Acknowledgement

Hesta blinked, "Cooperate with what?"

"Within the habitable zones, I'm responsible for fire support. In the wasteland, there's much more I can do," Arnold replied. "Wasteland combat doesn't require evacuating personnel or protecting property. Using artillery shells from a distance against the enemy is far more cost-effective than close combat. So, in these operations, we can also be the main fighting force. Only when the Chelated Tide crosses the final defense line will some Quicksilver Needles be needed, just in case of any accidents."

"...The final defense line?"

"You'll learn," Arnold said, deliberately being mysterious. "The furthest engagement line, the fire restriction line, the final defense line... When you start learning basic tactics in the future, you'll learn all about them."

Hesta smiled, "Understood."

Several base staff members who were out for a run passed by them. They greeted Arnold, who nodded in acknowledgment. Hesta noticed that many people here seemed to know Arnold well – he had been teaching at the base for a long time.

"I have another question, instructor," Hesta asked. "Do the teachers at the base always provide one-on-one special training for students? I haven't met any other new students yet. When do they usually train?"

Arnold chuckled a few times, "We were supposed to have a break this year."

"...Supposed to?"

"According to the recruitment rhythm of District Three, it's usually one year off every three years. If Chiba hadn't brought you here, there wouldn't be any new recruits this year."

Hesta was taken aback.

It seemed it wasn't that she hadn't encountered other newcomers, but that she was the only newcomer this year.

Around seven or eight at night, Hesta emerged from the bathroom after her shower.

She had treated the abrasion from the afternoon, but the wound had become exceptionally sensitive after being submerged in water. With every step she took down the stairs, she could feel a dull ache across the skin of her knee as it stretched.

"Living quite leisurely, aren't we?" a familiar voice came from behind her.

Hesta knew who it was without turning around.

She turned and looked at Shawn, who was standing a few steps below her.

As their eyes met, Shawn truly felt that Hesta had undergone some changes during this time. She was now wearing the base's new dark green fitness uniform and black shorts, a more androgynous look compared to her attire in the hallway that day. For some reason, the cautious alertness she had when they first met had disappeared.

Hesta: "Aren't you supposed to be at the training camp today?"

"Not everyone needs to participate in that kind of mentally and physically taxing training," Shawn said, crossing his arms behind his neck, a faint smile on his face. "They have brute strength, but I have brains."

Hesta didn't respond.

Shawn leaned against the wall, one foot angled, the other tucked behind his calf.

"Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful hair?" Shawn suddenly asked.

"What?" Hesta thought she had misheard.

"No wonder people used to offer large sums of money to buy Hesta people's hair. But why don't you grow it out? Girls should have long hair, especially girls with beautiful red hair," Shawn straightened up and took a step towards the stairs. "Can I touch it—"

"No," Hesta said coldly. "If you take another step closer, I'm going to call for help."

Shawn stopped.

Perhaps due to the difference in elevation, from Hesta's condescending gaze, Shawn seemed to sense a shift in the balance of power – which he found somewhat amusing.

"Who are you going to call? Mrs. Lavette?" Shawn asked, hands on his hips, smiling. "Your Liz can't get back here in time tonight."

"Yes, she's not here tonight," Hesta nodded. "So there are some things I can only say now."

"Hmm? Did I hear that right... You have something to say to me?"

"Yes. I hope you won't bother me anymore," Hesta said softly. "If there's anything about me that makes you uncomfortable, we can definitely find other ways to resolve it. Maybe we can talk... I'm willing to talk to you."

"That would be wonderful, because my greatest wish right now is to be friends with you," Shawn said, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wall he was leaning on. "But, can I really trust you?"

"Why not?"

"What if you secretly ask me to meet you somewhere and then attack me when I'm not expecting it?"

Hesta tilted her head slightly, "...I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Weren't you just searching for 'how to fake an alibi' yesterday?"

"I wasn't," Hesta denied with a light air.

"8:32 AM, how to buy small knives suitable for concealment? 8:45 AM, how to forge an alibi? 9:12 AM, intentional homicide by a minor, what penalties would one face if discovered? In that half hour, you opened no less than fifty web pages..." Shawn listed calmly. "May I ask why Miss Hesta suddenly started searching for these things for no reason?"

Hesta's expression was a little strange.

Shawn saw that her hands, which had just been hanging by her sides, were now clenched tightly, and her lips were pursed slightly.

"...Where did you find out?" Hesta's voice became softer.

"I saw it," Shawn raised his hand. "With these eyes of mine."

"So, you did steal my browsing history."

Shawn merely smiled.

"How dare you..."

"It's no big deal to me," Shawn's voice was very calm. "Just a hobby."

"Fine," Hesta looked away. "What is it you ultimately want from me, Shawn."

"Me? I don't want anything. I just want to know, are all Hesta girls as quiet as you?"

Hesta's brow furrowed again.

Shawn spread his hands. "I used to always hear people compare girls to flowers, but whether it's in Hekla or here, women are either old maids like Sophie Moly or steel monsters like Liz. I just don't see any of that delicate beauty of a flower in them."

"Is that so?" Hesta's tone held a hint of impatience. "I actually think that's quite good."

"It doesn't matter, Hesta," Shawn didn't argue. He spoke again, "Anyway, be my friend. The first thing you did after getting the computer was search the Hekla Wasteland, which shows you're interested in me, just as I'm interested in you. You can tell me about your past, like Fu—"

"I refuse," Hesta interrupted him immediately. "Friends don't secretly monitor your every move. Friends respect each other."

Shawn felt a bit disappointed. "The way you say that, it's like you've been possessed by Liz. Don't be like that... do you really have to fall out with me? Is there no other way? Everything I just said was clearly meant as a compliment."

"Then I don't think we have anything else to talk about," Hesta said softly. "And I didn't feel any compliment in your words."