"HAHAHAHA!!"
Mizuki Nakahara clutched her stomach, pointing at the bright red handprint on Chisato's face as she laughed uproariously, eventually slapping the table in hysterics.
Meanwhile, Takina - now properly dressed in a dark purple casual kimono - flushed crimson, alternating between glaring at Chisato and casting hesitant glances at Luo Shu.
The chastised Chisato knelt on the tatami, gingerly touching her stinging cheek with a hiss, not daring to move.
The only adult present, the tall, dark-skinned Mika, crossed his arms and massaged his forehead in exasperation:
"Chisato barging in while Takina was changing, resulting in Luo-kun seeing everything... I don't even know what to say about this."
Leaning against the doorframe, Luo Shu - the primary beneficiary of this incident - pretended not to understand anything, trying his best to minimise his presence.
However, the wild and unrestrained big sister Mizuki Nakahara wasn't about to let her off, asking with a grin: "So? Luo Shu, isn't Takina's figure quite impressive?"
'One hand would be enough...' Luo Shu suddenly thought this, but outwardly, he tried his best to turn his head away, avoiding Mizuki's face.
"Tch!!"
At this moment, Takina Inoue glared fiercely at Chisato Nishikigi, her gaze resembling a meat-hungry wolf.
"Sorry!!" Chisato Nishikigi quickly raised her hands in apology, pleading repeatedly.
Seeing his adopted daughter at a disadvantage, Mika couldn't help but interject: "Mizuki! That's enough."
Then he turned and glared at Chisato Nishikigi, saying:
"And you, Chisato, pay attention to the occasion!!"
"Yes!!"
Chisato Nishikigi responded meekly.
Seeing Chisato admit her mistake, Mika glanced at Takina Inoue, who kept stealing glances at Luo Shu, and sighed, not daring to stir up Takina's memories any further.
Just then, a golden-haired girl with black hair ornaments and wearing a loose long-sleeved shirt trudged over with a medical kit, her face sullen:
"I've brought the medical supplies!!"
As she passed Luo Shu, the girl lazily greeted him:
"Yo, good afternoon, newbie."
This was Kurumi, the SDS member in charge of electronic networks.
Now, carrying the medical kit, Kurumi entered the room and placed it beside Chisato Nishikigi:
"Hup~"
Opening the kit, Kurumi glanced at the vivid handprint on Chisato's face while retrieving some medicine, exclaiming in surprise:
"Speaking of which, how did Takina manage to hit Chisato, who's maxed out in evasion?"
"Obviously, I couldn't dodge in that situation," Chisato Nishikigi whispered as she leaned closer to Kurumi, then cautiously peeked at Takina Inoue. Seeing her stealing glances at Luo Shu, she finally relaxed.
Then she hissed, sucking in a sharp breath from the pain.
"Bear with it, this medicine is expensive," Kurumi said as she applied the special ointment to Chisato's face with a cotton swab.
Visibly, the handprint on the girl's face quickly faded, and her skin even became more radiant.
"All done."
Seeing Chisato was fine, Kurumi closed the medical kit and turned to Luo Shu:
"Regarding the documents you brought, Luo Shu, I've already secretly forwarded them to the section chief in the meeting."
"Eh? Why bring up serious matters now?" Mizuki Nakahara, who hadn't had her fill of the drama, complained, only to be glared at by both Luo Shu and Mika, which finally silenced her.
Kurumi glanced at Mizuki Nakahara before continuing to the group:
"The section chief's intention was to submit the intel to the headquarters' person-in-charge in America and await a response. I've already done that and just received a reply."
"What does the reply say? Do we need to mobilise?" Takina Inoue pressed urgently, her current complicated emotions making her eager to vent on some moving targets.
At this moment, Luo Shu glanced at Takina Inoue, who seemed to sense something and instinctively turned to look at him. Their eyes met briefly before quickly separating.
"Aha~" Mizuki Nakahara, who had been observing the two, couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself.
Coincidentally, her laughter was drowned out by Kurumi's response:
"The headquarters' directive is that they will deploy the 3rd Special Operations Team to capture the demon, while our Tokyo branch will assist and later be responsible for tracking down any criminals attempting to obtain Demon Power. If necessary, lethal force is authorised."
At this point, Kurumi suddenly glanced at Mika and added, "Heavy firepower can be used if required..."
"So you're saying my involvement might be necessary?" Mika realised, then nodded. "Understood."
"Simply put, we'll act as guides for the 3rd Operations Team while preventing external incidents."
"In that case, reconnaissance will be crucial."
Mika mentioned reconnaissance while looking at Kurumi and Luo Shu. The former could directly access public surveillance, while the latter was a rare Wind Elementalist capable of wide-area detection.
"Luo Shu and Kurumi, you two will need to coordinate this time. Luo Shu will be on-site while Kurumi monitors from the base."
"Understood."
Luo Shu responded, refraining from mentioning bonuses due to prior circumstances. Of course, with these future long-term teammates, he wouldn't spoil the mood either, so he planned to discuss it with Kirika Tachibana later.
After all, how could they expect him to work without proper compensation?
"Understood~~" Kurumi raised her overly long sleeves and lazily addressed Luo Shu: "Let's work well together again~"
Luo Shu nodded in response.
Meanwhile, Mika turned to Chisato Nishikigi: "Chisato, you'll be working with Mizuki this time."
"What?!" Chisato's voice immediately rose. "Takina and I are the golden duo!!"
Takina Inoue gritted her teeth threateningly: "The golden duo who made me flash my underwear?"
Chisato froze, then prostrated herself in apology: "Ah, sorry! I'll cooperate properly with Mizuki."
"Takina..." Mika looked at Takina and exhaled. "You'll accompany Luo Shu and ensure his safety."
"Yes, sir." Takina immediately stood at attention like a soldier.
Luo Shu opened his mouth but ultimately didn't refuse.
Mika clapped his hands twice. "That's the current arrangement. More specifics will be decided when we reach Chiba."
"Everyone, prepare your equipment. Mizuki, put up the 'Closed' sign outside. We regroup here in thirty minutes."
"Understood!" xN