At the none-too-unexpected blow to his midsection, Shinra merely let out a pained wheeze and gripped Celty tighter out of reflex before gingerly relaxing his hold again. He pulled away just enough to properly look at her and where her face would be, smiling brightly at the curling wisps of shadow drifting up from her neck.

"Ahh, I'm sorry for getting carried away, Celty!" he apologized with a nervous laugh as he rubbed the sore spot left by the blow. "Don't worry. Just being with you makes me happy, so this is just fine! You're so lovely and soft to hold-- Ah~ Every man should be so lucky!"