In any case, after hearing Lu Tianming mention that the Strike Suit had a Machine Spirit, Lacus became quite interested and spent a long time circling around the Strike Suit. Regardless of anything else, Xia Chuan, that little rascal, was thoroughly enjoying it.
Lu Tianming found this rather pitiful. To get so much pleasure just from being circled and observed by a beautiful girl—whether it was due to his inherent nature or a result of being reborn as a Gundam—was somewhat pathetic.
He suspected Xia Chuan might be a bit too sexually repressed.
In the end, Lu Tianming felt that Lacus had been away for too long and might be discovered if she stayed any longer, so he took the initiative to escort her back.
Even so, Xia Chuan remained in a state of foolish delight until the very moment they left—to the point where Lu Tianming found it hard to keep a straight face.
In the following days, as the search for supplies gradually concluded, the Archangel began its departure from Junius Seven, continuing its journey toward the lunar base. Just as in the original storyline, during the voyage, they received a communication from the Federation Army's Eighth Fleet. They agreed on an initial meeting point, with the Eighth Fleet dispatching an advance unit to rendezvous with them.
Flay's father, as per the plot, would also come aboard to meet them. Upon learning this, Flay became unbearably smug, radiating an air of triumph and visibly putting on airs.
"Flay, why are you so late for dinner today? Everyone's been waiting for you for a while."
"You smell so fragrant... Did you just take a bath?"
"Seriously, Flay... How many times have you bathed these past few days?"
In the ship's cafeteria, the small group including Kira, who had agreed to eat together, began discussing Flay as she arrived late.
Seeing the group gather around her as the center of attention, Flay felt a slight satisfaction of her vanity. A faint smirk tugged at her lips, her eyes gleaming with pride as she said:
"After all, as the daughter of the Atlantic Federation's Undersecretary, I can't afford to appear too sloppy... This level of grooming is only natural."
When she mentioned "Atlantic Federation's Undersecretary," she emphasized the words slightly, as if deliberately aiming them at someone.
...At that moment, aside from their group, the only other person in the cafeteria was Lu Tianming, silently eating his meal. It was obvious to anyone with eyes who her words were directed at.
Hearing Flay's somewhat provocative tone, the others, including Kira, couldn't help but glance worriedly at Lu Tianming.
It was common knowledge that Lu Tianming and Flay didn't get along. Now that Flay was flaunting her father's status in his face, they were genuinely concerned that Lu Tianming might end up arguing with her.
But Lu Tianming remained silent, continuing to eat his meal as if he hadn't heard Flay at all.
Seeing Lu Tianming's lack of reaction, Flay's smirk instantly faded. Her brows furrowed slightly as she pushed through the group, strode over to Lu Tianming's table, and slammed her hand down on it.
"Hey, I'm about to reunite with my father soon. If you apologize now for what you did before, I might let it slide."
She raised her eyebrows triumphantly and smiled, as if asserting her authority.
In her expectations, her father's position as Deputy Secretary of Atlantic Federation Affairs should have thoroughly intimidated this mere private.
Hmph... Serves you right for your previous rudeness. Never expected my father to have such connections, did you?
Upon hearing Flay's words, Lu Tianming merely looked up with utter bewilderment, his expression clearly conveying "how did a perfectly sane person go mad?" He then let out a light, disdainful chuckle and retorted with complete nonchalance:
"What's wrong, little princess? Got your feelings hurt and running to daddy to tattle?"
His tone carried a teasing quality, as if he hadn't taken Flay's threat seriously at all.
Flay was instantly provoked by his words. That condescending, child-patronizing tone showed he didn't regard her as worthy of consideration. Just as she was about to erupt from feeling so belittled, she saw Lu Tianming suddenly stand up.
She had been leaning over to confront him, but now Lu Tianming stood at his full height, towering over her. Their eye contact shifted instantly from level ground to him looking down at her.
When Flay looked up, she discovered Lu Tianming's gaze had sharpened into the intimidating intensity she feared most. Combined with her upward perspective... the moment their eyes met, an instinctive chill ran through her, and fear spontaneously arose.
She wanted to speak to bolster her courage, but Lu Tianming seized the initiative:
"Moreover... have I actually done anything to offend you? Aside from speaking to you less frequently, I don't recall crossing any lines."
"Or perhaps in your mind... anyone who doesn't fawn over you is committing some crime?"
Flay's prepared retort was shoved back down her throat by these two questions. She suddenly realized... Lu Tianming truly hadn't threatened her in any tangible way. At worst, he'd simply ignored her... which might barely qualify as passive aggression.
But then again, Lu Tianming wasn't even acquainted with her. Wasn't it perfectly natural for him not to engage with her unnecessarily? Could that really be defined as passive aggression?
Flay, her self-centeredness exposed, froze instantly like a statue turned to stone.
Seeing her surrender so quickly... Lu Tianming spread his hands with boredom, picked up his tray, and circled around Flay with indifference:
"If you have nothing important, stop pestering me. I need to deliver a meal to Lacus next and don't have time to waste with you."
Having said this, he deposited his used tray on the collection cart, retrieved a fresh one from the nearby utensil cabinet, and went to prepare Lacus's meal.
Yet his words delivered another blow to the already stunned Flay.
She stared incredulously at Lu Tianming's retreating back, her eyes filled with confusion.
—We're both women. Why does he treat me with indifference but acts so... enthusiastic toward her?!
Nearby, Kira observed Flay's state and sighed softly, a strange and dangerous thought forming in his mind.
...Could it be that Flay enjoys being scolded by Lu Tianming, and that's why she keeps provoking him like this?
Whether Flay was simply unskilled yet enthusiastic about playing or just a plain masochist remained open to debate... But Lu Tianming had no intention of dwelling on Flay's situation at the moment. He merely carried out his duty as Lacus's guardian with an impassive expression, delivering meals to her.
Due to his relatively light workload and, all things considered, Lacus's highest level of trust in him, Lu Tianming had almost naturally become her designated guardian within the ship.
However, this so-called guardianship wasn't particularly strict. Most of the time, Lu Tianming turned a blind eye to Lacus using Haro to secretly pick locks.
...After all, even if she did get out, Lu Tianming would be there to supervise her. Strictly speaking, it couldn't be considered "sneaking out."
Moreover... Lacus seemed quite interested in the Strike Suit. Taking her to see it could also bring some joy to Xia Chuan, who had little entertainment throughout the day.
With a mechanical whir, Lu Tianming opened the door to Lacus's room.
Lying on the bed chatting with Haro, Lacus heard the sound of the door opening and immediately flashed a hint of delight in her eyes. Smiling at Lu Tianming as he entered, she said:
"Mr. Lu, any plans for today?"