After speaking with the principal for a while longer, Luna had already packed her things and arrived.
"Miss Hawke, congratulations on your new position."
The principal didn't care whether there was any affair between the two; as long as the person was handed over to He Kui, it was fine.
"Thank you, Principal."
Luna's face was as red as the color of the setting sun.
"Then we'll take our leave now."
He Kui bowed slightly to the principal and then nodded at Luna.
The two of them left the principal's office one after the other.
"Let me help you with that."
He Kui smiled.
By now, the disguise of his beard had already been removed. After leaving the principal's office and taking the elevator, they would be in the parking lot, so there was no longer any need for the disguise.
"Mm."
Looking at He Kui's gentle demeanor, Luna shyly nodded.
"If Luna still needs to say goodbye, there's no need to rush."
"It's fine!"
Luna quickly replied.
She didn't have any friends here; her only sister and father were on the asteroid, so there was nothing here for her to linger over.
"Alright then."
Hearing this, He Kui didn't press further. However, as they stepped out of the elevator, they unexpectedly encountered a young woman they hadn't seen in a long time.
"Agnes."
Seeing the girl with hair color similar to her own, Luna stood protectively in front of He Kui.
Like a guard protecting her territory.
"Councilor He, hello~"
Ignoring Luna, Agnes's eyes lit up when she saw He Kui.
This was a golden opportunity—a seventeen-year-old councilor and the head of the Integrated Design Bureau, his worth immeasurable.
This was undoubtedly her ultimate goal.
As for the issue of genetic compatibility, her family had some influence within the Zala Faction.
She wasn't afraid at all; with a little maneuvering, it could be easily handled.
"Miss Agnes, long time no see."
"You know each other!?"
Seeing their interaction, Luna's heart grew even more anxious.
This woman, who was always trying to steal men, if she knew He Kui, then... "Miss Agnes came to our place for an interview before."
Hearing He Kui's serious explanation, Agnes's lips twitched slightly.
But soon, a seductive smile appeared on her lips as she gracefully stepped closer to He Kui.
"Councilor He, you're so biased~"
Her voice was sweet, almost like a coquettish whine.
"In terms of skill, I won't lose to Luna~"
This "skill" could be interpreted in many ways—driving skills, or perhaps skills of a different nature.
It wasn't that He Kui's mind was wandering, but the subtext of the girl's words clearly hinted at that.
"Agnes, what do you mean?"
Luna forcefully inserted herself between the two, glaring dangerously at Agnes, who in turn straightened her posture, refusing to back down.
The two were so close that they were almost touching.
"I mean exactly what I said~"
"What's so interesting about Luna, that rigid bookworm? Besides, I believe my connections could be of great help to Councilor He."
Agnes's words weren't a threat but a temptation.
After all, her father was also one of the councilors of December City. Although he wasn't the City Councilor, her family still had some influence.
If they switched their support from the Zala Faction to He Kui, it would indeed be beneficial for him.
But he couldn't just let Luna go now.
If Agnes was genuinely interested, it might be worth a try, but at this point, Agnes wasn't yet trustworthy enough.
Moreover, could a single sentence from this young girl really change her father's stance? He Kui remained skeptical about that.
More observation and intelligence were needed.
Having reached this conclusion, He Kui smiled under the gaze of the two women.
"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Agnes, but for now, I don't have such plans."
"Is that so?"
Upon hearing this, Agnes didn't seem upset; instead, the corners of her lips curled slightly.
He Kui hadn't outright rejected her, which meant he was still considering it. And as long as he was considering, there was still a chance.
So, Agnes provocatively glanced at Luna before touching her wristband to He Kui's.
"Then I'll be waiting for Councilor He's contact~"
After saying this, she didn't even look at Luna and left with a satisfied expression.
"He Kui."
Luna looked at him angrily.
Although she knew He Kui had many admirers, she was still furious about Agnes's blatant attempt to snatch him away.
"That woman is a witch!"
"If you get deceived, I won't care!"
Luna said, hands on her hips.
"I won't be deceived."
He Kui laughed.
He had even managed to hold his own against someone of Lacus's caliber, so Agnes wouldn't be a challenge for him.
"Hmph."
The two of them soon returned from the military academy in December City to his own asteroid.
Meyrin, who had already heard the news before they left, ran over as soon as they arrived at the port.
She looked extremely happy, clearly having been looking forward to this day for a long time.
"Sister~!"
Meyrin immediately hugged Luna.
"Alright, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future, right?"
Being hugged so tightly by Meyrin in front of He Kui made Luna a little embarrassed, but she was mostly happy.
Being with family was always a joy.
Part of Meyrin's happiness was also because there would be someone to pilot the Mobile Suit now.
She and Sulei really weren't good at piloting Mobile Suits, and He Kui always ended up facing either elites or pilots like Creuset, which was nerve-wracking to watch, fearing that the Mobile Suit might get damaged at any moment.
"Thank you, He Kui."
The old father, watching the sisters reunite, walked over to He Kui and said.
"You're welcome."
"Then you two catch up; I still have work to do."
He Kui wasn't in a hurry to make the two sisters confront each other or anything.
Instead, during this break, he needed to go with Cagalli to some underground base to see the new Mobile Suit. And by his calculations, Snake Tail should be arriving in Orb soon.
Thinking this, under the watchful eyes of the three members of the Hawke family, He Kui left the port and returned to his radar room.
As soon as he logged into Xiao Liu's perspective, He Kui saw Cagalli, already dressed in formal attire.
"Back?"
Feeling Xiao Liu take her hand, Cagalli's serious expression relaxed a little.
"Yeah, are we going to see the new Mobile Suit?"
"Calling it a new Mobile Suit, but it's probably just a regular flight backpack."
Cagalli stretched and said.
Their territory consisted mostly of islands with very little land, and the primary focus for defense was on the sea and air.
Air forces had the widest applicability, and their limited resources made it impossible for them to divert attention to aquatic forces.
Therefore, they still purchased ZAFT's Zocks for their aquatic needs, albeit secretly.
Most people were unaware that Orb possessed ZAFT's Zocks.
(End of Chapter)