In the school teachers' office, several educators were discussing students in their classes—naturally, those excelling academically, the teachers' favorites. Lübeck was among them. As class monitor, he had collected all the students' homework notebooks and delivered them to the teachers' office, after which he could finally head home.
Outside, the rain had stopped, but the street corners remained muddy. He carefully picked his way through the puddles, hopping and skipping to make his way home. The buildings lining the road, along with the pavement, were drenched by the rain. The dark walls reflected in the puddles on the ground. Looking down the street into the distance, the haze still lingered. It turned out that fine threads of rain were still drifting through the air.
Gradually leaving the bustling town behind, the road narrowed beneath his feet. Standing on the small bridge he crossed daily, he gazed at the dry riverbed below. It seemed this light rain hadn't brought much water to it.
The buildings and walls flanking the road ahead seemed to block the drainage of the puddles. A woman approaching from the opposite direction had no choice but to step into the water with her red high heels, sending ripples across to Lübeck's side, soaking his shoes too. Only then did he realize he was walking down an unfamiliar path—neither heading home nor knowing his direction.
Lübeck opened his eyes, puzzled by such a dream as dawn broke. It was the weekend, a day for rest with no work obligations, so he’d slept in naturally. Yet the dream’s scenes weren’t real experiences—they were utterly disconnected. He wondered if these unknown visions were merely his brain’s creation or something else entirely.
Perhaps the impending deep-space deployment was weighing heavily on him. Lübeck could only offer himself this excuse. Glancing at Brittany beside him, she slept deeply, her body seemingly drained from the joyful days they’d shared.
Lübeck gently lifted the strands of hair covering her face, studying her brows and eyes. He recalled how animated she’d been these past days, recounting the rumors circulating through her unit. Lübeck realized he’d become utterly captivated by her. Each morning began with the anticipation of her awakening—to see the sparkle in her eyes, to witness her lively presence unfolding before him.
After a moment of contemplation, Lübeck couldn't resist drawing closer, nestling beside her. He placed one hand on her thigh while his other arm curved around her waist, pressing against her side. At times he wanted to sleep beside her longer, at others he opened his eyes to see if she had awakened.
When he opened his eyes again, Lü Beck found Brittany's large brown-green eyes fixed on him—he hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep once more.
“Awake?” she murmured, wrapping her arms and legs around him before settling into a sideways position to watch him silently.
“What are you thinking?” Lü Beck asked.
“I've been hearing all the gossip from coworkers lately. So many couples have broken up.”
“Oh. Unstable relationships get evaluated because they directly impact work morale. What's wrong?”
Brittany gazed into Lü Beck's eyes, pausing before speaking.
“Could we...?”
“Why would you think that? We won't.”
“Hmm,” Brittany agreed, saying nothing more. She simply rested her forehead gently against Lübeck's cheek.
Lübeck stroked her back to comfort her, puzzled why she'd think that. Reflecting on their time together these past months, he couldn't recall doing anything to make her feel insecure. He pressed further,
“Why would you think that? Did I do something wrong?” "
Brittany turned her head, revealing only one cheek as she looked at Lübeck. After a moment, she said,
“I heard a lot of them are like that. After a while, the novelty wears off, and then they break up.”
Lübeck smiled, having thought she'd encountered something serious. He stroked her head while reassuring her,
“I'm not that kind of person. Did you worry about this when you chose me?” "
“No,” Brittany murmured softly.
“Then trust your own choice.”
Hearing Lübeck say this, a smile finally spread across Brittany's face.
Worried she might still feel uneasy, Lübeck added,
“You're already my woman. I won't leave you, and you mustn't leave me either, okay?”
“Okay.”
“No matter what happens...”
“In sickness and in poverty,”
“Mm,” she agreed, and Lübeck smiled. He hadn't expected her to recite wedding vows at this moment.
“Through thick and thin, we'll always be together.” As he spoke, Lübeck pulled her head into his embrace, stroking her hair and back. Then, as if remembering something, he murmured to himself,
“You've recited the vows, but I haven't prepared a wedding ring for you.”
“Hehe,” Brittany giggled, nestled against Lübeck, though her heart swelled with joy.
“If there isn't one, then there isn't one. I only want your heart. Besides, my job isn't suited for jewelry anyway.”
" “Hmm,” Lübeck agreed, though inwardly he felt a pang of guilt toward Brittany. It was true that wearing metal or hard jewelry was impractical in the Space Force.
He tightened his arm around her waist, as if to give her more confidence, then added,
“You forget—I've only reverted to 25 years old. My heart isn't like those young lads anymore.”
“Oh,” Brittany replied.
“Besides, everyone is different...”
“Yes, that's why I chose you,” Brittany interrupted with a delighted expression.
Lübeck smiled and ruffled her hair before continuing,
“Yes, your judgment is sound. In the long run, you've chosen someone devoted.”
“Then... may I ask about your past?” Brittany countered.
“Hmm...”
“Did you have a partner during your past missions?”
“No. Back then, I was on short orbital assignments near Earth and the Moon. I could take regular leave to reunite with my ex-wife.”
“Heh,” Brittany chuckled.
“So you found a female companion in orbit? She didn't know about it either?”
“Hmm...” Lübeck pondered before replying,
“I'm not very good at that sort of thing. My ex-wife Ruth was loyal—I could trust her when I wasn't around. But someone in orbit? If I couldn't trust her, it would drain me.”
“You're possessive,” Brittany said with a smile.
“Well, not exactly. I wouldn't force anyone to stay. If she wanted to leave, she could anytime.”
“Oh,” Brittany perked up, propping her head up with her hand as she lay on her side, gazing into Lübeck's eyes.
“It's just that sudden departures would feel unsettling,” Lübeck added.
“Hahaha, I get it. You're afraid of getting hurt, aren't you?” Brittany teased playfully, running a hand over Lübeck's chest before whispering with a mischievous smile,
“You're a soft-hearted man,” she smiled, her eyebrows arching playfully.
“Right? That's why once you walked into my life, I could never let you go.”
“Mm,” she murmured, burying herself once more in Lübeck's embrace.
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