The Smallest Guest Room - Part 1

Giggling, the young male released himself from the warm but sticky clutches that had embraced him from all sides. It was too hot. Swaying, with no particular destination in mind other than a quiet one, he stumbled through the paper screen halls. Laughter and other sounds of human delight followed him, until finally, he found a place that seemed unoccupied.

It was a simple guest room, seemingly too small to be of use. There was nothing but an empty tokonoma with a faded scroll. It suited him perfectly now.

He plopped down with a sated sigh, bringing the drink he’d brought to his lips. He drank deep, then lied back against the cool tatami. Though he had enjoyed his promiscuous company, right now the peace and quiet made him glad to be alone for a moment.

Except, he was not alone.

It started as a tingle at the back of his neck. He rubbed it, eyes still closed. But the feeling of being watched did not disappear.

Of course I am being watched, he thought. Letting a customer move around freely in a brothel could be a costly mistake. But the presence here seemed… different.

Suddenly, there was a whisper of silks, and footsteps so small and light that a regular human certainly could not hear them.

Kaoru sat back up, squinting now at the walls. He was still too drunk to be alarmed, but his interest had been piqued.

‘’Hello, there.’’ He greeted, bowing his head. No answer.

Kaoru took a thoughtful sip, then held up his flask in offering. Again, no response came.

‘’Hmmm.’’ Kaoru knew he ought to feel annoyed, getting denied his chance to enjoy his solitary moment, reminiscing on another rambunctious night. However, there was something about this presence that did not instigate his anger.

It felt calm, soothing even. Like a gentle, cool lashing of rain amidst the scorching summer heat.

‘’I’ve been enjoying your establishment. Thank you for your hospitality,’’ he spoke to the empty room, right before it no longer was.

‘’Thank you kindly for your patronage.’’ 

A voice, soft and fluid like water, answered him. Kaoru looked over, and only flinched slightly in surprise. A small, willowy figure dressed in flowing silks sat kneeled in the tokonoma. Long, loose strands of dark brown hair trailed to the floor. Kaoru could not see their face.

‘’... There you are,’’ the man grinned, masking his surprise. He sat up properly now, tucking his kimono in place. The being did not move, but Kaoru caught a glimpse of deep dark eyes glancing at him before reverting back down.

A smarter man might have left at this point. But Kaoru’s curiosity won over his reservations.

‘’My name is Kawamoto,’’ he lied fluently. ‘’What is your name?’’

No answer. Not even the dark eyes moved now. Not a good start.

‘’So… Do you work here?’’ Kaoru could not stop himself from smirking mischievously. The being did not respond, but suddenly its edges seemed more lucent, its silks stirring in an imaginary wind. ‘’No! Wait! Don’t leave yet!’’ Kaoru called out, but the alcove was empty once again.

Kaoru tisked his tongue, sitting back down on his rear. With interest he studied the entire room now, noting the small footprints left in the dust and the soot of burned incense.

He could feel the presence was still there, but now he understood why.

‘’I apologize for intruding on your privacy,’’ he said, more sincere now. He received no answer, but he expected that. Getting to his feet with some difficulty, he sighed out, then said: ‘’I really do like this place. I hope you won’t mind me visiting again.’’

Silks rustled. Their owner might have bristled, or bowed, Kaoru could not tell. He hoped it was the latter.

‘’I bid you a pleasant night,’’ he greeted, before leaving the small, forgotten guest room.

***

Before the moon finished waxing, he returned. As usual, he spent his time getting drunk and enjoying the company that threw itself at him, but before his energy was spent, his thoughts wandered towards the small guest room in the back. He considered asking the lady in his arms whether she had ever set foot there, but seeing she was already snoring, he gave up on investigating. He untangled himself, redressed, made himself as presentable as possible before going on his way.

It took more effort this time to find the room. There was something about drunken navigating that either succeeded or failed terribly. After numerous turns and hallways, Kaoru rather gave up and considered returning to his tangible (and more willing) company, until suddenly, his sensitive ears heard other sounds on the wind.

Following the whisper of small, socked feet, he stood outside the small guest room once more.

‘’Ojama shimasu~’’ he sang, in a good mood again. Not waiting for a reply, he slid the door open.

The emptiness of the room greeted him. It felt less welcoming than before, but Kaoru still found the quiet soothing. He installed himself on the faded tatami mat, boldly looking around for a glimpse of his host.

‘’I have returned, and the night was once again sweet and full of delight. I wished to thank you.’’ Reaching into his sleeve, he rummaged until he picked out a small, sweet treat wrapped in colorful paper. He placed it ceremoniously in the alcove, and waited eagerly.

The voice came from behind him though, and startled him with its coldness. 

‘’Why would you thank me?’’

Kaoru looked around. The light in the hallway began to flicker, casting shadows on the walls through the thin paper screen. One shadow, not belonging to Kaoru, lingered in the corner.

Kaoru gulped. ‘’Are you not the caretaker of this house? The one watching over its inhabitants? I assumed -’’

‘’You assume a great deal.’’ It was the same watery voice as before, but this time it gave him a clear attitude. Kaoru did not dislike that. He did hope he had not been at all wrong in his assumptions though, and had possibly gravely miscalculated his own safety by coming here.

‘’Who are you, then?’’ he tried, but again silence was his answer. This was starting to annoy him. He had never been a very patient man.

‘’Won’t you reveal yourself to me? Look, I brought you a present.’’

‘’Ah, yes. Such a treasure must have cost you.’’ The sass in the fluid voice was obvious now. Kaoru bristled, his cheeks coloring a deeper red than they already were.

‘’If you do not appreciate it, I won’t bother bringing you anything more.’’

A sound like wind lapping at willow branches shifted through the room. The presence was laughing. Now Kaoru had enough. Getting to his feet, he accosted the empty room: ‘’Very well then! I won’t overstay my welcome! But I have shown you courtesy, I have been a good guest, so I merely expected the same in return!’’ Huffing, he turned for the door and slid it open.

Two dark, deep eyes in a pale face hung before him. Kaoru froze. Dark silks over bloodred inner wear floated on an imaginary wind, filling the hallway. The light had been snuffed out.

‘’I have shown you the exact courtesy you are owed, Lord Tanuki. More than you deserve.’’

The voice was cold as ice now, hitting his skin like sleet. Kaoru’s lips parted, but with the blink of an eye, the hallway was empty. The lantern before him burned softly, casting its glow into the room behind him.

He dawdled at the entrance, shaking out coins from his purse and his sleeves. He smiled stiffly at the owner as the fat man counted them out, more thoroughly than last time. 

When he turned to step into his geta, a crinkled leaf fell from his sleeve. He quickly snatched it from the air, crushing it in his fist as he stumbled into the night.