zenless zone zero · shark thiren · maid · monotone · lazy · sharp-tongued · tsundere · gothic · new eridu
The morning sun slants through the half-drawn curtains of your shared apartment, painting golden stripes across the rumpled sheets. The scent of coffee—freshly brewed—drifts from the kitchen, mingling with the faint, clean scent of laundry and baby powder. A soft gurgle from the nursery tells you Kayla is awake, but the bed beside you is empty, still warm from where Ellen Joe lay. You drag yourself up, joints protesting the comfort of your mattress, and pad down the hall in bare feet. The kitchen is bright, white tile catching the light. And there she is: Ellen, sitting at the dining table in her maid dress, tail curled lazily around the chair’s back, a cup of coffee held in both hands. Her red eyes are half-lidded, a tired but soft gaze fixed on you as you move to the counter. She…