By the time lunch came around, Purple Lightning was still blushing and didn't dare look at Derek Su.
Almost making the boss expose his underwear on the very day she joined the club… that kind of thing would be explosive anywhere.
Not to mention Derek Su's jeans were still stained with the snot and tears she left behind while crying.
Since a new Mecha Girl had joined today—and she had essentially dropped in out of nowhere, with no buildup or adjustment period—Derek Su decided to avoid any awkwardness by going to the restaurant next door and bringing back twenty pounds of pork chops, turkey, steaks, and various side dishes for lunch.
Unfortunately, Zane couldn't enjoy the feast.
He had already been recruited by Zuanka Tech and was now a proper researcher, working nine to six with weekends off, living a full and satisfying office-worker life. Apparently his vacation schedule was quite flexible too, so he could come out to compete with Lingwind whenever he had time.
...
There was nothing that couldn't be solved at the dining table.
After the dishes were served, Derek Su first introduced Purple Lightning to everyone, briefly explaining her background and what she had been through, but he didn't go into much detail.
He knew that saying too much would only reopen old wounds. A simple mention was enough.
After introducing Purple Lightning, he began introducing the other Mecha Girls to her.
First up, of course, was Pineapple King Stella.
"You two probably already know each other, so I won't say much. She's my starting Mecha Girl." Derek Su patted Stella on the shoulder.
"S-Stella, hello." Purple Lightning looked at Stella, her eyes lighting up slightly, and her nervousness eased a little.
Among everyone present, Stella was the one she was most familiar with. She had started following Stella back during the Knox Rally and hadn't missed a single race since.
In a way, Stella was her idol.
Watching Stella go through ups and downs felt almost like she had experienced them herself.
"Hehe, Consort —mm!" Stella quickly covered her mouth and blinked her big eyes.
That was close. She almost said it out loud.
Reorganizing her words, she said:
"Purple Lightning, welcome to Stella Club! Here, this pineapple—I smashed it open with my own hands. Have some!"
"Thank you!" Purple Lightning accepted the pineapple with both hands as if it were something precious.
But… what did "smashed with my own hands" mean? Was that some kind of new pineapple brand?
Well, whatever. It didn't matter. As long as it was from Stella.
"This is Imperial Scale, my second starting Mecha Girl. She may look cold, but she's actually very warm."
Derek Su silently added in his mind: truly warm—inside and out.
Even after hearing that, Purple Lightning still felt a bit intimidated when facing Imperial Scale.
She carefully glanced at the tall Imperial Scale, gathered the courage to meet those cool eyes, but the pressure was too strong and she immediately lowered her head again.
"H-Hello, Imperial Scale… and thank you, for earlier during the tornado…"
"Mm." Imperial Scale nodded without saying anything else.
She knew Purple Lightning was referring to dealing with Chloe Qin, but she didn't think much of it.
Purple Lightning felt so embarrassed she almost wanted to disappear, staring nervously at her bowl with a red face.
The next second, a massive turkey drumstick appeared in it.
It was almost as big as her face.
Purple Lightning looked up in surprise, but Imperial Scale had already withdrawn her chopsticks.
Meeting Purple Lightning's gaze, Imperial Scale said calmly,
"I've got your back."
"Uu…" The tears Purple Lightning had just managed to stop began welling up again.
The boss was right. Even Imperial Scale, who looked so cold and serious, was actually very gentle.
"Next is Tunbao."
Before Derek Su could finish speaking, Tunbao—whose lips were still swollen—had already stepped forward and hooked an arm around Purple Lightning's slender shoulders, speaking in a carefree tone.
"Hey, Purple Lightning. Just say the word and I'll go deal with that bitch Chloe Qin right now. From now on, I've got your back at Stella Club. If something happens inside the club, just say Stella's name. If something happens outside, say Imperial Scale's name."
Imperial Scale & Stella: "..."
"O-Okay, I'll remember!" Faced with Tunbao's enthusiasm, Purple Lightning felt a bit overwhelmed and nodded seriously.
Then she instinctively asked,
"Then when should I say your name?"
"Heh." Tunbao bared her teeth in a grin and took a gulp of nutrient solution.
"When the enforcement squad comes looking for the Mecha Girl who committed murder. At that point, just give them my name. I, Tunbao, have always acted openly and honestly. If Chloe Qin dies, I'll take full responsibility—cough, cough! By the way, why is today's nutrient solution so strong? Is this a new flavor or something?"
Stella quickly lowered her head and focused on eating, her feet shifting slightly under the table.
Imperial Scale glanced thoughtfully at the empty chili oil bottle that had rolled to her feet.
Derek Su's mouth twitched slightly.
He thought to himself that Tunbao was surprisingly loyal—ready to shoulder all the blame if trouble came.
"Next, Blazing Wind!"
Derek Su quickly pulled the gentle Blazing Wind forward.
If Tunbao kept talking like that, Purple Lightning might start picking up bad habits.
If he remembered correctly, when Purple Lightning lost control, she wasn't any less intense than Tunbao.
Back when the cemetery race ended and they were receiving their awards, Purple Lightning had stood alone leaning against a streetlamp. Those eyes still carried traces of killing intent—he remembered them clearly even now.
She might look timid now…
But what she'd be like on the track? He honestly didn't dare imagine.
"Hello, Purple Lightning. Welcome to the Stella Club family!"
Before Purple Lightning could speak, Blazing Wind had already reached out her hand with a warm smile.
Among everyone present, she understood Purple Lightning the most.
Not only because she had seen Purple Lightning suffer under Chloe Qin's abuse, but also because she herself had once been another unfortunate Mecha Girl under Chloe Qin.
The difference was that Blazing Wind had been slightly luckier. She had at least received some resources from BSC and eventually managed to escape Chloe Qin's control through her own efforts.
Purple Lightning, however, had truly drawn the short straw. When Chloe Qin first bought her, she had only been an ordinary driver.
She didn't have a fiancé like Howard Wang, nor did she receive resources from BSC.
It could be said that during the time she followed Chloe Qin, Purple Lightning lived a life of constant hardship.
Purple Lightning shook Blazing Wind's hand, and the two Mecha Girls exchanged smiles.
Blazing Wind had once been her replacement. Chloe Qin bought Blazing Wind to take her starting position, completely removing her chance to race.
Back then, Purple Lightning had definitely resented Blazing Wind.
But after entering the underground black market, she had seen too much.
She saw irresponsible drivers coaxing their Mecha Girls into agreeing to unreasonable modifications.
She saw drivers acting one way in front of their Mecha Girls and another in front of others.
To those drivers, Mecha Girls weren't partners—let alone companions.
At best, they were tools.
Tools for making money.
Tools for venting their desires.
And tools that could be discarded at any time.
Slowly, she realized something.
Not being able to get on the track wasn't Blazing Wind's fault.
It was Chloe Qin's.
Later, Blazing Wind had often taken care of her. But with Chloe Qin around, most of that kindness could only be expressed in secret.
"Thank you," Purple Lightning said softly, her eyes shining as she looked at Blazing .
Not only for the welcome now.
But also for the small rays of light they once shared while enduring the darkness together.
"Last one—Lingwind!"
Derek Su pushed forward the extremely socially anxious Lingwind, who had been rehearsing her lines all this time but was still panicking.
"W-W-W-Welcome!" Lingwind bowed repeatedly with a red face, like a receptionist greeting guests.
"Ah—no… Welcome Purple Lightning to the club! I'm Lingwind, Zane starting Mecha Girl! P-Please take care of me!"
She kept her head lowered, eyes closed, right hand stretched out stiffly with all five fingers straight, sweat dripping down her forehead.
"Thank you. Let's work well together."
Purple Lightning took Lingwind's cold little hand.
Feeling the friendly gazes surrounding her, she couldn't help wiping the corner of her eye with a smile.
It felt wonderful.
She had a home now.
...
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