Five minutes later.
Luo Shu watched as Akemi Miyano and Ai Haibara crouched on either side of the ice coffin, clutching their heads.
Glancing sideways, he saw Touka Kirishima leaning against the wall in a defensive crouch, arms wrapped around her head.
At this moment, Luo Shu felt as if he were holding a lit cigarette:
'Did the Familia's basic knowledge get updated again?'
'What the hell have Yukino and Sharon been doing these past two days?!'
Sharon: Added insights about facing Demigods. You're welcome!
Of the three, Akemi Miyano had the weakest constitution and thus recovered first.
From what Luo Shu understood, the weaker one was, the easier it was to trigger the brain's protective mechanisms – meaning faster memory loss.
So Akemi quickly regained her composure, giving Luo Shu a complicated look before cautiously addressing him:
"Divine... Lord?"
"Don't call me that. Luo Shu is fine. Or Shu-kun, if you don't mind."
"Then... Mr Luo Shu."
Akemi Miyano exhaled in relief and hastily stood up to bow:
"Thank you for looking after Shiho all this time."
"Hardly. I just gave her an opportunity."
Luo Shu wouldn't claim credit for Ai Haibara's care – that was Yoshimura and Touka Kirishima's doing. He'd simply reaped the rewards of his subordinates.
"So you understand the current situation?"
Luo Shu regarded Akemi Miyano with calm detachment:
"Due to personal needs, I require Ai to develop a more effective A for me."
"Consequently, her workplace will be the SDS's space research base."
"You'll accompany her as family, responsible for her care while living at the orbital facility."
"Understood?"
"...I understand." Akemi Miyano took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
Though Luo Shu's motives towards Ai were largely utilitarian, Akemi couldn't help but express gratitude.
Without Luo Shu, she wouldn't have been resurrected.
For this second chance at life, Akemi naturally felt profound appreciation towards the one who made it possible.
Though come to think of it, according to Divine Pantheon teachings, Familia like them were essentially Luo Shu's concubines.
Setting aside her sisterly relationship with Shiho...
Shiho's current physical age was...
Akemi Miyano's gaze shifted towards Luo Shu, becoming extremely complicated.
Naturally, Luo Shu, with his sense, couldn't have missed this:
"I get the feeling you're thinking something rather inappropriate~"
Hearing this, Akemi blushed slightly but still whispered:
"That... Mr Luo Shu..."
"Shiho is still a child right now, so if you really have those kinds of needs..."
Before she could finish, Ai Haibara interjected gloomily:
"Sister, I'm awake."
Akemi's expression froze as she turned to see Ai's icy face.
"Since when?"
"Since you bowed."
So she saw everything...
Instantly, Akemi was dumbstruck.
Seeing her sister's stunned expression, Ai sighed.
Her sister was always like this - impulsive, with her thoughts constantly veering off into ridiculous tangents. Ai was almost used to it by now.
"The relationship between Familia and Chief God is far more complex than what your silly little brain can comprehend, so could you please stop thinking?"
Hearing this, Akemi looked at her sister with tearful eyes, as if she'd been bullied.
Witnessing this, Ai sighed again.
She was truly at her wits' end with this drama queen.
"Anyway, don't let me catch you doing anything stupid. Oh, and you're forbidden from contacting that foolish woman called La Folia."
"Hmph!"
Ai snorted coldly, shooting Akemi a warning glare.
Then she turned to scrutinise Luo Shu with an extremely peculiar look.
Luo Shu recognised that gaze - it was similar to the one Tabane Shinonono had given him during their first meeting.
It was the look of a scientist who'd found something worth researching.
Luo Shu simply smiled at this: "Suddenly becoming quite bold, aren't we, little Ai?"
Ai still wasn't entirely comfortable with Luo Shu's affectionate nickname.
Before, she hadn't cared, but now it felt somewhat awkward.
After all, she now knew she was destined to live with Luo Shu for a very, very long time.
In a way, did this mean she'd solved her sister's lifelong worry about her future?
Feeling rather peculiar about this, Ai couldn't help but give Luo Shu another look.
Hmm, the face is acceptable - nice to wake up to, probably.
Her gaze then drifted downward.
While she didn't know the specifics, as a god, his... functionality probably wasn't in question?
Faced with Ai's blatant appraisal, Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh in exasperation:
"I may know I lack authority, but that look is somewhat hurtful, don't you think?"
"No, this is a look of appreciation."
Ai said very sincerely - or at least, she thought she was being sincere.
"So, when are we going to Copernicus?"
Luo Shu sighed at this: "Whenever you're ready. There's a Star Gate access point at Kamijo Hospital."
"I suggest you contact Tabane Shinonono and Nia Honjo directly in the main group chat. They'll know what needs doing now."
"Oh, and you can tell them about your awakened abilities, too - they can help research them."
"But for ability development, I recommend you seek out Kotoko Iwanaga."
"Kotoko's Class is very suited for developing all sorts of peculiar abilities."
"And aside from ability development, I suggest you ask Tabane for specific Adjuster Drugs. They'll significantly reduce your physical training time and provide immediate enhancements."
"If those three can't handle it, then come find me. I'll connect directly with the Divine Pantheon and think of another solution for you."
"The full premium service?"
Ai Haibara curled her lips, then said with a faint smile:
"Why do I suddenly feel like visiting the Distillery again?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu revealed an odd smile:
"Speaking of which, Gin and Vodka have infiltrated the Hidden Management Department as undercover agents, becoming peripheral members."
Ai Haibara froze momentarily before looking at Luo Shu in confusion.
At that moment, Luo Shu smiled and said:
"Interested in becoming their direct superior?"
Ai Haibara's expression became extremely peculiar, as if she was holding in laughter:
"I must say, I'm very interested indeed!"