"Phew... I think we finally shook it off."
"Looking at the fact that it hasn't caught up yet, I'd say so."
After sprinting for a considerable distance, the two finally caught their breath, watching the path behind them to ensure the Voidranger: Trampler wasn't in pursuit. They allowed their tense muscles to relax.
March 7th, having run at full tilt, collapsed onto the floor with a dull thud. She looked up with a slightly salty expression at Dan Heng, who was merely leaning against the wall and exhaling slowly.
Even though they had covered the exact same distance, she was huffing and puffing while Dan Heng looked perfectly composed, his breathing steady and rhythmic.
Well, considering he was always training alongside Bronie, it made sense. Even so, she couldn't help but wonder.
To an amateur in the martial arts like herself, she couldn't tell if their sessions were actual training or just flat-out torture.
"Anyway, it's great that we got away, but where are we? There's a lot of... weird stuff in here."
"When we received the map earlier... you didn't look at it, did you?"
March 7th felt a sudden spark of annoyance at the look Dan Heng gave her—a look that practically screamed 'I knew it.'
"I did look! I looked, but... honestly, I don't really get it even when I look at a map. Do you know where we are?"
"Roughly."
"Wait, really?"
"I've memorized the map in my head."
"...You memorized the entire layout of this station?"
"Just the main routes."
Even though that was impressive enough, Dan Heng spoke as if it were a trivial matter. March 7th looked at him with exasperated eyes.
Well, that's just how this guy is.
It was easy to forget because Bronie was so far beyond common sense, but Dan Heng himself was a remarkably unconventional person for his age.
Usually, people his age would be more interested in playing around or pursuing romance, but he didn't have a single shred of that in him. He spent every waking moment honing his skills.
"So, according to your mental map, where is this?"
"In the broader sense, this is the Storage Zone... hm?"
"What is it? Did you see... oh?"
While Dan Heng was scanning the surroundings to cross-reference his memory with the room, he spotted someone lying in the middle of the floor through a set of open automatic doors.
March 7th spotted them a second later, and the two quickly rushed over to the fallen figure.
"Hey! Wake up! Are you okay? Dan Heng, what do we do?"
"...Pulse is weak, heart rate is dropping. March, get ready for mouth-to-mouth."
"What?! I—I've never done that before! Dan Heng, you do it!"
"...Sigh."
Dan Heng let out a long sigh at March's panicked refusal. He set his spear aside and shifted into position.
But just as he was slowly leaning in to begin the resuscitation, the unconscious figure flinched and their eyes fluttered open.
"Stop! They're awake!"
Noticing the movement, March 7th quickly pushed Dan Heng's face away and shouted.
Dan Heng was about to ask her what she thought she was doing, but he simply sighed as he saw the stranger clutching their head and struggling to sit up.
"Hey, are you okay? Can you hear me? Do you remember your name?"
"March... you're asking too many questions at once."
"Ah, I guess I am."
At Dan Heng's correction, March 7th scratched her cheek and gave an embarrassed smile.
She had realized the same thing right after the words left her mouth. However, finding someone collapsed on the floor in a situation like this had made her so worried that she couldn't stop herself from blabbing.
"Ah...."
"Hm?"
"I... I can't remember anything."
The stranger replied in a tiny voice. March 7th looked at her with a mix of concern and helplessness.
"...That's not good. Can't you recall anything at all? Maybe just your name?"
"My name...."
After a moment of silence and concentration, the woman slowly opened her lips.
"Stelle."
"Stelle? Nice to meet you. I'm Dan Heng, and this is March 7th."
"Dan Heng? March 7th?"
Dan Heng and March 7th nodded in confirmation.
"We're here helping to rescue survivors. The space station is currently under attack by the Antimatter Legion."
"...Where should I go?"
"Hmm, head for the Main Control Zone. Lead Researcher Asta and all the staff who were evacuated in time should be there."
"Lead Researcher Asta?"
March 7th took over the explanation.
"She's a cute girl with pink hair, and she's a bit on the shorter side. She was personally appointed by Ms. Herta as the acting lead for the station. Though, honestly, her authority seems way too low—imagine one of her own staff members not even knowing her name!"
Even with the explanation, Stelle still had no memories of the person. She simply nodded, storing the information as a cold fact.
"Alright, let's get you to the Main Control Zone."
"March?"
"I mean, look at her. Even if we give her directions, there's no guarantee she'll make it there in one piece, right?"
"...I suppose you have a point."
"Besides, the Astral Express is parked near there! No matter how many monsters attack—actually, maybe I should feel sorry for the monsters instead."
March 7th thought of the girl back at the Astral Express—the crew's strongest combatant. Dan Heng didn't disagree; he simply nodded in silent consensus.
He doubted there was anything within the ranks of the Antimatter Legion that could actually provide the girl with a challenge, let alone entertainment.
"Unless a Doomsday Beast shows up, nothing's going to stand a chance anyway."
March 7th gave a casual shrug as she spoke.
"Then let's get moving."
"Okey-dokey! Oh, wait!"
Before leaving, March 7th suddenly remembered something. She walked over to the Curio storage area, picked up a blunt object that looked suspiciously like a baseball bat from the floor, and handed it to Stelle.
"The Legion guys are tearing this place apart, so the path back won't be safe. You should take this for self-defense."
Stelle took the baseball bat March offered. It felt surprisingly natural in her hands. Feeling satisfied with the grip, she slung it over her shoulder as the trio prepared to head toward the Main Control Zone.
Or rather, they were about to.
"Ah, there you are~"
A girl suddenly materialized from thin air, interrupting them.
Initially, Dan Heng and March 7th jumped and reached for their weapons, but as soon as they heard the voice and identified the newcomer, they immediately relaxed.
In fact, they looked relieved and even happy.
"Bronie!"
"Wah?!"
In her excitement, March 7th practically buried Bronie's face in her chest. Though taken aback, Bronie simply patted March on the back.
Being a bit smothered was hardly a problem for someone of Bronie's caliber.
Dan Heng also watched with a relaxed smile playing on his lips.
However, Stelle—who was not part of their group—found herself unable to take her eyes off the newcomer, even despite her internal confusion.
It was as if her body was reacting outside of her own will.
"Oh? And who might you be?"
Noticing the gaze, Bronie tilted her head and asked Stelle a question.
Thump, thump.
As that voice reached her ears, Stelle felt her heart skip a beat.
Why? Looking at that smiling face, she felt a profound sense that she had been waiting for this girl for a very long time.
Even if she had no idea why.
"...Stelle."
"Ah, Stelle, is it? I'm Bronie. S. Zaychik. Just call me Bronie."
The girl smiled brightly and extended her hand. Stelle stared at the hand for a moment before slowly reaching out to take it.
""?!""
At that instant, the irises of both their eyes were dyed in a shimmering, rainbow light.