"Link Start."
The familiar voice echoed in Shiki's mind, calm and mechanical, as the NerveGear hummed to life. Darkness enveloped him for a split second—the usual void of transition—before light flooded back in.
Shiki's eyes fluttered open.
He was on the couch in their mansion living room, exactly where he'd logged out last time. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting warm patterns on the wooden floor. The air carried that faint, comforting scent of lavender from the candles Ai liked to light.
He blinked slowly, taking it in.
Then, he raised his right hand in front of his face. Flexed his fingers. Made a fist. Clenched it tight.
The muscles responded perfectly. No lag. No disconnect. It felt… exactly like real life.
"Huh…" Shiki muttered, his voice coming out clear and natural in the virtual space. He turned his hand over, examining the lines on his palm, the subtle veins. "This NerveGear upgrade… it's no joke."
He reached for the pillow beside him—the soft, oversized one Ai loved to hug during naps. His fingers closed around it. Squeezed.
The fabric gave under his grip. Soft. Plush. He could feel the threads, the slight give of the stuffing inside.
Shiki's eyes widened slightly. "Damn… I can feel it. Texture, pressure… everything."
He tossed the pillow lightly, caught it again. The weight shifted in his hand just like it would in reality—no artificial delay, no muted sensation.
"This is too good," he whispered, a grin spreading across his face. "xAI really outdid themselves with this full-dive patch."
The immersion was flawless. No more half-sensory logins. He could taste, smell, touch—everything.
And that meant…
"Kitten?" Shiki called out, his voice carrying through the mansion halls.
Footsteps. Quick, light, frantic.
"Shiki!"
Ai came barreling down the corridor, her ponytail bouncing wildly, eyes wide and shining. She didn't slow down—just launched herself straight at him.
He caught her effortlessly as she jumped into his arms, her body slamming against his chest with a soft thud. Her arms wrapped around his neck, legs hooking around his waist as she hugged him like she'd never let go.
"You left for so long!" Ai cried, her voice muffled against his shoulder, a mix of relief and accusation. "I was waiting… and waiting… and you were gone forever!"
Shiki's arms tightened around her instinctively, one hand supporting her back, the other cradling her thighs. The feel of her—warm, soft, real—hit him like a wave.
He pushed her back gently, just enough to look at her face.
Ai blinked, confused. "What happened?"
Shiki didn't answer right away. His hands came up, cupping her cheeks—both palms pressing against her soft, warm skin. He rubbed gently, thumbs tracing along her jawline, feeling the subtle give, the smoothness.
Ai's eyes widened, her breath catching. "Sh-Shiki…?"
He pinched one cheek lightly, watching it flush pink under his fingers.
Then, his thumb traced lower, brushing over her soft lower lip, pulling it down just a fraction.
Ai trembled, her lips parting in surprise, a tiny gasp escaping.
"You're so soft," Shiki murmured, voice low, almost reverent.
Ai's face exploded in crimson. Her hands flew up to cover his, but she didn't pull them away—just held them there, trembling. "Sh-Shiki… what are you—"
He leaned in closer, eyes locked on hers, thumb still teasing her lip. "The new gear… I can feel everything now. Your skin. Your warmth." His fingers slid down, tracing her neck, feeling the rapid pulse beneath. "You."
Ai's breath hitched, her body pressing closer on instinct. "Y-you… you feel… me?"
"Every inch," he whispered, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, pulling her in.
Their lips met.
Not gentle this time. Hungry. Real.
Ai moaned softly into his mouth, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she kissed him back desperately. The sensation—the taste of her, the softness of her lips, the way her body molded against his—was overwhelming.
Shiki's hands roamed lower, gripping her waist, pulling her flush against him on the couch. Ai straddled his lap naturally, her thighs squeezing his sides, her hoodie riding up as she arched into him.
"Shiki…" she gasped when he pulled back for air, her eyes hazy, lips swollen. "It feels… different… more…"
"Yeah," he growled, hands sliding under her hoodie, palms pressing against the bare skin of her back. "Because it's real now."
Ai whimpered, her body trembling as his fingers traced up her spine. "R-real…?"
"Full dive," he murmured against her neck, lips brushing the sensitive spot that made her squeal last time. "I can feel you. All of you."
She cried out softly as he nipped lightly, her hands fisting in his hair. "Sh-Shiki… that's… ahh…"
He pulled back just enough to look at her, eyes dark with want. "You wanted rewards, kitten. This is one."
Ai's blush deepened, but her eyes shone with need. "Th-then… reward me more…"
Shiki's grin turned predatory. His hands gripped her hips, flipping them suddenly so she was beneath him on the couch.
Ai gasped, staring up at him wide-eyed, her hoodie disheveled, exposing a strip of her stomach.
"Gladly."
His lips crashed against hers again, deeper this time, tongue teasing hers as she moaned into him. His hand slid up under her hoodie, cupping her breast fully—feeling the weight, the softness, the way her nipple hardened under his thumb.
Ai arched, crying out. "Shiki!! Th-that's—ahh!!"
He didn't stop. His mouth trailed down her neck, sucking marks into her skin as his hand kneaded her, teasing, pinching until she was writhing beneath him.
"You feel everything now?" she gasped, tears of pleasure in her eyes.
"Everything," he growled, pushing her hoodie up, exposing her fully to his gaze—and his touch.
Ai's body was perfect—an anime dream made flesh. Soft, curvy, her breasts full and heaving with each breath, nipples pink and begging.
Shiki's mouth descended, closing over one as his hand worked the other.
Ai screamed softly, back arching off the couch. "Shiki!! It's—it's too much!!"
He hummed against her, the vibration making her thighs clamp around his waist.
His free hand slid lower, fingers teasing the edge of her shorts, slipping beneath.
Ai's eyes went wide. "W-wait—Shiki—there—!!"
But he didn't wait. His fingers found her, slick and ready, and stroked.
Ai's world exploded in pleasure. She cried out, body bucking, clinging to him as waves crashed over her.
Shiki watched her come undone, his own arousal pressing hard against her thigh.
When she finally collapsed, panting, eyes glassy, he kissed her forehead.
"Reward one," he murmured. "There's more."
Ai whimpered, pulling him down. "M-more… please…"
Shiki's grin was all predator.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 41 : FULL DIVE REWARD!
---