He Kui studied the ruins of the completely demolished building before him.
Coordinator Employment Agency.
As the name suggested, its main purpose was to provide job opportunities for Coordinators.
As for why Coordinators, with their superior abilities, still needed an employment agency, the simple answer was discrimination.
Officially, Orb couldn't allow companies to discriminate against Naturals or their children during recruitment.
Moreover, some company employees disliked Coordinators.
When Coordinators couldn't find work, the best solution was to register here.
If companies needed people, they would naturally select suitable candidates from here, while also concealing the Coordinators' identities.
The whole situation reeked of absurdity, reminiscent of a meme He Kui had seen in his previous life about school leaders telling a few AIDS patients to conceal their status when enrolling.
Of course, being a Coordinator wasn't the same as having AIDS, but some people's hatred for Coordinators matched their aversion to AIDS.
Those Coordinators who found jobs probably wouldn't actively use their enhanced abilities.
However, He Kui had no solution to offer.
After all, the merging of two worlds was beyond his comprehension.
"What's the casualty situation?" Uzumi asked the police chief, ignoring the two behind him.
"Currently, twenty-eight confirmed dead, thirteen with minor injuries, three in critical condition. According to surveillance, twenty more are buried, and we're doing our best to excavate."
Thanks to this world's technology, they could directly locate survivors or bodies in the rubble.
But the rescue work remained challenging.
"Hurry," Uzumi said grimly.
"Yes, sir!" The police chief saluted in response to Uzumi's stern expression.
Cagalli, who had been silent, was about to step forward when He Kui grabbed her hand.
"You're not Superman," He Kui repeated softly.
The workers in personal power suits had already started clearing the rubble; Cagalli going up there would serve no purpose.
After exchanging glances, Cagalli pressed her lips together and abandoned the idea of helping.
"What about the attackers?" Uzumi turned to the police chief, glancing at the two behind him.
"Not found yet. The bomb was likely pre-installed. The method is similar to previous attacks, possibly the same perpetrator."
"Find out quickly."
As they spoke, Little Bird, automatically scanning the surroundings on He Kui's screen, locked onto a bystander in a building outside the cordoned area.
The person carried something resembling a detonator and was grinning maliciously at the scene.
He Kui simply sent an anonymous email to the police department.
Meanwhile, Uzumi had changed the subject.
"What about the media?"
"It's been arranged. Here's the initial draft."
A secretary-like figure beside Uzumi handed him a document.
"Hmm, come with me," Uzumi said to Cagalli.
"Okay."
Facing the media officially for the first time, Cagalli was visibly nervous and instinctively looked at He Kui.
"It's alright, just stand there properly," He Kui reassured her.
He guessed Uzumi wouldn't let Cagalli speak now anyway.
And even if there were any issues, Uzumi could correct them.
Orb's media was still under the clan's control.
Everything proceeded as He Kui had anticipated. Cagalli followed her father, handling the aftermath until late into the night.
"You'll handle the communication with the victims' families tomorrow," Uzumi told Cagalli in the office after arranging the next day's work.
"What?!" Cagalli exclaimed in disbelief at suddenly being given a task.
"That's right. Report to Pike tomorrow morning," Uzumi said, his gaze seeming to see through everything as he looked at Cagalli.
"Take Xiao Liu with you."
"Okay!" Cagalli's spirits lifted at the chance to help and bring along He Kui, her trusted advisor.
"Also, I remember Xiao Liu has no family left, right?"
"Y-yes?" The girl was startled by the sudden question.
"Ask her if she's willing to be hired as your advisor."
"Advisor?"
"Yes."
Only Lacus could say these things effectively. After observing earlier, if he didn't know where Cagalli's changes came from, he wouldn't be Uzumi.
As Cagalli left, a confidant approached Uzumi.
"Lord Uzumi, Xiao Liu's identity is still questionable."
"Indeed, but Cagalli trusts him deeply, unlike someone she just met."
Uzumi shook his head.
"Should we investigate?"
"Let's wait and see."
If there were ill intentions, it would be too late now anyway.
Besides, he needed someone to assist Cagalli.
Meanwhile, back in her room, Cagalli excitedly told He Kui about what had just happened.
"Thank you!" Cagalli hugged He Kui tighter, as if trying to meld the small, warm, lifelike robot into her embrace.
"It was Cagalli's own determination that moved your father," He Kui smiled, gently stroking the girl's back.
"He Kui..." the girl whispered in his ear, somewhat nervously.
"Will you be my advisor?"
"Advisor? Did your father suggest that?" He Kui quickly caught on.
"Mm-hmm," Cagalli nodded, a bit embarrassed at being found out.
"It's fine, let's do it."
Uzumi wanted Cagalli to bestow a favor on He Kui. If he truly were that age, truly just Xiao Liu, he would certainly appreciate it.
And if he wasn't, this position could also send a goodwill signal.
Of course, the latter possibility was He Kui's own speculation, as he didn't know if Uzumi was aware or not.
"He Kui..." Cagalli's eyes glistened with tears and emotion as she hugged the robot that seemed like a real little girl.
"Alright, let's plan for tomorrow then."
Cagalli's task wasn't simple. She needed to communicate with the victims' families.
One misstep could lead to dissatisfaction among the families.
With so many people involved, even if each family took only thirty minutes, it would take several days.
"Do we have the families' information?" He Kui asked. They needed to understand each family's situation to handle cases individually.
"It's been sent over," Cagalli nodded, releasing the boy.
"Then let's begin."
(End of Chapter)