Chapter 63: You Deserve to Die…
You refused Miss Himeko's offer to take you to the hospital, and the two of you resumed your journey, returning to the school laboratory…
Submitting your first semester project report, and at the same time obtaining the school's approval for next semester's research.
Throughout the trip, Himeko kept looking at you with concern in her eyes, while you sneezed from time to time…
"I told you I'm fine. You don't need to look at me like that…"
"You have a fever, Su Xiaobai…"
"I'm really fine. This is just a small obstacle on the road to pursuing my dream…"
You truly didn't take it seriously, but when Himeko noticed a few strands of gray hair appearing in your hair overnight, she felt a faint sting in her chest…
"Wait here a moment…"
She spoke softly and ran to a nearby pharmacy.
She bought you fever reducers and cold medicine…
After watching you take the medicine, her expression finally softened a little.
"You don't have to worry about me, Miss Himeko. I'm not that fragile."
You gestured for her to relax.
When boarding the Astral Express again, Himeko gave you the window seat, where the air conditioning was stronger, so you could breathe fresher air—perhaps easing your discomfort…
You didn't refuse, but your condition was clearly poor; your body felt weak, and your head was heavy…
You adjusted your seat and applied a fever patch.
Drifting into a daze, you fell asleep…
From time to time, Himeko reached out to touch your burning forehead, her eyes slightly moist.
She wasn't entirely sure what had happened to you, but…
She hadn't actually seen the same blazing "ideal" in your heart that she carried in her own…
She felt that everything you had done was more because of those past years—for the things you did that disappointed her…
But in just a few months, she seemed to sense a feeling of guilt in your heart that even surpassed your "ideal."
She felt a little lost…
In truth, her heart was simple—she was an idealist.
But also an idealist willing to give everything for her ideals…
She wasn't good at handling vague and complicated interpersonal relationships beyond "rivals," "partners," and "strangers."
Yet at this moment, she seemed to have become that awkward girl, not knowing what to do…
Screech—
The Astral Express suddenly braked hard…
The effects of the cold medicine and your sleepless night made you sleep deeply.
You couldn't raise your hand to brace yourself like Himeko did.
Leaning back in your seat, you were thrown forward by inertia toward the seat in front…
But Himeko stopped you with her hand…
Then your body tilted and fell toward her.
"Ah~"
She let out a soft gasp, instinctively wanting to push you away, but hesitated for a moment…
Naturally, you slipped into her arms, your head resting on her soft lap…
Her cheeks flushed, feeling an unfamiliar sensation on her lap. She hesitated several times, wanting to help you up or wake you…
But for some reason, she didn't move…
She remembered your focused and diligent figure in the laboratory…
She remembered how you mentioned a cake, intending to celebrate her birthday, and how she had coldly refused…
She also remembered the many times she had avoided you coldly…
In just a few months, that feeling of dislike she once had toward you had completely disappeared…
Yet she was still the same…
As long as even a trace of those past memories remained in her heart, things could never return to how they once were…
"Miss Himeko… warp… engine… general… relativity…"
You murmured in your sleep, and Himeko's internal struggle came to a halt.
She adjusted your position as best she could and replaced your fever patch.
Then she lowered her gaze to your familiar yet unfamiliar face…
And fell into a daze…
…
After an unknown amount of time, you slowly woke up.
The moment you opened your eyes and met those distant, beautiful eyes…
And realized that the soft pillow from your dream was actually the soft lap of their owner…
It was impossible not to feel a strange sense of embarrassment…
You actually fell asleep in someone's arms.
You're despicable… Su Xiaobai…
You hurriedly sat up…
"I… feel a bit uncomfortable…"
"I'm sorry, Miss Himeko… I… don't know what happened…"
"It's… it's okay…"
Himeko, who was usually elegant and composed in conversation, now had flushed cheeks and stammered slightly…
Was this still the brave and capable Navigator?
It was hard not to be surprised…
Himeko said nothing more and simply tried to stand up…
She was probably heading to the restroom…
You watched as she dragged her somewhat numb legs, slowly walking toward it, supporting herself on the seatbacks…
You're despicable… Su Xiaobai…
Guilt filled your heart once again…
It was time to repay your debts…
Su Xiaobai…
…
The Astral Express finally arrived at the station, and the two of you said nothing more…
The atmosphere was awkward…
This sudden, overly intimate moment made your relationship even more subtle…
You could only close your eyes and pretend to be asleep…
And Himeko silently accepted your "act"…
It wasn't until the train arrived that you saw Miss Himeko—her legs still numb, not fully recovered—and you took the initiative to carry her suitcase…
That awkwardness eased slightly…
"Are you… okay, Miss Himeko…"
"Mmm…"
Her face flushed again; the lap pillow incident was still too intimate…
Even though…
She was the Navigator of the Astral Express, capable of handling any major situation, a scientific researcher respected even by your sister…
At that moment, she was just a young girl…
Perhaps in the future, that "young girl" would be quietly hidden away.
But not now…
You felt deeply moved and once again sensed the softness in her heart.
Your determination to help her achieve her dream as soon as possible grew even stronger…
You returned to the laboratory…
Organizing reports, packing equipment, contacting material suppliers…
Applying for school funding…
You became incredibly busy. Only then did that "shy and naive" expression disappear from her delicate face…
She returned to being the capable and composed person she always was…
And you, after securing funding from the school, immediately stated that you would personally go collect the materials—and while you were there, you would visit "your friend" to produce the base plates needed for the Astral Express…
That was where your paths temporarily diverged…
"Goodbye, Miss Himeko. We'll meet again on the Astral Express…"
"Mmm. Be careful—and remember to thank your friend for me…"
Himeko gave you the supplier's contact information, then immersed herself back into her research.
Before the official departure, she still needed to finalize a plan for repairing the exterior of the Astral Express…
That, too, was a massive project…