"March? March?"
Hearing a voice calling out by her ear, March 7th unwillingly shifted in her bed, then rolled over to continue sleeping.
"March? March, don't sleep anymore. If you keep sleeping, there won't be any breakfast left for you."
"Breakfast..."
At these words, March unconsciously smacked her lips. Then, as if sensing something was amiss, she slowly opened her eyes.
A pair of purple eyes were gazing at her, filled with amusement...
"You're awake?"
"!"
March jolted, sitting bolt upright in bed like a startled rabbit. She hugged the blanket to her chest and stared in terror at the Wende who had appeared before her bed. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and looking at his face, she found herself stammering, unable to speak.
What was going on? Weren't they on Punklorde? How... What was happening? Was she back on the Express?
"Why are you spacing out? Still muddled from sleep?"
"Wende" waved a hand in front of the bewildered March, assuming she had just had a nightmare.
"I... I, what happened to me... Was I dreaming?"
Gently touching her forehead, March stared doubtfully at the deep space outside her window. She... was indeed in her own bedroom... But she wasn't supposed to be here...
March's mind felt muddled. She felt like she had forgotten something... but what was it?
"Alright, hurry and get up. Stelle's getting impatient."
"O-Oh, I'm coming."
"You! You get out!"
March shyly pointed at the door, her face beet red as she shouted at "Wende".
"Alright, alright. Get up quickly. Himeko needs our report today."
"Wende" reminded her with a smile, then pushed open the door and left her bedroom.
"This is..."
---o---
"Thanks."
Dan Heng gave "Wende" a slight nod, took the iced drink he was offered, and downed it in one gulp. It was incredibly refreshing.
He had just had a dream. He dreamt he was on a Trailblazing journey, but Wende had just told him that journey was already over. Punklorde had received its salvation...
To be honest, he still felt a bit disoriented. The dream had been so realistic that, for a moment, the present felt... somewhat illusory.
No... I'm still on the Express. Everyone is here...
"Hooo..."
Dan Heng rubbed his throbbing temples. Had he started having nightmares again after the events on the Xianzhou? It seemed he needed to ask Wende for a massage. Today... he would allow himself to relax a little...
"You look exhausted. Another nightmare?"
"Wende" had a smile on his face as he looked at Dan Heng's weary state.
"Yeah... A little tired."
Dan Heng nodded, not hiding his fatigue.
"Where is our next stop?"
"It hasn't been decided yet. But the Express will keep moving forward. Our Trailblazing journey is still ongoing, isn't it?"
"Wende" raised his own drink to Dan Heng and looked out the window.
"Yes. Constantly moving forward, treading the Path of the Trailblaze."
Following Wende's gaze, Dan Heng looked out the window. The Express was passing by a star, so brilliant and dazzling...
---o---
"Yes, I got one! An SSR character! Wait! There's more!? An UR! Two... three... four!"
Stelle stared at her phone in disbelief. She... she had just pulled seven UP-banner characters in a single ten-pull! Was that even normal!?
"What's got you so excited?"
"Wende" sat down beside Stelle. Seeing her ecstatic look, he naturally wrapped an arm around her shoulders and peered at her phone screen.
"Seven UP characters!? Looks like our Stelle is having a very lucky day. Want to eat something special today? I'll go call everyone over..."
At that moment, Stelle stared incredulously at the arm around her shoulder. Was... was she dreaming?
Breathing in the faint scent of medicinal herbs from Wende, Stelle was momentarily lost in doubt.
Then, she completely relaxed into his embrace, nuzzling against him. Her little hands began to roam mischievously all over him, but "Wende" simply smiled, letting her do as she pleased.
"Stelle, don't always bully Wende. Be careful or he won't give you any dinner tonight. But... you can always share a portion with me."
"Kafka" had appeared by Stelle's side at some unknown point. She lay beside her, her pale, gloveless hands gently caressing Stelle's cheek.
"Ka... Kafka?"
Seeing Kafka appear, Stelle's brain immediately shut down for a few seconds. Then, she began to feel that something wasn't right. She had to be... dreaming, right?
But feeling the warmth on both sides, Stelle decided to just close her eyes and lie back in their embrace.
Whatever. Even though I know this is a dream, I'm going to enjoy it for a while... Hehehe! Wende! Kafka!! Hehe!
---o---
"Bad Person? Why are you just standing there?"
"Little Wende" looked at Jingliu, who had suddenly stopped in her tracks, and tilted his head in confusion. He walked to her side, his small, tender hands pinching her cold ones. He looked up, his little face a picture of bewilderment.
"This is..."
Jingliu shook her head. What had just happened? Why did she feel so dazed... Could it be the Mara again...
"Bad Person?"
Little Wende watched Jingliu's movements, confused, his large purple eyes filled with concern for her.
"I'm... fine."
Jingliu gently placed a hand on Little Wende's head, stroking his hair, which felt very nice to the touch. She smiled and shook her head.
Looking at the surrounding maple and elm forest, Jingliu suddenly remembered what she had been doing. She had been entrusted by that old senior to instruct Little Wende in swordsmanship...
"So are we training today or not? I'm so tired..."
"Little Wende" looked complainingly at the expressionless Jingliu. He hadn't even had breakfast today before this Bad Person dragged him out of bed!
"No more training. Today, I will cleanse your essence and refine your marrow, using a medicinal bath to open your meridians."
"Huh? Another bath!? Th-Then you can't come in this time..."
"I must watch over you. This is an order from your Master."
A faint smile hung on Jingliu's lips. Seeing the flustered and exasperated Little Wende, her mood lifted considerably.
"Hmph! You and Master are both bad guys! Tomorrow, I'm putting peppers in your food to spice you both to death!"
"Heh heh."
"Don't laugh!"