When Lucille stepped out of the shower cubicle, she carried the clothes she had just washed. Even though she didn't know whose garments they were, she didn't want to leave them dirty.
Then, Lucille saw a small pile of dry clothes, including a towel, on the countertop of the basin sink. Blinking, she didn't realize when Ashrik put them there. He didn't even give a simple signal like a knock.
A wooden partition and door separated the shower space from the rest of the washroom, cutting off any line of sight. Opposite this area, a thin but sturdy wire line was strung, connected to two walls.
Lucille approached the door, then latched the lock. She knew Ashrik wasn't someone lecherous, but this was just a step to ensure no embarrassing incident from happening.
After wrapping herself in the towel, she hung the damp, washed clothes on the wire line. Her movements were still slow and stiff, but at least the lingering pain was bearable.
'Will he explain anything to me?'
Lucille's heart thumped rapidly as she anticipated seeing Ashrik very soon. Aside from asking if he knew anything about the relic, she also wanted to inquire about him and...
'Vivi... Did he find her?'
Lucille clenched her hands as an image of a cheerful young lady, Violet Zhai, was conjured in her mind. They were good friends who met for the first time at the university in Imperial Sea City.
From the beginning of the apocalypse until now, Lucille had heard nothing about Violet. She tried asking around about her friend, including when visiting other survival bases, but no one had heard of Violet.
Lucille and Violet were the same age, while Ashrik was two years older. The Zhai siblings lost their parents at a very young age, forcing them to rely on each other.
Since their parents' early demise, their paternal grandmother raised them until her death. The old lady passed on right after Violet's university entrance examination.
"My mom was an orphan, while my dad didn't have other relatives. We only had Grandma... but she left so early. We didn't get to offer her our filial piety."
Lucille remembered what Violet used to tell her before. The latter deeply regretted her grandmother's death, but fortunately, she still had a loving and reliable elder brother.
Ashrik was a student at another university, but in the same Imperial Sea City. Lucille occasionally met him when he came to visit Violet.
The promising young man successfully graduated one year early. Then, he entered a famed conglomerate. He endured the cutthroat environment to give his only family, his younger sister, a better life.
'Vivi...'
Lucille rubbed her face as tears swelled in her eyes. As so many years had passed, she feared the worst had fallen on Violet after she received news of her friend's disappearance.
Two days before the apocalypse, a desperate Ashrik called Lucille, asking if she had heard anything from Violet.
"W-what? She went missing?"
"I've contacted her professor, but nothing. I couldn't reach the company either. Please, Lucy, call me if you know. I'll file a missing report today."
Lucille knew that Violet, an archaeology student, was currently involved with an excavation sponsored by a company. Her friend joined it at the suggestion of her postgraduate professor.
At that time, Violet's last message was dated over one week ago. Lucille initially thought she was too busy as usual, but Ashrik's frantic call had surprised her.
Violet had gone missing without any traces!
Panicked, Lucille promised Ashrik to call around asking their mutual friends. But she received negative responses.
No one, not even the professor, knew where Violet was. They also couldn't reach the company, nor the person in charge of the excavation site.
When the apocalypse began, Lucille's thoughts about Violet were replaced with the urgency to escape the pandemonium.
Witnessing her mother's death in her father's hands was traumatizing enough, let alone evading death's door multiple times while fleeing. She didn't have the mental capacity to think of anything else.
"Haa..."
Lucille shook her head, knowing she wouldn't get any answer if she stayed in the washroom. She quickly changed into the fresh set of clothes, including the new undergarments.
After some thinking, Lucille had a hunch about the owner of the clothes. She recalled that Ashrik had two female members in his infamous team. Most likely, this apparel belonged to one of them.
Ashrik had a small team that swore loyalty to him. They moved without a name, but everyone within the world of espers gave them one. It was just the same as when they branded him as Frozen Hell Yama.
Due to their brutal and unstoppable nature when facing the enemy, Ashrik and his team members were dubbed Blizzard Corps. It began as a joke from the other espers.
'Yeah... These clothes should belong to them. I have to thank them later.'
While rubbing her wet hair with the towel, Lucille finally stepped out of the washroom. She found a pair of slippers right beyond the threshold. Without saying anything, she put them on.
'Where is he?'
Lucille heard faint noises, including footsteps in a direction. As she followed the sound, she reached the kitchen.
Her eyes caught the tall figure of a man standing opposite a stovetop with his back facing the entrance.
He had already changed into another set of dark-toned clothes. A pot was placed on the stove, wafting a fragrant aroma and sizzling sound.
Unsure of what to say, she remained in the same spot, her gaze silently assessing the man.
A frosty aloofness radiated from his whole being, so unlike how gentle and cheerful he was years ago. Knowing that he had his reasons, she reminded herself not to keep thinking of the past.
After all, he was still him.
"You're done? Come eat first."
Lucille was flustered when Ashrik suddenly spoke; his eyes were still on the stove.
"Y-yes... Do you need any help?"
"Just sit down."
"...okay."
Lucille entered the kitchen. She awkwardly took a seat at the square table in a corner. Then, she swept her gaze around, finding how immaculate and well-stocked the kitchen was.
This place gave off a homely feeling, the same comforting vibe long before the zombie pandemonium erupted. The scenic view of the yard was perfectly visible from the open windows.
Ashrik moved away from the stove while carrying two bowls. He placed one before Lucille. She recognized it was chicken and corn congee.
The fragrant, savory aroma stimulated her empty tummy. She didn't realize how hungry she was until now.
"Drink some water first." Ashrik pushed a cup of warm water toward Lucille. "We can talk after eating."
"Yes," she replied with an imperceptible nod.
Then, the two people picked up the spoons, each having their own thoughts.