Mana finished listening, still confused.
"So, why didn't you ask for help, you idiot? Why do you accept all that?"
Mana tried to understand her sister.
"It's not that easy, Mana. That's why I don't want you to end up the same way."
"Ufufufu, it actually is easy."
Saya gave her opinion, and everyone turned to look at her.
"What do you mean?"
Noa didn't understand. Why did she say it was easy?
"Isn't it just about letting him send the videos? If he no longer has anything to threaten you with, why would you have to keep listening to him? Why do you care so much about your image? What's the point if you're already wallowing in the mud?"
Saya continued as she looked Yumi in the eyes.
"Nakamura is a coward. If you really resist, he won't do anything. He only intimidates the weak. To get out of his control, you just have to act strong."
Yumi looked incredulous.
"You say that's easy?!"
"Can't you give up your facade? Why do you care so much about what people will say? When you've already fallen so low, you should stop caring about those trivialities. Do you think I got where I am by worrying about what people say? They call me a slut, easy, etc. Does it affect me? No. Because it's partly true. I fuck for money, it's a reality. Do I do it because I like it? No. But I do it because I can or I want to. No one forces me into anything."
Mana and Yumi were a little confused. They didn't understand what she was getting at.
"Don't let your facade of perfection imprison you. The one holding you in that situation isn't Nakamura, nor your ex-boyfriend. It's you. If you let go of that tragic attitude and show that you want to be helped, I could give you a hand."
Yumi fell silent as she bit her lip.
"But what am I supposed to do after everything that's happened to me? Do you think I can just wipe the slate clean? It's not that easy!"
Saya listened to Yumi's complaints.
"Have you seen the girls at the party? Do you think they're all here because they love sex? Some do, I can't deny it. They just like doing it. But others don't, they're here because of trauma, abuse, etc. With sex, they feel nothing or even hate it. But they can't stop doing it. It's a way to try to fill the void they feel. But at least they're doing it by their own choice. At least the girls who work with me."
Saya paused before continuing.
"I'm not asking you to become a prostitute, but understand that there are other options. Not just wallowing in self-pity."
---
***
The conversation had taken a rather serious turn. To be honest, it seemed Mana's sister wouldn't make a decision anytime soon. For my part, I just wanted to leave with Mana. I was worried about Saki, and although the situation here was complicated, I felt I had already done enough.
However, Mana seemed to want to stay a little longer. I couldn't leave her alone, especially at a time like this. Even though it was uncomfortable for me to stay, I preferred to make sure she was okay.
Suddenly, Mana shook her head, turned her face to her sister, and spoke firmly.
"I've heard what you had to say. Although your story was tragic, it has nothing to do with what my boyfriend and I have. So I'm leaving. I hope you get better, I guess."
Without another word, Mana stood up, put on the clothes I brought her, and pulled me toward the door. We passed her sister and left.
---
Once outside, I felt a little bad.
I didn't say goodbye to Moño. I hope that doesn't affect future jobs.
With Mana, we dodged bodies and left the hotel. It was dawn.
How many days had it been since I arrived here? I was surprised at how I had managed to adapt.
I had a job and, although questionable, I had managed to get two girlfriends. I still didn't understand how to treat them or what role I was supposed to play as a boyfriend. After all, I was new to this. But I was trying to learn and, although the world looked pretty fucked up... which one wasn't?
My world didn't seem so different. Maybe a bit more hypocritical, hiding depravity and decadence under the rug. But in essence, the same.
---
---
The scene on the train no longer surprised me. Even more explicit, being so early in the morning.
Mana seemed uncomfortable. I suppose hearing her sister's story affected her quite a bit. And seeing some guys fucking a woman after groping her on the other side of the car didn't help.
I started to wonder since when I had stopped paying attention to scenes like this. Since when did it stop mattering to me? Since I arrived?
No, it was before. Although in my world I never directly encountered a scene like this, I had heard it happened near my job late at night.
It was a dangerous neighborhood. The whole city was. So I just avoided going over there.
Of course, if a female coworker asked me to walk her home, I didn't hesitate. I made sure to carry a butterfly knife up my sleeve and escort her. Always attentive.
If a stranger had asked me the same thing, would I have helped her?
Probably not.
The guys finished and left the woman thrown on the floor. They pulled up their pants and got off the train.
One more stop to go before getting to Saki's.
Thinking about my girls, I worried. I should advise them not to go out alone at these hours. If possible, to always go with them.
Maybe I should buy a knife.