[player]Don't tell me you're trying to let me experience what it's like to go on a motorcycle ride that feels like a roller coaster ride.
[Kutsuji]That's a rude analogy. No roller coaster ride is as exciting as a ride on the back seat of my motorcycle.
[Kutsuji]To me, the physical sensation of a roller coaster is at best like watching "Autobots 6" in 4D. The seat will shake a few times, and I'll see some effects through the 3D glasses.
[Kutsuji]...
[Kutsuji]If you don't believe me, I can take you out for another two laps so you can really feel it.
The sensible side of me tells me there's no need to experience something like that. There are always things in life that we insist on meaninglessly even though they don't bring us substantial benefits.
For example, winning a dare if you throw a piece of chalk at the head of the class teacher, having everyone admit that you're the greatest among everyone present if you dare to lick an iron railing in winter, or winning people's respect if you dare to say: "I don't care about what you think because I only care about what I think" loudly to your boss at next week's regular meeting...
Someone who is mentally mature like me will never be provoked into doing something that brings no real benefits a second time.
[player]Thanks but no thanks.
[player]I think we should find a place to finish our transaction first.
[Kutsuji]Sigh, what a shame. In that case, sit tight while I take you somewhere.
[player]Where are we going?
[Kutsuji]You'll find out when we get there.
After that, we experienced the same familiar scenery from before, except this time it feels like we are experiencing it in reverse. The only difference is that one of the streets we passed by was now wet, as if it had just rained in this area.
As the road is slippery, Kutsuji drives steadily after that because he cares about his own life even if he doesn't care about mine. The breeze after the rain feels cool on my skin and even feels a little comfortable.
After so many twists and turns, I didn't expect our destination to be a teahouse diagonally opposite Countless Springs. I'm quite familiar with the scenery in these parts now since I've been here twice recently. Kutsuji leads me into the teahouse from the back door and goes straight to a private room on the second floor.
[player]Why did you suddenly want to come here?
[Kutsuji]I've brought you here to show you a brilliant performance.
[Kutsuji]This is the best place to watch the performance. Whenever there's a performance, reserving this spot is as difficult as winning that auction last time.
I sit by the window and look out the window. The window of this private room faces the street where the main entrance of the teahouse is located, and it is densely packed with approximately as many people as the day of the auction for the cut flowers.
[Kutsuji]Have you heard of the geisha parade before?
[player]Yes.
[Kutsuji]Countless Springs also has a custom like that. Every once in a while, it selects an auspicious day for the most popular geisha to wear her exclusive costume. She will walk from the entrance of Countless Springs to the end of the street and then return to Countless Springs. This is called the geisha parade.
[Kutsuji]One reason it is held is to highlight the unparalleled beauty of Countless Springs's geisha. Another reason is that Countless Springs owns all the businesses here, and only the most popular geisha is qualified to manage Countless Springs and take over these businesses.
[Kutsuji]So this parade also symbolizes an inspection tour of their own businesses and is a demonstration of their sovereignty.
[Kutsuji]Kurone Toujou has been the manager of Countless Springs ever since she conquered everyone with her talent and beauty when she was still a young girl more than ten years ago.
[Kutsuji]She is also the geisha who is in charge of the geisha parade every time it is held now.
After he finishes talking, I see the doors of Countless Springs open amidst loud cheering.
Several men wearing the same outfit walk out holding wooden signs in their hands and stand on both sides of the road. On the wooden signs are the emblem of Countless Springs and some words, but the words are too small for me to read them clearly.
Immediately after that, six girls wearing exquisite costumes line up on both sides, holding flower baskets as they exit the door in two lines. As they walk, they grab flowers in their baskets and throw them to their side, and the flowers land on the ground in the path between them.
Accompanied by the sound of rhythmic drums and music, I see a foot wearing white socks and high clogs stick out from the door, drawing a half-moon arc before hiding behind the door again, like a playful goldfish wagging its tail in the air after jumping out of the water.
After this repeats several times, a splendidly-dressed woman exits the door and walks slowly along the flower-paved road, maintaining a goldfish-like pace.
Due to the distance and because she is wearing a veil that seems to be made of a beaded curtain, I can't see her appearance clearly. Kutsuji casually taps the window frame and gives me a reminder.
[Kutsuji]That's Kurone Toujou.
Kutsuji taps the window frame rhythmically along with the music below and seems immersed in the performance. When Kurone Toujou walks directly below us, he suddenly turns his head to look at me.
[Kutsuji]I'm thinking of telling you something before we continue with the transaction.
[player]What is it?
[Kutsuji]I'm guessing that you must want to know why I got you to participate in the auction and everything else that happened after that, right?
[player]Yeah, because I felt like I didn't get any particularly valuable information.
[Kutsuji]No, the fact that you went is already a piece of valuable information.
[player]What do you mean?
[Kutsuji]What if I told you that you would be able to meet Kurone Toujou no matter which flower arrangement you managed to get?
[player]Is it because all three flower arrangements are hers?
[Kutsuji]No, it's because she wants to meet you.
[player]Huh?
[Kutsuji]At first, I made this guess based on the information I gathered, but your actions afterward helped me verify my guess.
Kutsuji's words make the question mark in my head grow larger. Based on my interaction with Kurone Toujou, I can't figure out why she would want to actively approach me.
[Kutsuji]Our previous transaction is still valid, but I can change its terms for you. From now on, you have two options.
[Kutsuji]Your first option is to ask me about Ciri like we agreed, and I will tell you what she's been up to recently.
[Kutsuji]Your second option is to ask me about Kurone Toujou for yourself, and I will tell you selected pieces of information that are useful to you.
[Kutsuji]I'll give you some time to think it over. I hope you'll make the decision that satisfies your true inner needs.
I think deeply for a moment after hearing Kutsuji's words. Emotionally and rationally, I should ask him about Ciri's matters since that was why I approached him in the first place and the matter I was entrusted with.
On the other hand, I really want to know Kurone Toujou's reason for doing that. Now that I think about it, there seems to be a deeper layer of meaning to the things we talked about on that day. Some things that I consider ordinary and mundane might not be as simple as I thought.
I think about it for a long time but have difficulty deciding. Sara and Ryan's worried expressions appear in my head one after the other, but I can hear Kurone Toujou's soft and pleasant voice in the background.
[Kutsuji]You know, you can be a little selfish sometimes. No one would blame you for that.
In that case, my decision is...
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