224. The 'Flower' in a Dream
"Sir, your dishes are all served. Please let us know if you need anything." The waiter bowed slightly and left.
Himeko swirled the wine in her glass, surveying her surroundings.
"I wouldn't even dare to eat here, you're really willing to spend a fortune." Himeko glanced at Yun Ling and said.
"Of course I would, for Himeko, I'd do anything..."
"Alright, be normal." Himeko pinched her brow, stopping Yun Ling from continuing.
Although Yun Ling was usually quite flirtatious, he had never been this cheesy before.
Could it be that he really liked her?
Himeko had no idea what she had done to attract him.
"Shall we toast to our second date?" Yun Ling raised his juice.
"Did you include last time, too?" Himeko couldn't help but mutter a complaint, but still picked up her glass and lightly clinked it against Yun Ling's.
A crisp sound rang out as Himeko's red lips touched the glass, the red wine swirling slightly before entering her mouth.
"That's right, I remember every moment I spent with Himeko perfectly," Yun Ling nodded.
Himeko seemed somewhat immune to Yun Ling's advances, chatting idly with him while enjoying the food and wine before her.
"I heard you chose a logistics-related major for your minor. Do you want to work in logistics in the future?" Himeko asked curiously.
There are actually many sub-majors within minor majors. Some focus on training combat skills, while others, like Yun Ling's, lean towards logistics.
"Logistics work isn't bad either. I could become the captain of the Hyperion, just wiping the decks every day and getting a decent salary," Yun Ling replied, squinting his eyes while saying it.
"So you want to take my place so soon? But with your abilities, being captain is a waste. You can fight Fu Hua to a standstill; you're much stronger than me."
Himeko waved her hand, not taking it seriously.
"Fu Hua is so powerful. Do you know her background? I'm curious." Yun Ling steered the conversation towards Fu Hua.
"Fu Hua is one of the three immortals of Shenzhou, so her strength is naturally immense. During the Second Honkai Impact, she subdued the Herrscher of the Void single-handedly, and even Bishop Otto had to show her respect." Himeko replied.
"...Subdued the Herrscher of the Void?" Yun Ling's eyes flickered, lost in thought.
Indeed, due to the anomaly five hundred years ago, this world has changed drastically.
If Fu Hua really fully participated in the Second Honkai Impact, even the six-core Pufferfish Queen would have had absolutely no chance against her.
Fu Hua, in her Artificial Cascade Form, coupled with her martial arts honed over five thousand years, and her tens of thousands of years of simulated combat with Herrschers in her hibernation pod...
Why do I suddenly feel a little sorry for Sirin?
"Then why would someone as powerful as Teacher Fu Hua teach at St. Freya Academy?" Yun Ling continued to press.
"Don't portray St. Freya Academy as something so despicable." Himeko glared at Yun Ling, then sighed softly.
"To be honest, I'm not quite sure why Fu Hua would work there. It's better to ask Principal Theresa about that... By the way, is it really okay to ask about another girl during a date?"
Himeko offered a gentle reminder.
"Because Himeko won't mind." Yun Ling smiled faintly.
"No, I mind a lot." Himeko took a sip of red wine and replied.
"That means Himeko cares about me. Reaching that conclusion makes today's date a pretty good ending." Yun Ling smiled even more broadly.
"Tsk."
Feeling Yun Ling's persistent nature, Himeko clicked her tongue.
Facing Yun Ling, any attempts to respond coldly or refuse always felt like hitting a cotton ball—utterly futile.
After eating, Yun Ling took Himeko to the movies.
A typical date routine, but the chosen film was quite interesting.
"I heard you always carry movie tickets for the next week's showing?" Himeko had heard this rumor somewhere.
"Yeah, because it makes it easy to ask girls out anytime. Himeko, would you like to come to the movies with me tomorrow?"
Yun Ling pulled out two movie tickets, the date clearly set for tomorrow.
"..." Himeko was speechless for a moment.
Could someone really be so utterly shameless?
"You're just wasting your money. Who's going to actually go to the movies with you?" Himeko glanced at him sideways.
"Yes, Fu Hua promised last time, but unfortunately, a little accident happened halfway through. Mei, Kiana, and Yuna all watched it with me. Bronya is currently only focused on playing games, and Chaoyu is on a mission recently, so she probably won't have much time."
Yun Ling listed his transgressions one by one.
Himeko was completely convinced by Yun Ling.
"So, with so many choices around you, why did you insist on clinging to me?" Himeko asked seriously.
"No flirting answer. Answer my question seriously. Your answer will determine how I treat you in the future."
Himeko immediately reminded Yun Ling as he was about to speak.
"Teacher Himeko," Yun Ling called softly.
Not Sister Himeko, not Himeko, but Teacher Himeko.
This was the formal address Himeko required him to use in front of others, but it felt strange coming from Yun Ling's mouth.
Himeko could sense that Yun Ling was absolutely sincere in wanting to tell her what was on his mind.
"You were a wonderful teacher, one I truly respect."
"Therefore, I don't want to place that bouquet of flowers called 'Dream' at your funeral. If possible, I hope I can personally present that bouquet to you at our wedding."
"Sometimes I feel like I've had a very, very long dream, a dream where you are filled with regrets, and I am powerless to change anything."
"Until I personally entered this beautiful dream, facing my past self, I would be willing to give everything to rewrite that possible regret."
"Broken armor, a shattered greatsword, lifeless eyes, and… falling into that bottomless abyss."
"The rekindled flame is nothing but a fleeting bubble, ultimately leaving only a radiant smile burning within it."
Yun Ling spoke earnestly; this was why he was so determined to become stronger.
He wanted to change the world, to truly transform this imperfect story into the form he envisioned.
Himeko's pink lips parted slightly, unsure how to respond.
She could sense the weight in the words, but couldn't grasp their meaning.
Was that person referring to her?
"Yesterday, in medical aid class, the teacher talked about 'Artificial Stigmata.' The Valkyries who received Artificial Stigmata are noble, sacrificing their lifespans for the power to defend their country on the battlefield."
"She told you?" Himeko's grip on her wine glass tightened.
"Yes, Teacher Himeko is also a recipient of an Artificial Stigmata, and her lifespan is nearing its end." Yun Ling nodded.
Himeko was silent for a long time, then her eyes suddenly sharpened.
"So you just wanted to let someone nearing thirty, without a boyfriend, and about to die, taste the sweetness of love? Or perhaps you wanted to use your foolish and ridiculous words to keep me away from the battlefield?"
Himeko's words suddenly became incredibly sharp, a cold smile playing on her lips, as if mocking Yun Ling.
"To answer Himeko's first question, this isn't charity, but genuine love."
"To answer Himeko's second question, I never intended for Himeko to withdraw from the battlefield, because it was her own choice, and I will respect that to the end."
"Forcing someone to change for you with morality is cowardly. I will not change Himeko's mind."
"I will save her in my own way. I will find a way to solve the dangers of Artificial Stigmata! I will find a way to restore Himeko's health so she can live a normal life! I will find a way to make Himeko truly, without any reservations, fall in love with me!"
Yun Ling's words reached Himeko's ears, word by word.
Himeko was stunned. She had thought those flowery words were merely embellishments to mask his terrible character.
But at this moment, for a fleeting instant, she was truly captivated by Yun Ling.
Is this what it feels like to be moved?
...