Before the two of them stood a petite girl.
In height, she was about the same as March 7th.
Her long, soft pink hair was tied into a small ponytail on the left side, with a delicate golden ring adorning the strands on her right. She wore a clean white uniform that bared her fair shoulders, the sleeves draping halfway down her arms.
Below, a black miniskirt peeked out beneath a purple waist cape, its surface dotted with faint, star-like patterns that lent her an air both mysterious and refined.
Around her neck hung a small card displaying her photo and personal details.
Bai Ming had seen something similar on Arlan before — probably an employee ID.
So, this girl was a member of the Herta Space Station too?
Maybe... Asta?
Bai Ming's guess was soon confirmed.
Hearing the voice, March 7th turned around. Upon seeing the newcomer, her face stiffened slightly.
"Station Director Asta."
"Hm."
Asta nodded thoughtfully, her sapphire-blue eyes drifting downward — specifically, to March 7th's hands, which were braced against the wall on either side of Bai Ming's head.
Her brows furrowed.
Three parts confusion, seven parts... still confusion.
Was this really a position two girls should be in?
Had she somehow misunderstood their relationship?
With such doubts circling in her mind, Asta asked calmly,
"What exactly... are you two doing?"
"This…"
March 7th's eyes darted around wildly, unable to meet Asta's gaze.
Seeing her panic, Bai Ming's lips curved into a small, mischievous smile. She clutched her chest, pretending to look pained.
"Please don't blame March 7th... It's all my fault."
"Huh?"
March 7th turned sharply toward Bai Ming, who was leaning pitifully against the wall.
Having been fooled more than once already, March 7th immediately sensed danger.
When Bai Ming spoke like this, things always went downhill fast.
And sure enough—
"It's all your fault?" Asta repeated, her suspicion deepening.
That strange posture earlier… this was the Herta Space Station, not some romance drama set! There had to be a story behind it.
"Could you explain," Asta asked seriously, "what fault you're referring to?"
Bai Ming sighed softly, her expression sorrowful.
"Because... I couldn't accept March 7th's confession. I'm such a bad woman."
"HUH—?!"
March 7th's mouth dropped open, forming a perfect "O."
Asta, meanwhile, felt as though a bright white flash had just shot through her mind.
"So... that position was because March 7th confessed to you?"
"Heh…"
Asta rubbed her temple, clearly overwhelmed.
"So everyone from the Astral Express has... unique romantic preferences, I see?"
"It's not like that at all!"
March 7th yanked her hands away from the wall and started waving them frantically. "I didn't confess to her!"
But Asta still looked unconvinced.
"Well, if it wasn't you confessing," she asked, turning to Bai Ming, "then why were you pinned against the wall? Isn't that a bit... suspicious?"
"..."
That was the finishing blow.
Even March 7th had no counterargument to that logic.
Couldn't they have just talked normally?
Why did it have to look like that?
As March 7th clutched her head, trying to figure out how to explain herself, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind.
Bai Ming hugged her again — tightly — then leaned forward, cheek pressed against March 7th's.
Still in that very compromising pose, Bai Ming looked straight at Asta and smiled.
"Just kidding! There's no way I'd let March 7th confess to me first!"
"This…"
Asta blinked, visibly trying to process the statement.
"But you two seem awfully close. Are you sure there's no chance?"
"Exactly!" Bai Ming replied cheerfully. "Because we're so close, that's why I said that! Before March 7th can confess, I'll definitely confess to her first!"
"Wow…"
Asta's mouth hung slightly open. "Do all the people on the Astral Express operate at such... high speed in relationships?"
Just as March 7th was about to protest again, Bai Ming beat her to it.
"Not at all! I'm actually just a temporary cleaner!"
She even gave March 7th a quick wink — as if saying, See? I've got your back.
"Ehehe…"
"A temporary cleaner, hmm…" Asta gave her a once-over, clearly not buying it.
"So it wasn't March 7th confessing to you... but you confessing to her?"
"Mhm!" Bai Ming nodded vigorously.
"And did she accept?" Asta followed up.
"Uh... well…" Bai Ming's confident smile faltered.
Seeing her hesitation, March 7th sighed softly and stepped in.
"She didn't."
Bai Ming's face froze.
"Because…" March 7th continued, "it's still the probationary period. I can't just accept someone I met at the station yesterday, right?"
"Eh—?! March 7th!"
Bai Ming tried to retort, but March quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Stop talking already!"
"Actually," Asta interjected thoughtfully, "if it feels like you've only been here a day, the actual time that's passed might be more than that."
"Huh?" March 7th blinked.
"Mmph! Mmph!" Bai Ming protested, still muffled by March's hand.
Before the situation could spiral further, another familiar voice joined the mix—
"What are you all discussing here?"
It was calm, composed, and distinctly intellectual.
Himeko and Dan Heng approached from the far end of the corridor.
"Mind if we join in?" Himeko asked with a faint smile.
"You're finally here," Asta exhaled in relief. "I was just about to come find you. Let's head inside — we can talk there."
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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