So many questions fill my head as I stand there beside Ayumi. What’s a tanuki? Why is it interested in me? Are there actually demons in Neo Tokyo? Is that really what I heard? No, it’s just a wild dog. Isn’t it?

But instead of asking Ayumi these things, I simply watch, slack-jawed with my eyes focused on her behind, as she kneels to straighten out the bed roll and fluff the pillow. She’s done in an instant and reaching for my hand. “Is there anything I can get you?” she asks. “Tea? Soup?”

“I should be downstairs. I’m fine. I can --”

“Miss Nakamura says you are to rest.”

“Your mother.”

“Yes, my mother. But this is her café. And in her café, she is Miss Nakamura and we do as she asks.”

I allow myself a wan smile and a brief peek at Ayumi kneeling beside me, still done up in her kimono and cat ears. “And your mother does not mind that you ...” I let my words trail off, thinking better of the boldness of my question.

“That her daughter is a hostess in her café? That she undresses for clients who like to objectify her as a playful kitten?”

“I ... I’m sorry. I should not have ... It was rude of me to --”

“It’s a fair question,” she says. “And I will answer truthfully.”

I cast my eyes to my hands resting on my knees. I should never have broached the subject. Stupid bump on the head. I should know my place.

“It’s not prostitution,” says Ayumi. “There’s only petting. No penetration.”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t suggesting ...”

“Kaiya,” says Ayumi, cupping my cheek in her hand. “Never apologize for your curiosity. Certainly not to me.”

“Thank you, Ayumi.” I pause to enjoy the touch of her fingers lingering on my skin.

“Now,” she says. “Let’s get you out of this kimono and into bed. Is a T-shirt okay with you? I’m sure I can find one.”

“Thank you, but I can --”

“No worry.” Ayumi is already up and moving. “You can wear your juban if you like, but ...”

She returns shortly with an oversize, white cotton sleep shirt. “It might be a little big on you, but that’s all the better for sleeping, don’t you think?”

“Really, it’s okay.”

Ayumi ignores my protests and without a word, bends to kneel in front of me. I let my eyes drop, focusing on the cat ears still perched atop her head as she reaches around behind me. Deftly, my obi is untucked and untied, and I’m left standing with my kimono hanging loose.

Ayumi rises to her feet. My hair is let down next, but I keep my eyes where they are, afraid to meet her gaze. Raising her hand to graze my cheek, Ayumi brushes the hair out of my face. “Let’s see what you’re hiding under there, shall we?”

I freeze, rigid.

“Is this okay?” she asks. “I can leave the room if you’d rather.”

“No,” I manage. “Miss Nakamura says I am to rest. She said you were to make sure of it.”

Ayumi smiles. “She did.”

My brief assertiveness is spent and I say nothing further, only watch Ayumi’s hands move as she slips the kimono from my shoulders and relieves me of my undergarment.

And when I move to hug myself against the chill, Ayumi intercepts my hands, holding them in hers. Though I can’t meet her gaze, I do feel her eyes on me.

“You’re very beautiful,” she says, and then in one swift motion pulls the T-shirt over my head and smooths the fabric over my hips.

I chuckle briefly and bite my lip.

“What?” she says.

“What?” I repeat. “I’ve already seen you naked. You’re the beautiful one, Ayumi, not me.”

“You like girls, Kaiya.” Ayumi’s words strike me as more of a statement than a question.

“Yes.”

“I’ve seen the way you look at me when you think I’m not paying attention.”

“I ...” I feel my face flush. I can’t meet Ayumi’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize.” The amusement in her voice is making this worse.

“I ...”

“Miss Nakamura says you’re supposed to be resting, Kaiya. And I am to make sure of it. If that means I should lie beside you and keep you warm, I will. Just tell me if that is your wish.”

“Y-yes,” I manage.