"Hey, I found him! Yanqing's over there!"
After the brief commotion earlier, the group quickly located Yanqing amidst the bustling crowds of the harbor.
They approached and called out, "Hi, Yanqing, um... eh?"
Midway through the greeting, March 7th seemed to notice something and paused, giving Yanqing a puzzled look. "Hmm... it's only been a few months since we last saw you, but you look noticeably taller, Yanqing."
"Huh? Really?" Yanqing blinked, clearly unaware of his growth spurt.
"That's perfectly normal, Yanqing," Lumina explained with a smile. "You're still in your teens, the prime age for growth. Gaining a few centimeters in a few months is entirely typical."
Considering March 7th's upbringing—having been frozen in ice from childhood until recently—her lack of awareness about growth spurts was understandable.
"Uh, yeah, that makes sense," March 7th nodded, Lumina's explanation broadening her horizons. "Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?!"
The next moment, March 7th, still nodding in agreement, seemed to notice something and shouted, drawing everyone's attention.
They saw Stelle leaning close to Yanqing, pinching his cheek with a skeptical expression. She was scrutinizing him from head to toe, as if worried about something.
"Hey, hey, hey! In broad daylight, you've already devolved into this level of perversion?" March 7th, witnessing Stelle's slightly deranged behavior, immediately struck a righteous police pose, gesturing an arrest as if ready to apprehend Stelle on the spot if she dared to nod.
"I was just checking him out," Stelle retorted, retracting her hand and nodding. "After all, the first person we meet in a new place always turns out to be problematic." She crossed her arms and answered, offering an explanation.
"Hmm... that... actually makes sense?" March 7th muttered, falling into deep thought.
The first person they met on Jarilo-VI was Sampo, a member of The Elation. The first person they encountered on the Xianzhou Luofu was Tingyun, who turned out to be a Lord Ravager...
And on Penacony, the first person they met was... uh, who was it again?
Right, Misha! Another super problematic individual, though ultimately on their side...
But these experiences all reminded her that while the first person they met might not be evil, they were invariably someone of great significance.
As for this trip to the Xianzhou Luofu, the first person they encountered...
March 7th glanced at Yanqing again, then seemed to realize something. Her head snapped around, her gaze landing on their own Sister Lumina.
It seems the first person we met on the Xianzhou Luofu this time was Sister Lumina after all.
After this realization dawned on March 7th's little mind, she planted her hands on her hips, glared at Stelle with exasperation, and scolded her, "For our Luofu trip, the first person we met was Sister Lumina, okay?"
"I bet you're just using this as an excuse to get your hands on Yanqing, aren't you?"
"Hmm? Uh-huh!" At first, Stelle seemed taken aback, then visibly pondered the statement. Her eyes lit up as she fixed her gaze on Lumina.
Lumina: ?
While Lumina tilted her head in confusion, Stelle suddenly lunged forward, her fingers reaching out to caress and pinch Lumina's pristine cheek—part observation, part blatant flirting.
Hmm... definitely flirting!
Lumina could detect no hint of observation or interrogation in Stelle's eyes, only a star-like twinkle.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" March 7th and Little Swarm immediately grew anxious at the sight.
March 7th shouted out, while Little Swarm circled behind Stelle, wrapping her arms around Stelle's waist in an attempt to pull her away from Lumina.
Seeing this, March 7th joined the effort, and together, she and Little Swarm dragged Stelle out of Lumina's personal space.
Even though her fingers had already left Lumina's cheek, the lingering warmth sent Stelle into a moment of nostalgic reverie.
What a wonderful touch! If only I could have lingered a little longer...
That's what Stelle thought to herself.
"Hey! We're talking to you! Answer us now, or you're dead meat!" Seeing the expression on Stelle's face, March 7th crossed her arms, a hint of anger still visible on her face.
Yet beneath that anger seemed to lurk a trace of envy?
"Aren't I just checking out the first person I met on the Luofu?" Hearing March 7th's words, Stelle snapped out of her reverie, scratched her head, and explained with a touch of embarrassment.
"Checking what?! I bet you just wanted to take advantage!" March 7th retorted, using the same words Stelle had used to criticize Yanqing earlier.
"..." Stelle didn't reply, flashing a sheepish grin as she scratched her head. It seemed March 7th had hit the nail on the head.
When Stelle had pinched and stroked Yanqing's cheek earlier, she had genuinely been observing him. After all, no matter how perverted Stelle might be, she would never actually harm Yanqing. Her actions toward him were purely to ensure he wasn't an Emanator in disguise.
As for touching Sister Lumina just now... Well, Stelle admitted she'd had somewhat ulterior motives. At least, her intentions weren't as innocent as when she'd touched Yanqing.
"Hmph," March 7th huffed, her hands on her hips.
Then, her eyes darted sideways, her head snapping around to focus on her beloved Sister Lumina's flawless, endlessly captivating face.
Lumina, still reeling from Stelle's sudden gesture, seemed to be in a daze.
Seeing this, March 7th immediately realized: If I don't act now, when will I ever get another chance?
Without hesitation, March 7th strode up to her Sister Lumina and smoothly reached out to touch her cheek.
"Is this... Paradise?"
Feeling the softness of Lumina's skin, March 7th felt as though she had ascended to Paradise.
But in the next instant, Paradise was snatched away. Little Swarm clung fiercely to March 7th's waist, pulling her back...
Damn it!
As Paradise slipped further from her grasp, March 7th shot Lumina a look of indignant defiance, her eyes blazing with dissatisfaction—the same expression a protagonist might wear when thwarted by the Way of Heaven itself.
Little Swarm: ...
After pulling March 7th away, Little Swarm hopped a few times, as if psyching herself up, then edged toward Lumina. Reaching out a tiny finger to Lumina, who still stood dazed, Little Swarm paused mid-air.
Lacking the brazenness of Stelle and March 7th, Little Swarm was painfully shy. The moment her fingertip brushed Lumina's cheek, feeling the soft contact, she recoiled as if jolted by electricity.
Her face flushed crimson, she lowered her head and stumbled back a few steps, as if too embarrassed to meet Lumina's gaze directly.
Lumina: ...
After enduring the trio's "successive cheek-pokes," Lumina finally snapped out of her stupor. She stared at them, her expression a tangle of emotions.
Did they even understand the meaning behind their actions? Did they realize what consequences might follow?
This is insubordination! Insubordination!
Lumina was screaming inwardly, nearly moving the trio from her "Handle with Care" list to her "Enemy List."
The only reason she didn't was because she couldn't believe they truly harbored any rebellious intentions. Their actions were likely born out of mere curiosity.
Lumina wouldn't overreact to this.
As long as their interactions weren't motivated by ulterior motives, she wouldn't say a word.
Having convinced herself, she casually observed their expressions.
Stelle remained her usual impassive self, nothing to note. March 7th, however, noticed Lumina's gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly as she averted her eyes, unable to meet her gaze directly.
As for Little Swarm... she was already as red as an apple, turning crimson at the slightest touch. Her threat level registered at negative one hundred—completely negligible.
Having assessed the trio, Lumina finally let out a long sigh of relief.
She had initially feared they had formed an alliance to oppose her.
What a fool I am, she thought. Scaring myself for nothing.