Kallen's sudden departure caused a ripple of doubt in Kael's heart, but it was quickly smoothed over by Sirin's dependent tug and his anticipation for dinner.
He shook his head, temporarily setting aside the subtle feeling brought by the silver-haired lady with her unique temperament and complex eyes, focusing on the small figure beside him that needed his care.
"Steamed egg, right? Okay, we'll make it when we get back." Kael responded with a smile, holding Sirin's hand and walking back.
The setting sun lengthened their shadows, intertwining them, making the scene exceptionally warm.
However, the next day.
Kael had just settled down in the Captain's Office of the Asgard, preparing to review an engine maintenance report, when there was a knock at the door.
After receiving permission, it wasn't his adjutant who walked in, but Kallen Kaslana.
Today, she had changed into a casual uniform suitable for activity, her silver hair tied into a neat ponytail, and a bright, energetic smile on her face, completely different from yesterday, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"Captain Kael, good morning!"
Kallen's voice was clear, with an undeniable vitality, "Bishop Otto instructed me to assist you with today's ship safety inspection. She said you know the Asgard like the back of your hand and told me to learn more from you."
This reason sounded plausible. Although Kael felt Bishop Otto's sudden arrangement for Kallen to "learn" was a bit abrupt, he didn't think much of it and nodded: "I see. Miss Kallen is too polite, we can learn from each other. The inspection route is usually..."
Before he could finish, Kallen naturally walked to his side, leaning in to look at the ship's structural diagram on his desk. She was so close that Kael could even smell the faint, iris-like fragrance from her hair.
"Does it start from the port side energy area? I'm very interested in the pipe layout here!"
Kallen pointed at the blueprint, her tone enthusiastic, but her eyes quickly darted to Kael's close-by profile, her ears slightly red.
Kael uncomfortably pulled back a little, pointing to the blueprint: "Yes, it usually starts from here. Miss Kallen, it's better if we maintain a bit of a safe distance, it's easier to see the diagram."
"Ah, my apologies!" Kallen immediately took a step back, a perfectly apologetic smile on her face, but her eyes still sparkled as she looked at Kael.
During the subsequent inspection, Kael deeply experienced what it meant to be "ardently enthusiastic."
Kallen seemed to have endless questions, from pipe pressure thresholds to fire extinguisher models, from armor materials to communication band coverage. And she asked every question with extreme seriousness, her eyes fixed on Kael, as if his every word was gospel.
This was fine in itself; being eager to learn is a good thing. But the key was that Kallen's "learning" method was always accompanied by some unintentional physical contact.
When passing each other in narrow corridors, she would accidentally brush against Kael's arm; when going down stairs, she would instinctively steady herself by touching Kael's arm; when Kael was explaining a certain piece of equipment, she would lean in very close, almost pressing against his back... Kael found himself somewhat overwhelmed by this overly "active" learning attitude. Several times he subtly reminded her to maintain a safe distance and adhere to operational procedures. Kallen would always apologize compliantly, but before long, she would "revert to her old ways."
Her smile remained bright and cheerful, making it impossible to genuinely get angry, but Kael only felt that this inspection was much more tiring than usual.
"Captain Kael knows so much! You're truly reliable!" Kallen exclaimed with genuine admiration for the Nth time, stars seemingly twinkling in her eyes.
"...This is just basic duty." Kael responded helplessly, rubbing his slightly throbbing temples.
He began to suspect whether Bishop Otto had deliberately sent Kallen to "test" his patience and self-control.
And this scene was precisely witnessed by Theresa, who was excitedly running over to share a pile of newly arrived Haxxor Bunny merchandise with Kael!
Theresa stood at the corner of the corridor, watching Kallen almost pressing against Kael while "asking questions." Although Kael looked helpless, he didn't firmly refuse. The Haxxor Bunny box in her hand was almost crushed out of shape!
"It's, her, again!" Theresa gritted her teeth, her internal alarm reaching the highest level!
This silver-haired woman, who was still melancholic and deep yesterday, how did she become so... so proactive today?!
And so close!
Kael too, why didn't he push her away!
Theresa was so angry that smoke almost came out of her head. She decided she couldn't sit by and do nothing!
She took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, and walked out with the box, interrupting their "lesson" in as "natural" a tone as possible:
"Kael! Look what I bought! The new limited edition Haxxor Bunny collaboration doll!" She squeezed between Kael and Kallen, forcibly separating them, and held the box up to Kael's face, trying to attract all his attention.
Kael, seeing Theresa, actually breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had seen a savior: "Theresa? You're here."
Kallen looked at Theresa, who had suddenly inserted herself, her eyes subtly dimming for a fleeting moment, but quickly returning to a cheerful smile: "Oh, it's Theresa. Hello. Captain Kael and I are currently on inspection."
"Inspection is inspection, why get so close? The corridor here is so wide!"
Theresa retorted unceremoniously, while tightly hugging one of Kael's arms, glaring at Kallen as if to declare ownership.
Kael immediately felt a headache: "Theresa, don't make a fuss. Miss Kallen is just familiarizing herself with the ship's structure."
"Familiarizing with the structure requires getting that close? I saw it!" Theresa persisted.
Kallen smiled, seemingly unconcerned by Theresa's attitude, and instead said to Kael: "Captain Kael, it seems Theresa has something for you. Shall we pause for now? It's a good time for me to digest the knowledge I just learned."
She behaved very understandingly.
This tactic of retreating to advance only made Theresa appear more unreasonable.
Theresa stamped her foot in anger, but couldn't find words to refute.
Kael looked at the invisible sparks flying between the two and felt more exhausted than commanding a fleet battle.
He sighed: "Alright, the morning inspection is pretty much done. Theresa, weren't you going to show me the doll? Let's go back to the office. Miss Kallen, thank you for assisting with the inspection. I can handle the rest myself."
Kallen nodded compliantly: "Okay, Captain Kael. Then I'll take my leave. I learned a lot today, thank you very much!"
She gave Kael a bright smile, then politely nodded to Theresa, before turning and leaving, her steps light, her silver ponytail drawing a neat arc in the air.
Theresa watched her retreating figure, huffed loudly, and then dragged Kael by the arm towards the office: "Kael! You need to stay away from her in the future! She definitely has designs on you!"
Kael was helplessly dragged along by her: "Theresa, you're overthinking it. Miss Kallen is just... quite enthusiastic and eager to learn."
"Eager to learn? I think she's just lustful!" Theresa grumbled in a voice only she could hear... In the afternoon, Kael originally planned to do puzzles with Sirin in the dormitory, enjoying a moment of peace.
Unexpectedly, the doorbell rang, and standing outside was Kallen again.
This time she had changed into casual clothes, carrying an exquisite food box, and a gentle smile on her face: "Captain Kael, good afternoon. I bought some Shenzhou-style pastries, thinking Sirin might not have tried them, so I brought them for you both to taste. It's also a thank you for your patient guidance this morning."
Sirin, seeing Kallen, was still a bit shy, hiding behind Kael, but her gaze was slightly attracted by the food box.
Kael was a bit surprised, but since the other party had kindly brought pastries, he couldn't refuse: "This... you shouldn't have, Miss Kallen."
"No trouble at all, it's just a small gesture."
Kallen smiled as she handed over the food box, her gaze casually sweeping across the room. Seeing the puzzle spread out on the table, she naturally said, "Are you doing a puzzle? I also loved this when I was little. Do you need help? I can play with Sirin for a while."
Her attitude was natural and sincere, making it hard to feel any ill will.
Sirin looked at the food box, then at Kallen's seemingly harmless smile, and whispered to Kael: "...Brother...pastries..."
Seeing that Sirin didn't seem to object, Kael stepped aside to let Kallen in: "Then thank you, Miss Kallen. Please come in."
Kallen walked in, naturally took off her shoes, then sat on the carpet and opened the food box. Inside were cute, fragrant lotus crisp pastries and almond tofu.
She picked up a lotus crisp, handed it to Sirin, and spoke in a very soft voice: "Here, Sirin, try this. It's sweet but not cloying."
Sirin hesitated, looked at Kael, and under Kael's encouraging gaze, carefully took it and took a small bite, her eyes slightly brightening.
"Is it good?" Kallen asked gently.
Sirin nodded lightly.
Kallen smiled, then picked up another piece and handed it to Kael: "Captain Kael, would you like to try some too?"
Kael thanked her and accepted. The pastries were indeed very well made, exquisitely shaped, and delicate in taste.
Kallen watched them eat the pastries, her eyes soft, and then naturally joined the puzzle game. She didn't deliberately get close to Kael, but patiently guided Sirin, helping her find suitable puzzle pieces, and occasionally telling a short story about puzzles, her voice gentle and pleasant.
Sirin was a bit reserved at first, but under the temptation of the pastries and stories, she gradually relaxed, even occasionally pointing to a puzzle piece, asking Kallen with her eyes.
Kael watched this scene with some surprise. Kallen seemed genuinely good with children, and her ability to quickly make the sensitive and shy Sirin lower some of her guard was truly remarkable.
However, this "harmony" didn't last long.
"Kael! I'm back! Look what I brought—what?!"
Theresa's characteristic loud voice rang out with the sound of the door opening. She seemed to have finished training particularly early today, and in her hands were two cups of what looked like specially made, glowing green bitter gourd milk tea.
When she saw the harmonious "three-person world" in the living room—Kael and Sirin sitting on the carpet, and that persistent Kallen also sitting beside them, even doing puzzles with Sirin—the smile on her face instantly froze, and the milk tea cups in her hands creaked as she squeezed them.
"Why, are, you, here, again!" Theresa practically squeezed out the words through gritted teeth, her eyes like daggers shooting at Kallen.
Kallen looked up, revealing an impeccable gentle smile: "Theresa, you're back. I made some pastries and brought them over, and I'm playing puzzles with Sirin for a while."
"Pastries? Who knows what's in them!" Theresa stomped over angrily, pulled Kael up, and shoved a cup of bitter gourd milk tea into his hand, "Kael! Drink this! It clears heat and relieves summer-heat! It's much healthier than those sickly sweet pastries!"
Then she glared at Kallen: "And you! Don't think you can win people over with pastries! Kael and Sirin don't like these at all!"
Sirin was startled by Theresa's loud voice, dropping her puzzle piece, and instinctively shrank closer to Kael.
Kael looked at the belligerent Theresa and the still-smiling but subtly cold-eyed Kallen, then at the frightened Sirin, and felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
He took the milk tea, trying to mediate: "Alright, Theresa, Miss Kallen also meant well. Sirin tasted the pastries, and they're quite good."
"Meant well? I think she has ulterior motives!" Theresa persisted, hugging Kael's other arm, and jutted her chin at Kallen, "Kael loves the bitter gourd milk tea I bring the most! Right, Kael!"
Kael: "..." He looked at the eerily green liquid in his hand, his stomach faintly aching. He really... couldn't quite appreciate that extreme taste.
Kallen looked at Theresa's possessive stance and the subtle expression on Kael's face, the smile at the corner of her mouth deepened slightly. She slowly stood up, smoothed her clothes, and her tone remained gentle: "It seems I'm a bit of a disturbance here. You two enjoy the pastries, I'll take my leave now."
She nodded to Kael, then smiled gently at Sirin: "Sirin, next time we have a chance, let's do puzzles together again."
Then, without even looking at Theresa, she elegantly turned and left, her steps light, her silver ponytail drawing a neat arc.
Theresa watched Kallen leave, then finally relaxed, but immediately began to nag, holding Kael's arm: "Kael! Didn't you see?! She's absolutely doing it on purpose! First, she uses work as an excuse to get close to you, and now she's using pastries to win over Sirin! She has a whole set of tricks! You absolutely must not fall for it!"
Kael sighed, rubbing his brow: "Theresa, you're really overthinking it. Miss Kallen might just be... naturally enthusiastic, and she likes children."
"Likes children? Why doesn't she go like Kiana? Why does she only like sticking to you and Sirin?"
Theresa retorted with clear logic, "She definitely has ulterior motives for you! My intuition is never wrong!"
Kael looked at Theresa's confident expression and shook his head helplessly.
He looked down at the cup of Theresa's special bitter gourd milk tea in his hand, then at the pastries Kallen had brought on the table that Sirin seemed to like, and then thought about Kallen's complex and hard-to-understand eyes and Theresa's intense jealousy as if facing a formidable enemy... Hiss... his brain was about to crash, better not to think about it.
Meanwhile, in the Bishop's Office, Otto was watching the monitoring screen showing Theresa defiantly hugging Kael's arm, and Kael's expression of utter resignation, and couldn't help but let out another low, joyful chuckle.
"Hehehe... The more intense the competition, the more interesting it is, isn't it?"
She swirled the red wine glass in her hand, her emerald eyes sparkling with anticipation, "However... Kallen, that girl, her initiative is much stronger than I imagined... But, this won't do..."
She gently clicked open a communication interface and began drafting a new transfer order.
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