Demon Slayer Oneshots

☁️Zenitsu/Reader: The Rouge Ruse Part 3

Chapter 3: Reprimand and Rescue

The troublesome mural was still lingering in the back of Zenitsu's mind as he was pulled down the hallway, back towards the small event. Apparently you had perfect timing too, for it was right when the two of you reached the doorway again that you were called forth into the party. It didn't take long to notice that this room was far nicer than the rest of the establishment. The shojis were more ornate; polished wood lattices divided the space into cozier quarters, garnishing the room with elegance. Even the door slid open easier, like the tracks had been better kept, oiled and cleared out of debris properly. It didn't get stuck like the door to his new bedroom did. On the far right wall was a faux moon window, with the outdoors painted on the inside of the circle. It was abstract but pretty, and unlike the one outside the Oiran's room, this one made him feel relaxed. That is, until the eyes of the male guests fell upon him, and his gut churned once more.

"Tell me what to do F/N-chan." Your new friend whispered close to your ear, lightly gripping your forearm. "I don't know what I'm doing."

"Just smile and play along. For now we're supposed to entertain them with conversation and drink. And then the lead dancer will perform. So you don't have to hold out for very long, I promise." Big golden eyes still stared at you with unease.

"What are the performances for anyway? It seems excessive to me. I'm sure any guy would be happy just to sit and have tea with you. So what's the sense in all this posturing?"

"Not all men are so easy to please." A smile began to bloom on your cheeks at her naivety.

"Sounds like that should be their problem, not yours..." She mumbled in a humorously cantankerous way, and now you wanted to laugh.

"Well, depending on how well she does she might get chosen by one of the men here. This is how maikos get scouted. Talented girls find a patron who pays for her to entertain him, and will support her financially in exchange for the honor of keeping her company. That's how we get out of debt. A man who favors us sponsors our schooling."

"Oh..." That didn't sound as bad as Zenitsu had originally envisioned. When Tengen warned him of the practices he might encounter here, he anticipated a sad lonely situation, where the girls were kept in close uncomfortable quarters, used and cast aside. But this exchange where a man found a favorite lady to invest in and keep her comfortable... well, that wasn't quite so terrible, was it? He ought to just make her his wife and spare them both all the trouble, but this wasn't the worst arrangement he'd ever seen. Not to mention, he'd learned in the past that just because you invest all your money in someone, it doesn't guarantee they will grow to love you...

"You'll find someone too, Zenko-chan." Your words rang genuine and kind, and it was somehow precisely what he needed to hear, both in the present moment and in the deep well of thoughts where he'd been lingering.

"...I'm glad I got to meet you." Your skittish new friend finally dawned a warm smile, eyes soft and reflecting gratitude. "I'll be on my very best behavior for your sake."

...

A short time had passed, and things seemed to be going well. Zenitsu knew how to talk to men. Not as a woman, but as a fellow man. Just by being himself the patrons seemed to think he was funny, though they would take shots at his appearance every time he left the table to refill the teapots or fetch another bottle of Sake.

At first you were worried when Zenko got stationed at a separate table from you, where you couldn't help her out of a sticky situation. You kept stealing glances her way, but it appeared your fears were unfounded when you heard hearty laughter coming from her table. She was a big hit in spite of her inexperience, and you were glad. You liked her, so it wasn't a surprise that they did too.