Clang—!
Bang!
Vermouth successfully pulled the trigger, but failed to hit her target—at the instant before she fired, a bullet shot from Akai Shuichi's muzzle and knocked her handgun away with a bang.
Vermouth fell to the ground, finally showing a trace of despair. But just then, she saw another figure rise behind Akai Shuichi—Dr. Araide silently raised his fist, the force of the punch sharp as he drove it at the back of Akai Shuichi's neck.
Akai Shuichi sensed something wrong and jerked sideways, barely letting the fist graze his cheek. He turned back in surprise, only to be met by another heavy punch.
"You're not that sniper?" Akai Shuichi narrowly dodged it, frowning.
He was somewhat surprised that Dr. Araide had merely been pretending to be unconscious—in his impression, Vermouth's confidants, or rather, her simps, should not have had the mind to play dead while watching their goddess face danger.
Besides, even through a Bulletproof Vest, being hit by a Sniper Rifle from that distance usually would not leave someone bouncing back up so soon. That was why he had focused more on Vermouth. Yet who would have thought... Dr. Araide would get back up again.
And perhaps it was an illusion, but that fighting stance... somehow looked a little familiar?
Under Akai Shuichi's scrutinizing gaze, Dr. Araide snorted coldly and flexed his fists, clearly having no intention of talking to him.
—The opportunity just now had been rare. Amuro Tooru had wanted to shoot through both of them at once, putting a hole through Akai Shuichi and Vermouth together. But this damned FBI had extensive body search experience. Aside from the gun in his hand, he had even found and taken the other gun Amuro had hidden.
In that case, he could only close in now and