Naturally, Luo Shu accepted Daichi Fujiwara's dinner invitation.
On one hand, having recently collaborated to resolve the Ghoul incident, Luo Shu and Daichi could be considered colleagues who'd established connections.
On the other hand, this contact could help develop political connections within Japan's cabinet.
But most importantly... There was a certain Fujiwara family's second daughter, Chika.
Luo Shu maintained considerable interest in this young lady nicknamed "Cancer of the Earth."
However...
"I can't shake the feeling my schedule's getting rather peculiar."
Seated at his desk, Luo Shu examined his handwritten itinerary.
Weekday arrangements were straightforward - procuring supplies for the Hidden Management Department, preparing to receive high-sealing-difficulty but low-combat-value Abyss Artefacts to test the Hidden Management Zone's containment capabilities. These posed little trouble.
The real complications lay in weekend plans.
"Saturday date with Lacus. Originally promised Sharon this Sunday, but since we've already purchased daily necessities, perhaps I should ask if she'd postpone."
"Additionally, Sunday afternoon now has the Fujiwara dinner. Come to think of it, I still need to schedule a home visit to the Sawamura residence."
"Beyond that, the Dream Simulation Chamber needs unveiling to Familia members soon. I should also test it personally to develop potential countermeasures against Demigods..."
"Furthermore, although I've joined SDS and head a department, our resources aren't truly integrated."
"Few in the SDS know my capabilities, just as I only superficially understand their organisation. We're mutually maintaining secrecy."
"So... should we deepen cooperation?"
Luo Shu fully understood the principle that three average minds surpass one mastermind's.
He genuinely wished to recruit research-capable Familia members to assist him.
After all, the system that could purchase abilities and even deduce Classes was something Luo Shu naturally recognised as having deep potential for exploration.
The SDS Research Division made for very suitable 'tools'.
After all, Luo Shu had witnessed Verde's research capabilities firsthand. He was rather curious about what this mad scientist could achieve with the support of the system space.
However, the Familia's current quirk of only recruiting female leads somewhat hindered its development.
Of course, Luo Shu's own sense of insecurity was also one of the obstacles.
"So, should I come clean?"
Luo Shu asked himself, then shook his head and dismissed the idea.
Within the SDS, there might not be a single person he truly trusted. But if he had to be strict, Lacus—who placed exceptional trust in him—counted as one, and Meer as half.
'Why does this feel like a wife and sister-in-law situation...'
While mentally grumbling, Luo Shu also hesitated over whether to confide only in Lacus.
"Just Lacus alone might be worth trying... but would someone in her position really accept the Familia's contract?"
Luo Shu was sceptical about this.
It wasn't as if he hadn't studied the Familia contract. While the series of terms constrained both the Main God and the Familia, overall, the restrictions leaned more heavily on the Familia.
And just as Luo Shu wanted Shizuka Hio to develop an extended organisation for the Familia among regular people, if Lacus signed the Familia contract, the SDS itself could potentially become an outer organisation of Luo Shu's Familia.
Given Lacus's personality, would she really agree to see her life's work transformed like this?
And if Lacus refused, could Luo Shu avoid conflict with her?
At this thought, Luo Shu's mood grew somewhat complicated.
Human hearts were fickle. Luo Shu was well aware of the depth of his own insecurity. He didn't want to gamble, but if he could truly recruit Lacus into the Familia...
"A windfall, huh?" Considering how the SDS could assist him in unlocking more of the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's value, Luo Shu couldn't help but feel tempted.
"Should I take the gamble?"
As Luo Shu murmured to himself, a knock sounded at the door.
Snapping back to attention, Luo Shu called out:
"Come in."
"Pardon me."
Yukino Yukinoshita entered, carrying a stack of documents. After closing the door, she swiftly approached Luo Shu's desk:
"Director, the Operations and Intelligence Divisions need you to confirm your weekend schedule. It seems there are matters requiring verification. This is the itinerary I've compiled—should I report based on this?"
As she spoke, Yukino noticed Luo Shu's distracted expression and instinctively glanced down at her office lady attire.
A second later, she looked up and sighed:
"Director, I'll admit this uniform is quite flattering, but could you refrain from staring during work hours?"
"Huh?" Luo Shu blinked, giving Yukino a puzzled look. "What did you just say?"
Seeing this, Yukino immediately realised Luo Shu had genuinely been lost in thought rather than staring at her outfit.
The girl's eyelashes fluttered slightly before she feigned nonchalance:
"Nothing at all."
"Oh, by the way, Director, the Operations and Intelligence Divisions are requesting your itinerary, especially for the weekend. Should we submit it?"
Yukino Yukinoshita placed the schedule she had prepared on the table.
This itinerary was based on recent work notifications, but the weekend section remained blank since she wasn't sure if Luo Shu would take time off.
"The Operations and Intelligence Divisions want my weekend schedule... What a coincidence."
Luo Shu took the abbreviated schedule on his desk, crossed out the parts involving Sharon, then handed it to Yukino Yukinoshita, saying:
"Add these to the schedule you have and submit it."
Yukino took the schedule and naturally glanced at the contents, her expression turning odd as she looked up at Luo Shu.
"Strange to see dates with girls on there?"
Yukino nodded, blushing slightly as she admitted:
"I am a bit curious."
Hearing this, Luo Shu chuckled and explained:
"That's because Lacus Klein is the Supreme Chairwoman of the SDS—our highest superior."
"So, for her safety, even private matters like dates require security arrangements. That's why the Operations and Intelligence Divisions need my itinerary."
"Is that how it is?"
This was Yukino's first time hearing about Lacus, but then she suddenly realised:
"Wait, Director, you're dating the Supreme Chairwoman?"
Luo Shu gave her a puzzled look: "Is that strange?"
Yukino's lips twitched before she sighed:
"No, it's just... knowing the secret behind the 'fastest promotion to director' is a bit disappointing."
She had always assumed Luo Shu was the type Chisato Nishikigi described—someone rapidly promoted due to exceptional ability. But now, she discovered the Supreme Chairwoman was his girlfriend...
Ah... So this is how society really works...
Yukino felt too exhausted to even comment on the darkness of the world.
Luo Shu waved his hand, signalling Yukino to leave.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, finalise the schedule and submit it."
"Yes, Director."
After Yukino left, Luo Shu stared at the closed door, interlacing his fingers over his lips as he muttered:
"Better take the gamble while we're still in the honeymoon phase."
Luo Shu had made up his mind.