No one's POV

Gozuki: You guys are doing an important job, so eat up to build up your strength for your next mission. Then again... I guess that goes without saying.

Both Akame and Poney were devouring as much food as they could while both Cornelia and Ryu ate at a more modest pace. At the inn where Ryu and the other girls of the Elite Seven were accompanying Gozuki and waiting for the next mission. A relieved expression on Ryu's face appeared. Relieved that he doesn't have to stop Akame from eating everyone's portions because he could only make so much for a meal.

Akame: This meat is so delicious, I wish Chief and the others could have some.

Cornelia: Then how about we get some to-go and bring it to the mountains?

Akame: That's a good idea but.. I wouldn't be able to restrain myself. I'd eat the whole thing on the way there...

Ryu: -_- You really need to work on your self-discipline.

Gozuki: Now then, I'm going to a meeting to discuss our next move. All of you need to act like normal kids until I get back.

Poney: Okay!

Gozuki: Cornelia, you'll be in charge of everyone. I'm counting on you.

Cornelia: Not Ryu?

Ryu: There's no way I would be in charge a team full of girls, Corey. I can't keep an eye every time. Especially on the girl's hot spring or sleeping quarters. Still, I'm here if you need me for anything.

Ryu smile at her as he gave his support. Cornelia couldn't help but blushed a little at his comment and nodded as he continued eating but giving some glances to Gozuki.

Gozuki: That's right, so?

Cornelia: You can leave it to me, papa!

(Timeskip)

Night soon fell. They all lay down on their rooms. The girls were separated from Ryu of course as he gots his own room. But not long after, Cornelia soon wakes up, as her yawning slip out of her breath. It was at the crack of dawn. The sun weren't even up yet as the moonlight still shines.

Cornelia: I'm already up.

She took a quick glance at the other two female member of the group, Akame and Poney. Seeing the other two so peacefully made Cornelia happy as she smile.

Cornelia: Maybe I'll take a dip in the bath. It's still early, it should be deserted.

She head towards the hot spring and discarded her clothes. With Gozuki at the meeting and Najasho weren't there, it was her job to take care of everyone. Though sometimes it was always Ryu whom takes care of everyone. Speaking of Ryu, he was still soundly asleep in his room. Probably because he was the last one to get a shut eye, since he wants to make sure that there aren't any threats lurking around.

Cornelia: I wonder what he would've thought of me.

Cornelia mutter those words without even realizing as her mind was always on Ryu. She was in love with that boy. With his perfect look, gentle like demeanor, and talent, there was nothing left to be desired. Though the boy was just too dense to noticed. She would sometimes get annoyed if she saw another women flirting with him.

Cornelia: *pout* If only he wasn't such a blockhead.

Pushing her thought away from the boy, she don the mask of a leader for the time being. The blonde hair girl steps into the baths, she looked around and smiled, noticing no one until she looked into the water. A girl was floating in the middle of the hot spring as Cornelia ran worried in case the person drowned within the spring somehow.

Cornelia: Are you okay?!

(Timeskip)

The two girls had finished their bath, Cornelia and the other girl Taeko, drinking milk after the breath as both of them apologize to each other for scaring the other.

Cornelia: Oops... I sort of jumped to the wrong conclusion there... sorry.

Taeko: I'm the one who should be sorry for giving you such a scare. I just figured I'd have the place all to myself so late at night.

Cornelia: I hear you, I was hoping to take a private dip myself.

Taeko: The name's Taeko. I'm traveling around with my grandma to get a better sense of the world.

Cornelia: I'm Cornelia. I'm undergoing martial arts training across the country as a student of the Temple of the Imperial Fist.

Taeko: The Temple of the Imperial Fist... that's incredible.

Taeko started to chug the refreshments Cornelia brought out as an apology while she couldn't help but stare in confusion at her content smile.

Taeko: I gotta say, the milk here is delicious, and the meal I had was great. What a fantastic inn.

Seeing her reaction, Cornelia couldn't help but laugh. Taeko had reminded her so much of Akame, especially when it comes in terms of food but it only confused Taeko.

Taeko: What is it?

Cornelia: You just remind me of one of my friends, Taeko.

Taeko: Oh, you mean that group I saw outside the inn?

Cornelia: Yeah, they're all fast asleep now though. But I'm pretty sure one of them is going to wake early to make sure that we're all doing okay. But I just see him as reliable because of that...

Taeko: Friend, huh? You're lucky, it must be fun having them around. I hardly have any friends, not to say my grandma isn't good to me.

Cornelia: Will you be staying at the inn for a while, Taeko?

Taeko: Depends on my grandma, but that's the plan.

Cornelia: Then if you wouldn't mind, we should meet up and talk again. I'll be staying here for a while, after all.

Cornlai lifted her own bottle of milk and clank it against Taeko with a smile when she saw Taeko's lips turn up to one as well.

Cornelia: To friends. Nice to meet ya.

Taeko: To friends. And thank you.

Akame: Oh, I thought I'd find you here Corey.

Akame comes in the bathroom, probably just woke up from the sleeps.

Cornelia: Hi, Akame. Let me introduce you to my new friend, her name's Taeko

They both bowed to each other, almost as stiff and monotone as they said the same thing.

Taeko and Akame: Nice to meet you.

Cornelia(mind): Yup... they're similar alright...

Cornelia: You woke up early to, Akame?

Akame: I got up on purpose. The sun will be rising soon, then it'll be breakfast. So I've got to work out as much as I can until then so I can empty my stomach and eat a ton! That's how I show my respect to good food!

Cornelia: -_- Wait, is that why Ryu always up so early making food for us? Also, please don't eat the inn out of house and home...

Taeko: Next time I hope you introduce me to the girl who reminds you of me.

Cornlia(mind): I... just did...

But she just agreed with a nod before leaving with Taeko to see Ryu already outside at the kitchen cooking breakfast.

Cornelia: You're already up, Ryu?

Ryu noticed their presence and waved to her before looking confused at Taeko.

Cornelia: Taeko, this was who I was talking about earlier. Ryu, this is a friend I made a little while ago.

Ryu: A pleasure to meet you. And yeah, I got up early to make sure we had enough food before Akame was able to eat it all. Hopefully we actually have extra for once.

After they ate their breakfast, they decided it would probably better to lay low at the inn. So they brought out a stack of cards and decided to play.

Cornelia: I packed a box with the local specialty and am going to deliver it to chief and Green.

Poney: You're in an awfully good mood, Corey.

Akame: That because she made a new friend.

Poney: Ooohhh...

Cornelia: She's funny, and I've got a good feeling about her. I'll introduce you to her later.

Ryu: Isn't it a bit early to head to the mountains now? Wouldn't it be better to head towards there for dinner in case anyone's watching us?

Cornelia: It should be fine, it won't be that long of a trip anyway.

Gai: If you're going out, a lady's escort has to be a guy. I'll go.

They all jumped at Gai's voice confused as to why he was here. Cornelia shrieked in terror as she jumps in Ryu's arm. While the dark purple hair boy gave him a deadpan.

Everyone: Gai?!

Poney: Where did you come from? Why aren't you in the mountains?!

Guy: My face is unrecognizable, so I did a little investigation in town.

Poney: Is that so? You're so good, Guy!

Ryu: -_- He probably went to the red-light district.

Cornelia: -_- Agree...

(Elsewhere)

Inside another room, where Ryu, Gai, Akame, Cornelia, and Poney couldn't hear. Chelsea was at the desk slumping with plenty of papers. Probably after done scouting the area and reported back to Barbara and Taeko.

Chelsea: That concludes my report on the surrounding area.

Barbara: Well done. I know you're tired, but it's only right the newest recruits be put to work.

Chelsee: *moan* But I've already done so much.

Barbara: In your case, it's not your ability to kill but your stamina that's a problem.

Taeko(mind): Amazing. Conversely, when she's killing, she's not even hesitating.

Chelsea: So can I go to the hot spring and eat these food too?

Barbara: No. No resting yet. There's someone I don't trust. Use your Teigu to tail them, Chelsea.

Chelsee: Boo-Hoo... The hot spring's still so far away.

Taeko: Someone you don't trust?

Barbara: Them.

Taeko gets up from her seat and looked outside the window towards the person where Barabara is pointing and saw Cornelia, Gai, and Ryu walking out of the Inn. Her eyes widened in shock.

Taeko: Cornelia and Ryu?

Barabara: Oh, you know them?

Taeko: I met Cornelia on the bathroom this morning. In fact the food that we are eating right now, it was Ryu who made them.

Chelsea: Wait, what?! They're so delicious!

Taeko: Anyway. I don't think they poses any threat.

Barbara: They are not the one I'm wary of. Actually, that boy Ryu, he's somewhat different than the others. I just couldn't get why. But the man leading them is as dubious as they come. And those two are about the sane age as the two boys we have pictures of. It's nagging me. Ever since I was young and more beautiful, my gut instinct on these things has never been wrong.

Taeko:...

(Timeskip)

Deep in the mountains, Ryu, Cornelia, and Gai were still on their way towards where Najasho and Green were camping since their face was recognizable for assassins to strike. And Gai keeps pestering Cornelia to be his girlfriend, while Ryu ignores them.

Gai: Hey Cornelia. Be my girlfriend already.

Cornelia: *sigh* I've already told you, no thanks.

Gai: What? So you better be with Ryu and not me?

Cornelia: I think every girl, including Poney and Akame rather be with Ryu rather than you or Green.

Gai: Wha-?!

Ryu: *sigh* I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that.

Gai: Everyone always calls you Corey and expects you to take care of them, but...

Cornelia: What are you even getting at?

Gai: The truth is, you want to be taken care of, right? I can tell.

Ryu: -_- Everyone can tell.

Cornelia(mind): Hmph...! I won't deny that, but still.. was it that obvious...?

Cornelia: Well at least I can rely on Ryu all the times.

She said while wrapping her arms around Ryu, making him sigh while Gai just glare enviously at them.

Gai: Hey! Hands off my girl!

Ryu: She's not your girlfriend, and look who you are talking to.

Gai: Urk.

It was then the three of them sensed another presence behind them as they immediately looked back trying to find the source of the gaze, but found nothing.

Gai: Must've been imagining things.

Ryu:...

Ryu continue to looked at the other side of the cliff where all he could see was mountain, boulders, and trees everywhere. Ryu always looked at every small detail when it comes to this sort of things to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Cornelia: Ryu...?

Ryu:...

Ryu say nothing before taking out Prometheus Gun and did a few shots into the air hoping to catch something or someone off guard, but only a few birds just flew away.

Gai: Did you noticed anything?

Ryu: Hmm... Nah. Probably just my imagination.

The three of then resume walking, but on the other edge of the cliff, there was a tree with a few scratch after Ryu had fired his Prometheus Gun towards them, someone was indeed tailing them as she broke out a cold sweat.

Chelsea(mind): Holy Crap, that was close. That boy noticed every single detail on his surrounding. If I react just now because of that shot, I might be exposed.

(Timeskip)

Thirty minutes have passed and Chelsea returned back to Barbara and Taeko, the two of them were standing at the side if the inn with shock face at Chelsea's report.

Taeko: It can't be.

Chelsea: I'm sure of it. They delivered food to the guy with the glasses and his friend. But be careful. Especially that boy, Ryu. He noticed every single thing on his surrounding, no matter how big or small. It took everything I had to trail them...

Chelsea said holding her left shoulder where there was a few scratches after being shot by Ryu when she transformed into a tree. Ryu had shot them particularly hoping that there was indeed someone behind that tree. But the tree itself was the disguise. So if Chelsea had deactivated her disguise and took Ryu's bait, she would've died. Hearing this made Taeko and Barbara broke into cold sweat.

Chelsea: They're strong. Without a doubt.

Barbara: Well done. Take a break, Chelsea. You heard her, Taeko. We'll take the opportunity Chelsea has given us to crush them immediately. I'll go to the mountains and scatter the three boys. I heard that the blond one is also quite formidable. You take care of the rest in the inn.

Taeko: Yes ma'am...

Taeko with darkened eyes as she strengthened her resolved. The fight for the Elite Seven has only just begun.