Watching the image of Tendo imbued with a rare, slightly 'melancholy' aura, a portion of the Dimensional Audience immediately guessed the reason.
He was clearly nervous because Caroline was arriving soon.
Throughout the two seasons of the Star Generals series, the only person who could genuinely keep Tendo in check and influence his thinking to some extent was Caroline.
Although the Dimensional Audience didn't know the meaning of the shooting star they just saw, they could deduce the cause and the person behind Tendo's nervousness—reaching the correct conclusion without seeing the process.
Tendo's tension wasn't unwarranted.
No matter how smoothly he had talked before, and regardless of his rationale for his past actions, he had indeed, to a certain extent, forcibly interfered with and altered Caroline's original life trajectory.
When imposing one's will on another person, especially someone he cared about, even a person like Tendo would feel a pang of guilt.
He still hadn't figured out the right way or the right tone for his imminent reunion with Caroline.
He didn't genuinely worry that Caroline would be angry or ignore him over it.
Given Caroline's personality, if she were to settle scores, she would merely lightly tap his head with a robotic tablet as a minor warning.
After all, the phrase "Don't be ridiculous" was the strongest and most frequent thing he'd ever heard her say to him during their time together.
But knowing something intellectually is one thing; facing it in reality is another.
For some reason, after seeing the shooting star completely disappear into the 'horizon,' Tendo's heartbeat was still half a beat faster than normal.
However, indecisiveness was not Tendo's style.
A moment later, Tendo pursed his lips at the night sky, tugged at his collar, and said in a deliberately casual tone, "Whatever. I'll just let Caroline beat me up when she gets here. That'll definitely cool her down."
Having sorted out his thoughts, Tendo noticed Liu Yao and the others emerging from beneath the dome.
Seeing the current leader of the 'Frost-Tone Faction' of the Frost-Tone Family, Tendo felt it necessary to show her due respect.
After all, in the original series he'd watched, this leader had raised Jing Liuli as her own daughter.
This led Tendo to sigh inwardly.
Honestly, whether she was in the Base or after leaving it, Jing Liuli's life was always full of storybook beauty.
It was as if her life script was pre-written that way, automatically filtering out all malice and accepting only the world's goodwill.
So... is this the special perk of being the Group Darling?
"Tendo!"
Seeing Tendo suddenly appear on the stage, Jing Liuli, who had been affectionately holding Liu Yao's arm, immediately ran over.
However, upon reaching Tendo, Jing Liuli suddenly began sniffing him like a puppy in a strange manner, then instantly scrunched her face into a frown.
"Something's wrong. Why do you smell like someone else's perfume?"
Tendo: "???"
Tendo stared blankly at Jing Liuli, then looked disbelievingly at his sleeve.
That doesn't make sense. He had kept 'All-Encompassing Repulsion' active all afternoon. Even if Huan Qianying had worn perfume, it shouldn't have left any scent on him.
Before he could react, Jing Liuli suddenly put her hands on her hips and burst out laughing.
"Aha, Tendo! You've definitely got something to hide! Why else would you be looking at your sleeve right now?"
Tendo: "..."
Seriously? You're resorting to misdirection now, aren't you!
Looking at Jing Liuli, who was mostly 'silly' but also strangely 'clever' and 'sharp' in certain aspects, Tendo resorted to the best method for dealing with her: Denial!
"Only someone who truly has something to hide would think that way."
Hearing that Tendo wasn't just refusing to explain but was turning the accusation back on her, Jing Liuli stomped her foot in indignation.
"What do you mean 'only someone who truly has something to hide would think that way'? Tendo, you clearly snuck out this afternoon to meet another woman!"
In response, Tendo kept the denial mode engaged.
"Heh, whatever makes you happy."
With that, Tendo spread his hands in an irritating, 'I can't be bothered with you' gesture.
Faced with Tendo's denial, Jing Liuli was momentarily speechless.
However, her eyes immediately darted, and she instantly thought of a solution.
She suddenly flung herself toward Liu Yao, shaking her arm and beginning to whine.
"Aunt Yao, look! Tendo is bullying me again! And he won't tell me where he went this afternoon!"
Oh, great. Now she's resorting to telling on me to her elder.
Surprisingly, Liu Yao gently patted Jing Liuli's hand and spoke in a gentle yet authoritative voice: "Liuli, everyone has secrets. A proper lady does not pry into things others don't want to talk about."
"Huh?!"
Jing Liuli's eyes went wide, as if she had heard utter nonsense.
"Aunt Yao, why are you taking his side?"
In contrast, Tendo acted as if he'd been given a royal decree, immediately laughing scornfully at Jing Liuli.
"See? See? There are more reasonable people in the world."
"Hmph, I'm not talking about this with you anymore. It's boring."
Seeing her backup suddenly switch sides, Jing Liuli huffily turned her head and engaged her innate talent: refusing to admit fault.
However, the childish girl quickly dismissed the momentary setback and became carefree again.
She re-linked arms with Liu Yao and led her directly in front of Tendo.
"Tendo, this is Aunt Yao, the one I told you about. You should..."
"I know. We've met before."
"Huh?"
Jing Liuli looked completely confused, having no idea where or when Tendo had met Liu Yao.
Liu Yao, however, only needed a moment to guess the reason.
She looked at Tendo's signature azure eyes and said, somewhat surprised, "It seems the Doctor's words were held back after all. That glass can block even Star Energy detection, but it appears it couldn't stop your gaze from reaching us back then."
At that moment, Liu Yao suddenly started examining Tendo from head to toe with a strange expression.
The look held both scrutiny and an indescribable satisfaction, making Tendo profoundly uncomfortable.
If he had to describe the look, it felt exactly like a mother-in-law assessing a potential son-in-law.
Just as Tendo was considering finding an excuse to escape, Liu Yao dropped a bombshell.
"Tendo, you... should be an adult now, right?"
Tendo: "???"
Hearing this, Tendo instantly went on high alert.
Wait, why is this conversation heading in such a weird direction?
At the same time, Jing Liuli pricked up her ears, staring at the two of them curiously.
Why is Aunt Yao suddenly asking about that?
Ignoring Jing Liuli's confusion, Liu Yao looked at the stunned Tendo and said with a half-smile, "It's good that you're an adult. After all, some things are easier for adults to do."
Tendo: "???"
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