"So… she's the merchandise…" Genzō thought, observing the girl.
She was sitting on the floor, her wrists tied to a small kitchen pipe.
Her features were delicate and beautiful; she had long black hair streaked with strands of blue, and her eyes—of the same color—reflected a faint light.
Her gaze, though lost, was not without a fragile hint of hope.
"Are you the one who will be taking care of me?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Genzō approached her and knelt in front of her.
He pulled out a small retractable knife.
The girl didn't move a muscle. There was no fear in her eyes.
"My name is Genzō," he said as he cut the binding.
The rope fell to the ground.
"From today on, I'll be the one taking care of you." He slowly stood up.
"Thank you," she replied, rubbing her wrists marked by the rope.
"My name is Aoi," she introduced herself, rising slowly.
She wore a long white dress that reached her knees, simple—almost out of place in that environment.
"I'll warn you right away," Genzō said, opening a kitchen cabinet.
"I'm not your friend. If you try to run or do anything else… I'll eliminate you. Clear?"
He turned toward her, holding a bag of ground coffee in his hands.
The girl nodded. Once again, she showed no fear or agitation.
"Genzō… may I have some coffee?" she asked in a faint voice.
He sighed.
"Yeah, fine. Sit down."
"I… can't…" she replied vaguely.
"What are you talking about? I gave you permission," he shot back, bluntly.
Aoi said nothing more and remained standing, motionless.
—What's wrong with her…— Genzō thought, as a doubt began to creep into his mind.
A few minutes later, he handed Aoi a steaming cup of coffee.
A soft whimper escaped her lips as she took it in her hands.
"Are you okay?" Genzō asked, watching her.
"Yes… I'm fine," she replied, keeping her gaze lowered.
The following hours passed in complete silence.
Neither of them tried to speak.
Evening came quickly.
"I'm going to take a shower," Genzō said, heading toward the bathroom.
"When I come back, you'd better still be here."
He went in, undressed without hesitation, and immersed himself in the tub.
The hot water relaxed his muscles, and steam quickly filled the room.
—That girl doesn't seem to have a spirit…— he reflected.
"Maybe you're looking at her from the wrong perspective," a voice echoed in his mind.
"What do you mean, Kokuen?"
"Maybe she doesn't have any power," the spirit replied calmly.
"She herself might be what interests the buyer."
"Maybe you're right…" Genzō murmured.
"She's a beautiful woman. Many come to the auction just to have something to enjoy afterward."
He sank deeper into the hot water.
About fifteen minutes later, he got out of the bathroom.
Wrapped in the lingering steam, he returned to the kitchen… and stopped.
A pleasant smell reached his nose.
He looked up and saw her.
Aoi was at the stove.
"What are you doing?" he asked, surprised.
The girl turned around abruptly.
"Sorry…" she said quickly.
"I know you told me I couldn't do anything without your permission, but…"
Genzō raised a hand, stopping her before she could continue.
"This, you can do," he said coldly.
He sat on the kitchen island, watching her.
Aoi looked at him for a moment, then a radiant smile appeared on her face.
"Aoi."
Genzō's voice called her as he sipped another coffee.
"Tonight, you'll sleep in the bed."
She hesitated, surprised.
"Shouldn't… shouldn't you sleep there? I'm just…" she trailed off, lowering her gaze.
Genzō didn't answer immediately.
"It's fine like that," he said at last, in a neutral tone.
"Then… thank you, Genzō."
She gave a small bow.
"You're welcome," he replied, not giving it much weight.
A few hours later, Aoi lay down on the mattress. It was soft, welcoming—almost unreal after everything she had been through. She slowly closed her eyes, letting herself drift.
Genzō, on the other hand, remained awake.
He stepped out onto the small porch, letting the night air clear his thoughts.
"Can't sleep?" the spirit asked.
"No."
Genzō crossed his arms.
"I'm just thinking about her behavior…" he admitted quietly.
Night soon gave way to the first light of dawn.
Gradually, Genzō opened his eyes.
He had spent the entire night sitting on the porch chair.
—It's already morning…—
He stood up and went back inside.
He immediately glanced at the bedroom, but Aoi was nowhere to be seen.
Another pleasant smell was coming from the kitchen.
When he reached it, he saw her again at the stove.
She was trying to reach a pot placed on one of the higher cabinets.
In an instant, she lost her balance, just as the pot was about to fall.
"No!"
She shut her eyes, raising her hands to shield her face.
The pot didn't hit her.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw Genzō in front of her, holding the pot.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Genzō!" she exclaimed in surprise.
"Thank you so much…" she added, a faint blush on her cheeks.
He nodded, handing her the pot once she had regained her footing.
"Be more careful when you cook," he warned, his tone—though controlled—almost gentle.
"Yes, I will," Aoi replied, returning another sincere smile.
At that exact moment, the sharp sound of the doorbell broke the atmosphere.
Genzō stiffened.
"Aoi, stay here," he ordered, already turning toward the entrance.
He opened the door and found one of the White Place guards standing there. The man bowed respectfully.
"Sir, your presence is required."
Genzō sighed, his expression hardening.
"Don't tell me it's Hakumei again…" he muttered, seeking confirmation with clear annoyance.
"Yes," the guard replied. "The head of the family has ordered that they all be eliminated."
At that moment, Aoi had silently approached, stopping just outside the kitchen.
She had heard everything.
"Eliminate them…" Genzō repeated, his tone ambiguous.
"Alright, give me a moment."
He went back inside and grabbed his black coat, long enough to reach his knees.
Before leaving, he turned one last time.
"Aoi, don't move from here."
She nodded without saying a word. Genzō closed the door behind him.
As they walked away, the guard broke the silence.
"Sir… one more thing."
"Speak."
"Your brother has ordered a guard to keep an eye on the merchandise."
Genzō kept walking.
"And who would that be?"
The guard hesitated for a moment.
"The task has been assigned to Reon."
Genzō stopped abruptly.
"That bastard…"
His icy tone made the guard's composure waver.
"Tsk… I don't have time to think about this."
He resumed walking, clenching his fists.
What Genzō didn't yet know…
was that this would be the beginning of everything.