Fantasy, Meet Reality

Chapter VI: Boredom Strikes (Part II)

(Hello, everyone! How have you been doing? A new chapter's coming your way.

Once again, my apologies for the slow updates. -bows low- Internet connection at my place is messing up again. Plus, life happens... 😥

Anyway, rest assured I'll not abandon this story. For you, dear readers I'll see this through the end.

Enough with the ramblings! Happy reading and hopefully, you enjoy.)

It took a while for Tokiya to be able to appreciate the beauty of his surroundings. How very like Hajime to choose a place like this to relax and unwind.

Ren, however, was another matter. Anyway, he would soon find out why they were so intent on going to this place sooner or later.

"Welcome, Hajime-sama and Ren-sama." A geiko who was apparently on close terms with his friends came over to greet them. "I see you've brought someone new with you."

"Good day, Ayame-san," Hajime replied. "His name is Toki." And he can't introduce himself? "He just came from another country and has yet to make friends here again." Apparently, he can't.

No matter how Tokiya looked at it, he couldn't get used to this way of introducing a man and a woman to each other.

"It's nice to meet you, Ayame-san," he said, coupled with a slight bow. Formalities again, he thought as he cringed internally.

They were soon led into a room which he presumed was reserved for the most esteemed guests, owing to its size and structure which caught his eye.

"Pardon me, sirs. By chance, would you desire other geikos or maikos to entertain you?"

"Yes please. If possible, we'd like to have Yukina-san and Chiaki-san," Hajime said. This was getting serious. His friends were taking an unusual interest in these women. Things are taking an interesting turn.

"Right away, sir" Ayame-san replied as she went off to fetch the two women his friends had requested for.

The moment he saw them, Tokiya already had an idea why these two had attracted his friends' attention. They were beautiful, as was expected of women whose job was providing pleasure for men.

He couldn't tell exactly why, but he was almost sure their beauty was not what piqued his friends' interest. Perhaps it was their personalities? Highly likely....

Soon enough, they were paired off with the maikos they had requested for. Which left Ayame-san and him on their own.

He had to admit, he felt somewhat nervous because of the present situation. Can't a man and a woman interact normally, just for once?

There was no room for complaints this time. He'd better make the best of the situation as it is.

"Relax, Tokiya-sama," Ayame-san suddenly said. "No need to get so tense."

He was tense. No,this wouldn't be. He was at this place to let loose and forget his problems for a little while.

"Sorry. I find it hard to stop thinking," he replied. That's it. No more worrying about things for now. "Shall we go have some fun, Ayame-san?"

Time slipped by as Ayame kept Tokiya entertained by her company. It was a pleasant surprise how much he enoyed being with her. Yet again, it had been proven how looks can belie
who and what a person is.

Despite being a geiko, who are usually considered as tools and toys for men, Ayame-san was an intelligent and well-opinionated woman.

He may never be intimately involved with her, but she was someone Tokiya would be more than willing to have as a friend.

Enough with the distractions, though. He must concede that he was delighted to have spent time with Ayame-san. But there was also a limit to how much he can sit around.

Tokiya wanted to be up and about, roaming around again without a care in the world.

Sneaking out was not a viable option for him now. He definitely didn't want to subject her to a lecture from Hajime. Something which was a given once he finds out about Tokiya's plans to play the truant.

Or maybe he can? He had to find a way to tell his friends what he intends to. This way, the geiko he was with wouldn't take the blame.

"Ayame-san, could I have some more tea and manjus?" he asked. A nod from her put a half-smile on his face. Everything was going as he imagined it to be.

Tokiya was able to scrawl a message for his friends during the time Ayame-san was gone. The plan's already set. All that's left was to go through with it.

"Here's what you asked for Tokiya-sama." She's back. Now, to go further along with his plan.

"Thank you, Ayame-san. By the way, may I know if there's a secluded spot somewhere around here?" he took the chance to ask. "I'd like to have some quiet time to myself."

"Yes, sir" she replied. "It's a miniature Zen garden near the exit." And as easy as that, he found favor with the gods again....

"I think I'll stay there for a while," he mentioned. "Kindly tell Hajime and Renji in case they ask for me." With these final words, he headed out to the garden.

But not before he had slipped the note he had composed earlier into Ayame-san's sleeve.

Finally, he thought. Adventure here he came was the last thing on his mind as he sneaked out the back gate.

Next Chapter's Sneak Peek:

"Would you like to spend a night at my home?" Crap... Where did that come from. Bravo, Natsumi. Inviting a practical stranger under your roof. How clever of you.