Shiki sat in the deep, steaming tub of his small bathroom, the hot water lapping gently against his bare chest. The heat soaked into his tired muscles, loosening the knots from another long night in the NerveGear. He'd come in alone—intending to soak in silence, maybe think about the day's mess with Nova and that damn cult—but silence never lasted long with Ayumi in the house.
The door had opened without warning. A soft giggle, the patter of bare feet on tile, and then she was there—naked, shameless, climbing straight into the tub with him before he could even protest.
