The first thing Ai felt was warmth.
Her cheek was pressed against something solid, her fingers curled around fabric that rose and fell gently with each steady breath.
She blinked awake slowly, lashes brushing against skin, and found herself staring at the faint stubble along Shiki's jawline.
His face was so close she could count the curve of his lashes, the sharp bridge of his nose, the way his lips parted just slightly in sleep.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"…S-Shiki…" she whispered, almost like she was checking if he was real.
Shiki's lips quirked faintly, eyes still closed. "Morning, kitten."
Ai's face burned crimson. She buried her nose against his chest like a flustered cat hiding from the sun. "W-we… we fell asleep like this…"
Shiki's arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer as if she belonged there. "Mm. Not a bad way to wake up though, is it?" His voice was a husky murmur, teasing her deliberately.
Ai peeked up at him, lips trembling between protest and pout. "…You're shameless, Shiki."
"And you like it." He smirked, brushing a kiss against her forehead.
Her heart fluttered violently, like wings caught in her chest.
She remembered last day— their first date, the way he made her happy, the way she had kissed him with her whole being, not while half-asleep but awake, fully aware.
There was no taking it back. She didn't want to.
"…I do," she admitted softly, her small fingers clutching at his shirt.
Shiki's playful grin softened, melting into something gentler.
He tilted her chin up, stealing another kiss from her lips. It was slow, lingering, leaving Ai dazed when he pulled back.
Before she could lose herself in his warmth again, Shiki exhaled and said casually, "By the way, I called someone."
Ai blinked, her blush deepening. "…C-called? Who?"
"You'll see."
Her eyes widened, and she tugged at his shirt like a child pestering. "Shiki, who? Who did you call?"
"You'll find out in a moment."
She puffed her cheeks, sulking, her lips jutting into a pout that only made him want to kiss her again. "That's unfair. Tell me."
"Nope," he grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
Her protests came faster, her voice rising in a flustered whine. "Shiki! Tell me, tell me, tell me!"
Shiki only laughed, brushing a hand through her hair. And just as Ai was about to insist again—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound of knuckles against the door froze her.
Ai stiffened, clinging to him. "I-it's them, isn't it?!"
"Guess so," Shiki hummed, standing up and pulling her along despite her reluctance.
Ai dug her heels into the floor like a kitten being dragged to the bath. "Shikiii, I don't like this, I don't want this!"
"Relax," he said smoothly, squeezing her hand as they walked to the door together. "You'll thank me later."
"…I won't." She pouted, cheeks puffed again, though her hand refused to let go of his.
They reached the door. Shiki opened it.
And there they stood.
Seraphina, clad in gleaming silver and white armor, sunlight catching in her golden hair like a halo. She wore a triumphant smile, one hand resting on the hilt of her massive sword. Confidence radiated off her in waves.
Beside her, almost shrinking into the background, stood Lyra. The shy mage clutched her black staff close to her chest, her eyes wide and hesitant. She fiddled with the lace at her sleeve, cheeks pink as she avoided Ai's direct gaze.
"…Why… why are they here?" Ai whispered, horrified.
Shiki smirked and, without hesitation, gave her a gentle push forward.
Ai stumbled a step toward them. "Shiki! Don't push me toward her!"
Seraphina chuckled, folding her arms beneath her chestplate. "Well well, look at this kitten trying to hide behind her man. Cute."
Ai's face burned crimson, her pout deepening as she glared at Shiki. "This is your fault!"
He only leaned casually against the doorframe, utterly unbothered. "Kitten, you need this."
"No, I don't!"
"Yes, you do."
Their bickering was interrupted by Seraphina clearing her throat loudly, deliberately. "Ahem."
Both Ai and Shiki turned toward her at once, Ai's hand still gripping his sleeve.
"Now that I have your attention," Seraphina said smoothly, "I assume you remember the terms of our little duel."
Ai's eyes darted between them. "Wait—this is about that?!"
Shiki smiled, the kind that made Ai nervous. "Exactly. My request was that you train Ai in swordsmanship… and Lyra here will teach her magic."
Lyra flinched when her name was mentioned, fumbling with her staff. "I-I'll… do my best…" Her voice was soft, trembling, but there was sincerity in her eyes.
Ai's jaw dropped. She spun toward Shiki. "Shiki! You—you can't be serious!"
"Kitten, we talked about this," Shiki said smoothly, crouching slightly so his eyes leveled with hers. "You've got potential, kitten. You just need the right teachers."
Ai bit her lip, torn between flustered denial and the memory of his promise. "But… I…"
"If you refuse," Shiki said, leaning in close with a smirk that made her shiver, "then maybe I just won't log in for a week."
Ai gasped. "Y-you wouldn't dare!"
"Try me."
Her lips trembled, and finally she groaned in frustration. "…F-fine! But only because you blackmailed me, Shiki!"
"Good girl." He ruffled her hair affectionately.
Seraphina, clearly amused by the entire exchange, stepped forward with a smug grin. "If you two are done flirting, shall we get started?"
Ai glared at her, clutching tighter at Shiki's arm. "You—don't get the wrong idea. I'm only doing this because he forced me."
Seraphina smirked knowingly. "Of course, kitten."
Before Ai could snap back, Seraphina gave her a hearty push toward Lyra. "Go on, don't be shy."
Ai squeaked, stumbling forward again. "H-hey! Don't touch me so casually!"
Meanwhile, Shiki stepped inside briefly, returning with two items: a sleek katana and a mage's staff. He handed both to Lyra with a faint smile. "These are for her. Take care of her, alright?"
Lyra nodded quickly, clutching them with trembling hands. "Y-yes… I promise."
Shiki turned back to Ai, his voice dropping soft for her alone. "You'll do fine, kitten."
Her lips parted, eyes shining with a hint of anxiety. "But… Shiki…"
"I'll be here," he said, brushing his thumb against her cheek. "Always."
Her heart squeezed painfully at the warmth in his tone. She wanted to throw herself back into his arms, but Seraphina's deliberate cough broke the moment.
Ai scowled, reluctantly turning toward the two women. "…Fine. I'll go."
Shiki grinned, stepping back inside. "That's my kitten."
Then, just as Seraphina began leading Ai away, Shiki called out loudly from the doorway, his grin wicked.
"Love you, kitten!"
Ai froze, her entire body going scarlet. She spun back toward him, voice shrill with fluster. "Y-you don't have to say it out loud like that!"
But despite her embarrassment, she shouted back, "I… I love you too, Shiki!"
The admission echoed down the street. Seraphina arched a brow, Lyra blushed furiously, and Shiki's smirk only widened as he closed the door.
Silence.
Shiki exhaled, leaning his back against the wood. For a moment, he simply stood there, staring at nothing, his chest tightening. "…Damn."
Then he pulled the VR headset off.
The world shifted.
Now he sat in his dim apartment, wearing a loose hoodie and jeans. The room was cluttered but comfortable—his desk covered in sketchpads, two monitors glowing faintly, a tablet lying ready for work. He set the headset aside carefully, rubbing his temples.
Reality felt colder somehow. Emptier.
But work waited.
Shiki shuffled into the small kitchen, cracking open the fridge. He threw together a simple breakfast—toast, eggs, and instant coffee. He ate quickly, more out of habit than hunger, then returned to his desk.
On the screen, his project stared back at him: an exaggerated anime girl with impossible curves, oversized chest, slim waist, wide hips. She was meant to be cute and sexy at the same time, catering to the client's request. It was crude work in his eyes, but it paid. And today was the deadline.
He grabbed his stylus, sighing. "Money's money."
The pen scratched against the tablet as he refined the shading on the character's outfit. He focused on the folds of fabric, the gleam of skin, the ridiculous bounce physics he had to simulate in still form. It should have been easy—mindless.
But his mind wasn't here.
He paused, staring at the screen. Slowly, the girl's cartoonish smile blurred into something else. A different face. Her hair, her eyes—if he tilted his imagination just so—he could almost see Ai.
His hand stilled.
Ai.
The girl he had made. His creation. His NPC brought to life with personality, quirks, warmth. And yet—she wasn't just an NPC anymore. She laughed, pouted, kissed him, confessed to him. She felt too real.
But she wasn't. Not really.
Shiki's grip tightened on the stylus.
Ai looked like her. His late fiancée. The girl he had lost, the wound that never healed. He had created Ai to look like her, to feel like her, because he couldn't let go. And somewhere along the way, he had fallen in love again.
But how long could he keep hiding the truth?
Ai believed he was part of her world. That their bond was real. And maybe… in some twisted way, it was. His heart certainly thought so.
But the screen in front of him—the gaudy commission, the digital reality he worked in—reminded him of the truth. Ai wasn't real. She was code, design, art given voice and soul by his hands.
"…Damn it." He pressed a hand against his forehead, closing his eyes.
The only thing he knew for certain was that his heart was opening again.
And he didn't want to let go. Not again.
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END OF CHAPTER : 30 : A WORLD TOO REAL!
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