Chapter 43: Yuriko on the Run

Carmilla stopped less than 2 meters away from Yuriko.

For the Mafia, such a distance was already a provocation.

Normally, Yuriko would have long since taught anyone who dared offend her a lesson.

But the person standing before her was Carmilla.

Yuriko simply could not lay a hand on her.

In fact, if not for the Ogre Mask hiding her face, she would not even have had the courage to face Carmilla at all.

Carmilla’s nose twitched as she caught Yuriko’s scent.

“Ruri?”

In response to Carmilla’s question, Yuriko could only say guiltily, “I’m not Ruri. My name is Latia. You’ve got the wrong person.”

“You didn’t ask me who Ruri is because you already know who she is, right?”

Carmilla took a step toward Yuriko.

In the eyes of the Bone Crusher Gang, this was a severe provocation against their Big Sister.

In the past, there had been plenty of blind passersby who tried to hit on Yuriko when she was not wearing her mask.

Facing those guys, Yuriko never hesitated to gift them two slaps to show them her power.

Yet, facing this fragile girl who looked as if she might be blown over by a gentle breeze, Yuriko chose to retreat.

“Don’t come any closer. This is ridiculous. Forget it, I won’t lower myself to your level. I’m leaving.”

Yuriko turned and began to run away.

This scene left the members of the Bone Crusher Gang dumbfounded, as well as the members of the Flying Wheel Gang who were still lying on the ground with enough energy to watch.

“What the hell? Big Sister is actually running away?”

“Huh?!”

The fleeing Yuriko was grabbed by the wrist by Carmilla.

That hand, capable of slapping an adult man across the room, was caught by Carmilla as if a weight of a thousand pounds had been applied.

“Let go! I don’t have time to play with you!”

Yuriko spoke harshly, but her hand did not move an inch.

“You’re Ruri, aren’t you?”

“…”

Yuriko was silent for a long time before finally squeezing out a word:

“No.”

Clearly, Yuriko had been exposed.

She knew Carmilla had seen through her identity, but at a time like this, she had to play dumb.

As long as Carmilla did not see her face with her own eyes, there was still room to maneuver.

“Then let me see your face. If you aren’t her, I’m willing to apologize.”

“Huh? Why should I let you see my face? Who do you think you —”

Yuriko trailed off mid-sentence.

She could not bring herself to be crude with Carmilla or say anything harsh.

The demon of the underworld, the Crimson Bone Crusher Princess who had shattered countless criminal careers, appeared like a sulking child when facing a delicate girl like Carmilla.

Carmilla looked at the Yuriko she was holding, certain she was the one.

If it was not Yuriko, how could the girl before her be so gentle?

She looked at Yuriko, wanting to ask so many questions.

“Why lie? Why hide her identity? Why live with another girl…?”

“Anyway, I’m not the Ruri you’re talking about!”

Yuriko finally found some backbone and used a bit of force to break free from Carmilla’s grasp.

She rubbed her wrist.

Even though Carmilla’s grip had not been strong at all, her wrist felt tingly.

‘I should just leave. I’ll get home before Carmilla returns. As long as she hasn’t seen my face, I can just play it off.’

“Big Sister, I bought all the snacks you wanted!”

Lao Si pushed through the gang members blocking the road and shouted to Yuriko while holding up a bag of snacks.

“…”

Looking at the poorly timed appearance of Lao Si, Yuriko slapped her own mask.

Carmilla looked at the sudden arrival and asked, “Are the snacks… for me?”

Yuriko kept her back to Carmilla, remaining silent.

After a moment, Yuriko took off running.

Her speed was so great that everyone present only saw an after image.

Lao Si watched his boss run off, feeling a bit bewildered.

“Wait, why did Big Sister run? Didn’t we already win?”

Second walked over and slapped the back of Lao Si’s head.

“Idiot. Didn’t you see Big Sister was having a moment with the wife she brought back? Your sudden shouting just messed everything up!”

“Ah, then what do I do?”

“What do you do? Just wait for Big Sister to deal with you when she gets back.”

“Ah, I’m doomed!”

Lao Si held his head and wailed.

Carmilla did not pay attention to the gang; she just stared in the direction Yuriko had gone, lost in thought.

—

More than 2 hours had passed since she fled the scene of the fight.

Yuriko had already taken off her Ogre Mask and was walking aimlessly down the street.

Countless messages had arrived on her phone.

Yuriko did not have the courage to reply.

When Carmilla called, she just stared at the phone silently and let it hang up.

‘It’s been 30 minutes since the last message. Carmilla should have left by now, right?’

She walked home nervously.

Her pace was slow, taking nearly 30 minutes to reach her front door.

Like a thief, Yuriko gently pushed open her door.

“Good, the lights were off!”

Relieved, Yuriko turned on the living room light, only to lock eyes with Carmilla on the sofa.

“!”

Yuriko instinctively tried to flee, but as she turned, she noticed the tear stains on Carmilla’s face.

Her movement stopped abruptly.

Yuriko was like a machine that had been paused.

She held the position for a few seconds before finally speaking.

“Why… Why are you crying?”

Seeing Yuriko, Carmilla’s dry eyes grew moist again.

She fought back the tears, trying not to let them fall.

“Ruri, do you hate me?”

“Of course I don’t! I like you the most, Carmilla!”

These words came naturally from Yuriko’s mouth.

It was not until she finished speaking that she realized what she had done.

Her heart softened the moment she saw Carmilla’s tears.

She had missed her chance to run.

Now there was no way to escape.

“Then why didn’t you answer my messages?”

Yuriko guiltily hid her hands behind her back, her fingers twisting together.

“That’s because… because my phone died!”

Yuriko knew her explanation was ridiculous.

If her phone were dead, the calls would not have gone through.

Carmilla lowered her head, disappointed by the answer.

“I thought we were friends who understood each other… I’m sorry. I was being too self-important. I won’t tell anyone about what happened today.”

As she spoke, Carmilla stood up from the sofa and walked toward the door.

As she passed Yuriko, Yuriko reached out and grabbed her.