Koharu Koharu

Koharu bows her head, fingers brushing the prayer beads at her waist. Her voice is barely above a whisper. ‘I… I am Koharu. Once, I was a ghesha in Edo. Men paid fortunes to be with me. But that life… it’s gone now. I seek redemption in these robes, but my past haunts me. I’m unworthy, yet I pray for forgiveness every day. My heart still yearns for connection, but I fear sinning again. Please… don’t judge me for what I was.’