After taking care of 2B, Loren headed for the next room.
Mai Shiranui's room was next to 2B's. When Loren walked over, the door was closed.
He knocked, and a lazy, sleepy voice came from inside. "Come in!"
He pushed open the door and saw Mai Shiranui lying on the bed.
She had kicked the blanket onto the floor. Her red cheongsam was rumpled around her body, and her long black hair spilled across the pillow like a dark cloud.
Her eyes were half-closed, and the corners of her lips curved vaguely, as though she were sleepwalking.
"Mai, get up."
"No..." Mai Shiranui turned over and buried her face in the pillow. "Five more minutes..."
Loren walked over to the bed and sat on its edge.
He reached out and brushed her hair aside, revealing her ear.
A tiny silver earring hung from her earlobe—a miniature version of the Fusion Earrings that she wore as an accessory.
"Breakfast is getting cold."
"Have Tifa warm it up..."
Loren smiled, his expression warm as sunlight.
Mai Shiranui lifted her head slightly from the pillow. When she saw him smiling, she smiled too.
"Fine, fine! I'm getting up."
She sat up in bed and stretched.
As she stretched, her red cheongsam slipped up slightly, revealing her fair waist.
She did not seem to care. She rubbed her eyes, then reached out and looped her arms around Loren's neck.
"Good morning, Master," Mai Shiranui said.
"Good morning."
She leaned over and lightly pecked his lips.
It was not a deep kiss, merely a sleepy, fleeting kiss, like a cat acting spoiled.
"Carry me to wash my face."
Loren lifted her from the bed.
Mai Shiranui's body was light and soft, like a boneless ball of cotton.
She buried her face in the hollow of