"Master."
As the camera module began to function, Aegis quickly locked onto the facial data within the system and spoke to He Kui with a charming smile.
"It's a great success."
Sulei smiled.
"What personality did you import?"
The current research is not yet sufficient to give Aegis a personality.
Her emotions are currently simulated choices by the system.
In reality, she hasn't transcended being a machine.
She's just a more advanced doll.
"Maiden mode."
"How is it? Exciting, right?"
"...A little, but it would be even better if Sulei could do it herself."
Thinking of Sulei's delicate figure dressed in a maid outfit, her serious face outside calling him "Master" at home.
He Kui's smile grew even wider.
In action, he had already embraced the young girl in his arms.
"I didn't know you liked this kind of thing!"
"Is that not okay?"
Hearing He Kui's words, Sulei didn't struggle but instead held on tighter, her voice echoing in his heart.
"I don't have that kind of outfit."
"I'll buy it for you later, so..."
He Kui said as he began to gently kiss along Sulei's earlobe.
The scene quickly became heated.
"Why did you stop!"
Sulei, who had been aroused, hadn't felt He Kui's actions for a while and glared at him.
Meyrin, who had been blushing all over, had already hugged He Kui from behind.
"So, as a maid, what should you call me?"
Hearing this, Sulei was stunned for a moment, then avoided He Kui's overly direct gaze.
"I told you, you have to take me to DSSD."
This time it was He Kui's turn to be stunned.
"It's dangerous there."
"When hasn't it been dangerous? And I can help you too."
Sulei glared at him.
"Why do you want to go there?"
"Obviously, you must want to go on an adventure, right?"
"...I'll let you come with me, but we need to be prepared."
He Kui said.
"Got it, Master."
"Now can we continue?"
Sulei pouted, looking at him with dissatisfaction.
"Though it's a bit perfunctory."
He Kui shrugged, then continued his advances towards the girl before him.
Thus, time quietly passed. While the Atlantic Federation was still bickering with PLANT and other countries around the world, He Kui had also arranged with Cagalli to set off for DSSD one after the other.
"You brought Aegis too, where are you planning to go?"
In He Kui's room on the ship, Sulei looked at him curiously.
"Mendel."
"I have some business there."
"Is it about Setona?"
Sulei asked as she pressed her body against the young man.
"That's part of it, and Creuset might be there too."
"...You're still going to fight him?"
Sulei frowned.
"According to what you said, he doesn't have many days left."
"That's exactly why we need to be vigilant."
He Kui said, holding Sulei's waist with a headache.
Who knows what Creuset might pull off? He's had enough of his antics.
"Be careful."
Sulei held He Kui's hand even tighter.
"Don't worry."
"But before that, I might need your help with something."
Hearing this, Sulei rolled her eyes at him.
"Serena?"
"Exactly."
He Kui nodded.
"I can do that, but before that..."
Sulei flashed a bewitching smile before promptly pushing He Kui down onto the bed.
"We still have plenty of time before we leave PLANT's territory."
Facing Sulei's timely advance, the young man, now fully aware, kissed her cherry lips.
The two of them continued their affectionate journey, smoothly arriving at DSSD.
At this moment, DSSD remained largely unchanged from before, but a keen observer would notice that most of the employees now radiated an air of joy.
The end of the war had brought them unprecedented opportunities for outer space exploration.
As He Kui and Sulei disembarked from the plane one after the other, Serena, who had been waiting outside, immediately approached.
However, her eager smile dimmed slightly upon seeing Sulei.
"Councilor He, it's been a while."
Serena's expression was all business, prompting a helpless smile from He Kui.
He had anticipated this.
But by now, he had gained considerable experience in handling such situations.
And with Sulei's assistance, he felt more confident.
"Serena, sis~!"
Sulei's face lit up with an utterly adorable smile as she naturally took Serena's hand.
"This is my first time here. Could you show me around?"
"...Sure."
Though aware that Sulei was He Kui's woman, Serena couldn't help but feel some of her awkwardness and frustration dissipate in the face of Sulei's cuteness.
"Follow me."
He Kui, already familiar with the place, silently pushed the cart behind them without saying a word.
The DSSD space station wasn't particularly large, and under Serena's general guidance, the tour was completed in about two hours.
By then, the trio had arrived at the usual server room where the technological data was stored.
"Why didn't your father come?"
He Kui asked curiously as he glanced at the summaries of the newly developed projects.
"He left. The solar cannon was likely Matiss's doing. When he found out, he got angry and left."
"Ran away from home?"
"Are you stupid? He's obviously out there trying to counter the clan's sanctions."
Hearing He Kui's remark, Serena shot him a displeased glare.
"That's right, He Kui, you dummy!"
Sulei chimed in from the side.
"...You made it sound like he ran away from home."
He Kui retorted, exasperated.
"Hmph, but it probably won't make much difference anyway. After all, they dared to attack Earth. Why would they care about DSSD? I bet they were behind many of the previous attacks."
Serena's expression turned indignant as she spoke.
"That's true."
Recalling the several times DSSD had been attacked, He Kui nodded in agreement.
However, Serena's father's sudden departure likely had other reasons, such as seeking more aid by playing the victim.
With world peace at hand, this was a precious time for exploring outer space and the deep cosmos.
Who knew when the next conflict might erupt?
"There's more..."
Serena seemed about to say something but first glanced at Sulei.
"It's fine. Is the frame for the Stargazer ready?"
He Kui asked.
"Yes, it's done. But we're still stuck on the learning AI and the nano self-repair system."
"I have some ideas about both of these, but it will take a few months to half a year," He Kui said in response.
AI and nanotechnology happened to be his areas of expertise.
"Mm!" Serena's eyes lit up upon hearing He Kui's words.
After all, the sooner this matter was resolved, the better. With He Kui joining them, their progress would undoubtedly accelerate.
Naturally, she was excited.
"Where do you plan to go for the first phase?" He Kui asked.
"Mars! We have a research space station there as well."
"Mm."
He Kui was aware of this.
Although the Martians were struggling with food shortages and other issues, DSSD had come to offer technological assistance, so they had allocated a sector of space for their research institute.
(End of Chapter)