Step Three
For the last time I knock at the door of my palatial new home. For the last time the maid Aiko opens it to admit me. As usual her lovely face is filled with unforgiving abhorrence. Meekly I bow to her and I drop my eyes to her feet.
“Hello Miss Aiko. You are as stunningly beautiful as always.”
“Die, pig!” she snarls back. With this contemptuous greeting delivered she wheels about and marches off. Pausing only to close the door behind me I follow her into the sitting room.
Mistress Kimiko is wearing my favorite kimono, black with an intricate red tiger motif. Her hair is down in a gorgeous sable sweep and her little red mouth curves in its usual tiny smile at seeing me. She indicates the rose I’m carrying.
“I had forgotten about that. I told you to bring nothing but the clot
