Yōsuke, Hakuji, and Koyuki once again set out on a journey with no clear destination.
Their steps eventually led them to the Yoshiwara Entertainment District along the banks of the Rashōmon River.
Yoshiwara was a famed pleasure quarter—a city of the night woven from vanity, desire, love, and hatred between men and women. Its intoxicating life of luxury and indulgence lured high-ranking officials and men of influence into never wanting to leave.
Walking down the bustling flower streets of the district, Yōsuke led Hakuji and Koyuki through the crowd. Even at night, the avenue was as bright as day, overflowing with people.
The most prestigious courtesans of each establishment were parading down the street, showcasing their beauty in order to promote themselves and draw customers to the houses they represented.
"Hey, Hakuji, isn't she pretty?"
Hakuji instinctively nodded. Having never witnessed such a scene, his wide eyes were glued to the parading oiran, as though he wanted to pop them out to get a better look.
Then his whole body jolted. Turning his head stiffly, he realized Koyuki was glaring at him, her face radiating murderous intent.
"Koyuki, wait—let me explain! I was just… curious, that's all, just curious! To me, none of them compare to even one-tenth of your beauty!"
Koyuki wasn't interested in hearing his excuses. She pinched his ear with a dark expression and threatened coldly:
"If you dare look again, I'll freeze you and leave you out in the street."
Terrified, Hakuji immediately squeezed his eyes shut and trudged dejectedly behind her.
Yōsuke took the two into an izakaya, ordered a pot of sake, and began quietly drinking.
Meanwhile, Hakuji was still busy trying to soothe his fuming wife.
Watching the two flaunt their affection in front of him in every possible way, Yōsuke finally lost patience.
"Oi! We're in a rare lively place at night—why don't you two get out of here and go explore for a while!"
"You're right, Koyuki, Yōsuke-sama has a point. Let's go look around together."
Koyuki snorted coldly, stood, and left the izakaya on her own. Hakuji scrambled after her.
Seeing them go, Yōsuke let out a sigh of relief. At last, some time to himself.
Ever since Hakuji and Koyuki had come to his side, Yōsuke felt that his life had subtly changed—
like there was suddenly a touch of warmth, the feeling of everyday human life.
Though Hakuji constantly gave him headaches, Yōsuke couldn't say he disliked it.
"Still… those two really don't spare a thought for someone who's been alone for hundreds of years, do they?"
From birth, Yōsuke had carried an unbearably heavy responsibility, leaving no room to find a partner—and in truth, he had never met a woman who stirred his heart.
Even Tamayo… to Yōsuke, what they shared had been nothing more than the bond of two lonely people keeping each other company. Now, they had gone their separate ways.
Centuries had passed since then. His outward appearance remained youthful, but his mindset had changed completely. As for companionship… Yōsuke no longer cared.
He poured cup after cup of sake. No matter how much he drank he could never get drunk, yet he still savored the feeling of being "intoxicated by the mood if not by the drink."
Elsewhere, Hakuji had finally reconciled with Koyuki. He wanted to bring her back to the izakaya, but she shook her head.
"Hakuji, Yōsuke-sama sent us out because he wanted to be alone for a while. Let's give him some time before we return."
Scratching his head, Hakuji looked puzzled.
"Eh? Really? I didn't notice anything like that…"
Koyuki rolled her eyes at him.
"That's because your brain is full of nothing but fighting, you big idiot!"
She sat down at the bank of the Rashōmon River, gazing softly at the flowing waters.
"It was truly fortunate that we met Yōsuke-sama. He gave me a new life, allowing me to stay by your side once more."
Hakuji sat beside her with a sigh.
"Yeah… we're really lucky. If Yōsuke-sama hadn't appeared that day, I don't even know what I might've done—probably something I'd regret forever. We may follow him, but honestly, it's always him who takes care of us."
"Even though Yōsuke-sama has never spoken about his past, I can feel it… deep inside, he's unbearably weary. He carries burdens so heavy we can't even imagine. Just sensing a fraction of it… makes it hard for me to breathe."
Koyuki's face grew sorrowful as she wrung her hands uneasily together.
Hakuji gently pried her hands apart and laced his fingers with hers. Staring at the shimmering ripples of the river, he said firmly:
"I'll work to grow stronger—strong enough to be someone Yōsuke-sama can acknowledge. I'll make sure he no longer has to bear everything alone."
Just as the two were lost in their emotions, a wretched, grief-stricken cry pierced the night.
Rushing toward the sound, they saw a badly wounded boy staggering forward, carrying the charred body of a girl in his arms.
"No one will help us. Just like always. This is what life has been for us—no matter when, no one lends a hand. Everything is merciless… Why? Isn't it said that calamity and fortune should alternate, like tangled cords? Then let some good come after all this suffering!"
His anguished voice rang out across the street, but all the doors of the houses remained shut tight. Not a single soul offered aid.
"Ume… If only you'd been in a better house, maybe you could have become a proper courtesan. If you'd been born into a normal family, maybe you could've lived as an ordinary girl. If you'd been born into the upper class, you could've become a noble lady.
You were honest, impressionable… and it was because you grew up under me that you turned out this way. If I hadn't been there, maybe you could've walked a different path. My only attachment in this world… was you…"
The boy collapsed, curling around the scorched girl to shield her with his battered body, his face twisted with guilt and despair.
Watching the wounded boy, Hakuji was struck by a vision of himself on the verge of losing Koyuki all over again.
Empathy welled within him. Just as Yōsuke had once saved him, Hakuji now wanted to save this boy.
He reached out his hand.
"Do you want to live? I can give you a chance to bring yourself and the girl in your arms back to life. But the price… is becoming a demon, one who can never again see the sunlight. Do you accept?"
The boy raised his head with effort, his life nearly spent. With the last of his strength, he grasped Hakuji's hand.
"Please… save my sister. At the very least… let her live…"
Hakuji slit open his palm, letting the demon king's blood—bestowed upon him by Yōsuke—drip into the boy's and the girl's mouths.
Koyuki did not stop him. She only watched silently from the side, knowing full well that the gentle-hearted Yōsuke would not condemn Hakuji's choice in this moment.
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