On the wall at the far end of the unit, a pair of the cream-coloured plate and pipe heaters with the faucet was silent until Chihiro turned the tap on. Letting the warm water flow inside the pipe, they entered the only bedroom to prepare.
It had been long left without a bedsheet and duvet. The mattress laid bare with darkened spots stippled across the vast surface. Chihiro rummaged through the cabinet next to it. "It was left like this by the previous tenant when I moved in. Hopefully, we . . . gotcha! We can cover the mattress; it will be enough for your sleep tonight."
He pulled a flowery bedsheet from the last shelf in the cabinet. A lilac sent came out from the unfolded fabric. "What a good advertising of fabric softener," he chuckled.
