Knock knock!
The sound echoed through the office.
Without looking up, Kirika called out:
"Come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
The door opened, and Takina Inoue stepped inside, dressed in a dark blue uniform reminiscent of a Japanese schoolgirl's outfit. She closed the door behind her.
As Takina approached the desk, Kirika tilted her head with a smile and asked:
"Ah, Takina. Did you come alone?"
Takina stopped near the desk and explained: "No, I came with... Chisato."
"So she's still outside?" Kirika seemed to grasp the situation immediately. "That mischievous brat—she's not planning to eavesdrop, is she?"
"Should I go chase her away?" Takina's expression remained blank, as if she had already accepted that Chisato Nishikigi was indeed listening in.
Kirika waved a hand dismissively. "No need. The matter concerns both of you anyway. If she wants to eavesdrop, let her."
"As a former superior, I should indulge my subordinates' peculiar habits once in a while."
Takina nodded silently in response.
Kirika had expected her to argue that superiors shouldn't have to cater to subordinates' whims, but Takina's lack of reaction made her sigh and run a hand through her hair in mild frustration.
"...You really are as dull as ever, kid."
"Suddenly, leaving Chisato outside feels like a mistake."
Takina asked dutifully, "Should I call her in?"
'This kid's too obedient—how am I supposed to bring up that kind of topic now?'
Kirika's eye twitched slightly.
Though her methods tended to be forceful, she didn't want Takina's next choice to stem from her orders.
She preferred Takina to join the Familia willingly.
But given how things were going, Takina would probably treat it as a command anyway.
With that thought, Kirika said nothing, merely casting a glance toward the door.
Takina blinked in surprise before turning to follow her gaze.
There, peeking through the slightly ajar door, was a small head cautiously observing them.
Kirika scowled. "Get in here already."
"Ehehehe~"
Chisato giggled sheepishly before slipping inside, closing the door behind her, and swiftly closing the distance in three quick steps.
Once she stood properly in front of Kirika with her head bowed, Kirika could only sigh in exasperation.
"You little brat..."
Shaking her head, she decided to move on.
"Fine, I won't lecture you. You've already transferred to the Hidden Management Department, so it'd be awkward for me to keep scolding you."
"Oh, right!" Chisato's eyes lit up with realisation. "I'm not under Big Sister's command anymore!"
Immediately, her expression turned cheeky as she grinned.
"Kirika, what's the matter this time that you called me and Takina here?"
Kirika Tachibana: "..."
'You little brat, I was trying to save you some face, but you just had to push your luck, didn't you?'
Instantly, Kirika's face darkened as she glared at Chisato Nishikigi:
"C-rank operative Chisato Nishikigi."
Hearing that tone, Chisato immediately snapped to attention:
"Present!"
"C-rank operative Chisato Nishikigi reporting for duty, awaiting orders!"
Kirika narrowed her eyes: "50 push-ups in 1 minute, execute immediately!"
"Yes, ma'am!!"
Kirika glanced at Chisato, who immediately started huffing through her push-ups, then turned her gaze to Takina Inoue's impassive expression and sighed.
Once Chisato finished her push-ups without breaking a sweat, Kirika asked:
"You've both read the documents I gave you earlier, right?"
Chisato's eyes immediately lit up with realisation:
"Big Sister means... Luo Shu's little secrets?"
'What kind of ridiculous name is that?' Kirika's face twitched as she suppressed her exasperation:
"I believe that document had a more formal title."
Chisato looked surprised: "But everything in it was digging into Luo Shu's private life."
"Whether it's how signing the contract can enhance women's abilities, might gradually increase affection levels, or how any girl Luo Shu seems interested in can sign the contract, not to mention the part about significantly improved sexual performance - these are all personal privacy matters, right?"
Kirika fell silent for several seconds before asking:
"Who was listed as the author of the document I gave you?"
Chisato looked puzzled: "It was credited to Tabane Shinonono, but I don't think I've ever heard of that doctor before."
"Is it a pseudonym or some internal confidential personnel?"
"...I see."
Kirika couldn't help but massage her temples, torn between amusement and frustration:
"I didn't really look through that booklet - it was handled by other internal staff."
"But judging by your description, Chisato, it does sound like Luo Shu's private matters."
Chisato immediately looked enlightened:
"I knew it! There's no way Big Sister would have approved such gossipy content if she'd read it."
Kirika almost laughed despite herself.
'Just what was written in that document? Maybe I should take a look later...'
"At any rate, you should understand the general situation by now."
Pausing, Kirika turned to Chisato:
"You two were trained by me personally, so don't overthink this. Whether you agree to that Familia contract or not, I won't interfere with your decision."
"Especially you, Takina."
Kirika looked at Takina Inoue, her tone meaningful:
"I don't want you signing that contract just because I ordered you to."
"I want you to make your own choice based on what you truly feel."
"That's all well and good..." Chisato looked slightly troubled, "But Takina already signed the contract before we even came in here!"
Kirika froze. "What did you say?"
Her eyes widened as she glanced at Takina's still expressionless face, then quickly opened the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System. Scrolling through the main group, she immediately found Takina's information.
Kirika Tachibana was utterly shocked. "You actually signed it?!"
In response, Takina Inoue remained perfectly calm:
"Director Luo Shu had already hoped we'd sign the contract when we transferred, didn't he?"
"There was indeed such consideration at the time..." Kirika's expression turned hesitant.
"The ultimate purpose of signing the contract is to quickly enhance Director Luo Shu's strength while also hoping the Familia can be rapidly strengthened, correct?"
"I did have that thought." Kirika Tachibana's expression stiffened slightly.
"Then, by signing the contract, did I violate any directives or breach SDS internal regulations?"
"...No."
Takina Inoue nodded and countered, "So what's the issue with me signing the contract?"
"No issues..." Kirika couldn't help but facepalm. "I thought Chisato would be the quickest to agree, but never imagined you'd..."
"Eh? But I signed the contract yesterday! I was earlier than Takina!" Chisato Nishikigi said in confusion.
Kirika's head snapped up, three question marks practically visible above her.
"You signed yesterday?"
Kirika opened the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System, scrolled through, and found Chisato Nishikigi's name below Takina Inoue's in the main group. Her scalp tingled as she asked:
"How did this happen?"
At this, Chisato immediately began whistling innocently: "Didn't Director Luo Shu ask us to gather information the other day?"
"So I asked Nia-san and Her Highness La Folia - they know all the Hidden Management Department gossip - and then signed yesterday~"
Kirika's expression became visibly unsettled:
"Why wasn't I informed?"
Chisato blinked at this, while Takina quietly remarked:
"Strictly speaking, this is an internal matter of the Hidden Management Department, and Director, you're assigned to the Operations Division..."
"Moreover, today you summoned us under the pretext of needing assistance with confidential operational matters. I only realised what you actually wanted to discuss when receiving documents in the waiting area..."
Smack! Kirika slapped her forehead in exasperation:
"My stupid brain..."
"So, you're both already in the Familia?"
Chisato and Takina nodded.
"Meaning during this morning's conversation, apart from you two, Angelene was the only one completely unaware?"
Chisato and Takina exchanged glances before nodding repeatedly.
Finally, Chisato whispered, "Big Sister, should I call Miss Angelene for you?"
"Get lost."
"Right away~!"
Watching Chisato actually turn to leave, Kirika sighed helplessly:
"Two brats signing without even consulting me. All my affection wasted."
Takina, still present, lowered her head guiltily.
"Takina, call Angelene for me. I refuse to believe that airhead could have acted in advance too!!"
"...Understood, Director."
...
Space Colony Copernicus.
"Awake yet?"
Hearing the voice, Luo Shu opened his eyes slightly, glanced at the pink-haired girl sitting by his bedside, then closed them again with a nasal murmur.
"Mhm."
"Tabane Shinonono is already waiting in the lab... Wait, are you trying to sleep more?"
Luo Shu reopened his eyes, looked at Lacus, and raised a hand to his forehead as he asked:
"Tabane Shinonono is waiting in the lab? So the subject has been delivered there already?"
At this, Lacus nodded softly:
"According to reports, Shinichi Kudo has indeed been transported there."
"By now, Tabane and Ania have probably already begun."
Hearing this, Luo Shu lowered his hand and seemed more alert:
"Then let's go!"
"Let's see what Ania and Tabane can come up with."