The street outside the bar buzzed with life. Merchants called out from their stalls, children dashed about with wooden toys, and adventurers laughed as they passed, their boots thudding against the cobblestones.
Amidst the noise and color, Shiki stood still for a moment, his arm firmly hooked by Ai.
His grin was slow, dangerous. "So, kitten… ready?"
Ai blinked up at him, tilting her head like a curious puppy. She hadn't let go of him since morning, her small hands clinging as if the world might steal him away if she dared loosen her grip.
Shiki started walking, tugging her along, and she scurried beside him, still glued to his arm.
After a few steps, her voice piped up, soft but insistent. "Ne, ne… where are we going? The guild is that way." She pointed toward the opposite street, eyes wide in innocent confusion.
Shiki glanced at her, smug amusement curling his lips. "I love how you say it twice. 'Ne, ne.' It's ridiculously adorable."
Ai's cheeks puffed in a pout, her face heating. "S-shut up. Just tell me already."
He leaned down slightly, close enough that she could feel his breath tease her ear. "We're going on a date."
Ai blinked. "…Date?"
"Mmhm. A date," he repeated smoothly.
Her brow furrowed. "What's… a date?"
Shiki chuckled, rubbing his chin as if he were about to impart sacred wisdom. "Well… a date is when two people—" his grin sharpened, "—or a couple, who love each other, go out together to have fun."
Ai's eyes went wide, her cheeks instantly burning. Then, almost magically, her shock bloomed into excitement, her entire face glowing.
"R-Really? That's a date?!" Her voice was bright, her grip on his arm tightening as if she feared he'd vanish before she could have one. "Then take me!"
Shiki laughed low in his throat, reaching over with his free hand to pinch her cheek lightly. "I knew you'd love it, my sweet little kitten."
Her blush deepened until she looked ready to combust.
As they strolled through the bustling street, Ai hummed softly to herself. Her fingers brushed against the butterfly-shaped hairpin that nestled in her hair—the one Shiki had bought her just yesterday, when they'd first entered this country.
The memory replayed vividly in her mind: the kindly middle-aged woman at the stall, smiling warmly as she explained, "Legend says whoever gives that hairpin to their lover… they'll always be together"
Ai's chest warmed at the thought, and her lips curved in a shy smile.
Shiki noticed, his gaze lingering on her. "Beautiful," he murmured.
Ai jerked her head up, eyes wide. "H-huh?"
He tapped his chin with a teasing smirk. "Beautiful kitten. Especially with that hairpin."
Her entire body flushed crimson. "Y-you… y-you're lucky that I love you!"
Shiki chuckled, his grin softening just a little. "Yeah. And I always want to be lucky."
Her heart thudded. She pulled even closer, pressing his arm firmly against her chest as they walked. Her lips curved in a blissful smile—the kind a child wore when clutching their favorite toy.
---
The marketplace stretched wide, filled with the aromas of sizzling food, the glitter of trinkets, and the constant buzz of voices.
"Ne, ne! Shiki, look!" Ai tugged his arm toward a colorful stall where candied fruits glistened on skewers. "What's that?"
"Candied apples," Shiki replied. "Sweet enough to rot your teeth."
Her eyes sparkled. "Can we try one?"
He smirked. "Kitten, if I said no, would that pout appear?"
As if on cue, Ai puffed her cheeks, eyes glistening in mock sadness.
"…Yeah, that one," Shiki said, laughing as he bought her a candied apple.
Ai bit into the glossy red candy, her eyes lighting up instantly. "Mmm!! Sweet!!"
Her joy was so pure it made heads turn. People passing by smiled at her delight, and Shiki couldn't resist reaching out to wipe a smear of sticky sugar from the corner of her lips.
She froze, her blush skyrocketing.
"…You're messy," he teased.
"Y-you didn't have to do that!" she squeaked, covering her face with both hands.
"Relax. I'll take care of you, kitten."
Her heart fluttered.
---
The market square stretched out in a dazzling swirl of colors and sound. Wooden stalls lined the cobbled streets, their awnings fluttering in the summer breeze. Vendors called out, their voices layering into a chorus: sweetmeats, jewelry, ribbons, fruits, perfumes, charms. It was alive, vibrant, brimming with things Ai had never seen before.
And at the center of it all was her—Ai, clinging tightly to Shiki's arm, her steps light but cautious, her eyes wide and sparkling as if the world had just turned into a treasure chest and someone had opened the lid.
Shiki walked with an easy swagger, his gaze not on the stalls but on the girl beside him. Watching her fascination, the way her lips parted when something new caught her eye, the faint pink tint to her cheeks every time she realized he was looking at her—it was more entertaining than anything this city had to offer.
"Ne, ne, Shiki!" Ai tugged at his sleeve, almost bouncing as her gaze landed on a stall draped with shimmering hair ribbons. Reds, blues, silvers, all patterned with delicate embroidery. "Look at those!"
Shiki smirked. "Planning to change up your style, kitten?"
Her cheeks puffed. "I-I just thought they were pretty."
"Want one?"
She shook her head so fast her hair swayed. "No. I don't need it."
Shiki didn't argue. He just watched her eyes linger a second too long on a ribbon the color of dawn—soft pink laced with tiny gold thread. He said nothing, but when she turned her head, he slipped a coin to the merchant and pocketed the ribbon with practiced stealth.
---
They walked further.
"Shiki, look! A bunny!" Ai darted a finger toward a stall stacked with tiny stuffed toys, all hand-sewn. Cats, dogs, birds, and bunnies with button eyes stared out from the pile.
Her lips curved unconsciously. She leaned forward slightly, eyes fixed on a snow-white bunny with floppy ears.
Shiki tilted his head. "Cute, isn't it?"
Ai startled, yanking her gaze away. "E-eh? I wasn't looking at it!"
He chuckled, low and smug. "Sure, kitten. You just happened to be staring with sparkles in your eyes."
Her blush deepened. "D-don't say weird things!"
Again, when she wasn't looking, he handed over the coins and handed it to her.
---
It went on like that.
Another selling candied nuts coated in sugar—Ai hesitated, nose twitching at the sweet scent before shaking her head. Shiki bought a pouch.
Every time, he teased.
Every time, she denied.
Every time, her eyes betrayed her true feelings.
And by the time they finally left the crowded square, Ai's arms were full—ribbons, trinkets, sweets, even the white bunny she'd tried to ignore. She cradled them like fragile treasure, her cheeks a rosy glow that refused to fade.
Her eyes were downcast, her lips curved in a smile so small and shy it looked like she was afraid it might give her away.
"Shiki…" she murmured, voice soft, almost guilty. "You didn't have to…"
Shiki reached over and ruffled her hair, messing up the neat strands she'd fussed with earlier.
"Of course I did," he said easily. "It's a date. Spoiling you is half the fun."
Her entire body stiffened, then melted like snow under sunlight. She blinked up at him, her lips parted, her heart hammering so loudly she was sure he'd hear it.
"…Y-you…" her voice shook, "you can't just say things like that."
He leaned down, grin sharp and amused. "Why not? Embarrassed?"
Ai's face turned crimson. She hugged the bunny closer, hiding half her face against its soft fur.
"…Maybe," she whispered.
Shiki chuckled, slipping a wrapped sweet into her free hand. "Then get used to it, kitten. This is only the beginning."
---
As they strolled down the quieter path leading away from the heart of the market, Ai noticed something strange.
People were looking at them.
Not in the way people looked at strangers passing by, but with a certain softness in their gazes. A few smiled knowingly, a few whispered behind their hands, and more than one older lady gave Ai a look so warm it made her ears burn.
Shiki noticed too, of course. His smirk widened, and he leaned in close enough that his lips nearly brushed her ear.
"They all think we're married."
Ai froze, every muscle in her body locking. Her face flared red, steam practically rising from her head.
"M-m-married?!"
Shiki nodded casually. "Yep. Husband and wife, out on a date."
She buried her face in the stuffed bunny. "D-don't say things like that!"
"Why not?" His grin turned lazy, dangerous. "You confessed last night. You love me. You let me hold you close in bed. So… isn't this natural?"
Her lips quivered. For a second, it looked like she'd sputter a denial.
But then Ai lifted her head, cheeks scarlet, eyes shimmering with determination.
"…Y-yes. That's right."
Shiki blinked, surprised at her sudden boldness.
Ai's grip on his arm tightened. She raised her chin just slightly, lips trembling but stubborn. "I… I love you. And I'm happy they think that."
Shiki stared at her for a moment—then his grin softened, the teasing edge slipping into something warmer. His hand reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Good girl," he murmured.
Her knees nearly gave out on the spot.
---
They walked further, the sun dipping lower, painting the sky in streaks of gold and orange. Ai's humming returned, soft and content. Every so often she glanced at the ribbons and trinkets in her arms, then back at Shiki, as if to reassure herself it was real.
Shiki caught her gaze each time. And each time, she looked away, flustered beyond belief.
But she never let go of his arm. Not once.
And when they finally reached the edge of the square, the crowd thinning, Ai whispered quietly, almost like a prayer:
"…This is the happiest day I've ever had."
Shiki's smirk turned into a smile. He leaned down, pressed his forehead lightly against hers, and whispered back—
"Get used to it, kitten. I'm not done spoiling you yet."
---
At the edge of the square stood a game booth with targets and toy prizes.
Ai's eyes widened. "Ne, ne! What's that?"
"Target practice," Shiki replied. "Hit the bullseye, win a prize."
Her expression grew determined. "I'll win!"
Moments later, she stood with a wooden dart in her tiny hand, tongue peeking from her lips as she aimed. Shiki stood behind her, guiding her arm, his chest brushing lightly against her back.
Her whole body went stiff from the closeness.
"Relax, kitten. Focus." His voice was low, smooth, his hand steadying hers.
She let the dart fly—
Thunk!
It hit the very edge of the target.
Ai's eyes widened. "…I missed."
"Barely," Shiki said with a grin, handing her another dart. "Try again."
With his help, she threw again, this time hitting closer. By the third attempt, she was giggling, flushed from laughter more than the effort.
When the game master awarded her a tiny stuffed bunny, she hugged it to her chest like treasure.
Shiki smirked. "Adorable."
"…Stop teasing me," she mumbled, hiding her face against the bunny.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 28 : AI'S FIRST DATE : 1
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