There wasn't a happy end

Chapter 1: When a boy saved a girl

It was a rainy day. The rain had begun to fall just after sunrise and it hadn't stopped for even a minute. Days like these were the busiest for him. The reason behind it was because such days were ideal for murder. The raindrops fell heavy on the ground thus covering the sounds of begging and pain.

The times were bad in Joseon. We are at the beginning of the 1910s when Joseon is under Japanese rule. The streets are filled with people dressed in Japanese or Western clothing.

Makoto, the leader of a Japanese gang called Ryū sits under a roof to hide himself from the rain while three men bring a Korean native to his knees. The man begs for his life saying that he will definitely pay him back but Makoto does not listen. With a glance he allows his right-hand man Daiksuke to finish the job and seconds later the head of the man falls to the ground. With quickly and knowing movements his men pick up the body and place it on a corner. Daiksuke puts the head on a bag and leaves it beside the body.

The four of them walk through the rain and enter into a beautiful courtyard inside of which is the most famous Geisha restaurant in all Joseon ''Hanamichi". The four Ronin enter and walk into their favourite room, which is reserved only for them. You see the owner pays Makoto for protection meaning that if the owner wants to have "Hanamichi" intact and not in ruins he will have to pay.

The four Ronin sit around a table while three beautiful Geishas pour them Sake. They enjoy the food, alcohol and the company while their conversation flows from different topics to another until a loud cracking sound followed by a female scream puts an end to their discussion.

Makoto, after a small pause, picks up his glass and continues to drink, not minding what is happening behind the paper sliding doors until the screaming and wailing gets closer. Irritated by not being able to enjoy his meal in silence, he gets up signalling the others to continue eating and opens the sliding doors just in time to catch a glimpse of a young woman being dragged outside. Then, as he makes to close the doors and proceed with his meal the chief Geisha Chiyo steps into his line of vision

"Makoto"

She bows and when she raises her brown eyes are burning with something Makoto did not quite understand.

"The girl who is being dragged outside by the owner is from Joseon. The owner just found out about her ethnicity and he decided to drag her out by the hair and kill her in the street."

Chiyo's tone really surprised him. She had always been so self-aware and self cautious and her tone had a pleasant monotony that made everyone feel comfortable. Yet, now her voice was anxious

"Please save her"

Chiyo whispered looking deep into his eyes.

"It is Fumiko, the girl that served you last time."

Makoto saw with his mind the girl. Fumiko was one of the youngest Geishas here yet, she was skilled and breathtakingly beautiful. He never really got captivated by a woman but when he had seen her he could not take his eyes off of her. She was really the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and now she was in danger but he was no hero.

"To be able to save her I will have to kill the owner and if I do that who is going to pay me?"

He knew the owner well. He was Japanese and demanded only Japanese people to work under him.

"You can be the owner"

Chiyo said quickly

"You are in no position to make me that"

Makoto took a step back believing that the conversation was over and started closing the doors when Chiyo's hands blocked them.

"I am the chief Geisha yet you think I have no power. I am the one in charge here. I can make it happen. All you need to do is save the girl"