Twin Towers.
Underground Testing Area.
Walking on the light blue concrete floor, Luo Shu approached a massive floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the scene below.
The window was one-way glass, only allowing visibility from Luo Shu's side.
Thus, he could see the training area below the window, and the girl surrounded by several people in white lab coats.
The girl wore a black bodysuit and carried an all-black backpack with a metallic sheen. Her arms and legs were covered in armour-like gear, leaving only her torso exposed in the form-fitting bodysuit.
In her hands was an oversized, sci-fi-inspired firearm with a bulging magazine, her sky-blue eyes fixed on the target.
Luo Shu watched as the girl performed tactical rolls, jumps, and shooting drills in a series of training exercises below.
At that moment, Lacus handed Luo Shu a stack of folded A4 documents, saying:
"She's quite a lively child."
Luo Shu took the documents, scanning the name and the girl's portrait photo at the top.
[Name: Origami Tobiichi]
[Age: 17]
[Height: 150cm, Measurements: B74 W54 H77]
[Blood Type: A. Zodiac: Scorpio, Birthday: November 11]
[Interests: None (self-reported)...]
After briefly skimming the information, Luo Shu temporarily ignored the rest of the content and asked Lacus with some surprise:
"How did you find this girl?"
Origami Tobiichi, like Kurumi Tokisaki and Mukuro Hoshimiya, was a girl with Spirit potential.
Although Luo Shu had handed over Kurumi Tokisaki's relevant information to Meer for investigation after discovering her, seeing this girl at the SDS headquarters in the Twin Towers still surprised him somewhat.
"Meer found her first."
Lacus walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the training girl:
"While in Japan, after failing to find Spirit information through conventional channels, Meer changed direction and investigated orphanages and undocumented residents across the country. From this, she uncovered this girl's identity and discovered she had been adopted by an American startup called DEM."
"According to the investigation, the girl seems to have joined DEM's special forces as a trainee."
"You know how Meer later had to represent me in various activities in America. During that time, she used some minor tactics to bankrupt DEM."
"And this girl was one we took in after DEM's collapse."
"Huh?"
Luo Shu blinked at this, his expression turning rather odd as he looked at Lacus.
If he remembered correctly, DEM seemed to be a company founded by a man called Westcott, who also happened to be the villainous boss in Origami Tobiichi's original storyline.
So, without him even knowing, Meer had bankrupted the DEM enterprise Westcott founded?
"I recall DEM being controlled behind the scenes by someone named Westcott?"
"When Meer bankrupted DEM, did she encounter this man?"
Hearing Luo Shu's question, Lacus tilted her head slightly before explaining:
"Issac Ray Pelham Westcott?"
"Meer's report did mention him – apparently a sorcerer with relatively decent abilities."
"But Luo Shu, didn't your intel say he was a dangerous individual?"
"Out of concern for his threat level, Meer had him assassinated by her direct covert ops unit."
As she spoke, Lacus retrieved another document and handed it to Luo Shu:
"Incidentally, among the assassination squad sent to eliminate Westcott, we discovered another Familia candidate."
Taking the document, Luo Shu's expression turned peculiar upon seeing the name of the covert ops leader:
"Captain of Special Assassination Unit Swallowtail, Bambietta Basterbine?"
A character from Bleach?
Seeing the name, Luo Shu recalled Bambietta Basterbine's ability – something about turning anything her Spiritual Power touched into bombs.
Westcott faced an opponent like that and got assassinated?
Noticing Luo Shu's expression, Lacus chuckled lightly:
"As expected, you know Bambi, too."
Luo Shu glanced at the list before hesitantly saying:
"I genuinely didn't expect this person to appear, let alone join the SDS as part of the assassination unit."
"...Her personality was quite terrible, if I remember correctly?"
Lacus simply smiled at this, diplomatically responding:
"No child is born evil, at least not this one."
"Of course, due to personality issues, Bambi hasn't passed internal vetting yet. Making her a Familia member might require some additional time."
"Similarly, Westcott had two suitable Familia candidates nearby, but due to special circumstances, we'll need Utaha to verify their safety before they can be briefed about your affairs."
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately recalled a girl named Ellen who was apparently close to Westcott – was she a Familia candidate too?
Killing Westcott, taking Origami Tobiichi he'd found, bundling away his associates, and potentially acquiring DEM's research technology...
Just listing these actions made SDS sound like some terrifying villainous organisation...
Luo Shu mused internally before asking curiously:
"So from what you're saying, Westcott's two associates are still under observation, while Origami Tobiichi's evaluation is already complete?"
"Correct. We've reached an understanding with that girl, and she's accepted her future as a Familia member."
After Lacus's reply, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow:
"What conditions did you and Meer promise Origami Tobiichi?"
"It's not a condition. This girl volunteered to become your Familia, Luo Shu."
Hearing Lacus say this, Luo Shu stared at her intently.
Under such scrutiny, Lacus smiled and explained:
"If we must speak of conditions, it would probably be that you saved her parents, who were in a vegetative state?"
"I saved her parents?" Luo Shu was taken aback. He didn't recall treating any coma patients.
At this moment, Lacus replied with a smile:
"It seems her parents, Origami Tobiichi's mother and father, became vegetative after inhaling toxic fumes during a fire that damaged their brains."
"She joined DEM under Westcott precisely because DEM provided substantial funding to maintain her parents' hospitalisation costs."
"Meanwhile, Meer went out in your name and used SDS technology to treat her parents. Currently, Origami's mother has regained preliminary consciousness, while her father still requires deeper treatment."
"Oh, and because Meer employed some minor tricks, this child has always believed it was you who saved her mother. So if Origami asks about it, Luo Shu, you'll need to be careful not to get caught out."
"Of course, to prevent discovery, it would be best if you personally intervened using the Calamity Priest's power to awaken Origami's parents."
"That way, everything comes full circle."
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately understood Meer's reasoning behind these manoeuvres and clicked his tongue:
"That Meer... did she even factor in that casually written suspicion about yanderes being easily influenced by debts of gratitude?"
Considering this, Luo Shu couldn't help but ask:
"Are Origami's parents currently here?"
Lacus gave Luo Shu an amused look before replying:
"They're indeed in the medical ward on the lower levels."
Then she teased:
"Getting impatient already?"
"You've only just met Origami. There are still two pre-arranged candidates at headquarters waiting to meet you."
Hearing this, Luo Shu muttered:
"You could say I prefer securing what's within reach."
"Besides, recruiting Familia members is something better done one-on-one to show proper regard."
Lacus nodded in understanding and said:
"Shall I arrange your meeting with Origami then?"
Luo Shu nodded, then looked down at Origami Tobiichi training below, narrowing his eyes as he said:
"Make the arrangements."
"Perfect opportunity to verify your team's work results, wouldn't you say?"