The Starry Sky Train, Observation Carriage.
Soft artificial morning light streamed through the large, arched observation windows, bathing the entire carriage in a warm, golden glow.
In a corner of the carriage, in the lounge area, two ladies sat facing each other.
Himeko leaned elegantly against the sofa, while opposite her, Selene sat in a specially designed wheelchair, a soft blanket covering her lap.
On the small round table between them lay an exquisite white porcelain coffee set.
The deep brown liquid in the two coffee cups emitted a rich, enticing aroma.
Himeko held her cup, first bringing it to her nose.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, a hint of pleasant surprise appearing on her face.
Then, she took a small sip, letting the warm, mellow liquid roll across her tongue as she savored it carefully.
After a moment, she set the cup down, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration as she looked at Selene.
“Hmm… the aroma has wonderful depth, and the flavor is rich and velvety, with a perfect balance of acidity and bitterness,” Himeko said with a sincere smile.
“I didn’t expect you to be such a skilled coffee brewer, Selene. It seems I’ll have to learn a thing or two from you in the future.”
Selene simply shook her head with a gentle smile, her eyelashes lowering slightly.
“Himeko, you’re giving me too much credit. I just had some free time and did a little research. I only know the basics—nothing nearly as impressive as you’re making it sound.”
(Thank goodness… thank goodness I came prepared.) Selene silently breathed a sigh of relief.
(I got up early this morning to prepare everything, and all that effort wasn’t wasted. At least I don’t have to drink Himeko’s coffee today.)
Just as the two of them continued exchanging coffee tips in a pleasant atmosphere—
“Hiss…”
A sharp, incredulous gasp came from the passage connecting the carriages.
Welt stood there, one hand still gripping the doorframe, his usually composed face frozen somewhere between disbelief and shock.
He even adjusted his glasses reflexively, as if wondering whether there was something wrong with the lenses.
As usual, he had come to the observation car after waking up.
However, the scene before him instantly made him question whether he was truly awake.
Himeko… and Selene… were drinking coffee?
And they were happily discussing it?
Himeko’s coffee was legendary aboard the Astral Express.
Its unique flavor and extraordinary effects had left an unforgettable impression on every passenger.
Over time, everyone had silently developed the same survival strategy.
Whenever Himeko enthusiastically presented one of her latest creations and invited everyone to try it, they would immediately come up with an excuse to escape.
If there was no way out and they were forced to accept that seemingly ordinary—but always unpredictable—dark liquid, they would quietly wait for an opportunity. You are reading on novelping . com, the official source.
The moment Himeko turned around to grab the sugar bowl or became distracted by the scenery outside the window, they would swiftly pour the coffee into the lush plants decorating the observation car.
As a result, the plants in the observation car had to be replaced with astonishing frequency.
Conductor Pom-Pom had often stood there with hands on hips, angrily shouting,
“Who killed Pom-Pom’s precious plants again?!”
The worst-case scenario, however, was actually drinking it.
The consequences ranged from temporarily losing one’s sense of taste to… instant death.
But today…
Selene wasn’t just perfectly fine—she was chatting and laughing with Himeko as if nothing were wrong.
Welt looked at the half-finished cup in front of Selene, then at the smile on Himeko’s face.
Silently, he turned away and rubbed his temples.
(Looks like… I really woke up too early today.)
Himeko noticed Welt standing nearby.
She set down her coffee cup with a gentle smile, raised it slightly toward him, and greeted him warmly.
“Good morning, Welt. Would you like a cup of coffee to wake yourself up?”
The moment she finished speaking, Welt’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
He instinctively adjusted his glasses, forcing himself to remain calm as he put on his usual composed expression.
“I…”
“Selene’s coffee is really excellent,” Himeko added sincerely, seemingly oblivious to his hesitation.
“I highly recommend you try some.”
(Huh? It’s Selene’s?)
The enormous weight hanging over Welt’s heart instantly disappeared.
His tense nerves relaxed, and a wave of relief washed over him.
(Then it’s fine.)
Taking a deep breath, he walked over and said frankly,
“Sure. I’d love a cup.”
“Of course. I’ll make one for you.”
Himeko readily stood up and walked over to the coffee machine.
As soon as she was a short distance away, Welt discreetly turned toward Selene and lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear.
“You’re clever,” he said, a trace of understanding—and faint admiration—in his voice.
“Making your own coffee to distract Himeko.”
Selene picked up her cup, took another small sip, and replied just as quietly, a helpless smile flickering across her face.
“I didn’t have much of a choice. The others have been exploring Jarilo-VI these past few days, so there are far fewer people available to test Himeko’s coffee. She couldn’t find anyone else… so she’s been asking me to taste it every single day.” Read the latest chapters at novelping(.)com.
Her tone remained calm, but Welt instantly imagined the tragic ordeal hidden behind those casual words.
“…I see.”
He fell silent for a moment.
A trace of sympathy appeared in his eyes as he looked at Selene.
“…You’ve had it rough.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
At that moment, Himeko returned with another steaming cup of fragrant coffee and handed it to Welt with a smile.
“Thank you.”
Welt accepted the cup.
The temperature was just right.
Based on everything he had just seen and heard, he had complete confidence in the safety of the coffee inside.
Naturally, he lowered his head, blew gently across the surface, and took a sip.
His movements were smooth.
His expression remained relaxed.
Then—
Thud.
The former Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, one of the veteran members of the Astral Express, didn’t even have time to comment or change his expression.
Still holding the coffee cup, his body swayed slightly before collapsing backward onto the sofa.
His glasses slipped down his nose.
His eyes closed.
It was as though every ounce of strength had instantly left his body, sending him into a remarkably “peaceful” sleep.
The entire sequence took less than a second.
Selene: “…”
Her hand, still holding the coffee cup, froze midair.
Himeko blinked at Welt, who was now slumped peacefully against the sofa, breathing steadily.
A puzzled expression appeared on her face.
Then, as though she had suddenly realized something, she turned to Selene with genuine concern.
“Mr. Welt… was he up late studying data again last night? He must have been exhausted. It seems that drinking a nice cup of hot coffee helped him relax, and he fell asleep right away.”
Selene slowly set down her cup.
Her gaze shifted between the peacefully “sleeping” Welt, Himeko’s genuinely confused expression, and the still-steaming cup of coffee in his hand.
(The coffee I made… should have been perfectly fine, right?)
(Could it have been Himeko…?)