Of course, He Kui couldn't do much during the meal—it was just a simple dinner.
After eating and drinking his fill, He Kui took the initiative to handle the dishes, while Lacus stayed outside with Setona.
"Setona, can I come to play with you in the future?"
Lacus spoke in a gentle tone to her new sister.
"Of course~ Sister Lacus can come anytime."
"Great. Also, Setona, you and He Kui…"
"We did it."
"…"
Hearing Setona admit it so bluntly without a hint of shyness, Lacus couldn't tell if the girl was being deliberate or genuinely indifferent about such matters.
"Do you like He Kui?"
"Mhm! I do, and I want to take him back to Mars."
Setona nodded, then took Lacus's hand and continued earnestly.
"Sister Lacus, you should come too. As long as we're there, no one can threaten us."
"But don't you have a council there?"
If Setona were an autocratic princess, it would be fine, but if the real power still lay with the council, going there would mean being under their control.
"He Kui has the Hydroponic Pod technology."
Setona smiled.
"We can use that as leverage. Besides, there are many people who support me there. They'll definitely yield power."
Watching Setona speak such ambitious words with her adorable demeanor, Lacus felt for the first time that this girl truly was her sister.
But then, was their affection for He Kui genuine love, or was it just for utility?
Lacus pondered this as she gently patted her sister's soft head.
She didn't know the answer, but some things didn't need answers. As long as the goal was achieved and she didn't compromise herself, that was enough.
"PLANT will go to Mars, but it'll take some time."
"He Kui said the same thing."
Setona nodded, then asked, "Sister Lacus, do you like He Kui too?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Because we're twins~ It's probably a natural connection."
"Is that so…"
Originally, she had wanted to drive away the other girls around He Kui.
But now, seeing more and more people—each of them formidable—and with Setona added to the mix, even someone as strong as Lacus felt a sense of helplessness creeping into her heart.
"But everyone here is amazing."
Hearing Setona's suggestive words, Lacus smiled faintly.
"What kind of spell has He Kui cast on you?"
She understood Setona's implication: if she could control all of He Kui's resources, including those of the other girls, many things would become much easier for her.
"Not at all~ It's Setona who's been feeding He Kui a lot!"
Setona pouted cutely.
"Sister, you should come over for meals often too. It's always lively here."
"…Alright."
After thinking for a moment, Lacus agreed.
It seemed they often gathered at Setona's place.
Regardless of anything else, this could be an opportunity to gauge the others' situations.
Unaware of the sisters' conversation, He Kui finished washing the dishes and walked out.
"Well, I'll be going now."
Lacus gave the two a strange look before turning and leaving.
"He Kui~ I got my sister to agree to come here for dinner."
"Mmm, good girl."
He Kui smiled and gently patted Setona's head. The girl in front of him seemed to enjoy it immensely, actively nuzzling into his palm.
"How did you convince her?"
He hadn't taught Setona what to say. After all, Setona knew Lacus better than he did, so it was better to let her handle it freely.
"I just talked about the pros and cons and stuff."
As she spoke, Setona tightly hugged He Kui's body, closing the distance between them in an instant.
"Setona's amazing, right~?"
"Mmm, very amazing."
"But don't let your sister Lacus find out, or we might both be in trouble."
He Kui chuckled.
If Lacus found out the two of them had teamed up to trick her, she'd probably retaliate in her usual sly way.
"She won't! That kind of thing is actually pretty fun~"
This time, before He Kui could respond, Setona kissed the corner of his lips.
Then she began nibbling on his face.
For a moment, the room was filled with soft, kitten-like sounds.
[You gave Setona an expensive gift. Ability points +100]
[Affection level: 109]
[Experience bonus: 5]
[Genetic foundation: A-level (31248/100,000)]
Waking up early in the morning, He Kui looked at Setona, who was sprawled on top of him, and a smile spread across his face.
Setona's affection level was getting higher and higher. It probably wouldn't be long before something new unlocked.
As for what exactly it was, He Kui wasn't entirely sure.
Maybe something related to genetic technology?
Thinking this, He Kui gently picked up Setona and placed her beside him.
The movement was enough to wake the girl, who slowly opened her still-drowsy eyes, looking at He Kui with a hint of confusion.
"Where are you going?"
The girl clung to He Kui again, her soft tone making even an ordinary question sound like a coquettish plea.
"To pick someone up."
The South American delegation was arriving, which meant he would finally get to see Ailina again.
Although Ailina only added the same piloting skills as Lacus, having both of them together doubled the effect.
For him right now, that was still quite useful.
Besides, Ailina herself was a competent pilot.
Once his quantum communication technology advanced further, he could add another member to his team.
At this moment, He Kui was already starting to look forward to the next time he saw Creuset, ready to give him a surprise.
Of course, what was even more important were the days he had spent with Ailina in South America, going through life-and-death situations together. Those memories were real.
Thinking about it, He Kui felt even more excited.
"Then come back early~ I'm planning to make Thai food today~! It's called Tom Yum Goong. You've probably never had it before!"
"Then I'll leave it to you, Setona."
He Kui's lips gently brushed against the girl's soft cherry lips in a light kiss before he stood up.
Soon, fully dressed, he left the asteroid and arrived at the port of April City.
"Councilor He, having you attend this event is truly an overuse of your talents."
Inside April City, the district head of Area One spoke with a hint of flattery in his tone.
"After all, South America is an important partner for our PLANT, so it's only right to be formal."
"That's true, that's true."
The district head repeated the phrase twice, as if in complete agreement.
"Speaking of which, I personally agree with Councilor He's views on our country."
Upon hearing this, He Kui offered a faint smile.
"Of course, our ideals require the support of like-minded individuals to move forward. How about we find a time to discuss this in detail?"
"No problem! Haha!"
"It would be my honor to have dinner with a distinguished figure like Councilor He."
The district head's flattery was so smooth it could soothe both body and soul.
"Not at all, it's all in service of PLANT."
He Kui replied with a smile.
His faction indeed needed fresh blood; it was an exchange of mutual interests.
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