It was Saturday, so Naomi was home to baby sit her new 18-month old sister, and, to Maiko's demise, she had a real fun time dressing her up, painting her fingernails and showing her off to friends. It was all terribly embarrassing for the teenage boy trapped in the Japanese female toddler body, but he pretended that he liked everything and was very happy when he was tucked in at night with a kiss on his forehead.
"You've been a very good girl today, Maiko." Naomi said. "Tomorrow, I'll make you three years old. I hope you'll stay good and we'll continue to have more fun."
On Sunday morning, Maiko woke up, feeling bigger and older. It was easier for her to walk around and she could talk a little better. However, the whole day pretty much turned into an exact repeat of Saturday.
After another nice tuck in from Naomi, Maiko repeated the words: "I am a good girl." As Naomi left the room and shut the door, Steve cried in his head, NO! I'm not a girl! But sleep overpowered him, and he nodded off staring at his night light.
Maiko woke up on Monday, 4 years old now, feeling taller, she ran to the bathroom and tried to peek over the sink at the mirror, but couldn't quite reach still. She ran downstairs, saw her mom in the kitchen, and couldn't stop herself from saying, "Mommy, where's Naomi?"
"She's at school, honey. Here, I have some breakfast for you then we can get dressed and take you to daycare, okay, sweetums?"
Maiko complied and loved and hated daycare at the same time. But she was patient and was a good girl and did the exact same thing on Tuesday as a 5-year-old.
On Wednesday, Maiko could notice some changes to her room. Just a little more mature. Not so baby-ish now, but still very little-girlish. She was now 6 years old and could see over the bathroom sink. She still had some baby fat, but it was starting to go away. She smiled. I am a cute girl, she thought. No, I'm not! Said a voice deep inside her. She sighed. I know, but, for now...
"Maiko!" Mom called. "You better hurry for kindergarten!"
Again Maiko complied. Kindergarten was better than daycare, but still really boring. However, she was a good girl again and went to first grade on Thursday.
Maiko hit a little growth spurt when she turned 8 on Friday. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw a cute, skinny girl missing some baby teeth. She had to admit that this was kind of fun, almost being a completely different person each day. At school, she had a fun time looking at the little first-graders, who used to be her peers a day ago. Now they were so small.
On Saturday, the 9-year-old Maiko was a little nervous to spend the day with Naomi. Now she would start playing bigger girl games. However, as always, things almost seemed to come naturally for her and Naomi complimented her at the end of the day.
Sunday was again a repeat of Saturday. Maiko was getting taller and was closer to that 11-year-old form that he was originally turned into that one fateful night so long ago.
On Monday, Maiko was very excited. Sure, it was kind of fun, the past week, but Steve still knew who he was. I've played along for a long time now, he thought. I've done everything she asked me to, now it's time for her to change me back!
Maiko waited patiently for Naomi to come home. Okay, I'll tell her how it is, he thought. I don't want to play anymore! However, when Naomi showed up, Maiko suddenly became very shy and nervous.
She finally managed to say, "I'm eleven, now."
"Yes, you are, and you're adorable!" Naomi answered.
"Yeah, but, I think it's time for you to turn me back now." Maiko stammered.
Naomi's smile faded for an instant but soon came back. "What are you talking about?" she asked.
"You know," said Maiko. "Turn me back into Steve! You promised that if I was a good girl that--"
"I never promised anything!" Naomi said as she left the room. Maiko stood alone. Helpless and defeated. There was nothing she could do. She was prisoner in an awkward 11-year-old Japanese girl body that kept getting a year older day by day. Maiko couldn't keep the tears back and bawled and bawled the rest of the night.