Chapter 27: Barbara’s Bizzarre Adventure
"And you..." Hiro addressed Barbara. "I thought you were brave, but what's the matter? Too scared to be with me without your bodyguards?" he teased.
This remark struck Barbara's pride as intended. She clenched her fist with a conflicted expression but then spoke to the three men. "Go and do as he says."
"But—"
"No buts!"
After shooting Hiro glares filled with resentment and unspoken threats, the three Berserkers left to carry out their tasks, starting with disposing of Shuvene's body.
Now, only Hiro and Barbara remained.
Hiro brazenly stepped forward in order to examine her more closely. Barbara was only slightly taller than Tara, forcing her to look up at him.
In her eyes, Hiro detected nervousness mixed with defiance, making his smile widen slightly.
"W-What are you doing?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just getting a better look at the fashion sense of the Shuvlok people," Hiro replied offhandedly. The dim glow of the Yelough mushrooms made details harder to discern.
Like the men in her group, Barbara had beige-colored skin. Unlike jade-like smoothness, her skin had a roughness that hinted at the kind of life she had lived.