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Chapter 398 - Chapter 398: Sunk Cost

Curacao was currently a bit dazed; she heard a mysterious voice by her ear, but the girl beside her wasn't looking at her at all.

She couldn't help but turn her head in confusion and ask: "Were you talking to me?"

Vermouth's heart skipped a beat instantly.

Even a 'pig teammate' wouldn't screw someone over like this...

She saw Yuu Hoshimiya turn his head, and her pupils contracted sharply; the thought of simply laying her cards on the table flashed through her mind.

The fact that Yuu Hoshimiya had defected to the "Red side" and formed his own power base had not yet been exposed.

In Vermouth's view, if things truly reached a desperate point, seeking Yuu's direct help was an option.

The reasons she hadn't done so from the start were twofold: first, Curacao's situation required absolute secrecy—the fewer people who knew, the better.

As mentioned before, Curacao's unique nature was known only to Rum, the Boss, and a few others.

Second, the "Angel" Ran Mouri—who had saved her life and her soul—was here, and she wanted to avoid a major scene at all costs.

Thoughts raced through her mind. Vermouth acted quickly, looking at the silver-haired woman beside her with a face full of feigned admiration.

"Wow! Silver hair! It's so beautiful!"

"Thank you."

Hearing the compliment, Curacao didn't dwell on the previous voice.

She smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents, radiating a sense of total innocence.

Yuu Hoshimiya didn't want to expose Vermouth just yet; he hadn't had enough fun.

Moreover, if Vermouth simply "self-destructed" her cover and asked for help, it would give him a headache.

So, he pretended his full attention was on the darts, ignoring Curacao's previous question.

Seeing this, Vermouth breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Yuu flicked his wrist, and the ten darts in his hand shot out like scattering flower petals, landing directly in the bullseye.

Everyone looked closer; every single dart had hit the center. Their mouths hung open in shock.

The three boys jumped and cheered.

Ayumi couldn't help but hug Yuu's leg: "Brother Yuu is so amazing! Even better than the Big Sister! You hit ten bullseyes at once!"

Watching Yuu show off this skill, Vermouth felt a chill of awe.

Having such a person as a teammate would be reassuring, but a woman's intuition told her that Yuu Hoshimiya was dangerous and suspicious.

However, she couldn't find any proof of him being a mole or a traitor, so she could only try to keep her distance.

Consequently, Vermouth became even more determined not to reveal her identity.

The staff member came forward with the prizes, giving an amazed thumbs-up.

"Sir, I've run this dart game for six months and I've never seen a player as incredible as you. Truly magnificent."

"You may choose three charms as your prize."

Yuu said: "Yukiko, Azusa, and Little White—you three come up and choose."

"Little White?" Curacao pointed at herself, looking confused.

Yuu chuckled: "Since I don't know your name, I'll call you 'Little White' (Shiro-chan) for now. Look at you—your skin is snow-white, and your hair is silver-white. The name fits perfectly!"

Yukiko made a face and complained: "That sounds like a pet's name. Isn't it a bit much?"

Curacao's mismatched eyes stared blankly at Yuu for a moment, then she broke into a radiant smile.

"Thank you. I like that name very much."

Yukiko covered her face in exasperation, unable to understand Curacao's aesthetic taste.

Vermouth, however, frowned; the situation was becoming increasingly incomprehensible.

She couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong with this lady? Why is the Consultant giving her a name?"

Yukiko explained: "We just found her in the park. She seems to have been in an accident and has amnesia. We're helping her find her memory."

Amnesia??

Vermouth's brow furrowed even deeper.

Just then, Yuu's voice rang out.

"Azusa, hurry up. You're the only one left."

"Coming."

Vermouth stepped forward and picked a random charm.

Beside her, Curacao, clutching her white dolphin charm, was smiling happily like a child receiving a gift for the first time, high-fiving the three boys.

However, her mismatched eyes glanced toward Yuu from time to time.

"Brother Yuu, there are empty seats on the Ferris wheel now. Should we go for a ride?"

Ran's voice came from nearby, with Conan and Ai following at her side.

"Since there are seats, let's do the Ferris wheel first. We can help Little White find someone she knows afterward."

Curacao nodded obediently.

The group headed toward the escalators at the queue area.

Soon, they reached the Ferris wheel cabins.

The staff member was still giving the introduction: "Our dual-track Ferris wheel rotates in opposite directions. You get a completely different view depending on which side you board."

"The wheel is 214 meters high, and one rotation takes about twenty-five minutes."

"Kids, don't run too fast!"

The three boys excitedly pulled Curacao toward a cabin, and the others followed.

Five children plus Curacao, followed by Ran and Yukiko, made eight people in total—the maximum capacity for one cabin.

Vermouth tried to follow them in but was stopped by the staff.

"Sorry, any more and it will be overloaded. Please take the next cabin."

The thought of being alone with Yuu Hoshimiya for twenty-five minutes made Vermouth's heart sink.

She spoke up immediately: "Most of those inside are children. Kids don't weigh as much as adults. One more person won't matter; it won't be overloaded."

The staff member shook his head firmly.

Vermouth was about to argue further when a hot, large hand grabbed her wrist.

"Azusa, let's wait for the next one."

Feeling that large hand, Vermouth couldn't help but shudder.

In all these years, outside of acting, she had never had her hand held by a man.

But surprisingly, she didn't hate it that much.

Aside from the sudden strange sensation, Vermouth also felt a prickling sense of unease.

Being held from behind by Yuu made her feel like a kitten caught by the scruff of the neck by fate; she didn't dare make a move.

In the cabin ahead, Ran and Yukiko both felt a bit envious that "Azusa Enomoto" got to sit alone with Yuu.

However, neither the oblivious Ran nor the "acting partner" Yukiko insisted on swapping.

With so many kids and the wheel about to start, changing seats would be inconvenient and a hassle for the staff.

Yuu led Vermouth into the next cabin.

As soon as the door closed, the Ferris wheel began its ascent, gradually climbing into the sky.

The Vermouth disguised as Azusa sat stiffly on the sofa seat, her hands resting uneasily on her knees. Her heart was racing; she was actually nervous.

She felt like she was facing a natural predator and didn't dare move.

Seeing Vermouth's posture, a playful smirk flashed on Yuu's lips.

He sat down directly beside her, pressing against her, immediately feeling the texture of her legs.

Vermouth recoiled as if she'd been electrocuted, jumping away to sit further down.

Yuu feigned confusion and slid closer, pressing against her once more.

Seated at the very edge, Vermouth had nowhere left to go.

"Azusa, why are you being so weird today?"

As he spoke, Yuu's large hand settled on Vermouth's slender waist, while his other hand landed on her short skirt, stroking it gently.

"After that night, haven't you been calling me 'Yuu-kun'? Why go back to 'Consultant' today? That's far too distant!"

Huh? What the hell? What is going on?

Vermouth's pupils contracted sharply. She was panicking internally, unsure of how to react.

Does Yuu Hoshimiya also have a thing going with the waitress downstairs, Azusa Enomoto? No way.

This massive lecher! Truly, his lust knows no bounds, not even sparing the waitresses. Detestable!

Seeing that Vermouth had completed her mental gymnastics, Yuu continued: "I get it. Is it because of Yukiko?"

"But didn't you promise me that you'd be my good little slave girl from now on and listen to your Master? Why are you acting all jealous today? That won't do—such a disobedient little slave!"

Vermouth sucked in a sharp breath of cold air.

Little slave girl? These two play that hard?!

Azusa Enomoto looked so pure, yet she was actually like this in private.

But the mission came first; taking Curacao was the priority.

Since Yuu hadn't seen through her disguise yet, Vermouth hesitated but decided not to reveal her identity. She chose to keep the act going.

Suppressing the abnormalities in her body and mind, she relied on her master-class acting to respond.

She let out a flirtatious giggle and gently swatted Yuu's chest.

"Yuu-kun, I just haven't adapted yet. Who knew one of your women was a big star like Yukiko?"

"Though, I recall Yukiko's husband is Yusaku Kudo, isn't he? Yuu-kun, are you having an affair with her?"

At this thought, Vermouth gritted her teeth, a murderous glint in her eyes. The mysterious fear in her heart actually dissipated slightly.

Her disguise as Sharon Vineyard was for a mission, but her friendship with Yukiko was real.

Seeing her good friend being claimed by Yuu, Vermouth felt an urge to rescue Yukiko from this "sea of suffering."

Smack!

A crisp slapping sound echoed on her buttocks. Vermouth's eyes filled with disbelief.

You dared to hit me! No one has ever slapped my butt in my entire life!

"Don't change the subject. Azusa, didn't you play the 'Train Molester' role with me on the subway before? You were so obedient in front of everyone; how could you not be 'adapted' now? No, you're definitely being weird today!"

Train Molester???

Vermouth's eyes went completely round.

What kind of insane fetish is this? Being Yuu's slave wasn't enough; she even played 'Train Molester' in a public place?!

If Vermouth had a second chance, she would never have chosen to disguise herself as Azusa Enomoto.

How could she have known that this petite, cute, and sweet-looking waitress was completely "rotten" on the inside?

But what she knew even less was that the "relationship," the "slave girl" act, and the "train molester" stories were all complete bullshit made up by Yuu.

Yuu and Azusa were contracted, and they had had sex many times, but the "wildest" they ever got was a group party at home with Ran and Eri.

Vermouth didn't know this. Even if she investigated later, the result would still be that Azusa was Yuu's woman.

Yuu was currently using the information gap to thoroughly discipline the "Viper."

Since Vermouth didn't dare—or didn't want—to expose her identity, she had to play along with whatever he said.

Vermouth poked Yuu's pectoral muscle with her slender finger and laughed softly: "Yuu-kun, don't talk nonsense. How am I being weird?"

Poking that elastic muscle sent a flutter through Vermouth's heart. Beneath the mask, her face turned a bashful red.

This felt like "plucking a tooth from a tiger's mouth"—intense and stimulating. The closer she got to Yuu, the more obvious the mysterious trembling of her body became.

But the more it happened, the more excited she actually felt.

It was like those who love extreme sports or breath-play.

This feeling of dancing on the edge of death stimulated the secretion of dopamine and adrenaline; even knowing it was dangerous, she couldn't stop.

Feeling her body becoming aroused, Vermouth's hand involuntarily stroked Yuu's cheek.

Looking at "Azusa" in this state and sensing her physical condition, Yuu was quite surprised.

Surprise was followed by delight; he thought of a more stimulating way to play.

Yuu reached out and pulled Vermouth up, sitting her on his lap. Their eyes met, their intimacy levels peaking.

Unable to withstand Yuu's burning gaze, Vermouth's emerald eyes—hidden behind contacts—looked away.

Yuu's left hand stroked her soft back, while his right hand slid up from the hem of her white shirt, touching her bare, snowy skin.

Vermouth's body shuddered, but she didn't struggle.

"Since you say you haven't changed, do you know what to call me?"

Vermouth hesitated, then whispered: "Yuu-kun?"

"Hmm?"

Seeing Yuu frown, her heart filled with even more panic and dread, but her body grew even more excited.

In the next moment, a flash of inspiration hit her. Vermouth hurriedly said: "Ma... Master!"

Only then did Yuu break into a satisfied smile. He gently stroked Vermouth's head in a "head-pat kill."

Vermouth felt as if Yuu's large hand possessed magic; being stroked like that felt incredibly good.

Yuu chuckled: "Azusa is finally being a good girl. Alright, hurry up and eat your ice cream."

Ice cream? What the hell is that now?

Vermouth's mind went blank. She was feeling mentally exhausted, looking up at the ceiling in resignation.

I just picked a random person to disguise as to take Curacao away. Why is this so hard?

I didn't come here to play a riddle game.

But soon, Vermouth realized.

Even if she hadn't "eaten pork," she had "seen pigs run." As a mature woman, her theoretical knowledge was very solid.

Combined with their previous conversation and Yuu's raised eyebrow, she understood almost instantly.

Her eyes trembled as she looked down, fixing on the large "tent" pitched by "Little Yuu." she couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.

Is it this? It's this, isn't it!

Vermouth's deduction was correct; that was exactly what Yuu meant.

Under her incredulous gaze, Yuu pulled out his exclusive, extra-large "strawberry ice cream."

Kneeling on the sofa beside him, Vermouth stared at the giant "ice cream" before her, utterly dumbfounded.

She blinked her beautiful eyes; they actually felt a bit dry.

Her mouth opened slightly, but she could only make small sounds; words wouldn't form.

This 'ice cream' is far too big!

The smile on Yuu's face was incredibly mischievous. Looking at the stunned Vermouth, he asked: "Azusa, what's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"Uh... mmm... ah... this... oh, right! I don't know why, but I have a canker sore in my mouth lately. It's not very good..."

Vermouth used a lame excuse to try and refuse.

As for the "reveal identity" solution, it seemed to have vanished completely from her mind.

"It's okay. It's not cold, and it's your favorite, isn't it?"

Yuu ignored her stalling and didn't want to give her time to think or come clean.

His left hand pressed on the back of her head, guiding the extra-large strawberry ice cream toward her mouth, stuffing it in completely.

Vermouth hurriedly held it with her hands.

So hot... so big... it really isn't cold!

The burning sensation of the "ice cream" sparked a thought in Vermouth's mind.

"Mmmph~"

The strawberry ice cream was too large, and Vermouth's mouth was too small. With her pink lips obstructing it, the "chocolate wafer" on the side (his testicles) couldn't fit and fell outside.

However, the "giant strawberry" (glans) pushed directly against the back of Vermouth's throat, causing her eyes to redden and tears to fall. She actually began to cry.

She had never given a blowjob to any man; even her first kiss was still intact. These two "firsts" were now being taken by Yuu at the same time.

As the ageless "Viper," Vermouth had served the Organization for many years.

Whether it was internal training, experiments, or missions as an executive, she had never met a man who moved her.

Of course, the Boss forbidding it was also a major factor.

Thus, her intimate contact with men was limited to holding hands during acting roles.

Any passionate scene beyond that limit was handled by a body double.

She only needed to use a fraction of her disguise skills to make the double look identical, and with camera editing, the audience would never know.

What a humiliation! What a disgrace!

If not for taking back an Organization member, if not for choosing the wrong person to disguise as, how would I have ended up in this state!

Curacao, Azusa Enomoto—it's because of you two that I've ended up like this. Just you wait; I will definitely have my revenge on you.

Similarly, the thought of simply coming clean to Yuu and having him cooperate with the mission was now completely forgotten by her.

Whether she truly forgot or "pretended" to forget, only she knew.

It was clearly Yuu Hoshimiya forcing her to "eat ice cream," yet she only dared to think of revenge against Curacao and Azusa.

She didn't dare entertain even a shred of a thought about revenge against Yuu—which was truly something.

Yuu's voice was deep and low: "Azusa, eat faster. We only have twenty minutes left. You have to finish within twenty minutes."

Vermouth was furious, but under the mysterious fear and strange stimulation, she had no thought of resisting.

Instead, she thought: Since it's already come to this, I might as well continue. Exposing myself now would be a total loss.

The "Sunk Cost Fallacy" was in full effect.

Thus, with a whimper, she proactively began to lick and suck.

But she really had no experience with this special ice cream. She didn't know she had to take the whole thing in and suck to eat it quickly; she only knew how to poke out her small pink tongue and swirl it around, licking and tasting.

"Hiss~"

When Vermouth's pink tongue swirled around the vivid red "strawberry," Yuu let out a groan of pleasure.

Feeling Vermouth's clumsy mouth-skills, Yuu feigned confusion again: "Azusa, it's only been a few days. How did your oral skills deteriorate so much?"

Vermouth pulled her mouth away from the strawberry ice cream, coughing slightly in distress, and gently squeezed Yuu's "strawberry" with her hand.

She put on the needy persona of a slave girl: "Cough... I did it on purpose. Master, your little slave wants Master to discipline her more~"

Damn it! Azusa Enomoto, you deserve to die! You love being a little slave girl, do you? Just wait; I won't let you off.

Hiss! Incredible!

Seeing Vermouth completely immerse herself in the role of a slave girl, Yuu's heart did an uncharacteristic little jump.

As expected of a famous actress; this acting was so good you couldn't tell it was an act at all.

"Since that's the case, Master will satisfy his little slave."

"Thank you, Master~"

"Come, take it in. Hiss... suck with your mouth. Yes, use your tongue to cooperate. Lick the bottom too. Good, keep it like that..."

"Use your hands too. Yes, such a good little slave. Take it into your throat. Hiss... comfortable..."

"Azusa, is Master's strawberry ice cream delicious?"

Yuu stroked Vermouth's bobbing head.

"Mmmph... delishous... Mashter's is the besht..."

Vermouth's eyes as she looked at Yuu were full of affection. As for whether it was genuine, only her heart knew.

"Hiss... Azusa, push it in a bit further. Oh, that's it..."

"Mmm~"

Under Yuu's coaching, Vermouth began to move with some proficiency.

Every time, she swallowed Yuu's "strawberry" to the back of her throat, then pulled back, using her pink tongue to rapidly lick around the base.

The small hands holding the main body of the "ice cream" also began to knead gently; her soft fingers were addictive.

Vermouth's head began to bob rhythmically, and the strawberry ice cream started to plunge in and out of her sexy little mouth.

The scene was incredibly enticing, making Yuu's heart flare with desire. Eventually, he simply closed his eyes.

However, Yuu's large hand still rested on the white shirt of Vermouth's soft back, gently stroking to "cheer her on."

Vermouth's disguise this time actually had one more flaw.

Because time was tight, she had only put on the Azusa Enomoto face mask she had prepared previously.

Her intel was incomplete, and she hadn't disguised her height or figure.

Therefore, the body beneath her clothes was her true, original curve.

Moreover, Vermouth was Caucasian with snow-white skin. Although Azusa was fair, there was still a difference.

Vermouth had applied tinted cream to her exposed skin, but the skin beneath her clothes remained her original tone.

And with Yuu's unique relationship with Azusa, her greatest fear now was that Yuu's hands might feel something abnormal while roaming, ruining everything.

Consequently, Vermouth's heart was racing while she desperately licked the ice cream, feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

Fortunately, Yuu didn't seem to notice any abnormality the whole time.

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