Ellie—unleashed her Flying Flowers, a dazzling barrage of pink crystal arrows that shattered the Anti-Matter Legion blocking the path. The battlefield sparkled with crystallized remnants, and Ellie twirled her bow with a flourish.
"Whew… which wave was that?" she panted, sticking out her tongue and half-closing her eyes. "I'm exhausted, but this is kinda fun～♪"
But something felt off. March 7, usually the first to respond with a joke or cheer, was unusually quiet.
"Ellie, we're almost there," Himeko said, her voice calm but firm. "Ask Asta for a status update when we arrive."
Danheng nodded silently, his usual stoic self.
Ellie turned to March, tilting her head. "Little March, why so gloomy? ♪"
"Ah! No, I'm fine, Sister Ellie!" March replied quickly, a little too quickly.
Ellie narrowed her eyes playfully. March scratched her head, avoiding eye contact. "I was just… worried about the space station. What if someone got hurt during the attack? That's all."
Ellie smiled warmly. "You're such a caring girl, March. I like that about you～♪"
March's cheeks turned crimson. "Ah—uh—what do you mean 'like'? That's embarrassing… but… I like you too…"
"Huh? Did you say something just now?" Ellie leaned in, curious.
"Nothing! Let's keep moving!" March blurted, grabbing Ellie's hand and pulling her forward.
Danheng was waiting ahead. "We've coordinated with Asta. Himeko and I will split off. You two will assist Arlan and check the anomalous object vault to see if anything's missing."
"Got it!" March replied with renewed energy.
"Wait, March," Ellie said suddenly, a mischievous glint in her eye. Danheng, for a moment, imagined devil horns sprouting from her head.
"What is it?" he asked, wary.
March leaned in too, curious.
Ellie smiled sweetly. "It's not urgent, but… could you smile more? I bet you'd look super cute～♪"
Danheng froze. March's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Under their combined gaze, Danheng coughed awkwardly. "Let's focus on saving Arlan first. This isn't the time." And with that, he turned and walked off—no, fled.
"Wait, Danheng!" March called after him, giggling. "Sister Ellie, let's go!"
"Coming～♪" Ellie chimed, taking March's hand and following.
They caught up quickly—Danheng hadn't gone far. He was already engaged in combat with another wave of Legion monsters. The girls summoned their bows and joined the fray.
"Danheng, we've got your back!" March shouted, freezing a sneaky monster with a well-placed arrow. Danheng finished it off with a swift strike.
"Sending you a flower～♪" Ellie sang, loosing a pink crystal arrow. It struck a monster, turning its body into shimmering crystal. Two more enemies charged in—but Ellie's arrow exploded mid-air, scattering crystal shards that embedded into their bodies. Danheng swept through them with his spear, ending the fight.
Meanwhile, deep within the Space Station, a quiet figure stood before the glowing golden light. The Stellaron. Then she made her decision.
Gently, she pressed the Stellaron into the still sleeping girl's chest.
"It's time to wake up.." she whispered.