"I have forgiven you, Futo," and she sounded a little surprised by the outburst. "I offered something more than what you had, and you refused it. And so, in line with the desires you have shown me, all you wish to be is a servant with no potential for anything more. So you will receive all the chance you ever want to only serve as a retainer that you desired. And no chance for anything more; which is somewhat disappointing, but my prerogative is to hear desires and grant them."

Which it had: Miko had offered to allow Futo to spend eternity with her as a lover, and had been shot down.

"It hurts a bit, rejection always does, but I'll get over it. As time marches on, this new normalcy will become so routine this little hiccup will be as nothing, a figment of the distant past. Or rather, the future will just be a continuation of the early past, really, no longer interrupted by affection or love, and as it should be. In fact, I should apologize, for attempting to push that little change of relationship upon you. That wasn't fair of me."

She sat back a little more, about ready to turn around and continue her work.

"If that is all, Mononobe. Truly. Consider the transgression forgotten."