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A Price Worth Paying

Miyuki's POV

Flashback: In Front of the Kyogoku House

Tengen Uzui stood firmly in front of the Kyogoku House, his hand gripping Zenitsu's shoulder as if he were a prize to be handed off.

"You can have her clean the toilets or whatever! Please, just take her!" he said with a playful smirk, patting Zenitsu's head like he was a mischievous child. "Heck, I'd even give her away for free if I had to!"

The Chaperon, who owned the best Oiran in the house, eyed us like she was sizing up merchandise. "If it's the girl with the red hair, I wouldn't mind," she said, her finger pointed directly at me.

"No, she's not for sale,"  Uzui's hand shifted on my shoulder tightened, the warmth of his earlier tone evaporating. 

"I'm not interested in bargaining. The girl with the red hair or no deal." The Chaperon crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing to slits.

Uzui's expression darkened. "I said she's not for sale. How about you take the girl and leave it at that?"

The Chaperon let out a scoff, clearly unimpressed. "The girl? She's not even worth a copper coin. But the red-haired girl... now that's a different story."

Uzui's grip on my shoulder tightened even more, and I winced. "Listen, I brought you someone. Be grateful and stop pushing your luck."

Before the Chaperon could respond, the door to the Kyogoku House creaked open, and out stepped the Proprietress herself, a woman of old refined beauty and undeniable authority. H

"My, my, how handsome." Her eyes immediately lit up when they landed on Uzui, clearly smitten by his striking looks.

"What's all this commotion about?" she asked, her voice smooth as silk. She turned to the Chaperon, who quickly explained the situation irritated.

"The girl with the red hair, that's the one I want. But this man here refuses to part with her," the Chaperon said, nodding toward me.

The Proprietress shifted her gaze to me, her eyes narrowing with interest as she appraised me. I forced a nervous smile, feeling the weight of everyone's attention. 

Do I really have to do this?

I glanced down at Zenitsu, who was gripping my kimono tightly, his wide eyes pleading with me to stay.

Uzui noticed my hesitation and leaned in, patting my back gently. "Don't worry, I'll handle this. You don't need to do anything." He whispered.

But the Proprietress wasn't one to give up easily. She stepped closer to Uzui, her tone soft and persuasive. 

"Surely, a man as handsome as you wouldn't refuse a fair deal. I'm willing to pay a handsome sum for the red-haired girl. I promise. She would be well taken care of here."

Uzui's eyes darkened, his patience clearly wearing thin. "I said no," he snapped, "And I suggest you stop asking before I lose my temper."

The Proprietress blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor. "But why refuse such a generous offer? She's just one girl."But she quickly composed herself.

Uzui snapped, his face reddening with anger. "I said she's not for--"

"Fine I'll do it." I couldn't just stand there, letting the situation spiral out of control. "If you're so eager to buy me," I stepped forward, much to Uzui's surprise, "then you'll need to pay the full worth of your house."

"What did you just say?" The Chaperon's eyes widened in shock.

"You heard me," I continued confidently. "Hand over everything you have—every penny, every piece of property, and even the clothes on your back. That's the price if you want me."