God Eater: Infinity Paradise

44. Selbstmitleid

Yuka never imagined she could be more stressed than she already was. She didn't know what Soma meant by gone but it drove her to a panic that she didn't even bother changing out of the mechanic coat she was wearing from her discussion with Licca. The events whirled around her so fast that the next thing that clearly registered inside her head was riding a helicopter with Lenka and Soma.

"According to the data provided by the doctor," Lenka was saying, "there's a Sariel and a few Spark Cocoon Maidens surrounding the area. Before we could start looking for Shio, we would have to clear them all up first." His gaze shifted towards the two veterans with him; Yuka was still at a complete loss, while Soma, as usual, looked like he couldn't give any care. "Afterwards, we could split up and do an individual search."

The blonde frowned. "Okay, but is no one really going to tell me how the hell it happened?"

"Well, Dr. Sakaki wanted to give her a change of clothes," the raven-haired God Eater began. "But she was complaining that it was stiff and scratchy, so he asked help from Sakuya and Alisa. While they were dressing her, as they said when it was just all smoke and debris, she tore a hole in the wall and fled."

So that was why Soma was so angry, huh? Yuka glanced at the direction of the said God Eater, who hadn't spoken a word since they boarded the vehicle. Seeing that he is worried for Shio only means they are somehow friends now, right? And that's good, right?

"We're here." Soma's voice finally rose, just as the sounds of Sariel registered in their ears. "We have to take off from here."

Lenka was to reason out why they can't do that, but it would have fallen to deaf ears as the older male was out of sight. "... Yuka-san?"

Apparently, the woman in question was already finished in uncasing her own God Arc. "He's right. Any closer might endanger our pilot." And just like that, she was gone too.

Although, the Sariel was a pretty easy job to accomplish, honestly speaking. The only difficulty lying within it was the fact that its weak point was a little too far from reach. But once it was down on the ground, it was dead meat. Dividing the search work came pretty easy too, and it wasn't long after when Yuka found herself staring down at the lifeless Aragami all by herself.

He had seen that expression of Soma before-many times in the past when she thought she had made him worried. Before, she was thinking that she just inconvenienced him that much, which is why he is angry. But looking at him now...

Maybe Sakuya is right. Maybe Soma does care more than the two of them realize.

"Isn't that... delightful?" She smiled to herself. "The Death God cares. Well, priorities, Yuka. Shio now, fluttering stomach butterflies later."

Minutes of scouting, killing a few Cocoon Maidens and calling out to the Aragami girl did no good. She wasn't in the area-her area, at least. Lenka was still checking a few corners in his side and promised to regroup soon, but so far, negative. "Alright," she said. "I'll check with Soma to see how he's doing." A small sigh went past her lips as she started to move.

She was just by the foot of the temple's stairs when she heard his voice, "Playtime's over. Let's get back now." His voice echoed slightly at the emptiness of the temple.

"I don't like that scratchy thing!" Another voice-Shio's-whined.

"When all is said and done, you're still a monster, huh?" He laughed.

He laughed.

Yuka nearly dropped her own God Arc as she slid down from the frost-covered wall she leaned on. He laughed. A small complain from Shio had made him laugh. "Stupid," she whispered. "You're stupid. You're so bloody stupid, Yuka."