"This…"
Seeing Bai Ming before her, Asta found herself in a bit of a dilemma.
On one hand, as the acting station director of the space station, she certainly wasn't going to grant every request Bai Ming made without question. That would just be foolish.
But on the other hand…
Asta narrowed her eyes slightly, looking Suyi up and down.
To be fair, she was quite good-looking. Even as a girl herself, Asta had to admit that. And her haggard appearance didn't seem feigned—upon closer inspection, she could even see sweat beading on Bai Ming's forehead.
Which meant—
She really was suffering.
Suffering from that so-called "kokomi addiction."
Should she help or not?
Asta felt torn.
Just then, upon hearing Bai Ming's request, March 7th immediately pinched her ear.
"Hey! What weird ideas are you having now?"
"Honestly! After bothering me and Ms. Himeko, you still want to go bother someone else?"
"N-No, it's not like that!" Bai Ming quickly protested, her ear still held firmly.
"This time it's for real!"
"Don't give me that!" March stared at Bai Ming. "You're definitely thinking of something else, aren't you!"
"Like suddenly asking station director Asta to be your girlfriend or something!"
"Uh… well…" Bai Ming muttered under her breath, "Depends on the situation, I guess!"
"You actually thought about it?!"
March glared at Bai Ming.
"You just said earlier…"
She stopped mid-sentence, her face flushing as she realized she'd accidentally dug a hole for herself.
"March?!"
"Nothing!" March quickly changed the subject.
"Honestly, Arlan just barely made it out alive. Shouldn't you let station director Asta hear his report first?"
"But isn't this exactly about helping Asta solve a problem…"
"Ah, well…" March stomped her foot. "Anyway, you can't go troubling others like that!"
"Ehh—! Match, you're so unreasonable!" Bai Ming cried out with fake tears
they're little squabbles suddenly reminded Asta of something.
Oh, right!
Weren't these people right in front of her Arlan's saviors?
Especially Bai Ming!
She was the one who single-handedly beat a Trampler to death with a baseball bat.
How could she hesitate when faced with such a lifesaver?
"I understand."
The calm statement immediately drew both March 7th's and Bai Ming's attention.
Asta, as composed as ever, continued, "Bai Ming, since you've made this request, I'll agree to it. However, I have a small condition."
"A small condition?" Bai Ming asked, blinking her golden eyes.
"I want to go with you."
"You… want to go with me?" Bai Ming tilted her head.
Asta nodded. "I'd like to see how everyone's doing anyway."
""Oh—!" Bai Ming's eyes lit up. "That's easy! Of course I can—"
Halfway through, she paused and glanced toward March 7th, lowering her voice. "March, am I allowed to do this?"
"Ehh—?!" March was caught completely off guard. Her face turned red as she quickly pulled her hand away from Bai Ming's ear.
"Why are you asking me?"
"Of course I have to ask you~" Bai Ming said playfully, gently swinging March's hand. "Your opinion matters a lot to me!"
"Ehh—?"
March grew even more flustered at Bai Ming's words.
At the same time, she noticed Asta's gaze from the side.
This time,
Asta's eyes still held three parts confusion, but the remaining seven parts had shifted into a rather complex mix of astonishment.
It was as if she were saying:
"Aren't you two already dating?"
Or perhaps:
"Can people of the same gender really fall in love?!"
But whichever it was, March felt that neither should be the focus right now.
She hurriedly spoke up:
"Then what do you think, Bai Ming? Do you really want to do this?"
"Mhmm!" Suyi nodded very seriously. "March 7th,, I really want to do this!"
"Then…"
March placed her hands on her hips, putting on a completely nonchalant expression.
"Then go! It's not like I'd get angry… Do you think I'm that petty?"
Hearing this, Bai Ming's eyes shone.
"March 7th~"
"I knew you were the best!"
"Don't cling to me!"
March dodged Bai Ming's attempted hug as she spoke.
"Honestly! Finish what you need to do first! Don't waste Director Asta's time—she's very busy!"
"Ehh—!"
Only when March said this did Bai Ming realize that was indeed the case.
She stopped chasing March, patted her cheeks, and straightened her clothes.
Then, Bai Ming turned around and, with a completely different demeanor from before, gave a slight bow to Asta.
"Sorry, Director. Please forgive my earlier behavior."
"This…"
Asta looked at Bai Ming and couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're quite an interesting person."
"Well then…"
Asta glanced toward Himeko.
"For matters here, for now…"
"No problem," Himeko replied calmly. "Leave it to me. But I suppose there shouldn't be any major issues for now, right?"
"That's right," Asta confirmed. "I've already given all the necessary instructions. You just need to sit there and contact me via broadcast if needed."
"Is that so?" Himeko smiled charmingly. "Then, may I brew a cup of coffee?"
"Of course."
"That makes me happy."
After completing the temporary handover with Himeko, Asta turned her attention back to Bai Ming.
"Shall we go, then?"
"Mhm~" Bai Ming very naturally reached out her hand to Asta. "Let's go!"
"…"
Seeing the hand extended toward her, Asta furrowed her brows briefly but quickly returned to her usual composure.
"Let's go."
She took Bai Ming's hand, and the two walked out together.
As they passed by March 7th, Asta casually said:
"Sorry for borrowing her for a bit."
With that, she and Bai Ming walked out together.
"Ehh—?!"
Hearing this, March stared blankly in the direction Bai Ming and Asta had left.
Noticing her state, Himeko walked over and gently patted her shoulder, saying in a soft tone:
"Little March, let's have some coffee together."
"Maybe by the time we finish, they'll be back."
"Mm, alright…"
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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