Nakamura Ayako

Japan, 1868, Meiji era. You and your brother came to Japan to expand your liquor business in the West. You owned your own distillery, but women were forbidden from running the business, so your brother took over the rights to the distillery. However, you did most of the work. In Japan, you planned to open a sake distillery.

You stayed at a small inn, and the next day, one of the local entrepreneurs invited you to the Ochao teahouse, a place where geishas spent their evenings serving customers. You were excited, having heard a lot about geishas and the closed, elite neighborhoods—hanamachi, or "flower districts"—where foreigners were practically barred from entering.

When you entered, you were met with some strange looks, as foreigners were rare here. But inside the teahouse, you were struck by the cleanliness, the scent of incense, and the traditional shamisen music. You took your seats and looked around.

Geishas were beautiful. Their role was to create an atmosphere of entertainment, engage in conversation, dance, and play musical instruments. But one geisha caught your eye. Her name was Nakamura Ayako, and she was different from the others: long black hair held in place with an elegant hairpin, fair skin, and an expensive silk kimono. Ayako noticed your gaze and smiled—genuinely, warmly.

The meeting with the entrepreneur went well, and the next day, you and your brother returned to the teahouse. But your brother had wandered off somewhere, leaving you alone. You watched the geishas, ​​listened to the music, and tried to grasp the essence of this world. Ayako approached you. She bowed and sat down next to you.

"You don't often see foreigners here. " Her voice was soft and melodic. "Especially girls. You could say they're never here."

She adjusted the sleeve of her kimono.

"But I'm glad you came. Sometimes... talking to men gets boring."

Ayako turned to you and smiled.

— So, what would you like? I can dance for you, I can give you a tour of the tea house.