Who is Playing the Love Development Game in Gundam

After leaving the director's office, He Kui was still processing the surprising encounter.

"Your father sure has a way of springing things on people," he said.

"Mm…" Selene murmured, looking down.

"...Would you really want me to stay?" he asked softly.

"Maybe I would have, if things had been different from the start. But now, after everything I've done, there's no turning back."

Despite the director's offer, He Kui couldn't shake his concern that LAMBDA might eventually come after him. After all, it was the Earth Alliance that had attacked DSSD in the original timeline, likely spurred by none other than LAMBDA.

Back then, the director was no longer around.

"Would you really consider staying…?" Before He Kui could respond, Selene suddenly embraced him from behind.

In her black heels, Selene's height nearly matched his, and the soft, silken sensation of her cool hair brushed against his cheek and shoulder, tickling him in an oddly comforting way.

"If you stayed, I could…" she whispered, her words trailing off, but the implication was clear.

She wanted him to stay and lend his skills toward exploring the vastness of space. She'd spoken once about the heavenly bodies beyond Mars being her "true love," so… would he just be a placeholder?

No, not exactly, he thought.

Amid her mature, captivating fragrance, He Kui reined in his wandering thoughts. His connections with others weren't about shallow pursuits of pleasure — well, maybe a little, he admitted to himself. Still, even if he indulged, nothing would truly change.

Selene didn't exactly love him, nor did he feel that way about her. Yet…

"I'll support you as much as I can," he said, turning around and loosely embracing her, feeling the graceful curves of her form. "I want to explore deep space, too, but the timing isn't right. Selene, can you wait for me?"

His gentle tone seemed to make Selene momentarily lose herself. She had prepared to persuade him to stay, even mentally steeled herself, but his tenderness stirred an unfamiliar shyness within her.

Perhaps… she did feel something for him — besides her love for the stars.

The memory of him defending DSSD and his subsequent kindness lingered in her mind. And she couldn't deny the thought that if anyone could reach beyond Mars, it would be him.

"Well, let me take a little down payment~" Her voice, usually calm, now held a low, seductive hint.

Rising onto her toes in her heeled boots, Selene tilted forward and pressed her soft lips to his. After a long moment, they parted, leaving Selene slightly breathless, her face tinged with a delicate blush.

"Seems you need more practice, Selene," He Kui teased, his finger gently brushing her lips.

Despite her poised exterior, she'd been unexpectedly clumsy. The contrast was almost too enticing.

"Oh? And I suppose you've had plenty of practice, then?" Selene shot back, hands pushing him away before he could answer.

"If you'd rather avoid being caught, Director He, we should probably get to the database."

Although her voice returned to its initial coolness, her reddened ears betrayed her emotions.

"Sure, let's head there." He Kui didn't push his luck. After all, they were still standing in the hallway — hardly a private spot.

"So, by the way, did Orb mention when they'd be arriving this month?" he asked once they were in the database, downloading data on the latest propulsion adjustment tech.

"Why do you ask about Orb?"

DSSD's neutrality policy prohibited them from revealing any information about sponsoring nations to each other, including the tech each nation received.

"Just curious," he said.

"Well, I'm not supposed to say… but," she gave him a sly smile, more animated than usual, "they should be arriving soon anyway, so there's no harm in mentioning it."

"…What?" His surprise was interrupted by the sudden buzzing of his communicator.

"Director He, Orb's representatives just arrived. What are your orders?" came Tiebi's message.

Orders… There wasn't much he could do.

Though Orb had aided the Atlantic Federation in building mobile suits, that didn't necessarily justify attacking Orb's personnel here. Attacking their researchers would be a dirty, albeit effective, wartime move. But it would be reckless without prior planning; attempting to detain Orb's vessel without any preparation, especially if they had reinforcements nearby, could end in disaster.

Sending Tiebi a quick order to stand by and remain alert, He Kui prepared to leave before Orb's representatives arrived.

However, the doors of the database room slid open unexpectedly, and a familiar figure stood in the doorway — none other than Erica Simmons.

"Director He, what a surprise!" Erica's eyes widened, clearly taken aback to see him. Although they'd seen ZAFT's vessel in the hangar, she hadn't expected He Kui himself to be here.

"Chief Simmons, it is quite the coincidence." For two representatives of opposing factions to run into each other at a neutral space station, it was indeed rather coincidental.

Meanwhile, Erica, after her initial surprise, grew wary. The situation was no longer as simple as before — ZAFT had, after all, destroyed Heliopolis, and He Kui himself was an accomplished pilot. If he was here, there was likely an elite squad close by. Although she had made some preparations, they were no match for ZAFT's elite forces and their advanced mobile suits. Not to mention, they'd brought the princess along…

Despite her concerns, Erica kept a polite smile on her face. "I hear ZAFT's been working on a new model, Director He?"

"With some help from Morgenroete's data, of course," He Kui replied with a good-natured smile.

A few more lines of banter later, Erica felt like she was talking to a brick wall. She began to miss the days when He Kui's demeanor had been warmer — back when he used to give her flowers.

"Well, I'll be on my way, then. Chief Simmons, take your time."

Erica wanted to keep him there longer, especially since the princess was nearby. But He Kui's responses shut down every attempt to extend the conversation, leaving her at a loss.

Perhaps it was for the best. The princess had never appeared in front of the media, and they were in DSSD after all. There shouldn't be any issues… right?

As He Kui left the room, Erica's demeanor puzzled him, but he couldn't put his finger on why. Exchanging a glance with Selene, he turned and made his way down the hallway.

After walking a few steps, an unexpected sound caught his attention.

"Gu~~"

He hadn't deployed Round Hound, so why was there a familiar chime? Rounding a corner, he found his answer.

There, standing at the T-junction, was a girl with golden hair, dressed in a casual tank top and jeans.

"Seriously, Erica told me to explore on my own, and I just…" Still chatting to her own Round Hound, Cagalli finally noticed He Kui. Her face shifted from mild frustration to a glowering expression in an instant.

He Kui's warm smile didn't falter as he approached her. "Well, hello. We meet again."

"You— you again," Cagalli stammered.

Her emotions were conflicted. On one hand, he was likely the creator of Round Hound, meaning he might have known who she was all along. Then again, maybe he was just a curious bystander or some weird stalker.

Either way, now seemed the perfect opportunity to get som

e answers.

"Director He, would you mind if we had a talk?" Cagalli asked, summoning her courage.

"Of course."

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