Half an hour later, in an unremarkable house somewhere in the suburbs, the lights glowed dimly.
A slender figure sat at the desk, opened a suitcase, and patiently used delicate tools to disassemble and reassemble a doll arm secured beneath a desk lamp.
After working for a full two hours, Touko Aozaki finally stopped. Looking at the prosthetic limb, now one-third shorter and much more portable, she nodded in satisfaction.
Having finished her work, the dollmaker rose and went to the private bar in the living room. She poured herself a glass of chilled whiskey, took a few sips as she walked, and settled onto the soft leather sofa.
"Click..."
With a crisp striking sound, a bright yellow flame sprang up, illuminating Touko Aozaki's face and lighting the crumpled cigarette between her lips.
Without needing to be taught, she inhaled and exhaled. The nicotine-laden smoke passed through her lungs and left her feeling considerably more refreshed.
Mm, good stuff!
A cigarette before or after each job, followed by a few drinks, could swiftly sweep away the fatigue of work. It was an enjoyment she had never experienced before.
Touko Aozaki glanced down at the half-pack of cigarettes marked with a yin-yang symbol and the handy silver-gray lighter in her hand. Very pleased with these finds, she happily slipped them into her pocket.
After all, according to their agreement, this house and everything in it had been used by the guy across from her to settle his debt.
In other words, everything here belonged to her now.
"I'm starting to regret bringing you here..."
Samael looked at Touko Aozaki, who held a wineglass in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He raised a hand to his forehead, unable to keep himself from regretting it.
He had forgotten that Natalia