Who is Playing the Love Development Game in Gundam

"Do you have frequent contact with Kazama?" 

One of the officers asked as the other silently activated a recording device on his chest.

"Not really."

"Hmm. Have you noticed anything strange about him recently?"

"No, not really. He visited once recently, asked if my fiancée was here, and left after seeing Shi He."

"Is that so?"

"Then, did he give you anything?"

"Something, I guess."

He Kui pulled out the GINN model he had set aside in the corner.

"Does this count?"

"Yes, indeed. During your casual conversations, did you discuss any sensitive information?"

"Not really. We're not in the same lab, so we rarely talk about that stuff at home."

"Alright, please keep this conversation confidential. If Kazama contacts you, let us know. We'll need to take this model with us."

"Sure."

As the officers left, He Kui exchanged glances with Shi He.

Although the officers had said little, both He Kui and Shi He had an inkling of what Kazama might be involved in.

"Is Kazama a spy?" 

Shi He asked quietly, a hint of unease in her voice.

"Yeah, it's possible."

A spy living so close to them? The recent crackdown on spies in May City seemed to have intensified, likely due to the nuclear explosion incident.

"There's no need to worry. We aren't involved in anything."

"Right."

He Kui was unaware of the storm his actions had set in motion.

However, the fact that he was a first-generation Coordinator was becoming increasingly awkward. With parents who were Naturals, he could easily be coerced into betrayal. Even second-generation Coordinators had been turned; not everyone agreed with PLANT's laws.

After this incident, life returned to a semblance of normalcy.

He visited the skill center and upgraded his Information Engineering skill to C-level, which didn't raise any eyebrows; he was just another cog in the Coordinator society.

"This radar model."

[You gifted Sule a present, Information Engineering +20]

[Sule Favorability 87]

[Experience Bonus 4]

[Information Engineering C-level: (782/1000)]

"I told you, you don't need to give me gifts so often."

If it weren't for the plate of spicy salad He Kui had paired with the gifts, Sule would have been less inclined to accept his creations daily.

"I want to!"

He Kui beamed brightly.

"Fine, whatever you say."

After collecting the lunch box and the radar component, Sule shot He Kui an exasperated look.

"By the way, about Kazama, do you know him?"

"Yeah, he's a neighbor."

"He got caught trying to steal a ship at the port." 

Given the small size of May City One Colony, there was nowhere to run. If they sent people to seal off the port, it was only a matter of time before he was caught.

"Do you know what he's being charged with?"

"Espionage?"

"You got it. There have been dozens of spies uncovered at Helan Design Bureau recently, and they're all being dealt with. You should understand that spies don't have good endings, especially in departments directly related to MS development. With diplomatic channels nearly severed, if caught, the best-case scenario is a prisoner exchange; otherwise, they'll be imprisoned for life."

Sule's tone carried a warning.

"I understand."

"Alright, you can go."

"Okay."

So Kazama had likely tried to recruit him? Remembering Kazama's odd behavior during their last encounter, He Kui frowned slightly. If the recruitment failed, would it lead to assassination? That seemed a bit too brazen. What good would killing him do? Regardless, he needed to get his parents over as soon as possible, though he would need more money for that.

As He Kui pondered, he was approached by a fellow assistant engineer who lived in the same dormitory area.

"Hey, He Kui! I heard Kazama got caught."

"Yeah."

"Scary, right? I heard the gift he gave had a listening device inside. Luckily, I found it suspicious and sold it ages ago."

"You sold it?"

"Yeah, cough, cough. I just thought it seemed suspicious, so I sold it."

"How much did you sell it for?"

"1,500 credits?"

"That much!?"

"Of course! Didn't you check? That kind of small MS can be used for familiarization with the model and as decoration. Especially with the war heating up, those kinds of accessories are said to be more popular than Haros."

"I see."

If he could make something like that, it could also sell for a good price. Now that his skills were at C-level, crafting a PG model was within reach.

But why did it feel like he was just making models for fun?

"Thanks."

"No problem."

The engineer looked confused as He Kui rushed off, having already covered several meters.

"Boss, how much for materials to make a GINN model at approximately 1:60 scale? The metal doesn't need to be top grade."

He found the newly relocated Waste Merchants' Guild at the port.

"Let me check. Would scraps from a decommissioned space station work?"

That kind of metal was weak enough to be penetrated by a handgun.

"Sure."

"Alright, that would be about 300 credits per unit. With an 88% discount, it's 264 credits."

"Good, I'll take twenty units, and also twenty units of the micro parts for the linkage system."

"Thank you for your business!"

The Waste Merchants' Guild had finally reached an agreement with PLANT, and thanks to the mediation of Master Malchio, PLANT took a step back. The guild's goods could now pass through customs before being sold at the port, alleviating concerns about customs inspections. Of course, items that didn't pass inspection would still be confiscated.

Satisfied with his large haul of components, He Kui spent nearly all of his rating bonus, also arranging for delivery service for an additional 500 credits. Given the current state of affairs, it was safer to have things brought to him.

The social unrest had made people uneasy, and public order was becoming increasingly chaotic. Most police were busy protecting the five major design bureaus, leaving little ability to respond to robbery cases. He Kui didn't possess combat skills; even a Coordinator with a gun could easily overpower him. It was best to avoid potential spies lurking on the streets.

If it weren't for the need to ensure quality on his first purchase, he likely wouldn't have braved the trip. Using a delivery service with insurance would have been far safer.

In any case, until he was more capable, it was better to stay within the five design bureaus, where it was more secure.