It wasn't until dinnertime that Ren finally finished his work. Most of it involved processing a large amount of data about the nobles.
"I'm hungry, Ren. And the snacks are all gone," Kurome said as she walked into Ren's office, holding up an empty snack bag.
"Alright, let's go back and eat. I'll make some snacks too," Ren said, standing up from his chair.
"Let's go quickly!" As soon as she heard the words food and snacks, Kurome's eyes sparkled with excitement.
The two left the office together.
"Is that Ren?" a voice asked nearby.
"Mhm."
"Akame, the girl next to him looks a lot like you," a blonde-haired woman said, her gaze fixed on Kurome walking beside Ren.
"She's my younger sister," Akame replied. Seeing the joyful smile on Kurome's face softened her mood.
"The Boss has decided to make contact with him," the blonde woman said.
"Why?" Akame frowned.
Ren wasn't a corrupt noble. More importantly, he had helped her sister escape her life as an assassin. He clearly adored her—he'd even held a grand wedding for her.
Akame didn't want to disturb the peaceful life they'd built.
"Because of his identity and position. He has access to a great deal of intelligence in the Capital. With his help, things would become much easier," the blonde woman explained calmly.
"Alright. When?" Akame asked. Her stance had changed—she no longer wanted her sister and brother-in-law to sacrifice themselves for the sake of a decaying empire.
"First, we complete tonight's mission. The Heli family has embezzled a massive amount of funds. They delight in torturing and killing civilians and even host murder tournaments. Any one of these crimes is unforgivable," the blonde said coldly.
Akame said nothing. She merely tightened her grip on her sword, Murasame and followed the blonde woman swiftly into the darkness.
Meanwhile, Ren and Kurome enjoyed a peaceful dinner. It wasn't until the night had fully settled in that they changed clothes and prepared to head out.
Tonight, Ren made only slight changes to his appearance. Since Chelsea was attending the evening banquet in his name, he couldn't appear in public himself.
Near the Heli estate, Ren paused.
He could clearly sense that the presence of people inside was disappearing—one by one.
Seeing that Kurome was about to take action, Ren quickly stopped her.
"There's someone inside," he said. "It's probably the Night Raid. Let's wait a bit before going."
"We're not leaving?" Kurome looked confused.
Normally, whenever Night Raid was involved, Ren would avoid the situation completely.
"I sensed something ominous," Ren replied with a faint smile. "I think your sister is here."
"My sister…"
Kurome's expression shifted.
She didn't feel she had the right to call her a traitor. After all, she was the first one to betray their side—she had left behind her life as an assassin and became Ren's wife.
But ever since learning that Akame had defected, Kurome didn't know how to face her.
Could she even question her about betrayal?
She didn't have the right.
For a moment, Kurome froze in place.
"What are you thinking about?" Ren asked, tapping her forehead gently.
"Ren… maybe I should go back."
Kurome didn't want to face her right now.
Ren thought back to the details of the original story.
Kurome valued her comrades deeply and hated traitors. By that logic, hearing Akame was nearby should've made her rush forward without hesitation. But here she was—hesitating.
It didn't make sense.
Kurome started to stand up and leave. Night Raid was here, so the mission must've already succeeded. She still didn't want to face Akame.
But just as she tried to stand, Ren pulled her into his arms.
"Let me go."
Kurome struggled for a moment, but Ren's strength was too much. She couldn't break free.
"It's okay," Ren said softly.
He didn't fully understand why she didn't want to face Akame, but he knew he couldn't let her walk away now.
"I just… can't get away…"
Kurome muttered, giving herself a reason to stop struggling. Then she quietly settled into Ren's embrace.
"It's almost over. Let's head inside."
Ren picked her up.
"I can walk on my own! What are you doing…" Kurome's face turned bright red.
Just imagining running into her sister while being carried like this—princess style—was incredibly embarrassing.
"You're not going back, are you?"
"I'm not going back! Put me down already!"
Kurome struggled in Ren's arms, using her signature spoiled tone that usually worked on everyone.
"Sister?"
Akame stepped out from the shadows. Her eyes landed on Kurome, who was acting all cutesy while nestled in a stranger's embrace.
"Hahaha! Kid, not bad—you've got quite a way with girls."
Leone followed behind Akame, laughing casually as if she hadn't just walked away from a battlefield soaked in blood.
Kurome froze. Her body stiffened.
Then, she buried her face in Ren's chest like a child hiding from scolding.
"Hello, Akame. I've heard a lot about you from Kurome."
Ren's voice was calm and gentle.
"Is that so?"
"I-I didn't…"
Kurome's voice dropped to a whisper, growing quieter and quieter.
"Akame, why don't you come with us? Kurome really misses you."
Ren smiled softly as he spoke, hoping to sway Akame by appealing to Kurome's feelings.
Akame glanced at her younger sister, who was peeking shyly from Ren's arms. For a moment, her expression softened. But then she thought of the Night Raid's leader—Najenda.
She inhaled deeply.
"Sorry."
Kurome's heart dropped.
She had hoped Akame might choose to stay with her.
But what reason could she offer? She was a traitor. A deserter. What right did she have to ask Akame to come with her?
She had no excuse.
"Hey, hey, hey. Trying to steal my teammate right in front of me? Not cool, kid."
Leone grinned as she casually slung her arm around Akame's shoulder.
"Your teammate? All I know is she's Kurome's sister. And that makes her someone important to Kurome. So naturally, she's my person too."
Ren said it as if it were the most logical thing in the world.
Kurome clung tighter to him and bit his chest, as if punishing him for his bold words.
Akame looked at her sister again, a flicker of conflict in her eyes.
Unlike the original timeline, they weren't enemies here. She wasn't under orders to kill her. And Kurome's feelings were clear.
Akame's heart began to waver.
"Heh."
Leone's smile faded.
If she didn't step in now, she could lose Akame.
She recalled Ren's speech, his charisma, the way he won people over. He was no ordinary man.
And if one day he stood against them...
They might not be able to stop him.
"I'm sorry, Kurome," Akame said softly. "There's something I have to finish first. But once that's done, I promise I'll spend proper time with you."
She bowed low, a full ninety degrees.
But before she could rise—
"Did I say you could leave, assassin from Night Raid?"
Ren's smile remained, but a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.
"Akame, be careful." Leone warned.
But Ren was faster. He knocked Akame unconscious in an instant and slung her over his shoulder, preparing to take her away.
"Kid, you've pissed me off now." Leone began activating her Teigu. For someone to knock out Akame with a single blow, he clearly wasn't weak. She had no reason to hold back.
She stomped the ground, cracking it beneath her feet, and charged straight at Ren. She planned to give him a serious beating.
"Hold onto me." Ren said to Kurome, showing no concern for Leone at all.
Kurome had been ready to fight, but when Ren suddenly pulled her into a firm hug, she decided to trust him. She wrapped both arms around his neck, locked her legs around his waist, and clung tightly to him.
Ren narrowly dodged Leone's fierce attack.
"Don't underestimate people like this!" Leone snapped.
Seeing Ren casually carrying Akame on one shoulder and Kurome in his arms while even joking mid-battle enraged her.
She exploded with speed and rushed at him again, unleashing her full strength. Her punches were powerful enough that even Danger Beasts would avoid them.
But Ren kicked.
He met her punch head-on with his foot and sent her flying, unconscious or worse.
"I'm... this strong?" Ren paused in thought. He had just defeated a Teigu user with ease.
"No, I can't get cocky." he quickly corrected himself. "There's still that woman who can freeze time, and another so fast she can move even while time is stopped. They're too dangerous."
He composed himself, called his subordinates to take over the Heli family's property, and calmly walked away with the two sisters.
**********
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