Hidden Management Department, Akihabara Outpost.
As Luo Shu pushed open his office door against the backdrop of evening glow, he was greeted by the sight of Yukino Yukinoshita in her Toyogasaki High School uniform, organising documents at his desk.
The Toyogasaki High School uniform consisted of a dark blue sailor-style short skirt, with students allowed to freely pair it with black stockings of appropriate length.
Thanks to school regulations, Yukino Yukinoshita had chosen knee-length black stockings at 40 denier - appearing deep and dazzling, exuding an air of mystery.
"Yukino?" Luo Shu feigned surprise, using it as an excuse to examine Yukino Yukinoshita's school uniform while approaching the desk. He then remarked:
"That uniform... have you already enrolled? Did you just finish school?"
Hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita, who was holding a stack of documents, turned to face Luo Shu, brushing aside a stray lock of her dark hair:
"Yes."
"Director, have you just returned from Kyoto?"
"Yeah, it was quite a farce, but fortunately, the matter's been resolved."
As he spoke, Luo Shu walked past Yukino Yukinoshita, pulled out the office chair, and sat down with a sigh:
"You'll probably see the case files soon enough, Yukino. Then you'll understand what happened."
"Me, see the files?" Yukino blinked in surprise before asking, "Would such case files really be shown to me?"
"No choice. You're the only trustworthy personnel I have." Luo Shu chuckled before changing the subject. "Where are Utaha and Eriri? Didn't they come with you?"
Yukino adjusted the files in her arms and stepped aside, explaining:
"Senior Kasumigaoka went straight to the publishing house after school. It seems there was some work-related issue she needed to handle."
"Senior Sawamura apparently has activities at the art club today, so she won't be coming. That's why I'm the only one at the department."
Hearing that Utaha had gone to the publishing house, Luo Shu felt slightly disappointed but unsurprised. However, upon learning of Eriri's whereabouts, his lips twitched:
"Art Club activities? That girl Eriri... tsk~~"
He ended with a helpless sigh, muttering:
"That idiot still hasn't adjusted her mindset properly."
Observing this, Yukino maintained a neutral expression, pretending not to hear anything.
Though she found it odd how Senior Eriri Spencer Sawamura managed to skip department duties most days, as a junior, she couldn't very well comment on a senior's slacking—especially under Japan's strict hierarchy. As a student herself, Yukino naturally prioritised school obligations, so she could only tacitly accept the situation.
Besides, even department head Luo Shu seemed powerless against such idleness.
Senior Sawamura truly is a unique individual!
"Never mind. Let her hit a wall. It's not my loss anyway."
Shaking his head, Luo Shu resigned himself to Eriri's wilfulness, deciding to address it only after she faced consequences.
At that moment, Yukino inquired, "By the way, Director, did you need Senior Kasumigaoka for something?"
Luo Shu opened his mouth to respond, but quickly amended:
"...I'll go find her myself later."
He certainly wouldn't tell Yukino about his intention to lend Utaha some points to elevate her to a pseudo-Demigod with Demigod Rank abilities.
After all, his reasons for extending Familia privileges to Utaha weren't exactly presentable.
'Well... special privileges for my women isn't something I can just say out loud.'
Luo Shu stroked his chin and sat down in his office chair before addressing Yukino Yukinoshita:
"By the way, Yukino, have the dormitories on the top floor of the garrison been arranged?"
Yukino Yukinoshita had somewhat adapted to her secretary duties by now. Though it differed from her initial expectations, having taken the role, she was determined to excel and wouldn't permit herself to give up halfway.
Thus, when Luo Shu brought it up, she elaborated: "The fifth floor currently has eight partitioned suites, accommodating eight people. Considering shared occupancy and comfort, it could house up to sixteen."
The Hidden Management Department's garrison covered a decent area of roughly 1,000 square metres.
With eight rooms partitioned on the fifth floor as the top level, deducting communal space, each suite had at least 100 square metres.
Such spacious quarters were naturally more than sufficient for two occupants.
"The interior decorators have already completed the project. Is the Director asking because someone needs to move in?"
"Indeed. Hagoromo Gitsune will likely reside upstairs—the leader of Kyoto's Hagoromo Group. She'll be under our organisation's supervision, nominally at least. Do you understand what I mean?"
As he spoke, Luo Shu glanced at Yukino Yukinoshita.
Noticing his expression, realisation dawned on her—Hagoromo Gitsune had probably accepted Luo Shu's recruitment and become a Familia member as well.
In that case, the so-called 'supervision' was clearly negotiable.
Yukino Yukinoshita nodded. "I understand the Director's meaning. I'll ensure proper supervision."
Seeing this, Luo Shu smiled faintly, then propped his chin on one hand:
"Incidentally, the Hidden Management Department may need to expand soon. Yukino, would you be interested in having Haruno join us?"
"Sister?" Yukino Yukinoshita started, instinctively shaking her head. "Mother wouldn't approve."
The moment she said it, comprehension struck her, and she eyed Luo Shu suspiciously.
Was the Director implying he intended to recruit Haruno as Familia, too? Did her sister possess such qualifications?
Just as Yukino Yukinoshita was reeling from this, Luo Shu chuckled:
"Yukino, by saying your Mother wouldn't approve, are you tacitly admitting Haruno would definitely agree?"
"..."
Yukino Yukinoshita found herself unable to refute this.
Though unclear why, her intuition insisted that Haruno Yukinoshita would unquestionably accept Luo Shu's offer. That was simply how she was.
Noting her silence, Luo Shu inquired curiously:
"Don't you want someone to share the workload?"
"No. If the Director wishes to proceed, please do so without regard for me."
Yukino Yukinoshita's tone remained gentle yet carried a hint of stiffness:
"I have matters to attend to. Director, is there anything else? If not, I'll take my leave."
'Is she angry?'
Luo Shu gave Yukino Yukinoshita an odd look, entirely unprepared for having inadvertently provoked her.
Faced with this situation, he swiftly changed tack:
"One more thing. Toyogasaki High School likely has several candidates suitable for Familia recruitment. Yukino, if you have time, try bringing them in."
"Candidates from Toyogasaki High?"
Yukino Yukinoshita blinked in surprise, then turned back with her files, eyeing Luo Shu tentatively.
"Minister, are you referring to Kato-san?"