"Working Harder Is Useless."

"Listen, you two…" Red's noticeable change in tone intimidates Akane and Yori.

"If you two are too softhearted with the kids, I think I'd rather have you two do something else and I'll have to take over." He continues.

"I-" Akane is speechless.

"That's… it's just…" Yori stumbles in his words.

Their minds running fast in panic, they fear that Red will subject the children to painful training if they get assigned to new tasks.

"What? Do you two really think I'm so cold hearted to torture the children?" Red asks.

The couple shake their heads, hiding their embarrassment at being seen through.

"You yourselves have experienced the hellish training. You two felt like you were dying, but you never were close to doing so, did you? Not once did I cause either of you serious injuries either, no?" Red asks again.

"…" The couple can only silently admit, knowing that Red's words are true.