Rebirth: The Universe's Hidden Heiress-Chapter 66: Be Yourself (2)

"There’s more I can’t say right now," Hideki’s smile faded, "We, the people who knew about it then, signed an agreement after you chose to become human. According to the agreement, we can only tell you the whole truth about what happened back then when you make your final choice."

"This is because Nori and I don’t want you to make a choice against your will because of the past," Hideki said earnestly. "I still stand by my thoughts from back then; whatever you decide to do, I will support you."

"Thanks, Dad," Yuka smiled at him.

Hideki, feeling reassured, transferred one million astracredits to Yuka as living costs, then ended the communication.

...

Meanwhile, Kenji asked the General Fleet Admiral, "Is Yuka really that important to the Alliance Army?"

Without hesitation, the Admiral replied, "Extremely important. I’ve told you, she is our hope, irreplaceable."

"Then why not just recruit her into the Alliance Army?" Kenji queried.

The General Fleet Admiral paused for a few seconds, then said, "It’s due to the terms of the agreement. We need to fully respect her own wishes."

"But she has no intention of joining the Alliance Army," Kenji pointed out.

The General Fleet Admiral smiled, "People change. Just because she doesn’t want to now doesn’t mean she won’t want to in the future. You’re not bound by the agreement, so you can guide her, sway her towards us. If she hears it enough, she might naturally come around."

Kenji’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, feeling a slight resistance to the Admiral’s orders for the first time.

But the man in front of him had raised him, brought him into the Alliance Army, taught him, and helped him become an Admiral. He was a benefactor and the role model he respected the most. Kenji lowered his gaze, suppressing his discomfort, and replied, "OK."

After the communication ended, Kenji walked to the bookshelf where three gift boxes were neatly stacked. The pink box was on top, next to the empty package of cookie bears he had already eaten.

Kenji looked at them for a while, then lowered his head and messaged Yuka, "Where shall we meet?"

Yuka replied quickly, "How about the coffee shop on the second floor of Central Square?"

That place was owned by Hideki, so they wouldn’t have to worry about being overheard.

On the other side, Hideki and the General Fleet Admiral, having also ended their calls, picked up their opticomputers again. Hideki opened a communication channel with the Admiral.

"Keep your people away from Yuko," Hideki said coldly. "You think I don’t know what you’re up to?"

"I didn’t..." the General Fleet Admiral began, but the line was cut before he could finish. It seemed Hideki had called just to warn him.

The General Fleet Admiral sighed, leaning back in his chair wearily, murmuring, "Why didn’t she choose my genome back then? It would have saved so much trouble..."

...

Yuka arrived on time at the private room of the café.

Kenji was already seated. Hearing the door, he looked up and met Yuka’s gaze.

Yuka pulled out a chair and sat down. "What do we need to talk about?"

Memories of Yuka’s vulnerable expression in the morning, the doctor’s words, and the General Fleet Admiral’s orders swirled in Kenji’s mind. Gazing at the coffee’s froth art, he asked softly, "Are you afraid of insectoids?"

"I’m not afraid," Yuka blinked. "I just have some psychological shadows regarding them."

This was the truth. In her previous life, Yuka had battled insectoids relentlessly, harboring no fear, only disdain and a wish for their extinction. But the betrayal by someone close and the overwhelming attack by the swarm, resulting in her mutual destruction with the Queen, left a profound scar in her memory.

Kenji, having heard too many of Yuka’s lies, still found himself wanting to believe her when their eyes met again. He attributed this to Yuka’s face, which seemed to naturally disarm suspicion and inspire trust.

"Alright," Kenji nodded.

Only he knew the turmoil inside him during those two seconds, the tempest he had weathered.

"I won’t insist on you joining the Alliance Army anymore," Kenji said, looking into Yuka’s eyes. "Be yourself."

He had ultimately defied the General Fleet Admiral’s orders.

But when he saw Yuka smiling warmly at him, thanking him, his heart felt a warm rush, suggesting things weren’t as bad as he thought.

Yuka, in an exceptionally good mood, leaned in and patted Kenji’s shoulder, generously offering, "Is there anything you want? I need to buy you some gift for saving me my life!"

Kenji turned his head, "No, I don’t need anything."

"Don’t be shy," Yuka tilted her head. "Thank you..."

Suddenly, there was a clang.

Both Yuka and Kenji looked towards the door.

Toru, in his staff uniform, had spilled coffee everywhere. Shocked by the sight of Yuka and Kenji’s posture, he trembled upon meeting their gaze and immediately turned to close the door and leave, yelling, "I didn’t see anything! Really!"

In fact, he had seen Yuka’s hand on Mr. Kuba’s shoulder, their heads close together, and... he wasn’t sure if they were kissing or something.

"Where are you going?" Kenji spoke.

Toru’s movement to close the door froze.

"You can go," Yuka moved away from Kenji and smiled at Toru. "We’re about to leave too."

Gratefully, Toru glanced at Yuka, muttered "I won’t tell anyone," hurriedly pushed a floor-cleaning robot into the room, and swiftly closed the door behind him as he left.

The cleaning robot, after pausing for a few seconds, began to sluggishly clean up the coffee stains on the floor. Yuka turned to Kenji, a hint of disappointment in her voice, "Are you sure there’s nothing you want?"

Kenji averted her gaze, his throat tightening slightly, Toru’s expression having given him the impression that something significant had occurred between him and Yuka.

"No," Kenji replied.

"Alright then." Yuka shrugged. "Just let me know when you think of something. As long as it’s not too outrageous, I should be able to get it for you." She was quite sure that Kenji wouldn’t be as rich as she was.