He sat aboard the Space Shuttle bound for Azure Star.
Recalling the many rumors about Ms. Herta,
Lin Chen was full of anticipation for the journey ahead.
Azure Star was an ecological planet with a highly advanced technological civilization.
Compared to the Blue Planet in his memories,
it was many times larger.
Thanks to its close ties with the Interastral Peace Corporation,
Azure Star also enjoyed a high standard of living.
It could rightly be called a glittering jewel in the vast Star Dome.
As the Space Shuttle sped onward,
the enormous, ocean-blue planet drew closer beyond the window.
The paradise he had once dreamed of was right before his eyes.
Yet Lin Chen felt far from at ease.
Ever since they had gathered and boarded,
Lin Chen had clearly sensed
that something about the situation was a little off.
Thanks to Asta's special arrangements,
aboard their Space Shuttle,
there were no other passengers apart from the pilot.
Rows of seats stood empty.
Asta and March 7th sat to his left and right, respectively.
The two girls, who should have been on excellent terms,
had not exchanged a single word from the start.
An inexplicably awkward atmosphere hung in the air.
"Mmm... so sleepy..."
With that soft, languid murmur,
Lin Chen felt a weight settle on his right shoulder.
A faint floral fragrance grew stronger.
Cherry-pink strands of hair brushed lightly against his neck.
Along with them came a soft, marshmallow-like sensation,
spreading against his right arm.
"March 7th... didn't you sleep well last night?"
"Mmm... sleepy. Don't disturb my rest."
Amid her warm, gentle breaths,
Lin Chen turned his head slightly, and his gaze froze.
Beneath March 7th's thin, slightly translucent white shirt
was a short black bandeau.
With her body pressed against him,
the graceful valley between her