Teacher Himeko

"Himeko! Y-you... why are you laughing?"

"Hmph, if I'd known, I wouldn't have told you. Even you're making fun of me..."

Her cheeks puffed out in a pout, March 7th looked exasperated as she watched Himeko, who seemed lost in thought with a faint smile on her lips.

Although she could be a little strict at times, Himeko had always been fiercely protective of her.

March 7th couldn't understand why Himeko was acting so differently when Lin Feng came up.

"Ahem... no, Little March. Why would I ever make fun of you?"

"I have a few thoughts of my own about this. Would you like to hear them?"

Coming back to herself, Himeko let her smile fade and addressed March 7th with a serious expression.

"Yes... I'm really lost right now."

March 7th nodded quietly, her expression candid. In front of Himeko, she had little reason to hold anything back.

She truly didn't know how to face Lin Feng, or Asta, who had once been her friend.

Although she'd said she wished them happiness, her heart ached whenever she imagined Lin Feng and Asta happy together.

"First, you should figure out exactly what you feel for Lin Feng."

"If you truly like someone, simply being with him will make you feel happy and fulfilled, no matter what you're doing."

"At the same time, he'll influence your emotions and actions, and you'll constantly find yourself paying attention to what he's doing."

"You care because you like him. That's probably the truest expression of love."

She spoke slowly, seemingly recalling many things from her memories, as a complex emotion flickered through her beautiful amber eyes.

"Oh... in that case, what I feel for Lin Feng must be the kind of affection you're talking about."

"That's right. Otherwise, why would I care who he's with? I wouldn't care at all!"

Murmuring softly, March 7th already had an inkling of the answer. Lin Feng really was the person she liked.

"Yes. Only by facing your true feelings can you know where you're headed."

Himeko nodded quietly. Suddenly, she felt as though she'd discovered a talent for giving advice. Perhaps being a teacher wouldn't be so bad.

Thinking it over, perhaps those "memories of a past life" in her dreams had given her plenty of inspiration and food for thought.

Back when she'd encountered the damaged Astral Express, it had been the memory of her dream to explore the stars that had made her commit without hesitation.

She had studied aerospace propulsion at university, and ever since childhood, she'd been full of longing for the boundless stars.

And so, as she traveled aboard the Astral Express, her journey of Trailblaze went hand in hand with her dream, following the guidance of her heart.

"That makes so much sense. You summed up the essence of love in just a few words..."

"Come to think of it, Himeko, didn't you tell me you'd never been in love?"

"Himeko, have you been lying to me all along? Tell me about your love life!"

At that moment, as March 7th considered her words carefully, she seemed to notice something amiss, and curiosity gleamed in her beautiful eyes.

That was right. Himeko really understood love far too well. It didn't fit her image at all.

The aloof, reserved navigator of the Astral Express, with eyes only for the Path of Trailblaze and the sea of stars-that seemed much closer to March 7th's original impression of her.

"March, you little rascal, stop getting sidetracked!"

"Since you woke up inside the Doomsday Beast and joined the Astral Express Crew, when have I ever lied to you?"

"I read all those life lessons in books. That's why you should read more in your spare time..."

Himeko found a convenient excuse to brush the question aside, speaking with a slight frown and a hint of embarrassment.

Love was something that only felt real after experiencing it firsthand.

What had given her those insights and realizations was none other than the life of the Valkyrie named Murata Himeko.

Those disjointed dreams flashed past like countless fleeting silhouettes, yet they spanned an entire lifetime, giving her memories she should never have possessed.

"I get it. I'll ask Dan Heng for advice later and have him recommend some books..."

"Himeko, if I've already faced my true feelings and know for sure that I like that guy, what should I do?"

"If Lin Feng really gets together with Asta, will he stay on Herta Space Station forever?"

"That absolutely can't happen. You said it yourself, Himeko-he's the destined one, the key to solving so many problems!"

Thinking more clearly now, March 7th spoke slowly, sincerity written across her pretty face.

The thought of that possible future left March 7th feeling downhearted.

Originally, she'd only wanted to build a relationship with Lin Feng gradually. Once he became a companion aboard the Astral Express, she'd have plenty of opportunities.

But Asta had come out of nowhere like a dark horse, completely throwing off her pace.

If Lin Feng really decided not to leave and stayed on Herta Space Station, she'd have no chance at all.

"If you truly love and care for him, then fight for him!"

"When it comes to love, you have to take the initiative yourself. If Asta can do it, why can't you, March?"

"Some things shouldn't be treasured only after you've lost them forever, when there's no chance to get them back and all you have left is regret..."

"Lin Feng might not be the most dependable guy, but all you need to do is follow your heart."

After a moment's hesitation, Himeko spoke slowly, sharing her thoughts and understanding.

Although the Astral Express's journey was full of danger and adventure, it still couldn't compare to that blue planet that had once been ravaged by Honkai.

Even in an almost hopeless apocalypse, some people could still raise their swords against the heavens. What did this little difficulty amount to?

For the sake of certain convictions she held dear, Murata Himeko had chosen to sacrifice herself to kindle a flame of hope for her student.

In the end, all she'd left that Captain was a recording containing a few brief words.

Even if she'd truly harbored hopes and desires in her heart, expressing them would no longer have served any purpose. It would only have brought more sorrow to those who lived on.

So, in Himeko's eyes, March 7th had nothing to worry about. All she needed to do was act in a way she wouldn't regret.

"I understand, Himeko! No... Teacher Himeko!"

Most of the sorrow faded from her expression. Clenching both fists tightly, March 7th revealed a relieved smile on her fair face.

Although she'd entertained such an idea before, she'd never made up her mind, always afraid of something.

But Himeko's encouragement and guidance had strengthened a certain wish in her heart, showing her how she should face these feelings.

"T-teacher... what a nostalgic word."

Murmuring to herself, Himeko wore a wistful expression.

Once upon a time, Murata Himeko had also had cheerful, endearingly clueless girls like March 7th by her side.

The innocent smiling faces in her dreams overlapped with the person before her, stirring feelings she couldn't quite explain.

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