"One, two, three, four… Pa! Everyone's back, pa! Welcome home!"
As soon as they boarded the train via shuttle, Pom-Pom, with their short little legs, eagerly scampered over. "The Conductor's finally waited for you all, waaah, pa!"
Stelle secretly shook her head: Sigh, after all that chaos out there, does Pom-Pom really miss us this much?
Truly a rare character without any sudden personality shifts!
"I helped Passenger Himeko make lunch for everyone, come eat, pa! The Conductor can't wait any longer!"
Stelle: ?
Wait, if she remembered correctly, March and the others always seemed to avoid Himeko's cooking like the plague. So what was Pom-Pom…
"Conductor, we appreciate the kindness," Dan Heng decisively shook his head in refusal. "But unfortunately, our friends on Jarilo-VI threw us such a warm farewell feast that we're all stuffed."
"Oh? Like that, huh…" Pom-Pom turned to Stelle. "Passenger Stelle, what about you?"
March 7th, with a stern face: "Conductor, she's eaten too."
Pom-Pom pressed on: "Since you've eaten, Passenger Stelle, don't you want to digest a bit?"
Stelle looked puzzled. "Digest? What's there to digest?"
"Of course~ there's a need to digest, pa!"
A pair of slender, fair hands suddenly landed on Stelle's shoulders. The next second, Stelle felt something soft pressing against the back of her head…
W-Who's this?
"Everyone's back~ Where are the gifts for the Navigator? Bring them out!"
Dan Heng pulled out a gift box. "Himeko, this is my gift for you. I've collected seeds for over a hundred types of ornamental plants from Jarilo-VI. When you're free, you can step out of the kitchen and cultivate some new hobbies."
Himeko accepted the gift box with a gentle smile. "Thank you, Dan Heng."
Welt cleared his throat lightly, grasping at the air to conjure a glass orb the size of a soccer ball, containing intricate mechanical workings. "Himeko, my gift is a miniature model of the local specialized planting system. To create it, I spent days learning from the local drone soldiers. I hope you like it."
Himeko nodded. "Thank you, Welt."
March 7th took out an amber-colored crystal. At first glance, it looked no different from the common geomarrow of Belobog, but upon closer inspection, one could see delicate carvings on its surface. Under the glow of its inner light, the shadows of the five people present and the Conductor were projected onto the wall.
"This is geomarrow, the main energy mineral of Jarilo-VI. I picked a particularly beautiful piece and carved it. I hope, Himeko, when you're tending to your plants, our 'shadows' can keep you company."
Himeko lightly covered her lips. "Little March, you're as thoughtful as ever. I love your gift."
Hmph, of course.
Dan Heng, Welt, and March 7th didn't say anything, but the unspoken bond between companions allowed them to understand each other with just a glance.
These three gifts were carefully orchestrated.
Dan Heng started it off, subtly conveying the theme: Put down the kitchen knife and find enlightenment.
Welt followed up, easing into the main point. Finally, March 7th's gift, filled with the power of their companionship, sealed the deal. Surely, Himeko would be touched by their sincerity and consider picking up a new hobby.
As long as Stelle added her gift, this plan would be a done deal! (P.S.: All three assumed the other two had discussed this with Stelle.)
"Oh my… so eager for me to take up planting?" Himeko smiled gently. "Alright, alright, I'll think about it."
Dan Heng & Welt & March 7th: Plan successful!
"So… our new member, Stelle, what did you bring?" Himeko winked at Stelle, smiling.
Stelle grinned cheekily and pulled out a gift box. "Himeko, I heard from March and the others that you love cooking."
The other three froze, exchanging stunned looks: This isn't the script! Didn't you guys tell her?
The three: Nope.
The three: ?
"So, I asked a friend to get you the 'Belobog Great Guardian Standard Ultra-Premium All-Purpose Kitchenware'! I hope you'll become the greatest chef in the galaxy!"
The three: Oh no!
Stelle could clearly feel that, after she said those words, the Law of Happiness Conservation seemed to kick in.
The joy of the trio transferred to Himeko.
Clap!
Himeko clapped her hands lightly, her gaze toward Stelle filled with warmth and satisfaction. "Stelle… I never expected, you're truly, truly, truly, truly—"
Stelle: ?
"—such an adorable, likable kid!"
Stelle suddenly had a bad feeling.
The next second, Himeko leaned down slightly, brushing a strand of fiery red hair from her forehead, and planted a quick kiss on Stelle's cheek (March 7th clenched her fist). "Don't worry, I won't let your expectations down."
With that, Himeko, holding everyone's gifts, left cheerfully, humming a little tune: "Tear it up, kitchen~ Liberation~"
"Wow, Passenger Stelle is such a sweet little sister, pa! The Conductor gives you a thumbs-up, pa!" Pom-Pom jumped excitedly. "The Conductor's off to prepare plastic bags and quick-acting heart pills."
And so, Pom-Pom hopped away.
Only four people remained in the carriage. Though the quartet hadn't changed, Stelle could sense something was off with the other three's moods.
This feeling… it was like being the class monitor in school, diligently noting down names, handing the list to the teacher, and then getting that look from her classmates.
"Stelle—"
Welt's low voice sounded behind Stelle. "You smell of betrayal."
"Uncle Yang, I don't get it—"
Welt grabbed Stelle's slender wrists, lifting the little raccoon up.
Stelle: ??? What's this about?
March 7th stepped forward, her voice tinged with a sigh. "Stelle, even though I really like you… even though we're best friends, you betrayed us, and there's a price to pay."
Dan Heng silently pulled out his phone and started recording.
Stelle started to panic. "Wait, what are you guys doing? No, no, no, nobody told me! Isn't Himeko our companion? If it's our companion's hobby, of course we should support it—March! What are you doing?"
March 7th slipped off Stelle's shoes, then tugged off her little white socks, exposing her fair, slightly pink feet to the air.
"Tch… this isn't right! I admit my mistake, but I'm not selling myself, www…"
March 7th grabbed Stelle's ankle and pulled a feather from her pocket…
…
"AHHHHHHH—"
In the party carriage, 'Shush,' who was wiping the bar counter for the 105th time, let out a sigh upon hearing the piercing scream. Their base code triggered automatically: "Self-question: On the train, which passenger is the poorest?"
"Answer: Passenger Stelle, because this is…"
"The Astral Express."