Yumix; Unveiled Chapter 17: A Weight Meant to Be Carried

Read chapter 17 of Yumix; Unveiled by iiPilix on NovelPedia.

The Original LightNovel Project Volume 02, Chapter 02: [ A Weight Meant to Be Carried ] Original work, all rights reserved to the Author ‘Pili’, until we get an adaptation contract Seina stood out there, and her intense gaze was fixed on him. While behind her, Ayuri stood quietly, waiting for her to talk. "You’ve been asleep longer than normal," Seina said, raising an eyebrow. Hiroki scratched the back of his head, still trying to clear the fog out his mind. "A-Ah, yeah… I guess I needed more rest" he muttered, while trying to avoid her gaze. Seina looked at him closely, her brow furrowing a bit. "Everything alright? You seem… a bit distracted" "No, I'm all right," Hiroki replied quickly, even though his tone lacked conviction. He forced a weak smile. "I just… didn’t expect it to be you knocking on my door." Her face slightly softened for a moment, before she straightened her posture "Whatever. I'm here today, to tell you about the upcoming special mission, that includes you. It's a critical one, and we'll be responsible for this." "Mission?" Hiroki repeated, trying to concentrate while blinking, "What is it about?" Seina replied firmly, "Well, these details will be explained during the meeting later, but for now, you should prepare yourself. I’d advise you to work on your strength and fitness. We need you capable and ready so that you can help us, hoping for no hurdles in our way." Her words cut deeper more than she likely intended. Hiroki's shoulders drooped a little as his mind went awry. "Am I really just a burden to them?" "Additionally," Seina continued, her tone deepened, "Clear your mind, Hiroki. Stay focused. That’s the core of the PHG, being prepared for anything at any time. Also don’t worry about the reward. It will be more than sufficient." "Ehh, okay then," Hiroki said quietly, his words dwindling. "It's not as if awards matter to me anyway," He thought to himself, unconcerned about her, while he closed the door and stepped out ready to go. Ayuri took a small step forward, her serious yet compassionate gaze fixed on him as she addressed him. "I agree with that, be sure to give this some focus… Anyways, I’ll see you at the usual nearby training area." Hiroki nodded, although his face stayed aloof. Ayuri glanced at him briefly before following Seina as they turned to leave. As Hiroki walked away down the corridor, and his pace slower than usual, Seina turned back towards Ayuri. "Ayuri-San. Do you think Hiroki is capable of handling this?" Ayuri blinked, taken aback by the question "Why? Is there something wrong?" Seina sighed lightly, her gaze thoughtful. "Not really but… He doesn’t seem to be well. Some encouraging words might help lift his spirits. As it feels like something is weighing on him." Ayuri tilted her head, assembling Seina's remark. "Ah, so that's it then" She looked back briefly at where Hiroki had turned down the hall. Her eyes softened. "I wonder… what’s changed in him?" He opened his assigned box, and retrieved a small envelope marked with the PHG seal. As he unfolded the letter, his eyes scanned over its contents: "Special Mission Brief: High Priority. Report to the Preparation and Planning Room, 2nd Floor, after the sunset." A slight smile pulled at the edges of Hiroki's mouth as he gazed at the page for a while. "So, this is it…" he thought as he folded the letter and put it back inside the box with care. He sensed, for the first time that morning, something other than uneasiness — a quiet confidence, perhaps. Hiroki kept staring at the mailbox for a while. The mission seemed heavy, but before he could even dwell on it, a boy’s voice broke his thoughts from nearby. Hiroki turned to see a boy with messy white hair standing nearby. He looked a bit older than him, maybe a few years, and his tone carried a casual friendliness. "uhh… hi?" Hiroki replied, unsure how else to respond. The boy tilted his head, studying him with mild curiosity. "I heard that you came from the shelter too, like me." Hirok