The day after Xiao Ran decided to travel, he informed his secretaries. After seeing Flay, Xiao Ran had intended to transfer her to his side as a secretary. After all, having someone familiar handle matters for him was more suitable than relying on people he did not know well. But Flay refused.
Xiao Ran had more than one secretary, but they represented him, so they had to be extremely meticulous. Though they did not have clearly defined authority, that did not mean they lacked power. If it had been the old Flay, she would have agreed without hesitation to work beside someone as familiar as Xiao Ran. But Flay was no longer the same.
Having matured, Flay considered more things and understood her own abilities. She knew she was probably incapable of handling work that was both highly stressful and required such meticulous attention. She also worried that a careless mistake on her part might ultimately cause an even bigger problem. Thus, she refused Xiao Ran and chose to remain at Akatsuki Works, following Director Symonds in developing new mobile suits.
Although Xiao Ran did not know how much Flay had changed or what she was truly capable of now, he could naturally understand everything she had considered. He had merely hoped to have someone familiar help arrange certain more confidential matters; her abilities were secondary. But since Flay refused, Xiao Ran did not press the matter.
Xiao Ran leaving Orb on a journey was a major matter for Orb, and the timing had to be decided through the most appropriate arrangements. Fortunately, Xiao Ran had other matters to handle at the moment, so while those below him prepared for the trip, none of it delayed him.
After spending several days negotiating with the Global Security Alliance over the prisoner