"You've worked hard, Captain Himeko."
Hua handed Himeko a bottle of chilled beer.
"Ah~ My little Hua, you understand me best~" Himeko swept away the gloom in her chest, threw her arms around the startled Hua's neck, and sat on the sofa, drinking heartily.
"Wow~ Glug~ That's the best! On a hot day like this, you really need a chilled beer!"
Hua was both slightly helpless and amused. She didn't entirely support Himeko drinking, but this Captain, whose personality was unusual among the many leaders, had only one hobby: drinking. She couldn't possibly deny Himeko the right to drink, could she?
"Hmm? Why aren't you drinking?"
"I think I'll pass..." Hua sighed. "You enjoy it."
"Beer is great for stress relief. For small soldiers like us, who endure pressure all day, knowing some ways to de-stress is quite useful."
"Speaking of which, Captain Himeko, you seem to have many personalized rules, such as drinking at least two liters of beer every day, taking photos every time the squad is reorganized..."
"…"
Himeko drank the last bit of cold liquid from the beer bottle in silence.
"Because, sometimes, I can only see the people in my memory fully through photographs."
Himeko voice was almost a whisper. Hua didn't catch what she said. The next moment, Himeko laughed with her usual carefree attitude and vigorously ruffled Hua's hair.
"Don't worry about adult matters. You'll understand why I do this when you grow up."
"Captain, I'm already over twenty…"
"Ah, don't mention age…"
Himeko was stung by the mention of age. She smoothed Hua's long hair and said with a smile, "My little Hua, you know what? As an older generation member, what I most want to see is for you to live the life you desire. I didn't understand why my elders wanted to see me married before, but now I understand a little…"
"Then why haven't you gotten married, Captain? Captain Ato's child is already drawing pictures."
"You really have left me speechless with that question." Himeko was pricked again by Hua's bluntness, making her want to spit blood. She shrugged. "It's probably because I can't imagine what I would look like if I got married."
"That's a reason?"
"Yes, just that reason."
Himeko was always prepared to sacrifice herself. She couldn't imagine what her husband and children would be like if she died after getting married.
She dared not think about it.
She dared not even think about Lin, Hua, and Seele.
Because that was how she had endured it.
"You're asking me, but why don't you ask yourself, little Hua? Shouldn't you be finding a boyfriend soon?" The negative thoughts stayed in her mind for less than three seconds before she put on a mischievous grin, making Hua blush deeply. "Gray hair and blue eyes, truly beautiful. My little Hua, who will be that lucky in the future~"
"B-b-beautiful and such..." Hua twisted her fingers together. She had no resistance against Himeko teasing.
"Not beautiful? You are very cute, just the glasses are a bit cumbersome."
"I'm very ordinary, Captain Himeko, you are the one who…"
"What! Don't question my judgment!" Himeko draped her arm over Hua's shoulder like an old man, chuckling and waving her hand. "Have you taken a liking to anyone? I can vet them for you."
"Ugh…"
The teased Hua shook her head in distress.
"Hahaha… Since you don't, then just wait patiently. You still have a long life ahead of you…"
"Captain Himeko, you too."
Himeko paused, then her face softened. She nodded with a light smile: "Yes, there will be a chance in the future... If you get married then, I'll sit in the parent's seat. You have that custom in Shenzhou, right?"
"Captain Himeko…"
"Hahahaha…"
Yes, life was still long. This summer was just a fleeting heat that would soon dissipate like a white steed passing a crack. It would be over soon.
As long as they got through this nearly-finished summer, Australia would be safe...
...
There was one week left until the concert.
Lin, injured and unable to go on missions, was happy to take a break. In fact, the entire 19th Branch felt somewhat leisurely. After the massive outbreak of Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, no serious Honkai disasters had occurred again, and everyone was idle in the heavily air-conditioned Branch.
However, he now had a different kind of "mission" during his downtime.
"Beep—"
"What should we talk about today?"
Sakura, also wrapped in bandages to cover her burned skin, asked Lin.
"...Just speak casually," Lin was not as anxious as she was.
"But how do I gradually tell her the truth without causing panic or suspicion? I don't know what to say..."
"…"
Yes, Lin was discussing with Sakura what to say to Rin on the phone today.
Ever since Rin learned that Lin and Sakura were on a business trip together, she called Sakura communicator every day, often asking tricky, suspicious questions, leaving Sakura at a loss for how to answer her.
Furthermore, Sakura was considering telling Rin the truth bit by bit. Lin was right; if she kept hiding it, the revelation of the truth would only hurt Rin more.
However, she was afraid Rin would have difficulty accepting it, as Rin was still young.
Compared to typical families, the fact that only the two sisters relied on each other led Sakura to an overly protective stance toward Rin. The usually aloof female assassin displayed a level of anxiety greater than the average person when it came to her sister.
"Did you tell her that your work is related to your swordsmanship?" Lin asked Sakura, holding out his right hand.
"No, I haven't told her about my job content."
"Then start by disclosing that your work requires your swordsmanship and that it is somewhat dangerous."
"But..."
"If there is no beginning, there will never be an end."
Sakura expression remained conflicted. If Rin knew she was actually fighting giant monsters, then...
"A senior elder of mine once chose to erase all relevant traces and arranged for me to live a normal life in the Far East, just so I wouldn't know the truth."
Lin usually chilling voice seemed to soften slightly at this point.
Sakura looked at him confusedly. He, through his helmet, met her gaze.
"His initial intention might have been to protect me, but he also stripped me of the right to choose."
"But a long time later, he still placed the choice in my hands."
"He made many mistakes and hurt many people, but on this one matter, I am sincerely grateful."
That was why Lin always left others room to choose. It wasn't for him to decide, but for them to choose for themselves.
Someone changed him this way, and he would use this method to change others.
"Only by knowing the truth can one walk on more strongly."