In the Wonderland Space, at the newly built bar counter.
Having just finished her bath and wrapped only in a towel, Murata Himeko was about to try out the quality of the drinks Nolan had recently brought back.
Pushing open the door, she saw a woman sitting on a high stool who looked quite similar to herself.
She walked over and took a seat beside her, operated the automated bartending counter made by Xianyun for a bit, and selected the drink she wanted.
Then she glanced at the person beside her with curiosity.
"You're also called Himeko? I heard you're a navigator too?"
"Hello, Miss Himeko. I've heard about your deeds as well. Clearly, you are a true hero." Himeko tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear and smiled gently.
"Ahem… being praised like this by someone so similar to myself feels a bit strange." Murata Himeko's cheeks, already faintly flushed from her bath, grew even redder. She awkwardly changed the topic:
"Compared to fighting Honkai, I prefer the starry sky that inspires endless imagination. You're practically walking the path I've always dreamed of."
"It's not too late even now. The Astral Express welcomes you anytime." Crossing her long legs, Himeko extended an invitation to join the Astral Express.
"As a teacher at St. Freya Academy, I can't just abandon my students."
Even after returning as a Heroic Spirit, Murata Himeko continued her role as a teacher at the academy.
"Besides, I can just have Nolan take me traveling once in a while. That guy never acts properly anyway, always thinking about those kinds of things all day."
She rubbed her fair legs beneath the towel, recalling the many nights she had spent "training" with Nolan.
Hearing this, Himeko nodded in agreement and glanced at Murata Himeko's alluring post-bath appearance.
"If he were here, he definitely wouldn't miss the chance to bully you."
Murata Himeko took a sip of the mixed drink. The moment it entered her mouth, it felt like her throat was burning. She couldn't help but cough a couple of times, then wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand before speaking.
"Hmph, who ends up bullying whom isn't certain."
"Oh? That confident?" In the hall, Nolan, who had just returned from grinding Adventure EXP, overheard her bold declaration and couldn't help but smile.
He walked into the room that had been converted into a bar and saw the two Himekos gathered together, drinking and chatting.
Seeing this scene, especially with Murata Himeko wearing only a towel, Nolan naturally felt the urge to get close and "train" with them.
He stepped inside, drawing both of their attention.
"You finally decided to come back, huh? Where did you go flirting with other girls today?" Murata Himeko's slightly tipsy face showed a hint of complaint.
Nolan wrapped an arm around Himeko, who was barely covered by the towel, lifted her gently, then sat down and let her back rest against his chest, her legs straddling his lap.
"Hey, what are you doing? It's cold, put me down!" Murata Himeko grabbed at her towel, pulling it down, her tone both embarrassed and displeased.
One of Nolan's hands circled her waist, while the other rested on her soft, fair thigh, kneading lightly as he said with a smile,
"Didn't you say you were going to bully me? Now's your chance."
"Hmph!" Murata Himeko turned her head to glare at him, only to have her lips sealed by his, letting out a muffled sound.
His hands then supported her thighs, fingers sinking into her soft skin.
Seeing Murata Himeko being teased, the other Himeko chose to help the girl who looked just like her. She walked over and, in a more assertive manner, replaced Murata Himeko in sealing Nolan's lips.
This suited Nolan just fine. Leaning against the bar counter, he freed one hand to pull Himeko into his embrace, his palm sliding down her back to rest on the soft curve beneath her white skirt.
Himeko lifted her chest slightly and moved closer, pressing in from the side onto Murata Himeko. Their soft, fair skin pressed together near the delicate collarbone.
After a long while, Murata Himeko lay against Nolan's chest as if drained of strength, breathing softly, while Himeko pulled away from his lips.
Turning around, she leaned forward slightly, supporting herself with her elbows against the smooth bar counter. Her long legs, clad in black high heels, came together, the back of her skirt covering her hips angled toward Nolan.
Seeing Himeko's invitation, Nolan did not hold back. He stood behind her and lifted the skirt that appeared pure white on the outside but concealed a fiery red lining underneath.
...