"Are you serious? There is no way I would work under the command of that guy!" Kaito's protest was heard in the entire room. He already had a bad morning thanks to an unprecedented stomach bug. He almost crawled his way to the bathroom because of how bad his stomach felt.
Now, his morning had gotten even worse because of Akira's sudden announcement.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Akira squeezed her temple. The day had just started but she was already having a headache.
Early this morning, her grandmother called for her before she left for a business trip. To Akira's surprise, she told her of the new job offer and deal that she made with Kaito.
Akira was taken aback by the information that her grandmother relayed to her that she remained mute for a short moment.
Honestly, she really had no objection with the idea of them paying Ren to continuously working and helping them reach Tomo Ogawa and find the diary. However, she had an issue with the latter part.
"He agreed to remain with us until we're done with Tomo Ogawa. But he specifically asked to lead your squad during this entire mission", her grandmother, Aiko, told her.
Akira scowled, "That's so bold of him. Did he seriously think that we would agree to that?"
Aiko was silent for a moment. Akira wondered why she was not speaking.
"I actually said yes to him", Aiko finally revealed.
"What?!" Akira couldn't suppress herself. She was not the type of person to raise her voice in front of her grandmother. She genuinely respected and revered her grandmother. However, Aiko's revelation was too shocking for her.
"But why grandma? As far as I know, you are not the type who can be easily persuaded. Besides, that guy is just a mere human."
Aiko sighed as she leaned backwards against her chair. She really couldn't blame her granddaughter for reacting in such a way. Her outburst was valid. Akira's group, also known as the gifted squad, was considered to be an elite group formed for the main purpose of dealing with the hardest jobs and missions that their clan needed to handle. They were the best of the best among the Genjis.
Asking them to submit and be led by just a normal human like Ren was a sure punch in the gut for them, especially for Akira and Kaito. Aiko was well aware of how these two were the most prideful among the five in their group.
"I get your point. But the guy was really determined with his request", Aiko explained.
"So? What if he has an ulterior motive for asking it? I do not trust that guy", Akira wasn't backing down. She was just as determined as Ren. She would give her all to convince her grandmother to take back her agreement with Ren.
"I did not say that I trust him, and I am not asking you to trust him. All I am asking is for you to let him lead you and your team. You can do that without trusting the guy", Aiko was also firm with her decision.
Akira suddenly stood from her seat and slammed her palms against the table, "No. I do not trust that guy and I will not work under his command. He'll have to accept that. If he doesn't, then he can go and leave. We don't need him. We can handle this mission even without him."
"Akira", Aiko's voice was stern that it sent goosebumps down to Akira's spine. She had always known her grandmother as the smiling, jolly and collected type. It was very rare for her to show this side of her.
Akira stared at her grandmother's face. Her appearance looked calm, but her eyes said otherwise. Akira could tell it. Behind that tame, cheerful and kind face was a menacing side of herself that she was hiding.
"You were the one who basically begged me years ago to be your adviser because you said it yourself, in your mind and heart, you are still a child and you do not trust your understanding. But as for me, I have wisdom greater than anyone in our clan. Are you questioning my verdict this time?"
"No...I...I mean...", Akira stuttered. She couldn't find the right words to respond to what her grandmother had just said to her. She was like a deer caught in the headlights. She realized that her grandmother was right.
"Listen", Aiko said when she realized that her granddaughter was stunned by her statement. Her eyes softened, "I am not questioning your authority. I do not want you to misunderstand me. What I am just saying is this, you placed me in this position for a reason. So, please trust me on this one. You know that I wouldn't ask you to do it if I haven't given it a proper thought."
After seeing the expression on her grandmother's face soften, and after listening to her sincere explanation, Akira calmed down. She sat back to her seat, feeling a little ashamed of how immaturely she behaved in front of her grandmother.
She was right. She was but just still a child at heart and mind. She still had a lot to learn and work on herself. That included controlling her temper.
"You're right. He is a mere human. He is not like us. But do not underestimate him. That young man has a strong sense of himself. I can tell, he knows what he is really capable of. It's not arrogance. He asked for this condition because he believes that he has what it takes to do it. He might not be as powerful as us, but I believe that he has the mind that can go on par with Tomo Ogawa, and that is something that we need if we want this mission to succeed."
Akira carefully digested what her grandmother told her. Truthfully, she still had not let go of her distaste towards Ren yet. In addition to that, it was really tough for her pride to allow herself to be somewhat like his subordinate. But she decided to set aside all of these thoughts and feelings for the mean time.
She recalled her past experiences with Ren, especially when they invaded Tomo Ogawa's property. It had dawned on her that Ren actually surprised her during their mission. They might not have attained the result that they were expecting, but without Ren's help, they wouldn't even had gotten that far.
She was reminded of how smart, quick in thinking and how attentive Ren actually was even to the smallest of details. Truly, Ren was not someone to be easily underestimated.
After their long deliberation, Akira ended up agreeing with her grandmother, and now, she was on the process of relaying the information to her group.
"Keep your ego in the closet for now Kaito and just follow grandmother", Akira told Kaito nonchalantly.
However, it just added more fuel to the fire.
"How can you be so calm about this? Do you honestly think that we can trust that guy?!" Kaito's voice was getting louder.
Akira shook her head, "I do not trust him, but I trust grandmother."
"That guy must have used some dirty tricks to convince her."
Akira stared fiercely at Kaito. Her face and the way she looked at him emanated a brooding aura.
Kaito was caught off guard at her expression. He had Akira and worked alongside her for years. He was aware of her sudden mood shifts and how she could have her days sometimes, and he was honestly fine with it. Like, if there was someone who could handle Akira, he would be one of those.
However, the way she was staring at him right now was something that honestly sent shivers down his spine. She looked so menacing and intimidating.
"Watch your mouth Kaito. Do you take grandma for a fool? Such petty tricks will not work on her. If there is someone who should know her better apart from me, it should be you."
Kaito was a bit embarrassed. It was rare for him to get called out, especially by Akira. Sometimes, he was forgetting that she was actually their leader.
"You're right. I deeply and genuinely apologize. I was carried away by my emotions", he said.
Akira nodded in return to show that she recognized and accepted his apology.
Then, someone in the group suddenly cleared his throat. It was Haru.
It was only then that Kaito and Akira realized that Sato, Nao, and Haru were actually silently watching them.
"Am I allowed to speak?" Haru asked with his usual childish demeanor. He was aware of the awkwardness in the atmosphere and was worried that it would not be the right time to speak.
"Yes Haru", Akira replied in a sigh.
"To be quite frank, I do not really mind working under Ren's lead", Haru admitted to the group.
Akira was not surprised. She had observed from the very beginning that Haru was actually keen on Ren, and it was mostly because they shared some similarities, especially personality wise.
"But don't get me wrong. It's not because I feel like we really get along well or because our personalities are quite similar. I am willing to be his subordinate even for a short period of time because I have actually seen what he can do. Hate him all you want, but you cannot deny the fact that the guy has the brains. Don't you agree?"