The morning advanced slowly over Japan. The rain, constant and rhythmic, continued to beat against the floor-to-ceiling windows, wrapping the apartment in a soft murmur that contrasted with the contained storm inside. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the freesias arranged on the kitchen island still hovered in the air, dense and intoxicating.
Aibek remained lying on the living room rug, his elbow resting on the floor and his body relaxed. The tension from the kitchen seemed to have begun to subside, at least on his end. At his feet, Mr. Bear was running in circles around the blue yarn ball, taking awkward little hops and snapping briefly at the air before rolling onto his back, brazenly showing his belly. Aibek smiled in silence, running the tip of his finger along the ferret's back every time the little animal stopped to catch its breath.
