© 2026 Duleigh Lawrence-Townshend. All rights reserved. The author asserts the right to be identified as the author of this story for all portions. All characters are original. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. This story or any part thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review or commentary.

This story was inspired by an anime titled Stop Toying With Me, Miss Nagatora, a silly Japanese high school comedy that they love so much. It wasn't the storyline or the characters that got me; it was the warmth. The two main characters truly cared for each other, and that's what I wanted to capture.

This was written for the 2026 Literotica April Fool's Day contest. I don't normally write April Fool's Day stories, but this year I gave it a go. Please comment at the end!

Stop Toying With Me Miss Yamanaka

Lucius "Luke" Lawson was a young teacher at Erie County Community College North. He was tall and terribly skinny, so he hid his scrawny figure under a tie and a blazer. He was handsome, but his eyeglasses were ugly and they hid that handsome face; his hair grew in all directions and desperately needed a barber's touch. As a young student, he believed the recruiting fables told by the local NEA chair, and he majored in education and got the master's degree that New York requires to teach. He soon got a job teaching in the Cheektowaga school system... substitute teaching.

Luke found out that his master's degree got him the same pay as doing oil changes and tune-ups at the local Jiffy Lube. He bounced from school to school, hoping to hit the big time and get a permanent assignment in a high school; however, to supplement his income, Luke was able to land a couple of night classes at the local community college.

Luke had expected the night classes to be primarily older folks taking classes to get that degree that they didn't have the chance to get earlier in life. A few middle-aged people were there, a half dozen or so, huddled close to each other for protection in the rear corner. The majority were students who didn't want to get up that early to take the class on a normal daytime schedule or had failed in a previous semester and had to take a make-up class.

Then there was Miss Yamanaka.

Kiko Yamanaka was a Japanese-American student who had a sparkling personality and a delightful sense of humor. She was five feet tall with a tiny, perfectly proportioned body, a narrow waist, and long, straight, obsidian black hair. Although she was born and raised in America, she was raised in a traditional Japanese home that spoke only Japanese at home. Although it was a second language, her English was flawless yet accented. Luke couldn't understand why she was in his class. Not only was her mastery of the English language flawless, her work was exceptional. And she was cute, not the kind of cute that reminds you of six-year-olds playing, or puppies, but the kind of cute that reminds you of a picnic on a sunny day, walks in the park, and your heart racing at 150 beats a minute just by holding her hand.

"We are going to start with one of my favorite authors, Ambrose Bierce. Has anyone read any of his works?" Of course, Miss Yamanaka's hand shot up, as did a few hands over in the seasoned citizens' corner. That was more than Luke expected. "Today we're going to watch a TV adaptation of one of his stories. It was originally filmed in French and..."

"SENSEI!" cried Kiko, and her hand shot up.

"Yes Miss Yamanaka?"

"It is an Occurrence at Ow Creek Bridge. It won best short subject at the Cannes fim festivah, and an Academy Award for best rive action short fim!"

Her English was perfect, but like everyone who natively speaks Japanese, she had problems with the letter R because that sound does not occur in their alphabet. "Yes Miss Yamanaka, you are correct. It was shown on American TV as part of the Twilight Zone." Luke wheeled the TV into the classroom and put a disk in the DVD player, and for the first time in Luke's professional career, his class paid rapt attention to the subject matter.

When it was over, Luke said, "Opinions? Anyone?"

"That was insane!" said one student.

"Powerful!" said one of his middle-aged students. "Definitely a powerful story."

"It truly is. It pulls you in, gives you a truly exciting story, then bang! It turns 180 degrees and drops you into something shocking."

"Senseiiii!" called Kiko, with her hand up.

"Yes Miss Yamanaka?"

"Kurt Vonnegut cawed anybody who hasn't read 'An Occurrence at Oww Creek Bridge' a twerp. He cawed it the greatest American short story, and a fawress example of American genius.'"

Her Japanese accent was so cute! Kawaii, as the kids say. Luke had to force his face from breaking into a grin. "Yes he did, thank you Miss Yamanaka. High praise indeed from a grand master of fiction. Ok class, we meet again on Wednesday evening, be prepared. In our book a biography on Ambrose Bierce is on page two oh one. The biography in our text falls far short of what Ambrose Bierce accomplished in his life. Use outside sources and give me a list of a half dozen or more things that he accomplished outside of what the book's bio lists."

A hand shot up over in the sleep-in crowd. "Will this be graded, man?"

"Everything is graded, including the number of times a student says um, like, or dude. See you all Wednesday."

Luke sat down to take a few notes, then prepared to leave. He couldn't dawdle because the room was going to be used by another class. "Sensei?"

He looked up, and there was Kiko standing at the desk, smiling down at him. "Yes Miss Yamanaka?"

"Sensei, why do you caw everyone in the crass by their first names, but you caw me Yamanaka?"

"Isn't it Japanese tradition to use surnames until permission is given to use given names?"

"Yes, but I am American. Prease call me Kiko."

"Ok, Kiko it is. Are you going to continue to call me Sensei?"

"Would you rather I caw you Ruke Rawson?" she shrugged, making her braless breasts bobble under her blouse.

"It works, unless you would prefer Mister Rawson," Luke said.

Her grin grew, and he could see plots unfolding in those beautiful almond-shaped eyes. "Please guide me Sensei."

"I suppose I could get used to being called Sensei," said Luke, and as he left the classroom, he turned off the lights.

"I want to know what my Sensei does," said Kiko as she followed Luke down the hall. "Do you have hobbies? What do you watch on TV? Do you watch nasty movies alone in the dark?" Her smile grew broader with every question.

"Kiko. I work mostly. I try to teach every class I can teach. I only watch a little TV."

"Do you have a girrfriend Sensei? Is there a future Missus Rawson? Are there baby Rawsons on the horizon?" asked Kiko.

"No I don't have a girlfriend, there's no future Missus Lawson for the foreseeable future, so there's no baby Lawsons in my future," said Luke. "I'm too busy working to pay off my student loan to worry about a girlfriend."

"Sensei! You need a girrfriend. I will help you find your future wife!"

"Kiko, I'm doing quite well on my own."

"Trust me, you're a failure when it comes to romance."

The teasing went on for the rest of the semester. She discovered that he would come to campus and eat lunch before starting class, so she would join him for lunch. They talked about their lives. Kiko was oddly quiet about her home life, but she dug hard into Luke's private hours. "Herro!" she said cheerfully as she sat down across from him in the cafeteria. "You arways sit in the same prace."

"Ah, Miss Yamanaka. Your academic record says you have an MBA from Yale, so why are you here in a community college?"

She looked shocked that he had figured it out. "I avoid people. Father said, 'Get a BA in sociorogy, meet your ferro students. Have fun! Then you can serve famiry business proper.'"

"Customer service is important to your father?" asked Luke.

"Uh huh. He's funny rike that. Do you have a house Sensei?"

"No I have a small basement studio apartment where I do my grading and lesson preparation." He didn't mention that he was an aspiring artist and drew many still lifes in his apartment.

"Sensei, do you ever go out and have any fun?" She was starting to sound exasperated.

"I go to the Buffalo Bisons games during semester break and on Friday nights.

"I love Yakyū," she said brightly. When Luke looked confused, she smiled her infectious grin and said, "That's how you say base baww in Japan."

"You like baseball?"

"Yes! I'm Japanese! It's our national past time."

"I thought sumo wrestling was your national past time."

"No, that's our national sport," said Kiko. Then with her typical saucy grin she said, "How about hockey? I love hockey! Friday night, Toronto Mapre Yeafs! I get the tickets; you get the hot dogs. What's so funny?"

"Nothing, your enthusiasm is so cute," said Luke.

"Maybe we find you a girrfriend at the game."

<><><><><>

A hockey game isn't anything romantic, is it? Just two friends going to watch a Sabers game, drink a couple of beers (if she's old enough) and cheer the home team. They met at the South Campus of the University at Buffalo and took the subway downtown. Kiko wasn't kidding about liking hockey; she was dressed up in a Buffalo Sabres jersey and hat, and matching Capri slacks, and her shoulder bag was emblazoned with a cartoon tiger named Sabretooth, the team's mascot. The only thing that would keep her from taking to the ice was the fashionable sandals she was wearing.

"What are you looking at Sensei?"

"Your toenails are painted blue and yellow, the team colors" said an impressed Luke. But his eyes lingered; her feet were so tiny and delicate, and surprisingly sexy.

His eyes lingered too long because Kiko began smacking him on the head with her hat and shouting, "Sensei, are you a perv? Do you like looking at my feet? Sensei's a perv! Sensei's a perv!" The entire train car full of hockey fans was laughing.

Luke let her carry on until he felt his cheeks burning with embarrassment, then he finally gave her a swat on the butt. Not a hard swat, just an attention getter. "That's enough, Kiko."

"Yes Sensei," she said, and she bowed to him. "I was wrong." When she stood, she looked chastised, but her grin came back. She whispered, "Sensei likes disciprine! We will find you a girrfriend in this crowd for sure!"

"Kiko please," said Luke. He was hoping she failed in her girlfriend hunt. If she found him a girlfriend, that would end the fun he was having with his little friend. He was looking forward to baseball season with her, too. The train emerged from underground and was running down the center of the street, and they were in the theater district. They passed Shae's Buffalo, which often had Broadway plays and musicals headlining the shows.

"This is where Sensei needs to bring his girrfriend," said Kiko. "Tuxedo and forma gown, dinner at Chez Ami, then symphony or maybe opera at Kleinhans."

"And I don't pay my rent for two months," said Luke gloomily.

"No worries Sensei. We find you a girrfriend with a rich daddy. Come on Sensei! This is our stop!" and she charged out of the train car and led Luke to KeyBank Center, the home ice for the Buffalo Sabres. She led him into the building, and the person who took her tickets smiled and said, "Your seats are ready ma'am."

"What was that?" asked Luke.

Kiko just shrugged. "Daddy gets these tickets to entertain clients. Come on Sensei!" and she led him to the promised land - the 200 level. They sat on the center line behind the penalty box. The seats were cushy and elevated enough to see the entire ice clearly. It was almost as perfect as watching on TV. "We often sit up there in the nose breed section," she said, pointing to the $40 seats up in the rafters.

"Are you old enough for a beer?" asked Luke.

"What? Sensei, are you trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me?"

"No, of course not, I was just asking..."

"Because if you got me drunk I couldn't fight back, Sensei. I'd be helpless all the way home." He couldn't tell if she liked the idea or was having fun publicly embarrassing him. But the humiliation stopped when the puck dropped. Kiko was a 100% hockey fan and pointed out plays that Luke completely missed. She screamed, she cheered, she sipped from his beer (he only bought one and got her all the pop she wanted).

As they walked back to get the train, flushed from an exciting hockey game, Kiko said, "Semester break is coming up."

"Yes, what are you planning for Christmas?" To the Japanese, Christmas is a romantic holiday, celebrated with special cakes and romantic nights together, unless you're married, then it's celebrated with a Kentucky Fried Chicken dinner.

"Daddy wants to spend Christmas in Japan," sighed Kiko. "You're going to have to find your own girrfriend, Sensei."

<><><><><>

Luke spent the semester break preparing for the next semester and doing the only hobby he could afford. Drawing. He loved drawing and painting still lifes, but they now seemed lonely and gloomy. He began to sketch Kiko... and his drawings came out surprisingly well. He went to Maureen in the art department at Erie County Community and asked, "Why is it I can sketch one thing quite well, and everything else just comes out bland and lifeless?"

"Luke, this is art, it's not science. Why do some of the stories you read shine while other stories fall flat. They're boring, nothing, they're garbage compared to the one you liked. It's not due to the skill of the writer, and the drawing is not due to the skill of the artist. It all comes down to love. How much do you love your subject? It shows in the final product."

"Thanks Maureen," sighed Luke, and he went to face his first class of the second semester. Kiko wouldn't be there; she wasn't in any of his classes. He hadn't heard a peep from her since she and her folks left for Japan. He pulled up her schedule and discovered that she didn't take any English classes this semester.

He stepped into the class and was greeted with, "Hi Sensei!"

He looked around at the faces looking at him, but Kiko wasn't there. In the front sat two blond girls; both had big grins. They were friends with Kiko, and he saw the three of them together a lot last semester. They saw Kiko torment and tease Luke throughout the semester, and it looked like they were going to pick up where Kiko left off. He was about to say something, but Kiko stepped through the door and glared at the two girls. She was obviously angry with them. "He is Mister Lawson to you!" Then she noticed that Luke was standing right behind her. She gave him an embarrassed smile and said, "Gotta go, I rate for crass, bye Sensei!" and she dashed out the door.

He followed her out into the hallway, but she was rapidly disappearing in the distance. Luke swallowed his disappointment and turned to his chuckling class and started with his normal opening. "I am Mister Lawson, you can call me that, or Lucius, or Luke. It appears that Sensei is a reserved form of address."

Luke looked around the campus for Kiko after class but didn't see her in any of the usual places they met during the first semester. He sighed and headed home and plopped his planner on his desk, then turned to the painting of Kiko that he was working on and wallowed in loneliness and disappointment.

The next day he didn't have any high school classes, just a middle school substitute class. The full-time teacher didn't leave any class notes, just a quick note that said, "Be kind to my babies." He looked around the empty classroom and found there were stacks of paperback copies of The Hobbit. He smiled; nothing better to get twelve year olds into reading like The Hobbit. Soon the kids poured into the class, and he started with, "Hello, my name is Mister Lawson..." then he stopped. You don't tell twelve-year-olds to call you by your first name or your nickname. "I'll be taking over for Missus Voight until she comes back..."

"She ain't coming back," said a girl near the front.

"Do you mean she's not coming back?"

"Yeah," said the girl, who was wondering if her teacher was deaf. "She's having a baby, she said she'd be out for the rest of the year."

"She was huge!" cried another girl.

"Like she swallowed a crab soccer ball," said a boy in the back, which made the whole class laugh. A crab soccer ball is three feet in diameter.

Luke went home that night after a long talk with the principal of Depew Middle School. He had gotten rave reviews from Cheektowaga Central High School and Erie County Community College. The principal offered Luke a permanent position there in middle school: three English classes and two Social Studies classes a day, with an occasional assist in the gym. His schedule allowed him to head home at two in the afternoon, which was plenty of time to prepare for a seven PM class twice a week.

He didn't have a class that night at ECC, so he went home and wondered what he should make for dinner. He had three cans of soup, half a loaf of bread, a frozen pizza, and two dollars in coins. "I suck," groaned Luke. "The one thing I've been working toward for years suddenly gets dropped into my lap and I have no one to share it with." He looked at his phone and realized that he had never shared phone numbers with Kiko. Last semester they saw each other four times a week or more; they never needed to call each other, and now he hasn't seen her for four weeks and all he could think of was her.

He picked up his pencil and began filling in the details of the image he had been drawing. It was Kiko at the hockey game. She was cheering a score, her eyes alive with passion, her hands in the air in jubilation, her mouth shouting in exultation. As he sketched in the details, pangs of loneliness clawed at him. He sketched until he could take it no more. Luke was shocked at how large the void that she filled was, and how painful it was now that it was ripped wide open again.

He put down his pencil and turned off the light he uses when he's painting, leaving the single bulb hanging in the middle of the ceiling on, casting stark shadows — shadows that reflected the emptiness of his soul. There came a tap at the door, and he ignored it. Probably the landlord's grandkids selling chocolate for the band or something. They usually get him twice a semester.

"Sensei?" came a soft voice from outside. Trying not to trip himself in his eagerness to get to the door. He opened it and she was there, standing on his front step in a neon pink parka with the hood up and the white fur around her cute face making her even cuter.

He wanted to lift her up and swing her around and hold her tight, but they were nowhere near that place in their relationship, if it was a relationship. "Miss Yamanaka, so good to see you."

"Sensei? Are you ok?" She was looking at him with concern in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, it was a long day, please come in Kiko," he said, and held the door open for her.

She stepped in and held forward a box and a bag and said, "for you a belated Merry Christmas."

"Thank you very much," and he set the box and bag down on his kitchen table/desk.

As he helped her off with her snow boots, she said, "Did I come at a bad time Sensei?"

"No, well maybe. I didn't find a girlfriend, I'm feeling very lonely."

"Sensei, Sensei, Sensei. I told you that you needed to find a girlfriend."

"I know," said Luke, looking crestfallen. "But you did seem to get control over the letter L."

"I... I..." Her eyes grew wide. "You noticed?" Then she noticed his drawings and leaped at the opportunity to change the subject. "What is this?"

"I draw. I don't have much time anymore so I work on one subject."

She held one drawing in her hands; it was her cheer at the hockey game, and said, "Close, Sensei, but no cigar."

"Well, I was drawing from memory."

Kiko sighed and said, "Sensei, is clear that you're getting older and your memory is failing."

"I'm twenty five years old!" insisted Luke.

"I'm obviously going to have to model for you. Nothing pervy Sensei."

"Thank you Kiko, and I almost forgot to tell you, I got a full time position. I started at Depew Middle School today."

Kiko's face lit up with happiness for her Sensei. "I'm so proud of you!" and she gave him a big hug and said, "Let's open your Christmas presents Sensei, before you forget that too."

<><><><><>

Luke got permission to use the art room at Erie County Community on the days he's not teaching there. "Are you sure you're able to do this, Sensei? You have children to teach tomorrow morning."

"I'm fine Miss Yamanaka, I get off my middle school gig at two pm which gives me plenty of time to grade papers and come here."

"But what about preparing for your college classes Sensei?"

"Hmm? Oh, it's the same course work as the middle school classes I teach. I just make a few extra copies. No problemo."

"WHAT?" shrieked Kiko, and she leaped down off her little stage and started slapping the top of his head. "You taught me Middle School English?"

"Please Kiko!" Luke said as she got a pillow off the davenport to hit him with. "It's the same reading material but, the college class is a more in depth study of the material."

Then she noticed the picture he was drawing of her. "Hey, that's not bad Sensei!" Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes sparkled with genuine admiration for his work. "See? When you have a proper model you get better results. Do you want to do a nude next?" She struck what she thought was a saucy pose, and Luke suddenly blushed crimson red. Her eyes flew open in mirth, and she cried out, "You ARE a virgin!"

"Kiko stop, please."

"Virgin! Virgin! Virgin! Sensei is a virgin!" She poked him in the chest with her index finger with each cry of virgin.

"Miss Yamanaka please... I've always been shy; in fact I became a teacher to get over my shyness..."

"So you'd have all those schoolgirls to perv on? You really are a creeper!" There was an evil joy in her grin.

"No, I grew up alone." He slumped down on the davenport that was used for models to pose on and rest after standing. "After my parents died in a car wreck I was raised by a dowager aunt who drilled me on my schoolwork all day long after school. I advanced two grades in elementary school and was two and three years younger than all my classmates in high school and..."

"And they taunted and teased you constantly?" asked Kiko as she sat down next to Luke.

"No, that would have been kind. I would have been noticed. No, they shunned me, they ignored me. I was too small to compete with them so I didn't have to take gym, I took art instead. I kicked their asses academically and when I was selected Valedictorian they ignored my valedictory speech and talked amongst themselves the whole time."

Kiko slumped over and leaned on Luke's shoulder. "I'm the same way sort of. I have two sisters and my parents, my mom and dad drilled us on schoolwork like your aunt drilled you, but they wanted me to crush it in the business world. I went to an all-girls school and... girls can be nasty; they made fun of my eyes and my skin color..."

"What? Your eyes are beautiful! I've never seen eyes so alive and so full of joy! They tell me exactly what you're feeling. And your skin is flawless. Women pay big money to go to tanning salons to get the same color."

"Sucks to be those losers, look at what they missed out on, ain't that right Sensei?" Then she jumped up and said, "That's enough true confessions, Sensei. Let's get back to art!" and Kiko grabbed Luke by the wrists and pulled him over to his easel. The whole time Luke was stunned by the thought, 'she's just like me!' Happily, Luke went back to shading the image of Kiko holding a trophy. He also took a couple of photographs with his phone so he could fill in the colors later. "Hey Sensei, did you find a girlfriend yet?"

"No," said Luke with a sigh. "I have a girl that I'd like to have as a girlfriend but I don't know what to do."

"You're such a loser Sensei. You ask her! It's not that hard Sensei."

"But what do I say? Do I have to give her a flower or some other token?"

"Sensei, only you could make something that simple harder than it is. You just say, hey, would you be my steady girlfriend?"

"What if she says no?"

"Then you ask someone else."

"Oh." Luke went back to sketching in the shading. He leaned back and studied his drawing, then leaned out and looked at Kiko, then back to the drawing. "Hey Kiko..."

"Yes?"

"Would you be my steady girlfriend?"

Kiko looked at Luke, and it looked like she was in shock; then that playful smile returned. "What took you so long to ask Sensei?"

<><><><><>

Luke and Kiko were inseparable after that. They took their relationship nice and slow, and they went everywhere that Luke's budget would allow. Many times Luke would take his sketchbook and draw a portrait of Kiko as she posed in front of different locations. Kiko in front of City Hall in Buffalo turned out nicely. Another favorite was Kiko in front of a marble lion at the McKinley Monument. She truly loved that one because Luke drew and painted in the image of Kiko, but the lion and background were just sketched in and it faded to white. "Sensei, I'm going to sell that one for you," said Kiko, and ignoring Luke's protests, she disappeared with the painting. Later that week she came back with four hundred dollars. "The buyer loved it; he wants one with me in front of Niagara Falls."

"Ok, that will be fun," said Luke.

"Sensei!" cried Kiko. She was blushing and shuddering nervously. "Isn't Niagara Falls for honeymoons?"

"It isn't known for that anymore," said Luke. "It's just a pretty place to go." He packed up his equipment which included a folder with over a dozen sketches he did in the past for reference, and they set up on Goat Island at the edge of the Canadian Falls. Kiko leaned against the railing in a comfortable pose while a park employee stood nearby in case she climbed up on the railing.

Soon a crowd formed around Luke as he sketched as quickly as he could. Soon the outline was complete, and he began filling in the details as the crowd grew larger. "You're becoming famous Sensei!" she taunted, but Luke was immune to the crowd; he only had eyes for Kiko and Niagara Falls.

Suddenly Kiko started calling out words in Japanese, and Luke heard people behind him speaking in Japanese. He turned to look and saw a small crowd of smiling Asian men and women. "Keep drawing Sensei!" demanded Kiko as the talk between her and the tourists continued. Suddenly Kiko dashed up to Luke and opened his folder. "Keep drawing, work on the background or something."

She took a sketch out of his folder and continued to talk to the tourists behind him. Then she took the pencil out of his hand and in the lower right corner of the image she took from his folder, she scratched out a greeting in Kanji (logographic characters borrowed from Chinese). Then she handed him back his pencil and said, "Sign here next to the Kanji."

"What?"

"Sign your portrait Sensei, you're a famous artist and they love your work."

Soon everyone in the tour group wanted a sketch from the famous Sensei, and she sold every example he brought with for fifty dollars each. When the tourists left, Luke demanded, "What was that all about?"

"About six hundred bucks, Sensei. We can put this in our honeymoon account!" she said with a huge smile.

"Honeymoon account? We haven't even..." He was so mortified that he couldn't get the words out.

"We haven't what Sensei?"

With a growl of frustration and desire, Luke took Kiko into his arms and kissed her. Their lips opened against each other, and their tongues tentatively touched. It was then that their kiss grew serious. Kiko whimpered in delight as he held her firmly, his tongue dancing with hers, Niagara Falls thundering just feet away. As kisses go, it was fairly good, but for a very first kiss, it was one for the record books.

When their lips parted, they were both trembling. The Rubicon had been crossed. Their relationship was far beyond anything either of them had expected. She leaned back and looked into his eyes with a soft, soulful smile and said, "What took you so long Sensei?"

<><><><><>

Throughout January, February and March, they remained close to each other whenever possible. If they weren't together, they were texting each other. It was not unusual to see Kiko in Luke's tiny apartment doing her community college homework while he graded papers and prepared for the next day's class. They held hands everywhere they went, and he drew Kiko as often as possible. "My buyer says something has changed in your artwork," said Kiko as she did her homework.

"What did he say changed?" asked Luke as he continued to grade quiz results.

"He said the eyes capture the real me, that you're capturing the smile better than you did in previous work, that you seem to get me. He said, before you were just drawing a picture of me, now you're drawing the real me and he wants to know what changed."

Luke finished grading a paper and put down his red pencil. "The only thing that changed is that I finally admitted that I love you."

"Sensei?" asked Kiko in shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I... I was afraid," said Luke softly. "I still am. I was afraid that you would laugh at me when I told you how I feel, or you'd call me a perv or a creeper. I don't think I'm strong enough to take that so if you want to make fun of my feelings I would rather that you just leave. I'm used to being alone."

"Sensei," said Kiko softly. She pushed the table away and eased into his lap. "I could never make fun of you for that... never. Sensei, I love you too." She put her finger under his chin, lifting his face up so he was looking into her eyes.

"I love you Kiko-chan," he said, using the cute honorific which also means lover. With a happy sigh, she leaned forward, and they kissed. Their hands, no longer content with just holding each other, began exploring their lover.

"I love you Ruke Rawson," she whispered, making Luke laugh. As they kissed, he unbuttoned her blouse button by button. Her breathing quickened as they kissed, his fingertips tracing delicately over skin that no man other than her father had touched since her birth. "When did you realize that you loved me?" she asked as his fingertip traced the delicate outline of her breast.

"When you left for Japan, and I suddenly realized that you were no longer there."

"Why didn't you say something?" she asked.

"People like me don't have girlfriends like you, so beautiful, so smart, so funny. People like me watch people like you walk away with someone else and we..." he sighed and stopped. He had the woman of his dreams in his arms, and he was depressing himself.

"Look at me," she demanded, and she clasped his cheeks and glared at him. "People like me act silly and tease people like you because we love you, but we don't know how to act. Wakaru? Understand?"

Luke nodded in agreement and kissed her passionately, their tongues slithering together, their hands clutching each other tightly, their love for each other swelling in their hearts. Finally, the kiss ended, and they hugged each other tenderly. "Kiko-chan, when did you realize you loved me?"

Their eyes met, and her happy eyes filled with tears of joy. "I fell in love with you on the Owl Creek Bridge."

"I'm so stupid," said Luke. "All that time wasted..." He leaned in and kissed her neck, sending shivers down her spine. His next kiss was lower, and Kiko crooned. This was what she had waited so long for.

"Your blouse is open Miss Yamanaka," said Luke.

"Did you hear me say stop, Sensei?"

Luke continued to kiss her delicate shoulder. He brushed away the blouse, and it slid off her arms and fell to the floor. For the first time, Luke was touching a topless woman. Kiko was just as excited as Luke. This was a first for her, also, and she began tugging at his t-shirt, and soon they both pulled it over his head. He cupped her small, firm breast, about the size of a pear. "I'm sorry they're not bigger," she said softly.

"No, don't say that" said Luke. "They're perfection." He leaned forward and licked a rock-hard nipple, and she cried out, her hand grasping his unruly hair, and she held him to her breast.

"Yes koibito!" (lover) she gasped as he suckled gently at her breast, taking more and more of her flesh into his mouth. His tongue concentrated on her nipple, and thrills rocketed through her tiny body. "Oh God Luke!" she squeaked.

He paused and leaned back. "That's the first time you said my name clearly."

"Maybe this is a day of firsts," said Kiko. Then she glared at him, wondering if she would have to shout, "Hint, hint!" Luckily, she didn't have to do that. He rose with her tiny, slim body in his arms and walked to the bed. He was going to lay her down on the bed, but when he got next to the bed, she gracefully lowered her legs to the ground and stood in front of him. "I hate belt buckles," she said as she tried to figure out his belt buckle. Meanwhile, he had unfastened her skirt, and it floated to the floor, leaving her in her tiny panties.

Kiko was able to unfasten his buckle, and his jeans dropped to the floor, followed by his shorts. Her fingertips traced over his body; years of living on soup and crackers had left him skinny to the point that his ribs were sticking out. "Oh sensei..." she gasped. He's skin and bones! She had an intense urge to fix that. Then her hands got down to his cock, and he jumped when she touched him. Her hands were so soft and tiny; her little hand couldn't close all the way around his cock. Her other hand cupped his balls, so big and full. She was terrified yet excited at the same time. She always thought her first time would be in a high end hotel suite with rose pedals and champaign. She never imagined a one-room studio basement apartment in Cheektowaga. Then again, she never imagined loving a man this dearly.

"You're so perfect, whispered Luke, as he struggled with an inner turmoil. He was shaking as he stood naked before her.

"What's the matter Sensei?"

"I... I... I'm sorry Kiko, but inside I want to throw you down on the bed and fuck you until the sun rises. I've... never... felt..."

"I haven't said 'Stop' yet, have I?" she said with what she hoped was a calming smile. Just the thought of Sensei throwing her down on the bed and having his way with her was intimidating, and damn sexy all at the same time.

Again Luke scooped the tiny Japanese flower up in his arms, and he gently laid her down. Then he lost his balance and almost fell on her. "Sorry Miss Yamanaka," he said, his face crimson with embarrassment.

"It's ok," she said softly. "What happened to Kiko-chan?"

"You like that? I thought that was for little kids."

"Adding -chan to a name is like shouting 'I Love You' when you say their name," said Kiko as she reached for his glasses. She took them off and suddenly it was like she was in bed with someone else. The glasses made him look nerdy and scholarly, but with them off, he looked more rugged, a young Clint Eastwood. "Rowdy!" she gasped. Her mother was addicted to old American westerns, and Mom's favorite character was Rowdy Yates. She pushed Luke's hair back with her fingers like Clint wore his hair and gasped.

"What's the matter, Kiko-chan?"

"Nothing..." then she smiled. "My mom is going to love you!"

For some reason, her fingers in his hair and saying that her mom was going to love him calmed Luke down, and he was able to complete what he had started. "Lift please," and when she lifted her tiny butt up off the bed, he slid her tiny panties down her legs, exposing her tuft of ebony black pubic hair. It was soft and straight, not a crinkly patch like he saw in pictures on the internet. "What? Is something wrong?"

Luke just sighed and said, "I know what I want to draw."

"LIKE THIS? NO WAY!"

"Not right now. Right now I want to learn," said Luke. He took her hand and held it to his, and said, "Teach me. Show me where it feels good. Tell me what feels best."

"I don't know, I'm just like you, the only one to touch me down there is me!" she squawked.

"Good, then I came to the right person," said Luke with a smile that emulated her taunting grins that he endured for the past six months. He eased her legs open and sat cross-legged between them, studying every inch of her body by the light of his drawing lamp. "This is wrong, wait." He got up and a few moments later he had several candles lit on the small table next to the bed, some operatic arias playing softly on his cell phone and blue tooth speaker.

He returned to the bed and saw her in the light of the candles and smiled. "Perfect."

"What's perfect? I'm getting cold, Ruke."

Using his name, pronounced Ruke, was her signal that she was getting annoyed. But when she felt his tongue and lips on the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, she sighed loudly. Her excitement was building with every kiss, and he hadn't touched her pussy yet. The sensation was so dear, so loving, and yet she wanted more. When he finally kissed his way to her pussy, she felt ashamed. "I'm sorry," she said, and she tried to push him away.

"Why? Did I do something wrong?"

"No I didn't put anything on, you know?" He shook his head no and was completely confused. "The magazines say that girls smell nasty... fishy."

"No, you smell like... nature." He pushed her hands away and kissed her pussy. "It's like how hay smells when it's just cut." He kissed her over and over and ran his tongue up her slit. At some point she jumped and gasped; he must have hit the right spot. "It's a smell that makes me happy. It reminds me of spring fields of flowers and butterflies." And he went back looking for that spot.

He was sure he found it because she grabbed his head and gasped, "There!" He kept licking, suckling, and kissing, and Kiko began to writhe on his bed. She gasped and sighed. "Yes baby... YES!" Her hands slammed down on the comforter and grasped two handfuls of cloth as waves of intense pleasure rocked her entire world. Her hips came up off the bed and pressed her pussy against his mouth as she babbled his name over and over until she shrieked, "I'm cumming!"

Her hips dropped to the bed, and she tried to roll up into a ball, but she held Luke to her pussy. "Yes! Oh GOD Yes!" she cried as her body convulsed. Then she pushed him away and fainted.

"Kiko? Are you ok?" she didn't answer, but she was breathing. He pulled a blanket over them and curled up with Kiko, and whispered "I love you," in her ear and held her close. It felt so comfortable to spoon with this tiny woman that he loved so much.

He awoke sometime later; the candles were still glowing and Kiko was awake and exploring his body. "This is so cool," she said as she ran her tongue up and down the sensitive underside of his cock. He gasped at the sensation that ran through him. One of her tiny hands hefted his swollen balls, the other held the head of his cock while Kiko ran her lips and tongue up and down the length of his cock.

She eventually held his cock up and put her mouth over the swollen mushroom head of his cock and ran her little hand up and down the shaft. He felt her tongue dance around the head of his cock and try to worm its way into the slit at the end. Then she tried to take more of his cock into her mouth, and she gagged. "Stop! Don't hurt yourself," said Luke.

"I'm sorry Sensei, I guess I need practice."

"That's ok, I'd like to spend time practicing what I did for you."

"How much time?" asked Kiko as she straddled his waist.

"The rest of my life? Is that good with you?"

Kiko's eyes filled with tears when she realized what he had said. "Yes!" she cried as she peppered his face with kisses. Straddling his waist put her pussy in contact with his cock, and as they kissed and made plans for their future together, her hips moved forward and back, stroking her pussy on the underside of his rock hard cock. "This feels so good," she said as she began to consciously move her pussy on his dick. "It feels a lot better than using a pillow to rub against," she said with a happy sigh.

"Well, I'm available for you anytime you want."

"Yessss," she hissed. "We'll need to practice this a lot too." She was moving faster with each stroke. She sighed and moaned with the pleasure she was causing herself, but then she pulled too far forward and slid off his cock, It sprang up and lined right up with her pussy, so when she pushed back, their virginity was ended in one stroke. "OWWW!" she shouted.

"Are you ok Kiko-chan?"

"You have a big-ass fence post shoved up your cooch then you tell me how it feels."

"I'm sorry," said Luke, but Kiko didn't pull off of him. She began moving forward and back, taking a little bit more of his cock each time.

"Jeez Sensei, why did ya have to be so big?"

Luke shrugged and said, "I had first choice?"

Kiko looked at him in shock, then laughed with a loud snort. "Sensei sinks a three pointer!" She began fucking from above and the sensation overwhelmed Luke. Her pussy was so warm, so moist, so soft. The feeling of her sensitive tissue being slid up and down his cock got them both going, and soon he was fucking up into her from below. They both came in mind twisting orgasms and Luke squirted what felt like a quart into his tiny fiancée.

"Oh my god Sensei! If I knew it would be like that, our Owl Creek class would have been more interesting. When I came I could feel it in my hands! My hands were tingling! And your goop is still pouring out of me!"

"You are so silly... are our kids going to be like you?"

"Of course! I'm going to teach them to follow you around and shout 'Hey Sensei!'"

Luke couldn't wait.

<><><><><>

A happier couple never walked the earth than Luke and Kiko. "Say it, say Kiko Lawson," said Luke.

"Kiko Raw... damnit! Stop making me laugh!" said Kiko as she posed for a portrait entitled Kiko in Kimono. Luke was getting adept at helping Kiko with her kimono. From the hadagi (underwear) to the nagajuban (more underwear) to the kimono itself, Luke could see why Japanese women often hired professionals to help her get her kimono on. It took Luke a few tries to get the obi correct. The obi is a flat torso belt with very fancy cords and cushions. Thanks to YouTube, he got Kiko in (and out) of her kimono with ease. Her kimono was fuchsia with brightly colored hibiscus flowers and golden highlights.

"Come on Sensei, do you need help with a simple tie?"

"A bow tie is far from simple," said Luke as he flustered with the damn thing.

"Come here," she said, and she tied his bow tie for him in a matter of moments. "Mom taught me, I tie daddy's tie all the time."

"Well, I figure I have to wear this two more times, I suppose you can get it for me then too."

"Two more times?" asked Kiko.

"Our wedding and my funeral."

"Oh, my family likes formal events. We'll have to sell a few more paintings and buy you a tux."

Luke looked at Kiko in shock. He knew they had money; her dad had an electronics company, but he assumed her dad was a re-seller. He would buy equipment from Hitachi, put it in a case, and slap the name Yamanaka on it. He realized that he was probably wrong and the flow of electronics was going the other way, and Yamanaka components were showing up on Kenwood, Icom, and Alinco communications devices.

He finally pulled on his rented tuxedo and carried Kiko up the stairs and out onto the porch. "Oh, she looks beautiful!" said Mrs. McCarthy, the landlady. "Special occasion today?"

"Yes, it's Kiko's birthday, we're going downtown to watch an opera at Kleinhans Music Hall."

"Madam Butterfly?" asked Mrs. McCarthy.

"Yes, it's one of my favorites," said Kiko. "After the show we're going to my folk's house, we have a new painting for my father and we're going to tell mom and dad that we're going to get married, and then if daddy doesn't kill us, we'll have dinner with my folks."

"Good luck!" said Mrs. McCarthy with a laugh, and she took a picture of Luke and Kiko in front of Kiko's Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe. It was a much fancier car than Luke was used to, and they rarely took it anywhere other than school. He was terrified of what would happen if it got vandalized. They usually rode most places in his 2010 Toyota Corolla.

The early matinee started at two, so they had time for brunch at Chio Ami, a beautiful restaurant on Elmwood Avenue. Kiko's arrival at Chez Ami in her beautiful kimono, escorted by Luke in his black tuxedo, caused everyone to stop and look. Kiko had her long black hair done up in a bun and decorated with baby's breath, a simple but elegant setting. "Are we having a special day?" asked the waiter as they settled in.

"This is our dream date; we always dreamed of dressing to the nines and taking in an opera." They ate carefully, constantly checking each other to make sure they didn't get food on their good clothes. Then they headed over to Kleinhans Music Hall.

Their entry into the music hall was a showstopper; it was almost like celebrities walking the red carpet at a large awards show. "I take it there's not a lot of Japanese wearing kimonos in Buffalo?" asked Luke.

"Not many at all," said Kiko as the manager of the music hall came out to meet them and personally escorted them to their seats. Kiko loved the opera; so many Japanese musical influences, the setting was 1902 Nagasaki, and the sets celebrated the look of the Japanese Meiji era.

On the other hand, Luke hated the opera. The music was ok, but poor Cio-Cio San! She fell in love with a US Navy officer named Pinkerton (that alone told Luke he was up to no good) and she converted to Christianity for Pinkerton, but that angered all her relatives, and they left her. She married Pinkerton, and he left her. She had Pinkerton's son, and he came back all the way from America with an American wife and took her son from her. In the end, like many good opera prima donnas, Cio-Cio killed herself.

"It's a tragedy!" insisted Kiko as they headed out to Clarence, where Kiko's family lived. Clarence is a small village about twenty miles east of Williamsville on US 5, which is Main Street in almost every village it touches as it crosses New York.

"I agree! They should have a warning, naval officers doing naval officer crap in this opera."

"You funny. Sensei," said Kiko, and she gave him that look. "Me so hawnee!"

"I hate when you say that."

"You don't mind getting me horny," said Kiko.

"You..." he reached out to tickle her in the ribs. Usually, just the lightest touch and she'll jump out of her seat. Unfortunately, the thick obi belt on the kimono prevented that. "So THAT's what that belt is for," said Luke.

"No, the obi is there because the obi is there. It started out as a simple rope belt then kabuki actors made it into a broad belt and the geisha liked it and wore the broad belt with a big knot and pillow on the back in the Meiji era."

"When was the Meiji era?" asked Luke.

"The late 19th century into the early 20th century." Then Kiko got Luke burning again. "About the time Madam Butterfly was waiting for Pinkerton to return."

"That bastard! Frickin' navy officer!"

Luke was still spouting about Pinkerton and Madam Butterfly when they pulled up to a gate on a driveway that led into a forest. The gate opened as Kiko's car pulled up. "I have a feeling you didn't tell me the entire story with your folks."

"I did say that daddy has money. Did I mention that mom has money too? Most important, does it make a difference with us?"

"No, but I guess we're going to have to sit down and talk before the wedding."

"I expected that," said Kiko with a sigh. It was a rough scene when he discovered that she had an MBA from Yale, but she was still attending community college. "Whatever we decide together will be fine by me, Sensei."

"Darling, I'm not your teacher anymore, you don't have to call me sensei."

"You are still my sensei and always will be," she said as she took his hand in hers and kissed it. The driveway emerged from a thick forest to reveal a large lawn, and at the far end of the lawn, an enormous mansion. "Are you still doing ok?"

"For you I will endure the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," said Luke. He held her hand as they neared the house.

"All I can tell you is that they have a sense of humor that some people find... trying," said Kiko.

"And you don't?" he said with a grin.

They pulled up in front of the house and stopped in the circular driveway, and Luke helped Kiko out of the car. "Come on Madame Butterfly."

"Luke, please leave the fob in the car. Shirakawa will need to move the car later."

"Shirakawa?"

"Daddy's head grounds keeper. He also maintains the vehicles."

Luke was starting to realize just what he got into. His shock must have registered on his face because Kiko's brow furrowed in disapproval. "I'm sorry, I'll behave," said Luke.

She led him to the front door of the immense house, and it was opened by an ancient Japanese man in a tuxedo. Luke noticed that the old man's tuxedo was tailored. "Luke, this is Mister Saito, he's been daddy's household manager since before Mom and Dad moved to America and built this house."

"Good evening Miss Yamanaka, this must be Mister Lawson. The master is in the living room with your mother and your sister."

"And Honoka? Will she be joining us?" asked Kiko.

"Young Miss Honoka will join us for dinner after the adults greet Mister Lawson.

"Thank you Mister Saito," said Kiko as Mr. Saito took her wrap. "There is a painting in the back of my car for daddy, will you see that it is brought in?"

"Of course Madam Lawson," he said with a wink that caused Kiko to giggle. The household manager looked down at Luke's feet and said, "There are sandals for your use, Mister Lawson."

"Oh, sorry..." Luke kicked off his loafers and stepped into the 'sliders' that Mister Saito mentioned. "Honoka... I take it that she's your youngest sister?" asked Luke as he stepped from the entry into the main house.

"Yes, she's a concert violinist, and my older sister Izumi teaches law at University of Buffalo."

"You're all quite accomplished," said Luke as Kiko wrapped her arms tightly around Luke's right arm. She directed him through the huge house that he considered a palace. As they moved from room to room, he caught glimpses of the household staff; all were dressed better than he was; the men in tuxedos, the women in full length black gowns. "Is something special happening?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because the staff are all dressed so formally."

"Silly!" said Kiko with a mischievous grin. "It's a double celebration, it's my birthday, and it's your official introduction to my family!"

How could Luke ever forget that this was her birthday? So far it has been the most amazing day in Luke's life. It started with Kiko waking him, and they made beautiful love, then showered together. He helped her into her kimono, and they were off. The opera alone was another tick off Luke's bucket list, but having the honor of escorting the heart stopping beauty, Kiko, in a full formal kimono, was an honor he will never forget.

Eventually, they entered the main living room. In the living room was an immense fireplace with a crackling fire burning. Above the fireplace were two paintings: Kiko and the Marble Lion, and Kiko at Niagara Falls. Both were of the style where Kiko was shaded and painted with full colors while the background was merely sketched, not painted, and everything faded to white. So Luke finally met Kiko's mysterious buyer as he faced four Asian men and women. The two men were dressed immaculately in perfectly tailored tuxedos, the women in Awase (winter wear) Furisode (formal) kimonos like Kiko. Luke realized that he knew more about kimonos than ninety-nine percent of American men.

"Luke this is my father Hanzou Yamanaka, my mother Midori, my sister Izumi, and her husband Takeshi Shimada. Takeshi is a mountain climber and recently finished climbing North Maroon Peak in Colorado," said Kiko happily.

Luke looked from face to face and realized he was not welcome. Her dad, Hanzou, reminded Luke of an angry bull. He was wearing a tuxedo that was tailored impeccably. Takeshi Shimada looked like a Japanese version of a Mafia enforcer who was spoiling for a fight. He was big and muscular; his tuxedo was tailored to show that off. Luke had never felt so weak and skinny in his life.

Kiko's mother and sister were both as beautiful as Kiko, but they were scowling at Luke. Their scowls showed that a nerdy English teacher was far too undesirable for their Kiko. If she wasn't clinging to his arm, he would have left by now.

Trying to keep himself calm, Luke bowed to Hanzou as Kiko taught him. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mister Yamanaka."

Hanzo merely grunted at Luke. Grunted! Kiko tugged his arm, and he stood up. He looked and Midori and Izumi both had their phones up, ready to take pictures of Luke and Kiko, but they hadn't yet. They were waiting for something. "Everyone, this is Lucius Lawson, and he prefers it if you call him Luke," said Kiko cheerfully. "He teaches English at Depew Middle School and we're in love."

Her announcement was met with dead silence. Luke looked from face to face and saw nothing but disgust. Did her dad just growl under his breath? Luke was shaking, and he felt threatened by these powerful men, but Kiko clasped his arm. He had to maintain his cool for her. The seconds ticked by, and with each banging tick from the grandfather clock, Luke felt his stomach churning. Finally, after what felt like an hour of silence, Hanzou grunted again, then demanded, "You said you had an announcement?" Each word was measured and filled with anger.

"Yes!" said Kiko cheerfully. "I'm going to have Luke's baby!"

Luke's heart stopped. What did she just say? Then his kidneys began to kick into gear, and his bladder threatened to release that large Pepsi he drank on the way out here. His sphincter tightened up and his heart began banging, and he recognized the Fight or Flight reactions of his body kicking in. His eyes were wide with terror, and Luke looked at Kiko in complete and utter shock. The flashes on Midori's and Izumi's phone cameras flashed as Luke looked at Kiko in utter confusion. Why did she say that? Is she really? They've only been sexually active for the past two weeks... they've been VERY sexually active but still...

"MISTER LAWSON!" boomed Hanzou Yamanaka. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Luke continued to look at Kiko's smiling face. "I love your daughter very much..." he said more, but it drifted off into meaningless babble.

Luke was wondering if it was too late to join Madam Butterfly in a cold Nagasaki grave when Hanzou said, "KIKO! What do you have to say for yourself?"

Kiko turned to Luke and smiled. "Well, yeah, I will have his baby... someday! April Fools!"

"WHAT?" shrieked Luke, but he was blinded by the flashing from Midori and Izumi's cameras. Kiko threw her arms around Luke and squealed happily, and Luke was utterly confused. Then it hit. How could he forget? Her birthday was April first, April Fool's Day. Then Hanzou walked up laughing... they were all laughing! Even the household staff were laughing. Takeshi patted Luke on the back, almost bent over with laughter.

"Dude! You shoulda seen the look on your face!"

Hanzou shook Luke's hand, tears of laughter running down his cheeks. "Son, I almost couldn't do it!" He hugged a confused Luke and said, "Welcome to the family son." Then Midori and Izumi came up and kissed Luke's cheeks.

"You did so much better than Takeshi, he almost ran out of the house crying when it was his turn," said Midori.

"What is this, some kind of bizarre initiation trial?"

Hanzou looked at Luke with an expression of shock that they were discovered and said happily, "Yes! And you passed marvelously!"

"Not fair! He had advanced training," said Izumi. "He had to teach Kiko for three entire months."

Luke looked down at a grinning Kiko Yamanaka and said, "At least I can see now that she comes by her sense of humor honestly."

<><><><><>

Luke finally got over his terror and humiliation and joined in on the laughter as photos of his shocked face were compared with photos of Takeshi's initiation four years ago. The family gathered at the table for a roast rack of lamb, salt crusted potatoes, candied carrots and lima beans and for dessert an orange skin used as a bowl filled with bits of orange, a second one filled with kiwi fruit, and a third filled with a huge scoop of green tea ice cream. They were joined by Kiko's younger sister, Honoka, who was also wearing a kimono. She had recently graduated High School and was eager to run a fiancé through the family meat grinder, and she was on the hunt for one. "I want to get him good!"

"I had completely forgotten that Kiko's birthday was April Fool's Day," said Luke.

"It came as quite a surprise to us too," said Hanzou.

"I was not amused," said Midori, which caused even more laughter.

Honoka turned to Luke and said, "Big brother, will you paint me too?"

"Sure, what color do you want to be?"

"Be careful with your word syntax," warned Kiko. "He's an English teacher!"

"Are you going to help us get Honoka's boy when the time comes?" asked Midori.

"Far be it from me to get in the way of family traditions. I'd be honored to join. I'm not a very threatening guy, so I'll just hold my red pencil and prepare to grade his exam."

Takeshi was still laughing, "Dude, you were a rock! You are my sensei also!"

Hanzou leaned over to Luke and said, "I have two requests."

"I will do what I can sir."

"I would like a painting of my four girls," he said, gesturing to Midori, Izumi, Kiko, and Honoka.

"That would be an honor sir, if Kiko doesn't sell it to Japanese tourists."

"What?" squealed Izumi, and Josh told them of how she sold off a dozen sketches for fifty bucks apiece while he was sketching her at Niagara Falls.

"They were signed," said Kiko, defending herself. "I wrote 'It was so nice to meet you at Niagara Falls,' in kanji and he signed next to it."

"That makes it a real souvenir," said Midori as she laughed at the idea of her daughter hustling sketches at Niagara Falls. "We Japanese are mad about souvenirs."

"And your other request, sir?"

Hanzou placed a jewelry box in front of Luke. "For when the time comes. This belonged to my grandmother." Luke opened the box and smiled and almost wept in relief. In the box was a complete wedding ring set. All his scrimping and saving for a proper wedding ring was over; his scrimping and saving can be used for the honeymoon. Kiko leaned over his arm to look and gasped.

"Great-Grandma's ring!" gasped Kiko, and her sisters crowded around to see. The engagement ring had miniature cherry blossom pedals around the diamond.

"Luke," said Takeshi. "You know what has to be done now."

"Yes, I know," said Luke, and he led Kiko back to the living room. There in the living room with his new family watching, he took her hand and knelt, and his empty world of loneliness and pain would soon come to an end.