Chapter 75: New Freedoms

Inside the control room, Ai sat down and placed her head on the table. "I never want to deal with that shit again… I would rather fight machina."

"Yeah what was with that evolution thing?" Eiji asked.

"I only heard about it but from what I understand is that those mutants are able to evolve at such a quick rate that it will only take about an hour to complete. Even now that thing is alive. We will need to keep an eye on it to make sure that it does not cause a threat later on." Ai replied as she lazily stretched out over the table.

"Ai that is not very ladylike..." Mai said jokingly as she placed a drink next to Ai's head.

"What part of me is a lady? Shogo makes a better lady than I do." Ai did not miss a chance to pick on Shogo who was doing nothing but minding his own business.

Mai shook her head and let out a laugh. She sat down next to Ai and leaned her head against her body. "You are a girl from head to toe, never forget that." 

"Yeah. Yeah. Don't worry I won't be running around the base naked or anything. Anyway, we need to figure out what to do from here." Ai quickly changed the subject and lifted her head looking at the three men. "You three were a major help. If it was just us girls, there is no telling what would have happened. Yoshi, your expertise was very helpful. Eiji you did not question anything I said while still giving your input. Shogo… well you did a good job collecting fire extinguishers." 

Yoshi elbowed Shogo, giving him a teasing grin. Causing Shogo to glare at him. 

"At any rate, the three of you were a big help. The way you moved according to what I had asked was proof enough that you are willing to follow my lead. While I can not remove the collars just yet, I can at least make it so you can wander the base freely. And with the new freedoms, comes with new jobs. Yoshi, you're a weapon expert if I am correct?" Ai asked.

"Yes, this is correct. I was a weapon expert for the JSDF." Yoshi replied puffing out his chest with pride.

"Then I will leave the weapons room and traps to you. It will lighten my load a bit. What do you think?" Ai was happy to have someone who knew weapons besides her self since it would come in handy when times called for it.

"You are our leader. And my love for weapons can not be beat, so I could not ask for a better job." Yoshi answered with a smile.

"Good. You will also train the little ones with weapons as well. Mai and I will train them in physical combat. Shogo you will be joining every training session. I want you up to pace with everyone here. And I am not poking fun at you when I say this, I mean it. I wish for you to be able to handle yourself better. You are Mai's guard. So I need you to be strong to protect her well." Ai still planned to keep Shogo by Mai's side just in case one of her test subjects got loose. Mai can handle herself to a point but she was still not quick enough and was somewhat clumsy at times. 

"Eiji you will stick with me as you have been. Any objections?" Ai asked looking around at everyone. 

Mai looked at Shogo and frowned. "Ai, do I really need him near me?"

"It's an extra layer of protection. You can even use him as a punching bag if you need to or just wish to practice. But I do it for your safety since we will be bringing back more test subjects." Ai explained.

"Alright then." Mai let out a sigh. Although she knew Shogo meant no harm now, she still felt reluctant to keep him around but if Ai said so she could only put up with it. "Shogo, if you are to be my guard, I will then have you do some work for me as well."

"As you wish." Shogo started to feel sweaty, not sure if his eyes were going to be plucked out or not. He had found the way these girls handle things to be very scary.

"Okay, meeting adjourned. Yoshi, you can go to the weapons room with the girls and do a full inventory. Mai, I am sure you got research to do so I will not keep you." With the meeting over everyone went about their business as usual. Ai laid back down on the table feeling exhausted. She felt a set of heavy hands on her shoulders which made her open her eye wide as she glared at Eiji who started massaging her shoulders. "What are you doing?" 

"Just giving you a shoulder massage. You worked hard, do you not deserve a bit of pampering?" Of course, this was the only idea Eiji could come up with to be a little intimate with this block of ice of a girl. 

Ai was going to push him away but ended up melting by how good the massage felt. She muttered quietly: "I will let you off this time."

Although this was said quietly, Eiji was still able to hear what she said and smiled knowing he had won this round. A few minutes later he heard the sounds of steady breathing, making him let out a sigh. "For someone who always puts up their guard around people you sure do become vulnerable when you trust someone. Good thing I am not a wolf." 

Eiji walked out of the room and came back a few minutes later with a blanket. He draped it over the sleeping girl then sat down on the other side of the table watching her sleep. His gaze softened as he watched her. "For someone with so many mysteries around her, you work so hard for those you care about. You put on a tough front, follow through with everything you say, and are not even afraid of jumping headlong into danger. What's more, is that your leadership skills are also very good. You're merciless when the times call for it. You shed blood when needed. It is like you were born to live in this new world..."

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