Rain tapped steadily against the window panes, a soft, endless rhythm that made the bedroom feel smaller, safer, cocooned from the world. Shiki lay buried under a thick comforter, only the top of his dark hair visible, body curled against the cold that had seeped in during the night. He'd stayed in the NerveGear far too long again—chasing leads, talking with Ai, losing track of time in that other world. Now the real one punished him with aching limbs and a bone-deep chill.
From the kitchen drifted Ayumi's voice—bright, insistent, carrying over the patter of rain.
"Onii-chan! Wake up! Breakfast is ready!"
Shiki growled low in his throat—annoyed, sleepy—and rolled over, pulling the blanket tighter around his shoulders. The cold bit at his exposed neck; he burrowed deeper, determined to ignore her.
