On the deck.
Seeing Lacus emerge from the cabin surrounded by Haros, Kirika Tachibana hastily tossed her lady's cigarette into the sea before adopting a nonchalant expression to inquire:
"Did the talks go well?"
"Or should I say, have you successfully charmed that boy Luo Shu with your appeal again?"
"You only use such frivolous descriptions, Tachibana, when you want to express your displeasure with me."
Cradling a Haro in her hands, Lacus stepped forward to face Kirika Tachibana directly, meeting her gaze as she spoke:
"Though you may have forgotten, I'll say it again."
"If there ever comes a day when you truly can't tolerate my actions or disapprove of SDS's methods, I'll tacitly permit you to take your supporters and establish an independent department—or even leave SDS entirely. Don't worry about backstage support. Even if you leave, I'll continue supporting you as before—not as SDS's chairwoman, but as Lacus Clyne, the individual."
"...Hey now, what are you on about?" Kirika couldn't help but curl her lip at this. "Without you backing me, do you honestly think I wouldn't have my organs hollowed out by those Onmyou Agency bastards and turned into a living puppet within minutes?"
She completely ignored Lacus's claim about personal support and didn't believe she actually had any supporters to take with her in the first place.
Even Chisato Nishikigi, who constantly called her "Big Sister," would undoubtedly choose a leader like Lacus—who cared about the lower ranks—over a cold-hearted woman like herself if it ever came to a split between them.
"...Sigh."
Seeing Kirika deflect yet again, Lacus sighed, her expression resigned:
"You've changed, Tachibana. You're not as willing to share your true thoughts with me as you used to be."
"...That's..." Kirika's expression turned complicated at these words.
After years of dealing with Metropolitan Police Department veterans and political schemers, she found it genuinely difficult to face her old university friend with the same attitude she'd had back then.
In daily life, Kirika increasingly viewed Lacus as a superior—a guiding beacon for SDS—rather than the friend she once was.
With another sigh, Kirika silently retrieved her cigarette case, shook one out, and placed it between her lips without lighting it before asking:
"So how do you plan to handle that Luo Shu kid?"
"Luo Shu will be branching off from Tokyo's SDS division to establish his own agency overseeing demon containment and utilisation. So he likely won't be able to continue serving under you."
Lacus looked apologetic as she said this.
"I saw this coming." Kirika scoffed, looking thoroughly unsurprised. "Good riddance. That brat demands payment every time he lifts a finger—at this rate, he'd bleed my department dry. Better to cut him loose before we run out of funds. It'll ease my workload, and he might finally learn the value of money."
Despite her words, Kirika couldn't help voicing some practical concerns:
"But speaking of which, can he really suppress that demon alone? Let's hope he doesn't end up as demon chow while supposedly guarding it."
"I offered support, but Luo Shu seems to have his own considerations."
Lacus thought about Luo Shu's previous polite refusal. Though not entirely at ease, she chose to trust him.
"Considering things for himself... That boy really is hiding something... But then again, with his naturally strong spiritual power and Wind Arts abilities, it'd be strange if he didn't have secrets."
Unable to resist any longer, Kirika Tachibana lit a cigarette, took a drag, and blew a smoke ring before saying:
"So the demon we worked so hard to capture became another department's trophy, while you lost a Sacred Relic because of the demon research data? Another case of localised losses but overall massive gains, huh?"
"Well, having worked with you for so long, I've somewhat gotten used to it."
"So then, anything else?"
Kirika took one more puff before pinching out the cigarette with her fingers.
For her, smoking was more about relieving stress than necessity. Sometimes one drag was enough—after all, it was bad for health, especially when others were present.
Hadn't she noticed the surrounding operatives looking ready to point their guns at her for exposing Lacus to secondhand smoke?
The SDS's undisputed darling wasn't a title to be taken lightly.
Just as Kirika was mentally teasing herself, Lacus suddenly tilted her head and said with some hesitation:
"Nothing more on official matters, but there is something personal..."
"Oh? Personal matters? Do tell—I could use some entertainment." Kirika's eyes immediately sparkled with gossipy interest.
At this, Lacus cradled the Haro in her hands, her expression slightly conflicted as she said:
"Luo Shu-kun said he wants to pursue me... I'm not sure whether I should agree..."
Before Lacus could finish, Kirika's jaw dropped as if she'd been stuffed with an egg.
Click!
The sound of a safety catch being released snapped Kirika back to reality. Surveying the fully armed operatives whose only visible features were their blazing eyes, she managed a weak protest:
"Don't kill anyone now... The boy just had an idea and asked politely... Er, right, seems no one's listening."
Sighing, Kirika watched the pink-haired innocent before her who seemed oblivious to why everyone's expressions had darkened.
"Ara? Why is everyone..." Lacus looked genuinely perplexed.
"Have some awareness of your charms, Miss Enchantress," Kirika couldn't help but mutter.
At this rate, Luo Shu was going to become infamous across the entire SDS.
Infamous, like a toad reaching for the moon!
Yet strangely, Kirika found herself thinking the boy might actually have a chance.
That young man who seemed to radiate unease—if anyone could soothe his restlessness, it would probably be this girl before her.
Provided Lacus actually fancied the brat and genuinely believed he'd self-destruct without proper care...
The thought made Kirika recall Takina Inoue's former machine-like coldness and Chisato Nishikigi's excessive energy...
Come to think of it, why did all her recruits turn out to be problem children?
Kirika suddenly craved another cigarette.
Inside the cabin, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes as he watched the female nurse examine Kisara, finally finding time to focus his consciousness on the system.
He wanted to take advantage of this break to thoroughly study his recent gains.