"Let's talk about something more normal, such as... uh, that other 'underage alcoholic' you mentioned during the New Year?"
Himeko changed the subject, saying that while humans have an uncontrollable curiosity, they also have a corresponding sense of fear.
Forget about the canned herring...
"She... although she's not usually associated with the word 'alcoholic,' it wouldn't hurt to talk about it if you'd like to listen."
After all, Mobius' main profession was that of a scientist.
"Wait a minute, that person isn't much better than me, is she?"
Himeko suddenly doubted.
No, absolutely not.
"No..."
That's good.
After all, if she saw the person who knows her best praising someone better than her right in front of her... even if she didn't feel jealous, she would feel uncomfortable, right?
"I must say, you surpass me by far," Tian Shi added, looking at Himeko, who sighed in relief.
"You probably cook a little better than Mobius."
"Well, if we're talking about people of the same age, your stamina should also be slightly superior to Mobius' now."
"Then I'd better not talk about it."
"Hmm, how about you tell me about your career as a researcher?"
This guy never dated in college, so this topic shouldn't involve girls she doesn't know who are better than her, right?
Although it might be a slight exaggeration, I'm still a sixteen-year-old doctoral student, you know?!
"That goes back fifty... uh... fifty-three years ago."
"You've truly spanned a very long period of time."
"Fifty-three years ago, in Laboratory 42 of the Imperial College in London, I had just become a disciple of Einstein and Tesla..."
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute!
Didn't you develop your research career in college?
Suddenly, two more women appeared who were more outstanding than her.
And they were someone she knew!
"Did you have to be so brazen?"
Although she already knew that Tian Shi knew those two great scientists.
"Or rather, why do you think my research career developed during my university years?"
"And what did you do in college?"
"Strive to pass, then eat, drink, and have fun? Or rather, eat, drink, and have fun, and then strive to pass?"
"Wow... you're really lazy, but even so, you still couldn't find a girlfriend. Isn't that a bit pathetic? Even if you only had your physical attractiveness, you could hook up with many girls, right?"
After all, this guy is one of those people who would attract attention even if you threw him on the street.
So, people like Tian Shi can't find a girlfriend... Tsk, why do I always interpret my elders in such strange ways?
Himeko felt herself starting to feel a little anxious...
"That's quite subtle coming from you... Hmm... For example?"
Tian Shi also began to reflect on his university experience.
"For example, cocktail parties or something. Although I have never attended events of this type, social cocktail parties are very common everywhere, right?"
"I'm sorry, I don't like lively environments much, and I don't drink or smoke. The only alcohol I've ever had in my life so far was two small glasses of beer at a back-to-school party to liven up the atmosphere."
(This is the author's personal story regarding alcohol consumption.)
"You are a surprisingly good man" Himeko said, quite surprised.
"If your definition of a 'good man' is someone who doesn't smoke or drink, then I can only say you are incredibly naive..."
"No, it's just that for you... it's like 89+10... no, maybe 59+1? Anyway, is it that kind of feeling that adds the finishing touch?"
Himeko was somewhat confused.
After all, Tian Shi was too... too principled and peaceful most of the time, so much so that Himeko couldn't find a single flaw in him.
Himeko couldn't imagine that such a person could effortlessly pass college.
No, isn't it precisely because he is so principled and peaceful that he succeeds? Is that what they call being content with one's lot?
"The second part of that sentence is really hurtful... Is there any other way?"
"Of course, volunteer when you start college, and help freshmen with their luggage."
"That's a pretty common way..."
Tian Shi nodded, stroking his chin.
"But if you're not careful, they might take advantage of you, right? Besides, I think it would be better to spend the time entertaining the new students in the dorm by playing video games."
"..."
If that's the case, then there really isn't anything else to say.
"You didn't spend all of college playing video games, did you?"
Himeko seemed to sense that something was wrong.
"Ah... maybe. Isn't the same true for you? Are you more obsessed with stargazing than dating?"
"What you're saying makes sense, but why do I still feel like my hobby has been insulted?" Himeko complained.
"But if that's the case... then I'm not qualified to teach you."
Although some differences still exist, at least Himeko understands Tian Shi's view on university romance.
"Don't worry, I don't expect you to teach me. I will never have that opportunity in my life," Tian Shi said, rolling his eyes.
"I'm just reminiscing about my youth. To be honest, the truth is... well, I probably don't worry about getting married now."
After all, the compatibility scores that overflow to the point of worrying people about whether they will lead to a yandere route are listed in the system.
By the way, the compatibility between Tian Shi and Himeko has now reached 80%.
"..."
Himeko suddenly felt as if her emotions had been played with.
That bastard.
"I'm going to eat."
This topic will only make her, a true young woman among a group of fake single women, more anxious, okay?
She didn't want to be like her predecessors, who started planning their wedding before they turned twenty.
She was still young!
"There will always be a moment when you become a 'leftover woman'."
"If you bring up this topic again, don't blame me for getting angry!" Himeko, in a tone between embarrassed and angry, said:
"You should tell your story!"
"Story?"
"Of course it's your story from London. Don't try to change the subject!"
"Oh..."
While rambling about this and that, Tian Shi almost forgot the topic they were discussing earlier.
"Okay, that was fifty-three years ago, on a dark and stormy night... Don't go! It really was a dark and stormy night!"
...
My name is Ragna, Ragna Lothbrok, Captain of the Schicksal Valkyrie assault group, Schicksal direct combat instructor, and currently residing in Manchester.
Since I arrived in Manchester, I feel like my new teammate... well, Himeko has been with the team for over half a year, so she is no longer considered a new member.
In short, I feel that Himeko is acting a little strange.
Because the temporary accommodation provided to us by the British side in Manchester... was not as good as the headquarters.
Or, to put it more directly, the sound insulation is questionable.
If you make a noise, even a little loud, the neighbors can hear it clearly.
For example, it seems that Himeko is talking to someone.
Yes, Himeko seemed to be talking to someone.
The first night after my arrival, I had just finished my social practice and was about to return to my dorm when I heard Himeko talking to herself in her room.
She kept mentioning topics like Einstein and London, and it seemed to involve a lot of information... somewhat sensitive for Schicksal.
But I can't hear the other person talking to Himeko.
Is she talking on the phone?
Could Himeko be a spy for Anti-Entropy?
With this question in mind, I pushed open Himeko's door and, under the pretext of cleaning, conducted a surprise inspection, but found no communicator.
But when I returned to my room to listen more carefully, I discovered that something was wrong.
Has Himeko's solo conversation somehow turned into fermented herring?
It seems she plans to make me prepare fermented herring?
Although I knew how to prepare it, it wasn't canned herring season yet.
The best time to make canned herring is from April to June, which is now... Wait, that's not the point.
The key question is whether it is really appropriate for a spy to discuss in a room whether or not I should prepare canned herring.
I started to have some doubts.
Was it a cover-up?
But as I observed more closely, I slowly realized that something wasn't right.
There seems to be an invisible presence next to Himeko.
Sometimes, when Himeko talks to me, her gaze occasionally drifts to the side, but when I check those areas later, I don't find anything suspicious.
Sometimes I took days off work and secretly followed Himeko.
I noticed that when Himeko went shopping, she sometimes talked to herself in a secluded place, as if she were talking to someone.
That's too strange.
At one point, I abandoned the theory that Himeko was a spy and began to suspect that she might have mental problems.
After all, Himeko was an orphan, and it would be truly regrettable if that were the case...
But then, I suddenly remembered the New Year's party.
At that time, a mysterious person changed and washed everyone's underwear.
Although the other team members thought Himeko was responsible, they weren't naive.
They had clearly seen how Himeko woke up.
Evidently, judging by where Himeko woke up and her behavior, she didn't seem like the type of person who would be so organized as to help her colleagues change their clothes in the middle of the night.
It's just that, since there was no real loss at the time, no further importance was given to it, but now it seems that...
Could it be that Himeko really has a "maid goddess" by her side?
Bah!
Ragna, what nonsense are you saying!
However, the idea that Himeko might have a "maid goddess" or a "Fairy Godmother" by her side made me toss and turn in bed and I couldn't sleep all night.
So, I have made up my mind...
...
Knock knock knock.
"Good morning, Ragna... Eh, Captain, didn't you sleep well last night?"
Himeko was startled to see her Captain with very dark circles under her eyes.
Were it not for that familiar maid outfit, Himeko almost wouldn't have recognized the other person.
"Not last night," Ragna corrected, taking a deep breath.
"Strictly speaking, it was this week; everything just came to light yesterday."
"Does this even have an explosive effect...?" Himeko's lips twitched.
"Would you like to come in and sit down for a while?"
"Yes," Ragna nodded, looking somewhat tired, and entered the room to sit on the sofa.
Although the temporary residence had several problems, the status of the Valkyrie was undeniable.
Except for Otto and a couple of inept people, most people in Schicksal respected high-ranking Valkyries, even if only in word.
So the room was still suitable.
At a minimum, it's pure show and no substance.
"By the way, Himeko, do you know that the soundproofing of our base is terrible?" Ragna said tactfully after sitting down.
"Soundproofing? Really? It's quite quiet there at night," Himeko tilted her head, completely oblivious to what was happening.
That's because I didn't dare make any loud noises so you wouldn't notice!
Ragna could only show a kind expression while roaring inside.
This poses too great a challenge for a maid who has never received assassination training to remain calm.
What kind of housekeeper would receive assassination training!?
She is in command of the main battlefield!
Although maids do not go to the battlefield.
Okay, her main job is as a Valkyrie.
But I definitely can't tell that to Himeko.
"It's terrible, I can hear Himeko watching TV from my room," Ragna suggested, trying to be as diplomatic as possible.
"?"
Himeko still looked perplexed, apparently unaware that her Captain was exchanging tactics with her.
After all, in Himeko's memory, her Captain wouldn't beat around the bush if she wanted to say something, right?
But Tian Shi could tell.
(Is the soundproofing here really that bad?)
Tian Shi's expression was subtle, and then he switched his voice to the public channel.
"Good morning, nice to meet you, Captain Ragna."
"Eh?"
Tian Shi's sudden outburst caught Himeko off guard.
"Okay, okay, don't you know what you do at night?" Tian Shi was speechless at Himeko's slow reaction.
That's why he said before that Himeko was neither a novice nor a veteran.
Anyone else would have already picked up on such an obvious clue.
"Ah!"
Himeko only understood what Tian Shi meant after he had almost said it out loud.
However, Ragna was as surprised as Himeko.
"Although I prepared a long time ago, I still have some doubts about my ears."
"Well, after all, the air talks, doesn't it?"
Just then, Tian Shi leaned on the cushions next to the sofa.
"How about this? Will it be easier to adapt this way?"
"A flying cushion... well, it does make it more comfortable." Ragna nodded.
"May I ask your name?"
"Tian Shi."
Himeko felt a little uncomfortable with the conversation; the exchange between her two closest people seemed, inexplicably, like a business transaction.
"Um... we are all acquaintances, shouldn't we be a little friendlier?"
"We are making it official now so that we can have a friendly chat later, Himeko."
The cushion looked at Himeko.
"What does Captain Ragna want to ask?"
"Thank you very much for your help during the New Year," Ragna said, thanking Tian Shi first.
"And now, what I wanted to ask you... what are you? Are you really the 'Maid Goddess'?"
"No."
"'Fairy Godmother'?"
"Do I look like a fairy? I can change that."