"We have to go back tomorrow."
He Kui's voice deepened slightly, momentarily soaked in Cagalli's enthusiasm.
"Not doing that kind of thing..."
Cagalli blushed and glared at him before continuing.
"I just want to hug you."
She only wanted someone to comfort her, but He Kui thought she wanted to do something embarrassing.
"Then go ahead and hug."
"Mhm."
Cagalli immediately hugged He Kui tightly again, slowly dragging him toward the bedroom.
"Wasn't it just a hug?"
He Kui chuckled, gently patting Cagalli's back.
"I also want to sleep together..."
"Really, just sleep!"
Cagalli emphasized.
After everything that had happened, she probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight without He Kui.
But by his side, she could relax.
Before Cagalli could open the bedroom door, the door behind them automatically swung open.
"So... you're sleeping?"
Sulei wore a faint smile.
But He Kui, who knew her well, could tell there was a hint of mischief in her expression.
"You..."
Suddenly seeing the girl appear, Cagalli was startled, her beautiful eyes glaring at He Kui.
"Well... we were discussing something, but we were indeed planning to sleep."
He Kui admitted.
Knowing that the girl responded better to softness than force, He Kui looked at Cagalli with a pitiful expression.
As for Cagalli, she had always known that He Kui had several "good sisters," but she had never encountered them before and had ignored it.
Now, suddenly running into one—and in He Kui's room—Cagalli's face turned red, unsure of what to say.
Of course, Sulei had already answered with her actions.
The petite girl hugged He Kui from the other side, wearing an adorable smile.
"So, Miss Cagalli, are you still going to sleep?"
"..."
Hearing Sulei's obvious provocation, He Kui's lips twitched, about to intervene, but Cagalli suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Of course! Director Sulei, you should hurry back!"
"Hugging like that looks uncomfortable!"
Cagalli retorted without backing down.
"Hmph, Miss Cagalli, hugging so stiffly is what's uncomfortable!"
"Lei Lei is soft, right?"
Sulei's last sentence was directed at He Kui, and she even added a coquettish tone.
The sweetness in her voice gave He Kui goosebumps, as he knew Sulei well.
If he had heard Sulei act like this before, he might have been moved, but now they were practically an old married couple.
Meanwhile, Cagalli's face turned even redder.
Her lips parted, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything.
After all, asking straightforward Cagalli to act so sweetly was too much for her.
Thinking this, He Kui was about to say something to give Cagalli an out, but the girl nestled her soft body into his arms.
"He Kui..."
"Lily can do it too!"
Hearing Cagalli's coquettish tone, something in He Kui's mind snapped.
This was completely unlike Cagalli's usual personality, yet it was utterly captivating.
Before he knew it, He Kui had already kissed Cagalli.
As for Sulei, watching the two of them so passionately, her lips twitched.
She then decided to join in and play along.
[Cagalli has overcome herself, ability value +100]
[Cagalli Asuha's favorability: 120]
[Favorability bonus: 6]
[Physique: A-rank (64,411/100,000)]
[Academic: Space Hydroponic Pod (29,871/30,000)]
[Unlocked Academic: Ecological Simulation (500/50,000)]
Cagalli's skills always seem so practical, He Kui thought to himself as he woke up the next morning, sandwiched between the two women.
He hadn't taken the final step with Cagalli, but with his increasingly proficient techniques, he could still bring her to release.
Though simple, this skill was highly practical. According to the limited data he had, this technology could simulate various environments and climate conditions through a computer, making crop yields more controllable.
Moreover, it wasn't just about that. He could control more of the ecology within the Colony Satellite, meaning he could introduce edible fish into the satellite.
With the addition of thrusters to the Colony Satellite, they could even wander off on their own in the future.
No mistakes, no delays, no leaks—content is on 69shu!
Of course, most Coordinators wouldn't suddenly decide to wander off like that.
"Why is your heart beating so fast?"
Cagalli lifted her head from his chest, her short golden hair brushing against his skin, tickling him.
"I just think you're beautiful."
"If I'm beautiful, then don't leave."
Cagalli muttered.
"We both have work to do."
He Kui's tender hand brushed through Cagalli's hair, which, like her personality, was slightly coarser than others'.
But this texture had its own unique charm.
However, being apart more than together wasn't a solution.
Even with Xiao Liu around, it was still a long-distance relationship.
But asking Cagalli to give up Orb was clearly unrealistic.
Or perhaps he could find a successor for Orb? This thought crossed his mind but was quickly dismissed.
If he were to find one, it would only be after Uzumi stepped down and the issues with Sahak were resolved.
Thinking about it now didn't hold much meaning.
As they spoke, the wristband on He Kui's arm vibrated softly.
"My ship is here."
He Kui glanced at it and said, while Cagalli held onto him even tighter.
"Come over during the next negotiation!"
Not seeing He Kui usually was bearable, but now that she had seen him, having to part so soon filled her heart with reluctance.
"Alright, I will."
He Kui gently stroked Cagalli's hair, brushed aside the strands on her forehead, and planted a soft kiss on her smooth skin.
"Let's go!"
Seeing the two still being affectionate, Sulei jumped off the bed, exasperated.
"Hmph."
Cagalli shot Sulei a glare but reluctantly let go of the young man.
"Remember to come."
"Don't worry, I'll be there."
Looking at the lively girl before him, He Kui's heart was filled with tenderness. He wondered when they would have the time to spend a whole night together properly.
With this thought in mind, He Kui and Sulei got dressed, bid farewell to Serena, and headed to the port.
Serena was already waiting there, accompanied by Director Erica.
"He Kui."
Seeing He Kui, Serena also felt a bit reluctant. Of course, whether she was reluctant to lose such a free research resource or reluctant to lose him as a person was up for debate.
"Serena, I want to propose the idea of your research institute opening a branch in PLANT at the next meeting," He Kui said after some thought.
"Is that possible?"
"As long as you don't mind."
As the head of the Design Bureau, it would be convenient for him to collaborate with DSSD.