Chapter 76: A Glimpse into Himeko's Youth
[2002 - Anti-Entropy Headquarters, Third Conference Room
Tesla rushed in frantically searching for Einstein. Both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy's asteroid tracking data matched perfectly.
But to their astonishment, they discovered a new satellite had appeared orbiting Earth! Tesla projected the data onto the main screen, revealing this satellite to be the 4th Divine Key. Just then, video footage in the database began playing automatically. A mysterious man appeared on screen, informing them:
"Schicksal plans to attack you with the 4th Divine Key. I cannot condone such violence. In exchange for asylum within Anti-Entropy, I offer you its activation key."
Einstein considered the message's dubious authenticity. "No need to trouble the Overseer. We'll establish contact first."]
[Murata Himeko]:"Father!? So father really was connected to Schicksal... But why can't I find any records about him?"
[Murata Himeko]:"What exactly was father involved in?"
[Otto]:"Ah, that incident. I'd nearly forgotten about it."
[Kiana]:"Don't worry, Ms. Himeko! No matter what happened, we're here with you now!"
Looking at the concerned faces of the children gathered in her villa, Himeko felt her mood lift inexplicably. Years of investigation had yielded nothing - whatever happened must have been significant enough to erase all traces. The father in her memories might have been completely different from reality.
[2005 - Somewhere
Murata Ryousuke intently scanned newspaper articles. "Hey, what're you reading?" asked a curious creature resembling a gray furball.
Ignoring the peculiar being, Ryouske kept flipping through tabloids about alien encounters. The exasperated furball gulped down tea noisily: "You can't possibly believe those are real?"
"Think about it - any species capable of interstellar travel being defeated by 1947 weaponry?"
"The Roswell incident was pure fabrication. Stop wasting effort. Complete our deal, and I'll give you what you desire."
"...A genuine extraterrestrial encounter."
The gray creature oozed temptation.]
[Kiana]:"Dealing with aliens? What kind of deal?"
[Raiden Mei]:"Probably nothing good."
[Stelle]:"He's chasing aliens? That's so cool!"
[March 7th]:"Hey now, calm down! To Earthlings, WE'RE the aliens!"
[Sigure Kira]:"It's one of the Shoggoths!"
[April - Far East - Graduation Season
Under cherry blossoms, schoolgirl Himeko gasped seeing her father arrive unexpectedly. Murata Ryouske awkwardly admitted he'd only seen her email yesterday due to work overload.
Himeko had excelled academically, even publishing papers in international journals during high school. "Himeko, with your grades you could attend any university worldwide."
"How about Europe? We could live together there."
Smiling, Himeko retrieved documents from her handbag: "It's fine, dad. I know your work's important. Didn't you finish reading? I've already been accepted to Caltech."... On her flight to America, Himeko gazed pensively through the window. "...I won't study in Europe. My focus is interstellar propulsion systems. The future lies in space exploration."
"Don't worry about me - I can take care of myself. Didn't you always say Muratas must bravely pursue their dreams?"... In class, Himeko listened raptly to Welt's lecture: "I made the right choice. Here I can learn cutting-edge knowledge."
"Professor Welt became associate professor so young..."
"The academic environment is perfect - recognition comes through merit alone."
Her phone suddenly vibrated with a notification: "...Alien sighting in New Mexico?"]
[Kiana]:"So Aunt Himeko's dream was space travel all along!"
[Murata Himeko]:"Back then I truly wanted to become a navigator. Without the Honkai... perhaps I'd be exploring the cosmos like my other self."
[Murata Himeko]:"Fate made me a Valkyrie instead..."
[Murata Himeko]:"Ah, youth... My grades were excellent back then. Kiana, how did you end up so terrible at academics?"
[Ratio]:"Academic prowess doesn't equate teaching ability."
[Welt (HSR)]:"Dr. Ratio, perhaps you could tutor Kiana?"
[Ratio]:"...I'll consider it during my free time."
Welt exhaled deeply, hoping this universe-renowned educator could salvage Kiana's grades. Maybe? Possibly?
[Stelle]:"Himeko called Mr. Yang young!"
[Qingque]:"Early fifties IS relatively young."
[Theresa]:"Isn't Welt technically the youngest among the three organization leaders?"
[Sparkle]:"Kevin: 50,000+ ancient fossil Otto: 500+ middle-aged fossil Welt: 50+ young fossil"
[Welt (HSR)]:"A man remains youthful at heart forever!!!"
Welt absolutely refused to acknowledge being labeled an old fossil.
[Three Months Earlier - Anti-Entropy Underground Training Facility
Welt repeatedly materialized and dispersed Eden's Star until exhaustion. Einstein reported: "You've recovered 65% strength.
Your injuries from the Second Eruption were severe - rehabilitation takes time."
Welt apologized for burdening Einstein and Tesla with organizational duties during his recovery. Einstein placed a comforting hand on his shoulder: "Rest properly now, Joachim. You've given enough."]
[Stelle]:"Mr. Yang, how many people ARE in Anti-Entropy? From the Second Eruption till now, it's just you three working overtime constantly."
[Raiden Ryoma]:"......?"
[Welt (HSR)]:"...The serious members are just us. The others... it's complicated."
[Welt (HSR)]:"Nevermind that topic - I'm retired now anyway."
[Present Day - California Airport
After receiving the alien photos, Himeko rushed to the airport but couldn't locate her student ID anywhere. As she panicked, Welt handed it to her. "Thank you Professor Welt!
I need to reach New Mexico urgently - hence the carelessness," Himeko explained sheepishly. "New Mexico? Why there?"
Eyes sparkling, Himeko showed him the photos on her phone: "Hehe, reports say someone spotted aliens there yesterday! They even posted coordinates!"
Welt tensed immediately - these weren't aliens but Anti-Entropy's secret weapon: the Alahato mech. "Wait, Murata Himeko! Those likely aren't extraterrestrials—"
"Oh? Do you study aliens too Professor? But... my flight's boarding! Let's discuss this when I return~"]
[March 7th]:"Current Mr. Yang doesn't just study aliens - he hangs out with them daily!"
[Murata Himeko]:"How naive I was back then, mistaking a mech for aliens."
[Kiana]:"Young Aunt Himeko was adorable~"
[Raiden Mei]:"Hard to imagine she'd grow into such an adult."
[Theresa]:"You hadn't learned about the Honkai yet - an understandable mistake."