My AI Girlfriend Thinks She Is Real!-Chapter 49 - : : Rage!

Flashback – Moments After the Tunnel

Shiki stood frozen on the rooftop overlooking the tunnel entrance, chest heaving from the sprint. His fists clenched so hard the leather of his gloves creaked.

Seraphina landed beside him, boots silent on the tiles. "It’s gone."

Lyra appeared a second later, staff glowing faintly. "Like the carriage never existed."

Shiki didn’t answer. His eyes were fixed on the tunnel, pupils blown wide with fury and something far more dangerous—fear.

In his mind, he screamed.

*Kitten! KITTEN!*

The word echoed through the link, raw and desperate.

Seraphina flinched. "Sir Shiki—"

Lyra clutched her staff tighter.

Then, suddenly—

A small, irritated voice cut through the link.

*Shut up, Shiki. You’re too loud.*

Ai.

Shiki’s entire body sagged with relief. He exhaled a shaky breath that sounded almost like a laugh. "Kitten..."

Seraphina’s shoulders dropped. "She’s safe."

Lyra’s eyes filled with tears. "Thank the gods..."

Shiki’s voice came back steadier, though still edged with panic. "Where are you now, kitten? Give me anything—landmarks, sounds, anything."

Ai’s voice wavered, soft and shy despite the situation. *I... I’m still in the carriage. Aren’t you all following me?*

Shiki’s jaw clenched. "Listen to me carefully, kitten. Don’t be scared. Just give me information, alright? I promise I’ll protect you. No matter what."

There was a pause. Then, quieter: *H-huh? Okay...*

Present – Marcous’s Cottage

The cottage was in ruins. The wall Marcous had crashed through was gone.

Ai lay on the black silk sheets, unconscious but breathing steadily. Lyra knelt beside her, hands glowing soft blue as healing magic flowed into Ai’s body. The drug was fading slowly—Lyra’s spell gentle but thorough.

Shiki stood in the center of the room, back to Ai, facing the hole in the wall.

Marcous staggered to his feet outside, coat torn, lip bleeding, but still smiling that perfect, manic smile.

Seraphina stepped forward, sword half-drawn. "Shiki, let me—"

"Leave him to me."

The words were quiet, but they carried the weight of a guillotine. Seraphina froze mid-step.

She looked at him—really looked.

Shiki’s fists were clenched so tight blood dripped from his knuckles where the nails dug in. The air around him felt heavier, charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.

Seraphina slowly sheathed her sword. "Understood."

She stepped back.

Lyra glanced up from Ai, eyes wide.

"Stay with her," Shiki said without turning. "Keep her safe."

Lyra nodded quickly. "Y-yes!"

Shiki stepped through the broken wall.

Marcous laughed—high, unhinged. "So dramatic! You think you can—"

Shiki moved.

One moment he was standing stil.

The next moment, his fist was buried in Marcous’s stomach.

The actor doubled over with a choked gasp, eyes bulging.

But before Shiki could follow through, a faint shimmer rippled across Marcous’s body—a translucent barrier flaring to life just as the second punch landed.

The impact rang out like metal striking stone. Shiki’s knuckles met resistance; the barrier cracked but held.

Marcous straightened slowly, wiping blood from his lip, confidence returning to his face. "Impressive... but not enough." He smirked, voice mocking. "You think you can just—"

The barrier shattered like glass.

Shiki’s second punch drove straight into Marcous’s stomach again—harder this time.

Air exploded from the actor’s lungs in a wet wheeze. He flew backward, crashing into the nearest tree with enough force to splinter bark and crack the trunk.

Marcous slid down the trunk, coughing blood, but still tried to rise.

Shiki was already there.

He grabbed Marcous by the throat, lifted him one-handed, and slammed him against the nearest tree hard enough to crack the trunk.

Marcous wheezed, clawing at Shiki’s wrist. "Y-you... can’t... kill me... I’m—"

"You’re nothing," Shiki snarled. "You touched her. You drugged her. You thought you could take her." His grip tightened. "Biggest mistake of your miserable life."

Marcous’s smile twisted into a grimace.

Shiki’s other fist crashed into Marcous’s face. Bone crunched. Blood sprayed.

"You touched her," Shiki said, voice deadly calm. "Big mistake."

Each blow was methodical. He broke threw his barriers each time he punched him. Fueled by cold fury.

Marcous’s perfect features crumpled under the onslaught—nose broken, lips split, one eye swelling shut.

He raised his fist again.

Inside the cottage, Ai stirred.

"Sh-Shiki...?"

Lyra gasped. "You’re awake!"

Ai sat up slowly, head pounding, vision blurry. "Where...?"

Seraphina knelt beside her. "You’re safe. Shiki got you out."

Ai’s eyes widened. "Shiki... where is he?"

Outside, the sounds of violence continued—thuds, cracks, Marcous’s choked laughter turning to screams.

Ai scrambled to her feet, swaying. "I... I have to—"

Seraphina caught her arm. "Let him finish it. He needs this."

Ai looked toward the broken wall, eyes filling with tears. "But... he’s angry... because of me..."

Lyra hugged her gently. "He’s protecting you. That’s what he does."

"But... But... I don’t him to kill someone." Ai said, tears flowing freely.

Outside, Shiki stood over Marcous’s broken body. The actor was still breathing—barely.

Shiki crouched, grabbed him by the hair, forced his head up.

"Look at me," he said.

Marcous’s eyes fluttered open, dazed.

Shiki’s voice was ice. "You will never touch another girl again."

Marcous tried to speak. Blood bubbled from his lips.

Shiki’s fist rose again—slow, deliberate, knuckles already split and bloody.

This punch would end it. One final blow to crush the life out of the monster who had dared touch his Ai.

Marcous lay crumpled against the tree, barely conscious, chest rising in shallow, wet rasps. He didn’t even try to defend himself anymore.

Shiki’s arm tensed, muscles coiling.

And then—

Soft arms wrapped around him from behind.

Ai.

Her body pressed against his back, breasts soft and warm through her thin blouse, cheek resting between his shoulder blades. Her grip was tight, desperate, trembling fingers clutching the front of his shirt.

"Shiki..."

Her voice cracked—small, raw, tear-soaked.

Shiki froze. The fist hovered in mid-air.

Ai’s tears soaked into the fabric against his back. "Please... stop..."

He didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

Ai’s arms tightened, her whole body shaking. "I-I’m okay... I’m here... you saved me... please... don’t..."

Her voice broke into a sob. "I don’t want you to kill someone... not for me... please, Shiki..."

Shiki’s fist trembled.

Marcous coughed weakly from the ground, blood bubbling on his lips.

Shiki’s eyes stayed locked on the broken man.

Ai pressed her cheek harder against his back, voice barely a whisper. "Look at me... please..."

Slowly—agonizingly—Shiki lowered his arm.

He turned in her embrace, hands coming up to cup her tear-streaked face. His thumbs brushed away the wetness under her eyes, gentle despite the blood still on his knuckles.

"Kitten..." His voice was hoarse, cracked. "I am sorry—"

"I know," Ai whispered, fresh tears spilling over his fingers. "But... I’m safe now. Because of you." She leaned up on her toes, pressing her forehead to his. "You came for me. That’s enough."

Shiki’s eyes squeezed shut. "I almost lost you..."

"You didn’t." Ai’s arms slid around his neck, pulling him down until their foreheads touched. "You found me. You always do."

He exhaled shakily, arms wrapping around her waist, crushing her against him like he could shield her from the entire world.

"I was so scared..." he admitted, voice muffled against her hair.

Ai clung tighter. "I’m here. I’m right here."

Behind them, Seraphina and Lyra watched in silence. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Marcous tried to crawl away—pathetic, wheezing.

Shiki’s head snapped toward him, eyes flashing.

Ai cupped his face quickly, turning him back to her. "No. Look at me. Only me."

Shiki’s gaze softened, focusing on her.

Ai smiled through her tears—small, shaky, but real. "Thank you... for saving me."

Shiki leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers again. "Always, kitten. Always."

He kissed her then—slow, deep, desperate. Not hungry like before. This was something else—relief, love, a promise carved into every brush of lips.

Ai melted into it, fingers threading through his hair, tears mixing on their cheeks.

When they finally parted, both breathing hard, Shiki rested his forehead against hers.

"I love you," he whispered, voice raw.

Ai’s smile trembled. "I love you too... husband."

Behind them, Marcous groaned weakly.

Shiki didn’t even glance back.

"Let the guards have him," he said quietly. "He doesn’t deserve my time anymore."

Seraphina nodded once. "I’ll call them."

Lyra stepped forward hesitantly. "A-Ai-san... are you hurt?"

Ai shook her head, still wrapped in Shiki’s arms. "I’m okay... thanks to him."

Shiki kissed her temple. "Let’s go home, kitten."

Ai nodded against his chest. "Home... yeah."

He lifted her easily, cradling her bridal-style. Ai wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling into his throat.

Seraphina reached Marcous and pointed her sword at his neck, "Where are the girls?"

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END OF Chapter : 49 : RAGE!

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