Outlaw in Conan's World, Tokisaki Kurumi Chapter 50

It was precisely that kindness that made Curacao sacrifice herself to save the youngsters in the Suicide Squad.

So Kurumi greatly admired Curacao as a person.

"Think about it. Without Rum's restraints, I won't treat you like a subordinate and order you around however I please. I'll treat you as our friend."

Noticing Curacao looking at her, Kurumi continued, "We won't care about your former identity, nor will we care about what you did in the past."

"Even if you were the one who planned several attempts on my life?" Kurumi's words, filled with a bright future, gradually shook Curacao's resolve, but she still doubted Kurumi's motives.

Faced with Curacao's slightly mocking question, Kurumi shrugged indifferently, her tone relaxed. "But did any of you succeed? Other than causing me a minor injury, which of your operations wasn't handled by me alone?"

Curacao naturally knew that what Kurumi said was true.

She understood very clearly that Kurumi truly possessed strength she could be proud of. Moreover, every mission Kurumi had completed over the years had succeeded one hundred percent.

More importantly, every target Kurumi accepted had been an utterly wicked person. She had never harmed an innocent civilian.

To be honest, aside from obeying Rum's orders, Curacao's hostility toward Kurumi stemmed from the fact that, deep down, she believed Kurumi still retained that kindness and sense of justice Curacao found laughable.

Kurumi let out a helpless sigh.

Having gathered herself again, Curacao was tempted by Kurumi's proposal, but she still could not accept her suddenly changed fate.

"I need time to think."

"No problem!" Seeing that Curacao had finally wavered, Kurumi happily arranged, "Then starting today, Sister Narumi, you'll have to put up with sleeping with me for now."

When Kurumi said this to her with a hint of apology, Narumi did not feel wronged in the slightest. Instead, she looked both surprised and delighted as she hurriedly nodded. "No problem, Kurumi!"

I finally made it!!! Narumi screamed excitedly in her heart, already imagining herself hugging the soft, fragrant Kurumi every night as they slept.

After saying that, Kurumi looked at Miyano Akemi. "Then Miss Akemi can stay in Narumi's room for the time being." Since she and Miyano Akemi were not yet that close, Kurumi did not address her as intimately as she did Narumi.

"But..." Knowing she was still on the Organization's cleanup list, Miyano Akemi was worried. She feared that if someone from the Organization came by one day and discovered that she had not actually been taken away by Akai Shuichi, but had instead been saved by Kurumi in defiance of orders, the Organization might harm Kurumi.

Kurumi did not care about Miyano Akemi's concerns and reassured her, "It's fine. My place is very safe!"

Without Rum's threat, Kurumi did not think anyone else in the Organization would be bold enough to try anything against her.

And if Rum still refused to give up and wanted to cause trouble, then she could hardly blame Kurumi for "fighting dirty."

Besides, over the past few years, Kurumi had spent a huge number of the reward points she earned from completing missions to purchase all sorts of high-tech defensive equipment from the system store and set it up around her home.

Otherwise, how could Kurumi have saved less than ten thousand reward points after two whole years?

Speaking of reward points, Kurumi suddenly remembered that she had yet to claim the reward for the main mission of saving Miyano Akemi.

"As for Curacao, you can stay in the other empty room for now." After assigning the last vacant room in her home to Curacao, Kurumi realized that her house might become very lively from now on.

She had gone from living alone, to living with Narumi, and then Miyano Akemi and Curacao's arrival had suddenly brought the household to four people.

Hearing Kurumi's arrangement for her, Curacao nodded and agreed.

"Very good!" Seeing that no one objected to her arrangements, Kurumi clapped her hands. "All right, everyone has been busy all night. Should we have a late-night snack before resting, or what?"

Kurumi, whose stomach was a little hungry, made the suggestion.

"Um... we'll follow your arrangement, Kurumi." Narumi thought about it. There were still plenty of ingredients in the refrigerator, and if they made hot pot, it should be enough for four people.

Miyano Akemi looked at Kurumi, then at Narumi.

Just as Kurumi had said, she had been anxious since morning and had barely eaten anything. Now that she had settled down, she could feel her stomach protesting.

But out of restraint, Miyano Akemi, who was already deeply grateful to Kurumi, did not want to trouble her further.

So despite being hungry, she said nothing and left everything to Kurumi.

As for Curacao, she was not in the mood.

Seeing that the two newcomers had no opinions, Kurumi, who was also a little hungry, decided they should have a late-night snack first.

"Then let's just have something simple!"

Kurumi made the decision.

A few minutes later, Kurumi, Narumi, Miyano Akemi, and Curacao—whom Kurumi had forcefully dragged along—sat around the dining table and enjoyed a delicious hot pot together.

Saving Someone Needs a Reason? (Second Update)

Curacao, who had only just switched over from the opposing side, seemed very reserved. But under Kurumi's warm hospitality, she gradually opened up and occasionally chatted with everyone.

To welcome the two new companions, Kurumi happily opened two bottles of foreign liquor she had been saving.

Unable to withstand Kurumi's enthusiasm, Curacao, who normally did not drink much, had no choice but to have several more glasses. Her fair face had already turned bright red from the alcohol.

"I... I can't drink anymore!" Curacao's eyes had gone unfocused as she slurred her words.

Unlike the emotionally conflicted Curacao, Miyano Akemi was genuinely happy and relaxed. She repeatedly toasted Kurumi and Narumi, her saviors, then laughed and cried at the same time as she freely vented the pressure in her heart.

In the end, Miyano Akemi drank herself unconscious.

Seeing Miyano Akemi leaning back in her chair with her head tilted up, fast asleep, Kurumi felt they had drunk enough and ended the late-night meal.

Although she had drunk quite a bit, Aso Narumi remained clear-headed and took the initiative to clean up the table. Kurumi, meanwhile, summoned King Crimson right in front of Narumi. Used to it by now, Narumi watched as the sleeping Miyano Akemi and the dazed Curacao stiffly stood up, then floated up to the second floor behind Kurumi.

As Kurumi's devoted fan, Narumi already knew that Kurumi possessed a miraculous ability called a Stand. Especially when she had learned what Kurumi's Stand, King Crimson, could do, Narumi had been so astonished that she did not know what to say. All she could do was repeatedly cry, "So amazing!" while staring at Kurumi with worshipful, starry eyes.

After bringing the two upstairs, Kurumi first placed Miyano Akemi on Narumi's bed, turned on the air conditioner, and covered her with a blanket. Then she brought Curacao to the final bedroom, which had always been vacant.

After carrying the groggy Curacao onto the bed, turning on the air conditioner, and covering her with a blanket just as before, Kurumi sat at the bedside and smiled as she looked at Curacao, who resembled a sleeping beauty.

Although Kurumi really wanted to "eat" Curacao now, she knew haste made waste. She suppressed her bold thoughts and decided to take things slowly.

After returning to her room and turning on the heating, Kurumi went downstairs to help Narumi wash the dishes.

"Kurumi, is Curacao really trustworthy?" As she put the washed dishes into the cabinet, Aso Narumi voiced her concern.

Narumi felt deeply conflicted about Curacao, who had helped Rum deal with Kurumi again and again.

On one hand, knowing that Curacao was also very capable, she understood that Curacao joining them would undoubtedly give Kurumi a powerful helper.

But!

Aso Narumi could not fully trust Curacao.

She could not be sure whether this Organization member who had just "joined" them would take the opportunity to uncover Kurumi's secrets, then contact Rum again and become a spy planted among them.

Because of these concerns, Aso Narumi brought it up to Kurumi while they were alone.

In response to Narumi's worries, Kurumi revealed an unfathomable smile.

"Curacao isn't bad by nature. It's just that after spending so many years in that kind of environment, her heart has long since been 'stained black.'"

"Is that so?" Kurumi's explanation clearly could not immediately convince Narumi, but out of trust in Kurumi, Narumi decided to believe in her judgment for now.

"And besides..."

As Kurumi whispered into Narumi's ear, Aso Narumi gradually revealed an enlightened expression.

Meanwhile, Curacao, who had been sleeping in bed, slowly opened her eyes.

I... I think I drank too much... Her head felt dizzy, and even her thoughts had slowed. Curacao tried hard to recall what had happened earlier.

This is?

The warm air from the air conditioner and the soft bedding left Curacao somewhat confused.

Did Bloody Mary prepare this for me? She sniffed the blanket and caught a fresh fragrance from its gray striped surface. It did not seem like a blanket that had been left unused for a long time.

After turning on the bedside lamp, Curacao finally saw the room's layout clearly.

The simple, plain room was clean and tidy, while even the air carried the faint floral scent of air freshener.

Throwing back the blanket and sitting up, Curacao clutched her head with a pained expression. The effects of the alcohol made her feel awful, since she rarely drank.

Just as Curacao was analyzing her surroundings, the tightly shut door suddenly opened.

"Oh my, you're awake?"

At Kurumi's voice, Curacao turned and saw Kurumi standing at the door with a teacup and a kettle in her hands. It looked like she had specially prepared water for her.

"Yeah."

Curacao nodded. Her mind was still somewhat muddled as she asked in confusion, "Bloody Mary, why did you help Miyano Akemi?"

Curacao truly could not understand why Kurumi had been willing to take such a risk to save Miyano Akemi.

In response, Kurumi placed the cup and kettle on the bedside table. After pouring a cup of water, she sat beside Curacao and said, "Because she's a good person."

"A good person?"

"Yeah."

Kurumi's answer clearly did not satisfy Curacao.

"Just because of that?"

Would someone really disregard danger to their life for a good person? Curacao shook her head, feeling that this could not possibly be Kurumi's reason for taking such a risk.

Or rather, not the only reason.

Although Curacao scoffed at this seemingly simple answer, she could vaguely sense the seriousness and sincerity in Kurumi's eyes.

"Curacao, do you think saving someone needs some convincing reason?" Kurumi asked as she looked at her.

"Doesn't it?"

"Of course not." Kurumi's tone was full of sincerity.

"Killing someone may require a reason, but saving someone doesn't."

"Especially when I have the ability to save them."

Having inherited the traditional virtues of the Chinese people, Kurumi solemnly told Curacao about her creed.

"I think you should know too, Curacao. I never harm innocent people. Even if it's a mission issued by the Organization, as long as the target is innocent, no matter how forcefully they insist, I will always refuse."

Curacao laughed at Kurumi's words.

Perhaps mockingly, perhaps self-mockingly.

"Maybe so. That's why you offended so many people in the Organization, Bloody Mary."

At that moment, Curacao seemed to understand Kurumi's reasons.

"But in this society, good people don't necessarily get good outcomes..."

From her own standpoint, Curacao said coldly.

Curacao Listening at the Door Crack (Third Update)

"I just don't want regrets in my heart." Kurumi neither refuted nor agreed with Curacao's words. "Still, I'm not a good person, you know~"

Curacao smiled noncommittally. Feeling her mind gradually clear, she said to Kurumi, "Yeah. After all, there's no less blood on your hands than on any of ours."

Curacao was naturally referring to the people Kurumi had killed while wiping out Rum's drug-trafficking groups.

That incident had shocked the entire Organization. Rum, whose finances had suffered a heavy blow, had been especially furious and ordered his subordinates to launch retaliatory actions against Kurumi.

"Oh, right, Curacao. You can just call me Kurumi from now on." With that, Kurumi stood up and continued, "It's getting late. Get some rest early."

Watching Kurumi's back, Curacao wore an awkward expression. "Um... I want to take a shower."

Just as Kurumi had said, Curacao was indeed very sleepy. But as a woman, the dirty feeling on her body made Curacao extremely uncomfortable.

"I'll take you there first."

"Okay."

Curacao stood up and followed Kurumi to the bathroom on the second floor.

At the bathroom door, Kurumi said, "I'll prepare a fresh set of clothes and a towel. Go wash up first. I'll bring them over in a bit."

Curacao nodded at that and opened the door to enter the bathroom.

Once the sound of the door closing behind her rang out, Kurumi found Narumi standing excitedly in Kurumi's bedroom, staring at the bed as though she were considering whether to sleep inside or outside it tonight.

"Sister Narumi?"

Hearing Kurumi's voice, Narumi hurriedly wiped the drool that had unconsciously slipped from the corner of her mouth due to certain fantasies with her sleeve, then turned around.

"Kurumi, are we getting ready for bed?"