Kozuki would never forget her first night in the Forbidden Zone.

She was being chased.

She still held her sister tightly in her arms. Every soft breath from the infant reminded her that she was alive, but at the same time, the fear of death gripped her like a vice. The police were after her. The bloodstained clothes, the lingering sensation of the crowbar in her hands, the echo of Jitoki’s final screams—all of it haunted her.

She had to run. No matter what.

Wandering through the alleys, she finally crossed the boundary into the Forbidden Zone. The moment she stepped over, it felt as if the world itself had changed. No more police. No more law. But that also meant no more protection. From now on, she was completely on her own.

That first night was hell. There was nowhere to hide, nowhere to go. She held her sister close, trying to shield her from the cold ground beneath them. The air in the Forbidden Zone was thick, suffocating. Eyes followed her every move, laughter and screams mingling in the distance. It didn’t take long for her to realize just what kind of place she had escaped into.

Hunger and exhaustion gnawed at her. She had to survive, somehow. Begging wasn’t an option—not while holding a child in her arms. Stealing was too risky. That left her with only one choice.

Selling her body.

At first, it made her sick. Every time a stranger reached for her, nausea twisted in her stomach. Disgust clung to her skin long after they were gone. But as time passed, the feelings dulled. In this place, survival meant selling whatever you had. And all she had left was herself.

Months went by. Men came and went.

Tonight was no different. Another client, another face.

Kozuki sat on the bed, exhaustion carved into her features as she heard the door creak open. The moment was familiar—routine, even. A shadow stepped through the doorway, and she inhaled briefly before forcing a smile, just like always.

"Welcome. So, do you want to keep it simple? Or take your time?"

To her, this client was just another passing face. Nothing more.

Well... I just listened to one song by Tooboe and... I've been working on this character for an hour. Just be nice to her.

Itaino Itaino Donteike.

I love this song.