"So they're just colleagues from SDS?"
Seated on a high-backed chair, the slightly round-faced and utterly adorable Miss Kisara wore an expression of sudden realisation:
"If they're just colleagues, then it's normal to get along well, right? Yes, perfectly normal."
"Um, Miss Kisara..." Luo Shu, sitting across from her in the office chair, looked thoroughly awkward. "Could you tone down that murderous glare of yours?"
"It's kind of terrifying," he couldn't help but add.
'Just getting kissed on the cheek by Meer provoked this reaction... Could Kisara actually have yandere tendencies?'
As Luo Shu was entertaining such suspicions, a knock sounded at the door.
Yukino Yukinoshita pushed the door open, then froze momentarily upon seeing the two seated opposite each other in high-backed chairs before asking curiously:
"Has the department head returned?"
Seeing Yukino dressed in a cleaning apron with traces of sweat on her face, clearly having just finished chores, Luo Shu's eyes filled with gratitude:
"Thank you for your hard work, Yukino."
Yukino took a step back upon seeing Luo Shu's expression, her tone laced with scepticism:
"While I don't believe we're close enough for a first-name basis yet, judging by your expression, it seems I've done something good?"
"If you hadn't come, Miss Kisara might have gone out wielding a knife."
Luo Shu pointed at the hollow-eyed Kisara beside him, sighed, then said:
"By the way, have you settled your accommodation arrangements, Yukino?"
"My family arranged an apartment in Chiyoda Ward. The transfer to private Toyogasaki High School should be completed next week."
As she spoke, Yukino untied the dirty apron and held it in her hand while glancing curiously at Kisara:
"What happened to Miss Kisara?"
"She just saw me get kissed on the cheek by the intelligence department head."
Luo Shu wiped his cheek with his hand, his expression somewhat helpless:
"You know how strong Kisara's jealousy is."
"No, I don't know that," Yukino replied bluntly. "Also, while I don't wish to comment on the department head's personal life, two-timing is prohibited."
"But I'm not even dating either of them?" Luo Shu looked utterly bewildered.
Yukino frowned at this: "Physical intimacy without commitment is even more despicable scumbag behaviour."
"Though, as a non-involved party, I'm hardly qualified to criticise. I can only advise you to cherish every relationship properly."
"But you're already criticising me."
Luo Shu couldn't help retorting before waving his hand:
"Alright, alright, enough about non-work matters."
"Tomorrow's Tuesday, right?"
"Yes, March 22nd, Tuesday." Yukino confirmed before asking curiously, "Is there something special tomorrow?"
"Not particularly."
Luo Shu stroked his chin, studying Yukino before saying:
"Let's meet at Café LycoReco tomorrow at 8 am. I'll arrange basic firearms training and introductory mysticism courses for you."
"Beyond that, it's just installing Hidden Management Department equipment and new member physicals this week. That's roughly the schedule."
'Though there was Ghoul investigation work,' Luo Shu had no intention of involving Yukino yet.
Despite being a novice himself, he firmly believed in "more sweat in training means less blood in battle".
So, tomorrow, he planned to send Yukino along with Utaha and Eriri to LycoReco for basic training, while he would investigate the Ghoul situation separately.
Considering this, Luo Shu's arrangements for Yukino Yukinoshita naturally appeared rather light.
"...Seems quite relaxed?" Yukino raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing Luo Shu's introduction.
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh: "After all, newcomers who've just joined SDS can't possibly be assigned formal duties immediately. Basic training is still necessary."
Upon hearing these words, Yukino couldn't resist scrutinising Luo Shu:
"But according to Senior Chisato Nishikigi, you apparently got promoted to SDS Director within just a week?"
"Well, my situation was somewhat special. You could call it an exception."
Luo Shu rubbed his chin, also feeling that his promotion speed was rather abnormal:
"Indeed, you shouldn't take my case as the norm."
"I won't." Yukino's tone carried a hint of seriousness: "Is there anything else?"
"Nothing more. Make sure to get proper rest."
As he said this, Luo Shu suddenly reminded her with a smile:
"Oh, apart from the activation of Dying Will Flames, you can explain everything else to your family, including the existence of Dying Will Flames."
"There's no need to hide this information. After all, you'll want to reassure your family, won't you?"
Yukino fell silent upon hearing this, only speaking again after a long pause:
"...Has my sister been in contact with you?"
Luo Shu shook his head in denial: "Not at all. This is just basic speculation based on your family circumstances..."
"Understood, I'll explain the situation properly to my family."
Yukino Yukinoshita exhaled softly before bowing to Luo Shu:
"Then, Director, Senior Kisara, I'll take my leave now."
Luo Shu waved his hand in response. After Yukino Yukinoshita pushed the door open and left, he turned to look at Kisara, who was pouting and pretending to still be angry. He couldn't help but laugh:
"Alright, stop sulking. I've got an investigation tomorrow, so how about we work together?"
"Really?"
Hearing they'd be working together the next day, Kisara immediately perked up. But almost instantly, she gave Luo Shu a tentative look:
"I won't be causing you any trouble, will I?"
From Kisara's worried expression, Luo Shu could tell she genuinely feared being a burden.
Seeing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but tease: "Even though I'm the one who gave you common sense, where did this Japanese-style fear of inconveniencing others come from?"
After this quip, Luo Shu raised his hand and firmly pressed it onto Kisara's head, ruffling her hair as he said:
"From now on, unless I explicitly say no, it's not causing trouble. Got it?"
"...Understood," Kisara replied in a small voice, though her face showed traces of excitement.
Seeing this, Luo Shu exhaled deeply, glanced at the night sky outside the window, then said:
"Let's go back. We've got work to handle tomorrow."
Kisara stood up and asked curiously, "Should we take leave from school again?"
Luo Shu curled his lip: "Who cares about that place! I'm not some proper Japanese high school student anyway."
Before crossing over, he'd already graduated and worked for several years. After crossing over, was he supposed to attend high school again? What would be the point of crossing over then?
"What reason should we give for taking leave?" Kisara's eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Handle that however you want."
Luo Shu dismissed the question casually as he walked towards the door.
"Let's go, time to head back."
"Hai~~" Kisara drew out her response before following Luo Shu with a smile.
What reason should she write for leave... Hmm, how about going back to her hometown to marry her childhood sweetheart? Kisara thought rather mischievously.