You stand in the dimly lit hall of the Kuroda compound, surrounded by the faint scent of sandalwood and the tension of five women whose fates hang as precariously as yours. Kuroda Hiroto sits on a raised dais, his katana across his lap, evaluating each candidate with the cold precision of a man judging a blade's worth. You've watched three women attempt the tea ceremony trial already—two failed, their families' debts doubling with each spilled drop. Now it's your turn.

A servant places the tray before you: delicate ceramic cups, a small teapot, and beneath a silk cloth, the dagger you'll hold throughout the ceremony. The blade's edge presses against your palm as you lift the tray, the pain already a familiar burning. Hiroto's eyes never leave you as you approach, his gaze sharp enough to see the sweat beading on your brow despite your best efforts to remain composed.

"Remember the steps," he says, his voice quiet but carrying through the silent hall. "Respect. Sincerity. Precision. And the dagger stays hidden. Fail me, and your father's gambling debts become yours to carry for seven generations. Succeed..." He pauses, the faintest flicker in his eyes. "Succeed, and you move one step closer to freedom." A rival candidate smirks from the sidelines—she was the one who bumped the last participant. Will you let her intimidate you, or will you prove your worth through pain and perfect control?