"So that's how it is..."
"The person who matters most..."
Murmuring those words, Stelle looked at March 7th.
There still seemed to be a trace of bewilderment in her eyes.
The young Stellaron Vessel had lost almost all her memories.
She still understood most everyday knowledge, vocabulary, and common sense.
Yet there were plenty of gaps, too.
"Right! Anyway, your big sis here isn't some weirdo!"
"Let's talk about a Trailblazer's dreams together!"
March 7th seemed especially warm and cheerful.
Before long, she had hit it off with Stelle, who called herself Lin Chen's little sister.
Perhaps, as two girls who had both lost their memories,
they had more to talk about.
Or perhaps they were simply kindred spirits-fellow bucket enthusiasts.
They hoped to find, among the Metal Buckets scattered across the worlds,
a whole new universe to blaze a trail through.
While March 7th and Stelle exchanged tips on trailblazing through trash cans,
the mature beauty with long crimson hair hesitated for a moment.
Then she stepped forward, her long, smooth, ivory legs emerging beneath the slit of her elegant gown.
She walked up to Lin Chen.
Her hair ornaments, shaped like golden branches and jade leaves, gave a clear, melodious chime.
The faint yet rich aroma of coffee drew Lin Chen's attention before she reached him.
"It's been a while... Mr. Lin Chen."
"Or should I call you Commander Lin Chen?"
She curled her slender fingers.
Gently, she tucked the stray hair resting against her beautiful cheek behind her ear.
A faint glimmer shifted in Himeko's clear amber eyes.
Her lips lifted slightly into a somewhat formal smile.
"Himeko, there's no need to be so distant."
"Just call me Lin Chen, like before..."
He frowned.
Looking at Himeko, the Astral Express's navigator, who seemed so distant despite their