Ririko arched sharply backward and sucked in a sudden breath.
She opened her eyes and found herself inside a warm, cocoon-shaped sunlight simulator filled with soft light.
Her chest heaved violently. Her lungs felt like sponges fresh out of a freezer, every breath bringing a needle-sharp sting.
She was soaking wet. Droplets ran down her skin and pooled on the metal platform beneath her.
Strands of hair clung to her shoulders and neck. She was naked, her skin pale and numb like thawed meat, her body temperature slowly rising from the tips of her limbs.
She raised her hand and slapped the chamber door hard twice.
Before long, the door slid slowly upward before her eyes.
She sat up, wiped the water from her face, and looked at the familiar face in the center of the room.
Hugo leaned back in his chair, watching her steadily through brown sunglasses.
He seemed to have been sitting there for a long time, patiently waiting for her to wake up completely.
Ririko met his gaze for a few seconds.
Her breathing gradually steadied, and her heart slowed from its violent pounding to a normal rhythm.
She rested a hand on the edge of the chamber door. Once she was sure he had no intention of rushing over and forcing her back inside, she tilted her head. Her wet black hair slipped off her shoulder, dripping water onto her collarbone.
"How long are you planning to stare?"
Hugo rose from his chair and stopped in front of Ririko.
He bent down. As his cold face drew close, she caught the familiar smell of chemicals, along with a chill scent that belonged to him alone.
Ririko met his gaze. This was the first time they had looked at each other with both eyes.
"Your left