Tell me you understand. Tell me you know what we have been doing, all this time. I know what we have been doing. Tell me. Sachi— Then say it. You must know the words. You’ve never taught me. I’ve taught you everything you need to know. Watashi wa— He stopped. It would be no good to get this wrong. He took a breath, and tried again. He looked her straight in the eyes, and told her. Aishiteimasu. She let go of him. She smoothed her kimono and sat up straight. “Joe—I do, too,” she said. “Of course I do. And I have, for so long.”
