Chapter 424 - PRETENDING TO BE FINE (2/2)

”Yeah. We just finished a mission. We will be taking a breather before going out again.” Gofu responded enthusiastically.

”You should not be sharing information with her. She is not a member of the team anymore.” Hiro glared at Gofu.

”What information? This is called small talk. I think she can figure out what I just said with half a brain cell.” Gofu retorted.

”Don't start it, you two.” Ryou barked out.

”Akira, I heard that you got into some trouble,” Miki spoke up after the boys settled down.

Miki did not look like she belonged on the field. Unlike Rin, she did not embody the expected appearance of a girl taking on dangerous missions. Rin had a little bit of a masculine appearance, and she enhanced that tough girl appearance with a choppy mohawk.

Miki looked even less unsuited for rough work than Akira. She had a tall and graceful figure belonging to a delicate girl, and she reinforced it by wearing long dresses where possible. Also, her hair was unusually long for the harsh conditions, including onsite training, and she liked leaving it loose.

Even Akira kept her hair short to minimise discomfort. All these things could be overlooked, but Miki's soft and fragile demeanour could not be overlooked. She was the type who asked to be carried on someone's back if the team was crossing a river without a modern bridge.

The only thing that kept her in the team was her exceptional abilities in gathering information. She was good with computers and people, making her indispensable among the other rough people. Her position became firmer after Akira left.

”Are you a child? Just say it like it is. She got knocked up.” A new voice joined in.

Akira turned to look at Fuji. Among all the people in her old team, she could not stand this man the most. He always tried to go against her, regardless of what she did. Perhaps it was because he was an all-rounder than her.

Under normal circumstances, he should have been promoted to team leader instead of the brawny but less intelligent Ryou. However, the Chief had let it slip that he had failed his psychological tests, so he could not be promoted, at least, not yet.

”Don't be uncouth, Fuji.” Miki rebuked gently. ”Akira, if you need help, we are here for you. Right, guys?”

”Oh, I will keep that in mind.” She said. ”Let me get my food. I am quite hungry. I need all the energy I can get, seeing that I am knocked up.”

She threw another glance at Fuji before walking away, leaving the group staring.

”Let her keep pretending to be fine.” Hiro scoffed. ”She always behaved like the queen bee. Now, she is just some rich man's discarded toy.”

”How do you know that? Maybe she is in a normal relationship.” Gofu said.

”It is a simple deduction, idiot. Rumour has it she found her biological parents. They are rich and live in Mountain Ridge. She would not be back here in her condition if things had worked out. So, she must have been shunned by both her biological family and whoever knocked her up.” Fuji explained.

Miki nodded, and even Ryou did not oppose the explanation.

”What a shame! She should have stayed in the valley.” Rin said as she watched Akira carrying her tray of food to a lone table.