On the night after watching Stargazer, He Kui made his way to Serena's room.
He was quite familiar with this room, and as he stepped inside, the faint fragrance that greeted him brought a satisfied smile to his face.
"Good thing your father isn't here," He Kui remarked with a sigh.
Otherwise, he might have ended up with broken legs if he found out.
"I think even if he knew, he wouldn't care too much," Serena said softly. "After all, what he values most is research."
"That's true," He Kui agreed, thinking of Serena's father, who was an even more fervent researcher than Serena herself.
"Well then, let's make the most of this moment," He Kui smoothly changed the subject, wrapping his arms around Serena's slender waist.
Thanks to the physical enhancements of being a Coordinator, Serena's waist remained perfectly toned despite her dedication to research. It was soft yet firm, a sight that could easily captivate anyone.
Serena, feeling He Kui's warm hands around her sensitive waist, blushed slightly.
"I have a proposal," He Kui whispered softly into Serena's ear.
"What is it~?" she asked.
"Don't take off the stockings," He Kui said before leaning in to kiss her, not giving her a chance to respond.
[You had a friendly exchange with Serena]
[Serena's Affection: 112]
[Space Adaptation Level A: (25,741/100,000)]
[Stargazer Gundam: (15,641/30,000)]
Although the radiant thrusters had been completed, it was still far from enough.
Looking at the woman who, despite her outward appearance, lay obediently in his arms, He Kui felt a sense of satisfaction. After all the effort, he had finally "conquered" Serena.
Had it been easy? Not at all.
"What are you doing?" Serena opened her eyes to see He Kui's smug expression.
"Nothing, go back to sleep," He Kui replied.
"I can't sleep anymore. Don't you remember? The people from Orb are coming today," Serena chided, turning in He Kui's arms.
She also felt He Kui's morning energy.
"Wasn't last night enough?" Serena said, annoyed, as she felt the active part of him.
"Not really," He Kui replied.
Thanks to Cagalli's help, his physical condition was now extraordinary, and he was far from satisfied. Besides, since this was his first time with Serena in the truest sense, he hadn't invited Sulei over.
"Last night was three times already," Serena said, picking up the torn stockings from the floor and licking her lips.
"Let's go again. We still have some time."
After another round of activity, it was almost noon by the time the two finally got up.
"But is it okay for you to stay here so often?" He Kui asked, looking out at the starry expanse of space as Serena pulled a new pair of stockings from the closet.
"You're often on the asteroid too," Serena countered.
"But we still go to the Colony Satellite sometimes," He Kui shook his head.
"Well, we sometimes go to Earth too. We even have a research base in South America," Serena said proudly.
"I almost forgot. I'd love to visit it sometime," He Kui replied.
As they chatted, the two quickly got dressed and headed toward the port.
They arrived just in time to see the Kusanagi slowly docking.
"This is the Kusanagi."
Serena gazed curiously at the battleship before her, its design resembling a sword.
"I didn't expect Orb to make such a grand appearance this time."
"Well, the princess is here too."
"What!? Cagalli is here too?"
Recalling the girl she had met a few times, Serena exclaimed in surprise.
"Why didn't you say so earlier!?"
"Didn't she come before?"
"That's true, but the Cagalli back then isn't the same as the Cagalli now."
The current Cagalli is the official heir of Asuha. While she was often jokingly called a princess before, now she should be addressed as the princess.
"She's here to see you!"
Serena quickly connected the dots, her eyes widening.
"Exactly."
Sulei, yawning, walked over from behind.
Missing her human pillow, Sulei looked like she hadn't slept well.
"Don't you dare take the princess back with you again."
Sulei said with a hint of resentment.
"That won't happen."
He Kui chuckled awkwardly.
Even if he could take her back, Uzumi wouldn't allow it.
Although the war is almost over, Orb hasn't let its guard down.
Or rather, no country would relax at this time.
With the war ended and everything in need of rebuilding, it's a prime opportunity for countries to divide the spoils and develop.
No country would relax at such a time.
"Hmph."
The girl snorted lightly with her pretty nose and glared at him.
As the three spoke, the Mobile Suit docked steadily, and soon they arrived at the docking exit.
A long passageway directly connected to the Kusanagi.
Before long, with the sliding handrails in operation, the people from Orb slowly emerged from the lengthy passageway in front of the trio.
At the front was Erica, and behind her, besides Kira and Mu, were Cagalli, Kisaaka, and Xiao Liu.
Such a luxurious lineup from afar would make one think there was some special military operation.
Cagalli also spotted He Kui and flashed an excited and joyful smile.
Noticing Cagalli's reaction, Kira and Mu looked at He Kui inquisitively but said nothing.
"It's great to see you again, Director Erica."
The sliding was swift, and soon the people from Orb were before them. Serena stepped forward to greet them.
"Director Serena, it's been a while."
"But why is Director He here as well?"
Erica glanced at He Kui, her eyes involuntarily drifting to Cagalli, who was barely containing her smile.
Now it seemed highly likely that Xiao Liu was none other than He Kui.
"After all, PLANT is also a sponsor of DSSD."
He Kui stepped forward, shaking Erica's hand with a smile.
"But Director He is a busy man. PLANT must really trust you."
"I'm not as important as Director Erica makes me out to be."
As they spoke, Cagalli walked up from the side.
"Director He."
Cagalli, who initially wanted to call him by his name, held back at the last moment.
Her spirited eyes locked onto him, seemingly filled with a thousand words.
"Miss Cagalli."
"By the way, this is Xiao Liu, Miss Cagalli's advisor."
Erica introduced with a mix of curiosity and probing.
"Hello, Xiao Liu."
He Kui crouched down without a trace of flaw on his face.
"Hello, Director He."
From the nimble voice, it was clear that Xiao Liu was being controlled by someone.
And that someone was none other than Shihe, who had stayed on the asteroid.
"Very obedient."
Watching the two of them interact
normally, Erica showed a thoughtful expression.
At present, there were two possibilities: one was that Xiao Liu truly wasn't He Kui, and the other was that someone was helping him.
But regardless of which it was, there was no opportunity to investigate further at the moment.