Firefly: The next date has already been planned

Lin Shuang wasn't in a hurry to experiment with this seemingly useless skill.

The main issue was that she didn't have any old photos on hand, and the ones in her phone were all taken recently. It was hard to judge anything just by looking at them. It was better to wait for the right moment to test it properly.

Besides, she wasn't even sure what this ability was supposed to be used for. It felt like something that needed to be combined with another skill to create a more practical effect.

Feeling a little bored, Lin Shuang considered looking for Firefly to chat for a while.

Just then, her communicator buzzed.

[Firefly: Hi, it's me, Firefly.]

[Firefly: I heard from Yin Lang about what happened today. Are you still on the space station? Hope you didn't run into any trouble.]

[Lin Shuang: [Pom-Pom's Heart]]

Seeing Firefly's unexpected concern, Lin Shuang couldn't help but smile.

[Lin Shuang: We didn't run into any trouble. The enemy forces weren't that large.]

[Lin Shuang: But… I feel like you talk more through messages, Firefly. You used to only send emojis at first.]

[Firefly: Hehe, I was always inside Sam before, and my fingers were too thick to type.]

[Firefly: Thanks to you, I can walk freely outside now. I have so much to say~ Hehe, I've already planned our next date.]

Lin Shuang was both surprised and touched.

She wasn't very experienced when it came to emotions. If it was someone who constantly nagged like Silver Wolf or someone rational and distant like Kafka, she could handle it easily. But when faced with Firefly, who was direct and cute, Lin Shuang found herself at a loss.

Especially since Firefly could even hold a transformation device and dramatically shout, "Transformation!"

That was truly impossible to resist.

[Lin Shuang: Then, may I ask where we're going?]

[Firefly: Hehe, it's a secret. Silver Wolf complained that our last date was too ordinary, so I worked harder this time. Look forward to it~]

[Lin Shuang: Alright then, I'll look forward to it.]

Although Lin Shuang knew that Firefly didn't actually mean anything romantic when she called it a "date," the wording itself was ambiguous enough to make her overthink things.

Besides…

Since when did Silver Wolf and Firefly get along so well?

Was it easier to get close after taking off the armor?

Lin Shuang sometimes wondered what the Stellaron Hunters were like when they were just among themselves. From what she could tell, their behavior when dealing with outsiders subtly differed from how they acted internally. Of course, she couldn't be sure if that impression was influenced by all the exaggerated portrayals floating around.

[Firefly: By the way, I've been trying to make desserts recently.]

[Firefly: Making them by hand feels completely different from using the mecha. But they don't taste very good…]

[Lin Shuang: Just take it slow. You'll improve over time.]

…

Firefly shared all sorts of daily trivialities with Lin Shuang over messages.

It felt like a bird that had just been released from its cage—too energetic, too talkative.

For example, she spent three days sleeping on different beds, comparing her own, Silver Wolf's, and Kafka's.

The conclusion? Silver Wolf's bed was the softest.

So, she bought the same mattress as Silver Wolf.

Even though Firefly spent most of her rest time in her medical cabin.

Then there was the first dessert she tried to make: an oak roll cake.

Unfortunately, none of the Stellaron Hunters considered it edible, except for Firefly herself.

Unable to endure it any longer, Silver Wolf shoved a cookbook into Firefly's hands and ordered her to make something that "normal people" could eat.

If Lin Shuang didn't know Firefly was the infamous "Stellaron Hunter Sam," she might have mistaken her for a naive, ordinary girl.

But perhaps that wasn't entirely wrong.

To Firefly, "Sam" was a weapon, but "Firefly" was a girl.

The two identities weren't separate, yet they would never truly overlap.

And to Firefly, Lin Shuang held a special place.

She shared the little thoughts that belonged only to "Firefly" with Lin Shuang.

As for Lin Shuang, she didn't mind at all. Rather, she found the conversations amusing and endearing. It was like she could see Firefly's cheerful expressions through the messages alone.

Just then, Stelle, who had been sleeping beside her, finally stirred. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Lin Shuang turned to meet Stelle's confused gaze.

"You're awake? How do you feel?"

She asked before glancing down at her phone again.

[Lin Shuang: Stelle's awake. I'll check on her.]

[Firefly: Go ahead~]

[Firefly: [Pom-Pom's Heart]]

[Lin Shuang: [Pom-Pom's Heart]]

After sending the message, she put her phone away and focused on Stelle, who was still groggy and rubbing her head.

"...This is the space station? Were you waiting for me?"

Stelle pushed herself up, looking around with mild confusion.

"The crisis has been resolved. I had nothing better to do, so I stayed with you. If you can move, I'll take you to see Himeko."

Stelle nodded. But deep down, she felt a sense of uncertainty. Now that everything was over, where was she supposed to go?

More importantly, she vaguely recalled seeing Lin Shuang standing behind Kafka during their encounter.

Did Lin Shuang know something? Did she know where Stelle was supposed to go next?

After hesitating for a moment, Stelle finally asked, "Um… do you know what I should do next? And… do you know something about me?"

Lin Shuang was momentarily surprised by the question but quickly recalled the information she had.

Taking Stelle's hand, she helped her up and smiled.

"You still look a little lost, but that's okay. I was planning to tell you anyway."

"Oh… thank you?" Stelle tilted her head, unsure of how to respond.

"Let's talk while we walk."

With that, Lin Shuang led Stelle toward Himeko.

"Do you remember what's inside you?"

"Inside me…?" Stelle frowned. "What do you mean?"

She had a vague sense that something was within her, but she didn't understand what it was.

Lin Shuang briefly explained the situation, along with some details about Herta.

"Most members of the Genius Society are arrogant and self-absorbed. You can ask the Astral Express crew if you want to confirm that."

"As for Kafka… I don't fully understand her plans, but I know she'll definitely come for you again. Don't dwell on it too much."

After hearing Lin Shuang's words, Stelle suddenly asked, "What about you? Which faction do you belong to?"