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My first intimacy with Himeko happened on the day we first arrived at Penacony. The deafening music and flashing neon lights of the bar stimulated my senses. March 7th was holding a microphone, joyfully singing a star-pop song I hadn't heard before; although she was a bit off-key, her joy and vitality were infectious. Himeko, meanwhile, was leaning against the booth sofa with a beautiful cocktail in hand, her face flushed with a clear, unusual crimson. Having just ended the long journey and potential crisis of the Xianzhou Luofu, it was only right to relax here in the "Planet of Festivities."
Dan Heng and Mr. Yang seemed not to care for this overly loud and flashy atmosphere and had already excused themselves to rest in their hotel rooms. So, it was just March 7th and I accompanying Himeko. It was clear Himeko was in an exceptionally good mood today, or perhaps she wanted to let loose completely. She drank one glass after another, talking much more than usual, though her speech was a bit slurred. Those amber eyes, usually filled with wisdom, were now clouded with a misty haze, and her flushed cheeks looked particularly alluring under the bar's neon lights.
"Himeko, I think you've had a bit too much to drink," I said, watching her unsteadily pick up another glass.
"Mm... have I?" She squinted at me, then at the glass in her hand, her tongue seemingly tied. "It's... fine... I'm happy today... hic..." She gave a small alcohol-induced hiccup, her lips still curled in a lazy smile.
"Even if you're happy, you shouldn't drink this much. Look at you, you can't even sit straight," I shook my head helplessly. She was clearly quite drunk. I looked at March 7th, who was still chatting happily with her old friend Topaz from the IPC, and shouted to her: "March! Himeko's drunk, I'm taking her back to the room to rest!"
March 7th looked back and gave me an "OK" sign before returning to her socializing. With Topaz there, she should be safe. I walked over to Himeko and helped her soft, warm body up. Her body had almost no weight; most of it leaned on me. A strong scent of alcohol mixed with her unique, mature perfume hit me, making my heart stir slightly.
"Mm... Trailblazer..." She seemed to recognize me, her arm naturally circling my neck as she leaned her head on my shoulder, her voice thick with drunkenness. "Tha... thank you... you're a... good kid..."
I gave a bitter smile and, half-supporting and half-carrying her, struggled through the noisy crowd and out of the bar. The night in Penacony was still bright with lights, the streets bustling with people, filled with a dreamlike atmosphere. Himeko leaned on me, seemingly slipping out of consciousness, muttering fragments like "star rail... coffee... express..."
Looking at her—so different from the steady, reliable Navigator she usually was, now showing a bit of fragility and silliness—I felt a strange sensation. There was the care of a companion, and... an indescribable yearning a man feels for a mature, beautiful woman.
I supported her and, relying on my memory, found our hotel and opened the door with her keycard. The room was typical of Penacony's style—luxurious and dreamlike, with soft carpets, a huge floor-to-ceiling window, and a bed that looked incredibly comfortable. I carefully helped Himeko to the bedside, wanting her to sit and rest.
But she seemed completely confused by the alcohol. Her arm around my neck didn't loosen; instead, it tightened. She clung to me as if she had no bones, even rubbing her cheek against my neck, sending a tingle through me. "Don't... don't go..." she murmured slurringly, her voice soft with drunkenness and a hint of unconscious dependence. "Stay... with me for a bit..."
With such a fragrant, soft beauty in my arms, the intoxicating mix of alcohol and her body scent in my nose, the feel of her soft body pressing and rubbing against me, and her dependent murmurs... my willpower began to waver violently under the dual influence of alcohol and hormones. Reason told me I should let her rest and leave. But looking at the mature beauty before me—now stripped of all defenses and showing a fragile side—an audacious thought uncontrollably surfaced. Maybe... this is an opportunity? An opportunity to get closer to Himeko?
While I was torn, Himeko suddenly lifted her head slightly. Those misty amber eyes were inches from mine. Then, as if confirming something, she reached out with a warm finger and gently stroked my face. "You... you look so good..." she giggled. Then, before I could react, she lunged forward and pressed her lips—redolent with alcohol—against mine!
Himeko's lips were soft and warm, and the sudden kiss made my mind go blank. But almost immediately, another figure entered my mind—March 7th. Although she had panicked and denied our relationship, calling it "repaying a debt," we had, after all, shared that intimacy. Doing this with Himeko now... felt wrong.
This thought made me snap to my senses. I reached out and gently pushed Himeko away. Being pushed away, Himeko seemed stunned, a flash of hurt crossing her misty eyes. Then, without warning, large teardrops rolled from her beautiful amber eyes, sliding down her flushed cheeks. "Wah... Trailblazer..." she said with a thick, nasally voice, looking at me pitifully, her voice choking. "Do... do you hate me?"