Sunday. 9:00 AM.
The overcast sky drizzled lightly.
Luo Shu stood by the reception room window, observing the sparsely populated street below.
"So, that Kato girl has joined your department now?"
In the reception room's single sofa, Natsuki Minamiya took a sip of freshly brewed black tea and chuckled softly:
"Honestly, I'm beginning to suspect you've recruited every talented student from Toyogasaki High School."
"How long have you had your eyes on this school?"
"About three years," Luo Shu replied calmly from his position by the window.
"Is this a joke?" Natsuki looked surprised.
"Weren't you the one joking first?"
Luo Shu turned his head, giving Natsuki an amused look:
"I was just playing along."
With that, he left the windowsill and walked towards the sofa, passing Natsuki before settling on the longer couch:
"Speaking of which, are you interested in space, too, Natsuki?"
"Look, we agreed to meet at 9:30 tomorrow, but you arrived at 9:00."
"I can't imagine you came half an hour early just to see me sooner?"
Luo Shu's teasing grin earned him an eye-roll from Natsuki:
"Don't flatter yourself, kid."
"If I came early, it certainly wasn't to see you."
Natsuki then picked up her side bag, retrieved a stack of A4 papers, and handed them to Luo Shu.
The papers turned out to be exam sheets filled with test questions. Luo Shu fell silent at the sight:
"Natsuki-chan, must you bring such eye pollution at a time like this?"
"Hmph."
Natsuki scoffed and placed the papers on the glass table before her, crossing her legs:
"Stop pretending."
"These are all the assignments you've missed since the start of the term. I don't care who you copy from privately, but complete these so I can give you an 'exemplary student' evaluation in your records, permitting home study."
"Tch."
Natsuki visibly grimaced at the phrase "exemplary student," as if the words left a bad taste in her mouth.
Could this guy, who openly flirted with teachers and had questionable relationships with several female classmates, possibly deserve such praise?
Natsuki clearly had her answer, hence the reaction.
Seeing Natsuki's stance, Luo Shu couldn't refuse. He gathered the papers and set them aside.
Hmm, perhaps he'd later prepare some tests for poor Miss Yukinoshita.
That Yukinoshita was only a first-year didn't concern Luo Shu - Haruno would surely help her sister.
Just as Luo Shu moved the papers aside, a knock sounded at the door.
Luo Shu turned towards it: "Come in."
"Pardon me."
Megumi Kato's soft voice came through before the door opened, revealing her in casual clothes:
"Director, you have a visitor."
She stepped aside to reveal the person behind her.
Seeing the girl in a baseball cap and mask, her golden hair tied in a high ponytail, Luo Shu exclaimed in surprise:
"Lacus?"
"Good morning~ Luo Shu."
Lacus removed her mask and greeted him with a smile.
Luo Shu quickly stepped forward, took Lacus's hand, and pulled her inside before addressing Megumi:
"Megumi, close the door and then inform Yukino to switch the barrier from power-saving mode to full functionality."
"Understood." Megumi Kato quickly nodded upon hearing this, closed the door and then ran towards the elevator.
Only after the door closed did Luo Shu glance at Lacus, whose hand he was holding, and couldn't help but say irritably:
"Going out alone, you're really something, my esteemed Chairwoman."
"Was that girl just now a new recruit for the department?" Lacus asked curiously, looking at the door.
"Don't change the subject." Luo Shu glared at her. "Just admit it, did you ditch your security detail and come here alone?"
Lacus smiled sweetly, completely sidestepping the question:
"I brought you some sandwiches. Want some?"
As she spoke, she lifted the plastic bag she'd been carrying, containing three sandwiches and a thermos flask.
Seeing her evasion, Luo Shu sighed helplessly at the uncooperative woman before him, realising she wouldn't answer, and could only ask:
"Did you make these yourself?"
"If they don't suit your taste, do tell me," Lacus replied without denying it, simply offering the reminder.
Luo Shu couldn't help but facepalm before letting out another sigh.
At that moment, Natsuki Minamiya, seated calmly on the sofa, remarked:
"Stop sighing, kid."
"This girl's always been reckless – she's got form."
"Back in America, she once pulled a stunt where she single-handedly stormed a Demigod-level Abyss Artefact out-of-control incident and forcibly contained it."
"Honestly, I initially wondered if she'd turned over a new leaf when she stayed in Tokyo this long without causing trouble. But clearly, she's still the same."
Lacus turned her head without offering any explanation, instead addressing Natsuki Minamiya:
"I prepared a portion for you, too, Natsuki. Mango flavour – hope that's acceptable?"
Hearing it was mango-flavoured, Natsuki scoffed but muttered:
"You've always had a knack for bribing people, woman."
After saying this, she picked up her black tea again, taking a sip before continuing:
"So, for this operation, is Meer still acting as your shadow to draw attention on the surface?"
Due to her status, Lacus was usually accompanied by entourage members and covert surveillance personnel.
Some belonged to the SDS's own security forces, others were joint operation personnel, and some worked for hidden organisations.
Thus, in the eyes of certain high-ranking human officials, Lacus's movements were essentially public knowledge.
Therefore, whenever she needed to act discreetly, Lacus would employ doppelgangers to divert these watchful eyes.
By the time Natsuki finished speaking, Luo Shu had already guided Lacus to sit on the sofa.
As she placed the plastic bag on the glass coffee table, Lacus explained:
"Meer is indeed helping divert attention for me, but don't worry – she should be able to disengage soon."
"Oh?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow at this. "Seems your doppelganger techniques have been upgraded again."
"I wouldn't know about that." Lacus glanced back at Luo Shu with a smile.
Seeing this, Luo Shu's expression turned slightly odd.
Could it be... that the doppelganger helping Lacus this time was the doppelganger ability awakened when he recruited her into his Familia?
Just as Luo Shu was speculating, Natsuki suddenly said:
"So the SDS's method for space travel really is using Abyss Artifacts, then..."