"Sorry, I have other things to do, so I must decline your invitation to become a Marines soldier," Arion still refuses politely, "but if we're just friends, I'm happy to."
Hina's lips curve slightly as she ponders, "Friends?"
"What? Is Captain Hina short on friends?"
"My friends aren't few, but there's no one beyond friendship."
Arion understood the meaning. A mature woman, after an invitation fails, still talks about wanting more-than-friends. Either she's interested or trying to sow hope, a flutter of craving.
"Captain Hina, you're so beautiful that finding someone would be easy… so if you're free, why not have a meal together tonight?"
Arion isn't the kind to chase after someone; he doesn't probe her wishes. If there's a chance, he'll extend an invitation.
If she accepts, there's a chance for more; if she declines, that's zero loss, no risk.
Hina is taken by surprise by Arion's blunt invitation to a meal. When was the last time a man invited her like this? It seemed like her girlhood, when she was chasing a dream and duties kept her from such thoughts.
Back then she refused time after time, and with rank and position rising, those chances dwindled to zero.
Now, years later, someone offers an invitation again. Hina's long-dormant girlhood hums back to life.
Even though Arion isn't powerful or high-status, he's young, handsome, with good skin, a great physique, and a clean aura. That's why she looks at him a little longer and appreciates him.
Now that she's Marine Captain, it's time to chase something else, or risk aging.
Her thoughts quicken, her breathing grows heavier, and the tiny button on her outfit finally can't bear the strain under Arion's gaze, popping off with a snap and revealing her fullness. It's explosive!
"!"
The sudden change makes Hina blush, but she's too mature to scream like a girl. She simply gathers the sides of her clothing, hides the reveal, nods and says, "Then tonight, come to my ship. I'll let someone know."
"Alright, I'll look forward to tonight's date."
With that, Hina doesn't speak further to Arion, waves her hand gracefully, and strides toward her ship, gripping her collar.
Watching Hina's silhouette, Arion can't help but smile slightly. The scale is as big as her head. Compared to that, her clearly defined waist is a perfect contrast, a showcase of fullness.
Excited for tonight's date, Arion and 2B continue along the coast, moving away from the dock where the warship is moored. Since earlier, 2B had remained silent beside him.
"Do you want to continue Humans' glory with Hina?" 2B suddenly asks.
"Hm?" Arion slows his pace a little. "Why do you ask?"
"Instinct."
Arion is surprised; he had assumed 2B knew nothing about feelings, which is why he dared to ask Hina directly in front of her.
Only a woman's instinct could be so accurate—even an android with no sense of romance can sense this.
Arion doesn't show any trace of panic, nods and admits, "You're right, but in Human society, it's quite normal for a man to have multiple partners."
"According to the records, a man usually has more than one partner, and the number of partners often reflects a male's strength, like a lion pride. Among Humans, the king can number in the tens or even hundreds."
Upon hearing this instant explanation from Assistant, Arion silently thumbs up.
If not for Assistant needing food, he'd give it a big winged drumstick for lunch.
It's just so accommodating.
"I see," 2B says after hearing the explanation, and says nothing further; what she cares about isn't the count of partners but whether Humans' glory can be inherited.
"But I still advise you not to waste too much energy on the Humans-like beings here," Assistant continues, "Based on the biosamples I collected for Detect analysis, although your genes match very well, due to differences in chromosome structure and number, there is reproductive isolation, and Humans' glory cannot continue."
"I understand," Arion nods. Is pure reproductive isolation among the women of this world really better?
As for offspring and bloodline, Arion doesn't mind.
If it's broken, it's broken. If it's needed later, he can adopt.
No sons.
"Cannot continue Humans' glory?"
Rather than Arion's nonchalant attitude, 2B feels a twinge of disappointment and quickly asks, "Are there reproductive isolation issues with Human-like beings elsewhere?"
"Not yet clear," Assistant replies, "We need to go to sea, find new Human-like communities to live among, collect biosamples for analysis to know."
2B's brows furrow under the blindfold, pondering: "Go to sea to find Human-like beings' communities…"
"Exactly, but the chance of finding Human-like beings without reproductive isolation among Humans is not high."
"Then we'll keep searching, for Humans' glory."
Seeing 2B so invested, Arion opens his mouth to tell her not to push herself, but then thinks that, as a living being—even an android—one should have some pursuit.
Just like how, after Humans went extinct, the lie about Humans fleeing to the Moon was cooked up to give androids a reason to survive.
Now that he's the last remaining Human in 2B's eyes, he can't crush her enthusiasm.
So he clenches a fist and encourages, "We'll find them someday."
"Mm."
Receiving the encouragement, 2B feels a surge of motivation, eager to build the ship now and head to sea to seek out new Human-like beings' living communities.
The topic ends there, and Arion quickens his pace, turning into a full sprint.
2B doesn't fall behind; the two of them raise a billowing cloud of sand on the clean, tidy beach.