Back inside the geisha house, Ana sat on a soft, layered pillow. In front of her, Aazin and Ryzin faced her. The air around them felt heavy, their skin sun-kissed from the light spilling in through the window.

Knock, knock.

Aazin spoke so softly that only Ana and Ryzin could hear."They won't let us talk to the geisha this much."

Ana raised her voice a little."Who is there?"

From outside the room, a voice replied."I am Tima. Are you fine in there, Ruma-sumi?" Tima pressed her ear against the door.

"Yes, I am fine. They are old friends, nothing to worry about," Ruma answered.

Tima hesitated, then said, "Oh… alright then. But you must come out—Lord Lady is calling you."

Ryzin pressed his thumb nervously."Did she figure out… that we are Tideborn?"

Aazin exhaled calmly, a cigar between his fingers."Don't overthink," he said, eyes narrowing as he looked at Ana. "We're leaving now. The longer we stay here, the riskier it becomes."

Ana nodded silently.

The gate opened. Aazin stepped out first. Tina backed off a little, smiling oddly.

"Oh, mister…"

Aazin's eyes scanned Tina from top to bottom—black eyes, black shining hair, both hands folded near her chest. Her small geisha attire lured him in.

"How much for a day?" Aazin asked.

Tina hesitated. "Sir, you're mistaken. I am a geisha, not a whore."

"15,000?"

"Huh?" Tina's eyes flickered, her thoughts blanking.

Just then, Ryzin came out the door. Seeing Aazin trying to strike a deal with the lady, he gave a faint smile."You started her, too? Haha…"

But Tina stayed silent.

15,000? I never had a chance to earn that much in a single moment…

Still, she thought, I am not a whore. I am a dancer. I'm praised for my beauty…

Yet her eyes dropped back on Aazin—his red hair, the charm in his look.

She said quietly, "Yes… I am ready."

Aazin came with me then.

Tina: "Hmmm, where, mister?"

Aazin smirked: "To my place. I want to chew you the whole night."

Tina felt the same lust rising within her. "Yes, mister… please," she said in a seductive voice. Her thighs trembled slightly, shaking with the uneasy pleasure building inside. "I've never done this before… I'm new. Will you take care of me?" Her eyes carried both innocence and desire.

Meanwhile, Ana ignored the moment and stormed out of the room, slamming the door.

Ryzin, with his usual playfulness, leaned against the wall, waving lazily. "Ana, see you later." His eyes flicked toward Aazin and Tina, a grin spreading. "Oh, cute… so cute."

Aazin held Tina's gaze, speaking softly but firmly: "Yes, I'll take care of you. I'll be gentle. Tonight, I'll come to the gate—be there."

Tina's heart raced. "This is really happening… I'll come for sure."

Aazin leaned closer, his lips nearing hers. Tina trembled with a strange sensation, her thoughts spinning: "A kiss… a real kiss… my first time. How will it feel?"

But instead of feeding her lust, Aazin pressed his lips gently against her forehead.

Tina couldn't wait another second. She stepped forward and threw her arms around Aazin, pressing herself against him. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, trembling,

"I've never… never felt this way before. Thank you for giving me this moment."

Aazin froze, caught off guard by the sudden warmth. For a breath, silence stretched between them. Then his lips curved into a faint smile.

"You're so… adorable."

From the side, Ryzin let out a laugh, half-mocking, half-genuine."Aaa-zinnnn, you've found yourself a treasure!"

Aazin shot him a glare."I won't give her to you. I earned this, Ryzin."

Ryzin lifted both palms, grinning."Yeah, yeah, take it. Mine's Ana anyway."

Tina lifted her face. Her wide, innocent eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a pleading light within them.

"Take me with you, Mister Aazin. Please… make me yours."

Aazin's gaze hardened, then softened, and he reached for her hand."Then let's not wait for the night. Come with me now."

Tina nodded eagerly, almost childlike, her voice breaking into a breathless, joyful cry."Yes… Yes, I will!"

Meanwhile

Ana wandered around the wooden blocks, making her way toward Lord Lady's gate. Deep down, she thought, I have to leave this place soon. I want to join Vaiven Tideborn again, with those morons. But… this life is fun too.

People came just to see her, and in this strange way, she had found herself surrounded by great friends—Tina, Minau, Tumina. Even Lord Lady had been so generous toward her.

I never knew the people of Baku respected geishas this much… she reflected, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Well, this was a different experience. I'll miss these days.

Her memory flashed back to the time she danced under her stage name, Roma Sumi. Then it drifted to the moments she spent with her friends—dancing together, doing each other's makeup, sharing little joys and secrets. She remembered Tina's words clearly:

"You know, Ruma, I want to earn enough money to cure my father. I've saved 19,000 ban, but I still need 13,000 ban more. I've always been good at dancing, so I tried becoming a geisha. But even after working for three years, I still couldn't reach the 32,000 ban needed for the healing ritual. I hope I'm not too late… I only pray my father will stay safe until I have enough."

Then her memory flashed to her friends—Aazin and Ryzin, back when they were all small kids. She remembered the first time they met, on one of Vaiven's ships. Aazin and Ryzin's father had introduced them to Ana's father, Mortus.

Mortus smiled as he said, "Your kids are the same age as my daughter. I hope they will become great friends, just like us."

Lostum Alita, their father, laughed warmly. "Yes, you are correct. Let's hope so."

Two innocent-faced boys turned to Ana, smiling brightly."Hello, what is your name?" Aazin asked.Ryzin echoed the same, "What is your name?"

Ana answered softly, "My name is Ana."

Both boys shouted at once, "Let's play!"

Ana looked up at her father. Mortus nodded gently, and she followed them with a shy smile.

I remember playing with them, laughing with them. I lived with them for three years. When we reached the age of eleven, we were separated—my father on a different ship. But still, I remember those golden days when you both were innocent. After that, I rarely met them, only in passing moments.

But now, after joining them again, they seemed… different. Playful, charming. I love them both. I thought they would help Tina, give her money, make her life feel like heaven.

But then—why does Aazin want her for the night?Does he mean… sex?Has he really become that kind of guy?

Her eyes narrowed as she sank deeper into thought.

Perhaps… perhaps he has become that kind of person. After all, this is part of Vaiven's culture—many men follow it.

But Ryzin? No… I don't think so. He's still the same—still flirty with me, just like before.

Ana took a deep breath. The sound of her footsteps echoed softly as she neared the gate. A magnificent scent of burning tree-wood drifted through the air, its green smoke carrying a fragrance long forgotten by the nose.

The windows stood calm and wide, letting sunlight spill inside—rays that seemed to belong only to her, as if they were meant to caress her body.

Her yellow torso wrap gleamed under the light, matched by a pink-and-yellow feather-carved short skirt. Long feathers trailed gracefully from her back, reaching all the way down to her toes, while a delicate yellow net wrapped around her arms. She looked… radiant.

*******************

Some of Vaiven's crew sat near an old-style café. A faint metallic ring floated in the air around all the customers.One of them leaned back and asked, "What did Aazin and Ryzin say? Does anyone know?"

Another snapped, "Hey, say it with respect."

The first one quickly corrected himself, "Ah—sorry, sorry…"

A third spoke up, "We got word from Ryzin, sir. He ordered us to find a safe route to Eito Town. Our next target is Nova Makai. He even prophesied as the Ash Phantom…"

Someone suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha! That kid's just enjoying his final breaths, without even knowing Vaiven is coming for him."

Another joined in with a cruel grin. "Hu-hu-huhu… I want to hear his family's sorrow. The cries of his dear ones…"

All of them broke into wicked laughter, their voices echoing across the narrow street.

********************************************************************************

Meanwhile, inside Nova's lonely house, only canvas creatures wandered restlessly. He gazed upward, muttering to himself:

"Who here is truly living? A life with no name, no joy, no fire. Even if I vanished, not a soul would mourn. Am I broken… or simply at peace?"

The canvas dog pranced and twirled around Nova, its painted paws clapping against the floor. Birds of every color flapped across the ceiling; circus jokers spun and tumbled; musicians struck wild notes; dancers whirled in endless circles. The entire house pulsed with energy, a festival trapped in walls of silence.

And yet… Nova sat still. His eyes were empty, his lips sealed. Amid the riot of joy, he alone remained untouched—like a ghost at his own celebration.

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