When Akai Shuichi looked toward the car, "Jodie" seemed to have recovered from the sudden incident just now. Her face was full of relief at having survived, and she called out in surprise, "Shuichi! You finally came."
Akai Shuichi walked over, crouched down to inspect the fallen "Dr. Araide," and asked his colleague behind him, "Are you all right?"
"I... cough, cough, I'm fine." Vermouth looked at the back of that Silver Bullet, so close at hand, and suddenly thought of the "gift" Uzo had mentioned.
Actually, when she had heard that the gift was Akai Shuichi, Vermouth's first reaction had been to curse out loud—the title "Silver Bullet" had not come out of nowhere. Those FBI idiots were useless, and Akai Shuichi was still far from deserving that name. Vermouth had dealt with them back in New York, and she knew that very well.
Yet now, Akai Shuichi—the man who made the Organization Cadres treat him like a formidable enemy—was crouching right in front of her with his back to her, wide open and full of vulnerabilities.
...It was as if he had turned from a sharp exorcising bullet into a Cocktail she could take with one easy reach and drink deeply from.
And this "Silver Bullet" had generously helped her take out Bourbon just now. Uzo had not been messing with her after all... this was a genuine gift.
At this point, it would be rude not to act.
A cold smile appeared on Vermouth's lips as she silently raised her gun.
Bang!
"Jodie" was thrown by the tremendous force, slamming headfirst into the car behind her with a thud. The gun in her hand fell to the ground.
Unlike the fake bullet from before, this real one slammed viciously into her Bulletproof Vest, breaking two ribs through