Space station 35: Spiraling Hard! Himeko's Stomach Aches

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For the following year, Himeko dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her studies.

She rose before dawn and returned after dusk, nothing deterring her pursuit of dreams. Not only did she graduate early, but during this time, she also absorbed vast amounts of new knowledge, rapidly enhancing her abilities.

After just one year, even amidst Water Blue Star's era of technological explosion, Himeko could rightfully be considered an exceptional scientist.

Her unwavering determination stemmed from the anticipation brimming within her heart.

There was the anticipation for embarking on a journey among the stars,

As well as the anticipation for reuniting with Su Qing once more.

The only activities unrelated to her studies during this period involved revisiting the letters she had written to Su Qing, often editing them to add fresh sentiments of longing.

She planned to share these moments and memories with him when they met again...

[March 7th: Sister Himeko's most successful move was expressing her feelings flawlessly through a heartfelt letter at confession time, truly touching Su Qing.]

[March 7th: Her biggest misstep occurred during their separation, panicking and using spoken words that conveyed the wrong message...]

[March 7th: Truly a case of success and failure both stemming from the same cause!]

[Seele: Who's Xiao He?]

[March 7th: That's not the point!]

[March 7th: The crucial part is how agonizing this feels for you, Sister Himeko?! A perfect start and flawless execution! How could it all fall apart at the last moment, just inches from success?!]

[Bronya: Seems like March 7th is more worked up than Himeko herself.]

[March 7th: Sister Himeko only appears calm on the surface; she must be feeling even worse inside! So much worse!]

[Himeko: ...Don't panic, little March. There's still hope.]

[Kafka: It's over.]

[Firefly: It's truly ov-er nowww!]

[Seele: Ha ha, Firefly certainly sounds genuinely thrilled.]

As seasons cycled, another spring arrived swiftly.

The scent carried by the wind and drifting petals reminded Himeko of days gone by.

Sadly, her lover who once stood by her side was now far away...

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Himeko focused on the task at hand. She had heard about a meteorite falling near the coast today and rushed here specifically to investigate.

To her surprise, what she found wasn't a meteorite but a crooked train. This peculiar train appeared as if it had suffered some kind of accident.

A creature resembling a doll peeked out from within the train, looking cautiously at her with slight apprehension. "...Who are you? Where am I? By any chance, does this planet have an aerospace repair facility?"

[March 7th: Ah! It's Pom-Pom!]

***

After repairing the Astral Express, Himeko officially embarked on her journey into the starlit skies.

Himeko didn't bring much luggage; she packed all her essentials into a large suitcase. This included various tools for train maintenance, reference books, and those she hadn't finished reading yet.

Naturally, it also contained the hair accessory gifted by Su Qing.

Before leaving, Himeko visited the same shop once more and purchased an identical hair accessory to wear. She carefully stored Su Qing's gift alongside mementos from the technology exhibition at the corner of her suitcase.

The train carried her soaring above Water Blue Star.

Looking back, Himeko realized that the return trip seemed so close now, even the sea of her homeland appeared insignificant.

Amidst the starry expanse, her dreams and newfound aspirations had never been clearer.

With unwavering belief, Himeko was convinced that given Su Qing's abilities, he must have already gained recognition across the galaxy.

It shouldn't take long to find him, and perhaps even Su Qing himself would board the Astral Express, joining her on this journey of exploration...

Carrying these hopes, Himeko diligently searched for any information about Su Qing throughout her Trailblazing voyage.

[Firefly: (Growing anxious)]

The first year passed without any trace of news.

[Firefly: (sighs with relief)]

At the Intelligentsia Guild, Himeko explained her purpose for visiting.

A scholar from the Intelligentsia Guild searched for information and responded, "You're referring to 'Su Ke,' correct? He was indeed invited before, but he did not accept."

Himeko seemed incredulous. "How could that be..."

Throughout the year, Himeko had continuously sought news about "Su Ke" but found nothing fruitful. Occasionally, she encountered namesakes, yet none matched his profile.

She firmly believed that Su Qing would never remain obscure, but then how...

After finally visiting the Intelligentsia Guild today, all she received was this disappointing outcome.

Having verified several times, Himeko left disheartened.

Later that evening, Himeko noticed that the place where she was dining was one of the renowned hotels owned by the Su family within the Milky Way Galaxy.

[March 7th: Oh wow, is this the hotel belonging to Su Qing's family before their bankruptcy? Looks amazing!]

[Stelle (Su Qing): Ah, once upon a time, it was part of my empire.]

[Qingque: Laughing so hard.]

The owner of this hotel also shared the surname Su.

Suddenly, Himeko lost her appetite.

With her gloved left hand resting on her forehead and the right hand pressed against her abdomen, she slightly bent over.

Ah...

Her stomach hurts terribly.

Himeko felt more anguish due to emotional distress than physical pain.

Himeko had previously encountered this phrase "stomachache" often in tragic romance novels or films, typically used to describe the emotional pain felt by characters due to unfortunate misunderstandings or coincidences leading to separation.

For instance, two lovers, deeply devoted to each other, might ultimately part ways because of a single mistake or chance event, leaving audiences with a sense of "stomachache."

Never did she expect such a plotline from fiction would actually happen to her.

Now, Himeko truly understood the feeling—a profound regret that made her want to curl up, accompanied by a literal stomachache...

Despite being mature now, she couldn't help but overthink this particular situation.

One thought constantly plagued Himeko:

Was Su Qing... avoiding her?

It wasn't entirely implausible.

After all, her words at the time could have been interpreted as immediately breaking up upon hearing about his impending journey abroad.

They seemed heartless and uncaring.

Could Su Qing be angry? Or worse, deeply hurt by me...

As these thoughts surfaced, Himeko's stomachache intensified.

Regret, deep regret.

If only those few ill-chosen words were never spoken...

So close, it was just so close.

If only she had taken more time to consider her words; if only she could have expressed herself through a letter instead; or even, if only she had sought him out earlier...

Countless "ifs," all just hypotheticals.

In the end, those slight missteps led to their separation—now worlds apart, unable to meet again.

[Kafka: ...I can actually empathize with this feeling.]

[Himeko: (speechless)]

That day, Himeko skipped dinner and headed straight back to the Astral Express.

She knew that the journey itself held its own significance. As companions came and went, Himeko remained undeterred by any sense of loss.

'But...'

Himeko leaned against the slightly chilly window, resting her head on her arm, gazing absently at the dazzling starlit sky outside.

'But, I truly wished for you to embark on this journey together with me.'

'At this very moment, where exactly are you, and what are you doing?'

***

[Seele: Presently, Su Qing: Cooking, loving it!]

[Qingque: Ha ha, based on the time, he probably is.]

[Bronya: @Seele, don't spoil the mood!]

[Kafka: While I understand your feelings, @Himeko, do you have anything else to add?]

[Himeko: Nothing much to say. I'm still Su Qing's girlfriend, and that fact stands unchallenged. We're just temporarily—just for now—taking some time apart.]

[Kafka: Someone's putting up a tough front; not naming names.]

[Kafka: @Himeko.]

[Fu Xuan: Not Naming Names]

[Kafka: Remember when Himeko said her moves would take me years to master?]

[Kafka: Well, this last move...I'll never learn it, even if given decades—no, make that centuries.]

[Kafka: Because who'd ever attempt such outrageous maneuvers, right?]

[Firefly: Lol.]

[Silver Wolf: Lol.]

[Himeko: ...]

[Himeko: (Weakness hit) (Effect outstanding) (Clutching stomach) (Starting to feel nauseous)]

[Qingque: Now she's caught by her own boomerang.]

[March 7th: Sister Himeko, oh my dear Sister Himeko?!]

Soon, March 7th couldn't bring herself to cry anymore.

Because in the next scene, they were inside Himeko's bathroom.

The unconscious March 7th lay naked, curled within a massive block of ice.

[March 7th: (Face instantly flushed red) Ah! Everyone, don't look, aaah!! Why am I suddenly on screen?!]

[Black Swan: (Laughs) It's okay, there are only girls watching the live stream anyway.]

[March 7th: Still so embarrassing, aaaah!]

[Stelle: What's up with the censor beams covering those crucial spots? Did you add them, Black Swan?]

[Black Swan: No, it's built into the hexaphase ice.]

[Stelle: @March 7th, considering the censor beams, actually, you're revealing less than Sister Himeko in her bikini, right?]

[March 7th: Eh? Seems like that's true.]

[March 7th: Suddenly I'm not feeling so shy anymore!]

[Himeko: ...]

[Himeko: (bending even lower at the waist) (struck unexpectedly by a jab)]

[Seele: @March 7th, how did you end up inside the ice?]

[March 7th: I'm not sure myself; this is just how I woke up. Uncle Yang and Dan Heng were Trailblazing on a new planet, not on the train, and Pom-Pom was asleep in the conductor's cabin.]

[March 7th: Thankfully, Sister Himeko found me! She helped thaw me out, dressed me in her lovely clothes, and allowed a completely bewildered me to stay aboard the train.]

[March 7th: @Himeko, thank you, Sister Himeko! Love ya! ?]

[Himeko: (slightly uplifted)]

[No problem, dear little March. Having such a cute girl like you onboard is our good fortune.]

[Firefly: The atmosphere on the Astral Express seems really nice.]

[Silver Wolf: ...You're right, but Firefly, can you let go of my shoulder now?]

[Firefly: (smiling broadly) (firmly) Not yet, Silver Wolf—I haven't seen your shady past.]

[Silver Wolf: That's starting to hurt!]

[Silver Wolf: No wonder our Stellaron Hunters can never have a peaceful atmosphere!]

[Kafka: (smiling) You brought it upon yourself, Silver Wolf. Weren't you quite entertained earlier?]

[Silver Wolf: ... (speechless)]

[Stelle: Speaking of which, @March 7th, when you first opened your eyes, did you see Sister Himeko?]

[March 7th: Ah, yes, I did.]

[Stelle: Since you don't remember your past, there's this idea that animals consider their first sight as their mother.]

[Stelle: So why not make it even—one for me, one for you? I've got Kafka, and from now on, maybe you should call Sister Himeko... Mom.]

[Silver Wolf: Laughing so hard. Are we playing 'sharing time' here? One for you, one for me.]

[March 7th: Confused??? Wait, what? Does that mean I'd have to call Sister Himeko... Mom? Then how would Su Qing and I refer to each other... And with Stelle, huh? Oh wait, nothing changes between us...]

[Sparkle: Amused.]

[Himeko: @March 7th, dear little March, Stelle is just teasing you. Don't let her confuse you.]

[March 7th: Ah! (realizing) Almost fell for Stelle's trick! It's not like whoever I saw first has to be considered my mother!]

[Seele: 😄]

[Stelle: Tch—thought I wouldn't be the only one losing seniority here.]

[March 7th: @Stelle, you're so naughty! That's what you were planning all along?!]

***

Some time passed.

Noticing Himeko gazing at the starlit sky with a hint of melancholy, March 7th asked her if something was wrong.

Welt adjusted his glasses. "Ever since boarding this train, Himeko has been searching for someone. It's rumored to be her former lover."

Dan Heng crossed his arms and leaned against the carriage wall. "Given her current state, she must be longing for her lover."

"Sister Himeko's lover..."

March 7th had never heard about this before, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "How intriguing!"

[Bronya: She's always been like that.]

As March 7th considered approaching Himeko for more details, Dan Heng feared it might disturb her and wanted to stop her.

However, Welt reassured him, "It's alright. With little March's cheerful personality, it could actually help." He turned to Dan Heng and suggested, "Let's go to another carriage; we'll give them some space."

[Stelle: Uncle Yang! The reliable old... middle-aged man!]

[March 7th: Almost slipped up there, huh?]

March 7th sat next to Himeko, smiling as they began a conversation. As if caught by March 7th's infectious cheer, Himeko also started to smile.

Outside, the stars twinkled brightly.

Himeko, elegant and wise, alongside March 7th, vibrant and outgoing—the two exceptionally beautiful individuals engaged in a lively discussion about love on the sofa.

[Stelle: Wow, such a heartwarming mother-daughter moment.]

[March 7th: That's—not—right]

[March 7th: It's a heartwarming sisterly scene, Stelle. Don't lead it down that path.]

[Stelle: @March 7th, aren't we close friends? Good sisters? As sisters, let's lower our ages together!]

[March 7th: Absolutely not!]

In one carriage, Welt and Dan Heng were engaged in conversation with Pom-Pom.

In another, Himeko and March 7th chatted happily.

[Stelle (somewhat anxious): What about me? Me too? Where do I fit in?]

[Kafka: Hold on, you haven't even been born yet.]

[Stelle: ?????]

[Stelle: Oh, okay then.]

[Qingque: Just accepting it like that, truly impressive of you, Stelle.]

As this final scene unfolded, Himeko shared her nostalgic tale of young love from her student days with March 7th.

The screen faded to black.

[Simulation End]

[Firefly: Whew...]

[Firefly: Finally, I can relax.]

[Kafka: +1, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.]

[Seele: Himeko: Finally, my worries have ceased altogether.]

[Himeko: ...]

[Kafka: What's going on here? (confused) Our ever-graceful coffee-drinker has suddenly gone silent!]

[Firefly: Y-yeah (playing along), is it because the coffee isn't up to par? That shouldn't be possible.]

[Kafka: Shall we suggest some alternatives for you?]

[Firefly: I can recommend famous Penacony coffees!]

[Silver Wolf: LOL, these two sure know how to throw shade at each other.]

[Silver Wolf: They're more in sync now than during missions!]

[Firefly: Ding-dong-ding-dong?! Anyway, let's celebrate first! 🎉]

[Kafka: ...Save me a piece.]

[Kafka: ?]

[Seele: Shocked! Even someone as mature as Kafka is joining in the silliness now?]

[Stelle: Adorable!]

[Fu Xuan: It's clear they're genuinely thrilled—every cloud has been swept away.]

[Sparkle: Woo-hoo, party time?!]

[Stelle: Sparkle's comment took a sudden turn for the worse!]

[Firefly: ? Tonight's expenses, all on...on Miss Silver Wolf!]

[Silver Wolf: Pay yourself!]

[Firefly: I can't afford it (crying emoji)].

[Silver Wolf: ...Uh, fine then.]

[Kafka: Showing off your moves till the end, huh?]

[Kafka: @Himeko, who's the clown now?]

[Himeko (trying to muster strength): At least I was Su Qing's girlfriend, Kafka. What about you?]

[Kafka: No, you were his ex-girlfriend—emphasis on "ex." You've already broken up; there's no connection anymore. Meanwhile, I've been by Su Qing's side for six years without any change in our relationship. He still values me immensely.]

[Himeko: ...]

[Silver Wolf: Crushing blow!]

[Himeko attempted to regain her composure but couldn't manage even slightly.]

[Himeko (bending over): (continuing stomach pain)]

[Firefly: I... uh... I still have limitless possibilities with Su Qing!]

[Seele: The future holds promise!]

[Black Swan: Indeed it does.]

[Black Swan had hoped for audience interaction during the live stream, but she didn't anticipate such intense engagement from the viewers.]

[Black Swan: Truly, everyone takes turns in the spotlight, with no one escaping the boomerang effect.]

[Black Swan: On the bright side, at least each person has had their moment of brilliance.]

[Black Swan: Initially, I wanted to invite Himeko to share her thoughts, but let's give her some rest first. Instead, let's check on Su Qing, who just finished his simulation.]

***

At the Herta space station.

Su Qing examined the two items he brought back from this latest simulation.

[A Love Letter]

[Description: A pristine love letter filled with unparalleled sincerity and heartfelt emotions.]

[Aged Souvenir]

[Description: A souvenir from one of Water Blue Star's technology exhibitions, appearing quite old.]

[March 7th: (unable to contain herself) Ahh???!]

As Su Qing looked at these items, he fell silent.

He gazed at the envelope for a long moment but ultimately chose not to open it again, sighing instead and putting it away.

There was actually no need to revisit it.

The scene of Himeko confessing to him was vividly etched in his memory, and he still recalled most of the letter's content.

Su Qing remembered reading the last line when...

Himeko's golden eyes flickered shyly yet adorably as she peeked at him discreetly.

[Himeko: Ah...]

[Himeko (slumped over on the table): My stomach hurts so much, ow ow ow... The sweeter it was then, the more painful now.]

[Seele: Su Qing, without uttering a word, managed to stab two people...]

Although these items had no practical effects, Su Qing placed them carefully at the back of the drawer, cherishing them even more than the legendary demon hunter epaulette.

[Himeko: ...]

[Himeko: ?]

[Stelle: Sister Himeko is wearing sunglasses too!]

[Himeko: Sunglasses are indeed very useful.]

[Firefly (somewhat sympathetic) (relating somewhat): Right?]

[Kafka: @Firefly, don't soften up so quickly. Have you forgotten who made you wear sunglasses all the time?]

[Firefly: Although that's true, how should I put this now? Suddenly, from being love rivals with Himeko, we've become, uh...]

[Sparkle: Fellow sufferers.]

[March 7th: "Suffering companions" sounds too grim!]

[Seele: Now from rivals to suffering companions, they truly empathize with each other.]

Just as Su Qing was putting away the love letter and mementos, there came a knock at the door.

"Su Qing! Su Qing! We're running out of time again, what should we do?!"

Despite Asta's voice being melodious, it sent a shiver through Su Qing. Instinctively, she pushed the letter further into the drawer and tightly closed it.

[Qingque: Ha ha, Su Qing got quite startled.]

[Fu Xuan: Seems like even Su Qing knows that if Asta saw the love letter, she'd definitely start asking questions.]

[Silver Wolf: Asking questions? More like exploding on the spot!]

As Su Qing opened the door, viewers once again laid eyes on the adorable, sweet yet emotionally complex and slightly cunning station director of the Herta space station, Asta.

[Stelle: She appears—the substitute extraordinaire, Asta!]

[March 7th: Substitute extraordinaire?! What nonsense is this?!]

[Bronya: This... Surely Asta can't still be acting as a substitute, right?]

[Silver Wolf: Hard to say.]

[Silver Wolf: On second thought, I just realized how similar Asta is to Himeko.]

[Silver Wolf: Her adaptability is truly remarkable.]

[Stelle: Not shedding a single tear for Sister Himeko's incredible move.]

[Stelle: Next to arrive on the battlefield is none other than the Queen of Substitutes, Asta!]

[March 7th: The Queen of Substitutes?! Another upgrade!]