In a certain room.
It had the same high-tech design as the surveillance chamber, though a swirling, nebula-like substance suspended in the air lent it an air of mystery.
Asta led the group inside.
Himeko and Dan Heng walked at the front.
Behind them, Bai Ming followed with her arms wrapped around March 7th.
"Hehehe, my March 7th, my March 7th~"
"S-Stop making those creepy things!" March 7th's face was bright red.
"Eh?" Bai Ming looked up innocently, blinking her eyes. "Is it really that creepy?"
"Of course it is!" March 7th retorted. "Don't you have any self-awareness?"
"O_O… Oh, then I should probably—"
"Just act normal!" March 7th hissed under her breath. "Don't be like you are right now!"
"Don't be like I am now. Got it!" Bai Ming's eyes sparkled with sudden realization.
"Roger that, Lady March 7th! I'll act right away!"
She moved her head away from March 7th's cheek—
Just as March thought the nightmare was over, Bai Ming leaned the other way and began nuzzling her other cheek.
"Hehehe, my March 7th, my March 7th~"
"Hey! This is exactly the same as before!"
"But I'm not doing what I was doing before. So it still fits the rule, doesn't it?"
"You—!"
Realizing there was no winning against Bai Ming's twisted logic, March 7th gave a long sigh. Then, remembering something, she cleared her throat.
"B-By the way… Bai Ming."
"Hm? What is it?"
"About what I said earlier… that probation period thing…"
"Oh—! I know!" Bai Ming said brightly. "You were just helping me out of a tight spot, right?"
"I get it now! You said you couldn't accept a confession easily, so how could you suddenly turn around and put me on probation?"
"But don't worry!"
Bai Ming released her, stepped in front, and placed her hands on her hips.
"Sooner or later, I'll make you accept me willingly!"
"Eh—?"
March 7th blinked, clearly not expecting that. That… wasn't where she'd been going with the conversation.
But after a moment's hesitation, she matched Bai Ming's stance and crossed her arms confidently.
"Alright then! Just try it!"
"This lady isn't that easy to win over, you know!"
"Ah—! March 7th, you look so cool like that!" Bai Ming exclaimed, clasping her hands over her heart.
"Really?!"
"Really!"
"What are you two doing?" Asta's voice came from behind them. "Aren't you coming?"
"Coming~"
Bai Ming quickly took March 7th's hand, and they followed the group into the main room.
Asta's calm gaze swept over everyone. Clearing her throat, she began,
"It's a relief to see you all safe and sound."
"Arlan came by earlier and told me what happened in the storage zone. His injuries—thanks to your help—are already stabilizing."
"In moments like these, you realize researchers truly are the station's most valuable resource... Unfortunately, our lack of proper emergency preparedness was a major oversight. We've been too focused on research and not enough on security."
Her tone softened as she continued,
"But you members of the Astral Express..."
Asta's eyes swept over the group before landing on Bai Ming.
"...are exceptionally capable."
"I heard you even managed to ride a Voidranger and take it down. That's truly— Eh? What's wrong, Bai Ming? Why are you trembling?"
"It's nothing." Bai Ming clutched her chest dramatically.
"It's just… my Kokomi addiction acting up…"
"Kokomi addiction?" Asta blinked. "Is that some kind of new illness?"
"A very serious one," Bai Ming said gravely. "It requires… strong medicine."
"Is it really that severe?" Asta's voice grew worried. "I'll arrange a full medical examination right away—"
"No need!" March 7th interrupted quickly, waving her hands.
"This girl's also had 'the disease where she'll die unless someone gives her mouth-to-mouth,' 'the disease where she'll die unless I pat her head,' and 'the disease where she'll die if she can't touch Himeko's face.' Don't listen to her nonsense."
"Ehh—! March 7th, why'd you have to say that out loud?! That's so embarrassing!"
"So you do know what embarrassment is!" March 7th shot back.
"Uhh…"
Watching the two go back and forth, Asta could only sigh.
Dan Heng pressed a palm to his forehead.
"Station Director Asta, they're always like this. Please don't mind them."
"By the way," he added, "how's the current situation on the station?"
"If you mean the overall status…" Asta said, glancing toward the monitoring equipment, "the situation is still under control. The security system sustained minimal damage. The intruders only tampered with a small portion of the core data — it's repairable."
Her expression darkened slightly.
"The greater problem lies with the researchers. They trust Madam Herta implicitly and never expected the Antimatter Legion to breach the station. Compared to physical damage, the psychological impact is far more dangerous."
Himeko nodded, her calm demeanor radiating confidence.
"Then we should speak to the researchers directly. In times like this, we can't afford any more instability inside the station."
She paused briefly. "Have you managed to contact Herta?"
At that, Asta frowned.
"I've sent countless emails. None of them have been answered."
"You know how she is, Ms. Himeko. To Madam Herta, the space station is merely a storage site for her experiments and followers. She doesn't take its management seriously."
"I suspected as much," Himeko said with a faint sigh. "I'll send her a message as well—let her know we've brought the Curio she requested. That might get her attention."
"That would help a great deal." Asta nodded in gratitude.
But just as she finished speaking—
"I can't… I'm dying… the addiction's coming back…"
Asta turned sharply toward the sound, startled.
Bai Ming was clutching her head, swaying from side to side as she muttered under her breath.
"Another episode…" Asta murmured, a hint of concern returning to her face.
"Bai Ming, are you sure you're alright?"
"I-I'm fine…" Bai Ming raised her pale face and said weakly, "Asta, can I make a small request?"
"What kind of request?" Asta asked cautiously.
"I'd like to help you calm the researchers down."
"That would be wonderful."
"But..."
Bai Ming's eyes softened pleadingly.
"Could you say a few words to me… exactly as I tell you?"
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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