Space Colony Copernicus, the central Copernicus Space Port connecting the city's two major districts.
Led by Lacus, Luo Shu, Natsuki Minamiya, and Mukuro Hoshimiya held onto the automatic handrails before they floated weightlessly along the corridor towards their destination: Copernicus's Hidden Management Zone.
Periodically, base personnel would pass by, immediately releasing their handrails upon spotting the group to float mid-air and salute Lacus.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Lacus would smile and wave each time this happened.
The frequency made Luo Shu wonder if her face might cramp up by evening.
However, what truly deserved his commentary right now was their current action:
"Is there really no problem heading so openly to the Hidden Management Zone?"
The Hidden Management Zone's purpose was to store delicate Abyss Artefacts and to contain dangerous lifeforms.
Although its defences were extremely robust due to being fundamentally part of Luo Shu's Divine Kingdom, strong security wasn't a justification for exposing its location.
"Ah, please don't worry."
Lacus turned slightly towards Luo Shu with a gentle smile:
"When the channel is established, all base personnel will undergo background checks again. At that time, Miss Utaha will help resolve the issues."
Hearing this, Luo Shu went "Huh?" and looked at Lacus with surprise:
"Utaha? Since when was she involved in this?"
While Luo Shu didn't deny that Utaha Kasumigaoka's Mind Reading ability provided a significant advantage in internal personnel reviews like background checks, the question was—when had Utaha agreed to participate in these checks for Lacus?
How come he didn't know about this?
At Luo Shu's words, Lacus turned her cheek slightly, facing him with her ponytail, and asked curiously:
"Just yesterday, under the condition of publishing house funding, I hired Miss Kasumigaoka to conduct internal reviews for SDS bases."
"This decision was made to be implemented preliminarily once the Star Gate establishes a global rapid transit system."
"As for why it's Miss Kasumigaoka, it's entirely because her abilities and identity make her the most suitable candidate for background checks."
As a Familia member, someone who stood firmly by Luo Shu's side due to emotional ties, and possessing Mind Reading abilities, Utaha Kasumigaoka was indeed the perfect—if not the only—choice for conducting background checks in Lacus's view.
On one hand, this could root out hidden spies within the organisation. On the other hand, Utaha was someone Luo Shu could trust completely.
These two factors combined were why Lacus had hired Utaha as the lead examiner for the background checks.
"Regarding this matter, I believe Meer secretly sent the documents to the Hidden Management Department yesterday."
"Didn't Miss Yukinoshita report this to you, Luo Shu?"
"...Now that you mention it, I think there was something like that." Luo Shu's expression turned slightly awkward.
'Probably buried in that stack of documents I signed without reading...'
Luo Shu recalled the piles of reports Yukino Yukinoshita handed him daily.
He vaguely remembered seeing an application for internal background checks, but since it seemed unimportant, he'd flipped straight to the last page and signed it.
So that's where this all started?
"Looks like Utaha's going to be busy from now on."
A hint of schadenfreude crept onto Luo Shu's face. Inspecting all major SDS bases—that workload would likely keep Utaha occupied for at least half a year.
No wonder Natsuki Minamiya said she could arrange home study for Toyogasaki High School, and Utaha agreed without hesitation, unlike before when she'd worry about her parents' reaction. Turns out she simply couldn't juggle everything anymore?
But after a brief moment of amusement, Luo Shu began feeling guilty.
After all, the one responsible for Utaha's overwhelming workload was none other than himself.
'So... should I offer myself for a few nights as compensation?'
Luo Shu pondered the possibility of repaying her with his 'stick'.
Just then, Lacus, who had been leading the way, finally stopped before a mechanical door fitted with a steering wheel-like circular opening mechanism:
"We've arrived."
At her words, Natsuki Minamiya turned to glance at the door ahead, while Mukuro Hoshimiya placed a hand on Natsuki's shoulder, floating higher to get a better view of the entrance from above.
Mukuro studied the steering wheel-shaped mechanism on the door before looking down at Lacus:
"This mechanical lock looks quite heavy. Would you like Mukuro to open it for you, Sister?"
"No need, Mukuro. It's only a bit over a ton—not that heavy. Watch..."
Lacus floated forward as she spoke, pressing her palm against the steering wheel-shaped metal device. With a flick of her wrist, the wheel began creaking as it rotated.
The sound was deafening, like a hammer striking metal.
"?!"
The three behind her stared at the device spinning like a top, exchanging bewildered glances.
Are you sure this thing weighs a ton???
As the mechanical device rotated, blue light strips illuminated the frame of the silver metal door. Soon, an electronic voice sounded:
[...Genetic match confirmed!]
[...Life signature match confirmed!]
[...Welcome, Madam Chairwoman!]
Only when the metal door slowly parted down the middle with a series of clunks did Lacus turn back, noticing the silent trio behind her. She tilted her head in surprise.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Mukuro Hoshimiya, hands resting on Natsuki Minamiya's shoulders, glanced between the door mechanism—which she knew she couldn't possibly budge—and Lacus's slender, pale hand. Recalling how effortlessly she'd spun the one-ton device like a top, she clicked her tongue in awe.
"Sister... you're incredibly strong."
Though Spirits were powerful, their strength lay in their Spiritual Equipment, abilities, and Spiritual Power—not raw physical might.
At the very least, Mukuro could halt a meteor with ease, yet lifting a thousand-kilogram boulder was beyond her unless she reinforced herself with Spiritual Power.
"Is this the effect of the Adjuster Drug? This is the first time I've seen you demonstrate something like this..."
Similarly, the frail Natsuki Minamiya clicked her tongue in amazement.
She had seen Lacus demonstrate her physical abilities before, but only in crisis situations—never as clearly and directly as now.
Honestly, if she could gain such strength without distorting her figure, she wouldn't mind it at all.
Or rather, no one would mind it.
Hearing this, Luo Shu explained:
"According to Dr. Tabane Shinonono, the new generation of Adjuster Drug can transform you into an Adjuster like Lacus without any side effects."
"And it's already prepared, right?"
"Hi-hi~"
From behind the mechanical door, Tabane Shinonono peeked out, her rabbit-ear accessories bobbing as she waved two test tubes in her right hand and a syringe in her left, grinning mischievously:
"Indeed, it's all ready~"
"Sixth Generation Adjuster Drug, Type I!"
"Who wants to try first?"
Tabane's sly gaze locked onto Mukuro Hoshimiya, making the girl's scalp tingle.
"It'll only hurt a tiny bit!"
At Tabane's hellish whisper, Mukuro, floating in mid-air, immediately grabbed Natsuki's shoulder, trying to use her as leverage to flee.
But before she could exert any force, Natsuki seized her hand.
"Don't be afraid. I'll go first. After I'm done, it'll be your turn."
Hearing Natsuki's words, Mukuro, though still terrified, suppressed her urge to run and instead shrank behind Natsuki:
"Muku doesn't want the shot! Super doesn't~"
Tabane blinked in surprise and glanced at Lacus:
"Eh? Lacus, didn't you properly showcase the effects of the adjustment earlier?"
Lacus smiled wryly: "I never intended to showcase anything."
"It's just that strengthening Mukuro's foundation before signing the contract was a shared goal between me and Luo Shu."
Luo Shu nodded in agreement, then looked at Mukuro. Considering her apparent fear of pain, he added:
"How about this? Later, I'll place my hand on you and use my ability to absorb the pain. Will that work?"
"I promise it won't hurt at all."
"Really?" Mukuro eyed Luo Shu suspiciously.
"Really." Luo Shu sighed and nodded firmly.
Mukuro hesitated before whispering:
"Then... let's try?"
...
Five minutes later,
Copernicus Hidden Management Zone.
"Um... you can give the shot now!!"
At this moment, Luo Shu, seated on a high-backed chair, was dumbfounded.
Because Mukuro was now straddling his lap, her right hand resting on the table for Tabane to hold while her left arm clung tightly around his neck.
Oh, and she had also rested her head on his shoulder.
Feeling Mukuro nestled in his arms, Luo Shu's mind flooded with question marks.
'I only said I'd place my hand on you, didn't I?!'
Luo Shu's face twitched at the thought.