To be honest, Haruki had to admire Najenda's powers of persuasion.
Logically speaking, Akame and her group had been relentlessly hunted by the Revolutionary Army, with no way out. If not for Haruki's intervention, Cornelia might've died because of Akame. Add to that the Revolutionary Army's slaughter of entire villages—Akame should've despised them.
Even though Haruki already knew, according to the original plot, Akame would be convinced to join them, he was still genuinely curious about how Najenda had managed to talk her into it.
But that wasn't his biggest concern right now. What really gave him a headache was how he was going to explain it to Kurome.
In the original story, Akame's defection left a scar on Kurome's heart that never truly healed.
After being enhanced with combat drugs, Kurome devoted herself completely to completing the Empire's missions, all for the sole purpose of seeing Akame again—of fighting side by side with the sister who had been her only family since childhood. But what she got instead was the news of Akame's betrayal. That was what twisted her so deeply that she would rather kill her comrades and turn them into corpse puppets than lose her bonds with them.
Things were different now. Kurome had Gin and the others—friends she had grown close to over the years—and she also had Haruki, someone she could lean on. But the bond she shared with her sister by blood still held a unique, irreplaceable place in her heart.
After thinking it over, Haruki decided it was best to tell her the truth directly.
He walked into Kurome's room. As expected, the little glutton was stuffing her face with snacks, a big bag in her hands. Wrappers, both unopened and empty, were scattered all around her.
Haruki felt thankful that this was a world governed by anime logic—where a girl like Kurome could eat nonstop and never gain weight. If this were his old world, at the rate she was eating, she'd either be obese or drop dead from overeating.
"Kurome, I need to tell you something. Just… promise me you won't get too upset when you hear it, okay?"
Even though it made him feel a bit guilty, Haruki knew there was no way he could hide it. Better she hear it from him now than find out on her own later.
"Mm."
Kurome didn't even look up, her cheeks puffed as she chewed. With her mouth full, she gave a muffled, half-hearted response, not really paying attention to what Haruki was saying.
"The Prime Minister just sent word—there's news about your sister. According to the report, not only did the assassination attempt on Akame fail, but it seems Najenda managed to turn her. In other words… Akame has joined the Revolutionary Army."
Thud!
As soon as Haruki finished speaking, the sound of Kurome's snack bag hitting the floor echoed through the room, followed by a heavy silence.
Drip… drip…
Kurome sat with her head down, her face hidden, but the tears silently falling from her cheeks said everything about the pain she was feeling.
"Kurome…"
"Brother… did Sis abandon me? Was it something I did wrong?"
Haruki opened his mouth to comfort her, but Kurome spoke first, her voice low and trembling.
"Of course not. You've always been a good girl. I'm sure Akame had her reasons. Next time you see her, just ask her yourself, alright? Don't cry, Kurome."
He gently pulled her into his arms, running his hand through her smooth, dark hair as he spoke softly.
"But no matter how I think about it, she shouldn't have joined that awful Revolutionary Army. How could she turn her back on you like that? I won't forgive her. When we meet again, I want to hear her explain it face to face."
Their last journey to the southwest had left Kurome, Gin, and the rest of Haruki's group with a deep hatred toward the ethnic tribes and the Revolutionary Army. And while Haruki didn't involve himself much in the politics of the Capital, his position as Head of Security still placed him squarely on the side of the Empire. Naturally, the girls around him had come to see themselves as part of the Empire too.
To Kurome, Akame's betrayal of the Empire was a betrayal of Haruki—and by extension, a betrayal of her.
Love turned to resentment. Even though she didn't go so far as to want to turn Akame into a corpse puppet like in the original story, Kurome still couldn't suppress the bitterness growing in her heart.
"Don't worry, Kurome. I promise you—one day, I'll bring Akame back to your side. And this time, I'll make sure she never leaves you again. Sound good?"
Haruki's voice was gentle but firm. Akame was still his woman, no matter what had happened. He would bring her back. That was never in question.
"…Okay."
Kurome wiped her tears and looked up at him. But after a moment of hesitation, she asked quietly,
"Brother… you're not going to leave me one day too, are you? Like she did?"
She stared at him intently, eyes wide and searching, as if trying to read the truth in his soul. Akame's defection had left a mark on her—one not easily erased.
"Of course not. Kurome's far too precious. No matter where I go, you're coming with me. You don't have to worry about that."
Seeing the flicker of fear in her eyes, Haruki felt a pang in his chest and quickly did his best to soothe her.
Relieved by his answer, Kurome visibly relaxed.
But then, without warning, she stood up, turned, and pushed Haruki down onto the bed.
"Brother… love me."
Those words, softly spoken, would've made any man falter. And Haruki understood—right now, giving her this kind of comfort might be the best way to ease her heart.
What followed was a blur of tangled limbs and whispered names.
Perhaps she just needed to let it all out—because that day, Kurome was more passionate than ever. The sounds of their union echoed through the room, not stopping until well into the afternoon...
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake