Two to Tango (Revised).

𝟷𝟼𝟷𝟼's sʜɪɴᴍᴀᴄʜɪ.

He clutched on him tightly, moving his head from side to side to see what was happening around them. A hand started to pull him away from his older brother and he started screaming for help. The older one didn't let him go and he pulled out a small knife to threaten them away. The two brothers were so afraid to get separated, so the government officials decided to throw them away in a brothel. The owner carefully loosened the older brother's grip on the knife and then, he tended the cuts on his fingers.

"Are we safe now?" The younger one asked and a faint smile formed on his lips before nodding. The owner took his old clothes from his room and gave it to the two brothers. From that day, they will start living under the owner's care but still, they don't know where they are.

"Kazu-nii." Sixteen-year-old Hokuto called for his older brother and seventeen-year-old Kazuma turned to look at him. At such a young age, they will face a more challenging situation. The older one helped him to take his clothes off and changed them into clean ones. The younger one did the same for him since his hand is currently injured.

"Hokuto, no matter what happens, Kazu-nii will always be here for you." He assured the younger one and Hokuto smiled widely. The owner called for them and started explaining what would happen to them.

"This will be your new home. It is a brothel and we call it Shinmachi." The owner started and they already got an idea about it. Since it is a brothel, they readied themselves on every kind of guest they will encounter in the future.

Two female courtesans walked in, placing down the clothes they will wear starting the next day. Kazuma stared at it and reminded himself that he is the only one who can protect his younger brother from abusive guests. He took the clothes and held Hokuto's arm to bring him back to their room. The younger one hugged him tight, already thinking about how they would be able to escape from that place. He gently patted his back to comfort him. He doesn't know where he is getting the courage to stay in that brothel. Should he be thankful that someone decided to take care of them? But if he would not, how will he be able to earn money for their food, clothes and shelter?

"Just a few months, Hokuto. Let's endure it. I'm sure Aniki will save us from here. He will not let us stay here for too long." He whispered and the younger one nodded. They have faith in their elder brother.

"Aniki knows where we are, right?" Hokuto asked and he forced a smile. How would he tell him that it was their own mother who threw them away? Just because they are not her legitimate children, they were forced out of the household.

"Let's sleep now. It's getting cold. Look. The blankets are thick." He pointed at the futon prepared on the tatami floor and the younger one immediately hid under the sheets. He followed and laid down beside him.

Morning finally came and the two female courtesans who brought their clothes in last night woke them up early. They cleaned their bodies properly and they were dressed like women. The yukatas they received have flowery patterns on them and this made Hokuto's skin color more noticeable. Their work as male courtesans will start at night and then, they need to study and learn a lot of things during the morning. Kazuma stared at his reflection on the mirror. He looked so different after they applied light make-up on his face. His hair was down and he looked more like a woman.

"Kazu-nii, you look so pretty." Hokuto smiled at him while carrying a bulk of clean clothes from outside. He smiled back and helped him on folding it. While the two brothers were happily talking to each other, the owner, Jin, passed by and saw them.

"Kazuma, Hokuto, there will be two important guests later. Remember what we taught you a while ago." The older one said and the two brothers nodded. They rushed on folding the blankets as they heard the older female courtesans calling for their help.

The meals they serve in the brothel are decent and nutritious. It has vitamins and minerals that will help their skin to glow more. Their faces and bodies are their assets for them to earn a lot of money. If they are lucky enough, they will be able to get out of Shinmachi if someone will marry them. Marriage is still not in their minds but since they are doing their best to survive, seducing the guests is something they should work on. Offering their bodies to them is another thing. If the guest doesn't want to touch them, they have no choice but to sit still.

"Hokuto, don't ever forget the rules here. No matter what they do, they should not hurt you. Forcing you into something you don't like is something you should tell me and Jin-san. They can't touch you yet. You're only sixteen." He reminded his younger brother about it and Hokuto made sure to memorize everything they told him.

"Kazu-nii should do the same. If you don't like what they are doing to you, tell me and Jin-san." Hokuto said and he smiled before gently ruffling his hair. He carefully held his hand and removed the bandages.

"We should ask Ayumi-san for herbal ointment. It will scar if it does not heal fast." The younger one brought him to the one of the eldest female courtesans' room and asked for the ointment they needed.

"Apply this again later after you take a bath. You should not put bandages anymore. Let the air and ointment dry your wounds." Ayumi said while applying the ointment she got from the herbalist last week.

"Thank you, Ayumi-san. I want to ask something." Kazuma started and the older woman looked at him after closing the small tin container. Hokuto looked at him, curious on what his older brother would ask.

"What did you do in order to endure everything you're experiencing here?" He finally asked and Hokuto looked down, pondering on what she would answer to his question. He would also want to know.

"I reminded myself that the only home I got is Shinmachi. It wasn't easy at first but as the years passed by, I learned to accept that no one would want me back. You may encounter greedy and ill-mannered courtesans here but most of us are kind and on good terms with each other. After all, we just want to make a living." She answered and they saw the sincerity in her eyes. He wanted to be like them, brave and independent.

"Thank you, Ayumi-san. Please take care of us." Kazuma smiled at the older woman and she let out a soft chuckle, ruffling their hairs as if they were her own sons. A figure passed by and rolled her eyes on what she witnessed between Ayumi and the new male courtesans. She clicked her tongue, seeing the two young lads as rivals.