Black Swan Wonderland

Concupiscence

HalHalo Five: Concupiscence:

She looked like a goddess.

Her body was positioned on her bed of silk red sheets. Whoever killed her took the time to wash and dress her. Short red silk teddy with black lace. Hair spread out on her pillow. Make-up done up with a professional hand. Arms out to form a triangle with her upper body. Mouth slightly opened. Legs slightly pushed apart. Cherry blossom and rose petals scattered all over along with her sex toys. Candles lit at her feet.

She was the most beautiful sex worker in the soapland.

The police couldn't figure it out. Her clients all loved her. No enemies either.

"Did she have any obsessed stalkers as clients?" the detective asked the owner of the soapland.

"We usually keep those types out," the madam said.

"Did she seem worried or anxious prior to death?"

"No. Mirai always came to work cheerful as ever. Last night was no different."

"Any clients that seemed out of the ordinary? From what you're used to, I mean."

"No. Though, there was one girl who was looking to use the phone to get a ride. I told her this wasn't a taxi service. She didn't say a word. She just walked out of her room."

"Can we check the footage?"

"Yes, follow me." The madam led the detective into the building taped off by police. Everyone stood outside watching as the police tried to shoe them away.

-Saturday Morning-

The texts wouldn't stop coming. Mikado thought about turning off his phone altogether. He did at one point but the texts still didn't stop. They all said the same thing.

"I am waiting for you."

Mikado had a good guess as to where this was from.

However, it came to his attention that he wasn't alone anymore.

"What you want, Cheri-san?" the tadpole boy asked. He turned to his head. The curvy light purple-haired madam sat on his futon, smirking at him.

"How did you know it was me, darling?" she asked.

"I could smell your perfume," Mikado said.

"Aw, I'm so flattered that you remember," Cheri said. The tadpole frowned at her.

"What do you want?" he asked again. She crawled over and looked at his phone.

"Oof, she's persistent, isn't she?" the madam asked. Mikado frowned as he puffed up his cheeks.

"Do you want to fight her?" Cheri asked.

"No," the boy said, wrinkling his nose. The madam frowned as she gave him a sympathetic look. She took him by the hands.

"You can't get away from her," Cheri said in a low voice.

"What do you mean?" Mikado asked. She pulled his hands towards her chest. Already, he didn't like where this was heading.

"There is no way out of it," Cheri told him. He started to speak but she put up her hand to stop him.

"She's not going to stop chasing you," she said. "And darling, you can't call up your little friends in the Dollars either." Mikado's jaw locked up closed.

"I'm so sorry, darling," Cheri told him. "Once you are marked, you can't avoid it. However, there is a way to win." Mikado lifted his head.

"How?" he asked.