Some things never changed

Thinking back, she had first met March 7th one summer several years ago.

That had been the Astral Express's first visit to Herta Space Station, and she had only just become the station's lead researcher.

Sunny, cheerful, and always lively, March 7th had become a close friend she could talk to about anything in no time at all.

They could while away an entire afternoon over a drink, gazing out the window at the vast sea of stars.

Watching the girl who always seemed so full of energy, Asta felt that, if she hadn't been bound by her responsibilities, she too would have liked to visit all sorts of strange and wondrous worlds like March 7th, experiencing adventures full of twists and turns.

Although the Astral Express had traveled along many routes afterward, leaving them few opportunities to meet.

Thanks to their phones, however, March 7th and she had never grown apart.

A life with two or three true friends was a life well lived, and Asta had always considered March 7th one of those friends.

But the moon waxed and waned, and even stars did not last forever. The very thing she had least wanted to face had happened after all.

What should I do... what should I do...

Was I too impulsive after all? Now that March 7th knows what happened today, what should I do?

Usually so calm and wise, Asta now felt rather unsettled.

Lin Feng was the first man she had ever truly fallen for. She didn't want to give him up and leave herself with regrets.

And March 7th was a friend she had always treasured, a confidante as close as a sister.

Both of them were incredibly precious to her.

If she could keep only one of the two-love or friendship-even Asta would hesitate.

Although she would probably choose Lin Feng, she didn't want to make March 7th sad, either.

For now... I should have a proper talk with March 7th.

Yes... that's it. I have to win March 7th back!

After a brief moment of thought and hesitation, Asta had made up her mind.

Only children had to choose. As Herta Space Station's lead researcher, she wanted both love and friendship!

The Special Medical Department, Base Cabin, Herta Space Station.

On a snow-white hospital bed, the mature, red-haired beauty had already awakened, her lovely amber eyes calm.

Beside the bed, a girl with short pink hair held her cheeks in her hands, her gaze slightly unfocused, seemingly preoccupied with something.

"Little March... were you crying just now? Your eyes are still red..."

Himeko reached out a jade-smooth hand and gently stroked March 7th's cheek, her lips curving into a soft, tender smile.

As the Astral Express's navigator, Himeko had always regarded March 7th as a younger sister.

Even when March 7th acted rashly and repeatedly caused trouble on their previous trailblazing journeys, she had simply smiled and let it pass.

Even when March 7th had made a rebellious choice, deciding to stay behind with Lin Feng to fight the terrifyingly powerful Doomsday Beast.

Himeko had also chosen to take a great risk, bringing the Astral Express Crew along to confront the Doomsday Beast together.

So, seeing the normally sunny, cheerful, lively, and adorable March 7th looking sad and trying to hide it left Himeko puzzled, and all the more concerned about what she was going through.

"N-no, it's nothing. I was just so happy to see you wake up, Himeko, that I..."

March 7th forced a faint smile and spoke with a perfectly serious expression.

"Silly girl... you're terrible at lying. Do you really think I'd believe that?"

Her delicate brows furrowing, Himeko shook her head slightly, her gaze growing even more concerned as she looked at March 7th.

For the moment, Himeko had no idea what could have put that expression on March 7th's face.

"Uh... you caught me?"

"What else did you expect? Who could you fool with acting that bad?"

"Whatever's troubling you, just tell me. I'll always be here to back you up!"

"If anyone bullied you, I'll make sure he pays!"

As she spoke, a look of resolve settled over Himeko's face.

"Asta... and Lin Feng..."

"Here's what happened. This morning, I went to the Central Control Zone..."

"Asta confessed, and he accepted. Then she and Lin Feng..."

As she described the details she had witnessed firsthand, March 7th's expression turned miserable.

After all, whenever she recalled that scene in detail, the memory pierced her heart like sharp shards.

Perhaps her feelings had clouded her judgment. Seeing Lin Feng and Asta embracing and kissing had made March 7th feel as though her head would split apart.

"Ahem... stop there, March 7th. You don't need to go into that much detail..."

"I've got the gist of it. It looks like our Little March is suffering from heartache!"

"That Lin Feng... he really never changes..."

A hint of reproach appeared on her somewhat pale, beautiful face as Himeko sighed softly.

"Never changes? Himeko, did you already know Lin Feng?"

Hearing Himeko's words clearly, March 7th frowned slightly, her voice still choked with emotion.

After all, from Himeko's tone, Lin Feng sounded like someone she knew very well.

"Ahem... that was a slip of the tongue. How could I possibly know a scoundrel like him?"

A flicker of panic crossed Himeko's face, and she hurried to explain.

When March 7th had mentioned Lin Feng just now, Himeko's mind had filled with the secret events of the previous night.

That man, Lin Feng, had sneaked into her hospital room, not only taking plenty of liberties with her but secretly taking photos, too. He was utterly despicable.

If not for those inexplicable memories and the sense of familiarity in her heart, she certainly wouldn't have let him off so easily.

Still, come to think of it, it looks like Lin Feng actually succeeded this time?

At that thought, Himeko's lips curved slightly into a playful smile.

After the rather strange dream she had experienced the previous night, along with that indescribable, stabbing pain in her mind whenever she came into contact with Lin Feng.

Himeko was now fairly certain that the Lin Feng before her and the captain of the Hyperion in her dream were very likely the same person.

As she remembered it, although that captain had always loved flirting with Valkyries, he had never actually succeeded with any of them.

Once, there had also been many outstanding girls aboard the Hyperion, girls she had regarded as her students.

And from March 7th's description just now, Asta seemed to have been the one to confess first.

"That girl Asta is quite brave. I never realized before that she had that side to her."

Speaking of Asta, Himeko really couldn't bring herself to dislike her. Instead, she felt a measure of admiration.

Although she had yet to truly fall for anyone, if that day ever came, she would probably be like Asta and bravely voice the thoughts and wishes in her heart.

As dreams that felt like a past life overlapped with reality, Himeko didn't want to miss out on anything again.

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