Ten-odd years earlier, the anti-prostitution laws were abolished, and the best red light districts made a comeback. All the old pleasure districts and brothels were rebuilt, and Yoshiwara (1) returned to its previous fame as a red light district.

Even though he had sworn not to run away again, Fuki's hands had been bound behind his back. The pimp that had escorted him in slid open the screen, and on the other side was a room with walls painted with red ocher.

Ever since they had passed through the gate it had been like they were in another world that had reverted back to the Meiji Era or thereabouts, and that bewildered Fuki. Up until just last month he had lived a normal life and went to school like everyone else. Now he was having a hard time believing what he was seeing.

Rather than being purely Japanese style, the decor seemed to have a bit of Chinese influence mixed in as well. Carpets covered the wooden floor, and far side of the front room contained nothing but a silk covered chair embroidered with gold thread. It was like an audience chamber in a castle.

The master of the brothel that had bought Fuki sat in that chair. He wore a classical English style suit and looked to be in his mid thirties. He seemed to radiate elegance, and he certainly did not look like the sort of man who ran a brothel.

The man crossed his long legs, propped his elbow on the armrest of the chair, and gazed at Fuki with his chin resting on one hand.

"I see... He really is quite a catch."

"Isn't he? And he isn't just a pretty face either. He had a rather good upbringing as well. After all, he was born to a family with a ryokan (2) with quite a history, and..."

Perhaps the man had no interest in Fuki's past, or perhaps he had already heard the story. It was most likely the latter case. Either way, the brothel owner cut into the speech from the pimp trying to pitch his sale.

"Come closer."

Even though he had been ordered to move, Fuki stiffened out of nervousness. The pimp pushed on his back.

"......"

With his balance ruined and his bound hands unavailable to catch him as he fell, Fuki tumbled to the floor. He immediately moved to get back up and raised his head. As he did so, the brothel owner caught his chin. The man pulled his head up further and moved closer to peer at his face. He looked at him straight on, then turned his head to the side and looked at his cheeks. Then he started at the neck and moved upward with a gaze like he was licking his way up the side of the neck.

"You have quite beautiful skin."

"......"

"And it looks like your body will live up to my expectations."

The brothel owner pulled his hand away, but he didn't give Fuki a chance to feel relieved.

"Why don't you show me it?"

Fuki jerked his bowed head up in surprise. He had to strip here? He must have mistaken the meaning of the man's words. But the brothel owner just stared at him with a cold, insistent gaze that told him that he had certainly not been mistaken.

"Remove the things you are wearing, open up your legs, and spread your butt cheeks so I can see."

"......"

Fuki could hardly believe what he was hearing. But with those words, he was once again reminded of what sort of goods he would have to present from now on in this place. He had heard that the red light districts had made a comeback recently, but he had always thought that that had nothing to do with him.

As Fuki caught his breath, the brothel owner laughed lightly.

"...Are you scared?"

"......"

"I suppose you would be. After all, it's been over ten years since the anti-prostitution laws were abolished and Yoshiwara was resurrected as a red light district... and this is the hell full of men, Hanafurirou (3)."

Fuki had been sold to this establishment. No matter how much he hated it - was terrified of it - he could no longer escape.

"What's your name?"

"...Nagatsuma... Fuki." Even though he had tried to prepare himself, his voice shook.

"From today on let's be rid of that name. Your new name will be... Yes, let's make it Hotaru (4). The silent firefly's body burns... It's a cute name and fits you well.

Hotaru... Fuki said the name silently to himself.

And thus, that day marked the beginning of Fuki's life as Hotaru at Hanafurirou.