I can't be the hero of a romantic light novel

Soon, the waiter brought the food.

Smoked salmon, chicken and beef assortment, the main course is roast beef. Generally, the meat in French cuisine has too strong sauce. Wuma Xingjin thought of this and deliberately chose roast beef with a light taste.

Arakawa Kotoyuki's movements were slow and graceful. Every move revealed the cultivation of a young lady, and her soft fingers moved the knife and fork.

After the main course was removed, snacks and jelly were served. A large plate was filled with snacks of milk, matcha, red wine and other flavors. Arakawa Kotoyuki narrowed her eyes slightly, as if she was feeling something between the snacks she made. Subtle differences.

The last dish was brought by the waitress, and Arakawa Kotoyuki's beautiful eyes shone.

"It's so beautiful. This is Sakura sesame tofu."

"Is it delicious?" Wuma Xingjin asked proudly like a child.

“It tastes good and the color is nice.”

"Speaking of cherry blossoms, they will be in full bloom in a month or two, and the weeping cherry blossoms over Kanagawa are blooming like a sea.

When the wind blows from the shore, it falls all over the sky, as if the waves of the waves are dancing, which is so beautiful that it makes people mesmerizing. "

Arakawa Kotoyuki took a bite of Sakura Sesame Tofu, held up her face happily, and continued:

"Remember we made an appointment to see the hydrangeas? We also want to see the cherry blossoms, but they bloom earlier. There will be plenty of time after the art appreciation is over."

"Yeah, it feels like time flies by so fast." Wuma Xingjin said melancholy.

"Qi~ Why are you so sentimental? You're just like an old man."

Infected by Wu Ma Xingjin's stupidity, Arakawa Kotoyuki fiddled with the spoon and laughed inexplicably. The two of them giggled like idiots.

But maybe couples are stupid, otherwise it would be impossible to fall in love. If you always remain rational and calm, falling in love may not be happy.

"Speaking of which, why would you invite me to such a high-end restaurant? I thought I would go to an ordinary teahouse or restaurant or something like that."

"I see you've worked too hard, come and relax, that's the simple reason."

Even on a day off, Arakawa Kotoyuki was still discussing cooperation matters with the presidents who were afraid of the Hitachi Foundation. Wu Ma Xingjin couldn't stand it anymore, so he found a reason to ask her out.

Perseverance is important, but it doesn't work if you keep it tight.

Wuma Xingjin took a sip of orange juice. He did not touch the red wine on the side. He was not old enough to drink yet, including Arakawa Kotoyuki. She could accept sweet wines like fruit wine, but red wine was only for adults. She couldn't accept it.

After dinner, Uma Seijin sent Arakawa Kotoyuki back to his residence in Kanagawa, and then went to find Kobayakawa Yuakane.

Rushing to Kyoto from Kanagawa, it was already past nine o'clock in the evening.

Fortunately, I recently made some money through the Literature Department's essay competition, otherwise the commuting fee alone would be a large expense.

The weather in Kyoto is slightly better than in Tokyo. When I first arrived, I could see the stars in the sky among the mountains. One star was particularly shining. Wuma Xingjin's line of sight extended towards it. It should be the constellation Lyra.

It's strange that the constellations that appear in midsummer will appear at this moment. Could it be that even the stars can't wait and want to bloom early?

But sometimes premature blooming is not a good thing, just like a candle that becomes more and more powerful and eventually burns out.

Facing Sayuri, Wu Ma Xingjin was a little embarrassed, but fortunately Kobayakawa Yuqian took him to the attic study.

The bookshelf here is embedded in the wall, and the bookshelf is filled with books. Although it is well sealed and it seems that no one comes here on weekdays, it is well taken care of and does not look deserted.

"Close it."

Wu Ma Xingjin found a few original editions of the books and wanted to take them out to read, but Yuka Kobayakawa reached out and turned off the light.

In the quiet night, Kobayakawa Yuka sat quietly on the single bed, her eyes lingering on the boy's back.

Wuma Xingjin felt a little hot, so he put down the book in his hand and opened the blinds of the study room, and the snow fell from the eaves.

Kobayakawa's home is surrounded by quiet mountains. The wind blows, the sound of snow sweeping down from the treetops, and the chirping of birds from nowhere suddenly penetrate into the ears.

Wuma Xingjin looked down the mountain. Not far away, the lights beside the Kamogawa River were connected together. On the flower street, there were geishas holding lanterns and wearing woven feather clothes walking slowly. From a distance, they looked like a firefly firm and brilliant. Stubborn move.

The slight movement of bare feet on the blanket gradually approached behind him. Perhaps it was the cold wind blowing into his neck, and a pair of cold and soft hands, like snakes, wandering on his back. Wuma Xingjin shuddered and closed the window.

The Lyra that we saw just now was already hidden by the dark clouds, and there was no point in looking at it any further.

In addition, Wuma Xingjin always felt that the snow today was particularly heavy.

"I'm sorry you came here so late."

Ryoko Nagayama walked into a pawn shop, put down the lantern in his hand, and put it aside.

"You are the person introduced by Yoshino Chaya, right?"

The pawn shop owner's name is Kobunta Ko. He has a goatee and is short in stature. He is not as tall as the table in the lobby. He is tapping his calf with a soft hammer.

"Oh, my whole body hurts when I get older."

"It's the Kihokan that hangs under the name of Yoshino Tea House." Ryoko Nagayama emphasized while holding the painting bookcase.

What was in the bookcase was a message given to them by Wuma Xingjin. Because the money they owed over the years suddenly came to be demanded by creditors, Mamasang took out all the savings in the Xiying Hall and only made up less than one-fifth of it.

This is a helpless thing. Over the past ten years, the Xiying Pavilion has completely declined. The former patrons have grown old and gone, and there are almost no new customers. They rely on Mama-san and a group of older sisters to occasionally serve as tutors. , or the money earned from selling souvenirs to tourists in Gion, barely making ends meet.

But geishas are not born to endure hardship. They are a group of women who are free from the world and devote themselves to the noble art.

In this way, it can be said that in the mud of Zhuonao, the cicada is sloughed off from the filth, except for the floating dust, and does not receive the filth of the world.

But it is this kind of geisha, the geisha of Kihokan, who are engaged in menial jobs that they once looked down upon because of their embarrassment in life, such as selling souvenirs to tourists on the streets of Flower Street.

However, there is more than one geisha house like Kihokan. Clubs and bars opened in big cities like Tokyo are accompanied by a large number of young women.

In addition, there are also tea restaurants opened by people with the name of Kyoto to attract customers who like Kyoto flavor.

As a result, the living conditions of flower streets in Gion and Pontocho are increasingly being squeezed.

The tea house that was once packed could not wait for a table of guests for several days. The bright flower arrangements were allowed to wither alone in the empty box, which made people feel sad about the world.

"Kiyingkan?"

Little Gawain closed his eyes too tightly, recalled carefully, patted his head, and said suddenly:

"I remember."

"Did you dance on the Kiyomizudera stage during previous festivals? The landlady's name seems to be Nagahama Yuho?"

"Yes, that's right!"

Ryoko Nagayama felt dissatisfied. Even though she was showing off her talents at the Tokyo Autumn Art Awards, the situation at Kihokan remained unchanged.

I thought that after the name of Xiyingkan was broadcast to the whole country, a large number of people would come here, but why didn't it get better at all?If this continues, the idea of ​​using his fame to attract rich young masters and share the pressure for Mama-san will completely come to nothing.

Although the thoughts are wonderful, you still have to face reality after all.

In the emergency situation of high debt, almost all the valuable things that could be sold in the Kihokan were sold. Ryoko Nagayama even wanted to sell all her haori and belts to pay off the money for Mama-san, but she didn't wait until The implementation was discovered.

The moneylenders back then were not good men and women. These days, they have been blocking the door of Kiyingkan, refusing to leave until they can get the money. They seem to want to demolish this century-old geisha house.

In desperation, Ryoko Yongshan had to steal the words presented by Wuma Xingjin.

Chapter 195 The legendary Ryoko Nagayama

At noon the next day, in the Xiying Hall, Nagahama Yuying, who was always paying attention to her manners, panicked and her bun fell apart.

"It's been all night, has anyone seen where Ryoko is?"

"Isn't Ryoko in the cloakroom?"

"It's not there. I've searched all over and can't find it."

A geisha sister who was about 30 years old, with traces of time in the corners of her eyes, prayed anxiously not to be encountered by debt collectors outside.

The outside creditors knew that the assets of Xiyingkan were scarce, but they still refused to give up. They had been forced into a desperate situation.If these creditors wanted to capture Ryoko to pay off their debts, Ryoko's career as a geisha would be completely ruined.

Changbin Yuying covered her face with a silk scarf and shed tears.

As Ryoko Nagayama was the only chick in the Kihokan, these unmarried geishas treated her like a daughter and naturally cherished her very much.

The loans borrowed over the years can be repaid slowly within ten years, but the creditors can't stand the sudden demand for debts. Xiying Pavilion is already in a tight situation and cannot afford so much money at once.

Yoshino Tea House next door paid part of the money for Kihokan, but it was a drop in the bucket compared to the accumulation of debts over more than ten years.

In fact, it's not like I can't pay it back for them even if I grit my teeth.

The problem is that not only geisha houses, but also old shops in Kyoto like Yoshino Tea House are having a hard time maintaining their business. They rely on loyal customers like Yuri Kobayakawa to survive the trend of gradual closure.

Providing the greatest help within the scope of one's ability is considered the most benevolent and righteous act.

Crying can't solve the problem, but there are only women in Xiyingkan, so without a backbone, it is inevitable to feel a little panicked.

"I'll go out and find Mr. Hanada and the others to find out!"

Changbin Yuying wiped away her tears and walked through the well-kept courtyard with slightly red and swollen eyes.

Pushing open the cold door, there are several cars parked on the bluestone road at the door, and there are mottled footprints everywhere on the steps.

Because of the cold weather, the debt collectors were sitting in their cars blowing warm air. Due to the temperature difference, the car windows were fogged up.

Nagahama Yuying gently knocked on the window and lowered the window.

A man in a black cotton coat with a gold pocket watch on his chest was interrupted from a nap with his eyes closed. He half-closed his eyes, glanced irritably, and said in a low voice:

"I got the wrong guy!"

However, Nagahama Yuho quickly held down the man in black cotton clothes named Hanada Sumiki and begged:

"Have you ever seen a girl wearing a Jinori feather coat come out of the gate?"

Hanada Junki immediately cheered up, looked at Changhama Yuying's familiar and unfamiliar face, changed his words and asked carefully:

"Is it Miss Changhama?"

No need to answer, Hanada Junmu already recognized it and murmured to himself:

"It's really you."

He hadn't seen her for many years, and it took him a while to recognize Nagahama Yuho.

Looking at the geisha in front of me who has lost her grace, I feel very emotional in my heart. I am not young anymore.

There was a time when Nagahama Yuho was the well-deserved oiran of Gion.

Gion, the holy land of geishas all over Japan, is an ancient capital with thousands of years of history. Its status is unrivaled.

Being able to become an oiran in Gion means that the path of a geisha has reached its pinnacle.

As an oiran, Nagahama Yuho was very popular in that era of rapid economic development. Even popular movie stars and singers were overshadowed by her, and she frequently appeared at the banquets of big shots that ordinary people could hardly imagine.

NHK, Asahi Shimbun and other well-known media all regard this courtesan as a cover girl. There was once a rich man who spent a lot of money and was even willing to trade an office building for the opportunity to have dinner with Nagahama Yuho.