Back at home, He Kui stretched lazily. Before he could say anything, Sulei tightly hugged him.
"Why did you take so long today? Is it about Orb?"
"Yeah."
Upon hearing He Kui's response, both of them exchanged glances, their expressions growing more serious.
"How's the battle going?"
Shihe asked nervously.
She wasn't worried about Orb, but rather because ZAFT was also active in that area.
"We managed to repel the Atlantic Federation, and it seems the Alaska base is under heavy attack from ZAFT. The rest is unclear."
"I see."
Not probing further, Shihe stood up and gently pressed her soft little hands against He Kui's temples, her technique quite soothing.
"Shihe, you've never helped me with a massage!"
Seeing Shihe's actions, Sulei pouted and sat down on He Kui's lap.
"Ouch."
"Did I hurt you?"
Noticing He Kui flinch, Sulei, who had been acting all high and mighty, suddenly panicked.
"Not really!"
As she spoke, the pained expression on He Kui's face vanished, and he unexpectedly pulled Sulei into his arms, playfully teasing her.
"Stop it!"
Sulei struggled in dissatisfaction, but with her vital points in He Kui's grasp, she couldn't effectively resist his playful assault.
"I'm just helping Lele with a massage!"
He Kui said with righteous indignation, and watching this amusing scene, Shihe couldn't help but reach out to Sulei.
"Sulei, what are you doing?"
Sulei exclaimed, a mix of shyness and panic in her voice.
"Just giving a massage."
Shihe said sweetly on purpose.
Unknowingly, both of them were wearing the dress that Aisha had given them earlier.
It looked dignified, but once the hem was lifted, it was quite convenient.
"Aren't you tired?"
At this moment, Sulei, whose skirt had mysteriously disappeared, leaned weakly against He Kui's chest, playfully complaining.
"For you two, of course, I'm not tired."
Though it was a casual remark, Sulei and Shihe could still sense the affection behind it.
Instantly, both of their faces flushed.
Not from embarrassment, but from happiness.
The night of battle continued from the living room to the sofa, then to the carpet, and finally to the bathroom and bedroom.
The three of them stuck together all night without parting.
In the late night, on the soft bed in the bedroom, Shihe contentedly rubbed against He Kui's chest.
"Time to clean up again."
Though she said it with a hint of dissatisfaction, her tone was much more playful than reproachful.
"Just use the robot."
As the girl said, the outside was a mess with water stains everywhere, both in smell and situation.
"Shihe insists on doing it herself~"
Sulei also cuddled up, sharing half of He Kui with Shihe.
"After all..."
Shihe started but didn't finish her sentence.
After all, this was their home.
Even though technology had advanced to the point where many tasks could be automated, some things held more meaning when done by oneself.
"Thank you, Shihe."
He Kui chuckled lightly.
[Sulei Affection Level: 176]
[Shihe Haneffs Affection Level: 189]
[Joint Affection Bonus: 3+3]
[Z Gundam (35134/5w)]
[Research: Cell-level Repair Nanobots (32154/5w)]
[Research: Intermediate Quantum Communication (19851/3w)]
[Research: Quantum Stealth Communication (7506/5w)]
His nanotechnology had also improved, and it was time to return to May City.
With that thought, He Kui closed his eyes again.
He slept soundly through the night, waking up early the next morning.
After watching the installation work of the light shield for a while, He Kui bid farewell to the still-working Shihe and Sulei, taking Meyrin back to May City.
"Were you very tired yesterday?"
Meyrin asked softly on the shuttlecraft.
"Not really?"
He Kui was momentarily taken aback by Meyrin's question.
The reason Meyrin asked this was actually due to a message from Sulei before he left.
Though she didn't specify, Sulei had mentioned that He Kui seemed very tired lately and asked her to take care of him more.
But she was just a secretary; how could she take care of him? Did Sulei know something?
With that thought, Meyrin's mind became a tangled mess.
"Um... if He Kui feels tired, you can lean on me."
Sitting together, it was obvious what Meyrin meant by leaning.
"Okay."
He Kui, being who he was, didn't hesitate and directly rested his head on the soft lap of the girl.
Today, Meyrin was wearing a pleated skirt that barely reached her thighs.
As He Kui laid down, his cheek came into direct contact with her warmth.
"You..."
Meyrin blushed, unsure whether to stand up or push him away.
Fortunately, the other bodyguards in the shuttlecraft were seated in the back and couldn't see what was happening here; otherwise, Meyrin would have been mortified.
"Mm?"
"I just meant for you to rest your head on my shoulder."
He Kui's hair was stiff, poking into his skin, causing an itchy sensation.
Meyrin could only stifle a laugh, her slender arms trying to push He Kui away.
"I see, but this is much more comfortable, and can't Meyrin lean on you instead?"
He Kui turned his head, looking directly at the girl.
"..."
Such close proximity, such intimate contact.
Everything made Meyrin's heart race.
And He Kui's slight bruises were also visible to her.
In an instant, a feeling of heartache surged within her.
However, if she knew those bruises were the aftermath of last night's battle with Shihe and Sulei, she probably wouldn't feel so concerned.
"Just go to sleep."
Meyrin shyly turned her head away.
"Mm, then how about a goodnight kiss?"
"...Do you really need a goodnight kiss for just a ten-minute nap!?"
As she spoke, the flicker of concern that had just arisen in Meyrin vanished without a trace.
"Just consider it a surprise check?"
"..."
Hearing He Kui's playful remark, Meyrin glanced at the bodyguards in the back. Seeing they seemed unaware of the situation, she sighed in relief, biting her cherry lips with her pearly white teeth, her delicate fingers brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear, slowly closing her eyes and bending down.
A kiss landed softly on He Kui's lips.
Rest was no longer an option.
Rather, the warmth and softness were far more effective than sleep. He Kui emerged from the shuttlecraft looking more spirited than usual.
In contrast, Meyrin's face was flushed, even more vibrant than her hair color, making her irresistibly charming.
(End of Chapter)