~ Aika learns that babysitting is a life-or-death profession
Aika woke up screaming.
"NO—PUT THAT DOWN—THAT'S FLAMMABLE—"
She jolted upright, heart racing, only to immediately smack her forehead on something solid.
"Ow—!"
She blinked.
Blue crystals. Stone walls. Fur mantle wrapped around her like a burrito of poor decisions.
"…Right," she muttered. "Beastworld. Murder alpha. Treason baby."
The system chimed, far too cheerful for the hour.
[GOOD MORNING, PLAYER!] [YOU ARE STILL ALIVE.]
"Low bar, but appreciated."
She shifted—and froze.
There was weight on her stomach.
Warm. Small. Breathing.
Aika slowly looked down.
Mochi.
The baby Shiranui was sprawled across her midsection like a fluffy landmine, tiny paws kneading her shirt, faint blue embers puffing softly from his fur with every breath.
Aika went perfectly still.
"…If I move, will you explode?" she whispered.
Mochi sneezed.
A spark popped.
Aika's soul left her body again.
[WARNING: RAPID MOVEMENT MAY TRIGGER DEFENSIVE FLAME RESPONSE.]
"I WASN'T MOVING!"
Mochi yawned, rolled onto his back, and exposed a very soft, very tempting belly.
Aika clenched her fists.
Don't touch. Don't pet. Don't—
He chirped.
Her resolve shattered instantly.
"Oh no," she whispered. "You're doing the cute thing."
She hovered one finger above his belly, sweating.
"One pet," she bargained. "Just one. For morale."
She gently—very gently—poked his fluff.
Mochi purred.
Blue flames dimmed into a warm glow.
Aika gasped. "IT WORKED."
[YOU ARE INTERACTING WITH A VOLATILE MAGICAL INFANT.]
"He likes me!"
[THAT DOES NOT MAKE THIS SAFE.]
Mochi wiggled, rolled onto her chest, and headbutted her chin affectionately.
Aika squeaked. "Okay—okay—personal space—"
The den suddenly filled with pressure.
Heavy. Cold. Predatory.
Aika stiffened.
Footsteps approached.
Oh no.
Kazuki stepped inside the den—and stopped dead.
His gaze locked instantly onto the scene before him:
A human. Wrapped in his mantle. On his sleeping platform. With his nephew curled on her chest like he belonged there.
The air temperature dropped.
"…Explain," Kazuki said quietly.
Aika didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Her brain screamed: LIE. SAY SOMETHING. ANYTHING.
"M-Morning?" she tried.
Mochi chirped happily and nuzzled her neck.
Kazuki's eye twitched.
"He is imprinting," he said flatly.
Aika blinked. "Is that bad?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
[CRITICAL EVENT: INFANT BOND FORMATION DETECTED.]
"WHY DOES EVERYTHING BOND TO ME?!"
Kazuki strode forward in three long steps and reached for the baby.
The moment his fingers got close—
Mochi hissed.
Tiny flames flared.
Kazuki froze mid-motion.
"…He warned me," Kazuki muttered.
Aika's mouth fell open. "He… defended me?"
The baby puffed proudly.
Kazuki stared at his nephew, then at Aika, expression unreadable.
"…What did you do."
"I EXISTED," she squeaked. "AND I HAVE A VERY PETTABLE CHEST AREA—WAIT NOT LIKE THAT—"
Kazuki straightened slowly, rubbing his temple. "You are not to touch him."
"I didn't mean to!"
"And yet you did."
"Because he crawled on me!"
"He would not do that without instinctual cause."
Aika shrank. "I'm sorry…?"
Silence stretched.
Then Kazuki sighed.
A real one.
Long. Tired. Dangerous.
"This complicates everything."
[QUEST UPDATED: CARE FOR THE HEIR (TEMPORARY)] Failure: Death Reward: Trust + Protection
Aika stared at the interface. "TEMPORARY?!"
Kazuki pointed at the baby. "He will not leave you."
Aika looked down.
Mochi was already asleep again, little flames flickering contentedly.
"…So," she said weakly. "I'm his emotional support human now?"
Kazuki's jaw tightened.
"Yes."
She swallowed. "Does this mean I'm… safe?"
He looked at her.
Really looked.
"…As long as he chooses you," Kazuki said quietly, "so will I."
Aika's heart skipped.
That… sounded ominous.
The system chimed one last time.
[NOTICE:] [THE ALPHA IS BEGINNING TO ASSOCIATE YOUR SCENT WITH STABILITY.]
Kazuki's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he felt something he didn't like.
Aika hugged the baby gently.
"…I'm so screwed," she whispered.
Mochi purred.
Kazuki turned away sharply.
"…Get dressed," he said gruffly. "You will eat."
Aika blinked. "I get food?"
"You are guarding the future of my species."
She grinned weakly. "No pressure."
Kazuki paused at the den entrance.
"…Do not let him set you on fire," he added.
Then he left.
Aika stared after him, heart pounding, baby warm against her chest.
"Okay," she whispered to Mochi. "Rule one."
She looked down at the tiny flaming fluffball.
"Don't kill Auntie."
Mochi sneezed.
A spark popped.
"…Rule two," Aika amended.