The black motorcade arrived at the entrance of the Hidden Management Department.
Seeing the convoy, Eriri immediately understood and nudged Utaha with her elbow:
"They're here, your love rival's arrived."
Utaha cast a gloomy glance at Eriri, her expression unchanged as she said:
"Sawamura, no one would mistake you for mute if you kept quiet."
"Tch."
Eriri shrank her neck at the retort, but couldn't resist muttering:
"Whatever. You were the most nervous when you heard Luo Shu was going on a date with some Supreme Chairwoman."
"Who was it that messaged me last night, insisting I absolutely had to~ come along this morning?"
As Eriri finished speaking, she let out a sharp "Eek!" of pain.
The sound made everyone, including Luo Shu, turn to look at Eriri with puzzled expressions.
Under their collective gaze, Eriri rubbed her waist where Utaha had pinched her and awkwardly explained:
"N-nothing! Just... ah, there seemed to be a mouse running across the intersection over there. Scared me, that's all."
Hearing Eriri's incoherent excuse, Luo Shu sighed:
"Since you're all here, at least behave properly. Don't leave a bad impression, understood? Sawamura-kun."
"...Got it." Eriri lowered her head, glaring hatefully at Utaha's legs while attempting to stomp on her foot, only for Utaha to deftly avoid it.
Watching their antics, Yukino Yukinoshita sighed nearby before turning her curious gaze to the arriving motorcade. She asked Luo Shu:
"Director, should we prepare a welcome ceremony?"
"Don't bother. Right now, doing nothing is best." Luo Shu rubbed his temples with a sigh.
'This Yukinoshita doesn't get it either. What welcome ceremony? Welcoming Lacus coming to date me? Give me a break, this is awkward enough as it is.'
Just as Luo Shu was mentally complaining, the car came to a halt. The left door near the roadside opened, and Meer quickly stepped out, extending her hand.
At that moment, a hand took Meer's arm as its owner alighted from the vehicle.
Simultaneously, a gentle and amiable voice rang out:
"Good day, everyone from the Hidden Management Department."
Hearing this, Eriri looked up curiously at the pink-haired princess who seemed to have stepped out of a fairy tale.
One glance made her eyes widen slightly:
"No way... she's a total beauty..."
After a moment of astonishment, Eriri glanced sideways at Utaha and snorted:
"Complete defeat, huh?"
Utaha's eyelid twitched. Though she desperately wanted to pull at Eriri's venomous mouth, she forcibly restrained herself due to Lacus's appearance.
She gazed at Lacus before her, then at Luo Shu standing nearby, unconsciously biting her lip.
Meanwhile, Yukino Yukinoshita was also staring at Lacus in shock:
"She's the Supreme Chairwoman of SDS?"
Frankly, Lacus was much younger than Yukino had imagined—and the difference in demeanour was vast too.
'I thought she'd be a domineering woman like Mother, but...'
Yukino studied Lacus while musing internally:
'She's completely like a princess...'
As Yukino pondered, Kisara—who was seeing Lacus for the second time—scrutinised this acquaintance she'd met once before.
'Pink hair... tie. Height... also a tie. Looks... I'm cuter, but she's prettier—another tie. Figure... damn it, I lose.'
Kisara stared fixedly at Lacus's chest, eyes flashing with unwillingness.
Among the group, only Kurumi Tokisaki maintained her smile, her gaze shifting to Kirika Tachibana, who had been staring intently at her since alighting.
Then, Kurumi beamed brilliantly at Kirika.
"Tch." Kirika clicked her tongue before continuing to watch this dangerous individual.
Meanwhile, Lacus lifted her white dress with blue trimmings and stepped lightly towards Luo Shu, her tone playful:
"It seems our surprise inspection has been discovered."
"So, Luo Shu, have you prepared the itinerary for my tour of the Hidden Management Department?"
"Surprise inspection?" Luo Shu was taken aback by Lacus's phrasing. "Since when was this planned?"
Before he could finish speaking, Lacus's index finger pressed against his lips.
"It's a surprise inspection, right?" Lacus repeated with a smile.
Seeing this, Luo Shu glanced at Kirika and Meer—both promptly averted their eyes.
He then turned to Kisara, Utaha and Eriri—all three avoided his gaze too.
Sighing, Luo Shu grasped Lacus's finger, pulling her hand down to hold it as he said:
"Right, it's a surprise inspection."
His teeth nearly gritted as he emphasised "surprise inspection":
"Perfect timing—we'll conduct a departmental evaluation too!"
The newly established Hidden Management Department had no evaluation system yet—roles hadn't even been assigned—but that didn't stop Luo Shu from using this to hassle his Familia members.
Especially Kurumi Tokisaki—he had no idea what that woman was up to. Not only had she spied on his schedule, she'd even made it public within the organisation. If he didn't teach her a lesson, how could he ever restore his authority as the man of the house?
"Department evaluation?"
Eriri, who had been dragged along to join the commotion, was utterly dumbfounded.
She didn't even know what she was supposed to do in the Hidden Management Department, okay? And now there's an assessment?
This is just torturing people for no reason!!
Meanwhile, Utaha wore a helpless expression.
When Kurumi Tokisaki had leaked the information to her, she'd immediately understood the other girl's ulterior motives.
It was simply a ploy to meet Lacus Clyne, the highest-ranking executive of the SDS, using them as shields.
Though Kurumi Tokisaki had been subtle about it, after learning Luo Shu was going on a date with Lacus, it would've been strange if she could resist coming to see her strongest rival.
And now, after seeing her today, Utaha realised this pink-haired woman before her was an even greater threat than Kisara.
Kisara only knew how to agree with Luo Shu foolishly, but this one could provide massive support for his career.
Beautiful, seemingly pleasant personality, and capable of aiding his professional endeavours—wasn't this the perfect supportive wife?
A formidable rival. The number one threat!!
Utaha's internal alarms were blaring.
At that moment, Kurumi Tokisaki gave Lacus a meaningful glance before provocatively teasing in a honeyed voice:
"Director, since you mentioned an assessment, could you clarify what my duties are supposed to be?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately found himself under the piercing gaze of multiple people.
These included Kirika Tachibana's, Meer's, and even Lacus's, who was right beside him.
The Time Angel of Truth Astronomy joining SDS's Hidden Management Department? They hadn't received even a whisper of this news.
Under this shared realisation, Luo Shu found himself thoroughly cornered by their stares...