Returning from Lacus' place late at night, He Kui noticed the lights still on in the living room, feeling a bit more accomplished.
Opening the door, he saw a figure under a blanket on the sofa in the brightly lit living room.
"Asleep?"
He Kui chuckled softly, knowing the girl before him wasn't actually sleeping, her breathing slightly rapid.
"No, I'm not!"
Shi He playfully jumped off the sofa and dashed toward He Kui, her bare feet stepping on his, and He Kui's smile widened at the warm softness in his arms.
"Why'd you come back so late!"
Shi He's delicate hands wrapped around He Kui's waist as she pouted.
"No choice, had to finish a meal before coming back."
"Did Miss Lacus treat you?"
"The company's cafeteria."
He Kui explained.
"That sounds terrible~ I had beef tonight!"
"So, what's the surprise?"
He Kui asked, amused by the excited girl, a gentle glint in his eyes.
"Look~!"
Shi He, wrapping her arms around He Kui's neck, stepped away, standing barefoot on the soft carpet.
Following her gaze, He Kui's eyes traveled down from her slender legs.
Finally, they stopped at her feet.
The burgundy nail polish glistened under the light, rich and deep like red wine.
Each toenail appeared as a finely polished ruby, exuding charm, highlighting the fair and delicate toes.
The white texture was clearly visible.
Perhaps feeling shy under his gaze, her dainty toes curled slightly like a shy plant, appearing even more petite and adorable.
It was hard to look away.
"Still staring!"
Shi He glared at He Kui, breaking his intense gaze, and pulled him upstairs to the bedroom.
"I've seen the footwork! Tonight, I'll be even better."
"Really?"
He Kui's heart leaped with joy at her words.
After a passionate night, feeling content with Shi He in his arms and seeing the increased favorability, He Kui felt deeply satisfied.
"Shi He, we might have to go out again."
"Where?"
Shi He snuggled closer, rubbing her head against He Kui.
"Boaz."
"They're setting up power storage there, likely for the light shield."
Once Boaz had the shield, he wondered how the Earth Alliance would manage to attack.
Logically, the light shield should defend against nuclear attacks, given sufficient power.
However, being a frontline of conflict and considering He Kui's complex status, extra precautions would be unavoidable.
"I'll get the ZGMF-X10A ready~"
"Okay, and remove the composite rifle, it's too energy-consuming."
Kissing Shi He's smooth forehead, He Kui stood up.
News about Boaz reached him even sooner than expected.
Within a couple of days, the deputy director approached He Kui as if collecting a debt.
"Director He, how's your decision support system coming along?"
Erin asked bluntly.
"About a third done."
His pet-making speed wasn't improving much. Even with all his time, he managed one a day, not nearly enough to meet demand.
Plus, there were desert orders to fulfill, so reaching a third was fortunate.
"I see. We're preparing to install power generation equipment at Boaz based on your theory."
Erin placed a simple schematic in front of He Kui.
"If this device is completed, the security of PLANT's homeland will be further assured."
With such lofty ambitions, He Kui couldn't argue, just nodded with a proud expression.
Yet the internal design of the generator made him ponder.
"Deputy Director, this generator is nuclear-powered, right?"
"Correct, without neutron inhibitors in space, we have full control. We've equipped ample energy storage; even if they launch a nuclear attack, our shield can hold for two hours."
Two hours might not seem long, but in a front-line battle, maintaining the shield for four hours would be devastating for the Earth Alliance.
He Kui's doubts weren't about that.
"Why are these nuclear devices so large?"
Looking at the generator taking up most of Boaz's bottom area, He Kui was puzzled.
"What are you saying? This is the smallest we can achieve."
"I see."
Shouldn't they have compact nuclear fission reactors?
It dawned on He Kui that he'd overlooked a problem.
Why didn't Ginn use nuclear power? Even if costly, if nuclear fission technology was mature, there'd be at least a couple of test models.
It seemed compact nuclear fission reactors hadn't been developed yet.
"In any case, we plan to complete assembly in half a month. You'll need to oversee it."
"I understand, and I'd like to promote a deputy director."
Erin quickly grasped He Kui's intention.
"Alright, I'll allow you to appoint an acting deputy director."
"Just remember, Director He, you're there to work, so keep it professional."
He wasn't just bringing his fiancée to Boaz.
".I won't, but Director Hanifs is my pilot partner, also a precaution against any unexpected events."
Most importantly, progress couldn't halt. In half a month, if he focused on Shi He, it should be manageable, but Shi He would have to find her footing at Boaz.
"I understand, young couples. Let's leave it at that."
"Okay."
He Kui smirked slightly, not arguing further.
If successful, his reputation within PLANT would rise, benefiting his future investment plans.
He agreed, even if he didn't care about the bonus for going to Boaz.
Also, Shi He's favorability was nearing another threshold. Without fully understanding the light shield, He Kui wasn't sure what the system would offer next.
He couldn't stop; survival depended on it.
Even starting a company was part of the plan. Only with his foundation could he complete the lifeboat cart to protect himself. Even in the A-rank zone, safety wasn't guaranteed, and having his enterprise would improve his life, freeing him from basic worries. Eventually... he might build his own Gundam.
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