"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Aazin: "Ryzin, you and a few men patrol the palace in silence. I'll stay under that ridge—" he pointed at the cluster of small houses on the mountain slope, "—close enough to move fast if needed. And you, Ana… do you want to stay or leave?"

Ana took a breath, steadying herself. "I'll stay. You'll need me. If that boy really is who we think he is, he's dangerous. I don't want to lose either of you."

Both men exchanged a faint smile.

Ryzin leaned in, smirking. "Don't worry, Ana. It's only a matter of time before we finish him. So… you want to live with us?"

Ana bit her nail and blinked, teasing. "I'll do something spicy."

Ryzin: "Ouuu, Ana-chan, so cute! What spicy?"

Ana tilted her head, lips curving. "I'll become… a geisha."

Ryzin's nose bled instantly. His heartbeat thundered. "R-really? A geisha? Gods, Ana, I can already see you… those curves, that silk—ufff, hot, hot, hot! And me—drunk every night at your shows, watching only you. Anaaaa! Mua, mua, mua!"

He closed his eyes, hands moving as if clutching grapes, drowning in his fantasy.

Ana's voice dropped low, sultry. "Ryzin…"

His eyes snapped open, water dripping from the corner of his mouth. "Ana…"

She stepped forward, hand gripping his neck as if to pull him close. "And what exactly are these thoughts about, huh?"

Ryzin swallowed hard. "Your love, Ana—"

THUD!

Ana's knee slammed upward.

Ryzin doubled over, clutching himself. "Ouuuuch! Ouuuuch!"

Aazin exhaled deeply, shoulders relaxing. Aazin: "So… it's night. I'm going to sleep. You two carry on."

Both Ryzin and Ana nodded. Aazin slipped away quietly.

Ana stood, brushing off her dress. Ana: "I'm leaving too."

She leapt gracefully onto a nearby balcony, then from rooftop to rooftop like a cat, her movements light and fluid.

Ryzin waved after her, a grin tugging at his lips. Ryzin: "See you, Ana! In that geisha dress…It's a treat to watch you."

Ana glanced back mid-leap, gave him a playful blink. Ana: "Sure. Tata, see you."

Ryzin froze, heart pounding as she vanished into the night. She loves me too…

*******

Ana entered the geisha house. It had a strong Japanese feel: streets crowded with people, homes lined with hanging lantern banners, open wine shops, perfume stalls, and women dancing traditionally outside the geisha houses. From the upper floors, one could see lively gatherings and entertainment spilling out into the night.

Inside, an old woman dressed in a geisha robe sat with several elderly men behind her.

Ana stepped forward. "Hello, miss. I want to be a geisha."

The old woman's sharp eyes scanned Ana's curves. "Umm," she muttered, and the old men behind her echoed, "Ummm."

"My name is Kuakichi. I am head of the Baku Royal Geisha House. Introduce yourself, young lady."

"I am… I am Ruma Sumi."

"Ruma," Kuakichi said, eyes narrowing with interest, "you have some very fine curves. Tell me, why do you want to become a geisha?"

"I am a great admirer of you, Miss Kichi," Ana replied. "I've heard of your legendary days as a geisha, and I'm deeply impressed. It's truly an honor to meet you."

Kuakichi's face lit with pride. "Is that so? Haha. Well then, you are welcome. Tomorrow, you will accompany Natasha to an event in town. But wait—tell me, do you know how to dance?"

"Yes, Miss Kichi. I was born to dance."

The men behind Kuakichi all leaned forward at once. "Ohhhh."

Kichi leaned back, a sly smile on her face. "Alright then, show us your dance moves."Ana nodded. "Sure."Kichi waved her hand. "Not here. Wear the geisha clothes. Dance in front of the public today."Ana blinked, surprised. "Now?" She lifted both shoulders with a playful shrug. "Okay."

Later, in the middle of the bustling event corridor, the crowd hushed.

"Listen, listen, my dear pleasures," Kichi's voice rang out, proud and sharp. "We have a newcomer with us. With all your hearts, welcome… Ruuuummmmaaa Sssuuuummmiii!"

People standing below tilted their heads upward. The lights narrowed, focusing on Ana as she stepped forward. She wore a magnificent green geisha robe, its silk catching the glow. Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Look at her. She's so beautiful. Her curves… incredible.

Then the music began.

Her green geisha dress shimmered under the lantern light, every fold breathing with her movement. When the music touched her veins, she bowed lightly, then rose—hairpin slipping loose from her bun. A strand of hair fell, then more, until her long, brown hair spilled free, catching everyone's eyes as it swayed like a living ribbon.

She spun. One hand curled at her chest, the other stretched outward, a delicate geisha gesture—but then, her hips rolled in a wave, sharp and teasing, a belly dancer's twist hidden in elegance.

Her sleeves fluttered like wings. She leaped suddenly, one leg bent forward, the other stretched back. For a heartbeat, she froze mid-air, a perfect pose framed in lantern glow, before landing soft as water.

She twirled again, feet light, hair swinging wide like a whip, eyes half-closed as if drunk on rhythm. The fallen hairpin glimmered on the floor while she danced on, uncaring—every step more intoxicating.

And when she dropped low, one knee brushing the ground before rising with a slow curve of her back, the crowd held its breath. No one saw a dancer anymore. They saw a storm dressed in silk.

Ana finished her final twirl, her green geisha robes flowing like waves. Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, sweat glistening on her forehead under the lantern light. The crowd below roared in unison, "Ruma! Ruma! Ruma!" Their voices thundered like drums shaking the night.

Old Lady Kichi clapped with both hands, her wrinkled face glowing with pride. "Magnificent!" she cried. Ana, exhausted yet shining, smiled with pure happiness. For a moment, it felt as if the alive were just for her dance.

Somewhere..

Ryzin is looking up, talking to himself - 1st is Auren Ryuki.

Where is the second one?

Image -What if he?