In the end, after Jun An's explanation, Ragna finally seemed somewhat convinced about the whole farce.
"So, Captain, you were really willing?"
Ragna still looked skeptical. "Captain, are you sure you weren't threatened in any way? For example, Himeko withholding your salary, or holding something over your head?"
"How is that possible!"
Himeko frowned slightly. "He doesn't even care about face anymore, what leverage could there possibly be?"
Actually, there might be something, but Himeko still needed to use that, so it couldn't be used as a threat.
Besides, why does my own Captain (Ragna) distrust me so much?
"There's no leverage."
Jun An said, "It's just that we have mutual affection for each other, so we ended up together."
Ragna became even more confused. "But, aren't you in an adoptive mother and adoptive son relationship?"
She thought she and Himeko weren't even on the same playing field.
"Oh, that matter."
Himeko shrugged, answering somewhat awkwardly, "That was just putting on a show for outsiders. Although Theresa and I were nominally taking care of the Captain, in reality, he was the one taking care of our food, clothing, housing, and transport."
It was common knowledge that Himeko, left unattended, was hopeless at managing daily life, and Theresa, unable to break free from Otto's influence, was still effectively a child. For the two of them together, just managing St. Freya and the Far East Branch was already a feat, let alone taking care of themselves in daily life.
Therefore, Jun An, the only one among the three with life experience, had no choice but to cook for them.
Jun An also nodded. "They just provided me with nominal backing. In reality, we never signed any adoption agreements."
Although Himeko and Theresa were nominally his adoptive mothers, this was merely to give Jun An some protection and smooth his career path.
After all, the position of Hyperion's Captain was no small role. In the original story, Himeko only became Captain after reaching the rank of Major, and that was after clawing her way up through achievements in the assault squad, a unit with an extremely high mortality rate. Jun An achieved it in less than two years.
However, because Jun An knew the plot in advance, upgrading and earning merit was very easy for him. Their 'adoptive mother' titles didn't actually provide much practical benefit, so in reality, Jun An, Himeko, and Theresa were more like childhood friends.
Jun An continued, "Because they usually lack any adult dignity, the only time Himeko asserts her 'adult dignity' is when she bullies me during situations like just now, exactly like what you saw."
Although hearing the two of them make lewd jokes made Ragna blush and her heart race, she was nearly thirty, after all, not some innocent maiden. She wouldn't overreact just because of a couple's playful banter.
Besides, she had only happened to walk in on their O-O-X-X scene. Although it was somewhat explosive, right now, whoever felt awkward first was the awkward one.
"I-Is that so,"
Ragna asked, pretending to be calm. "Th-Then, I won't disturb your newlywed life any longer. I'll be leaving now."
Ragna wasn't completely lacking in emotional intelligence; she had felt like she was being force-fed PDA from the very beginning.
"Eh?! You're leaving?" Himeko seemed rather surprised.
"Why would I stay during your newlywed life?" Ragna had no desire to be a third wheel.
"Oh, I thought you might use this incident to threaten me or something."
Himeko breathed a sigh of relief. As they say, one tends to suspect others based on their own character.
Back when she discovered the Captain's affair with Theresa, she had used it as leverage to demand several rounds of 'public grain' (sex). She had even prepared herself for how to sell out the Captain this time.
"Why would I do something like that?"
Ragna sighed helplessly but still bid farewell to the two and left. "Anyway, congratulations on your marriage, but remember to lock the door next time. I'll go find myself a drink."
With that, Ragna departed briskly.
"So what did she come here for, exactly?"
Himeko was a bit puzzled. She was still trying to enjoy the pleasure of playing the NTR aggressor, but she hadn't even managed to connect to Elysia's stream. Her enjoyment was cut short halfway through.
"Probably just came to hang out with you. Maybe her staggered vacation time happened to line up?"
Jun An fastened his belt properly, lest Himeko decided to start again later. Ever since getting the marriage certificate, her mood had been in a constant state of ambiguous excitement.
Her scarce rationality was the only thing stopping her from dragging Jun An into a public restroom to do it.
And Ragna, who had served to cool Himeko's ardor, was gone now. If Jun An remained disheveled, he had no doubt Himeko would resume what they were doing earlier.
If Elysia's stream got banned because of that, Jun An couldn't afford to compensate her; she was a major streamer now, after all.
"Alright, we're home. Today's date ends here!"
Jun An plopped himself directly onto the sofa. Theresa wasn't home because she had borrowed Himeko's office to work remotely.
"Lying around playing games as soon as you get home. You weren't like this before."
Seeing Jun An take out his phone to continue watching Elysia's stream, Himeko immediately leaned over. "Are you really not afraid I'll get jealous and screw you again?"
Ragna wasn't here now.
Feeling Himeko's soft body leaning against him, Jun An asked without hesitation, "Just following a star. Want to watch?"
"...Fine."
Himeko ultimately ended up resignedly hugging her husband, watching the live performance of her husband's favorite woman.
"By the way, what is it that makes you like Elysia so much, Captain?"
"Because she is sincere (诚 Chéng)."
"I'm sincere too."
"It's different. I like being passive."
Or rather, most people from Shenzhou (China) had this preference (XP). A good girl who actively approached you, harbored almost no ill intentions towards you, didn't engage in ridiculous antics, and possessed a sense of greater good in her heart – everyone liked someone like that.
Himeko retorted, "Have you lacked opportunities to be passive?"
"If I could beat you right now, would I be the one lying down?"
Jun An reached out and touched Himeko's thigh. It still felt warm and slightly damp.
Himeko thought Jun An was about to start again, but realizing he was still in cooldown, she instantly understood he was just touching playfully. So, she simply placed her leg on the Captain's lap to make it more convenient for him.
"Then wait until you become a Fusion Soldier."
Although she couldn't experience the feeling of 'playing from childhood to adulthood,' regrets were regrets. It was the Captain's business; he could decide for himself.
Besides, the Captain's only issue was his recovery speed and reserve capacity for the 'pills' (stamina), not a lack of single-instance 'damage.' Himeko had no complaints in that regard.
"Seriously though, do you like her that much?"
"You've asked that twice already."
"But your hand hasn't stopped sending gifts."
"What's wrong with using several years' worth of my salary to top up my favorite electronic pet? Last time, I died before I could even use it all up."
Jun An did have several large suitcases full of money, after all, now deposited in the bank by Himeko. It was enough for him to splurge for a long time. If it ran out, well, he could always just live off her.
"Even if you have money, you shouldn't squander it like that."
Even while caressing her thigh, Jun An didn't forget to send gifts. It was clear he really liked her.
"The number one donor just has one more gift than me. I refuse to accept that."
"The number one donor is Eden."
"...Never mind then."