The room was quiet. Kurome was curled up on the sofa, her eyes closed as if asleep. Suddenly, she abruptly opened her eyes, a hint of panic flashing in them before subsiding after a few seconds.
She pursed her lips and looked towards the laboratory door. It was tightly shut; Aoki hadn't come out yet. She thought of the four monsters inside and found it hard to believe they were once the Four Demon Rakshasa. Aoki had explained that the original Rakshasa were dead, and these creatures were resurrected using his power.
Creak.
The laboratory door opened, and Aoki walked out. "It's over. Let's head out," he said. They had been in that dimension for almost a day.
"Okay!" The gloom in Kurome's eyes vanished instantly as she hurried to Aoki's side. He grabbed her shoulders, and in an instant, both figures vanished.
In the hotel room, Leone glanced out the window and yawned. "Akame, it's almost dawn. Should we keep waiting?"
Because of Akame's status as a wanted traitor, they needed the cover of night to leave the city safely. If they didn't move now, they'd be stuck until the next night.
Akame remained silent for a moment before standing up. "It seems Kurome and the others have truly left. Let's go."
Leone put her hands behind her head. "Maybe it's for the best. At least you don't have to make that painful decision tonight, right?"
The two walked toward the exit. Reaching the door, Akame took one last look at the empty room and slowly began to close it. Suddenly, an invisible ripple spread through the air, and two figures appeared out of nowhere.
Aoki's gaze swept the room, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Someone has been in here."
Kurome's gaze sharpened instantly. "Who is it?"
"Not sure," Aoki replied. "But don't panic. It was probably just a thief." There were many lock-pickers in the Capital; it wasn't uncommon.
Meanwhile, Akame and Leone had just stepped out of the hotel. The streets were deserted.
"Let's go straight back to the base," Leone suggested.
But Akame stopped, looking back at the building.
"What's wrong?"
"I need to go back and check," Akame said firmly.
"Why?"
"I feel it... Kurome is there."
Without another word, Akame rushed back into the hotel. She reached the door and pushed it open with force.
Bang!
Two pairs of eyes turned to her simultaneously.
"Wait, Akame! You said you felt—" Leone caught up, breathless, but stopped mid-sentence. "They really came back."
"So it was you," Aoki exclaimed. "I thought a thief had broken in!"
"Kurome!" Akame ignored Aoki entirely. Her eyes were fixed on the slender, black-haired girl. Her heart was a complex mix of grief and longing.
The next moment, a dark figure flashed across the room and pounced into her arms. A familiar, soft voice rang in her ears.
"Sister!"
Akame was stunned. She had imagined many scenarios for this meeting—reminiscing, clashing blades, or even a final goodbye. But she never imagined Kurome would embrace her so intimately. It was a hope she had long buried. In a daze, she felt like they were children again, depending only on each other for survival.
Leone watched them, confused. Isn't this just two ordinary sisters reuniting? Where is the 'kill-on-sight' tension?
"Come in and sit down," Aoki invited calmly. Leone looked at him, feeling awkward. "Would you like a drink?" he asked, producing a bottle of wine.
Aoki had anticipated this. In fact, approaching Leone was exactly how he planned to bring Akame here.
Akame finally found her voice. "Kurome, what exactly is going on?"
Looking at her Little Sister, Akame realized she was different. It wasn't just her mood; her entire presence, physically and mentally, felt transformed.
Kurome looked at Aoki, and Akame followed her gaze. "Because of him?" Akame asked.
"That's right! Aoki saved me!" Kurome smiled faintly. "Sister, I've already escaped the Empire's grasp."
Akame couldn't control her emotions anymore. She gripped Kurome's shoulders, staring into her eyes with excitement. "Kurome, is it really true?"
Kurome nodded emphatically.
"That's wonderful!" Akame hugged her Little Sister tightly. For her, there was no better news in the world. She looked at Aoki again. Could love really have such power? She felt a surge of gratitude, mixed with a tiny trace of jealousy—she had tried everything to save her sister, yet this man had succeeded.
Aoki, meanwhile, was sizing up Akame. He knew she was one of the most dangerous people alive. Her Teigu, the One-Cut Killer: Murasame, was lethal; even a scratch could be fatal. He wasn't entirely sure if his demon regeneration could bypass that curse.
After a long time, the sisters separated. Akame held Kurome's hand tightly. "Kurome, tell me everything."
Kurome hid nothing, explaining how she met Aoki. She skipped the details of the demonic power he gave her but mentioned the changes in her body.
"Your body is healthy again? You don't need the drugs anymore?" Akame asked in disbelief.
"Yes, I don't need the medicine anymore." Kurome nestled close to her sister. Having let go of her obsession, she realized how much she had truly missed her.
"That's wonderful, Kurome," Akame murmured, her eyes moistening.
Akame had two dreams: to overthrow the Empire and to save her Little Sister. The second had always seemed more impossible than the first. To have it come true so suddenly felt like a miracle. She had come here ready to settle a blood feud, but instead, she found the one thing she wanted most.
Read 10+ Chapters Advanced chapters ahead at Patreon.
[email protected]/Horizons685
End of this chapter...