Despite knowing that many girls liked him, and even the rich woman in front of him was subtly plotting against him, Lu Chen was still shocked by her words.
"Finding a stranger and directly asking him to fondle your sister's body—do sisters really treat each other this way?" Lu Chen couldn't help but ask.
"She may be a stranger to you, but my sister isn't a stranger to you at all." The sports car slowly reduced speed; they were almost at their destination. St. Louis explained, "My sister, Honolulu, is also a student at the academy. You should know what that implies, right?"
Lu Chen understood. Attending that academy itself represented an attitude. As one of the founders of the academy, it made sense that St. Louis enrolled her sister. The cause, whatever it was, was likely related to his amnesia, but the conclusion was obvious: the girls at the academy held an unusually high degree of goodwill towards him. Therefore, having the person she loved help Honolulu overcome her self-consciousness was perfectly suitable.
But he still had a question.
"Even if he's an object of affection, ignoring a girl's feelings and showing interest only in her body—do you think that would make your sister happy?"
St. Louis parked the car, unbuckled her seatbelt, turned around, and asked leisurely, "Lu Chen, what do you think love is?"
"Two people are mutually attracted, get together, and grow old side-by-side?" Lu Chen was hazy on the definition of love. He hadn't dated before his amnesia, and after waking up, he had been subjected to a constant barrage of worldview-shattering experiences from several girls, transforming him into a multi-timing scumbag. He hardly seemed qualified to answer the question.
St. Louis smiled. "You're right. Two people are attracted by each other's traits and end up together. That trait can be anything: money, looks, personality... No matter why they get together, as long as they can grow old together and be responsible for each other, that is perfect love."
Lu Chen nodded thoughtfully. St. Louis's view of relationships differed slightly from what he knew, but he couldn't say it was wrong.
"Money can be spent, looks will fade with time. Does a person's personality remain eternally unchanged? Everything is constantly changing. The trait that attracted you then might not last a lifetime, but if you can still end up together, that's enough," St. Louis said.
As Ship Girls, they wouldn't age, nor would they change at all (besides their retrofits), including their personalities. Human inertia didn't apply here. In short, the message was: be bold and seduce the Commander; the only meat that matters is the meat in your mouth.
"You have a point. No wonder you want me to... and your sister... Wait!" Lu Chen's eyes narrowed. "Are you implying you want me to be responsible?"
All that talk about St. Louis's view on love was just to tell him: Don't worry, touch her boldly. If you fall for Honolulu, none of this is a problem.
"I was only giving a hypothesis. If you are attracted to my sister and end up with her, it wouldn't be a bad thing," St. Louis said lightly. "After all, she is deeply in love with you. As her sister, of course, I hope she finds happiness."
Lu Chen wanted to say something to refuse, but he felt like he wanted to touch the girl but didn't want to be responsible. He decided to talk with Honolulu later and try to solve her self-consciousness without using St. Louis's suggested method.
"Time to get out, or do you want some extra reward from Big Sister?" St. Louis leaned closer to Lu Chen again, placing one hand on the seat behind him and the other on Lu Chen's waist. Her body rubbed against his. Her exquisitely seductive face was only a fist's distance away, and her breath was like orchids. "There's still plenty of time. It's fine if you want to do something to me right here."
Lu Chen held up his hands. He had no defense against this kind of carnivorous big sister, especially one who was radiating such goodwill. He said helplessly, "Please stop flirting with me. I really can't handle it."
It's good that you can't handle it, St. Louis secretly gloated. Tonight, she was determined to ignite the Commander's passion. Hutten, don't think you're the only one who can overtake on a curve. This is just an appetizer.
Just as Ship Girls would illogically fall in love with the Commander, it wasn't hard for the Commander to be attracted to a Ship Girl. Once a Ship Girl dropped her modesty and started seducing him, it was hard for Lu Chen not to be tempted. Yet, he still believed he was a naturally born scumbag.
St. Louis smiled, pressed the button to release Lu Chen's seatbelt, and helped open his car door. "I told you not to use honorifics, didn't I? Just call me Big Sister from now on. Alright, get out of the car."
Lu Chen felt a great sense of relief and quickly stepped out. Breathing in the slightly cold, fresh air outside, his mind finally cleared up a bit; he had almost been defeated by St. Louis's body fragrance. But considering Friedrich's earlier instruction, Noshiro's farewell kiss, and St. Louis's ardent attitude, with all these buffers stacked up, Lu Chen had a vague, uneasy premonition that his chastity was in danger.
"Let's go, Lu Chen." St. Louis put on a pair of high-heeled sandals, picked up her handbag, and walked over to link arms with him. With the high heels, St. Louis was subtly taller than Lu Chen. She said a little sheepishly, "I think I chose the wrong shoes. I'll change them later."
"It's fine. Don't forget Sister Friedrich is 190 cm tall," Lu Chen didn't mind. Especially after meeting Friedrich, what was wrong with a big sister being tall? It only enhanced their aura. "If you compromise yourselves for my sake and lose your unique qualities, I would feel more uncomfortable."
A sudden sweetness blossomed in St. Louis's heart. Her smile brightened. "Lu Chen, Big Sister is becoming more and more fond of you."
Since they were at the entrance of the hotel, St. Louis didn't do anything inappropriate. If Lu Chen had said those words in the car earlier, St. Louis didn't know if she would have done something irrational.
The two stood in the elevator. St. Louis pressed the button for the 16th floor. "Since this is a private Eagle Union party, we don't want to be disturbed. After all preparations are complete, all service staff have been dismissed. Tonight is a buffet style. Have a pleasant evening. Oh, by the way, I have a welcome gift for you. Do you know the idol group 'Polaris'?"
"I've seen one of their performances." Lu Chen, of course, knew them. He even had their private photos saved on the phone in his pocket.
St. Louis chuckled. "I'm their backstage boss. I'm currently preparing a second group called 'Astrum.' I want to give them to you. What do you think?"
Before Lu Chen could respond, the elevator door opened, and Baltimore, wearing a yellow midriff-baring performance outfit, appeared before them. She saw Lu Chen and silently turned her face away. Even someone as cool as her found it hard not to feel embarrassed.
"Let me introduce you. She is one of the members of 'Astrum,' Baltimore."
Lu Chen looked up at the ceiling. He began to think he was hallucinating.