He exhales slowly, the sound heavy in the quiet of the car. “It isn’t about being on, Kaori,” he says, looking out at the passing streetlights. “It’s about never being allowed to beoff.”
I nod.
“There are days,” he continues, his voice low androughened by so much conversation this evening, “when I miss being able to speak freely and sit down at a meal without wondering how it will be interpreted. But then I remember how privileged I am to be the emperor.”
I lean over and kiss my father’s cheek, the scent of his familiar cedarwood cologne cutting through the lingering smell of the White House lilies.
“I’ve never been more excited to have a few days to be able to walk beside my daughters, hold a fishing rod, and forget about everything else for a while.”
“Me too.” I rest my head on his shoulder, the heavy silk of my kimono rustling against his suit jacket. He reaches over and rubs my forearm in that rhythmic, comforting way he’s done since I was a little girl.
Four
It’s July 15, and I’ve been in Florida for about a week. I’m still adjusting. Reddit was right. The Florida summer is an entirely different beast from a Massachusetts summer. Here, the sun doesn’t just warm your skin, it settles deep into your bones. Seriously. Stepping outside is like walking into a steam room.
My small one-bedroom apartment is in Lake Nona, a suburb about twenty minutes from the downtown office. The neighborhood is equal parts manicured lawns and chain coffee shops, and is a “perfect hangout area” for people my age. At least, that’s what the real estate agent told me. I’m not sure if I believe it or not because all my neighbors so far have been young families.
As I look around, my place is more college-dorm minimalist than dream apartment. I currently have a mattress, a folding chair, and a small orchid that’s set on the windowsill. All my other furniture is still piled high like a cardboard mountain range in the IKEA boxes they arrived in. I haven’t had much time to put it together yet.
Okay. That’s a lie. I have, but I’ve spent most of mytime creating Pinterest boards of how I’d like my first adult home to look. I miss the stuff from my Cambridge apartment, but it wasn’t worth paying to move it all the way down the coast. That would’ve cost more than the furniture itself.
Even though my family has money, I try to stick to a modest budget. I’m doing my best to be a responsible adult. Unlike Alice, I won’t stay a royal forever. In Japan, princesses become private citizens when they marry, so building a career is important. Iwillhave to work to survive in the future.
Presently, the floor of my bedroom is a graveyard of discarded hangers and half-buttoned blouses. I study my reflection, smoothing the front of a cherry-blossom-pink silk blouse that Rei insisted on. I tuck it into my charcoal slacks. Satisfied, I snap a quick selfie and send it to Rei and Alice for approval.
Alice
Looking sharp. Good luck today. Let me know how day one goes.
Rei
I’m still mad at you, but I like the pink better than the all black. It looked like you were going to a funeral before.
I roll my eyes.
Kaori
Gee, thanks.
Rei
You should take a selfie with one of those cheesy chalkboards that says “First Day at Excelsior Parks!”
I giggle.
Kaori
That’s not a bad idea.
My pulse startsits frantic taiko-drum routine the second I enter the Excelsior Parks HQ lobby. The air-conditioning is so crisp, it’s a shock to my system. If I weren’t already wired on caffeine, I’d be fully awake now.
A woman with a warm smile and bright-red hair greets me at the front desk. “Welcome to Excelsior Parks,” she says. “Can I help you?”
“Oh—yes. I’m starting here today.”
“You must be Kaori.” She perks up. “The boss asked us to keep a lookout for you.” She takes my ID and hands me athick, cream-colored envelope and small gift basket. “This is for you.”
While she prints a temporary badge, I investigate the goodies. The basket contains some stationary, a nice pen, and some snacks from a few small businesses in the area.
