Who is Playing the Love Development Game in Gundam

After saying farewell to the father and daughter, He Kui left the research institute and quickly sensed several people following him. With the bird drone's aerial view, his visor displayed several red indicators marking their positions.

Using his visor's tracking system, He Kui identified the group trailing him—a small squad strategically positioned around him in a six-person formation, covering his front, back, and flanks. Though they appeared as ordinary bystanders and didn't carry large weapons, each had a handgun, and their movements matched Orb's special operations team protocols.

Without breaking stride, He Kui continued walking, unfazed. It was no surprise that Orb would want to monitor him. Having a mysterious visitor like him was bound to raise their suspicions. But he wasn't planning on heading back to his high-end apartment.

He Kui walked into a dead-end alley, and before the squad turned the corner, he released a harmless smoke screen from his suit. As the smoke spread, three of the six noticed it immediately and moved in swiftly. Yet, when they reached the alley, He Kui was gone.

"He's disappeared. Report to headquarters."

"Understood."

As the special operations team scrambled in the smoke, He Kui smoothly escaped to the island's coastline, swimming underwater to reach his secluded island. Breathing a sigh of relief, he finally surfaced.

The following morning, as He Kui rested in his quarters with his two companions, his wrist communicator buzzed. Even though it was his day off, he knew that the only ones likely to contact him now were from the special operations team.

"They're here?"

The movement stirred his companions, who were still drowsy from the previous night.

"Yes." He Kui flexed his arm, still tingling slightly from last night's embrace. "I'll keep their movements confined to the port area," he said, smiling at the two. "Stay alert, though."

Although he didn't expect them to cause trouble, he saw no harm in exercising caution.

"Understood."

After their affirmation, He Kui dressed and headed to the port. Docked there was a Lorasia-class vessel, its hatch opening as he approached. Inside, he spotted a squad of four—two in red uniforms and two in green—along with the newly arrived chief, Heinrich.

"Captain Ironwall! I didn't expect to see you here."

Recognizing the man at the front, He Kui's smile grew warmer. It was a relief to see a familiar face; this arrangement from the defense council was certainly a considerate one.

"He Kui! Long time no see."

Ironwall's hearty grin was just as he remembered.

"Where's Shi He?"

"She's busy with work." The truth was that she was still recovering from last night's exhaustion. But as far as Ironwall was concerned, the details didn't matter; he just grinned, his expression teasing.

"Good to know you two are still going strong."

"Thank you."

"And don't tell me you forgot about me, He Kui!" The other red-uniformed soldier, Lica, stepped forward, her high-tech glasses glinting as she looked at him.

"How could I ever forget, Lica?"

He Kui chuckled, then turned to Heinrich, the young chief with blond hair who stood straight-backed and respectful, though with a hint of pride that He Kui didn't mind.

"Well, Chief Heinrich, welcome."

"Director He Kui." Heinrich's tone was respectful, though he held himself with a bit of self-assurance—a trait He Kui expected in a prodigy. PLANT had no shortage of young talents, after all.

"I'll show everyone to the residential area," He Kui said.

Familiar faces didn't mean bending the rules, so he kept them within the port's limits and nearby accommodations, ensuring they didn't access the residential or radar sectors.

"Sounds good."

None of them objected, following He Kui as he led them on a tour of the port. Halfway through, Shi He joined them, taking over as their guide, allowing He Kui to speak privately with Heinrich in a modest office adjacent to the port.

"I heard you're quite accomplished in field modulation, Chief Heinrich," He Kui remarked with a light smile.

"Yes, I am."

"So you're familiar with the Freedom unit's power loop, I assume?"

"Ah… yes." Heinrich seemed momentarily distracted.

"What's on your mind?" He Kui asked.

"I heard that people training under you give a special apprenticeship gift." He Kui smirked.

"Really? Well, since I'm just teaching you field modulation, no need for any formalities."

"Understood." Heinrich visibly relaxed, though he still appeared curious.

"Now, onto business. To increase unit output, we need to add an auxiliary field modulator around the thrusters. This modulator would monitor the unit's power output, adjusting the electromagnetic field distribution to automatically enhance energy efficiency."

In simpler terms, energy would prioritize the thrusters during high-mobility maneuvers, channel to the weapons systems during attacks, and reinforce the PS armor when under fire. This would improve agility, attack power, and defense.

"I understand. The key will be installing the modulator."

Heinrich's gaze focused intently on the design, which showed the layout.

"Yes, and the modulator will need custom adjustments depending on the unit," He Kui added, demonstrating on a virtual screen how the electromagnetic coil array and the core modulator chip would require precise work.

"I've already completed the field modulators for Freedom and Justice. Now, we just need to install them."

"…What?"

Heinrich seemed momentarily at a loss for words.

"You already finished the modulator?"

"Pretty much. Didn't they tell you?" He Kui's question was met with Heinrich's blank expression—clearly, they hadn't told him.

In fact, they likely kept Heinrich's expectations low on purpose, giving him a small dose of He Kui's remarkable skill as a surprise.

"You completed it yourself?"

"With some help."

"I see…"

Heinrich breathed a sigh of relief; as talented as He Kui was, doing everything alone would be almost unthinkable. Just creating the electromagnetic coils required nanometer-level precision, after all.

"But… why aren't there any other employees here?" H

einrich asked, glancing around curiously.

"Other people?"

"Yes."

"It's just me and Director Hanifes."

"…"