Somewhere on the space station
"Bai Ming, this is Asta. Do you copy?"
"Bai Ming copies!"
"Target confirmed ahead. We'll reach the designated location in two minutes. Please be ready."
"Understood! Paratrooper One, Bai Ming—ready for action!"
"..."
"Hey-"
Asta looked helplessly at Bai Ming on the other side.
"Do we really need to talk like this when we're standing this close?"
Just as Asta complained.
At that moment, the two were hiding on opposite sides of a cross-shaped corridor.
Earlier, Asta had cleverly arranged through Himeko to assign March 7th a small errand.
This corridor was the only route March 7th could take.
"We do!"
Bai Ming leaned against the wall, staring seriously at Asta across the corridor.
"Everything needs a sense of ceremony! You use chopsticks to eat, a straw to drink—Even now, I still believe that!"
"..."
Although Asta wanted to retort, she realized she actually agreed with Bai Ming's sense of ceremony. Or rather—she herself was someone who valued it deeply.
After all—Without that same respect for her own life, Asta probably would've gone back to inherit the family business long ago.
"Let's not talk about that for now," Asta said, cutting the topic short. "March 7th is coming. Proceed as planned!"
"I'll hide now!"
"Mm!" Bai Ming nodded seriously. "Wait for my good news!"
Buzz.
Asta opened a door beside the corridor and slipped inside. Even though she had hidden herself, she could still observe the outside through a one-way holographic wall. The space station was Asta's domain, after all. She could always prepare convenient observation points like this in advance.
Meanwhile, Bai Ming peeked out slightly, watching the far end of the corridor in silence.
Tap, tap.
Footsteps approached.
Just as Asta had planned, March 7th appeared.
Bai Ming held her breath, waiting for the perfect moment.
Finally, as March 7th stepped into the cross-corridor—
"March 7th!!"
Bai Ming shouted, leaping out suddenly.
"Eeeek?!!!"
Startled, March 7th stumbled back several steps, lost her balance, and nearly fell.
Seeing this, Bai Ming quickly reached out, grabbed her hand, and pulled her upright.
"Whew." Bai Ming wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Good thing I caught you! March, am I pretty awe—"
Halfway through her sentence, Bai Ming froze.
Because March 7th's eyes—those eyes that seemed to hold countless intertwined fates—were now radiating a very clear displeasure.
"Bai Ming."
"Let go of my hand."
"Huh? Oh…"
Though reluctant, Bai Ming obediently released her grip, realizing she was in the wrong.
Once free, March 7th placed her hands on her hips and glared.
"Bai Ming! How old are you?!"
"Huh? If you mean that way..." Bai Ming thought for a moment. "I'm already of legal marriage age!"
"You…"
March 7th's face flushed, but she quickly shook her head to dispel the redness.
"Geez, that's not what I meant! I mean—how old are you, still playing childish games like hiding and scaring people?"
"Uh, well…" Bai Ming realized March 7th had misunderstood and hurried to explain: "March, it's not like that! I wasn't hiding to scare you!"
"But the result's the same, isn't it?" March 7th pouted, glaring. "You almost scared me out of my skin!"
"Ah…" Guilt pricked Bai Ming's heart. "I'm sorry, March! I didn't mean it!"
"Oh…" March 7th sighed. "Then please move aside, okay? I have an important task from Himeko. Do you want me to get scolded?"
"But—"
Bai Ming suddenly grabbed March 7th's hand and pulled her against the wall.
Thud.
March 7th's back hit the cold metal, and she found herself trapped in Bai Ming's arms.
"I have something very important to tell you too! Super important!" Bai Ming said earnestly.
March 7th's heart skipped a beat—but the warmth faded quickly.
Because she suddenly recalled what she'd seen in the analysis room—
Bai Ming's hand—on Asta's chest.
Even she hadn't gotten…
Her cheeks puffed as she turned away. "I don't want to listen to you right now. Let me go, okay?"
"Eh—?!"
The color drained from Bai Ming's face until she looked like a petrified statue. Anyone passing by might've thought Asta had bought a new stone sculpture.
Seeing Bai Ming like this, March 7th felt a pang of guilt but when she remembered what that unfaithful girl might have done with Asta in the analysis room she decided this punishment was far too light!
No!
Absolutely no softening this time!
Resolutely, March 7th pried Bai Ming's hands off and slipped out of her grasp.
"This girl's off now. See you if fate allows~"
With that, she glanced at the still-petrified Bai Ming, then turned and left, humming a little tune.
Buzz.
Asta emerged from the room she'd been hiding in and approached Bai Ming.
Having witnessed everything, she naturally understood the situation perfectly.
But Asta's expression remained calm—almost amused—like someone who had already mastered the core of the game.
"Bai Ming, it seems the 'chance encounter' plan failed."
"But don't worry—I've already prepared a second plan."
"Eh—?!"
At once, color returned to Bai Ming's face. She turned and grabbed Asta's hands tightly.
"What is it, Asta? Tell me!"
"I can't reveal the details yet," Asta replied, glancing down at their joined hands.
Her pink hair caught the light as a mischievous smile curved her lips.
"Since approaching her directly didn't work—"
"Then let's make her come find us instead."
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A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Life Simulator: Starting in Genshin Impact!
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
patreon.com/deadlygoober