The four of them found themselves back in front of the lion fountain. The stone beast loomed over them, water trickling down its carved mane. Everyone looked a little worn from the string of visits they had made throughout the day.
Seraphina crossed her arms. "Every house said the same name." Her voice was heavy. "Sir Marcous Malavo."
Lyra let out a short, tired breath and leaned against the edge of the fountain. "Famous actor. Idol of half the city's women. But beneath all that… it stinks. The timing, the pattern. It's too much of a coincidence."
Ai pressed closer into Shiki's side, hooking his arm, her cheek brushing his shoulder. "But… we don't have proof. Everyone already said the investigators couldn't do anything, right?"
Seraphina nodded. "That's correct. No physical evidence, no witnesses. He's untouchable as he is."
Shiki tilted his head, a little smirk tugging at his lips. "Untouchable, huh? Sounds like a challenge."
Ai looked up at him, eyes wide. "Shiki…"
Seraphina ignored his smugness, sitting down on the fountain's stone edge. "So the question is… how do we expose him? If we move too hastily, we'll tip him off."
There was a heavy silence, broken only by the splash of the fountain.
Ai fidgeted, then lifted her face to Shiki, her voice soft but curious. "Ne, ne, Shiki."
He looked down at her. "Hm?"
Her lips curved into a small pout as she shyly suggested, "How about… we send someone who'll act like his fan? If he's the kidnapper, he might try to take them with him. Then… then we can expose him."
Shiki's brows rose slightly. "Oh? That's… actually not bad, Ai."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed, calculating. "Using bait." She rested her chin against her hand. "Dangerous… but it might be the only way to draw out his true nature."
Seraphina hummed thoughtfully. "But for bait to work, it must be… irresistible." She leaned forward a little. "We'd need someone he'd absolutely want. Someone striking. Someone he couldn't say no to."
There was a small pause. Ai tilted her head, thinking about who that could be—when she suddenly noticed.
The other three were staring at her.
She blinked rapidly. "H-huh? Why are you all staring at me like that?"
Seraphina's lips curled faintly. "Because the answer is obvious. You really don't realize how much attention you draw, do you?"
Ai flushed, pressing herself tighter against Shiki's arm as though trying to hide inside him. "N-no way. I'm not going. Absolutely not."
Her grip on Shiki tightened, her voice turning into a whine. "Shiki… I'm not going."
Shiki chuckled, patting her hand where it clutched his sleeve. "Don't look at me like that. I haven't even said anything yet."
Ai puffed her cheeks, glaring up at him, still hugging his arm as if she'd never let go. "If you say yes, I'll hate you."
He smirked, clearly enjoying her fluster. "Mm… but Kitten, if you did go… I'd have to give you a reward afterward."
Her eyes widened, color rushing up her neck to her cheeks. "R-reward? What kind of reward?!"
His grin turned downright smug. "The kind you love."
Ai let out a tiny squeak, looking away while her ears burned red. "…I-I'm only doing this to save those girls, okay?! Don't get the wrong idea."
Seraphina chuckled softly at the scene. "Sir Shiki, you certainly know how to persuade your kitten."
Ai immediately shot her a look. "D-don't call me that in front of people!" She buried her face against Shiki's shoulder.
Shiki, still amused, reached up to ruffle Ai's hair. His voice lowered, steady and serious this time. "Don't worry. If anything goes wrong, I'll be there first. No one will hurt you as long as I live."
Ai froze, her lips parting just slightly at the weight in his words. Then she slowly tightened her arms around his, her head pressed into him. "…Shiki. That's not fair… you say things like that and… and I can't argue anymore."
He leaned down, brushing a kiss against her hair. "Good."
Seraphina laughed softly at the tender display. "You two really are something else. Ajio-san, you look like a little girl clinging to her favorite toy."
"I-I'm not!" Ai protested immediately, her cheeks still hot.
Seraphina tilted her head. "But in all seriousness, it could work. He will never resist Ai. We had seen already that he is attracted to her. The only problem is making sure she isn't taken away."
Shiki's smile lost its smugness for a moment, becoming sharp. "That won't happen. Not with me around."
Ai peeked up at him, eyes shining. "…You promise?"
He looked her in the eyes. "I promise."
Seraphina stood, her cloak swaying lightly. "Then it's decided. Ai will act as the lure. We'll be nearby to monitor and strike if necessary. And if Sir Marcous truly is behind the kidnappings…" Her voice dropped, calm and cold. "…we'll catch him in his own act."
Lyra nodded firmly. "Agreed."
Ai squirmed a little, still hiding half her face against Shiki's shoulder. "I don't like this… but… if it saves those girls, I'll do it." She gave Shiki's arm a little squeeze. "Only because you'll be right there."
He stroked her hair gently. "Always."
Seraphina glanced up at the lion fountain, the water spilling endlessly into the basin. "The lion is a symbol of courage." She looked at Ai. "It seems, you will embody it."
Ai blinked, startled. "…I-I don't feel courageous at all."
Lyra giggled. "That's why it'll work. You'll act natural, and he'll see what he wants to see."
Ai pouted, pressing closer to Shiki again. "I still don't like it."
Shiki leaned down, his lips brushing near her ear. "…Then I'll just have to make your reward extra sweet."
Her entire face went red. "S-Shikiii!"
The other two women exchanged looks, half amused, half exasperated.
Seraphina shook her head lightly. "Truly, Sir Shiki… you're as reckless as you are confident."
Shiki only smirked, tightening his arm around Ai. "That's why it works."
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END OF CHAPTER : 40 : THE BAIT THAT SHINES TOO BRIGHT!
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