Chapter 41: Silver Soul (Earth Chapter)

A "newhalf," both man and woman, is someone who traverses the boundaries of gender—a person who can be either, yet is often dismissed as a "pervert" by ordinary folk. The largest newhalf club in Kabukicho is run by the legendary Madame Saigo, whose real name is Demon Horse Madamaijel Saigo.

"Come in, dear customer, have a seat with us~~~."

Staring at the crowd of stubbled faces adorned with wigs and heavy makeup, Okakura Take remembered the time she was forced to dress as a woman for an assassination mission in Kabukicho. Was she, too, a newhalf then? Clearly a woman, yet masquerading as a man. In truth, perhaps everyone was the same.

Okakura strode confidently toward the newhalf club. She’d come alone this time; she’d asked the others, but most had politely declined, so here she was, by herself.

"My, how rare! A beautiful young lady visiting our club. But we welcome you just the same~," a group of newhalves exclaimed, enthusiastically ushering Okakura inside. The heavy perfume nearly made her cough.

"Miss, please take a look at the menu—what would you like?" A square-faced man, wearing a golden twin-tail wig, sashayed over and asked.

Quickly averting her gaze to the menu, Okakura replied, "Two bottles of shochu and some sashimi, please."

"Certainly, Miss. And would you like to choose a lady to drink with? All our ladies are very cute~~~." The twin-tailed blond wiggled a bit more.

Powder fell from his face... Okakura swallowed hard, then managed, "Please introduce them to me."

In the end, Okakura chose a somewhat petite newhalf to accompany her.

"So, what's your name?" Okakura asked.

"Yada~~ just call me Kelp Girl," the newhalf giggled, covering her mouth.

A cold, tingling sensation crawled up Okakura’s spine. She shivered involuntarily.

"And what’s your name, Miss?" Kelp Girl asked.

"Just call me Take..."

"Take-chan, your hair is so lovely—so black and silky! Do you use any special treatments?" Kelp Girl slid closer.

"No, it’s natural." Why add "chan"? Does it make the conversation cuter?!

"Oh, I’m so jealous. I wish I had hair as pretty as yours. And lately, I’ve been gaining weight, you know, Take-chan. Look." Kelp Girl lifted his sleeve and flexed his arm; his biceps bulged impressively. "See, my arms have gotten so thick!"

Okakura was speechless. That’s muscle, not fat! Why is he chatting with her like a close girlfriend, sharing topics only girls would discuss? The whole situation felt utterly out of place!

"Yes, you’ve gained a bit, but it’s fine—women with some flesh are more pleasant to touch," Okakura said, her mouth twitching.

No sooner had she spoken than Kelp Girl slapped her onto the table with a large palm.

"Oh my, Take-chan, you’re such a sweet talker~~~." Kelp Girl cradled her chin and twisted coyly, the other hand enthusiastically patting Okakura’s shoulder.

Okakura struggled to lift her face from the table, bloodied and dazed, and stared at the excited Kelp Girl. "That’s because you’re so adorable, Kelp Girl."

Ah! Up yours! Someone tell her why she’s unconsciously saying such things! Her mouth seemed no longer her own!

"Take-chan, you’re wonderful! Chatting with you is such a delight~~." Kelp Girl pulled Okakura into a bear hug, nearly suffocating her, rubbing his stubbled face vigorously against hers.

If he kept rubbing like that, her skin would surely be scraped raw.

Why had she decided to come investigate alone? Why had she made such a foolish decision?

Checkmate, she thought, despairing.

Just as Okakura was about to raise her hand and cry for help, the shamisen began clanging rhythmically. Kelp Girl released her. "Take-chan, the dance performance is starting. Today, our club’s ‘double headliners’—Curly and Wiggy—will perform. Both are adorable girls."

Curly and Wiggy—those names carried a peculiar charm... Okakura picked up her glass to steady her nerves.

"You see, the one with silver curls is Curly; the one with long black hair is Wiggy," Kelp Girl pointed to the stage.

Okakura looked up.

"Pfft――――-――" She spat out her drink in surprise.

It’s them!!!

Not only Curly and Wiggy, but Double-Braids Glasses Girl was there too.

"Um, who’s the one with glasses next to Curly and Wiggy?" That had to be Shinpachi!

"Oh, that’s Hachi-e. She’s a cute girl too, but not as distinctive as Curly and Wiggy, so she’s rather ordinary—her presence is barely noticeable."

In this kind of club, a small presence might actually be a blessing...

And she couldn’t be mistaken—the one beside Curly was Katsura! That dark hair, those familiar features—no doubt about it.

What’s going on with these two? The former White Demon and the Mad Nobleman, both newhalves now!

And Curly, weren’t you a host last time? Now you’re a newhalf? Amazing! You can charm both men and women!

The shamisen’s steady rhythm echoed as three onstage danced with fans, Gintoki and Wiggy occasionally tossing flirtatious glances.

Their dancing was superb! How long have they been newhalves here, to move so fluidly?

Okakura’s fingers trembled as she pointed at the trio. "After Curly and her friends finish, could they (wait—‘they’?) come join me for a drink? The three girls (…?) are all so cute."

"Of course. Curly and Wiggy are so charming; many customers love them because their xxoo beep――― is amazing."

Kelp Girl, what did you just say about them? Why is it all beep-beep-beep? Don’t do this; censorship is making her imagination run wild!

At last, the shamisen stopped, the dancers paused, and Kelp Girl waved at them. "Curly, Wiggy, Hachi-e, come down—there’s a customer who wants to treat you!"

"Okay~~~," Hachi-e replied, giggling.

"Gin-san, hurry up, a customer wants to treat us," Hachi-e said to Curly.

"Why am I always dragged in to fill the roster when staff’s short? In this rotten atmosphere, I feel like I’ll never return to normal society," Gintoki complained, stroking his curls.

"Gintoki, don’t worry. You’re already full of rot; you’ve always polluted society. This place suits you perfectly," Katsura retorted.

"Wiggy, your brain’s so rotten it's about to spoil. When you take out the trash later, toss it in the non-recyclable bin."

"Not Wiggy—Wiggy-chan. I’m here to save Edo. This is just experiencing social life. Only by understanding every stratum can I guide Edo forward."

"Edo doesn't need your experience. Are you leading the whole nation down the path of no return?"

"Curly, Wiggy, Hachi-e, hurry up—you’re dawdling. The customer’s been waiting ages," Kelp Girl called, breaking up their bickering.

"Right, coming," Gintoki said, taking small steps in his kimono.

Shinpachi and Katsura followed.

"Take-chan, Curly and her friends are coming~," Kelp Girl patted Okakura’s shoulder.

Okakura finally lifted her head, which had been hung low.

"Hahahahahahahahaha, yo, Curly, Hachi-e, Wiggy, nice to see you, hahahahahaha," Okakura pounded the table, unable to contain herself. Their cross-dressing was unexpectedly becoming but utterly hilarious!

Gintoki and Shinpachi were mortified—caught in this state by an acquaintance! Katsura was still bewildered; Okakura’s appearance had changed so much he couldn’t recognize her.

"Don’t just stand there—come have a drink! My treat. Gin-san, Shinpachi, Katsura," Okakura beckoned.

She couldn’t help but laugh whenever she looked at their faces.

Gintoki swiftly wiped his face, shifted his demeanor, eyes sparkling, lips pouting, shyly twiddling his fingers. "Who are you? Curly doesn’t know you."

…How disgusting. Okakura instinctively gagged, unable to restrain herself.

"Excuse me, where’s the restroom?" Okakura asked, clutching her mouth. Guided by Kelp Girl, she rushed off to vomit.

"Hey! Don’t be so cruel! Am I really that disgusting?!" Gintoki shouted angrily, when a hand clapped his shoulder—Katsura.

"Sorry… Gintoki, I also find it gross—ugh…" Katsura dropped down and threw up.

"You nearly puked on me! You’re even worse!" Gintoki dodged Katsura’s vomit.

After emptying her stomach, Okakura returned, holding her belly and exhausted. "Ah, I’ll never watch anything so unsettling again. It’s miserable to vomit so much."

"You’re not talking about Gin-san, are you, hmm?" Gintoki asked, veins bulging.

Okakura glanced at Gintoki’s face and dashed back to the restroom to vomit again. Katsura, just finished, glanced at Gintoki and promptly collapsed to vomit once more.

"You two, enough already! Is my face some kind of emetic?!" Gintoki howled.

"Su…su…Sorry, Gintoki. I don’t want to see your face for now—it’s a face of sin," Katsura said, wiping his mouth. Gintoki promptly kicked him in the face.

"Whose face is sinful? Clean yourself up before you say that."

Finally, when everyone had finished vomiting, the four sat together, though Okakura and Katsura, seated opposite Gintoki, turned their heads away from him.

"…Are you two idiots done?" Gintoki slapped the table.

They turned around but shielded their eyes with their hands.

"Not seeing the face of sin is such a relief," Wiggy said.

"Indeed, Katsura, the effect is extraordinary—that sudden, overwhelming nausea," Okakura replied.

"By the way, how should I address you? How do you know me? Am I that famous?" Katsura asked.

"Katsura, you’re forgetful. I’m Okakura Take, once part of the Joi Army."

"Ah, a former comrade. Sorry, I never expected we’d fight side by side again beneath the face of sin."

"Indeed, I never imagined you’d react as I do. We’re fellow sufferers of the face of sin."

"Okakura."

"Katsura!"

Their hands clasped tightly.

"Seeing such a face is truly revolting!" Okakura and Katsura said in unison.

"Gin-san… There’s something white hanging from your mouth, like a streamer, Gin-san!!" Shinpachi exclaimed.