Chapter 9: Living as a Male in This World (4)
Of course, I never expected to see something like a shower.
Modern plumbing like this had no place in this world.
The place we were led to was a small bathroom in what looked like a wooden building.
Thankfully, warm water and soap were available.
... Soap.
It was a miracle I had only recently discovered.
In the beginning it was considered a luxury item for royalty and nobles.
The effect was incredible.
It not only produced wonderful scents but also kept everything clean and fresh.
That alone had drastically reduced the spread of plagues.
It really was the number one item that saved humanity.
... That was what Yuse had been explaining so earnestly.
Would he really betray me?
But when I pictured his panicked face from that moment, I doubted it.
Splash.
I lifted a basin of appropriate width with both hands and poured the water over my body at once.
The water cascaded down and washed away the last traces of soap with perfect ease.
Haaah.
What now?
Was it even a blessing that I was still alive?
A bitter laugh didn't even surface.
I pressed my head hard between my hands and kneaded the pressure points.
At that moment I heard a knock at the door.
Soon an annoyed voice rang in my ears.
“Hurry up and come out once you’re done washing.”
“……”
I dried my hair roughly with the prepared towel and wiped my body.
I picked up the clothes they had handed me and ordered to change into.
A heavy feeling hit me.
Neat black pants and a shirt so thin that my chest was completely visible through it.
Knock. Knock knock!
“Still not out? You’re slow, you know.
I’m going to die from how annoying this is.
Are you really unable to wash yourself alone?
“Hyung, calm down.
Even if it is, it’s not like you’re losing anything.
They still think you’re a noble’s son, right?
While someone knocked on the bathroom door, other men’s urging voices came from outside.
I wasn’t sure what they were thinking, but it felt like they had mistaken my identity.
Of course it didn’t matter to me.
Explaining my identity seemed strange in the first place.
My stomach churned, but I hurried to speak up before they opened the door.
“Yes.
I’ll be out soon.
Just a moment, please.
I changed clothes quickly but my hands trembled the whole time.
After I finally managed to change, I carefully opened the bathroom door and stepped out.
... Yes.
I stepped out, but my mind was in turmoil.
The two men waiting for me had quite average appearances, yet their attitude toward me was anything but friendly.
The rude-looking man in his late twenties had an ordinary face.
But he was tall and had a decently muscular build, so he would probably be popular.
“You look like shit.
I inwardly swore that from now on I would call this bastard ‘Rude Guy’.
The very first word already screamed bad attitude.
“It took you long to do your makeup, huh.
Hyung, I understand.
Everyone acts that way on the first day.
A gentle-looking man clung to the rude guy, trying to appease him.
I had never done makeup before, let alone because washing was already exhausting.
Anyway, we had no tools to do it with.
“Once you’re ready, send the newbie to where the boss ordered.
I already have orders, so I’m leaving.
“Yes, hyung.
I’ll go.
“Yes, hyung, understood.
The gentle-looking man nodded and answered while the rude guy furrowed his brows.
He looked like he was in his early twenties, and he had a lean, sharp-featured pretty face.
He would fit the idol image if he were from modern times.
I decided to secretly call him ‘Gentle Guy’.
By the way, didn’t the word ‘boss’ come up?
“Excuse me, who is the boss?
“It’s Jane.
“... Ah.
As the rude guy walked out of the room, the gentle guy’s expression changed instantly.
The gentle face suddenly looked vicious.
“Aah.
That guy is a complete asshole and uses us like toys.
I bet everything he heard was just a lie.
I felt like kicking myself for gossiping behind his back like that.
You shouldn’t judge a person’s inner self by their first impression.
“……”
I looked down at him silently.
The gentle guy tilted his head and asked.
His young face was pretty enough to attract young women, but his tone was quite rude.
“What are you staring at?
“Ah, no.
“Oh, right.
What alias should you use?
“……”
Answering the sudden question was not easy at all.
After all, simply being here under a real name already felt creepy.
“Hey.
What’s your name?
“... Seonghyun.
Your name is pretty unique.
Did you come from another continent?
Well, that’s not important.
Then let’s just call you ‘Hyun’.
“... Okay.
I honestly thought the guy had terrible naming sense, but what could I do?
I barely swallowed the words rising in my throat and nodded.
With him by my side, the night view we looked at outside was extremely flashy.
Only yesterday when Yuse and I were wandering around during the day, the atmosphere wasn’t like this.
People doing solicitation.
Despite the dark alleys, there was a huge crowd.
Red lanterns illuminating the dark evening streets.
Honestly, my current honest feeling was.
This. I might be able to run away.
If I leave this guy behind right now, maybe I can.
I glanced at the gentle guy beside me and turned my head forward.
The moment I thought about the possibility, a plan gradually grew in my mind.
Sweat started pouring down my hands.
I swallowed hard and quickly wiped my pants.
“I know what you’re thinking right now.
“... What?
“You can’t escape.
“No.
I wasn’t thinking anything like that.
“Hah.
Did you really think you’re the only one like me?
If you try to run, you’ll regret it.
“... What does that mean?
“There are a lot of people here, right?
They’re testing us right now.
As soon as you get separated from me, you’re immediately disqualified.
After all, the clothes we’re wearing are very eye-catching.
I was sick to my stomach at the direct ‘I’m a male prostitute’ fashion.
I only just realized that most women walking on the streets were glancing at us.
Men in this world don’t wear such thin clothes.
They usually minimize exposure or wear regular robes.
Some looked at me with eyes full of sexual desire.
Even I, who was insensitive to such things, felt my face heat up.
Even if the information the gentle guy gave me was true or false, it was helpful.
After all, the fact that there was no surveillance was strange.
If I got caught after escaping, I didn’t even want to imagine what kind of abyss I would fall into.
Honestly, I didn’t even know if it was an abyss yet.
Regardless of the reason, you picked well.
Our male brothel has the most popularity.
If you have debt, you can pay it off quickly.
If you need money, you can earn it easily.
The gentle guy with a bright expression said it proudly, but honestly it sounded pathetic.
By now we had arrived in front of the building he had led me to.
I kind of understood why he was proud right now.
This neighborhood had the best-looking building.
Large female bodyguards blocked the women waiting in line at the entrance.
“Newcomer, don’t be scared and follow me.
We easily entered the building through the staff back door.
The hallway in front of us was darker than I expected, but my eyes adjusted quickly.
“For now, you enter as a double today.
“... What?
“Today is observation and learning.
“... What?
I thought I was stupid.
I wasn’t even dumb enough to only be able to say ‘yes’.
But in this whirlwind of situations I was becoming an idiot.
The long hallway had many rooms.
The gentle guy arrived in front of a suitable door and smiled faintly at me before opening it wide.
━━━
The scene that greeted us when the door opened was extremely alien.
Smoky cigar smoke and bottles of liquor casually placed on the table.
The women playing cards turned their gazes toward the front where we were.
They were ordinary, young girls with normal appearances.
“You’re finally here.
What.
We’ve been waiting for so long.
“Why so late.
Eh.
A new face came too?
In the underground-like, dim interior.
Sweat broke out from the dim colored lights instead of bright bulbs.
“Sisters, long time no see.
The cute dog-like ‘Mungi’ who serves her master.
Gentle guy introduced himself cutely as ‘Mungi’.
His natural, flowing attitude made the women giggle and smile brightly.
“Well-.
I have a friend I want to introduce to the sisters.
Ah, crazy.
No matter who looked, they would know that friend was me.
“Wow.
You’re so handsome.
I heard you brought this kind of thing from somewhere?
“Wow.
As expected, the sisters have great eyes.
~ This face size is no joke.
Our eyes also widened in shock.
It was still fine.
“Well.
Introduce yourself too.
Quickly.
The man handed me a magic device that seemed like a microphone.
The slightly cold gaze was urging me to hurry.
The audience was already waiting for my answer with curious gazes.
“Hello.
Call me ‘Hyun’.
I answered while holding the magic device.
His voice echoed in the room, and they clapped and cheered.
Should I be grateful for this?
Or was it just that the reaction was good?
“But why is that guy so confident?
“He’s new today.
Sisters, please treat him nicely.
“Yeah, he seems kind.
He looks like a pure puppy.
Based on face and physique alone, he seems like an ace.
“What.
You’re jealous?
The gentle guy was already in close conversation with the women.
It was a whispering conversation, but I could hear everything clearly.
Somehow, the chair I sat on.
A woman in a dress sitting a little apart from me stared at me with sparkling eyes.
At first glance, she looked like a noble daughter.
“Hello!!
“Ah.
There seems to be a misunderstanding.
I...
I didn’t know what to say.
But the noble daughter in front of me moved much faster than I thought.
As she got closer, the alcohol smell hit me strongly.
“Acting cute, acting innocent.
What.
Well, men are always like that...
“Ah.
I have to go to the restroom.
“What.
She’s cute.
Are you acting up now?
“Sorry.
Because of the misunderstanding, I ended up here.
The noble daughter’s expression hardened a little as she avoided my touch and smiled.
I had no choice.
But at least she was a noble.
I could only hope that even a little bit of conversation would pass.
I had been framed and a ridiculous debt had been created.
It would be fine if I had tried to kill the prince or borrowed money.
Why did I end up in this world and have to do this?
“Actually, I don’t even know why I’m here.
If you could help me...
“You’re so annoying.
Do you not understand the situation?
A face alone is the price.
Got it?
A handsome face is everything.
But male prostitutes like you have to know your place.
Ah.
I made a mistake.
“Unnie, why.
What’s wrong.
Calm down first.
“Ah.
How annoying.
You ruined my mood.
Another woman came over and rubbed the noble’s shoulder.
She looked like a master and a servant.
“What if your face is good?
There’s no fun in it.
Don’t even let me touch you.
“Aigoo.
Unnie, this is even better.
Hey, it’s not just the face that’s handsome, is it?
The woman who had been acting like a servant started teasing to raise the atmosphere.
Was it effective?
The noble with the annoyed expression also looked at me with a smirk.
“... What?
“So?
Take off your pants.
“……”
“How about I check it?
Then my mood will improve, right?
I bet on it today.
It was too much for me to manage my expression anymore.
The string holding my sanity seemed about to snap.
“I’m going to leave.
This doesn’t feel right.
I stood up, letting the emotions rising in my chest settle down.
I no longer wanted to stay in this suffocating place.
“Sit down.
He ignored me as if I wasn’t there and slammed the door.
At that moment, the sound of breaking bottles came with a furious woman’s voice.
“Sit down, you bastard.
Really.
┗━┛