Astral Express, Parlor Car.
Soft artificial morning light filtered through the massive, curved observation window, gilding the entire carriage with a warm, golden edge.
In the lounge area at the corner of the carriage, two ladies sat across from each other.
Himeko reclined elegantly in the sofa, while opposite her, Selene sat in a specialized wheelchair, a soft, thin blanket covering her knees.
On the small round table between them sat a delicate set of white porcelain coffee ware.
In the two coffee cups, a dark brown liquid was emitting a rich, enticing aroma.
Himeko picked up the cup in front of her, first bringing it close to her nose, closing her eyes to take a deep sniff, her face showing a hint of pleasant surprise.
Then, she took a shallow sip, letting the warm, mellow liquid roll over her tongue, savoring it carefully.
A moment later, she set the cup down and looked at Selene opposite her with undisguised appreciation in her eyes.
“Hmm…
The aroma has great depth, and the mouthfeel is very mellow and smooth, with the acidity and bitterness balanced just right,” Himeko said with a smile, her tone sincere.
“I didn’t expect your coffee-brewing skills to be so excellent, Selene.
It seems I’ll have to ask for your guidance more often in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Selene merely shook her head gently, a mild, faint smile playing on her lips, her eyelashes slightly lowered.
“You’re too kind, Himeko.
I was just bored and tinkered with it a little; I only know the basics.
It’s nowhere near as good as you say.”
(Thank goodness…
Thank goodness I was prepared.) Selene let out a silent sigh of relief in her heart.
(I specifically got up early this morning to prepare, and all that busyness wasn’t in vain.
At least I don’t have to help Himeko test her coffee today.)
Just as the two were having a harmonious conversation about their coffee-brewing experiences—
“Hiss…”
A clear, incredulous intake of breath came from the carriage connection.
Welt was standing there, one hand still holding the door frame.
His usually composed face was now filled with an expression somewhere between a trance and shock.
He even subconsciously pushed up his glasses, as if suspecting something was wrong with the lenses.
After waking up today, he had come to the Parlor Car as usual.
However, the scene before him made him instantly doubt whether he was fully awake.
Himeko…
and Selene…
And happily discussing coffee?
The coffee Himeko brews is legendary on this Astral Express.
Its unique flavor and remarkable effects are enough to leave a lasting impression on every passenger.
Everyone has long since formed a tacit, reflex-like coping strategy:
Every time Himeko excitedly presents a new creation and invites everyone to taste it, people often find various excuses to avoid it or run away.
If they really can’t avoid it and are forced to take that dark liquid—which might look normal but whose taste is always an unknown—everyone will tacitly look for an opportunity, such as when Himeko turns to get the sugar jar, or is distracted by the beautiful scenery outside the window, to swiftly and unexpectedly “return” the coffee to the lush green plants in the carriage.
This has directly led to a high frequency of plant replacement in the Parlor Car, and Pom-Pom, the Conductor, has often stood with hands on hips, asking angrily: “Who killed the plants that Pom-Pom carefully tended to again, Pom!”
And the worst-case scenario is having to actually drink it.
The consequences range from temporary loss of taste to, at worst…
instant death!
But today…
Selene is not only sitting there perfectly fine, but is also chatting and laughing with Himeko?
Welt looked at the cup of coffee in front of Selene that had clearly been tasted, and then at the smile on Himeko’s face.
He silently turned around and raised a hand to rub his brow.
(It seems…
I got up way too abruptly today.)
Himeko noticed Welt standing not far away.
She set down her coffee cup, a gentle smile on her face, raised the cup towards him, and greeted him in a lighthearted voice:
“Good morning, Welt.
Would you like a cup of coffee to wake yourself up?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Welt’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
He subconsciously adjusted his glasses, forcing himself to calm down, attempting to pull a composed expression onto his face that was no different from usual.
“I…”
“The coffee Selene brewed is delicious,” Himeko added, recommending it sincerely, as if she hadn’t noticed his momentary strangeness.
“I highly recommend you try it.”
(Hmm?
So Selene brewed it…) The heavy stone hanging in Welt’s heart dropped with a “thud,” his tense nerves instantly relaxing, and he even felt a sense of relief.
(Then it’s fine.)
He adjusted his breathing, stepped over to the two of them, and said calmly: “Sure, give me a cup too.”
“Alright, I’ll go get one for you.” Himeko rose happily and walked over to the coffee machine to prepare it.
Once Himeko’s figure was slightly further away, Welt quickly and covertly turned his head, lowered his voice, and said rapidly in a volume only he and Selene could hear:
“You’re something else,” his tone carried a hint of understanding and an almost imperceptible admiration.
“Brewing coffee yourself to divert Himeko’s attention.”
Selene picked up the cup in front of her, took a light sip, and replied in a low voice as well, a flash of helpless amusement in her eyes: “I have no choice. Visit novelping . com for the full chapter.
The little ones went to Trailblaze on Jarilo-VI these past few days, which led to a sharp decrease in candidates for coffee testing.
Himeko couldn’t find anyone else, so she’s been asking me to test it every day…”
Her tone was flat, but Welt instantly understood the epic journey of poison-tasting that might lie behind it.
“Uh…” Welt was momentarily speechless.
He couldn’t help but look at Selene with a hint of sympathy, and said sincerely in a low voice, “…You have my sympathies.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” At this moment, Himeko had returned with another cup of steaming, fragrant coffee, smiling as she handed it to Welt.
“Thank you.” Welt took the cup; the temperature was just right.
Based on what he had just seen and heard, he had high confidence in the safety of the liquid in the cup.
Therefore, he naturally lowered his head, blew on it, and took a sip—
His movements were fluid, his expression relaxed.
Then.
Thud.
This former leader of Anti-Entropy, one of the guardians of the Astral Express, didn’t even have time to make any comment or show any strange expression.
Just like that, holding the coffee cup, his body swayed, and he fell straight backward, leaning heavily against the sofa backrest.
His glasses slid down slightly, his eyes closed tightly, as if all his strength had been instantly drained, and he fell into a “peaceful” slumber.
The whole process was lightning fast.
Selene: “…” Her hand holding the coffee cup froze in mid-air.
Himeko blinked, looking at Welt, who had collapsed onto the sofa and was breathing steadily.
A hint of confusion appeared on her face, but then, as if she realized something, she turned to look at Selene, her tone filled with uncertain concern:
“Is Mr.
Welt…
did he stay up late researching data again last night?
It seems he really is too tired.
Drinking some hot coffee actually helped him relax, and he fell asleep all of a sudden.”
Selene slowly set down her cup, her gaze shifting back and forth between the “sleeping” Welt, Himeko’s sincerely confused face, and the cup of coffee still emitting wisps of steam in Welt’s hand.
(The coffee I brewed…
it shouldn’t have any problems, right?) (Could it be that Himeko…?)
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”