Chapter 24 – Yukinoshita Haruno's Suspicion
Zzz—
The car window slowly rolled down, revealing the graceful face of a woman.
"Hello, Akira-chan. We meet again."
Yukinoshita Haruno greeted him with a gentle smile, one that seemed warm enough to melt away anyone's unease.
But Akira knew better. That smile was a mask—a flawless illusion she'd worn for so long that even lies appeared genuine on her face.
That was what made her terrifying.
It was a smile that could soothe hearts and lower guards. Even knowing it was fake, people couldn't help but feel comforted.
She had lived behind that mask for so long that it no longer seemed like a disguise—
it had become her face.
Her true self had long since been buried, perhaps even from her own memory.
"Why are you here?" Akira asked flatly.
"Don't be so cold. I'm your fiancée, you know? If you keep acting like this, I might have to punish you by making you kneel on a keyboard after we're married."
"Don't talk nonsense. It's not certain that I'll become the husband of the Yukinoshita family's eldest daughter."
"Oh? Then do you have someone else in mind?"
Her lips curled upward into a charming, dangerous smile.
In this country, becoming a son-in-law who lives under his wife's family wasn't an easy fate to escape—
and when you were raised for that role since childhood, breaking free was nearly impossible.
"The Yukinoshita family has more than one daughter, doesn't it?"
"Oh, you mean Yukino? Impossible. You and she have always had a terrible relationship. Don't forget—you came to me just yesterday because of that."
"That was yesterday. People can change.
And frankly, her reasons for disliking me are easier to understand than yours.
If I can break away from the past that binds us... do you think she'd still see me as an enemy?"
"Hm~ That's quite the argument. But you underestimate her, Akira. Yukino isn't a fool. She'd see through you in an instant."
"Never underestimate my charm, Miss Haruno."
"Hahaha~ That's funny. In all these years, this is the first time I've heard you talk like that, Akira-chan. Now I'm curious… what exactly happened to you?"
Her smile widened, but the air between them grew cold.
As the elder sister who fiercely protected her sibling, Yukinoshita Haruno considered Yukino a sacred line that must never be crossed.
And now, Akira's behavior—his subtle attempt to draw closer to Yukino—had crossed that very line.
"If you really want to know what happened to me… I can tell you, Miss Haruno."
"Oh? You're willing to open up?"
"Why not? There are things that require your help. Instead of digging into each other's secrets, wouldn't it be better to speak plainly?"
"You're sure I'd help you?"
"Not me. Yukino. For her sake, I know you wouldn't refuse—even if it means facing something dangerous."
"Heh—"
For the first time, her smile faded. True emotion flickered across her face—cold, sharp, and real.
Akira didn't flinch. Without another word, he opened the car door and stepped inside, taking the seat beside her. There were too many eyes and ears outside.
"Drive."
The driver didn't start the engine immediately. Instead, he looked toward Haruno, waiting for her command.
Even though Akira bore the Yukinoshita name, he was only an adopted child—an outsider raised as a "placed fiancé."
In the family hierarchy, Haruno's authority far outweighed his.
"Go ahead~" she finally said.
The driver nodded and started the car.
Her expression, once bright and warm, had shifted into something more distant. Her eyes flickered toward Akira several times—searching, calculating.
The ride was silent. The distance between the school and Yukino's apartment wasn't far, but the atmosphere inside the car stretched every second into minutes.
Thunk.
The car came to a stop. The door opened, and Akira stepped out, glancing up at the familiar building before him.
For a brief moment, he felt something strange—an unfamiliar stillness.
Tap—tap—
The sharp rhythm of heels followed behind him. Haruno walked gracefully, her short skirt swaying slightly with every step. Her long, slender legs drew attention without effort—an embodiment of mature beauty.
If Yukinoshita Yukino was a white lotus blooming atop snow—pure and untouchable,
then Yukinoshita Haruno was a thorned rose—radiant and dangerous.
They walked side by side toward the apartment building.
Through the main entrance. Into the elevator.
Until they stopped in front of Yukino's door.
"Hm?"
Haruno's eyes narrowed. Her sharp instincts caught something—a faint scratch on the surface of the door.
A subtle line, nearly invisible.
An uneasy feeling prickled in her chest.
Had something happened to Yukino?
The door was equipped with a high-grade smart security system. Such a mark couldn't be caused by an accident. Only blunt force—or an attack—could leave such a trace.
Ding-dong.
Without saying a word, Akira pressed the doorbell.
Meanwhile, Haruno quietly reached into her handbag, unzipped it, and pulled out a high-voltage stun device.
Her fingers curled around it tightly.
If Akira tried anything suspicious, she wouldn't hesitate to drop him where he stood.
"Who is it~?"
Yukino's gentle voice came from inside.
"It's me. Open the door."
"Alright."
Click—
The lock disengaged, and the door opened.
Haruno froze.
What…?
Since when were they this close?
And more importantly—why did her little sister open the door so casually?
She actually trusted this man?
Akira stepped inside calmly. Haruno followed, brows furrowed.
The moment she entered, a faint metallic scent hit her nose.
Blood.
It was faint—barely noticeable—but unmistakable.
Her mind immediately went on alert.
She had only been gone one night, yet the entire atmosphere had changed.
Something had definitely happened here.
In the living room, Yukino sat quietly on the sofa, dressed in light pajamas. Her leg was propped up on a cushion.
In the corner, Akira's eyes caught sight of a large woven bag.
The faint scent of blood seemed to come from there.
The whole room was spotless—too spotless.
Wiped clean to perfection.
The kind of cleanliness that only comes after chaos.
Even while injured, Yukinoshita Yukino hadn't allowed herself to rest.
She had kept everything in order—maintained control, as always.
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