Book #1: The Wind and The Rain: Kutzu and Namie

Chapter Nine- Sponge Cake

The same time of year for her thirteenth birthday, Namie was unlocked with the power of the Maiko. Being in Geisha school for four year has taught her all of the Maiko skills. Tonight was her debut, her first time going out. Namie was preparing all day. Taking a freezing bath, going to the hair place to fix her hair, anything to make herself look more promising. Now it is about four in the afternoon, the time for her to put on her kimono. Kutzu is upstairs with her, choosing the prettiest ones she can find. 

"Ooh, this one, that one, and this one," Kutzu said as she pulled three different kimonos out of the closet.

 Namie picked up the one with the cherry blossoms and said, "It's winter!" as she tossed the kimono on the futon and rolled her eyes.

 Kutzu rolled her eyes also and said, "I'll have Kiko buy a kimono with white and blue on it." 

Namie sat down in front of the makeup case and grabbed the white cream and brush. About an hour later, Kutzu came into her room with a kimono. Namie had finished her makeup.

 "Let's get this going!" Kutzu said as she grabbed a wool juban and a sash.

 Another thirty minutes later, Namie was ready. She grabbed her shinkansen and jumped into a jinrikisha with Kutzu. As they approached the restaurant, Kutu told the man to stop. She paid and got off with Namie. 

"Why are we here?" Namie asked as she pointed to a bakery with Japanese sweets in the window. 

Kutzu smiled at her and said, "You'll see." 

Namie didn't know why, but she followed Kutzu into the shop and stayed quiet. She looked around the store while Kutzu bargained with the manager about sponge cake and sake. After a while, Kutzu and Namie walked out of the door and walked to the restaurant. Am I ready? Thought Namie. In the real world, she had no idea if she was.