Alpine Lake Tokyo night train.

Seconds after Rodyn told her to lead the way—and she’d taken her first few steps nearer to the water—the sky decided to drench them from above. Towhee paused to glance upward as she felt a few cold drops hit the top of her head and along her back, then it abruptly became a deluge.

Without realizing, she gave a little shout of surprise. It was cold! She instinctively moved closer, pressing against Rodyn. She had half a mind to look for shelter when Towhee remembered what they’d been about to do. She laughed, her warm breath gusting against his ear.

Still want to swim? I’m game if you are, she said overly loudly. I mean, we might as well.