Do you want to date Lacus? Generally, if a girl says something like that, others might dismiss it as vanity.
But when those words come from Lacus, it's likely that very few people in PLANT or even the entire world could refuse.
Such charm is truly one of a kind in the world.
"I believe most people would feel the same way."
He Kui replied cleverly.
"But they aren't as lecherous as Director He."
Lacus smiled sweetly, and she thought she understood He Kui very well; it should be that way.
She had investigated his background even when he was just a deputy director, no, even when he was an ordinary staff member.
After that, she watched as He Kui repeatedly defied her predictions.
Every time she thought he would suffer, he turned the tables instead.
In just over a year, he became the top researcher in all of PLANT.
Her curiosity about He Kui gradually fermented and grew through his various studies, turning into fondness and admiration.
However, she remained rational, keeping this fondness buried deep most of the time.
They were from different factions; it was impossible for her to submit to him like that.
That would be a betrayal of the Clyne faction.
Unless, He Kui could... "But if it's He Kui, Lacus could try being your girlfriend~"
Just as He Kui was about to change the subject, he suddenly heard Lacus say this, and the smile on his face froze.
"But, unfortunately, Lacus has a fiancé~ although we don't meet often~"
"."
Upon hearing Lacus's words, He Kui didn't know what expression to make.
He understood a bit of Lacus's hidden meaning.
She had a fiancé, but her fiancé was Athrun.
From the Zala Faction.
If he joined the Clyne faction, then everything would be easy to discuss.
Although the two families were currently in a marriage alliance, when this childhood engagement was arranged, their political views were still quite aligned, so they used the marriage to bind the two families closely together. However, their ideologies had long since diverged.
The so-called marriage alliance was merely a facade, becoming a means for both sides to balance each other.
If they were to actually get married, neither the Clyne faction nor the Zala Faction would yield to the other.
This was a conflict of ideologies, not a dispute over beliefs or anything else.
They believed in the concept of peace in their hearts, not in the Clyne family, and the same applied to the Zala family.
They wouldn't change their stance just because the leader changed.
"That's really unfortunate."
He Kui bowed slightly.
"Hum~!"
In response to He Kui's answer, Lacus shrugged and returned to her seat.
"As for Orb, just as you guessed, we plan to first provide the Neutron Jammer to the neutral countries."
"Are the neutral countries going to form an alliance?"
Upon hearing He Kui's question, Lacus's eyes widened slightly.
"Exactly, we might use the Neutron Jammer as part of the alliance's benefits to attract more parties to join."
"To suppress the Atlantic Federation from the international community."
Lacus didn't hide her intentions anymore and directly analyzed the situation with He Kui, but she still saw He Kui's serious expression.
"Is there a problem with our plan?"
Lacus raised an eyebrow and asked.
"No, the plan is great, but what if Orb can't hold its ground?"
This neutral alliance was based on Orb being the leader; if Orb couldn't withstand the Atlantic Federation's attack, then the alliance would instantly fall apart.
"And can Orb hold the alliance together?"
"Orb isn't the leader, you know~"
Lacus continued to smile upon hearing this.
"Speaking of which, the leader we have in mind is related to He Kui~"
"You want East Asia to be the leader of the neutral alliance?"
"Will they agree?"
Although East Asia hadn't involved itself in the Earth Alliance's matters, there had been no signs of them wanting to withdraw either.
He Kui had no confidence in whether they would agree.
"I don't know~"
Lacus seemed to know something but deliberately didn't say, just smiling at him.
". If the Atlantic Federation attacks Orb, will we help with the defense?"
He Kui selectively bypassed the East Asia question and continued to ask.
"At present, we haven't signed a formal mutual defense treaty, so there's no legitimacy in helping with the defense."
"And Orb is a neutral country."
Upon hearing this, Lacus put away her smile and spoke earnestly.
If Orb accepted ZAFT's assistance, then it wouldn't be a neutral country anymore.
The Atlantic Federation was precisely targeting this point, which is why they would attack.
"However, you aren't ZAFT."
". We don't have the power."
Lacus straightforwardly denied He Kui's statement.
"And just because ZAFT doesn't help with defense doesn't mean they can't do other things."
"Is that so?"
"Then why are you so concerned about Orb? No matter what, you can't go there, can you?"
Lacus smiled.
"Just curious."
"Mainly wanted to chat with Lacus."
He Kui boldly avoided answering Lacus's question.
"Then are we done chatting now? We..."
Just as Lacus was about to say something, the door to their meeting room opened automatically.
"Rei Rei, you're here too~?"
Seeing Sulei, Lacus smiled even more cutely.
However, her tone of voice was more like that of the host here than Sulei's.
"Mm, I came to ask what you want to drink."
After giving He Kui a glance, Sulei continued.
"Such things shouldn't be done by Rei Rei."
Lacus stood up, gracefully walked to Sulei, took her hand, and returned to her seat.
As she walked, she teased, "Rei Rei really likes He Kui, huh."
"Not at all!"
Sulei instinctively replied.
"Is that so~?"
"Then Lacus will~~~"
Lacus elongated her tone as if about to say something shocking.
"Wait for Rei Rei's future crush to appear~"
Upon hearing Lacus's words, Sulei instinctively let out a sigh of relief, then tightened her face again.
After that, Lacus didn't discuss any more confidential matters; they chatted about various topics until they unknowingly reached mealtime.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen Director He's parents in a long time. Is it okay to have a meal together?"
Lacus asked with wide, cute eyes.
"Of course, there's no problem at all. They are more than welcome."
There was no reason to refuse, but looking at the lively girl in front of him, He Kui looked down at the affection meter below his eyes.
Lacus's affection level had already reached 80, but Lacus remained as calm as ever, showing no signs of being troubled by feelings.
"Well then, this way please."
He just hoped his parents wouldn't be too surprised to see Lacus suddenly appear at their home.
He couldn't handle them urging him to have children again.