Oswald's eyes went wider than the light bulbs in the bathroom.
He watched Ririko pick up the box of condoms on the sink and stuff the whole thing down the front of his clothes.
"Spend the night playing with this family pack," Ririko said, patting his cheek. "I'm going to sleep."
Wrapped in a bath towel, she turned and left the bathroom.
Oswald stood in front of the sink, watching the door slowly close behind her.
In her fluffy white robe, Ririko lay on the enormous bed in the mayor's residence, pulled the covers up to her chin, and rested her head on a pillow as soft as a cloud.
She switched off the light, closed her eyes, and tugged the covers up over her shoulders, ready to sleep.
In the middle of the night, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Ririko opened her eyes, stared at the ceiling for two seconds, then rolled over and covered her head with her pillow.
The water kept running.
She sat up in bed and stared at the bathroom door.
She threw back the covers, stepped barefoot onto the carpet, walked to the bathroom, and pushed the door open.
Oswald stood in front of the sink, soaked from head to toe.
His dark blue robe clung to his body. Water streamed down his shoulders, and a puddle on the floor had spread all the way to the toilet.
His hair clung to his forehead, its once immaculate styling reduced to a tangled mess.
The brass faucet on the sink had been knocked crooked. Water sprayed from the joint between the faucet and the counter, drenching him in icy water.
Shivering, he raised his head to look at her, his eyes a mixture of cold misery and pitiful pleading.
Apparently,