#✖koinatsu ic║there's a gladness in memory of the good friends we have met but it's mingled with sadness & pain

[hlysins]

❝ You don't really belong here, do you? ❞ She inquired, a light hum accompanying her words. She had known that a young man and infiltrated her own house, though she hadn't expected to see another young man working amongst them in a place like this. This was no place for children, and whatever it was that they were doing here, she deeply hoped they wouldn't have to learn of the cruelties of this world. She was not one who believed in spreading rumors or chastizing someone for a mistake, which is why she dared not speak to him of the truth that was so clear to her. ❝ Have you perhaps gotten lost from your own house? ❞ She inquired, though deep down she would hardly consider these places home, yet that was what the Tokito house was — her home.

A smile soon graced her features as she offered out her hand to him. ❝ Which house is it that you belong to? I can help you find your way back. ❞ She offered after a moment. Of course, she had her suspicions, though if it helped to unravel the mystery of her friends' disappearances, she would turn a blind eye and keep such trivial things to herself. After all, she saw no harm in letting others do where she had failed — finding her missing friends.

❝ It isn't safe for you to be wandering out here alone. Many of the girls have been disappearing, and I would hate to see that happen to you. ❞ She added after a moment, despite how contradictory her words were. She, after all, was out on her own, a rather rare occurrence for her. Truthfully, she couldn't remember the last time she was alone. Then again, she couldn't ask anyone for help in her endeavors to learn the truth as she feared for their safety.

@whirling-fangs // ☠ ft: koinatsu

[hlysins]

There was something almost cold about him that made Koinatsu wonder if seeking out his help was truly a good idea. Then again, coming to a new place with no resume, she knew this was her best option. She decided it would be best for her to just come out with the truth of who she was and her line of work. ❝ Where I am from, I was the orian of the house that I worked in. ❞ She responded, there was no shame in her words. Regardless of where her life took her, seeking employment from him in her past was nothing she would be ashamed of. She did what she had to in order to survive.

Yoshiwara was certainly different than the place she would now call her home, whether or not he could find her business or not. The man she had been betrothed to did not follow through with his promise of marriage, which is what prompted her to leave her life behind her. ❝ I can assure you that I am capable of doing most tasks put before me. ❞ She could entertain in whatever way that was required of her.

GETTING INVOLVED WITH THESE PEOPLE MEANS GETTING INVOLVED WITH THAT MAN. he is often sought out to solve problems. they all know what they want from him; what they want him to do for them. ❝ you want a job? well, what kind?? i have plenty of businesses, sidelines, if you will. what are you good at ??? ❞ // * @hlysins liked for a starter from watanabe goro !!

[hlysins]

Suma had always been different; she was not only someone Koinatsu considered a friend but someone who she felt was too good for Tokito House. For a moment, it felt as though her eyes were deceiving her. She had never believed the rumors that she had run off with a healthy man — she knew she wouldn't have run away from her duties. Seeing the other felt like a weight had been lifted from her chest, and it was nearly impossible to hide her shock and relief at seeing the other.

❝ Suma — ❞ She paused for a moment, worried that uttering her name aloud would somehow dispel the dream she found herself in. There was urgency in the air, everyone was supposed to be evacuating the town, and yet at the sight of her dear friend leading this evacuation, she could not move. She had been worried for so long, yet she was before here looking as strong and confident as ever. But that still begged the question, had she, too, been a victim of that strange woman known as Warabihime? After what she had been through with that woman, only to be saved by Tanjiro. Everything she had witnessed up until now shook her beliefs to their very core.

Her usual pristine features were creased with worry, and she was unable to move herself from the spot in which she stood. ❝ Suma, please tell me what happened to you? Are you okay? ❞ The words fell from her lips with a mixture of urgency and distress. Certainly, now was not the time to catch up, but she needed to know that the other was okay; she needed answers to everything happening around them.

More than everything, and despite her fear, she too wanted to see everyone get out of the town safely, especially the girls she had come to love and care for back at the Tokito House. She knew, however, that she was powerless to do anything. After all, her own fear led to her being absorbed into that strange obi. ❝ I'm — I'm so glad you're safe. I never once believed the rumors! I knew that something bad must have happened to you, and I am sorry I couldn't help you. ❞ She admitted after a moment, her features once more furrowing with the weight of far too many emotions.

@kejito // ☠ ft: koinatsu

[hlysins]

tag dump: characters part one

[hlysins]

Koinatsu wasn't sure what to make of the strange boy in her house or the one before her. Perhaps because she had been doing this for many years, she could see through their façades. However, she hated gossip and would stop the spread of it at all costs, which is why she would not bring up the question that weighed on her mind — especially considering they were not speaking privately. ❝ Ah, I see. Well, perhaps I can help you find your way. ❞ She offered, pausing soon after at the mention of the girls disappearing. It came as some sort of relief to her, knowing that others were just as concerned as she was; people were actually taking the matter seriously.

❝ I appreciate that you are also looking into this matter. The girls keep disappearing, and nobody seems to care. I knew one of them; she wouldn't have just left without a word. ❞ For a moment, she could only stare at him in bewilderment. It sounded to her that he was referring to the one calling themselves Sumiko. She could tell that the one before her lacked the gentleness of the one who had stumbled upon her house and was doing the work of ten of the girls.

❝ Ah, it sounds like you are referring to Sumiko. ❞ She mused after a moment, knowing she should return to Tokito House. ❝ Sumiko should be back at the house, come with me and I will show you the way. ❞ She offered, a kind smile accompanying her words as she gestured in the direction of Tokito House.

Before she began leading the way, she bowed slightly to the other. ❝ Pardon my impropriety; my name is Koinatsu, an oiran for the Tokito house. ❞ Not only had she been curious about the outburst she had witnessed prior to her speaking to him but her mind had also been elsewhere. She was concerned for the other girls, especially with the sudden disappearance of Suma.

(@whirling-fangs)

(@oftenacity)

That human... how did she even figure it out? Was she secretly really strong or something?!

Inosuke's painted lips parted, and closed without a sound. The moment he started speaking, his cover would be truly blown. The way she spoke made it unclear whether she truly figured it out, but there was no mistaking the light in her eyes. Inosuke could practically feel the question she really wanted to ask.

Despite her perplexing insight, or perhaps because or it, Inosuke found himself wanted to trust this woman. There was something else in her gaze, something gentle, that led Inosuke to believe that she wouldn't get in the way of his mission.

"I'm looking for something." Inosuke muttered. Even with his voice as quiet as it could get, it was easy to tell his real identity. So much for having a face that "perfectly" suited this mission – whatever that even meant.

"It's in the walls. I tried following it here, but I got distracted by all the shit– I mean... by other people. It's the reason why the women keep disappearing."

"I know a sl– a girl here. Red hair, with things dangling from her ears." He tugged at his own earlobes. "I gotta talk to her about that... thing I'm looking for. You know where she is?"