"What did you need to see me about?"
"I'm thinking of setting the next training simulation location as the Fifth Honkai Eruption."
"What's the reason?"
"I believe we need to practice a scenario where our actions are obstructed..."
Himeko, the one who caused the trouble, finally sobered up. Just as she was thinking about how to apologize to the two of them, Lin and Sakura sprang apart as if electrocuted, and before she could utter her apology, they started chatting as if nothing had happened.
Their tone was so indifferent that it seemed like a normal meeting.
If not for the belated flush rising on Sakura face, Himeko would have thought they had instantly developed amnesia.
Due to the sudden accident, she hadn't even had a good look at Lin face, and Lin took the opportunity to quickly snatch back his helmet and put it on.
In the moment Lin was putting on his helmet, Sakura quietly touched her lips. She could hardly believe that the soft sensation had originated there.
That was... an accident, right?
Although Lin was very calm, with not even a hint of red on his face, this must be an accident, right? They both instinctively acted as if it hadn't happened, so that means it was an accident, right?
No, no, don't look like you care. Just act like you don't care...
However, when Lin had put on his helmet, and she tried to psych herself up to look calmly at his helmet, she involuntarily shifted her gaze away.
"Hahaha..." Himeko chuckled dryly, placing one hand on Lin shoulder. She winked at Sakura, "This young lady must be Lin new squadmate, right? I'm his former Captain, Himeko, Captain of the Fifth Squad. Hello, hello."
"Hello."
Sakura took a deep breath, slipped her cold killer persona back on, and responded with a calm nod.
She recognized Himeko. Himeko was in one of Lin two photographs.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leav..." Sakura just wanted to flee this place of trouble, especially when Lin gaze, which could be discerned through the visual display, swept over her.
"Eh! Wait a minute!"
Himeko swiftly stepped in front of Sakura, blocking her way. She plastered an awkward smile on her face: "Miss Sakura, why don't you stay a little longer? Lin is... (lowering her voice) Cough, cough, seeking marriage."
"Eh? What?"
"Lin! Tea!"
"..."
Lin, who had already planned to end today's marriage seeking, stared at Himeko motionless. At this moment, his gaze seemed to be questioning Himeko recent actions. If nothing unexpected happened, he probably wouldn't move again until Himeko explained herself.
Himeko wrapped her arm around Lin neck and whispered into the helmet's receiver: "Don't worry about it, Lin. It was a wonderful misunderstanding, but it's also an opportunity, isn't it? I don't think she minds too much. And you want to get married anyway..."
"..."
Sakura?
Lin had actually thought about Sakura when the idea of marriage first occurred to him.
Compared to the multitude of women around him with... overly distinctive personalities, Sakura possessed the tenderness of a traditional woman. Also, the way she had taken care of Rin alone since childhood showed she was a diligent and thrifty woman. It could be said that if anyone perfectly fit the role of "wife" in the context of family, Sakura would probably be the most ideal candidate.
But he wasn't here to select a wife, much less choose a concubine. Marriage was a mutual desire of two parties, and only when both were willing could they step into the halls of matrimony.
Judging from Lin interactions with Sakura... she probably disliked him.
From Sakura perspective, he had meddled in her life uninvited and had even sent her into the Deep. Based on these preconditions, he had only left a bad impression on Sakura.
After they became teammates, their communication was even scarcer. Even when Lin tried to communicate with her sometimes, he could never find a suitable topic, and she would just listen coldly to his words and then fall silent.
In summary, Lin was quite aware of Sakura aversion to him.
"Forget it," Lin shook his head. He felt that achieving the goal of marriage through this route would be impossible in the short term.
"How can we just forget it?"
Himeko tone suddenly became low.
She repeated in a whisper: "How can we just forget it..."
"..."
Lin wordlessly looked at Himeko face, filled with disappointment.
She looked as though she was desperately trying to compensate someone, anxious and fragile.
It was only then that Sakura noticed the extremely festive decorations inside the Spiral Contraption. Was this what Himeko meant by "Lin is seeking marriage"?
He wanted to get married?
It wasn't that Sakura was prejudiced against Lin, but probably ninety-nine out of a hundred people who looked at Lin would think he was an emotionless and asexual person.
Yet, Lin was genuinely... unexpectedly appealing.
Perhaps Lin himself hadn't noticed. The words he spoke to her on the sickbed, his unwavering fight for a nonexistent person in the simulation room, and the contrast between his perpetually calm and rational demeanor and his willingness to step up for others...
Sakura had to admit that Lin possessed great courage and charisma in many ways.
But her feelings for Lin were more of admiration, mixed with a sense of inferiority.
If she had to say why... it was because Lin was always doing things with a clear conscience, while she was always doing things that couldn't see the light of day.
However, seeing that Lin showed no sign of resistance to the contact just now or to Himeko words, Sakura was slightly surprised.
Could it be that this Lin wasn't actually disgusted by her?
"Any-anyway, don't you have those marriage requirements? Just check if Miss Sakura meets the requirements!" Himeko cheered up, reverting to her cheerful, mature self. She smiled at Sakura: "Miss Sakura, I've watched Little Lin grow up. Although he's slow a lot of the time, his character is absolutely impeccable."
Himeko was too familiar with the look in Sakura eyes when she glanced at Lin—a mix of various emotions. The person experiencing such feelings might not notice the vague sensation, like water encased in a thin film, but Himeko had seen similar situations before, so noticing it wasn't hard.
"I..." Sakura seemed about to say something, but seeing Lin silently pondering something, she kept her words to herself.
"Isn't there a copy of the marriage requirements right here? See, Miss Sakura definitely mee..."
Himeko words caught in her throat. She blinked, carefully scrutinizing the words on the marriage requirements. After looking back and forth a few times and confirming she hadn't misread...
She lowered her head, afraid to look at Sakura.
And after seeing the marriage requirements Himeko was holding, Sakura expression imperceptibly stiffened.
"No... it's nothing. If you want to train, just contact me." Sakura expression showed no anomaly. She simply gave Lin her usual brief instructions and turned to leave.
Lin watched her disappear around the corner.
Disgusted, as expected?