Born deaf and mute, Kinuyo suffered relentless abuse from her father until he sold her to Madame Kaji's brothel, exhausted by his cruelty. Madame Kaji, motivated by pity rather than profit, offered Kinuyo refuge. During hospitality training, Kinuyo spilled sake and instinctively cringed, revealing her trauma. Madame Kaji reassured her with sign language, forging a bond of trust and safety. Kinuyo flourished under this care, expressing a wish never to be touched by a man again – a wish Kaji honored by assigning her only serving duties. The sadistic overlord Hamata noticed Kinuyo and demanded her as tribute, driven by his desire to "break delicate things" and torment Madame Kaji by demonstrating her powerlessness. Despite Kaji's protests, Hamata's yakuza forcibly took Kinuyo to his gambling house. There, she endured relentless physical and sexual abuse, leaving extensive bruises requiring nightly moxibustion treatments. Hamata kept her under constant guard, permitting only brief separation for these treatments, monitored by his bodyguard. When Mizu offered to eliminate enemies for Madame Kaji in exchange for information, Kaji recounted Kinuyo's suffering and revealed her location. Kaji rejected Mizu's suggestion to kill Hamata, fearing retaliation against her brothel and Kinuyo. Instead, she requested Mizu mercy-kill Kinuyo, making it appear accidental to end her torment. Kaji instructed Mizu to sign "I love you" first, believing it would comfort her. Mizu infiltrated the gambling house at night, finding Kinuyo undergoing moxibustion. After the doctor left and Kinuyo slept, Mizu killed the bodyguard with Kinuyo's hairpin, startling her awake. Mizu made the sign, but Kinuyo reacted with suspicion and fear. Hearing yakuza patrols approach, Mizu mouthed "I'll protect you" and offered her hand. Kinuyo initially refused but accepted as guards neared, leaning into Mizu. Mizu embraced her and swiftly snapped her neck. She then staged the scene to look like a struggle between Kinuyo and the bodyguard. The killing deeply affected Mizu, who held Kinuyo's body remorsefully. A boy witnessed Mizu leaving at dawn and reported to Hamata, prompting an attack on Kaji's brothel. After a battle, Mizu captured Hamata and delivered him to Kaji and her women. Kaji used Hamata's own Tiger Claws to stab him to death, avenging Kinuyo.