No one's POV

After their hunt, Ryu, Akame, and Kurome made their way towards an oil merchant in order to sale their products. Ryu gently slid the door open and let Akame and Kurome in while Ryu stayed outside in order to look for any suspicious activity.

Akame: Hello, we're with the Suekuni Trade Firm. We've come to buy some oil.

Merchant: Uh huh. Oil's in high demand these days, so it'll be expen...sive?!

Akame: We'd be ever so grateful if you would... give us a discount.

Kurome: Yeah.

Seeing by how cute they are, the oil merchant just laugh heartily while waving his hand dismissing his earlier statement.

Merchant: How can I say no? But just a little one, you scamp!

Akame: Thank you so much!

Ryu: -_- Seduction is a scary thing.

Ryu said with a sigh. Though he didn't complain, he very much would like to not used that in their future sales. He sigh tiredly before turning his head around the area. Then a person holding a giant bag caught his attention.

Ryu(mind): That man... He is not acting like a merchant at all.

(Timeskip)

After their trade, Ryu, Akame, and Kurome head back towards their base at the City of Sweun Suekuni Trade firm. When they arrived, Gin, Natala, and Green turns out had done their sales as well. Akame's team and Gin's team handed out their reports to Gozuki. After a few quick skim on each teams report Gozuki announced the winner.

Gozuki: You guys are competing in sales, aren't you? After tallying the results... Team Green wins.

Natala: Th-Thank you very much!

Gozuki: Akame, you guys are making profit, but only just so-so. Ryu... Weren't you supposed to be looking after them?

Ryu: -_- They ate all the sales.

Kurome and Akame: We're sorry.

Ryu just shrugged it off.

Ryu: Don't worry about it. What's done is done.

Akame then looked at Gin.

Akame: Well, Gin, we lose. Sounds like quite a bundle.

Gin look away from Akame with a pout.

Gin: Hmph. Whatever.

Akame: Did something happen?

Natala: Ah! I messed up a little...it's no biggie.

Gin just glare at Natala even more before turning her gaze towards Ryu who was making his report.

Ryu: I have something to report. While Akame and Kurome were selling our sales, I noticed a suspicious merchant carrying a huge bag.

Gozuki: !

That caught Gozuki's interest and he immediately stood up.

Gozuki: Nice. I'll look into it right away. You guys keep working.

Poney: If he's gone, I can—

Ryu: Hell no, you energetic girl!

Poney tries to run past Ryu as she wanted to join in on the fun, but Ryu immediately grab onto her hair stopping her from going even further. Poney frown when Ryu did so but she stopped complaining when Ryu gave her his signature glare before he drag her away and towards her room again. Meanwhile, Gin was so adamant in switching teams.

Gin: We should switch up the teams!

Natala gave a jump when Gin announced that

Natala(mind): Things are so awkward now...

(Timeskip)

With the group now switching teams, Team Akame were now composed of Akame, Green, and Natala. While Ryu, Gin and Kurome went their separate ways. It was obvious that something happened with their team, but Akame couldn't tell what. The three had traveled down to the city downriver.

Natala: I'm going to go around and make our introductions, see if I can get the negotiations started."

Akame: We just go to the inn. Can't you do it tomorrow?

Natala: If I sit still too long, I worry too much.

Akame: ?

Green(mind): Ah... I see.

Natala: I'll be right back. You guys rest.

Akame was confused as to Green started to nervously sweat. Green clearly knew what was going on and his real reasons for acting like he was... He kept thinking if Natala was aware of his crush on Akame. With Natala now having left the room, Green goes digging into his bag.

Green: Well, since we're free until tomorrow...

Green pulled out a papercraft boat out of his bag, a happy look on his face as he soon pulled out more tools.

Green: I thought I might finish up this guy. I don't want to be trying to work on it while we're on the boat.

Akame: Is that some kind of paper craft?

Akame ask with a slight smile.

Green: Yep. A great way to keep my mind off things.

Akame: Can I make one too?

Green: Sure. I'll teach you.

Akame: Please.

It was at this moment, a course of electricity runs through Green. He was completely wrapped up in his hobby when thought that this was the chance he was awaiting for. To tell her. He kept pondering about it, after teaching Akame about how to make one and watching her create her own. Soon enough, she finished, albeit a little roughed around the edges a little and not as polished like Green's.

Akame: Like this?

Akame asked with a glint on her eyes. Green immediately clapped his hand.

Green: Yes! Very good, Akame!

Akame: You're always so quick to compliment me, Green.

Green: Umm, well... It's just, I dunno... the natural thing to do. I can't help being sweet to the person I like... ha-ha.

The sudden confession left Akame stunt for a good two seconds. The green-eyed boy laughs nervously, Akame not looking a bit surprised. She didn't forget about what he admitted when the herself, Poney, and Cornelia were trying to sneak up on the boys.

Akame: Green...

Green's face couldn't get more crimson, but still, he resolve himself into telling Akame about his feelings.

Green: I-I'm sure you're surprised. But I do. I like you, Akame.

There was an awkward silent in the room. Though Akame didn't show it, she was sweating bullet on the inside.

Akame(mind):...Uh-oh. I can't tell him I already knew that.

Green: A-And well..um...I can guess...how you feel about me...y-you see me...as just a friend, right? You don't acknowledge me..as a guy?

Akame look down slightly sad.

Akame: I'm sorry. That's precisely it.

Green:.....!!

Akame: I have my adorable little Kurome.

Green:...You don't have to lie to me, you know.

Akame: What?

Green: Ryu, you like Ryu, don't you? After all, there were many times when I saw you two together, your face brightens more than you ever could have imagined.

Akame:...You say that and... I don't know how I should answer. Right now... I'd say I like my family but I can't say that he's not nearly as important to me.

Green laughs a little, just a lighthearted one that he smiles alongside. Then Akame said something that caught his interest.

Akame: And besides... He seems so preoccupied by something.

Green: Preoccupied? He looks the same to me.

Akame: I think I'm the only person who noticed this weird behavior of his. Not even father seemed to notice this as well. So even if I say I like him, I don't think he sees me just as that.

Hearing Akame's last line, Green's face lit up.

Green: Then that means, there's absolutely no one else right?

Akame: No.

Green: Good, that's all I needed to hear!

Akame: What?

Green: I'll do everything I can to show you, show you how much I care about you. So one day, I will be the one to occupy your heart instead of Ryu!

Akame was taken aback by Green sudden outburst, so she once again confirm Green's confession.

Akame:...I'm flattered to hear you say that, but just to be sure... it's not Kurome you like...? It's me?

Green: Yes. I think you're the cutest of all, Akame!

Akame: I... I see...

Akame look away blushing slightly. Then Green jolts off the room before saying his final statement.

Green: Well... Just don't forget that!

Akame: Right...

Left alone, Akame ponders about what Green just said about her having a crush on Ryu. She couldn't deny Green's statement at all. At the same time, she was sure that something kept clouding the boys mind.

Akame(mind): What are you thinking about, Ryu...?

Green on the other hand, he still ran across the streets while his mind was still processing about his confession towards Akame. After all, that was one of his life long goal to confess to Akame. She did admit to herself about having a crush on Ryu, but at the same time when she said Ryu didn't see her as that made Green face lit up with hope. Then he stood by at a nearby slope clinching his hand victoriously.

Green(mind): I'm going to become a really cool guy and make Akame fall for me! AAAALL RIGHT— I'M GONNA TRY MY BEST!!!

(Timeskip)

Finally completing their task, Gzouki called them back for a meeting.

Gozuki: Everyone's here. Ryu's instincts about that man were right on the mark. I got him to talk and now we know the location of the saltworks.

Akame: Good work, Ryu.

Ryu: It was nothing, most of us would've noticed him.

Gin: So where is it?

Gozuki: Gappi Marsh, of all places.

This caught the Elite Seven by surprise.

Green: That super-dangerous region where the most powerful Danger Beasts congregate?!

Green exclaim.

Natala: That's what makes it the perfect hideout.

Green: I've been near Gappi once. It's a little too dangerous to be putting a hideout there.

Green: Since it's a saltworks there are probably a fair number of laborers... I'm impressed they managed to keep themselves safe.

Gozuki: I'd prefer to avoid fighting too many high-class Danger Beasts myself, but this is our mission, so we have no choice. We're going to Gappi, and we're going to crush the source of the Rebel Army's cash flow.

With hardened face on each and every one of them, they all nodded.

Akame and Ryu: Roger! / Understood.