Under the night sky, in a dimly lit alley.
Megumi Kato followed Luo Shu at a leisurely pace, maintaining a one-step distance as she gazed up at his profile:
"About what my sister just said... she was only joking."
"Which part do you mean?" Luo Shu didn't stop walking, merely glancing sideways at Megumi.
"The part about arranging a corporate interview for her."
Megumi explained before sighing:
"My sister's academic results have always been much better than mine. She got into Waseda University with top thirty scores back then. She genuinely doesn't lack interview opportunities."
Megumi had always been acutely aware that her academic abilities paled in comparison to Hiromi Kato's.
While she'd managed to enter Toyogasaki High School, her grades remained average within her class. Meanwhile, her sister Hiromi had consistently ranked in the top three throughout high school, a veritable elite student.
Even though this elite student constantly proclaimed her desire to marry early and become a housewife, while persistently encouraging her underachieving younger sister to aim for the University of Tokyo, Megumi still felt considerable pride in her elder sister.
That said, pulling strings for interviews still felt inappropriate to Megumi, who remained a student at heart.
Hearing this, Luo Shu stopped walking and spoke with his back towards her:
"It's true your sister doesn't lack interview opportunities, but have you considered other possibilities?"
At this point, he turned around and gave Megumi a meaningful look:
"For instance, that this might be Hiromi Kato's way of presenting me with a letter of allegiance?"
Megumi Kato held her breath upon hearing these words, clearly realising something.
At that moment, Luo Shu spoke with a mischievous senior's smile, revealing the shadows beneath the iceberg:
"Megumi, you're actually right—your sister is indeed quite sharp-minded."
"Admittedly, the SDS does help organisation members resolve their family's employment issues, even providing covert protection for important members' relatives. But to some extent, this protection is also a restriction."
"A restriction to prevent you from betraying the organisation."
"When I mentioned the organisation would provide employment, your sister immediately grasped this point. She clamoured for me to arrange an interview, seemingly pushing her luck, but isn't this also a form of compromise?"
"A compromise to protect you."
Megumi sighed softly, then puffed her cheeks and glared at Luo Shu irritably:
"Director, you always seem to enjoy telling me rather dark things, don't you?"
"Caught me red-handed!"
Luo Shu showed no trace of embarrassment at being exposed, instead grinning cheerfully.
"I just want you to grow up quickly, that's all!"
Megumi didn't believe a single word of that.
She glared at Luo Shu resentfully, complaining in her gentle voice:
"But why do I feel like you just want to see me make a fool of myself?"
"How could you call it making a fool of yourself?" Luo Shu protested, slightly raising his voice. "I just want to see you show more varied expressions, that's all."
"Isn't that behaviour even worse than watching me embarrass myself?"
Megumi sighed, feeling rather pessimistic about her future life.
With a superior who enjoyed provoking and teasing her, could she even survive these days?
"Rather than 'worse,' I'd prefer you to see it as the director's special care~"
Luo Shu spouted this twisted logic with a smile, then added:
"It's not something just anyone gets to enjoy."
'I'd rather not have this kind of care...' Megumi thought helplessly, watching Luo Shu. She knew even if she complained, he probably wouldn't change.
The fact that he'd barged into a girl's room late at night without permission showed just how lawless this man was.
Expecting him to restrain himself or consider others' feelings was about as likely as expecting Hiromi Kato to only speak the truth from now on.
"I understand you're trying to explain the darker side of society to me, Director, but could you please slow down the lessons a little?"
Hearing Megumi's small suggestion, Luo Shu stroked his chin, then nodded:
"Alright then!"
"I'll consider adjusting the intensity."
A faint smile tugged at Megumi's lips, but she quickly suppressed it:
"By the way, Director, when will I officially join the department?"
Luo Shu wasn't surprised by the question, simply asking: "Did Yukino mention the contract to you?"
Megumi nodded: "Yes, Senior Yukinoshita explained a lot to me. According to her, it seems I'll need to spend the entire tomorrow with her for supplementary lessons."
Though it felt somewhat subtle, Yukino Yukinoshita had indeed given Megumi a heads-up about the Familia contract.
As a result, Megumi had some understanding of the Familia contract and the reasons behind Luo Shu's earlier attempts to make her face reality.
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but remark: "That Yukino... she's always so capable, isn't she?"
Unlike Kurumi Tokisaki, who was obsessed with mastering power, Utaha Kasumigaoka, attempting to take over the department's surface-level operations, Mira Tsubakihara, constantly studying, and the confused Eriri...
Yukino Yukinoshita was the true pillar supporting the Hidden Management Department's daily operations.
Tasks like liaising regarding Abyss Artefacts, arranging confidential materials, handling departmental finances and daily receptions – virtually all tedious administrative duties were shouldered by Yukino Yukinoshita alone.
Of course, Luo Shu knew Yukino couldn't possibly manage everything single-handedly.
Behind her, Haruno Yukinoshita was also contributing effort.
Many non-confidential tasks were actually delegated by Yukino to Haruno.
Luo Shu had always been aware of this, but he never intervened, since he was the one who'd subtly suggested that Yukino could operate this way.
"Your sister is actually a prospective Familia member under observation."
"I need your help evaluating her."
"You'd like an excuse to bully your sister, too, wouldn't you?"
After hearing such remarks, even though Yukino explicitly stated this approach was inappropriate, she still found herself following Luo Shu's suggestion to hassle Haruno.
Consequently, Luo Shu obtained the labour of both Yukinoshita sisters for one salary, while incidentally ensnaring Haruno deeper into their affairs.
By now, Haruno had probably realised the situation.
If this continued, she would inevitably gain access to classified materials.
When that day came, withdrawing would no longer be an option.
At this thought, Luo Shu glanced at Megumi Kato, which reminded him of her more mature older sister, Hiromi Kato.
It seemed his little schemes worked exceptionally well on close-knit sisters.
While considering whether to have Megumi drag Hiromi into their affairs too, Luo Shu outwardly explained:
"Since you already know something about Familia matters, I won't hide this from you."
"Because I'm planning an ability awakening attempt for Familia members soon, your immediate task will be to undergo the SDS's latest member enhancement training."
"Prepare yourself."
Before Megumi could recover from her astonishment, Luo Shu smiled and said:
"Alright, no need to see me off further – your sister might worry if you do."
With that, he turned and spotted Kisara already waiting at the alley's end before adding:
"Let's part ways here."
As Luo Shu prepared to approach Kisara, his phone pinged with a notification.
He paused, retrieved his phone and checked the message:
[Your recent Application #0212 has been approved. Please collect your Copernicus Pass at 9:00 on 416th. Thank you for your cooperation – SDS Aerospace Department.]
"Approved then?"
Luo Shu narrowed his eyes at the message before gazing skyward:
"Space... My first time going there..."