No choice

After disappearing for a good few minutes, it seems like people's attention was diverted from her. When she returned, some people greeted her but did not crowd around her like before. Sumire sighed in relief as she picked up her cup. But, she paused, realizing that the scent had changed.

This isn't just orange juice anymore; she sighed deeply. Spiking drinks when there are minors here? It seems like the one in charge of this event is truly scum. The one in charge of this event is the one who was making a move on Futaba earlier, right?

She ought to keep a better eye out. Although Futaba is more than capable of handling herself, she just returned. It would be bad if anything destroyed her image now. If someone has to cause trouble, it should be her.

Speaking of Futaba, Sumire glanced around the room, hoping to spot pink hair, but she couldn't see her. That's strange. Did she leave? Sumire shook her head. No, Futaba wouldn't just leave her alone here. She probably went out for a break; they probably just missed each other.

Her thoughts break off when she felt somebody sit beside her. It was a man with black hair and dark skin wearing a black suit. He seemed a bit different from the others.

Sumire thought for a moment before she recalled something.

"Mind if I take this seat?"

"Aren't you sitting down already?"

She heard a chuckle escape his lips, and Sumire sighed. 'I feel this will be one long and annoying conversation.'

Now that she thought about it, because of Toh's behavior earlier. People only stopped to greet her; nobody tried to make a move on her. Was Toh trying to shield her?

"So miss, it seems like this is the first time you are attending a gathering like this."

"It is."

"I thought so, I go to all these events, and I haven't seen anybody as cute as you here."

Sumire was already cursing in her mind. Isn't it obvious that he is trying to make a move on her?

"So you say Mr, who was surrounded by women earlier."

He seemed surprised at her words. "This is interesting, I thought you were only paying attention to Mashima Toh, but you noticed me too?"

"No, it's more like you were sitting by the door earlier and were blocking the way."

Moreover, she scanned the room to familiarise herself with the layout. This was a natural instinct for her; whenever she went to new places, she would observe every inch of the room. If an emergency happens, what are the escape routes? If there is an assassin, where would they come from?

Sumire understood that her way of thinking was peculiar, but it was already too late to fix this bad habit.

"I see, I see. Well, miss, since you noticed me by mistake. Let me introduce myself-"

"Akira Kenji, a second-year student in Fashion crescent university."

"Oh?"

"You're a member of the underworld."

Kenji chuckled, hearing her words.

"It seems I have underestimated you, but I should expect that much from our glorious leader."

Sumire is only startled for a moment. He even knows that she is the head of the underworld. That is information only a few people ought to have.

The general knowledge is that she lost to Aki, and so she is the vice commander. However, only a few people know the truth, that it was Aki that lost, but she refused to take on the role of the leader, and so nothing changed.

"What do you want?"

"Don't make such a scary face; it will ruin your good looks." Kenji cupped her cheeks. "Although, I'd like to get a taste myself."

"So, that's what you need from me?"

"Certainly, I'd like nothing more than to see the demon princess that Aki is so possessive off crawling and begging for a man to touch her."

Sumire listened to his taunting for a few minutes and immediately understood. This person is hostile towards Aki, so he is trying to get back by using her.

She sighed deeply. 'So, I am the bait to lure Aki out, huh?' This isn't new already. Since she joined the Holy Knights group, many people have targeted her because she is close to Aki. Whether it was jealous girls or people bitter that she rose to her position quickly. Or worse, the many enemies Aki made.

Those people think if they can get to her, then Aki will fall. But they don't realize that even if they broke her, that man wouldn't flinch. He can always raise another person as a human weapon.

Although in the more recent years, he has shown that he does care for her. She knew if a situation arose where she would end up being a hindrance to him, he wouldn't hesitate to abandon her.

Even if Kenji succeeded, which he won't. Because the probability of her leaving with a random man and engaging in any sort of indecent behavior is very low.

He must have been the one to spike her drink too. Seeing that she didn't drink it, he just resorted to coming over himself. How naive does he think she is?

Kenji lets go of her.

"But well, before that. You should get something to eat or at least drink; you're going to have a long night."

So, now he is resorting to forcing her into a situation where she would have no choice but to drink? Sumire sighed; this is getting very stupid. Besides, even if she drinks this stupid thing, it's not like it would impact her.

'Having immunity to poison and other drugs is important. So Riri, I'll make you immune to everything from today onwards. Relax, leave it all to me. I will treat you very well.'

Aki's words and several images of her 'immune training' appeared in her mind. After experiencing being in a relationship, Sumire finally understood how uncalled for his behavior was.

Following Kenji's gaze, she knew she had no other option, so she drank the orange juice. The moment she did, she felt a throbbing sensation in her heart and her body gradually became hotter.

Her vision gradually became blurrier. She felt goosebumps all over her skin as she felt Kenji's hands lift her shirt and heard him licking his lips.

Ah, how useless. This person is- right before Kenji could do anything, they hear an explosion. In the next second, a group of armed men wearing black entered the room.

Sumire immediately recognized the cloak they wore and sighed. How careless to be followed by those types of people.

"Nobody here moves!"

Kenji takes a step forward while raising his hands. "Sir, what seems to be the problem? We will be more than willing to cooperate if you explain the issue."

The minions seemed eager to just shoot everybody down, but the leader at the front looked at Kenji for a second before nodding.

"Not too long ago, a woman here killed our leader and stole something valuable."

"So, you want us to hand her over?"

"That's right! We have plans for that woman."

Sumire sighed. It seems she underestimated how many people followed that burly man. If she had known this information beforehand, she would have personally raided their hideouts and disposed of every single one of them.

It seemed like she had no choice; her gaze dimmed. 'I will have to take care of this myself.'