Just as Luo Shu was pondering about his new subordinates, Koko immediately spread her hands:
"Before our little meeting, may I ask, Director, where has our Chairwoman gone?"
Luo Shu calmly replied, "There was a minor situation in the Research Department; Lacus went to handle it."
In reality, Verde and Tabane Shinonono had made new progress in replicating the Kusanagi Sword's ability nullification, prompting Lacus to urgently return to space.
But the specifics weren't something he could explain now, hence the vague description.
"Oh~ another new development..." Koko muttered before shrugging: "Are all the big shots this busy?"
"Big shots are indeed that busy." Luo Shu shrugged before adding, "Except us."
At this, both Koko and Tifa blinked in confusion.
Luo Shu then calmly explained:
"The Hidden Management Department mainly handles confidential management of Abyss Artefacts and high-level incidents."
"The former has dedicated procedures, while the latter is relatively rare."
'Though rare, when they do occur, they're major problems...' Luo Shu mentally added. But this point didn't need stating—both women understood.
"So, the work at the Hidden Management Department isn't as busy as the Operations Department, Commerce Department, or even the Intelligence Department. Comparatively, it's more relaxed."
"In practice, our department allows members to act freely."
After Luo Shu's explanation, Koko raised her eyebrows in surprise:
"Oh~ That seems like better conditions than what the Intelligence Department personnel vetting me mentioned?"
"So, does that mean even running a bar in America is allowed? I just transferred the bar I opened to a colleague..."
Tifa's expression showed a hint of regret.
"Transferred is transferred. Since you've switched departments, that intelligence base of yours obviously couldn't stay open anyway?"
Koko hesitated slightly as she glanced at Luo Shu:
"Or rather, if you want to open one, it would be at the Hidden Management Department headquarters? I heard business is quite good in Akihabara. Does the Hidden Management Department have properties there?"
Hearing this, Tifa looked at Luo Shu in surprise:
"W-would that be allowed?"
"In principle, the Hidden Management Department doesn't restrict members from running their own businesses."
Luo Shu glanced at Tifa as he explained:
"The first floor of the Hidden Management Department headquarters does have many unrented shops. You could choose one to operate from."
"Then I have no issues." Tifa patted her chest in relief.
Hearing this, Luo Shu retrieved a document he'd already read from the Mist Ring. After scanning it to confirm the contents, he asked curiously:
"So, Tifa, are these really your only conditions?"
"I remember in your transfer request, you only wrote that you hoped to run your own restaurant or bar, and besides that, just not being ordered to do anything illegal or unethical."
"Nothing else besides that?"
"What?" Koko blinked in surprise, giving Tifa a strange look. "Seriously? Those were your only conditions?"
"Ah, sorry. I did try to think carefully about what I needed, but I really couldn't come up with anything else."
Tifa explained somewhat shyly before turning to Koko with curiosity:
"By the way, when you transferred, what conditions did you ask for from the review committee?"
Koko gave Tifa an odd look before muttering:
"I wasn't as honest as you. I really squeezed the organisation dry."
After a pause, she continued:
"I demanded a batch of spatial rings, plus five years of logistical support from the SDS for my arms business and team."
"On top of that, I got a production line and technical support for some upgraded new weapons."
"Tch. Compared to your requests, I sound like some greedy goblin, don't I?"
"A goblin?" Tifa couldn't help but giggle at the description. "Goblins aren't half as interesting as you, Koko."
"Stop flattering me... Honestly, how can someone like you exist... not even negotiating proper terms..."
Koko still seemed baffled by Tifa's absurdly simple demands.
Tilting her head, Tifa smiled and said:
"Maybe it's because more than a career, I just want to have a home?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow at Tifa.
He'd read her background check. If it was accurate, Tifa's mother died when she was young, and her father passed away from illness after accumulating massive medical debts when she was older.
While working to repay those debts, she was recruited by the Intelligence Department, joined the SDS, cleared her debts in under a year, then retired from fieldwork. Using a bar as cover, she provided logistical support for intelligence ops. Her cooking skills made her the 'girl who cooks well' among department members, and her bar thrived thanks to her charm as the proprietress.
Given that history, it really was hard to imagine what else she could want...
After reviewing her file, Luo Shu found Tifa far more troublesome than Koko.
Koko might have big appetites, but her wants were always obvious. Tifa, though...
With no attachments, who could guess what she truly desired? And 'wanting a home'—wasn't that answer just too broken? Such an abstract condition left him at a loss for how to fulfil it.
The overthinker in Luo Shu couldn't help but grumble internally.
The most obedient ones are actually the hardest to handle...
Koko also seemed surprised by Tifa's answer:
"A home... that's such an ordinary request."
She had a family, but they were all arms dealers—homecomings just meant discussing business. Surely Tifa didn't mean that kind of home?
Tifa nodded. "Because I am ordinary!"
At this, both Luo Shu and Koko's expressions turned distinctly peculiar.
"Miss Tifa, when you say you're ordinary, could you look in the mirror first?"
"How can someone as devastatingly beautiful as you claim to be ordinary?"
Koko sighed helplessly at Tifa's lack of self-awareness, then turned to Luo Shu and said bluntly:
"Whatever, I'm fine with it. If we can ensure the agreed terms are properly implemented, I'll sign that contract right here."
As she spoke, Koko turned to Tifa:
"What about you, Tifa?"
"Me?"
Tifa blinked in surprise before waving her hand dismissively:
"I don't have any objections."
"After all, the seniors have already explained it to me. This counts as following orders, right?"
Having said that, Tifa glanced meaningfully at Luo Shu, her expressive face clearly signalling it was time to get down to business.
Seeing this, Luo Shu looked between Tifa and Koko before asking:
"So, you're both certain about signing immediately?"
"There's still time to back out..."
Tifa and Koko exchanged glances.
Then Koko let out a cold laugh and declared:
"Just get on with it. If there's any regret, let future me deal with it!"
"That's quite the bold statement..."
Luo Shu remarked with admiration, happy to proceed without complications as he produced the contract scroll.
'Come to think of it, today's signings have been remarkably smooth... no dragging of feet, no cautious probing...'
'Is this the benefit of having a major organisation backing you?'
Watching Tifa sweep her hair aside to sign her name and Koko signing with her legs crossed, Luo Shu silently pondered...