Pitter-patter.
A light drizzle began to fall from the sky.
Though rain within an artificial space city seemed peculiar, it was said that Tabane Shinonono had specifically researched a water circulation system for this purpose. Using the excuse of artificial Earth biosphere experiments, she'd convinced Lacus to approve the weather system proposal.
In Kirika Tachibana's view, spending money on such research was utterly meaningless. Limited scientific funding should instead be allocated to more critical research.
Yet now...
"Sometimes I think that Tachibana occasionally does something interesting."
"At least after this rain, the air feels much fresher."
Leaning against the window, Kirika Tachibana spoke these words. After finishing, she turned her head to look at Lacus, who was sitting on the sofa scrolling through something on her phone, and asked:
"However, I still hold that opinion."
"Leaving Luo Shu alone with Tabane Shinonono is rather dangerous."
"Not in the physical sense, of course, but psychologically."
At this point, Kirika couldn't help but frown:
"Dr Shinonono's thinking is too extreme. Apart from that sister of hers who's never been found, I can hardly imagine anything that could affect her emotions."
"Allowing such a potential danger to stay by Luo Shu's side, I worry he might be influenced..."
As her words trailed off, Kirika glanced at Lacus, whose attention remained fixed on her phone, and deliberately raised her voice:
"Lacus, are you even listening?"
"Huh?"
Lacus seemed startled by the sudden address. Turning her head, she replied somewhat hesitantly:
"I think... the Doctor isn't someone who acts too recklessly. And most importantly, Shu wouldn't be affected by trivial matters either."
To this, Kirika calmly responded: "I was actually talking about the department meeting just now."
"Ah? The Commerce Department meeting? Today's the 28th, right? Then we'll probably have to wait until the regular meeting on May 1st."
Hearing Lacus swiftly mention the department meeting schedule, Kirika gave a cold smile:
"My apologies, I was actually talking about the Doctor earlier. You really weren't paying attention, were you?"
Lacus paused at this, her cheeks gradually puffing up in irritation.
Completely ignoring the pink-haired beauty's annoyance, Kirika walked over and snatched the phone directly:
"Speaking of which, what were you looking at so intently just now..."
"Dates?"
Kirika stared at the date displayed on Lacus's phone. Oh, it was a Chinese app. Besides the date, it showed the lunar calendar and even had notes on feng shui.
"What are you looking at this for?"
Kirika was utterly baffled by Lacus's behaviour.
She knew Lacus could speak Chinese, but since when had she started studying Chinese feng shui?
Though because of Luo Shu, they'd all come to acknowledge that gods truly existed.
But that didn't mean Lacus needed to become superstitious about feng shui, did it?
Meanwhile, the phone-less Lacus sat properly on the sofa with a resigned expression, smiling wryly as she explained:
"I was calculating dates."
"Calculating dates? What dates?" Kirika blinked, still not comprehending.
At that moment, Lacus glanced at Kirika Tachibana and let out a deep sigh:
"Kirika."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Lacus sighed with profound helplessness:
"If things continue like this, I'm afraid I won't live to be your bridesmaid or see your wedding day."
"What does that matter?" Kirika Tachibana sneered, speaking with complete indifference. "In the end, I don't need something like a husband anyway."
"I'm not like you, enjoying the amusement of children."
Having said this, Kirika Tachibana suddenly seemed to remember something and added with an air of nonchalance:
"Speaking of which, I definitely don't have children, but if you and Luo Shu ever have a baby, I'm reserving the godmother position in advance."
Hearing Kirika Tachibana say this, Lacus nervously touched her stomach and asked suspiciously:
"It shouldn't happen that quickly, right?"
"???"
Kirika was momentarily stunned before realisation dawned:
"Wait... were you just calculating dangerous days or something?"
Lacus blushed at this, remaining silent as she slightly averted her gaze.
Kirika's mouth twitched before she said fiercely:
"So while I was talking just now, all you could think about was a man, is that it?"
"Lacus, I'm so disappointed in you."
"Do you think this is behaviour befitting a proper leader?"
"Never mind that, do you think La Folia would act like this?"
Lacus guiltily lowered her head and said uncertainly: "La Folia probably would too...?"
Kirika immediately gave her an icy stare.
Faced with this, Lacus could only surrender, pleading:
"Alright, I know I was wrong. Can I have my phone back now?"
Kirika looked at her, handed back the phone, then sighed:
"But honestly, seeing you show such emotional expressions actually makes me quite happy."
"After all, unlike me - an Adjuster whose physical enhancements didn't affect my emotional systems - your adjustments were extreme, specifically targeting the brain and emotions..."
Kirika recalled the early days when the SDS was first established.
Back then, the SDS only had a handful of members. Although they had funding from Mr Siegel, the main combat strength relied solely on her and Lacus.
And unlike Kirika, who had studied her family's sorcerer inheritance since childhood as the Tachibana heir, Lacus had been a complete novice in combat.
Thus, the First Generation Adjuster Serum proposal was exceptionally extreme - designed to fully unleash a person's latent potential through pharmaceutical enhancement of both combat and intellectual abilities.
Any effects on emotional systems were considered negligible side effects.
After that adjustment, Kirika understood that from that day on, Lacus's smiles were artificial.
Even if the simulation was based on her former self and flawlessly executed, to those who truly knew her, the old Lacus had fundamentally changed.
No matter how hard she tried, that innocent pink princess could never return.
Noticing Kirika's increasingly sombre expression, Lacus paused while taking her phone.
She glanced up at Kirika's melancholy face before quietly saying:
"I don't really want to ruin your mood, but..."
Here, Lacus playfully stuck out her tongue:
"Actually, all those side effects from the First Generation Adjuster Serum were secretly fixed by Luo Shu last night."
"Sorry, Kirika, but my prince charming wasn't you."
"Though if Luo Shu and I do have a baby, I'll let them call you Mama. Although... that child might end up having quite a few mamas."
Kirika: "..."
Though she was aware this was the truth, must you phrase it so harshly, woman?!
How does the emotional you stab deeper than the emotionless you?!
In an instant, Kirika Tachibana's defences crumbled...