Gazing up at the six-storey building of the Hidden Management Department's garrison, Luo Shu, who hadn't been away for long, was suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling of returning home after a long absence:
"Strangely, compared to outside, I feel much more comfortable here at the Hidden Management Department."
"Don't you agree, Yukino?"
Luo Shu lowered his head and flashed a pleased smile at Yukino Yukinoshita, who had come to greet him.
Facing Luo Shu, Miss Yukino Yukinoshita remained expressionless:
"So, this is Director Luo Shu's sentiment about the department garrison after ignoring his Familia's warnings, suddenly making an emergency contact, and declaring himself a Demigod?"
"If that's the case, I suggest you carve these words onto a stone tablet and place it in the first-floor lobby for all members of the Familia to admire."
Luo Shu immediately vetoed the idea with a retort:
"Let's skip such socially suicidal antics, please."
Having dismissed Miss Yukino Yukinoshita's suggestion, Luo Shu glanced at the building again and asked curiously:
"So, how's the garrison doing now? No unusual incidents, I hope?"
Yukino Yukinoshita replied with utter calm:
"Aside from the chaos caused by your emergency announcement of your successful promotion, nothing noteworthy has occurred."
"Oh, and five minutes ago, Chairwoman Lacus contacted me, requesting that I confirm your physical well-being upon seeing you. Should I reply now?"
"Go ahead," Luo Shu replied with a wry smile. "I think my current condition is quite satisfactory."
Yukino Yukinoshita gave him a look and advised:
"I recommend you undergo a full examination. Dr Tabane Shinonono and Dr Ania have already prepared for it."
Hearing this suggestion, Luo Shu sighed weakly:
"Let's leave that for tomorrow. Right now, I want a good night's rest."
"Please spare this pitiful Director, who's just travelled back and forth between Tokyo and Kyoto within three hours, some downtime."
"Understood." Yukino Yukinoshita nodded, then promptly added, "In that case, I'll inform Honjo-san and Izayoi-san, who are still waiting, to leave."
"Wait—"
Upon hearing Miku Izayoi's name, Luo Shu quickly backtracked:
"Yukino, I almost forgot I invited Miku over~"
"Is she still here?"
"In the third-floor reception room. Honjo-san is entertaining her."
Yukino Yukinoshita shot Luo Shu a disdainful look.
'So much for resting. The moment you hear a pretty girl is waiting, you're suddenly full of energy, you lecherous Director!'
"In that case, I'll go see them now."
As he spoke, Luo Shu stepped forward. Just as he passed Yukino Yukinoshita, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and delivered a swift slap to her backside.
Slap!
Firm, perky, soft, tender—Luo Shu registered four distinct sensations before watching Yukino Yukinoshita cover her rear, her face flushed as she glared at him. He then chuckled lightly:
"Yukino, the Director is very pleased you came to greet him. But the Director didn't appreciate that look you just gave him."
"Consider this slap your punishment!"
Luo Shu finished speaking and started walking away again, but after a few steps, he paused and turned back:
"By the way, Yukino, you don't need to feel inferior. Though you're a bit flat, the texture is still quite nice."
"You!!!" Yukino Yukinoshita's face darkened with rage. If she'd had anything in her hands, she would have thrown it at Luo Shu.
However, Luo Shu merely waved at her over his shoulder without turning around:
"I know you're excited right now, but I suggest you don't get too worked up. As your Director, I think you still have plenty of room for... development."
With that, Yukino Yukinoshita instinctively crossed her arms defensively over her chest.
By then, Luo Shu had already scurried off into the lobby on the first floor. Inside the closing elevator, he waved teasingly at Yukino outside.
Seeing this, Yukino gritted her teeth in frustration:
"That perverted Director..."
Only after the elevator doors closed and Luo Shu disappeared from view did Yukino gradually calm down. She lowered her head slightly, staring at the clearly visible floor, her expression tinged with hesitation:
"Is there really still room to grow?"
The usually confident Yukino Yukinoshita was now plagued by deep doubt.
After all, neither her sister Haruno nor her mother seemed particularly... well-endowed.
In contrast, the recently received guest, Miku Izayoi, had a figure that could be considered every woman's natural enemy!
Just as Yukino was sinking into self-doubt, Luo Shu pushed open the door to the reception room.
The moment the door opened—pop!
Two small party poppers exploded in front of him.
Amid the flurry of colourful streamers, Nia Honjo and Miku Izayoi cheered in unison:
"Congratulations on your safe promotion, Luo Shu~" x2
Caught off guard, Luo Shu blinked before looking at them with amused exasperation:
"Well, well, so you've formed a welcoming committee just for me!"
Nia Honjo grinned mischievously as she explained:
"Originally, we planned for everyone to come together, but Lacus said you needed rest, so most people left."
She then jerked her thumb towards the glass coffee table behind her, piled high with gift boxes like a pyramid:
"See? Those are all the promotion gifts prepared for you by the Familia."
"We put a lot of effort into selecting these, so make sure to open them one by one and prepare thank-you gifts in return."
Luo Shu glanced at the stack of at least seventy or eighty gift boxes, his eyelid twitching violently:
"...The Familia doesn't have that many members, does it?"
"Some people sent two!" Nia replied nonchalantly. "For example, Origami actually prepared three because she couldn't decide which one you'd like, so she sent them all."
Hearing this, Luo Shu hesitated before walking over to the glass table and taking a seat. He scanned the top of the pile, picking out one that happened to be from Origami Tobiichi.
Without ceremony, he opened the small gift box—only to freeze at the sight of its contents:
"Origami... why did she send me a collar? Isn't this a dog collar?"
From her seat, Nia calmly suggested:
"You might want to check the note inside."
Following her advice, Luo Shu rummaged in the box and pulled out a slip of paper. Unfolding it, he read: "Present this collar and note to claim one-time 'beauty dog' service from the giver."
"???"
After reading the note, Luo Shu was utterly stunned, remaining frozen for a long time.
'Origami... plays this hard?'
Meanwhile, Nia Honjo, sitting beside Miku Izayoi, loudly conspired:
"Miku, you saw that, right? Luo Shu's practically degenerated into a perverted lecher now, so you've got to be extra careful when alone with him, lest he tricks you out of your virtue."
"That's a bit much..." Miku Izayoi stole a glance at Luo Shu, looking awkward. "This must just be Ms Tobiichi's joke, right?"
Whether it was a joke or not, both Luo Shu and Nia Honjo knew the truth.
But neither would bring it up again in front of the still-innocent Miku Izayoi.
Even Nia, who'd deliberately used harsh words to obscure the note's authenticity, didn't press the topic, instead shifting gears:
"Anyway, don't open the gifts yet. There's something I want to discuss with you, Luo Shu."
"What is it?" Luo Shu looked over curiously.
At this, Nia grinned mischievously:
"Luo Shu, how about considering becoming Miku's manager?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu blinked:
"Huh?"