Elope by Night (4)

Getting a good night's sleep on a bus is no easy feat. You can't stretch out flat, and the damn thing keeps jolting around. I wasn't the type who could sleep anywhere to begin with. For those reasons, my mind stayed hazily awake.

Maybe it was because of this anomaly—we had to keep our nerves on edge. I'd apparently dozed off from the tension.

'...She said something about me turning her into a total menhera wreck.'

In my opinion, Lisa was the real demonic temptress who could ruin anyone. She was letting me lean on her openly like this, after all. Cleaning up after me, never getting mad, lending me her shoulder or lap or whatever. Hell, even if she'd committed murder, she'd gladly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠become my accomplice.

At this point, shouldn't we just get married or something? Leaning into Lisa's Pacific Ocean-level tolerance, I was dozing off hard.

I wasn't fully ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠asleep, though, so I could still hear voices.

"It's just my type, you know? Mind if we chat for a sec?"

The voice of the guy hitting on Lisa for her number drifted over.

...Damn it. First time in ages I've felt this pissed off.

'This is exactly why I bought that car.'

I savored the cold, heavy sensation I'd almost forgotten. Before the car, I'd mostly taken taxis—buses were rare. Public transport meant guys like this popping up constantly to hit on Lisa!

Hah. Daring to try this while I was asleep?

"Sorry, but I've got someone I'm promised to for life."

I started to sit up in a rage, but Lisa gently pressed down on my shoulder like it was no big deal.

"Besides, you're not my type. Sorry."

And in that moment, I jolted awake in shock.

The guy was walking away, his steps heavy with regret. Lisa's face, by contrast, was resolute.

"Lisa, your comebacks have leveled up...?"

Back in the day, I'd have had to chase him off myself. As I muttered that, Lisa met my eyes.

"No need to trouble you with stuff like this anymore, Mayuri. I've learned a thing or two."

"Oh."

I clapped without thinking. Lisa had grown! Ari was maturing bit by bit, so it made sense for Lisa ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠too. Thrilling. If she could turn down hunters like that, she must have a solid grasp on human society basics, right? She could go independent soon... if she wanted!

"Did I wake you, though?"

"Nah... It was about time to wake up anyway."

I shook my head, but Lisa's gaze drifted to the guy who'd chatted her up.

Irritation flickered in her. If he hadn't approached, Mayuri wouldn't have woken. That precious time? Meaningless waste. Zero value, Lisa thought.

Humans like that showed up occasionally—trying their luck without knowing her, whispering love based on looks alone. Even if one promised eternal devotion, she'd give the same reply.

Honestly, Lisa had zero interest in being loved. The world, love, humans—life was a mystery, but one thing she knew for sure: she wanted to give more than receive.

So she'd reject anyone who approached. The answer was set—why disturb her peace?

Lisa glared at the guy without thinking—and watched him fly back.

"Huh?"

I let out a sound in surprise. Lisa moved faster, pulling me into her arms with one hand and slipping her fingers gently into my slightly open mouth with the other.

"Mmph?!"

I was stunned, but Lisa didn't flinch. No time to explain. She stood, nudging the carry-on aside with her thigh, bracing for the impact.

-KABOOM!

A speeding car had slammed into the bus, no doubt. Passengers tumbled across the floor. Lisa absorbed the collision's force with her whole body.

Intense shaking. Pain. Dizziness. Time stretched endlessly for a moment.

"You okay, Mayuri?"

Lisa slowly withdrew her fingers from my mouth. They bore teeth marks and saliva, but she ignored it.

I nodded, still cradled in her arms.

"Y-yeah... But why'd you stick your fingers in my mouth?"

"To stop you biting your tongue."

"Oh... right."

Too logical—I was speechless. But more importantly...

This was a clear-cut traffic accident.

"Anomaly, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right?"

"Seems like it."

Lisa confirmed. I could only sigh.

Surprisingly, there were plainclothes cops on the intercity bus.

"Everyone! Stay put—no rushing around! If you're hurt, speak up!"

The cop flashed his notepad, taking control. But seriously—even with anomalies, why cops on a bus? Where's the realism?

As I gawked, Lisa spoke up beside me.

"They're probably on their way to training. That's why they boarded."

"Huh?"

"They kept eyeing me, so I scoped them out too."

Two undercover cops on the bus. She'd eavesdropped on their talk, Lisa said.

"They were watching you? Why?"

"Probably this carry-on. Carrying such a big one onboard instead of the luggage hold."

I'd kept the body visible to avoid suspicion, but it backfired? A carry-on's fine to bring on, though. Why fuss?

Maybe the anomaly had them on edge. Suspicious behavior? Eloping? Better watch just in case—detective instincts kicking in, perhaps.

Proof: they kept glancing at Lisa.

"Lisa, the carry-on?"

"Bit of a problem."

"Problem?"

I checked it. A faint bloodstain on the bottom. Drips falling sporadically from the case. The crash must've damaged it.

Oh, crap...

"What now...?"

"It's fine."

Lisa nodded reassuringly. Could she fix the carry-on? As I eyed her hopefully, a kitchen knife appeared in her hand.

Then she slashed her own thigh.

-Slash. A rough gash. Blood poured.

"What the—?!"

"What's going on?"

I yelped involuntarily, drawing the watching plainclothes cop over.

I froze, speechless. Lisa smiled sweetly. The knife was gone.

"Got hurt in the crash. The blood scared you—sorry."

"...That's a pretty big wound."

The cop looked flustered.

"Ambulance is coming. You should ride it."

"Can I just sit for now?"

"Sure. Don't overdo it—could make it worse."

He withdrew his suspicious glare somewhat and turned to other passengers. No fatalities, but plenty injured.

"We pulled it off, Mayuri."

"Even so... you didn't have to go that far...."

"Sorry for the scare. But don't worry about me. I can recover using your blood."

I nodded. I'd feed her some later to heal. Problem was...

'Ambulance ride mandatory.'

Good diversion with her wound hiding the body, but hers was huge. Passengers were all concussed and heading to the ambulance too. I was fine thanks to Lisa's cushioning, but cops wouldn't buy it.

Once everyone piled into ambulances, luggage would be handled by the bus company or cops for later delivery. This massive carry-on wouldn't fit anyway. Even if allowed, the blood leak couldn't stay hidden forever.

'...We're gonna get busted with the body.'

I racked my brain for a way to hide it. Dump it in a forest to blend with trees? But I had only one body. Needed a forest of corpses for that. No dice.

Ah, perfect idea. I die. Then bodies multiply—cops get confused with multiples, right? Kinda wanna die now.

Thinking further: if I vanish, Ryu Harin gets saved? I take all the murder rap, she lives as Mayuri guilt-free. Easy life. Ryu Harin becomes universe's cutest girl Mayuri.

Hmm...

But with her looks? Not quite universe's cutest. Imagining Ryu Harin hailed as such tomorrow? Doesn't click. Only I am the one and only. That's why it's 'number one'. Ryu Harin? Not quite throne material.

Ah, this is suicidal impulse, huh?

Grind.

"Ow, that hurt..."

Bit my lip too hard. Lisa grabbed my shoulder.

"Mayuri? You okay?"

"Y-yeah... Fine."

I nodded. Body not busted yet, and already suicidal? Or maybe that's why it stopped here. Cornered like this is bad enough—if exposed to everyone, I'd snap.

Hoo. Deep breath. Pulled myself together. I like this line from some TV show: It ain't over till it's over.

"Run away, Mayuri."

Amid it all, Lisa said.

"Lisa?"

"Run away with me, Mayuri. Somewhere no one knows us."

She gripped my hand tight. Did she notice my mini-suicidal blip?

Whole world against us. My sole ally.

"Yeah, Lisa. Let's bolt."

I nodded.