"Link Start."
The familiar voice echoed in Shiki's mind, calm and mechanical, as the NerveGear hummed to life. Darkness enveloped him for a split second—the usual void of transition—before light flooded back in.
Shiki's eyes fluttered open inside the game world. The room materialized around him: warm afternoon light pouring through the windows, clock showing 3:07 p.m.
He turned his head toward the sofa.
Ai was there.
She lay curled on her side, knees drawn up slightly, one arm tucked under her cheek, the other resting loosely across her stomach. Her breathing was slow, deep, peaceful. A few strands of hair had escaped her ponytail and fallen across her face, rising and falling gently with each exhale. Tiny, soft noises slipped from her lips—little hums and sighs that made her sound like a sleeping kitten.
A small, genuine smile tugged at Shiki's mouth.
He knelt down in front of the sofa, elbows resting on the cushion edge so he was eye-level with her sleeping face.
