Oswald's gaze moved down from his face to his left foot.
He had injured his left ankle as a child, and the bones had healed out of alignment. Ever since then, his left leg had been a little shorter than his right.
Normally, the sole of his left shoe was a few centimeters thicker than the right, so no one could tell. But today he had no shoes on. Standing barefoot on the carpet, his left heel hung in midair.
He didn't want anyone to see his left foot, least of all Ririko.
If Ririko found him repulsive, if her eyes said, "That's so ugly," after she saw his left foot, he would be devastated.
Just as he stood there wavering anxiously, Ririko's voice came from the bathroom.
"Bring me some clothes."
Oswald no longer had time to worry about any of that.
He turned, walked over to the wardrobe, opened a drawer, and took out the robe he had prepared for Ririko-
White, made of plush fabric, and as soft to the touch as a docile little kitten.
He draped the robe over his arm, walked to the bathroom door, raised his hand, and knocked three times.
"I'll leave the robe by the door."
There was no reply from the bathroom, only the sound of water.
His heart nearly leaped into his throat. He gently turned the handle, opening the door a crack. Steam billowed out, carrying the woodland scent of his body wash.
He slipped the robe onto the bathroom cabinet behind the door and was just about to close it-
Edward's voice came from outside the bedroom. "Oswald, are you asleep?"
Edward Nygma's voice carried in from outside the room.
Oswald's head buzzed. Why hadn't Edward gone home yet?
The Mansion served as both his office and