Akame ga Kill: Starting with Dual Kamui-Chapter 88: The Urge to Fall in Love

Esdeath, with her overwhelmingly dominant personality, is hardly someone you'd associate with "love."

Nyau and Daidara both figured that, at most, Esdeath might take in some male playthings to torment at her leisure. But since they'd never actually seen her do so, it was obvious she had no interest in that at all. They simply couldn't imagine Esdeath falling in love like some ordinary woman.

Or rather, the very thought of Esdeath being in love was inconceivable.

"I'm just speculating. If I'm mistaken, I ask for your forgiveness, Lady Esdeath," Liver said cautiously.

"Love..."

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Esdeath fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "I've heard of it before. It's the feeling of mutual affection between a man and a woman, correct?"

"Yes. Lady Esdeath, you may be in love with Lord Blayn. The fact that you keep thinking about him is a common phenomenon among those experiencing love," Liver explained.

"I see... That does make sense. I don't feel this way about any other man, only him," Esdeath mused, deep in thought.

It seemed Liver's words had struck a chord with her. The icy, peerless beauty of her face was suddenly tinged with an unfamiliar hint of red—not a sign of embarrassment, but rather, the unmistakable glow of someone in love.

Nyau and Daidara were so stunned that their jaws nearly hit the ground. This was an expression they never imagined Esdeath could make!

Liver, equally shocked, widened his eyes. Now, he was even more convinced—Lady Esdeath was definitely in love!

Though the Three Beasts had never met Lord Blayn, anyone capable of earning Esdeath's favor, let alone being seen as a romantic interest, had to be an extraordinary man.

She would occasionally mention Lord Blayn to them, such as how he was soon to become her deputy general. They were already aware of that.

Now fully realizing the cause of her earlier inexplicable discomfort, Esdeath understood—it was love.

"I never would have thought... I've only ever known battle, yet now, suddenly, I have the desire to fall in love," she murmured to herself in amazement.

"Perhaps it's because, until now, Lady Esdeath had never encountered such an exceptional man," Liver suggested.

Esdeath considered it. "Indeed. He is outstanding, and in every way, he happens to suit my tastes."

"It is a joyous occasion that Lady Esdeath has found her true love," Liver remarked.

"What about you?" Esdeath asked idly. "None of you seem to be in love either."

"I'm already an old man. At my age, it's not really appropriate," Liver replied calmly.

In truth, he was only forty, but to him, that was already old. He had long since lost interest in such matters.

"As for me, I prefer dissecting small animals and collecting women's faces over romance," Nyau said with an innocent, childlike smile—while uttering something utterly disturbing.

That was simply his twisted hobby.

"Your tastes are as unique as ever," Liver sighed.

"Same here," Daidara added, his grin far more sinister than Nyau's. "I just want to rack up more 'experience points.'"

"...Right," Esdeath muttered, saying no more.

She was already itching to return to Blayn.

However, for now, the battlefield took priority.

As they slaughtered the Northern Tribes in the Fortress City, they also had to remain vigilant against further incursions from those beyond the Empire's borders.

...

In the original story, it was around this time that Esdeath had a similar epiphany. After returning from the Northern Front to the Imperial Capital, she directly told the young Emperor and Prime Minister Honest that she wanted to fall in love.

...

Meanwhile, the members of Night Raid had already heard of Blayn's arrival.

"Blayn's here. He must have something important to discuss with us," Najenda said. "Just like last time, let's go together."

Before long, the entire Night Raid team gathered once again at the wooden cabin—their temporary base. However, this time, there was someone unexpected among them...

"Kurome?"

Akame's face showed a flicker of shock as she saw the figure standing beside Blayn—the very person who had occupied her thoughts day and night.

"Sister."

Kurome wore a faint smile, appearing calm and without hostility. However, had she not promised Blayn beforehand that she wouldn't act recklessly, she might have already drawn her sword.

"I didn't expect you to bring Kurome here yourself. I thought you'd have Akame meet her on your side instead," Najenda remarked in surprise.

"I also have something to ask you all, so I brought Kurome along," Blayn explained.

"What is it?" Najenda asked.

"I want to know who in the Empire belongs to the conscience faction."

Blayn didn't mince words, getting straight to the point.

"We have a detailed list on our side. Might as well just give it to you," Najenda said. "I can't guarantee it includes every official from the conscience faction, but it covers the key figures."

"Alright, I appreciate it."

Blayn nodded, and Najenda headed back to the base to retrieve the list.

Just then, Akame turned to Blayn. "Blayn, can I have some time alone with Kurome?"

"Of course, but don't do anything reckless," Blayn agreed.

"We won't."

Akame stepped toward Kurome. "Kurome, let's go."

Kurome gave a small nod and followed her sister.

...

After a short walk, the two arrived at a secluded spot.

They sat together on a large rock. It had been a long time since they last sat like this, just the two of them.

"Kurome, I heard from Blayn that you've left the Empire's Assassination Unit. I tried convincing you for so long, but you wouldn't listen to me," Akame said, breaking the silence.

"Because you joined the rebels. I didn't want to betray everyone like you did," Kurome replied softly, though her words carried a sharp edge. "I really admire how serious you are about pursuing your ideals, but in the end, I still have to kill you. I want you to stay by my side forever."

Akame remained unfazed, as if she had anticipated this response. After all, Blayn had already warned her.

"As expected, you're still the same, Kurome. But this time, you didn't draw your sword right away. Is that because of Blayn?"

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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