The sound of a baseball bat hitting the floor echoed through the room.
March 7th was the first to react.
She instantly realized that something was wrong.
After all, when Bai Ming found this baseball bat, she had mysteriously told her something about it being the "Kaslana family's ancestral baseball bat."
And after that, the bat truly never left her hand.
Bai Ming wielded it as if it were a nuclear weapon, using it to deal with the antimatter Legion.
If she didn't know it was really just a baseball bat, March 7th would have thought Bai Ming was holding some incredibly powerful weapon!
But now—
March 7th's gaze fell upon the Bai Ming before her.
The baseball bat, which had displayed such formidable power in her hands, now lay quietly at her feet.
And Bai Ming was staring intently at the Himeko before her.
Within those golden pupils, there was only the figure of Himeko at this moment, and nothing else!
For some reason, looking at Bai Ming like this, March 7th found herself feeling a slight, subtle discomfort in her heart.
But she couldn't quite articulate why she felt this way.
On the other side.
Having dropped the baseball bat, Bai Ming stared wide-eyed at the red-haired woman before her.
To be honest, she didn't believe in things like love at first sight.
But the woman before her now left Bai Ming with nothing but a profound, earth-shattering shock.
Her hair was red, a fiery crimson that was distinct and eye-catching. Her pupils were also a vivid gold,sharp and bright, as if engraved with many stories. The size of her chest was also similar—the kind that would captivate one's gaze at a single glance.
And in the same place,there was also a subtle, dark mole that wasn't at all displeasing.
Of course, if one had to point out differences,they were quite easy to find.
The most immediately noticeable was the clothing.
The Himeko before her was wearing an extremely elegant white dress, draped with a rather imposing commander-style coat.
A pair of long,slender legs emerged from the slit at the bottom of the dress, adorned with black floral decorations. The fair skin of her legs was still visible even now be clearly seen at a glance.
This kind of outfit rarely appeared on that teacher who focused on Valkyrie training and mentoring her students. She preferred a more heroic and spirited battle style,to put it simply.
The Himeko before her was more mature and carried the charm of an elegant older sister. Whereas the Himeko in Bai Ming's memory was more like the girl-next-door who had reached marriageable age but was still anxiously searching for a partner.
Of course, there was no superiority or inferiority between them. It was more like the same person who had chosen different life paths.
Some Eevees choose to evolve into Espeon;
Some Eevees choose to evolve into Umbreon. It probably felt something like that.
But regardless of which one it was, Bai Ming, at this moment, couldbfeel her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Himeko is alive...Himeko is alive!
Bai Ming's gaze was far too direct and sincere for Himeko to ignore.
She slowly stopped everything she was doing and turned her attention to Bai Ming.
Their gazes met in the air, forming a perceptible stream that only the two of them could sense.
Her heart was already thumping wildly.
After locking eyes with Himeko like this,Bai Ming felt her head begin to buzz.
Everything and everyone else seemed to fade into a dead zone, beyond all detection.
Himeko is looking at me! She's really looking at me!
Seeing Bai Ming's wide-eyed stare, Himeko first furrowed her brows slightly, showing a somewhat puzzled expression.
Clearly, she didn't understand why the other person was looking at her like that.
But soon, Himeko set aside this confusion.
The corner of her mouth lifted slightly, forming an elegant curve.
It was an expression known as a smile—warm and familiar.
For a moment, Bai Ming even saw multiple overlapping afterimages of Himeko.
As if moved by an unseen force, she began stepping toward the other woman, one step at a time.
And Himeko's gaze followed Bai Ming's movement.
The entire room fell silent.
Only Bai Ming, continuously moving closer to Himeko, remained and Himeko watching her approach.
Just like that, the distance between the two gradually closed.
Finally, Bai Ming stood right before Himeko, and Himeko looked at her with the same gentle gaze as before.
The eyes of everyone else were fixed on the two of them.
Among them, March 7th's stare was the most intense. From the moment Bai Ming started moving,she had been wondering: What exactly was Bai Ming planning to do?
Without even realizing it, March 7th found her attention subtly, steadily shifting toward Bai Ming.
Looking at Bai Ming, who had stopped in front of her, Himeko hesitated for a moment, then spoke politely:
"What's the matter?"
"Why have you been staring at me since just now me?"
"Mmm... if there's something you want to say, feel free to speak up. There won't be any problem."
It was still that poised and gracious attitude, though now tinged with even more composure.
"Well..."
Bai Ming's mind was in turmoil, and her words came out somewhat faltering.
After stammering for a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out a sentence:
"Aunt Himeko... can I... can I hug you?"
Now it was Himeko's turn to be surprised.
In all honesty, she truly hadn't expected this girl she was meeting for the first time to ask for a hug right away.
But somehow...
Himeko could sense that the other party wasn't acting on a momentary impulse, nor was she joking.
Those golden pupils were still swirling with unbelievable emotion.
Perhaps the other party had mustered up all her courage to say such words.
In that case—
There was no reason to refuse.
"Of course you can."
Himeko smiled gently.
Then, from beneath her imposing commander's cloak, she reached out and gently drew Bai Ming into her embrace.
Bai Ming's face was now buried in the other's chest.
A real and reassuring feeling spread through Bai Ming's heart.
It was a sensation as if some void within her had been filled.
This made her involuntarily speak while still in the other's arms...
Saying:
"Long time no see... Aunt Himeko, welcome back."
"Welcome back? That's not quite right."
Himeko gently kissed Bai Ming's forehead.
"I... have never left, you know."
"If I say it like that, can you feel at ease?"
"Eh—" Bai Ming covered her forehead, nodding repeatedly in confirmation.
"Y-yes, you're right. You never left."
"Mmm." Himeko replied with a smile.
"In that case, can you promise me one thing?"
"What is it!"
"Don't call me 'Aunt,' okay?"
"Eh?! I'm sorry!!!"