“Let’s go inside and take a look at the Astral Express,” Himeko suggested, her red hair shimmering with a warm glow under the light.
Kal’tsit nodded, quietly following behind her.
Mon3tr reverted to her original form, floating above Kal’tsit’s head like a dark shadow.
“This…” Himeko stared in shock at the Mon3tr above Kal’tsit’s head, her amber eyes wide open.
“This is another form of hers, with stronger attacking power,” Kal’tsit explained briefly, her silver-white cat ears twitching slightly under the light.
Himeko looked up at Mon3tr and sighed sincerely, “Ah, it feels so reassuring.”
Walking inside the Astral Express, the whale lamp overhead had lit up at some point, casting a soft glow across the entire carriage.
“Whoa, this is truly magical,” Himeko looked around, “What do you think, Kal’tsit?”
“Hmm?” Kal’tsit raised an eyebrow, “Haven’t you been in here before, Himeko?”
“Ha…
Of course I went in to explore after finding this Astral Express,” Himeko shrugged, “But it was pitch black back then, so even with lighting devices, I couldn’t see the full picture.”
Just then, a lively voice suddenly rang out, “Hey hey, did you guys fix the Astral Express, pa?”
Himeko and Kal’tsit instantly entered a state of alert, looking around vigilantly, but couldn’t find the source of the voice.
“Hey hey! Two passengers, please look down, pa!”
The two subconsciously lowered their heads, only to see a doll-like creature with rabbit ears and a hat standing on the ground looking up at them.
“The universe is full of wonders, and past experiences cannot be completely applied to the present. For an intelligent, communicable creature that hid in this Astral Express without being discovered… your figure is indeed a bit more petite than expected,” Kal’tsit apologized sincerely, a trace of apology flashing in her light green eyes.
“Hmph!
I’ll forgive you this time, pa!” The small creature said puffily, “I am Pom-Pom, the Conductor of the Astral Express.
Did you guys fix the Astral Express, pa?”
“That’s right, we fixed the Astral Express,” Himeko flicked her red hair and said affirmatively.
“No, to be precise, Himeko completed the work of fixing the Astral Express all by herself,” Kal’tsit added expressionlessly from the side.
“Eh? But Mon3tr helped me. This counts as us finishing it together,” Himeko retorted unconvinced.
Kal’tsit shook her head, “Mon3tr only helped you pass the parts.”
“Um, well…” Pom-Pom interjected, “Two passengers, one of you is called Himeko, and the other is Kal’tsit, right pa? But who is that Mon3tr you mentioned?”
Himeko pointed above Kal’tsit’s head, “Conductor Pom-Pom, didn’t you notice? That thing on top of Kal’tsit’s head is her memory spirit.”
Pom-Pom looked up following the guidance, and instantly turned pale with fright, “Ah! What is that pa! It looks so scary!”
Mon3tr immediately turned back into human form, glaring at Pom-Pom with dissatisfaction, “I, Mon3tr, do not look scary!” She put her hands on her hips pouting, her emerald-like eyes full of grievance.
“Sorry, pa.” Having received the apology, Mon3tr’s expression softened a lot.
Pom-Pom patted its small paws, “By the way, do you want to join the Astral Express, pa?”
Himeko was slightly stunned, “Astral Express? Uh… Have you heard of it, Kal’tsit?”
Kal’tsit nodded and said solemnly, “The Astral Express travels beneath the Path of Trailblaze, and is known as the good Samaritan of the universe.”
This sentence made Himeko and Pom-Pom show helpless expressions at the same time.
Himeko held her forehead and sighed, while Pom-Pom’s rabbit ears drooped down.
“Uh…
Strictly speaking, passenger Kal’tsit, what you said is indeed right, pa.” Pom-Pom tried hard to maintain the dignity of the Conductor, “The Astral Express travels on the track of Trailblaze, helping every planet survive disasters.
Putting it that way, being the universe’s good Samaritan is indeed acceptable, pa.”
Mon3tr covered her mouth and snickered to the side.
After being glared at by Kal’tsit, she immediately straightened her body, but the amusement in her eyes couldn’t be hidden no matter what.
“Then, are you willing to become crew members of the Astral Express, pa!” Pom-Pom looked at the two with anticipation, its rabbit ears standing high.
Kal’tsit crossed her arms, her silver-white cat ears twitching gently, “I need to understand more details. What duties need to be fulfilled as a crew member? What is the navigation route of the Astral Express? How are supplies resolved?”
Himeko couldn’t help laughing out loud, “You really are serious, Kal’tsit.” She turned to Pom-Pom, “However, these questions are indeed very important.”
Pom-Pom patted its small chest to guarantee, “Rest assured pa!
The Astral Express has fixed supply stations, and crew members mainly assist in dealing with emergencies along the way pa!
And…” It lowered its voice mysteriously, “There is the best-tasting coffee in the whole universe on the Astral Express, pa!”
Mon3tr suddenly leaned close to Kal’tsit’s ear, “Doctor Kal’tsit, I think we can agree. Anyway, we have nowhere to go right now…” She blinked her big emerald eyes, full of anticipation.
Kal’tsit pondered for a moment and sighed softly, “Alright, we’ll join temporarily.
However…” Her sharp gaze looked at Pom-Pom, “I need a clear scope of duties and freedom of action.”
“No problem, pa!” Pom-Pom jumped up happily, “Welcome to the Astral Express big family, pa! I’ll go prepare the welcoming ceremony right away!” After saying that, it skipped away.
Himeko shook her head with a smile, “This little fellow is always so full of energy.” She looked at Kal’tsit, “So, happy cooperation?”
Kal’tsit nodded slightly, “Happy cooperation.
However…” She suddenly turned to Mon3tr, “We’ll have a good talk about your behavior just now later.”
Mon3tr froze in place instantly, her black hair standing on end from fright, “Eh?! Do-Doctor Kal’tsit…”
“Wuu… Doctor Kal’tsit, I was wrong…” Mon3tr drooped her head, her black hair hanging down to cover half of her face, looking just like a kitten that had done something wrong.
Kal’tsit crossed her arms, her silver-white cat ears twitching slightly, “Where was it wrong?”
“I shouldn’t have made decisions for Doctor Kal’tsit without authorization…” Mon3tr muttered softly, her fingers twisting her hem anxiously.
Himeko couldn’t help laughing aside, “You two master and servant are really interesting.” She elegantly flicked her red hair, “However, Mon3tr is right, you really need a place to settle down right now, don’t you?”
Kal’tsit gave a light snort, “Don’t let it happen again.” She turned to Himeko, “Regarding the specific matters of the Astral Express…”
Just then, Pom-Pom bounced back pushing a dining cart, “The welcoming ceremony begins, pa! Specially prepared Astral Express special drinks, pa!”
Mon3tr immediately recovered her spirit and curiously leaned over, “Wow! What is this?”
Pom-Pom puffed out its chest proudly, “This is the Astral Milk Tea specially mixed by this Conductor, pa! Added with fantasy syrup from Samil Soltu, pa!”
Kal’tsit looked at the pink liquid shimmering with starlight in the cup, her cat ears perking up vigilantly, “Can this… really be drunk?”
Himeko had already picked up the cup and took a sip, “The taste is surprisingly good. Does Doctor Kal’tsit want to try some too?”
Mon3tr looked at Kal’tsit expectantly, “Doctor Kal’tsit…”
Under everyone’s expectant gazes, Kal’tsit reluctantly took a sip, and her brows gradually relaxed, “… Indeed not bad.”
“That’s great, pa!” Pom-Pom spun around happily, “Then from now on, you are the new members of the Astral Express, pa!”
Mon3tr cheered, and accidentally knocked over Kal’tsit’s cup.
The pink liquid splashed onto Kal’tsit’s pristine white uniform, and the scene instantly fell silent.
“Mon… 3… tr.” Kal’tsit said word by word, her voice cold enough to freeze people to death.
“I I I will go find a rag right away!” Mon3tr was so scared that she turned back into her original form and flew away with a swish.
Himeko’s shoulders shook as she held back her laughter, “It seems the future journey won’t be boring.”
Pom-Pom wiped away a cold sweat, “This Conductor suddenly feels a bit worried about the safety of the Astral Express, pa…”