Chapter 3: Into the Fold“Miss Nakamura,” I say, bowing deeply while standing at the threshold of her office. “You called for me?”
“Yes, Kaiya. Please come in.”
I step forward, still staring at my feet. I am so getting fired.
“Would you like some tea?”
“No thank you, Miss Nakamura.”
“Very well,” she says. “About this tanuki.”
“Miss Nakamura. I’m very sorry. Through my carelessness I have made things—”
“Kaiya.”
“Yes, Miss Nakamura?”
“This is not your fault. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
“You’re not…”
Miss Nakamura looks me in the eye. Or tries. I wasn’t making it easy.
“You’re not firing me?” I ask.
“Heavens no, Kaiya. If anyone is at fault here, it’s me. I should have had someone watching over you from the start.”
“I…I don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t imagine you do. I barely un
