Just as Yukino Yukinoshita was concluding that Luo Shu was highly problematic...
Hearing Mizuki Nakahara's declaration to get him drunk, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle:
"Mizuki, have you forgotten how old I am?"
Though he had been an adult before transmigrating, his current self in this world was still a bona fide high school student.
And high school students weren't allowed to drink, were they?
Mizuki Nakahara grabbed the liquor bottle and was about to pour Luo Shu a glass:
"What's the big deal? There aren't any outsiders here anyway."
Mika, sitting nearby, swiftly snatched the bottle away. His already somewhat Indian-looking dark complexion turned even darker:
"Don't encourage minors to drink, you idiot."
"Tch, damn fag," Mizuki muttered under her breath after having the bottle taken away.
"Could you at least whisper when insulting me behind my back next time?"
Mika sighed helplessly as he set the bottle aside, then offered Luo Shu an apologetic smile:
"Sorry about that. Since today's a celebration, I didn't want to say anything that might kill the mood."
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately showed an understanding expression.
He'd been wondering why Mika hadn't mentioned knowing about his transfer - turns out it was for this reason.
Just as Luo Shu had this realisation, Yukino Yukinoshita's very quiet voice reached his ears.
"Um... Senior Luo Shu..."
"What is it?" Luo Shu turned to see that exquisitely beautiful face mere inches from his own.
"...You're standing a bit too close."
Yukinoshita pointed at how Luo Shu had positioned his head between hers and Chisato Nishikigi's, with one hand resting on each of their shoulders.
"Ah, my apologies."
Luo Shu immediately released them and glanced over at Chisato, who hadn't voiced any complaints but was instead busily typing away on her phone with loud taps.
After receiving Kirika Tachibana's reply, Chisato finally spoke up with clear dissatisfaction:
"No way, the department transfer is actually happening?"
She then turned to Luo Shu with a resentful look:
"So is Yukino-chan joining your new department then?"
"That's correct." Luo Shu nodded without denying it.
"How could you!!"
Chisato ran over to Takina Inoue with a dejected expression, clinging to her friend while whining:
"Just when we finally got a super beautiful girl joining, she ends up in another department!"
"Takinaaa, I'm so sad."
"There there... The mushrooms are ready. Want one?"
Takina casually remarked while eyeing the sukiyaki pot nearest to her.
"Also, calling someone a 'super beautiful girl' like that - aren't you worried about making the new girl uncomfortable?"
Yukino responded with complete calm:
"No, I don't find it awkward at all. Because it's the truth."
Hearing this, all four seated members plus the standing Luo Shu simultaneously turned to stare at her.
"...Did I say something wrong?" Yukino looked puzzled by their reaction.
Since she would be his future subordinate, Luo Shu felt compelled to smooth things over:
"No, nothing wrong per se. It's just... well, Yukino, you're rather blunt, aren't you?"
"Thank you for the compliment," Yukino replied with a sincere tone.
Seeing this, Luo Shu was at a loss, but Chisato cheerfully intervened:
"Alright, everyone, stop standing around and sit down already. The sukiyaki will get cold and lose its flavour."
Taking the hint, Luo Shu naturally guided Kisara to sit beside Mika, with Kisara seating herself next to him.
Meanwhile, Chisato patted the cushion beside her, gesturing for Yukino to sit there.
Yukino hesitated slightly, glancing at Luo Shu, but ultimately chose to sit next to Chisato.
Seeing this scene, Mika whispered beside Luo Shu, "Still a student, huh?"
Typically, in Japan, a newcomer would sit beside the department head, ready to pour drinks, serve tea, and handle miscellaneous tasks.
This was the so-called seniority culture.
Luo Shu used serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of well-stewed cabbage for himself and said:
"She's just started high school this year, and comes from a well-off family—a bit of naivety is normal."
"Besides, our department doesn't really have that kind of culture, does it?"
Hearing this, Mika's tone carried a note of caution:
"It's fine when there are few people, but if the group grows, you might have some trouble."
He sensed a hint of something from Yukino Yukinoshita's joining the SDS.
The second daughter of a prominent local family joining the SDS—the implications couldn't be clearer.
Luo Shu finished the cabbage leaf, blowing on it to cool it down. "Isn't a promotion and raise a good thing?"
Mika glanced at him and offered a reminder:
"Do you really think it's a good idea for someone who hasn't even started training to suddenly become a department leader?"
After all, Luo Shu had only been in the SDS for three days—even interns in commercial companies got at least three months. Three days was far too short to establish proper esoteric knowledge.
From both a rational and emotional standpoint, Mika hoped Luo Shu would train for another month or two, learning from Chisato and Takina.
Luo Shu understood Mika's perspective but still declined:
"For me, this situation is already the best-case scenario."
"Chairman Lacus suggested Chief Tachibana let me operate independently precisely because she recognised this."
Having acquired the knowledge of the Hell noble Vassago, Luo Shu knew esoteric common sense was no longer a barrier.
At the same time, he was aware that the knowledge Mika wanted Chisato and the others to teach him—while undoubtedly helpful, drawn from frontline experience—might not be the most effective for him.
After all, their foundations and abilities differed. Forcing himself into their mould could backfire.
Understanding this, Luo Shu politely declined.
That didn't mean he was unwilling to listen at all, though:
"I'll manage, but Yukino will need Café LycoReco's help."
Compared to Luo Shu, Yukino Yukinoshita was a complete novice, lacking his advantages. Training under LycoReco was the most suitable option.
Seeing that Luo Shu wasn't being stubborn without reason, Mika smiled slightly:
"You're still one of ours. Of course I'll help with something this small."
Just as Mika finished speaking, Mizuki Nakahara grumbled:
"You two, talking shop at a gathering is a cardinal sin!"
"Stop this awful overtime behaviour right now."
Hearing Mizuki's complaint, Luo Shu and Mika exchanged glances and smiled.
"Let's eat." Mika picked up his chopsticks, about to take a piece of Kobe beef, only to see Chisato Nishikigi swiftly snatch it and place it in Yukino Yukinoshita's bowl.
Mika's expression froze as he reached for another slice of fatty beef, only to see Chisato Nishikigi swiftly snatch the meat and flick it into Kisara's bowl.
Seeing this, Mika cracked a smile, threw down his chopsticks and rolled up his sleeves:
"None of you better stop me. Today, I'm going to beat her to death right here!!"
Luo Shu and Mizuki Nakahara, on either side, hurriedly stood up to restrain him:
"Calm down, Mr Mika! Calm down!"
"Hey, hey, it's a celebration banquet. Cut her some slack this time!"
Ignoring Mika's protests, Chisato Nishikigi tossed another piece of meat into Luo Shu's bowl before picking up a chunk herself and taking a big bite.
Mr Mika's struggles grew even more intense...