[Himeko finally experienced the illusion of being confessed to]
Reading this line, Bai Ming fell into deep thought.
Although this world's Himeko isn't the same Himeko from her memories...
She is still Himeko!
There are no two identical snowflakes in the world, but that doesn't mean one can't cherish every single snowflake simultaneously!
The Himeko of this world must also be cherished properly!
However, even though excited voices echoed in her mind, Bai Ming hadn't completely lost her rationality.
—She had to confirm whether this was really the case!
Action now!
Bai Ming looked at the Himeko before her, carefully observing the other's condition.
It was fine before she looked.
But now, looking closely, Bai Ming realized that her earlier words seemed to have had a significant impact on Himeko.
Her willow-leaf eyebrows were raised slightly, forming a small inverted 'V'.
Her bright, spirited golden eyes were now widened a bit more, revealing a galaxy-like surprise within them.
Her faintly red-tinted lips were pursed into a small "O" shape, further illustrating the turmoil in her heart.
It seems... she really was moved?
Bai Ming felt a sense of unease for the first time.
She quickly spoke up:
"Hi—Himeko, are you okay?"
Himeko, who had been lost among the stars, immediately snapped back to reality upon hearing Bai Ming's call.
After all, she was the navigator of the Astral Express. Himeko's ability to adjust herself was quite strong.
She gently brushed her hair aside. In the moment her arm passed by her face, her expression instantly returned to its previous composed and calm state.
"Of course." Himeko smiled faintly.
"I'm feeling perfectly fine now."
It must be said, Navigator Himeko's self-control was quite remarkable.
To the average person, her expression now showed no issues whatsoever; it even faintly exuded a sense of confidence.
But Bai Ming was no average person.
She was a Level 60 Traveler, an Level 88 Captain!
Proficient in all kinds of elemental reactions and smooth Valkyrie combos!
These identities would...
Alright, they weren't really useful.
This wasn't a game.
The Himeko before her wasn't some NPC she was dealing with.
She had her own life, her own experiences...
Thinking this, Bai Ming turned to look at March 7th behind her, only to find her looking back.
Bai Ming immediately threw her a wink.
But the latter averted her face, avoiding Bai Ming's gaze.
"Huh?"
Being avoided like this left Bai Ming somewhat at a loss.
However, just then, Himeko's voice came from the other side.
"Bai Ming?"
"Huh?!"
Hearing Himeko's voice, and with her mind still on the earlier system reward screen, Bai Ming immediately turned back.
"Here!"
Seeing Bai Ming's nervous appearance, Himeko gently patted her shoulder.
"Don't be nervous, stay calm. Show your true self."
"G-Got it!" Bai Ming, who had already withdrawn her hands, quickly nodded.
Himeko seemed quite satisfied with Bai Ming's response.
Hesitating for a moment, she spoke:
"Regarding your question earlier..."
"The question earlier?"
"Mm." Himeko nodded. "The one that went 'Big Sister Himeko! If you were my girlfriend, could I touch you like this every day?'."
"My answer is..."
"Is...?" Bai Ming held her breath, awaiting Himeko's response.
"It's a no."
Himeko looked directly at Bai Ming.
Her expression carried a hint of seriousness.
"Because it's impossible for me to become a girl's girlfriend. Not even someone as lovely as you."
"So—"
"The premise of this question doesn't exist from the very start. Effect follows cause; without cause, there is no effect. Bai Ming, you understand what I mean, right?"
A rejection.
But a very gentle one.
No matter which world it was, a person named Himeko was always a very good...
Ahem, a very good big sister.
But precisely because of Himeko's kindness, Bai Ming found it even harder to ignore the earlier prompt.
[Himeko finally experienced the illusion of being confessed to]
Did she, in every world, have to endure this kind of fundamentally meaningless pain? I refuse to accept that answer!
"Big Sister Himeko!"
"W-What is it?"
Himeko was startled by Bai Ming's sudden increase in volume.
"I want to ask you a question!"
"What question?"
"Do you have a partner?"
"..." Himeko's expression became somewhat awkward.
"Why are you suddenly asking that?"
"Please answer me, Big Sister Himeko!"
Seeing Bai Ming's utterly serious face, Himeko felt she couldn't avoid this matter.
Hesitating for a moment, she replied:
"No, I don't." Himeko smiled faintly. "Are you planning to help me solve this problem?"
"Ahem."
Bai Ming straightened her Epic-grade baseball bat and adjusted her collar.
"I can. Big Sister Himeko, be my girlfriend!"
"..."
Himeko was stunned for a moment before processing the words. She let out an awkward laugh and said:
"Bai Ming, but you're a girl too, aren't you?"
"Big Sister Himeko, we don't need to be too strict about gender!" Bai Ming declared, patting her chest earnestly.
"You don't have a girlfriend, and I don't have a girlfriend. Doesn't that mean we're a perfect match!"
"So, be my girlfriend!"
"Huh?"
Himeko considered herself a rather rational person.
But at this moment, she found herself unable to pinpoint the flaws in this logic.
Or perhaps...
She was unwilling to look for them.
All Himeko could hear echoing in her ears were those recent words.
"Be my girlfriend!"
"Be my girlfriend!"
"Be my girlfriend!"
Because it was important, it repeated three times.
To think her first proper confession would be like this...
But it didn't feel too bad?
Just as Himeko's lips trembled slightly, about to answer Bai Ming...
"silence!"
March 7th said this, then delivered a karate chop to Bai Ming's head.
"You fickle-hearted cheater!"
"Himeko, don't believe her! She says this to everyone! Let's go see Asta now!"
Saying this, March 7th grabbed Bai Ming by the collar and started dragging her forward.
Only Bai Ming's voice, clutching her head and shouting, remained in the corridor:
"Big Sister Himeko, please think about it!"
"Even one day is fine!"
"Half a day if that doesn't work! Even half an hour!"
Watching this scene, Himeko couldn't help but laugh.
She
wasn't laughing at Bai Ming, but at herself.
To think she had actually considered...
"Let's go, Dan... What's with that expression?"
"Nothing."
Dan Heng covered his forehead.
"I just suddenly feel a bit out of place."
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon.
patreon.com/deadlygoober