The Flower and the Butterfly

Blossoming

What a headache... I feel my stomach hurting... My whole body is bruised... What happened?...

-"I'll stay here until you wake up... You won't die, I promise." Who said that? I wondered, as the pain in my body slowly seemed to fade and take on a familiar shape. Like a snap, I wake up. Tired from the previous day, I'm currently wearing a regular pink kimono, my black hair is all messy on the bed. I look to the side and notice the sun hitting my covers, making me realize: damn, I'm late! I quickly get up and change my clothes, putting on a more formal kimono now. They must have already left, I need to hurry! I end up rushing out of the house, unable to comb my hair, having to adjust it with my hands.

-"Kanroji!" I spent quite a while running until I reached the place I was supposed to be, the voice calling me had a tone of anger.

-"You're late, where were you?!" She shouted again, with her voice and head lowered, I answer with shame.

-"I'm sorry... Mom... It's just that I..." I try to think of an excuse, any one that wasn't the reality.

-"Let me guess, you ate too much yesterday and that's why you overslept, is that it!?" But she always knows, my strength made me hungrier, and my hunger made me sleepier.

-"Yeah..." I confirm that it really was that, making her give a tense sigh.

-"Okay, we'll talk later, go get ready, it's better if you're chosen this time." She turns away, irritated, always irritated... I hope I have a suitor... I need to succeed this time...

I go to the dressing room and change clothes, I go to the makeup artist and she applies basic makeup, nothing too much. I can't rely on makeup... I'll make an effort, I head to the waiting area, it was already my third time there, so I knew how everything worked.

Time passes and the other girls who were also competing show up, and among so many, I spot a familiar figure, Naomi, the only friend I had in that place. She was here last year too, she helped me, but neither of us made it through. I decide to approach her with a smile.

-"Hello, Naomi-san, are you alright? Trying again?" I ask with a forced laugh.

-"Yes, Kanroji-san. I see you're trying again as well." She responds in her usual gentle manner, with a loving gaze and a serene smile, she's wearing a headband and her hair is black just like mine... That color doesn't bring me joy, but neither of us had much choice anyway.

-"I hope you succeed, you have a better chance than me, anyway..." I put my hand behind my head, letting out another awkward laugh.

-"Don't say that... You'll succeed too." She tries to encourage me, but... Nobody would want me... Maybe I can have a tiny bit of hope, but still, I doubt it. I give a smile, trying to hold onto that same hope.

-"Yeah... Let's do our best!"

Time passes, and when the sun is right in the center of the sky, we're called to begin the tests. We enter, and it's the same room as always, a spacious chamber with five feudal lords. There are seven groups with eight girls in each group. It's competitive, whoever wins will have a life of luxury, practically... I need to win. The first test is something simple, serving tea, I can easily do that. They drink, and their expressions remain neutral. Next, we have to tidy up a messy futon, and again, I can easily do it. I see that Naomi managed it as well. The next test is washing clothes, something I've never been able to do properly. I pick up the first piece of clothing and start scrubbing, trying to do it quickly so I can move on to the next one, but I end up squishing the soap. I start to panic and try to salvage the situation, attempting to clean using the remaining bit of soap. I manage to finish two pieces of clothing, but the third one is the one I couldn't clean properly.