Shiki let out a long sigh, stretching his arms overhead until his joints popped faintly.
The commission was done.
On the glowing monitor, the final render of the over-exaggerated anime girl stared back at him—oversized chest, slender waist, wide hips, and eyes that sparkled with an artificial cuteness.
It was ridiculous, but it was what the client had paid for, and more importantly, it was off his plate.
He tapped a few keys, exporting the files into a neat folder, then leaned back against his chair.
"Finally." His voice was soft, tired.
He closed the art program, replaced his stylus, and for a moment just stared at the dim reflection of himself on the blackened monitor.
Hoodie, messy hair, dark circles under his eyes. Real. Mundane.
But his heart wasn't here.
Shiki turned in his chair, pushed a few empty cans of coffee aside, and sat back down at the other end of his desk.
There, his VR setup awaited—his escape, his second life.
He adjusted the sensors, the headset, then booted the main screen.
The projection lit up.
And there she was.
Ai.
Her figure filled the window that spanned across his screen, captured from within the virtual world.
The moment Shiki saw her, his lips curved into the faintest of smiles.
She stood on the training field.
The air shimmered faintly with the magic barrier surrounding the arena.
Across from her stood Seraphina, in her gleaming silver and white armor, long golden hair tied into a braid that spilled down her back.
And watching from the side, nervously fiddling with her staff, was Lyra.
The training had begun.
---
"Hold your stance, kitten!" Seraphina barked, her massive sword coming down in a slow but firm arc.
Ai squeaked, both hands clutching the hilt of her katana as she scrambled to block. The blade met Seraphina's with a loud clang, the impact rattling her arms to the bone.
"O-ow ow ow ow!" Ai winced, wobbling in place. "That hurts! You're too strong!"
"This isn't even ten percent of my strength," Seraphina said flatly, smirking as she pushed Ai back with ease. "And if you complain that loudly, you'll only make your poor Shiki disappointed."
Ai froze, her face going scarlet instantly. "H-he wouldn't! Shiki loves me!"
Seraphina leaned forward with a grin sharp enough to rival her blade. "Oh, you think so? Shall I tell Sir Shiki how you're slacking off right now? That you nearly dropped your sword?"
Ai's eyes widened like a child caught stealing candy.
She shook her head violently, braids bouncing. "N-no! Don't tell him! Please don't tell him!"
"Then swing," Seraphina said smoothly, pressing her blade against Ai's katana until the girl had no choice but to stumble backward and reset her stance.
Ai groaned, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.
She raised the katana above her head and swung it down.
Once. Twice. Again. Each motion awkward, each strike unrefined, yet desperate as though her life depended on it.
Watching from the side, Lyra clutched her staff to her chest, whispering nervously to herself. "S-she's really… trying…"
Shiki chuckled softly from behind his monitor.
His little kitten was sweating, puffing, stumbling, yet her determination flared whenever Seraphina so much as hinted at telling on her.
"Good girl," he murmured under his breath, amused.
---
Fifteen minutes later, Ai looked like she was fighting for her life.
Her arms shook with every block, her legs wobbled beneath her, and sweat clung to her temples.
"This is impossible!" Ai cried, blocking another casual swing from Seraphina before stumbling onto her knees. "Why does anyone ever choose sword fighting?!"
"Because," Seraphina said, twirling her blade effortlessly, "with enough discipline, a sword can cut through even destiny itself."
"I don't want to cut destiny!" Ai wailed, falling onto the ground. "I just want to stay in Shiki's arms forever!"
Seraphina's lips quirked wickedly. She crouched down beside Ai and whispered close to her ear. "Then if you give up now, I'll tell him you said that."
Ai shot up so fast she smacked her forehead against Seraphina's pauldron with a loud clunk. "O-ow ow ow ow ow!!" She held her head, nose red, tears brimming in her eyes as she looked seconds away from bawling.
Shiki, watching, doubled over with laughter. His kitten looked like a flustered chibi, complete with watery eyes and red cheeks.
"D-don't tell him!" Ai begged, wobbling to her feet and raising her katana again.
Her arms trembled as she swung wildly, her form completely lost. "I-I'll train! I'll train really hard! J-just don't tell Shiki!"
Seraphina smirked, blocking each sloppy swing with the barest flick of her wrist. "Pathetic. But amusing."
"Shiki's fault!" Ai screamed suddenly, tears rolling down her cheeks as she swung without aim. "He's the one who made me do this! Shikiiii! You meanieee! I hate this!"
And then, in her flailing, Ai tripped over her own feet.
The katana clattered against the ground as Ai pitched forward, landing flat on her face.
Thud.
Silence.
"…ow." Her muffled voice wavered, pitiful and small.
Lyra gasped, rushing forward only to stop halfway, frozen with nerves. "S-should I…? N-no, maybe…"
Ai pushed herself up onto her elbows, nose red, lip trembling. "Shiki…" Her voice broke, childlike. "This is your fault… Shikiii… I want you…"
And then—
Warmth.
An arm slipped around her from behind.
Ai froze. She knew this touch instantly, without question. Her breath caught in her throat. Slowly, she turned her head—
And saw him.
"Sh… Shiki…" Her voice cracked.
The moment her eyes met his, Ai burst into tears.
She spun in his arms, throwing herself against his chest and hugging him so tightly it was as if she feared he would vanish.
Her sobs were high-pitched, comically exaggerated, like a child complaining to her parents.
"You meanie!" she wailed, pounding his chest lightly with her fists. "How could you let Seraphina bully me! I hate it! I tripped and my nose hurts and she's scary and it's all your fault!"
Shiki chuckled, ruffling her hair as she bawled against him. "There there, kitten. Don't cry."
"You're horrible! I wanted to be with you, not with her!"
"Mm, but you look cute when you're flustered."
"Don't tease me!" she shrieked, burying her face deeper into his chest.
Seraphina, standing a few feet away, folded her arms with a bemused smirk. "Pathetic. She's hopeless with a blade. But at least she fights harder when you're involved, Sir Shiki."
Ai's head shot up from Shiki's chest, face red and blotchy with tears. "I-I wasn't fighting harder! I just— I just didn't want him to see me fail!"
Shiki grinned, brushing his thumb across her damp cheek. "That's my kitten. Always so honest, even when you're trying not to be."
"Sh-shut up…" Ai muttered, clutching his outfit tighter, refusing to let go.
Lyra, standing to the side, fiddled nervously with her staff. "U-um… should I… step in later? M-maybe magic will… be easier for her…"
Shiki looked over at her, smiling faintly. "Take care of her, Lyra. But don't tease her too much."
"Y-yes!" Lyra squeaked, blushing furiously.
Ai pouted, still clinging to Shiki like a spoiled kitten refusing to leave its owner's lap. "Don't leave me with them, Shiki… they're bullies…"
Shiki leaned down, pressing his lips softly to her forehead. "Kitten, you'll be fine. You're stronger than you think."
Her tears slowed. Her cheeks flushed. She buried herself deeper in his arms, grumbling in defeat. "…Only because you said so."
Shiki chuckled. "That's my girl."
---
END OF CHAPTER 31: TRAINING A KITTEN
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