“Grief is a most peculiar thing; we’re so helpless in the face of it. It’s like a window that will simply open of its own accord. The room grows cold, and we can do nothing but shiver. But it opens a little less each time and a little less; and one day we wonder what has become of it.”
Miomomo walked towards Okasan’s office; it wasn’t as scary as it had been when she was once a child. Now a woman, and a geisha, she was able to walk with her head held high. It was all bittersweet, now that she was a geisha; she had no need for an onesan. Biyōchō successfully taught her everything she knew, fulfilling her duty as an onesan; now there was nothing left to teach. She knocked on the door to Okasan’s office lightly.
“Come in.” She heard the old woman’s voice reply. Miomomo opened the office door, and stepped inside the room. Okasan was laid back in the chair, smoking her long pipe. Her face was the same static expression as it always had been. Toph stood next to the door, with her arms crossed.
“You asked to see me Okasan?”
“Last year you managed to pay off your debt and beat Hana’s record; as promised, I haven’t had any part in your future earnings.” Okasan got up from her chair with her cane, and wobbled to stand in front of her desk. “It is no secret that I am getting old and can’t take care of the Okiya like I use to.”
“What are you saying Okasan?”
“I am going to legally adopt you so you can take over the Okiya while I am gone and become the Atori.” Miomomo smiled at this newfound information and turned to see if Toph was happy for her, but she was nowhere in sight.
Miomomo briefly visited her old onesan to tell her the good news; and came back to a quiet Okiya. She tried to be quiet, but the floorboards creaked under her weight.
“Well, well, well; if it isn’t the grilled fish.” She turned to see Hana leaning on the doorframe of the kitchen with her arms crossed; her eyes were bloodshot and glazed over. Sweat coated the woman’s forehead, and she reeked of sake.
“Are you drunk Hana-san?” She questioned curiously. Hana chuckled bitterly.
“Why do you care?”
“Because no matter how much you hate me, I will still treat you with respect.” Miomomo said calmly; walking closer to Hana, so she could keep her voice low. “Why do you resent me so much Hana? I have not done anything worth you trying to ruin my life over.” Hana scoffed and pushed herself off the wall.
“I had almost everything I wanted; until one day this little, dirty child came and took it all from me, even my chance to become head of this Okiya.”
“I think it was wise decision of Okasan; even though I did not want it, I think it’s for what’s best for the Okyia…” She turned to make her way to her room; which she hasn’t been in for a while. “Excuse me, I must get ready; I have client waiting for me at the teahouse.”
The room was nearly bare, since she wasn’t sharing with Toph anymore. Toph hasn’t talked to her since she found out that Miomomo made a good impression on her father. Becoming a geisha seemed to have more negative impact on her life than good. She sat down at her vanity and began to freshen up her makeup. Hana walked into her room with tears in her eyes, holding the sake bottle; and Miomomo halted her actions.
“I don’t care if you become head of this Okiya, I will never listen to you!” Hana shouted at her back; she sighed and turned in her chair.
“Hana-san, go get some rest; you’re well past your alcohol limit.” Hana’s mouth turned into a harsh snarl and she threw the glass bottle at Miomomo’s head, causing it to hit her vanity mirror. Glass shattered everywhere; and she scrambled to get away from the projectile glass and sake. “Hana, what is wrong with you? You could have cut me!”
YOU ARE READING
The Geisha Way
Fanfiction"She paints her face to hide her face. Her eyes are deep water. It is not for Geisha to want. It is not for geisha to feel. Geisha is an artist of the floating world. She dances, she sings. She entertains you, whatever you want. The rest is shadows...
