Too much

"Of course, you haven't. That person is very shy; he doesn't like showing his face in front of strangers. But ah, he does enjoy one thing: hunting wild animals. It's a good thing you targeted the guy wearing strange clothes, but he has his own defense mechanisms for a weakling like that."

The moment she said that, Lucien screeched in pain. "My-my hands, what is this? It stings."

"When you stabbed him, he probably poured some acid on you."

"T-this."

"Hmm." Sumire lifted his chin. "I wonder how long it will take until your face starts to melt away too."

"I-I will talk. Please stop this."

Sumire only sighed at his pathetic pleading. "I warned you not too long ago. I could have easily broken your limbs then, but I chose not to do so. After all, you are still a gang leader. If we fight amongst ourselves, nothing good will come out of it."

"That is easy for you to say when you hold the top position. You have nothing to worry about. The police do not punish your members or order you around like a dog. Do you know how much I had to grovel at my feet just to sustain my position?"

"I see, so you voluntarily became a dog of the police."

"W-what?"

"You just admitted it. I thought the police behavior was unusual recently. It seems like one of us was feeding them information." At those words, she grabbed hold of his neck. "What do you think is the best way to die?"

"Damn bitch, you're going to pay for this."

Sumire is grateful that Ru decided to take another phone call; otherwise, she knew he would stop her.

"Now, now, can't you see I am being generous here?"

Lucien scoffed. "This is being generous."

"Yes, it is; think about it. Based on my terrifying personality and short temper, you would have been dead the moment I opened this door. But here I am sparing some time providing you reasons why you are going to die tonight."

"Y-you can't threaten me."

"Yes, yes, I can. Do you truly think you can do anything to me in your state?"

Since Yuhi is the one who captured this man, then she does not have to worry about Lucien breaking free of the restraints. Moreover, considering the state of his wounds. Yuhi must have been furious since this level of damage is on the extreme side.

Bruises dawned on Lucien's entire face; it looked like he had experienced several stab marks by a blade on both arms. There is a gunshot wound on both of his legs. Based on the way he is limping, Yuhi must have repeatedly hit him.

He looks like a walking corpse right now. What did Lucien do to get Yuhi mad?

"You're just a woman!" Lucien exclaimed.

"Excuse me?" Sumire's eyes twitched, annoyed at his words.

"You heard me; you're just a woman," Lucien repeated. "Women should obediently lay down and scream for us men. How dare you walk around and give people orders?"

Suppose she wasn't angry before. She was now. What on earth is wrong with this person? Is he truly discriminating now? Indeed female members of the delinquent society aren't looked on favorably.

But at the end of the day, if they are strong, nobody can talk. Normally that is enough to shut people up, but it seems like there are some small-minded people like this man here.

Sumire pulled out her gun from her pocket. There is no need to waste words on a person like this anymore. She would rather not give him an easy death. But out of respect for the fact that he used to be a gang leader, she will end this quickly.

She pointed the gun toward his forehead. "I was going to give you a few choices on how you would die. But after that remark, I should start with the source of the problem. Rather than sew your mouth shut. I should blow your brain into bits."

Right, forget shutting his mouth. She ought to start with his brain; it's the source of his outdated values. But, before she could do so, somebody grabbed hold of her wrist, causing her to let go of the gun.

"That's enough, Ki."

Sumire looked at the person who grabbed hold of her hand and sighed. She saw the pained expression on his face.

'This isn't new already, but he looks so hurt whenever I do anything bad.' Sumire understood why Mamoru was so upset. Mamoru wants her to lead a normal life. He does not want to further stain her hands with blood.

But, sometimes, the occasion would call for it.

"I don't think we should show him any mercy. The other day he started a riot. This is already his second - no, he has committed many other offenses before."

"I know." Mamoru walked over.

"Tsueno." Lucien genuinely seemed afraid. "This isn't--'

In the next second, she heard the sound of Mamoru crushing Lucien's feet.

Sumire whistled. When Ru is angry, he is even scarier than her. But why? It's not like him to get mad even after hearing another person's crimes.

She tilted her head to one side, puzzled.

Maybe Ru investigated this guy and found something else out? Ru is far too kind. So even when he hears about the crimes criminals commit. He does not blame them. He simply says their circumstances were unfortunate. But there are certain things he cannot tolerate.

"Were you trying to lure out Ki and have her killed? If Yuhi didn't stop you, you would have killed her."

Ah, yes, this is why the usually cheerful Ru would get angry. It's all for her sake. Just thinking that made her feel joy and yet sadness at the same time.

'Ru, you're doing too much for me.'

No matter how much he cares for her, this is too much. She recalled Asuka's expression and sighed. Perhaps there is something after all.

But if she were to admit it, then the current balance in their relationship would break. She does not want to do that.

She does not want to break years of friendship just to figure out something so trivial as settling the emotions in her heart.