"
"No reason. Do you have a problem with my decision??"
"N-no... no problem! Then I'll take Sumiko (Tanjiro)!" The proprietress and owner were intimidated by that overwhelming presence.
"Yes, I'll work hard!" Just like that, Sumiko (Tanjiro) was stationed at Tokito House.
———————
On the street, Inoko (Inosuke) pointed ahead excitedly. "Hey! Looks like a big crowd over there!"
Tengen followed her finger. "That's an oiran procession! Koinatsu, the oiran from Tokito House!"
"Is she one of your wives?? That's ridiculous! You not only have three wives, but they're all gorgeous beauties!!" Zenko (Zenitsu) roared.
Tengen punched Zenko in the stomach. "Shut up, idiot! She's not my wife! The ranking board has names listed—use your eyes!!"
He aimed for the stomach to avoid ruining the facial makeup.
"Walking so slow... in the mountains, she'd be dead meat immediately!" Inoko (Inosuke) squatted, one hand supporting her chin.
A madam approached, spotting Chiko's group. Her eyes lit up.
"Sir! I'll pay top price for all three girls! Is that acceptable? Oh, forgive me—I'm the madam of Ogimoto House."
"Really? Thank you, ma'am! But you can only take one."
"Why?? If it's about money, I'll pay double!"
"No, these two are going to Kyogoku House. No choice."
"What a shame. I'll take this one then! She looks promising. Not quite as stunning as the white-haired girl beside you, but close! Here's payment!" The Ogimoto madam pointed at Inoko (Inosuke), producing a stack of bills from her sleeve.
"Thank you very much, ma'am!" Tengen accepted the money, waving at Inoko. "Take care, Inoko!"
"Come, Zenko (Zenitsu). Follow me to Kyogoku House! Remember—once inside, you obey my every command! Otherwise, I take no responsibility for what happens!"
"Yes~ Lady Chiko! Hehehe..."
'Pretty smooth so far. Truly flamboyant!' Tengen thought, leading Chiko and Zenko toward Kyogoku House.
———————
Kyogoku House.
"Sir, is this true?? You'll really sell both girls to us??" The Kyogoku madam was overjoyed yet uncertain whether to believe Tengen.
The moment Chiko and Zenko (Zenitsu) entered Kyogoku House, the madam had been stunned. Hearing Tengen wanted to sell both girls made her ecstatic.
She immediately invited them inside to discuss pricing.
"Absolutely true, ma'am!"
"Wonderful! Both girls are beautiful! Especially this white-haired one—that aura is incomparable! I won't let you suffer a loss. How about double the standard price? Wait here—I'll fetch the money!" She hurried off.
Minutes later, the madam returned with payment. After handing it to Tengen, she led Chiko and Zenko (Zenitsu) upstairs.
"Take care, Chiko! Zenko!"
"Call me Lady Chiko!" Chiko looked back at Tengen with regal authority.
The madam nearly lost her balance on the stairs, intimidated by that overwhelming presence.
...
Meanwhile, on the street.
"Did you find out?"
"Yeah! The white-haired queen's at Kyogoku House!"
"Really?? Perfect! I must see My Queen again! Hehehe..."
The three speakers were the perverted trio Chiko had stepped on earlier.
"Get lost! She's MY Queen!"
"Nonsense—she's MY Queen!"
They argued so intensely they nearly came to blows.
"Hmph! Then let's settle this with our abilities—see who reaches Kyogoku House first to meet the Queen!"
———————
"Chiko, this is your room. Rest here for now. I'll send someone to teach you everything you need to know." The madam addressed Chiko.
"What if I said I want to become an oiran? Would you be willing?" Chiko's smile was enigmatic.
"Well... Chiko, becoming an oiran isn't that simple. It requires extensive training over time."
"Warabihime is an oiran—stunning beauty but terrible personality. I've heard older generations say oirans like using 'hime' in their stage names."
Chiko leaned close to the madam's ear, whispering. "They all share one habit. When displeased, they tilt their heads, looking up at people from below. Am I right, Madam?"
"Chiko, you... who are you really..."
"Madam, you know what to say and what not to say, correct?? Also, you've probably guessed—Warabihime isn't human! I'm here to eliminate her. So... do you still oppose me becoming an oiran?"
The Kyogoku madam's inner turmoil was visible. She looked at Chiko, considering carefully, before finally making her decision.
"Understood! Everything will be done as you say! Oiran Chiko!"
"Smart woman. Don't worry—I can handle an oiran's duties!"
Chiko knelt gracefully at the table, selecting a potted plant and beginning ikebana. Max-Level Handicraft manifested perfectly. She also retracted that overwhelming authority, leaving only gentle, refined nobility. Every movement was aesthetically pleasing.
If not for Chiko's earlier words, the madam would think she was dealing with two different people.
"Then, Oiran Chiko, I won't disturb you further. If you need anything, just ask!"
"Actually, there is something. Have Zenko (Zenitsu) play shamisen—she's excellent! Also, spread word that Kyogoku House has a new oiran. Whether they can meet me depends on their abilities."
"Or rather—whether their wallets are thick enough. Consider it small compensation for Kyogoku House."
"Understood, Oiran Chiko!"
The madam left with Zenko but returned shortly with two young girls in pink kimonos.
"Oiran Chiko, these two will serve you. I hope you don't mind!"
"Fine. Some things are difficult alone. They can stay."
"Thank you! You two—serve Oiran Chiko properly, understood?"
"Yes." Both girls bowed.
After the madam left, only the two children remained.
"Come here, both of you!" Chiko smiled warmly—like a ray of sunshine—beckoning them over.
"What are your names?"
"Oiran Chiko, I'm Akiko."
"I'm Yuko."
"Two little cuties. I don't have proper gifts, but here—these pastries are for you!" She handed them boxes from the table.
Chiko had purchased them from the [System Lifestyle Shop] for herself. But seeing these adorable girls, she couldn't help wanting to care for them.
"Really? For us?" Akiko asked.
"Of course!"
"Thank you, Chiko-nee!" Both girls kissed her cheeks simultaneously.
"You two little rascals! Alright, alright—eat up!"
"Mm!" They beamed.
'I hope you both grow up healthy. And I hope we never meet again after this.' Chiko—Kaidō—kept these thoughts silent.
———————
Twang~ twang twang,
Zenko (Zenitsu) was performing exactly as Chiko instructed, playing shamisen alongside several courtesans. Her skill matched anyone present.
"That girl plays beautifully! And she's so cute! Is she new?"
"Yes! Such presence!"
"I heard she has excellent hearing—can play any instrument after hearing it once."
"She came with the new oiran! Though that oiran is beautiful, she's so commanding—like a queen!"
———————
After starting work at Tokito House, Tanjiro constantly searched for information about Suma. In Oiran Koinatsu's room, he overheard two young girls discussing crucial details.
"Stop gossiping about rumors."
"Yes, Oiran Koinatsu!" Both girls chorused.
"Sumiko (Tanjiro), come here a moment!"
"Yes!"
Koinatsu handed Tanjiro a small bag of candy and pastries. "Thanks for helping me carry things. These snacks are for you—eat them quietly by yourself!"
"Thank you! Um, was Oiran Suma... did she run away?"
"Why ask about that?" Koinatsu's guard went up immediately.
Seeing her wariness, Tanjiro realized one wrong word would ruin any chance of learning about Suma.
"Actually, I... I'm... Oiran Suma's... little sister!"
Being fundamentally honest, Tanjiro couldn't maintain a normal expression while lying. His face contorted awkwardly. Koinatsu and the two girls were startled by his terrifying expression.
"After selling her older sister, they sold the younger one to the Entertainment District too..."
"Y-yes! Sister Suma kept sending me letters! I don't believe she'd run away!"
"I don't believe it either. She was always diligent and responsible. But her diary was found—supposedly she wrote about running away! If she really did escape, I genuinely hope she got away safely!"
"Diary? Running away?" Something clicked in Tanjiro's mind.
He suspected the "runaway" explanation was convenient for a demon. Even if people disappeared, everyone would assume they'd escaped. The diary was probably forged by the demon as camouflage. He prayed Suma was safe.
Tengen stood on a rooftop, watching the bustling streets below. He wondered whether Kaidō and the others could successfully investigate his three wives' whereabouts.
After losing contact with them, an ominous feeling had settled in his gut. The demon hiding in this Entertainment District felt unusual—possibly even an Upper Rank.
But Kaidō's presence was reassuring. He'd witnessed the Dragon Hashira's strength firsthand. If it was an Upper Rank, two Hashira together could definitely kill it.
"Truly flamboyant! This time, I finally get to fight side-by-side with Kaidō flamboyantly! Haha!"
———————
News of Kyogoku House's new oiran spread rapidly. Men flooded toward it in droves, desperate to glimpse her. Even customers from Tokito House and Ogimoto House rushed over.
This was exactly what Chiko (Kaido) wanted—attracting Daki's attention quickly.
Every man who met Oiran Chiko emerged with expressions of pure bliss. Why? She'd verbally destroyed them. Combined with the Queen's authority, they'd become addicted to being insulted.
"You're not worthy! You filthy creature! Want a drink? Go to the stables and drink horse piss! Before I lose my temper completely, crawl out of here—NOW!" Chiko's foot pressed atop some patron's head, both hands on her hips.
"Yes~! Noble Queen! I'll crawl out immediately!" The man obeyed, crawling from the room.
Outside, courtesans watched men exiting Oiran Chiko's room. They all wore obscene, blissful expressions. Constant verbal abuse echoed from within. Curiosity drove the courtesans to peek inside—then understanding dawned.
"So... how many is this tonight?"
"Fourth one. Sigh... those disgusting men can't even touch Oiran Chiko. She steps on them, and they look absolutely euphoric! Revolting. I wish I could be like Oiran Chiko someday!"
"Don't even try. That commanding presence isn't something ordinary people can pull off."
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