She spoke cheerfully, but Jinya saw an equal measure of sadness in her. Though she didn’t let her bubbly air fade, it was a fact that this woman of tender age had run away from home. It must have been a difficult decision. There were few jobs women could find, and perhaps it was only fate that she found her way here to the Dove District.
“So I came here, nervously looked for work at Ichikawa, and met Nanao-san. I was planning to become a real sex worker at first, but she had a few things to say about that.”
“A girl like you has no business being a sex worker.”
“Watch us for a while first if you still insist.”
“If seeing how we live doesn’t change your mind, then I’ll allow it.”
Aoba was surprised to hear Nanao so flatly tell her a sex worker wasn’t something to aspire to be. However, she understood it was said out of kindness, and she decided to stay in the Dove District because of Nanao. She had known the place would have darkness to it, but Nanao showed her it contained warmth as well. Aoba aspired to be a woman like Nanao, someone who had turned her back on society but still lived with integrity.
“Nanao-san didn’t want me to become a sex worker, but she still looked after me by giving me this room and odd jobs to do.” That was how Aoba became a sex worker in name only, one who didn’t take clients and wasn’t even an apprentice.
Nanao was against the young Aoba becoming a sex worker, and Aoba looked up to Nanao and idolized the job. They shared a strange bond, but it was a bond Aoba was clearly fond of. Her respect for Nanao could be felt in each of her words.
She finished, “So, yeah. My reasons are nothing grand. I came here because I rebelled against my grandfather. Oh, and I’d rather keep what my family trade is a secret, if I can. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
“I see. You’ve never thought about returning home?” Jinya asked. He assumed Nanao kept Aoba from selling her body to leave her that option, but even after the Prostitution Prevention Law came into effect and the Dove District neared its end, she didn’t leave—and that was why she still remained here. Hidden behind her carefree smile were lingering regrets that kept her here like so many others.
“I’m too ashamed to,” she said.
“Why? I’d figure Nanao stopped you from becoming a sex worker so you wouldn’t have to feel any shame.”
“I’m sure she did. But while I was away, my grandfather died.” She said it very offhandedly and averted her gaze, preventing him from getting a good read on her. “A letter came from my father. Apparently, he knew where I was. I still can’t bring myself to go back, though.”
She ran away because she didn’t like how her grandfather ordered her to inherit the household. She didn’t know how much her actions hurt him, but he probably passed away with deep worries over the future of the family, and that fact haunted her. She betrayed his expectations, then denied him a peaceful death. How could she be so shameless as to return at this point?
“I keep thinking about how I should have done things. What if I had at least shown him the family trade was in good hands with me before he died, so he wouldn’t have had to pass with such regret? Would I have given up and gone home by now? I really wonder sometimes.”
The Dove District she drifted to was a more comfortable place to live than she could have possibly imagined, but she wasn’t mature enough to completely leave her old home behind. She was stuck, unable to decide whether she wanted to return home or not, and had remained in the Dove District ever since.
“Just kidding. Who do I think I am, the heroine of some tragedy?” Aoba tried to clear the air with a joke. It worked only a little, the oppressive mood turning a touch softer.
Jinya had enough tact to tell she wanted him to play along to help clear the air, so he said in his usual indifferent voice, “You can be the heroine of some tragedy if you want, but your story’s incomplete without a male lead.”
“That’s what you’re here for, Jin-san! The girl with a troubled past soothes the lost man. It’s a classic trope.” With a broad smile on her face, she spread her arms wide for an embrace. She was mostly joking, but just a tiny bit serious. She wanted someone to comfort her just then.
Jinya sighed with exasperation, reached out, and flicked her on the forehead.
She flung her head back, pretending to be hurt. “Ouch!”
“A girl your age shouldn’t be doing such things,” he scolded her with mock anger.
“Er, you know I’m still technically a sex worker, right?” She hid her face and feigned tears. “Boo-hoo. Jin-san, you’re so cold.”
“As if. Oh, we’re out of tea. Shall we call it a day here?”
“Oh, sure. I’ll wash the teacups. It’s the least I can do.”
“No, it’s fine. I need to earn my keep here. Just go ahead and take it easy for me.”
“Well, if you insist… Thank you.”
Jinya took the teacups and went to the sink. Aoba sprawled her arms and legs out and lay down on the ground. Her thanks wasn’t for washing the cups but for playing along with her silly acting.
After putting away the teacups, he called out to her once more. “Sorry, but I’ll be heading out for a bit. Go ahead and sleep first without me.”
“You’re not just trying to be considerate of my mood and give me space, are you?”
“Unfortunately, I’m not that tactful a man.” His reasons lay elsewhere. He picked up the leather sword bag containing Yarai and made to leave.
A pale moon hung in the sky. Spirits liked to stir on nights like this.