Ai's fists kept hammering into his chest. "IDIOT! PERVERT! BASTARD!"
Each word came with a punch. The crowd was howling like drunk idiots watching the real fight unfold only after the official duel had ended.
Shiki stumbled back, arms raised, grinning through the pain like some masochist. "O-Oi! Kitten—slow down! Slow down! I just fought a God-Class battle here, y'know—AHHH—don't aim for the ribs!"
"You deserve it!" Ai shrieked, her cheeks red, fists pumping like pistons. "You were touching her! You were petting her! Y-You…"
The audience lost it. Some of the guys bent over, clutching their stomachs. Even Seraphina, bloodied pride dripping from her, turned her head to hide the twitch of her lips.
Shiki rubbed his nose, wincing from another smack. "That—ahh—was science! Don't take it personally, Kitten—Oi, careful!—OW!"
Ai didn't listen. She kept pounding, small frame but terrifying power, fists slamming with enough force to rattle his bones.
For all the nukes and swords he'd endured without a scratch, this was what left him swaying like a drunk man.
And then, suddenly, Shiki moved.
In one swift motion, his hand shot out, catching her wrists.
Before Ai could jerk free, his other arm wrapped around her waist and yanked her flush against him.
Her fist froze, trembling against his chest.
The crowd went silent.
"Wha—w-wha—" Ai stuttered, eyes wide, face so close she could feel his breath against her skin.
"Calm down, Kitten," Shiki murmured, his voice low, gentle. "Breathe."
Her struggles faltered. Her body stiffened, but her head dipped just slightly, forehead pressing against his chest.
His warmth, his steady heartbeat—her wild flaring temper shrank down to something softer, something she hated admitting out loud.
Shiki smirked, lowering his lips to her ear. "I wasn't cheating on you or anything, you know. Though… the way you're acting right now…"
His grin widened. "…you sound just like a jealous wife."
Her whole body went rigid.
"J-JEALOUS?!" she barked, voice an octave too high. "B-Baka! I wasn't—I—"
The words stuck in her throat. Her fist clenched weakly against his shirt.
Slowly, her voice softened, trembling. "…It's just that… when you interact with other girls… my chest hurts."
Her confession barely slipped past her lips, but Shiki heard every syllable.
For once, the smug pervert didn't laugh. He smiled.
Really smiled. His hand slid up to the back of her head, fingers threading into her hair, and his other hand rubbed soothing circles into her back.
"You're so cute," he whispered.
Her cheeks burned. "Shut up…"
The crowd wasn't silent anymore. They exploded. Cheers, whistles, catcalls. A couple shouted: "KISS HER ALREADY!"
Ai's head shot up, eyes narrowing at the audience. "S-SHUT UP!"
But before she could pull away, her mind nagged her with something. Something that had been bothering her ever since that incident.
Her brows furrowed, and she glanced down, hesitant. "…Shiki"
"Mm?" His hand was still petting her like she was a kitten.
"What was… that thing?" she asked slowly, careful, her tone utterly serious.
"…Thing?" He blinked.
"When that mage girl blasted you… and your clothes got burned… everyone was staring, and even I…" Her voice trailed, face heating up again. "There was something hanging between your legs. What was it?"
Shiki froze, lips twitching.
"…Oh for—" He dragged a hand down his face. "…Ai."
She tilted her head innocently. "And… why did you say her butt was perfect for… childbearing?"
Shiki's soul nearly left his body.
Shiki coughed into his fist, looking everywhere except Ai's wide, earnest eyes. "…How about…" He exhaled sharply. "…I explain all that at home?"
Ai's lips pouted, but she nodded slowly. "…Fine."
For a moment, the world shrank down to just them. Her head leaned against his chest. His hand stayed in her hair.
The tension in her shoulders melted, though her cheeks still blazed like fire. And for once, Shiki's teasing smile didn't have its usual edge—it was softer, warmer.
But the moment shattered when a booming, familiar laugh echoed across the courtyard.
"Hohohohohoho!"
Heads turned.
The Guild Master himself strode out, his robe swishing, beard practically glowing in the light. His laughter filled the air, bouncing off the walls.
"Well done, boy!" he bellowed, clapping his hands together. "Well done indeed! You've bested my granddaughter—without killing her, no less! A feat worth songs and tales!"
The crowd cheered again.
Seraphina's jaw clenched. Her knuckles tightened around her blade, but she lowered it. Her pride screamed, but her logic knew she couldn't argue—not after that.
The Guild Master beamed at Shiki, stroking his beard. "For sparing her, you have my deepest gratitude. Truly, you've proven yourself a man of both strength and control!"
Shiki gave a lazy salute, still holding Ai tucked against him like she belonged there. "Glad you noticed."
Seraphina exhaled sharply through her nose, refusing to look at either of them. Her pride burned holes in her chest.
Then the Guild Master's gaze shifted to her. His voice boomed again. "Seraphina! Do you remember your wager?"
Her eyes snapped to him. "Grandfather—"
"You can no longer meddle with this boy," he declared, ignoring her tone. "And he has the right to ask for anything he desires from you. That was the deal, was it not?"
The crowd gasped.
Seraphina's jaw tightened so hard her teeth ached. Every instinct screamed at her to lash out, to argue, to fight.
But she couldn't. The duel was fair, witnessed by hundreds. Her honor demanded she swallow the humiliation.
Slowly, stiffly, she lowered her head. "…I remember."
The courtyard buzzed with disbelief.
Shiki's smirk returned, though Ai elbowed him sharply in the ribs when she felt his chest rumble with laughter.
He bent slightly, whispering, "Don't worry. I'm not asking for her hips. Yours are better."
Ai's entire face turned crimson. "B-BAKA!"
The Guild Master roared with laughter again. "Hohohoho! Excellent! Excellent!"
The arena was still buzzing, the crowd trying to process what had just happened, when Shiki finally loosened his hold on Ai.
Ai, however, didn't let go.
Her small hand slid down his sleeve until it hooked firmly around his arm, anchoring herself there as if afraid he might suddenly disappear—or worse, wander off to go petting someone else again.
Her pout lingered, cheeks still flushed, but her grip was solid, possessive.
Shiki chuckled lowly, glancing down at her. "Oh? Hanging on so tightly now, are we?"
Ai glared up at him, her lips puffed. "Shut up."
The two began walking—slow, deliberate steps across the battle-scarred courtyard.
The Guild Master, still chuckling to himself, stepped aside grandly as if clearing the stage for their approach.
And standing there, waiting, were Seraphina and Lyra.
Seraphina's blade was already sheathed, her arms folded across her chest, her posture rigid as stone.
Her jaw tightened when her eyes locked onto Shiki's smug grin. Her pride screamed, but she stood tall, like a knight unwilling to bend further.
Beside her, Lyra shifted nervously from foot to foot. Her eyes darted everywhere—at the Guild Master, at Shiki, at Ai, then down at her own shoes. She looked like she wanted to vanish into the floor.
The two groups met in the middle.
Shiki tilted his head, that crooked smirk never faltering.
He let his gaze roam deliberately, from Seraphina's glare all the way down her torn armor, where a few patches of pale skin peeked through the rents his battle had left.
Seraphina's face twitched. "…"
Ai noticed the way his eyes lingered and immediately yanked on his arm. "Onii—Shiki!" she hissed, cheeks puffed again.
He ignored her, tapping his chin as though in deep thought. "Well…" His tone carried that casual laziness that always meant trouble. "…about that prize I'm supposed to get."
The entire crowd leaned forward, ears straining.
Seraphina lifted her chin, her voice firm despite the faint flush on her cheeks. "…Whatever it is, I will honor the wager."
She expected something lewd, something humiliating, something that would scar her knightly pride forever.
Shiki's smirk stretched wider. He let the silence hang just long enough to make her twitch.
Then he pointed casually to Ai.
"Train my wife."
The arena fell silent.
"…What?" Seraphina blinked.
"…What?" Ai echoed, eyes wide.
"…What?!" Lyra squeaked.
"…WHAT?!" the entire audience roared together.
Only the Guild Master stroked his beard and laughed, "Hohohohoho!"
Seraphina blinked twice, her rigid composure cracking into disbelief. "…Just that? That's all you want?"
Shiki tilted his head innocently. "Yeah. What else did you think I'd ask for?"
Her eye twitched. "You damn well know what I thought you'd ask for."
Ai tugged at his sleeve, glaring. "Shiki! You can't just—"
He cut her off by pressing his index finger gently against her lips.
Her eyes widened.
"You will," he said firmly, staring right into her eyes.
His voice dropped, not teasing, but commanding. "…That's final. Argue again, and I won't log in for a whole week."
Ai froze. Her cheeks flamed, her lips trembling against his finger. She wanted to yell, to stomp her foot, to argue—but the thought of him disappearing for a week left her silent.
Slowly, grudgingly, she nodded.
Shiki smiled and ruffled her hair. "Good Kitten."
The crowd exploded again. Cheers, laughter, whistles.
Seraphina, still baffled, finally regained her composure. She straightened her posture, her knightly pride forcing her to speak properly. "…If that is your request, then… I can manage. I will train her."
Her tone carried a strange mix of relief and irritation.
Shiki's grin deepened. "Perfect."
Then his eyes slid sideways.
Lyra flinched. Her whole body jolted as if she'd just been stabbed by his gaze. "M-me?!" she squeaked.
"Yeah, you." Shiki pointed at her with his free hand, still keeping Ai hooked to his other arm. "Please teach her magic."
Lyra's hands tightened on her robe. "M-magic? M-me? But—"
"Yes." His tone left no room for argument.
Ai's pout returned instantly. She stomped her foot lightly. "I don't need magic!"
Shiki's hand shot out again, finger pressing to her lips before she could go on.
"You will." His eyes softened, but his tone remained firm. "…That's final."
Ai's lips quivered against his finger again. Her chest squeezed painfully. It wasn't fair—he always knew how to shut her down with just one look, one word, one touch.
Finally, she lowered her gaze and whispered, "…Fine."
Shiki chuckled, ruffling her hair again. "See? You're learning already."
Lyra wrung her hands nervously. "…M-me, teach Ai-San? But I'm not… I'm not very good with teaching…"
"You'll do fine," Shiki interrupted, his voice casual but certain. "Besides, it'll be fun. Right?"
Ai muttered into his sleeve, "…Baka."
The Guild Master's booming laugh cut through the air again. "Hohohohoho! Excellent! Excellent indeed! You've taken the spirit of the wager and twisted it on its head, boy. Instead of humiliating my granddaughter, you've entrusted her with your most precious treasure."
Shiki smirked, rubbing Ai's head again. "…Exactly."
The Guild Master's eyes gleamed. "Hohohoho! Marvelous! This is far more entertaining than anything else you could've asked for!"
Seraphina folded her arms again, her jaw tight, but she gave a sharp nod. "Very well. I will train her as you requested."
Lyra fidgeted, cheeks pink, but she bobbed her head shyly. "…I-I'll try my best."
Ai clung tighter to Shiki's arm, still pouting, still burning from embarrassment, but unable to stop the faint, reluctant warmth spreading in her chest.
Shiki just grinned, smug as always, and whispered low enough for only Ai to hear:
"See? You're going to get even stronger now. Strong enough that maybe next time… you'll be able to pin me down instead."
Ai's face turned crimson. "…BAKA!"
The Guild Master's laugh thundered again, sealing the moment.
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END OF CHAPTER : 22 : JEALOUS WIFE AND THE WAGER!
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