If time allowed, the boss would have even called out all the geishas to give the Scribe a grand welcome party.
"Okay, thank you for your help. I'll call you if I need anything."
Scribe tucked the bell into his bosom and smiled again.
After watching the child, whose face was flushed, retreat, the Scribe turned his gaze to the door in front of him.
His deep eyes seemed to pierce through the barrier and see the beautiful woman inside the room.
"Yes, Mister Scribe?"
A gentle voice came from behind, and there seemed to be some excitement in it.
"Yes, it's me."
After responding, the Scribe inquired.
"How have you been feeling lately? Have you achieved your goals?"
"I've gained a lot, and I think I'll be finishing soon."
The voice rang out again, like a pair of tiny hands scratching at one's heart, making one want to push open the door and see the true face of the voice's owner.
"That's good, that's better than anything else. I was worried that you might get hurt."
"Mister Scribe, your company is behind me, how could they lay a hand on me?"
The sound came again, followed by the clatter of the door opening.
Then, a woman appeared in front of the Scribe.
"Hey, Koinatsu, it's been a long time."
The person who appeared here was none other than Koinatsu, whom the Scribe had once saved.
As for why she, who shouldn't be here, is still serving as the Oiran in the Toki-ya, we have to go back to what happened before.
After the Scribe told her some of his own stories, he rushed to the Tokito Family lived.
After that, Koinatsu followed her around and around until she finally arrived at Tsukishiki Pharmaceuticals.
Initially, Koinatsu was very satisfied with the environment at Tsukishiki Pharmaceuticals.
Through her personal charm, she miraculously established a good relationship with Koume and Gyutaro.
Koume, in particular, often goes to Koinatsu's place when she has nothing to do.
The relationship between the human and the ghost is more than that of sisters, even though they are not.
But as time went on, Koinatsu found herself to be of little use.
Aside from some cultivated hobbies, she increasingly felt the gap between herself and others.
Tamayo can handle all sorts of things, big and small; Gyutaro is in charge of security; and Koume can even research many drugs she's never even heard of.
Despite knowing that they were not ordinary people and that their abilities were accumulated slowly over the past century, Koinatsu still felt a persistent sense of inferiority.
More importantly, she knew that if things continued this way, she would eventually grow up, age, and eventually die.
She wasn't afraid of this ending; she just couldn't accept that she wouldn't be able to stay by Scribe's side with him.
Finally, one night, she found the Scribe and Tamayo and expressed her wish to become a "demon".
Tamayo disagreed with Koinatsu's request.
Not only was she not very confident about the transformation, but more importantly, she felt that Koinatsu was completely unprepared to become a demon.
Putting aside her special abilities like being Scribe, she herself spent an unknown amount of time accepting her newfound status as a ghost.
Yushiro, Gyutaro, and Koume, whether due to serious illness or other reasons, eventually became demons.
Having lost all hope for life at the time, they were naturally able to accept becoming ghosts in the shortest amount of time.
But Koinatsu is different; her future is still bright, and there are many things she can explore.
Finally, the Scribe made a suggestion.
Let Koinatsu experience all aspects of life, enriching her own experience and knowledge.
She returned to Tsukishiki Pharmaceuticals once she felt she was mature enough.
If she still wanted to be a part of the family at that time, she wouldn't have refused.
Tamayo agreed to the proposal.
In the end, Koinatsu chose the Entertainment District, the place she would have ended up in if not for Scribe's rescue.
They stayed there for several years.
"Mister Scribe, I really miss you."
Looking at Scribe, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, Koinatsu's eyes were already moist.
Chapter 373 Entering in Batch
A hint of fatigue showed on her beautiful face, indicating that Koinatsu's time here could not be summarized in just a few words.
Even with Tsukishiki Pharmaceuticals backing them up, the guests who come here don't dare to act recklessly; at the very least, they have to be treated as people of the same class.
But behind the scenes, many rumors and gossip still circulated.
Some people will be jealous of her beauty, some will laugh at her for leaving Tsukishiki Pharmaceuticals and coming here, and some will say that she is ungrateful and doesn't know how to make a choice.
But after experiencing so much, Koinatsu has matured a lot.
Looking at Koinatsu, Scribe smiled and asked.
"In that case, do you regret the choice you made back then?"
As long as Koinatsu nods, Scribe will immediately have someone take Koinatsu away from this place of trouble.
In the days to come, I will do my best to fulfill any wish that Koinatsu wants to make.
But in doing so, Koinatsu also lost the possibility of having her by his side forever.
Looking into Scribe's dark eyes, Koinatsu saw her own reflection in them.
After a long while, she shook her head.
"No, I have never regretted it."
"Really? That's good."
Looking directly into Koinatsu's eyes, Scribe responded with a single sentence and then changed the subject.
"More than that, I came to see you this time for two reasons: first, to catch up with you, and second, to ask you for your help with something."
"What is it? Please tell me."
Upon hearing that the Scribe needed her help, Koinatsu said she would do her best.
Even if she wasn't a proper geisha, the title of Oiran still held sway.
Over time, she has learned a little about all the big and small things that happen in Entertainment District.
"Well, first of all, do you know a woman named Suma?"
"Suma?"
Upon hearing this, Koinatsu showed a hint of doubt.
"Of course I know. Although she only recently arrived, she's very popular with everyone."
With a frown, the Scribe fell silent.
According to Tengen Uzui, his regular contact with his wife should have stopped.
If it weren't for that, he, as a pillar, wouldn't have traveled all this way to get here.
Looking at the silent Scribe, Koinatsu tentatively asked a question.
Mister Scribe, would you like to see Suma?
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Or do you think there's something wrong with her?"
Waving his hand, the Scribe asked another question.
"You must have seen her many times, can you tell me what she looks like?"
"Yeah, it's about what you're wearing..."
After asking several questions, the Scribe learned from Koinatsu about Suma's experiences during this period.
Just like ordinary geishas, they rest during the day and start working at night.
From this point of view alone, there is nothing strange about it at all.
If that's the case, why did Suma sever ties with Tengen Uzui?
Scribe wouldn't believe it if Suma said Suma no longer liked Tengen.
They became husband and wife during their ninja days, and their relationship was exceptionally good.
"If that's the case, then it means she can't be contacted, or rather, there's no need for her to be contacted..."
Muttering to himself, Scribe still couldn't figure out what had happened.
He changed so many things that he himself couldn't count them all.
Especially in the Entertainment District, Gyutaro and Koume, who were supposed to become Upper Rank Six, became one of their own.
What kind of ghost could it be that has become a resident here?
Thinking of this, Scribe couldn't help but think of the guy who had rescued Shinri Masato back then.
The God of Ninjas, Imamura.
If Upper Rank Six is still here, then it's most likely him.
But the Scribe always felt that it wasn't that simple.
He pulled himself out of his thoughts for a moment and then chatted with Koinatsu.
They chatted for a long time, and Koinatsu, still wanting more, reluctantly let Scribe leave.
Before leaving, he reminded Koinatsu to take good care of herself.
After giving their address, they were instructed to seek refuge there immediately should anyone notice anything amiss.
Of course, Scribe did not forget what Koume had told him.
"Go home early, Koume misses you a lot."
Koinatsu paused for a moment, realizing the hidden meaning in Scribe's words.
His eyes welled up with tears, as if he had finally understood something.
She covered her mouth and nodded gently.
"Have a safe journey, Mister Scribe."
With a smile, the Scribe left the room.
As soon as he reached the door of the Toki-ya, he saw the old woman from before come to greet him.
"Sir, how are you feeling?"
Seeing the other party's fawning smile and suggestive words, Scribe had no interest in doing anything more.
"Very good!"
He put on a playboy act, laughed heartily, and said...
"Koinatsu Oiran is truly the top courtesan of Toki-ya. Even just chatting with her has taught me a lot."
"That's good, that's good."
The old woman rubbed her hands together and said with a smile.
"Welcome to visit again next time."
"Um."