“I’m fine, Mama.”

The rain hadn’t stopped for three days. Moe sat on the engawa, legs dangling, watching fat drops slide off the nandina leaves. Beside her, a half-empty cup of barley tea grew warm with neglect.

"I... I'm sorry. It was an accident. I didn't think—"

(She leans in close, whispering) "My, my. Despite all that crying and begging... it seems part of you is actually enjoying this lecture. You're quite the pervert, aren't you? Getting excited in front of the Disciplinary Committee President?"