The overhead light in Ririko's room was off, leaving only a row of warm yellow spotlights by the window.
Bruce kept his head down, unsure what would happen next.
All he knew was that the air in this room was filled with Ririko's scent.
That sweet, lovely fragrance always made him want to breathe in more. He could never get enough.
He had thought about coming to this room. He thought about it every day, but he had never worked up the courage to knock on her door.
He had never found a reason to visit her room. What would he even talk to her about...?
Wayne Enterprises' fourth-quarter financial report? The cargo throughput at Gotham Harbor?
He had imagined studying with her, or reading science and technology magazines together, but she probably wouldn't be interested in articles about quantum computing.
Every time, his imaginings ended with the same conclusion-
Ririko might not want to spend time with him at all.
But now she had invited him into her room... so what was he supposed to do?
"Is there something you wanted to tell me?"
Bruce spoke hesitantly, trying to keep his voice from trembling too much.
His back pressed against the door, seeking a little support so his legs wouldn't go weak.
Ririko swept back her long hair, the strands cascading through her fingers like a waterfall.
She took a step forward and touched his chest lightly with her fingertips. Through the thin fleece of his sweatshirt, she could feel that his chest muscles had indeed grown considerably thicker.
"You know... Christmas is coming soon, don't you?" Ririko said, standing before him, a breathy edge to every syllable.
Her gaze wandered over Bruce's lips. Victor really had been ruthless, she thought, beating the young master's mouth until it looked