Chapter 32

Sanjiro took a deep breath before entering the private room that the attendant had chosen. He had quickly been dressed in finer robes that showed off his broad shoulders and the strong muscles from his trade. The kimono design he had been draped in was crimson with embroidery of tigers on the lower half that was both flattering and formal. Sanjiro felt self-conscious in such expensive clothes as he shut the screen door behind him, leaving him entirely alone with the handsome stranger. He wasn’t sure what to do, so he sat to the right, slightly behind the stranger, and politely poured him a cup of sake.

“Please drink, kind sir,” he said as he bowed his head and gestured to the cup.

The stranger nodded absentmindedly and took a sip of the drink; he had been too busy admiring Sanjiro in his new attire. As he drank, Sanjiro waited for his lead.

“Thank you for spending your evening with me,” the