• In Japan, May is not only the time of sakura, or cherry blossoms. It is the time that employees start to dislike their jobs more than usual. Maybe it's because of a kind of spring fever, maybe it's something much deeper.

    Yuki never knew how much she disliked her job until one fateful day in Satsuki.

    "Hey, sweet cheeks, hustle that tea over here." Yuki hastily arranged the small clay cups on napkins, and carried a tray over to her boss and his peers. She set the tray down, knowing that every lecherous eye would be on her navy-skirt clad posterior and smooth legs.

    It's a good job;I'm lucky to be a working girl, she reminded herself. She had to remind herself every few days because of the sexual harassment she endured from her boss and male co-workers. Her job enabled her to afford a modest apartment a short train ride from downtown.

    She sighed and went to the drink machine for some hot coffee. Even though it was a pleasant day, the men had the air conditioning going. They like to dress up in full Western business suits to impress each other. Never mind that the female employees, dressed only in skirts and blouses, froze to the bone, even during the unbearably humid Tokyo summers.

    She held the cup in both hands and bent over the hot beverage. She shivered as a measure of warmth returned to her body. As she leaned back in her chair, a shower of pink blossoms fell against the large window. A sudden and painful longing to be free seized her heart. Why should I have to work so hard and put up with these old men? I wish I didn't have to work here anymore.

    * * * * * * * * * *

    Alone in her apartment, she relaxed after a bath. She made a dinner of miso soup, rice, and fish. Just as she cracked open a fresh pair of chopsticks, she heard a POP!

    A small orange creature dressed in wide-legged pants, a shirt, and a shawl hovered over her head. She leaped up and crouched behind her chair.

    "Masaka! Kitsune!"The little fox spirit floated gently down to the table. It picked up the fish by the tail and lowered it head first into its gaping mouth.

    "Mmmm! Oishii!" The little creature smacked its lips.

    "Greedy!" blurted Yuki, then she clapped her hand over her mouth. "W-Why are you here? What do you want?" Although fox spirits were generally benign in the spirit world of Shinto, they were still tricky and loved to mess with humans.

    "How rude of me; I did not introduce myself. Hajimemashte, watashi wa Ayame." She gave a little bow.

    "Ayame-san, er, sama, did I not honor a kitsune shrine? If I did, I assure you, it was an accident."

    "Ie, you did no such thing. Shimpai nai, I am here to help you." Ayame smacked her fingers in her mouth and eyed the rest of the dinner. "I heard your wish and decided to help you. I know how stupid and difficult men can be."

    "Oh! Oh, I see." She waved her hand. "Ha, ha, you know how we humans can just get in a bad mood. Really, nan de mo nai; you didn't have to trouble yourself and come all the way from - er - wherever it is you come from."

    The little fox settled comfortably in front of the soup. As it reached to wrap its arms around the bowl, it looked at her with bright eyes. It said firmly: "They have to be taught a lesson." There was something in the tone of Ayame's voice that made Yuki promptly shut up.

    After dinner, the fox spirit sat near her bed and told her wonderful stories about ancient Japan and the humans who encountered beings from the spirit realm. Yuki felt like a child again. After a while, her eyes grew heavy and she fell asleep.

    * * * * * * * * *

    The next morning, Yuki rose to the sound of her alarm. Groggy and relaxed at first, suddenly she recalled the events of the previous night. Instantly awake, she looked around wildly, clutching the covers to her chin. There was no sign of anyone. It was only a yume, a dream. Ecstatic that her mind was intact, Yuki leaped wildly about. Then she dressed, breakfasted, and rushed to catch her train.

    * * * * * * * * *

    When she got to the office, a strange woman was making the morning tea. The woman's curvy, statuesque figure was complemented by dazzling red hair and a short skirt.

    "May I help you?"

    The woman looked at Yuki. "I just started here today." She smiled and carried in the tea, her hips moving seductively.

    Throughout the rest of the day, Yuki was delighted to be able to catch up on paperwork, and delighted not to be ogled by any of the men. That whole rest of the week, she had time to breathe as the new employee catered to the needs of the men.

    On Friday, her boss called her into the office. "Abe-kun, your service here has been appreciated. But regretfully, your position has been eliminated."

    "Is it the new girl? Is she replacing me?"

    Her boss looked uncomfortable. He glanced off the conference room, where the woman sat perched on the long table, flirting with some clients. "Uh, well, you see -"

    Yuki held up her hand. "Never mind. I see what is going on here. I have worked here for almost a year and if this is what office life is like for females, then . . . " She composed herself and walked out with as much dignity as she could muster.

    * * * * * * * * *

    Alone on a bench, fat, hot tears rolled down her face. She clutched a can of cold juice and hunched forward to hide her misery from passers-by. Now what was she going to do? How would she find another job before her next rent payment? She would have to go crawling back to her parents, who would say 'I told you so.' She would have to move back in with them or flatten herself on the floor and beg for money. Neither option sounded good.

    She looked up, her eyes red and puffy. Wiping her nose on her sleeve, she set out for a walk. Shortly, she came across a kindergarten school. A group of children ran about on playground equipment. The brightly colored building and squeals of delight made her smile inside. A small boy came over to her.

    "One-san, doushta? Daijoubu?" Yuki forced a smile. "Yes, I'm all right. Thank you for asking. What are you playing?"

    He shrugged his small shoulders. "Just a stupid game. But I'm bored." His expression brightened. "You look nice. Can you tell me a story?"

    "Uh, well . . ." she looked toward the playground aide, who appeared mentally clocked out for the day.

    "OK, let me sit down here. Did you ever hear of the Boy Who Painted Cats?"

    She told the ancient tale of a young boy with a special gift for drawing cats. As she wove the tale, the words seemed to flow from pictures in her mind. Before she knew it, all the children had clustered around. When she finished, they watched her with rapt awe.

    "Sumimasen, jie-san, what a wonderful gift you have for telling stories. A woman who looked like a teacher beamed at her. "I have heard The Boy Who Drew Cats before, but never like that. It is clear that these children are still entranced." Indeed, they sat silent and daydreaming. "What a wonderful gift for storytelling you have." The teacher bowed. "I am Mrs. Okikura." She hesitated. "I don't know why I'm doing this, but if you are not presently employed, we would love to have you teach at our center."

    Yuki was taken aback. Not only had she never had a penchant for telling fairy tales, she had never considered working with children. It was not the way to become an upwardly mobile career girl. But as she looked at the school, she said, "I think I will take an application."

    "Great! Let me show you around our school," said Mrs. Okikura.

    * * * * * * * * *

    The staff was delightful, the job seemed easy and rewarding, but Yuki knew she would never be able to afford her current rent on a teacher's aide salary. The sun had weakened, and the clouds were turning pink and orange. I don't have much time before the office closes. She doubled her pace back to her former job.

    When she got to the office, the door was unlocked. However, it was strangely dark and quiet. "I'm here to get my things," she called out. No reply. She emptied a box of copy paper, and filled it with her belongings from her desk. She was free to go. But something wasn't right. She heard a muffled sound from the conference room.

    When she poked her head around the door, she could not believe her eyes. Her boss and three male employees were bound, gagged, and decorated in garish clown makeup. Fake sumo wigs adorned their heads - and they wore only their boxers and socks. Upon seeing Yuki, they started to wiggle and make noise again, motioning as best they could for her to come over. She set her box down and rushed over to untie them. She handed them their clothes and went to the cooler for paper cups of water.

    Sweaty and red-faced, her boss thanked her profusely. "It was that red-headed b***h! She was nothing but a common thief! She took our wallets and wiped out petty cash."

    "Let me call the police." She reached for her cell phone.

    "No!" Her boss touched her arm. "No, we - we would prefer to handle this - internally. And - and as to the matter of your job, er, . . ."

    Yuki said, "I prefer to seek employment elsewhere at this time. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

    "Some more water and my handkerchief. Thank you; thank you very much, Abe-kun." He fumbled for his checkbook. "As to the matter of keeping this a private matter, I forgot to give you your severance pay." With trembling fingers, he wrote and tore off a check. Yuki took it. She stared for a moment. This amount would help offset her rent for a long time. It would also buy groceries. Tonight she would fill out the application and tomorrow she would go see Mrs. Okikura. She bowed and said "Wakarimashta. Sayonara."

    * * * * * * * *

    At home, she sat at her table filling out the application.

    Knock-knock.

    "Dare da?"She went to answer it.

    Yuki gasped. The red-haired office vixen/crook stood on her doorstep, batting her long eyelashes. Yuki's hands flew to her chest. "What do you want with me? I don't have any money! Go away!"

    "Relax, child. I only wanted to apologize for any trouble I may have caused you. This is for you." The woman handed Yuki a single, exquisite iris. "Put it in pure spring water. It should last quite a while."

    "I've never seen one this color . . . thank you." Yuki looked up but the woman no longer stood in front of her. Yuki looked down the hall. The woman sauntered away, swishing a fluffy, red fox's tail.

    THE END