Nightfall gently blanketed Corona-01 as the off-road vehicle drove back to the manor under the starlight. Along the way, warm lights glowed from the windows of farmhouses, and the air was filled with the scents of families preparing dinner—the smell of woodsmoke intertwining with the aroma of stewing food.
Asuka leaned back in her seat, feeling the cool evening breeze brush against her face. The tension that had gripped her nerves for days finally unraveled completely.
"Thank you for bringing me here, Doctor," she said softly, her voice carrying a rare tenderness.
Osiris kept his eyes on the scenery passing by the road, merely nodding slightly. "Rest well. Tomorrow, we can go see the local marketplace." His tone was as calm as ever, yet it reignited a spark of anticipation in Asuka's eyes.
That night, they stayed at a countryside manor arranged by the Planetary Governor. At dinner, the long table was laden with local specialties: beast meat roasted until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, exuding a unique spicy aroma; freshly picked vegetables that retained their crisp texture; and a local fruit wine with a fresh, sweet fragrance.
Asuka ate much more than usual, not even bothering to maintain her usual elegant poise.
"Eat slower," Osiris said, watching her devour the food, the corner of his mouth curving imperceptibly. "No one is going to take it from you."
"Mind your own business!" Asuka snapped back out of habit, but her cheeks flushed slightly, her tone carrying the shy embarrassment of being cared for. "The food here... it tastes like 'life'." She added in a whisper, picking up a piece of golden root crop and squinting her eyes in satisfaction.
After dinner, Asuka walked alone to the second-floor balcony of the manor. The cool moonlight cast a silver veil over the fields and distant mountains. The night breeze carried the scent of plants and a refreshing chill, gently stirring her red hair. Under the moonlight, her gaze was complex and difficult to read.
"Thank you, Doctor," she whispered in a voice almost only she could hear, gazing at the tranquil alien nightscape for a long time.
The next morning, before the light of the twin moons had fully faded from the horizon, the marketplace was already awakening. This market, located on the edge of a major settlement, displayed the unique vitality and chaos of an Imperial frontier world.
The roads were a strange contrast: an old charcoal-burning truck parked alongside a brand-new hover transport. Farmers in coarse work clothes brushed shoulders with technicians in standard uniforms. Dust danced in the morning light, mixing with the faint exhaust fumes from distant agricultural machinery.
Asuka widened her eyes, curiously taking in this vibrant world. On one side of the market, several rusty but still functioning agricultural machines were particularly striking: a combine harvester using fuel cells emitted a low roar, and a tracked tractor smelling heavily of lubricant was pre-cooling. Near these steel beasts was a different scene: dew-covered fresh fruits and vegetables piled in hand-woven wicker baskets, and smooth clay jars filled with golden grain.
This strange blend of high technology and traditional farming life formed the unique landscape of Corona-01. Imperial technology, like an undercurrent, permeated every corner yet maintained a delicate balance with the millennium-old way of life on this land.
"Look at that," Osiris pointed to a stall displaying simple farming tools crafted by local smiths. "Though the appearance is primitive, the metallurgy has reached basic Imperial standards." Further away, a blacksmith shop was open for business; the old smith held a traditional hammer in one hand while operating a plasma welding torch with the other. In a shower of sparks, tools merging traditional craft and modern tech took shape.
As they continued through the market, Osiris occasionally explained the things they saw: a steaming stall used traditional methods to extract plant-based fuel; distant towers flashing signal lights were planet-scale communication relays; even the simple fliers children played with utilized basic anti-gravity principles.
Asuka's gaze, however, was drawn to a small stall selling handmade jewelry. Coarse wooden racks held necklaces polished from local ores, shimmering with a simple luster under the sun. She picked up a sapphire-colored pendant, examining it against the light with the unmistakable fondness of a young girl.
"Try it on if you like it," Osiris's voice sounded behind her.
She turned back in surprise to find that he was already standing behind her at just the right distance—not imposing, yet close enough to protect her at a moment's notice. When she hesitated to try it on, Osiris naturally took the necklace and helped her fasten it behind her neck. His movements were practiced and gentle, his fingertips occasionally brushing her nape, sending a subtle shiver through her. Asuka lowered her head to hide her suddenly accelerating heartbeat.
"It suits you." His tone was calm as usual, but he had already produced local currency to complete the transaction. In that moment, she was no longer the pilot who had to be strong, but simply a girl being carefully looked after.
At a snack stall, he carefully checked the hygiene of the food before allowing her to taste it. When Asuka was so spicy she stuck out her tongue, he timely handed her a glass of cool juice, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
At sunset, they set out on the return journey, carrying the lingering atmosphere of the marketplace. Asuka held several simple souvenirs, including the sapphire necklace. She occasionally stole glances at Osiris, who was resting his eyes beside her. Seeing his profile gilded by the setting sun, a sense of familiar peace welled up in her heart.
In that straight back, she saw the protection she had once craved but never received. And in a corner of her heart, a hazy affection hid, transcending mere dependence. This contradiction made her want to draw closer at times, and act aloof at others.
Corona-01's two satellites hung high in the night sky, one large and one small, like bright lamps guarding the land. And this complex, unspeakable emotion—like the twin moons—clung to each other while maintaining a perfect distance, radiating a gentle glow in the silence.