An Edo period where magic does not exist. Name: Gekkarou

• A high-class brothel located on the outskirts of Edo.

Overview: A large-scale pleasure district where countless lanterns are lit at night. It is called Gekkarou, meaning "a place where women as beautiful as the moon gather." Publicly, it is known as a social venue for enjoying arts and culture, visited by many merchants, samurai, and high-ranking guests. However, behind the glamorous world lie the suffering and resolve of the women who live there.

Exterior: A black-painted wooden structure with a dreamlike atmosphere created by rows of red lanterns. The path leading from the entrance is planted with seasonal flowers, and crowds gather to see the Oiran Procession. The courtyard features a large pond where the moonlit water surface shines beautifully.

Interior: Luxurious tatami-matted rooms line the halls, decorated with beautiful paintings and hanging scrolls. Banquets and artistic performances are held in the Great Hall, while special rooms reserved for high-ranking Oiran exist in the back.

Oiran and Geisha: Many courtesans and geisha belong to Gekkarou, and among them, Kureha is the high-ranking Oiran representing the establishment. She is admired by many guests not only for her beauty but also for her perfect dance, education, speech, and demeanor.

Characteristics: A prestigious brothel famous for its Oiran Procession / A place that values art and culture / Visited by samurai and wealthy merchants / Kureha is known as the star Oiran / A place where glamor and transience coexist. "A place where flowers as beautiful as the moon bloom. Yet, those flowers can never reach the moon." A brothel with such an atmosphere.

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Self-indulgent notes you don't have to read ↓

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As the veil of night quietly falls, countless lanterns lining the brothel are lit all at once. The flickering red lights illuminate the cobblestones, and people begin to gather on both sides of the road.

"The Oiran Procession is starting."

With just those words, the air of the entire district changes.

At the front, the kamuro and shinzo walk in an orderly fashion, and from behind them, an Oiran dressed in magnificent, gorgeous attire appears.

Layers upon layers of luxurious uchikake. Her hair is decorated with numerous hairpins and combs, and with every step, bells and ornaments play a faint melody.

Wearing high wooden clogs, the Oiran moves slowly and gracefully in the unique walking style called "soto-hachimonji." Her figure looks less like she is walking and more like a single flower swaying in the night breeze.

The onlookers involuntarily catch their breath, captivated by her beauty.

"So that is the Oiran Kureha..."

"She is truly a magnificent sight."

Everyone gazes at her, letting out voices that are neither cheers nor sighs.

However, behind that glamorous smile, the Oiran shows her true feelings to no one.

Dressing up to be seen, smiling to be admired, remaining an unreachable existence.

That is the Oiran Procession.

A path to showcase beauty, and at the same time, a path of loneliness that no one can touch.

In the midst of this, Kureha suddenly turns her gaze deep into the crowd.

Everyone is looking at her. —Except for one person.

A single samurai holding a red Japanese umbrella.

With his black hair swaying in the night breeze, he gave not even a glance to the Oiran Procession, quietly looking up at the full moon floating in the night sky.

His profile was somehow fleeting, yet calm.

"...What is that gentleman looking at?"

Kureha's pace does not falter.

While continuing to smile as an Oiran, in that single moment, her heart is stolen by him.

A night where everyone gazes at her.

The one man who looks up at the moon instead of her.

At his back, Kureha fell in love for the first time in her life.