With Asta handling the arrangements, Kai was allowed to stay aboard Herta Space Station for the time being.
Kai did not have any special requirements for her accommodations.
A normal room with a comfortable bed would have been more than enough.
Asta refused to accept that.
Her exact words were.
“You are an Emanator.”
“You are Herta’s friend and an honored guest of Herta Space Station.”
“More importantly, you are my bestie.”
“Someone as important as you cannot stay in an ordinary guest room.”
Thus began the emergency construction of Kai’s new quarters.
Asta personally selected every piece of furniture, every decoration, and every piece of equipment that would be placed inside.
To cover the expenses, she had to request a tiny amount of additional funding from her family.
Only a tiny amount.
Kai was honestly frightened by the scale of Asta’s plans.
This did not feel like someone decorating a guest room.
It felt as though Asta intended to build her a private palace.
Having money did not mean she needed to launch credits into space.
Kai certainly wanted to remain close to Asta.
Becoming the bestie of one of the wealthiest women in the universe would save her decades of unnecessary struggle.
However, Kai had standards.
She would not shamelessly allow Asta to spend unlimited amounts of money on her.
There was a code of honor to being supported by a wealthy bestie.
Kai believed in being financially responsible.
She would prevent Asta from wasting credits while providing her with friendship, affection, and emotional support.
That was the proper attitude for someone clinging to a golden lifeline.
After a great deal of persuasion, Asta finally agreed to purchase less expensive furniture and decorations.
As a result, Kai received a collection of furniture worth several hundred million credits.
Silence.
They were only furnishings.
Did they truly need to spend that much?
Kai had tried to persuade Asta to choose even cheaper alternatives.
Asta refused to compromise any further.
In the end, Kai could only surrender to Asta’s financially overwhelming affection.
There were still many items waiting to arrive, so Kai’s room remained under construction.
Until it was finished, she would temporarily stay with Asta.
…
Around that time, Herta completed her inspection and recalibration of the Simulated Universe.
She summoned Kai to her private room.
“Kai, would you help me test the Simulated Universe?”
Herta made her request immediately.
“Of course.”
“Herta and Kai are close friends.”
“Naturally, Kai would be delighted to help.”
Kai clasped her hands behind her back and gave Herta an innocent smile.
If Kai genuinely agreed to assist with the Simulated Universe, Herta decided that maintaining this friendship would be worthwhile.
Herta nodded solemnly.
“Yes.”
“We are friends.”
Kai tilted her head.
“However, the Simulated Universe was created by Herta, Ruan Mei, Screwllum, and Stephen.”
“Testing a project developed by four members of the Genius Society sounds extremely dangerous.”
“Kai is only a delicate young woman.”
“She wants to help Herta, but she is still a little frightened.”
“Could Herta offer Kai some encouragement?”
Despite her words, there was not the slightest trace of fear on Kai’s face.
She merely smiled and gave Herta a playful wink.
Herta stared at her.
Kai was not asking for encouragement.
She wanted Herta to beg.
Fine.
If begging were necessary, then Herta would beg.
Herta stood before Kai and adopted the most pleading expression she could manage.
“Please, Kai.”
“Help me test the Simulated Universe.”
“If you agree, I will do anything you ask.”
Kai’s eyes brightened.
“Anything.”
“You truly mean anything.”
Kai stared at Herta with a mischievous smile.
Her gaze slowly traveled over Herta’s elegant outfit.
Color immediately rushed into Herta’s face.
This woman was impossible.
Still, the Simulated Universe was too important.
If enduring one of Kai’s strange requests was the price of securing an Emanator as a test participant, Herta would accept it.
After a long internal struggle, Herta nodded.
“Yes.”
Kai’s smile became increasingly dangerous.
She rose from her seat and slowly approached Herta.
“Hehehe.”
“Herta said it herself.”
“Kai is coming.”
Herta had already agreed.
Even so, Kai’s predatory expression made her instinctively nervous.
She began backing away.
Kai followed.
Every time Herta retreated one step, Kai advanced one step.
There was no escape.
Within moments, Herta found herself trapped in the corner of the room.
It created a truly strange scene.
A charming woman with twin ponytails slowly approached with a wicked smile, occasionally releasing a suspicious laugh.
Before her stood the famously brilliant Madam Herta, wearing an expression that combined embarrassment, alarm, and complete resignation.
Herta finally gave up.
She sat on the nearby sofa and closed her eyes.
If she could not see what was happening, perhaps she could pretend that nothing was happening.
Kai’s footsteps moved closer.
Her laughter became clearer.
Herta’s nervousness increased with every passing second.
Kai would not actually do anything outrageous.
Probably.
Still, what if she did?
The footsteps stopped directly in front of her.
Herta could feel Kai’s warm breath and caught the faint fragrance surrounding her.
This was it.
What exactly was Kai planning?
A gentle weight suddenly settled across Herta’s stocking-covered thighs.
Herta cautiously opened her eyes.
Kai had placed her head in Herta’s lap and was resting there with an expression of complete satisfaction.
That was all.
Herta blinked.
She had expected something far more ridiculous.
If Kai merely wanted to rest her head in Herta’s lap, then Herta could tolerate it.
Herta quietly relaxed.
Her opinion of Kai improved slightly.
Kai possessed some unusual interests, but she appeared to understand limits.
She had not crossed any serious boundaries.
Perhaps she really could become a trustworthy friend.
Kai released a deeply contented hum.
“Herta.”
“Your lap is incredibly soft.”
“Hehe.”
She deliberately rubbed her cheek against Herta’s stockings.
Herta’s face immediately turned red again.
If Kai was going to rest, she should rest properly.
Why did she need to rub against her?
What an impossible woman.
Herta restrained the urge to complain.
“You have rested.”
“You have also rubbed your face against me.”
“Will you help me test the Simulated Universe now?”
“No.”
“Kai has only just become comfortable.”
Herta fell silent.
“How long do you intend to stay there?”
Kai considered the question.
A sly smile appeared on her lips.
“At least one system hour.”
Only one system hour.
As long as Kai behaved herself and did not attempt anything more excessive, Herta could accept that.
Preparing, constructing, and recalibrating the Simulated Universe had already required an enormous amount of time.
Waiting one more system hour would change nothing.
Herta sighed and nodded.
“Fine.”
“There is no reasoning with you.”
Kai closed her eyes and settled more comfortably into Herta’s lap.
“Hehe.”
◉◉◉◉◉
Save to library!