On the morning of the 435th day, Kenshin asked the girls not to disperse after breakfast, greatly surprising them. Noriko was the most displeased, as late pregnancy terms caused her involuntary bursts of aggression. She could easily snap at Kenshin, and five minutes later rush into his arms and purr affectionately.
"Did something happen?" Hitomi asked in a soft tone, fearing bad news.
"No, of course not. I just want to show you something." Kenshin replied with a smile, stroking Karin who approached him.
"I'm sure it's another stupid card game..." Noriko snorted displeased.
"No, it's not a card game. I'm sure even a grump like you will like it." he said tenderly, heading to his pregnant wife.
"Pff, if I don't like it, a week after the pup is born, we'll go hunting again!" she declared affirmatively.
"Fine. But I'm sure you'll go crazy for this box of endless violence broadcasts..." he whispered with a smile, recalling how many people in his past world complained about the excessive violence on television.
Noriko, like the others, understood little and just shrugged, following Kenshin, who headed straight to the recreation room. Barely entering, she was surprised by the changes. A huge sofa and several luxurious armchairs took up most of the room, and something like a huge black glass hung on the wall.
"Wow, Kenshin, it's a TV!" Kasumi exclaimed in surprise, and some girls joyfully exchanged glances, while others had no idea what it was about.
"What's a TV?" Makoto asked, exchanging surprised looks with the completely clueless Karin.
"You'll all see soon." Kenshin said with a smile, seating the surprised women in different spots. The most valuable seat was next to Kenshin, but he deliberately placed Keiko, as well as Karin and Makoto, beside him.
"Ah!" Keiko exclaimed in surprise at the TV turning on. Makoto and Karin, in turn, couldn't utter a sound, eyes wide in amazement, mesmerized by the moving image.
"Wh-what is this?!" Noriko hissed, barely keeping calm. All the fur on her body stood on end from shock and the desire to distance herself from the unknown artifact.
"This is one of the best entertainments humanity in my world came up with!" Kenshin declared proudly, instantly alerting Keiko, who heard this info for the first time.
"What is your world like?" Makoto asked in surprise.
"Wait, you'll see soon." Kenshin whispered tenderly, stroking her head.
The first thing he decided to show them was the old animated film "Lion King." However, this version had much better quality and magnificent artwork, surprising even Kenshin himself a bit.
"No way!" Noriko exclaimed in surprise, returning from the adjacent room after checking that there was nothing on the other side of the wall. She still couldn't believe unusual drawn animals were hidden in a small glass.
"Noriko, please sit down." Kenshin said softly, and the girl reluctantly obeyed.
"I-impossible! Fleabags can't talk!" she exclaimed in shock, hearing human speech from the beasts' mouths.
"Shh!" all the women shushed her without exception.
The redhead, meanwhile, watched the screen with interest but didn't quite grasp the essence. With the control mark, her intellect had noticeably grown, but even so, she barely recognized the drawn lions and continued watching with interest.
The four youngest sons were no less engrossed than the rest, mouths agape, staring at the amazing talking animals.
Everyone followed the little lion cub's fate with huge interest and laughed heartily at his antics. Makoto and Karin were in indescribable delight and completely forgot about the cookies Kenshin had given them.
But everything changed when Mufasa's cub got trapped with a madly charging buffalo herd oncoming. The women held their breath and tensely watched how it would end.
Suddenly a strong lion, pride leader, fearlessly leaped down and did everything to save his cub, taking several wounds, then clung to a sheer cliff with his last strength, only to be coldly shoved off by his own brother coveting the leader spot.
The room instantly filled with loud sobs and the grief-stricken cries of two young girls. Karin and Makoto were completely overwhelmed and burst into loud tears, seeking comfort from Keiko and Kenshin. The younger sons, against their strongest urges, held back tears as best they could, burying faces in their mothers.
The other women could barely hold back tears at this heart-wrenching scene. Each saw something of her own in it. Noriko instantly plunged into memories, seeing her mighty father who gave his life to save the young. Suddenly the father's image shifted to her beloved man, making the strong-willed woman tremble and barely hold back tears.
Hitomi, in turn, shuddered, as what she saw resonated with her worst nightmares. Instead of the lion, she saw Kenshin rushing with all his might to help one of his sons but facing a much stronger enemy.
Keiko and Kenshin continued soothing their girls, and eventually Makoto and Karin began smiling again at the young lion's, warthog's, and meerkat's fun antics. They saw something so interesting for the first time and quickly got hooked, enjoying every second.
"That was magnificent..." Noriko whispered, impressed.
"I can't believe such a wonder can exist in our world... Our great grandpa would give anything to study this thing..." Keiko whispered, recalling her native clan.
"Unfortunately, this world won't see such tech anytime soon. The TV works only in our home, but take it outside, and it loses all properties." Kenshin replied, tenderly stroking the fingers of her left hand. Most of the viewing, he held her hand, enjoying her rare responsive touches.
After the animated film, Kenshin delighted everyone with news that it wasn't the only one they could watch. He also shocked them by saying now every room had a TV. Moreover, he demonstrated control of this tech wonder, helped choose the next film, and returned to work.