Episode 6: The excitement is short-lived.
Haruto flinches in fear and starts walking.
When they stop in front of the highest office on the 6th floor, Haruto is out of breath.
Haruto:
"Honestly, Lady Akira… maybe you should find a solution for these stairs."
But Lady Akira is so angry that she says nothing. She only throws him a sharp sideways glance and walks into the room.
As Haruto follows her inside, he notices a faint reddish stain on the back of her mini skirt. Embarrassed, his thoughts spiral.
(Inner voice – Haruto)
"Should I tell her? No… she'll definitely misunderstand.
No—yes, I should tell her."
Haruto:
"Um… excuse me, Lady Akira, but you might not have noticed… there's a small blood stain on the back of your skirt."
She looks at him without changing her expression. Haruto quickly averts his eyes. Lady Akira checks herself in the mirror and speaks calmly.
Lady Akira:
"What is your excuse, Haruto?
And be honest. Why is that child here?"
Haruto straightens up.
Haruto:
"We found him in Sector 2-S West, the Kuiri area we visited last. There—"
He pauses.
Haruto:
"That child can't absorb kuiris. He was tied up as a sacrifice… but somehow survived."
Lady Akira thinks.
Lady Akira:
"Hm… interesting. A child who can't absorb kuiris?
Things are getting serious.
So that's why you brought him here? Maybe your intentions were good, but with that trauma and fear, the child would mentally—"
Haruto cuts her off.
Haruto:
"NO, MA'AM!"
Lady Akira narrows her eyes but remains silent. Haruto realizes he raised his voice.
Haruto:
"I'm sorry, Lady Akira… but I want that child to grow up and become a Kuiri Hunter. Just like your father trained us."
Lady Akira's voice hardens.
Lady Akira:
"Who gave you the right to raise your voice at me?
Still… I'll give you two days. Prove to me that this child can become a capable hunter."
Haruto is stunned.
Haruto:
"B-but how in two—"
She cuts him off.
Lady Akira:
"I could punish you for yelling at me. And you're still talking back?"
Haruto nods silently, his expression serious.
He leaves the office, walking absentmindedly through the corridor past staff members carrying files.
A voice echoes behind him.
Tatsuya:
"GOOOOD LUUUCK, HARUTOOOO!"
Right after, Doctor Mitsuni waves enthusiastically.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"AND SEND MY REGARDS TO LADYYYYY!"
As Haruto walks off angrily, Sora sneaks up behind Tatsuya and Doctor Mitsuni and smashes their heads together.
BAM
Sora:
"You guys...—"
Tatsuya groans on the floor.
Tatsuya:
"Ugh—ahhh!"
Dr. Mitsuni:
"SORAAA! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO A CUTE, BEAUTIFUL—"
(Ren interrupts.)
Ren:
"And crazy!"
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Oh right, crazy too! How could you do this to a handsome doctor?!"
He watches Sora walk away.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"You could've at least turned around!"
Sora grins and heads to her room.
Meanwhile, in the corridor, a staff member heading to the main meeting room runs into Chef Taro.
Chef Taro:
"So, would you like to try my mustard salmon pastries?"
Yuki approaches Tatsuya, who is still groaning.
Yuki:
"Are you alright, sir?"
Tatsuya:
"Of course I am! But here's some advice—choose your girlfriend wisely, or else—"
Ren coughs loudly.
Ren:
"Tatsuya, maybe you should drop those files in my office and go help Yona. Looks like she'll be working overtime today."
Tatsuya:
"What?! Why me?!"
Doctor Mitsuni chimes in.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Yeah, why him? And what overtime?"
Ren smirks.
Ren:
"Well, doctor… lately, Kuiri—"
Yuki's breathing suddenly quickens. Doctor Mitsuni notices immediately.
Yuki:
"Hah… hahaha… ah—"
Doctor Mitsuni looks at Ren and Tatsuya.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Tatsuya, go make us some of that amazing grape tea in the kitchen. You brought some special stuff before—there should be some left."
Then he turns to Yuki.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"So… would you like to meet someone?"
Ren covers his face.
Ren:
"Oh no…"
---