"Eden, actually, I get how you feel, you know."
Himeko took the milk tea that was resting on her chest and placed it on the table, sighing. "Do you remember why I came here in the first place?"
"..." Eden kept her back to Himeko, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Because I was dying back then."
Himeko answered in a calm tone. "It was the Captain who sent me to World Serpent, at a certain cost. It was also him who tipped off Mobius in advance."
"And before that, I was just an A-rank Valkyrie with less than three years left to live, someone who could drop dead in any battle. So, I pinned my hopes for his love life on others—Theresa, Kiana, even Elysia, and even you."
"To me, who the Captain ended up with didn't really matter. As long as there was someone by his grave, someone to hold him and comfort him when he was crying alone, that would be enough."
Himeko recalled her own sorry state back then, a bitter smile touching her lips.
She understood the helplessness and reluctance of that time better than anyone. But she wasn't desperate, because she had already passed on the flame handed to her by Captain Ragnhild. Because the Captain had let her experience home and family again.
The Himeko of that time, though filled with regrets, did not fear death. On the contrary, during the battle between Schicksal and Sirin, she felt happy knowing she could die fighting against the Honkai, protecting the Captain and everyone on the Hyperion.
And just as she was about to die, the Captain's prescient deal saved her.
"So you were just entrusting his care, that's all,"
Eden said, frowning. "My friend, forgive my bluntness, but our thoughts are completely different."
What Himeko wanted was simply for Jun An to be happy. What Eden wanted was for both Elysia and the Captain to find happiness!
Therefore, she would wholeheartedly support and help Elysia and the Captain get together, unlike Himeko, who, the moment she recovered, made her own move.
"I don't think it's that different, though."
Himeko appeared behind Eden, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Aren't we both the same? Loving someone but unable to pursue it, so we had no choice but to entrust our hopes to others?"
Himeko's words echoed in Eden's ears, causing her delicate body to tremble involuntarily. Me? Like the Captain?
"That's—That's not it at all!"
Eden clenched her fists, biting her lip. "I genuinely support Elysia and the Captain!"
"Oh, really? Then why are you so shaken?"
Himeko's hands rested on Eden's shoulders, clearly feeling the artist's body trembling slightly. Himeko wasn't sure if it was because Eden was angry at her, but it didn't matter. As long as she was wavering, that was enough.
So Himeko added fuel to the fire. "Relax, Eden. We're girlfriends. Even if you give yourself to my husband, we can still be friends, just like before."
"After all, I understand my husband is an outstanding man. I'm definitely not the only one who likes him. I won't forbid you from liking him just because I'm wary. I'm very magnanimous."
Himeko fully employed her manipulative skills. However, Eden gritted her teeth and slapped Himeko's hands off her shoulders.
Eden stumbled back uncontrollably, then turned around, looking at Himeko furiously. "I admit I've made mistakes regarding the Captain before, but that's all in the past! I would never make a move on a friend's beloved! I've already thought things through about the Captain, let it go. It's not what you think!"
After saying this, Eden finally let out a breath of relief inwardly, tinged with a bit of regret.
After all, he was the first person she had ever fallen for. A love that could have remained hidden deep in her heart was now being forced out, severed. Even after living for fifty thousand years, she still felt the pang.
Clearly, clearly, all I wanted was to stay by the Captain's side as his wife's best friend.
For someone like me who had already given up, being able to help prepare Elysia and the Captain's wedding, help the Captain adjust his tie when Elysia was being careless, listen to their complaints after they got married, help them look after their children, become the children's auntie, help share the Captain's burdens when they were busy with work, take care of him in Elysia's stead when he was injured, help cook for him when Elysia wasn't around, comfort the Captain when they argued and had disagreements, and if, by some chance, they divorced, then I...
Clearly, it was such a simple wish. Now, it's too late to say anything.
Because the Captain was married, it meant Elysia had lost completely. She could no longer support Elysia.
...Even that last lingering hope was lost.
If Himeko had heard the little schemes in Eden's heart, she might have said, "Although the 'Team Elysia' ship has sunk catastrophically, you still have me! I can totally let you be my best friend, can't I? Just like you and Elysia."
But Himeko wasn't a mind reader, and Eden didn't know Himeko's true intentions.
"Alright, Himeko. I've made myself very clear."
Eden's eyes were filled with loneliness as she spoke. "Since the Captain has chosen you, I won't interfere in your affairs, nor will I support Elysia anymore. I wish you both happiness."
Eden finished speaking, then thought about her old friend and still felt the Captain deserved to wear the best formal attire for his wedding. At the very least, she needed some sense of involvement.
"...I'll make the ring and wedding dress for you. Let's just forget everything that just happened. I'm a bit tired. Please leave, my friend."
However, Himeko stood rooted to the spot. "Are you really over the Captain?"
"Himeko, didn't I already make it clear? I..."
"Then why are you crying?"
Himeko interrupted Eden. Touching her own face, Eden realized tears were streaming from the corners of her eyes.
"It's—It's just sand in my eyes."
Eden continued to deny it vehemently, but Himeko pressed closer.
"Give it up, Eden. We're both adults, let's not pull that little girl act. You just like my husband, don't you!"
"You and I are the same kind of person. How could I not know what you're thinking?"
"Saying you'll make the ring and dress for me and the Captain... truth is, you just want to make an identical set for yourself later to get your kicks, right?"
Himeko advanced step by step; Eden retreated step by step.
Eden was pushed against the wall, with nowhere left to retreat. "No, I didn't..."
"What are you afraid of?"
Himeko slammed a hand against the wall next to this innocent fifty-thousand-year-old memory simulacrum, trapping her. "I told you, so many people like my husband. Things much more intense than saying it to my face have happened. Relax, I won't hold it against you."
As long as the other party admitted it, the brainwashing could continue.
"Himeko!"
Eden gritted her teeth. "What exactly are you trying to do? So what if I admit it? I will not betray a friend's engagement!"
Seeing Eden's 'rather die than submit' expression, Himeko couldn't help but sigh inwardly. As expected of a memory simulacrum with fifty thousand years of experience. But it was obvious she had dedicated her previous life entirely to art; her experience in romance was limited to just these values.
"Eden, it seems you still don't understand the current times."
Himeko coaxed her deceitfully, "The era has changed, just like art forms change. You don't need to cling to those outdated scraps from the past."
"There are many women who like the Captain now. I need someone to help me keep watch over him. That woman could be you, it could be Elysia, it could be Aponia, it could even be Mobius."
Himeko lied without blushing in the slightest. "Just think of it as helping me out, okay? The Captain needs you, and I need you too. I'm only giving you this chance because I consider you my best girlfriend."
Himeko squeezed Eden's ample bosom, which was slightly larger than her own. "With a body like yours, you'll definitely drive the Captain wild. Trust me~"
This was one of the rhetorical tactics used when bestowing a favor: "Just do me this favor," "This opportunity is precious; I'm only offering it to you because of our relationship."
Anyway, the Captain was going to take them all eventually. Himeko naturally planned to use this method to manipulate one or two people first, securing her position as the main wife before anything else.
"The Captain isn't that kind of person!"
Eden still resisted strongly, firmly believing in the Captain's good and pure character.
"But others might not think like you."
Seeing her words were having an effect, Himeko added more fuel. "The Captain is inherently outstanding. So many people like him, and how many covet his body? Just think about Mobius and Aponia, remember them? Neither of them is the type to respect others' wishes."
The Captain is pure, but others aren't. Maybe he's even at risk of being forced upon right now.
"Then why don't you just give this chance to Elysia!"
Eden still thought of her good girlfriend, her good sister. "Elysia is stronger than me, and the Captain likes Elysia more than me too. Give the chance to them."
Yes! Hook, line, and sinker! Completely hooked!
Himeko rejoiced inwardly. As long as Eden bought this line, Himeko guaranteed she could deceive her until she willingly spread her legs!
"It seems you really do like Elysia. Alright, who asked Elysia to be my sister too? And the Captain likes her so much."
Himeko put on an expression of extreme helplessness, yet willingness to make a sacrifice for Eden's sake.
Hearing this, Eden finally breathed a sigh of relief, but Himeko's tone shifted abruptly. "Letting Elysia join is fine, of course. But compared to her, I trust you more, my friend."
"—If you want her to join too, then you'll have to pay a certain price."
"Price?" Eden didn't understand.
"What do you think? My dear Eden~" Himeko prompted, squeezing her breast. "I told you, the Captain really likes these breasts of yours~"
"But..."
"Don't you want Elysia to be happy?"
Himeko's words urged her like a demon whispering in her ear. "Don't forget, Aponia's breasts are bigger than yours. If you're worried the Captain will get tired of playing with yours, there's still Mobius. I can go find them too~"
"—My dear sister, you wouldn't want Elysia to spend her life alone in an empty room, would you?"
"..."
Eden felt dazed from the pinching, finding it hard to think. "I'm... only doing this for Elysia."