In the bathroom, clear water splashed crisply as mist rose in swirling clouds. Gleaming droplets scattered across a woman's graceful body, refracting brilliant light.
Creak...
After a quick rinse, Touko Aozaki reached out and turned off the tap. Standing wet before the mirror, she looked at her reflection and drifted into a daze.
As if possessed, the Crown Puppeteer's orange eyes traveled down from her delicate collarbones. Her fingertips first traced the contours of her features, then started from her slender neck and slid along the curves of her body, as though outlining an exquisite, delicate work of art carved from white jade.
Obviously, I'm beautiful too...
The silent murmur slipped out resentfully.
Before long, Touko Aozaki lost interest in admiring that flawless work of art. Shaking her head, she let her hand fall listlessly, casually evaporated the moisture from her body, draped herself in a loose bathrobe, and pushed open the door.
The puppet shop was pitch-black and silent. The puppet dressed in a splendid kimono sat stiffly on her knees in the living room, her previously loose garments, which had failed to conceal her alluring figure, now tightly cinched.
And the spacious sofa was already empty.
Touko Aozaki stood there for a moment. She seemed somewhat relieved, yet also somewhat disappointed. Looking at the empty living room, she could not help shaking her head with a scoff.
"Tch, is running away all you know how to do?"
"Hm? Were you talking about me?"
Just as Touko Aozaki snorted and complained, the person who had vanished came out of the kitchen carrying two mixed blue cocktails, his face full of teasing amusement.
"My hands got a little itchy, so I borrowed some tools from your kitchen. A margarita, please."
"..."
Touko Aozaki accepted the glass with a hint of