Chapter 26

We drove home.

I was silent in the back seat as I gripped my papers, the new license, and the photo. I was amazed it had all happened so smoothly and quickly. I knew who I was, now, and no one could contest it.

* * * *

“Well, Michiko,” Yuriko said as we went into her bedroom, “How does it feel?”

I finished taking off my clothes and folded them neatly.

“Almost perfect,” I answered. I dropped to my knees.

“Ah, yes. There’s something missing, isn’t there?”

“Hai, Joō-sama.”

She walked to the bed and picked up the collar and lock. She stood in front of me.

“You still wish to be my dorei?” she asked.

“Hai, kudasai.”

“Forever and always?”

“Forever and always,” I vowed.

She put the collar around my neck and slipped the lock onto it.

“Then you are mine, Michiko.”

“Arigato, Joō-sama.”

“Go put your ben-wa balls in.”