God Eater: Infinity Paradise

23. Jinxed

The rest of the team didn't look any better. If anything, they looked even worse. Kota was still dazed and wobbly from the recent incapacitation, barely able to pick up his own gun or even keep himself upright. Sakuya, on the other hand, was looking like she had tired her soul out, catching her breath as they all stopped for a rest. Lenka's wound had healed for a bit, but damn, that boy still needs a few good shots of bias. Out of them all, Soma appeared to be the only one fit for any more battles. "Your timing is spot-on, Yuka," the vice captain praised.

The blonde girl didn't look too pleased with that on the other hand. She was restless, pacing back and forth and keeping a keen eye on everything around them. "The other one escaped," she mumbled. "We have to get it, Soma."

It was a relief to have her call him by the name this time, rather than some sickening pet name sure to make him puke. The taller male raised a brow at that statement, crossing his arms over his chest, while he scowled at his partner and her silly ideas. "Are you nuts?" He asked. Engage against an Aragami? In their current condition? That's suicide.

"Just... Just let us rest for a bit," pleaded the orange-haired lad, holding onto his still woozy head. His sight is probably still spinning.

Soma was not having any of it. Standing here while waiting is not something he would do, especially if there are Aragamis to be exterminated. "No," he coldly replied. "You, Utsugi and Sakuya will drive home." He turned to Lenka who was still sitting on the side with his recovering leg. "You need shots of bias factor, pronto." His remaining words seem to hung on his throat, as if he wasn't sure whether to go through with the rest or not. All of his teammates stared at him in silence. Apparently, they are not quite used to him taking charge of the situation. Soma eventually accepted the internal defeat, as he turned to Yuka, rubbing fingers against his temples. "We'll take it out."

Her hardened expression softened slightly, pink lips twisting to a teasing smirk. "Oh? It's a date then, babe~? How sweet of you~" The last sentence she spoke as she did a 10/10 back flip, avoiding the massive blade the white haired male had swung in frustration. Sakuya and Kota looked mortified. "Okay, okay. I'll stop," she laughed, landing in two feet before the smoking male.

"A-Are you sure?" Kota asked, the idea of leaving these two together not seeming to appeal with him. Even if it would only be a Kongou, unexpected things could still happen. "Sakuya?" He turned to their senior for an agreement, expecting her to side with him.

The called female studied the pair for a few minutes, before coming upon a decision. "Alright," she sighed. "But please, both of you, return to Den in one piece." It looked like the top declaring Lindow as MIA still has a great impact on her, as they all saw the despair and sadness in her eyes. It must have broke her heart, even only for a bit, to have them part like this. Her gaze shifted over to the smiling blonde, who responded with a thumbs-up. With that, she assisted the injured New-Type to stand.

"But," Yuka added. "If I do come back in shreds..." She paused and pointed at Soma, before resuming speech in a now lowered voice. "... it's his fault."

Soma growled. "I'm not afraid."

A few more exchanges, and the pair was left to watch the rest of their team safely leave the area, with Sakuya supporting Lenka as they walked. Even before they had disappeared from their vision, Soma had began to walk towards the opposite direction.

"So... what do you want to talk about?" His companion asked, to which he only growled at under his breath. "You would have forced me to come with them if I'm mistaken." At this point, her tone had ditched the playful and teasing tinge it had earlier, the atmosphere losing all the funny business aura.

He still refused to answer, and only continued walking with his God Arc slung over his shoulder. Though, knowing her perfectly, there would be no kind of response that will keep her mouth shut. It has been eighteen years, and over that period of time, he'd learnt to tolerate all of it.