Ai was still practically glowing. Her cheeks were red, her eyes sparkling, her body vibrating with joy as she twirled the staff in her hands like she had just saved the world.
"I did it! Shiki, I really did it!" she squealed, bouncing on her toes.
Shiki leaned back casually, arms folding over his chest, but his lips curved in that faint smirk that always drove her insane. "Of course you did, kitten. Didn't I say you just needed me?"
Ai froze mid-bounce, cheeks inflating like a pufferfish. "D-d-don't say it like that! You make it sound weird!"
He tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Weird? I only told the truth."
"L-l-l-l-liaaaar!" Ai squeaked, covering her face with both hands, groaning into them.
Behind them, Seraphina pinched the bridge of her nose. "I feel like I'm babysitting two toddlers."
Lyra giggled nervously, though her laughter was soft and almost shy, like she didn't want to intrude. "S-she did really well, though. Much better than I expected for a first attempt…"
Ai peeked out from behind her fingers, eyes bright with pride. "Really?!"
Lyra nodded rapidly. "Y-yes! I-it took me weeks before I could even form the first swirl, but you… you managed in just one lesson!"
Shiki's lips tugged upward into something smug, his eyes gleaming as they locked on Ai. "See, kitten? You're special. That's why I chose you."
Ai's chest fluttered at his words, her heart beating fast. She clutched the staff tighter, looking down to hide her fluster. "…stupid Husband…"
---
Seraphina's Observation
Seraphina crossed her arms, tilting her head toward Shiki with a wry look. "So… let me ask you something, Shiki."
"Hm?" He raised a brow, curious.
"That ridiculous little 'bath reward' you dangled in front of her," Seraphina drawled, jerking her chin toward Ai, who still stood steaming red like a kettle, "—are you telling me that if I threatened her sword training with the same kind of bribe, she'd suddenly become a prodigy?"
At that, Ai's head whipped up, scandalized. "Don't you dare!! That's not fair!!"
Shiki chuckled, his voice low but full of confidence. "Absolutely."
"Eh?!" Ai squeaked again, whirling toward him. "Wh-why are you agreeing with her?!"
Shiki didn't even hesitate. "Because it works. You'll bend over backwards to impress me if I promise you something you want."
Her face went scarlet. "I-I-I don't—!!"
Seraphina smirked, clearly enjoying Ai's fluster. "Interesting. So all I need to do to whip her into shape is whisper some promise of your attention? That's… delightfully manipulative."
Ai covered her ears, groaning dramatically. "La la la la!! I'm not listening!"
Lyra, meanwhile, looked like she might pass out, her face redder than Ai's. "W-w-w-we shouldn't talk about things like baths out loud… i-it's embarrassing…"
Shiki ignored their protests and glanced sidelong at Seraphina, his tone calm and unwavering. "When it comes to my kitten, incentives work better than threats. You'll see."
Seraphina studied him for a long moment, then gave a short, amused snort. "You spoil her too much."
"Of course," Shiki said easily, watching Ai stomp her foot and pout. "She's mine."
---
Ai puffed her cheeks and pointed her staff like an accusing finger. "F-f-fine then! I'll show you! I'll cast it again perfectly without your help, and then—then—you'll see!"
Shiki smirked. "Go ahead, kitten. Impress me."
Ai spun on her heel dramatically, nearly tripping over her own staff in the process.
Lyra scrambled to steady her, squeaking softly. "C-careful!"
"I-I'm fine!" Ai stammered, cheeks red. Then she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began the chant again, this time slower and more deliberate.
"The Sole Creator… Creator of Heaven and Earth… grant me Your blessing, and me the power over evil: Water Vortex!"
She thrust the staff forward with every ounce of determination in her body.
A small gush of water spurted out. It barely made it a meter before splattering to the ground like someone had spilled a bucket.
"…eh?" Ai blinked.
Shiki snorted, covering his mouth with his hand to hold back laughter.
"D-don't laugh!!" Ai wailed, stamping her foot again.
"I didn't say anything," Shiki replied smoothly, though his shoulders shook.
"Liar!! You're laughing inside!"
Lyra rushed to soothe her. "N-no, that was still really good, Ai! It was… um… a little short, but your control was better that time!"
Seraphina raised a brow. "Short? That was pathetic. My grandmother could spits stronger than that."
Ai froze, turning slowly toward her with tears welling in her eyes. "So mean!!"
Shiki pushed off the tree, stepping forward to place a hand gently on Ai's head. "Don't cry, kitten. You're learning. Even if it's small, it's progress."
Ai's lips wobbled, and she sniffled, leaning into his palm. "…you're just saying that…"
He leaned down, his voice a whisper meant only for her. "No. I'm proud of you."
Her face lit up again, melting under his words. "S-Shiki…"
Behind them, Seraphina groaned loudly, rolling her eyes. "I swear, this is nauseating."
Lyra, however, smiled softly, her nervousness easing just a little. "They're… kind of sweet, though…"
---
Seraphina rested her blade on her shoulder again, watching Ai cling to Shiki's side with watery eyes and flushed cheeks. "So… do you plan to bribe her through every lesson, Shiki?"
"Mm," he hummed thoughtfully. "If it works, why not?"
Ai immediately flailed, smacking his chest weakly with her fists. "Don't say it like that! You make me sound like some greedy child!"
Shiki caught her wrists easily, pulling her against him. "Aren't you?"
"Am not!!" she squeaked, wriggling.
Seraphina smirked. "So, if I offered her… say… extra time with you as a reward for perfect sword drills, she'd suddenly become serious about it?"
Shiki's lips curved dangerously. "She'd master swordsmanship in a week."
"EH?!" Ai shrieked, stomping away from him in a huff, face scarlet. "S-s-stop talking about me like I'm not here!!"
Shiki only chuckled, watching her pout with affection in his eyes.
---
Lyra fidgeted, lifting her staff nervously. "U-um…? Do you… want to try again together?"
Ai whirled toward her, eyes blazing with new determination. "Yes! I'll show them I can do it without bribes!"
Shiki smirked, murmuring just loud enough for her to hear, "If you succeed, kitten, I'll kiss you."
Ai's soul nearly left her body. "Wha—?! Wh-wh-wh—!!"
She spun back toward Lyra like her life depended on it. "L-let's do it right now!! Hurry!!"
Lyra blinked rapidly, flustered by Ai's sudden intensity. "O-okay!!"
Seraphina pressed a palm to her forehead, muttering, "This is ridiculous."
But Shiki… Shiki was smiling. That sly, proud smile that said he knew exactly what he was doing—and exactly how his kitten would respond.
---
This time, Ai's stance was better. Lyra, encouraged by her determination, guided her gently, adjusting her arms and reminding her to focus.
"The Sole Creator… Creator of Heaven and Earth…" Ai's voice trembled, but steadied as she continued. "Grant me Your blessing… and me the power over evil—Water Vortex!"
Blue light flared.
The water vortex exploded forward, swirling stronger and longer than before, splashing high against the barrier in a sparkling cascade.
Ai gasped, eyes wide. "I… I did it! Again! And it was bigger this time!!"
She spun toward Shiki instantly, eyes shining, cheeks glowing. "Shiki!! Did you see?! I did it!!"
Shiki's smirk softened into a rare smile, one that reached her eyes.
He stepped forward, brushing a hand against her cheek. "I saw, kitten. Good job."
Ai's heart fluttered wildly, her lips parting—then she remembered his promise.
"Y-y-you said… if I succeed…" she stammered, face burning.
Shiki leaned closer, his breath brushing her lips. "That I'd kiss you?"
Ai's knees nearly buckled. "Y-yes…"
And then, with deliberate slowness, he pressed his lips to hers.
A soft, lingering kiss. Gentle, but full of warmth.
Ai melted into him instantly, clutching at his shirt, her whole body trembling with joy.
Lyra squeaked, spinning away with her face in her hands. "T-t-t-t-t-too much!!"
Seraphina groaned again, muttering, "Hopeless. Completely hopeless."
But even she couldn't hide the faint curve of her lips.
Because despite the chaos, despite the nonsense, one thing was clear—Shiki's kitten was learning.
And she was doing it for him.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 33 : TRAINING A KITTEN : III