Chapter 59

The Red Light District of the Flower Capital was a sea of lanterns and desire. The air smelled of expensive perfume, sake, and secrets.

Kurumi and Perona, disguised as traveling entertainers, had managed to slip into the high-end banquet hall where **Komurasaki**—the most beautiful woman in Wano—was scheduled to perform.

"I can't believe we paid 50 gold pieces just to sit in the back!" Perona grumbled, adjusting her pink kimono. "I could have bought so many cute plushies with that!"

"We're paying for proximity, not the sake," Kurumi whispered behind her fan. She looked stunning in her crimson kimono, her presence commanding even while kneeling. "Komurasaki is the target. Keep your eyes open."

The sliding doors opened. The room went silent.

Komurasaki entered. She wore high *takageta* sandals, forcing her to walk with a distinct, slow shuffling gait. Her beauty was blinding—literally, for some of the men in the front row who fainted on the spot.

She sat down and began to play the shamisen. The song was "Moon Princess"—a haunting melody that Kurumi recognized immediately.

*That song…* Kurumi’s eyes narrowed. *It’s the song Hiyori Kozuki used to play.*

**The Incident**

As the performance ended, a drunken samurai from the Kyoshiro Family stood up, stumbling. He held a massive sake cup.

"Komurasaki-dayu!" the drunk bellowed, swaying dangerously. "Drink with me! I have money! I have power!"

"I decline," Komurasaki said coldly, not even looking at him. "I do not drink with men who have nothing but loud voices."

"What?!" The samurai turned purple. "You insolent woman!"

He lunged at her, swinging the heavy ceramic sake jug.

"Look out!" Perona gasped.

Kurumi moved before she thought.

She didn't use her weapons. She simply slid across the tatami mats, moving like water. She appeared between the samurai and the Oiran.

*Zafkiel: Eye of the Mind (Social Mode).*

She saw the trajectory of the jug. She saw Komurasaki’s surprised expression.

Kurumi caught the samurai’s wrist with one hand.

"Sir," Kurumi said, her voice smooth as silk. "You are spilling good sake."

She twisted his wrist. Just a pinch on the pressure point.

"GAH!" The samurai dropped the jug.

Kurumi caught the jug with her foot, balancing it perfectly. The crowd gasped.

But in the chaos, Komurasaki tried to stand up to retreat. Her heavy *takageta* sandals slipped on a spilled drop of sake.

"Ah!"

The most beautiful woman in Wano fell forward.

Kurumi turned to catch her.

"I got you—"

Gravity, momentum, and fate conspired against them.

Komurasaki fell into Kurumi’s arms. Kurumi braced herself, but the floor was slippery. They both tipped backward onto the cushions.

Komurasaki’s face crashed into Kurumi’s.

*Smooch.*

Silence. absolute silence.

Komurasaki’s lips were pressed firmly against Kurumi’s.

For three seconds, time actually stopped without Kurumi using her fruit. The Oiran’s eyes were wide open. Kurumi’s mismatched eyes were blinking in shock.

The crowd erupted.

"NOOOO! MY IDOL!"

"SHE KISSED A WOMAN!"

"THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!"

Komurasaki pulled back quickly, her face flushing a deep, uncharacteristic red. She touched her lips.

"I… my apologies," Komurasaki stammered, losing her "Ice Queen" composure for the first time in years. "I… slipped."

"It was… a soft landing," Kurumi managed to say, sitting up and fixing her kimono.

Komurasaki looked at Kurumi. Really looked at her. There was a spark of recognition—or maybe curiosity—in her eyes.

"You saved me," Komurasaki whispered. "What is your name?"

"Kurumi," she replied.

"Kurumi…" Komurasaki smiled, a genuine, dazzling smile that wasn't for show. "I will remember that taste—I mean, that name."

She was quickly ushered away by her attendants as the Kyoshiro guards dragged the drunk samurai out.

**The Ghost's Fury**

Back in the quiet alleyway behind the teahouse, the atmosphere was… chilly.

"Perona?" Kurumi asked, sensing a disturbance in the force.

Perona was floating facing the wall. Her aura was dark purple. Her ghosts were depressed.

"Don't talk to me," Perona muttered.

"It was an accident," Kurumi sighed, leaning against the wall. "She fell. I caught her. Physics happened."

Perona spun around. Her eyes were teary, and her cheeks were puffed out in a furious pout.

"You liked it!" Perona accused, pointing a spectral finger. "I saw your face! You didn't push her away instantly! You hesitated for… for two whole seconds!"

"I was in shock," Kurumi defended herself. "She's the top idol of Wano. It’s not every day a celebrity falls on your face."

"She's a witch!" Perona floated closer, getting right in Kurumi’s personal space. "She did it on purpose! She seduced you!"

"Perona, please," Kurumi chuckled nervously. "You're overreacting. We are partners. Comrades. Nothing has changed."

"Nothing changed?" Perona’s voice dropped to a whisper. She landed on the ground, standing toe-to-toe with Kurumi.

She looked up at the taller woman. Her large, round eyes were filled with a mix of jealousy and determination Kurumi hadn't seen before.

"She kissed you," Perona said, grabbing the lapels of Kurumi’s kimono. "That’s… that’s not fair! I've been with you for months! I trained in the forest! I wear this stupid pink kimono for you!"

"Perona…" Kurumi softened, reaching out to pat her head.

Perona slapped her hand away.

"Don't pat me! I'm not a pet!"

Perona stood on her tiptoes.

"I'm a pirate! And pirates take what they want!"

She yanked Kurumi down by the collar.

*Chu.*

It wasn't an accident. It was clumsy, aggressive, and tasted like strawberry sugar candy.

Perona kissed Kurumi square on the lips. She held it for exactly three seconds—one second longer than Komurasaki.

Then she pulled back, her face exploding into a blush that rivaled the red lanterns.

"There!" Perona shouted, stomping her foot. "Now the score is settled! I win!"

Kurumi stood there, stunned for the second time that night. She touched her lips.

"You…" Kurumi started.

"Don't say anything!" Perona covered her face with her hands, floating into the air to hide. "If you tell Laki, I'll haunt you forever! Negative Hollow! Negative Hollow!"

She sent a barrage of ghosts at Kurumi out of panic.

*Whoosh. Whoosh.*

Kurumi fell to her knees.

"I… I want to be a sea cucumber…" Kurumi muttered, depressed by the ghosts. "I am a player… I don't deserve love…"

Perona peeked through her fingers. "Hmph! Serves you right!"

But then she floated down and poked Kurumi’s cheek.

"But… if you liked it…" Perona whispered, her voice barely audible. "We can… maybe… do it again? After we beat Kaido?"

Kurumi looked up, the depression fading. She smiled, a genuine, warm smile.

"It's a promise, Ghost Princess. After the war."

She stood up and offered her hand.

"Now, let's go. We have a rebellion to start. And I think Komurasaki just gave us a VIP pass."