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"So, that means we need specific information about the Stellaron. What about it, Serval? Do you have any leads?"
Inside the Perpetual Mechanical Workshop, Kenta—who had taken considerable effort to explain the entire "kidnapped-by-Sampo-but-actually-saving-the-world" situation—was now looking at the woman expectantly.
Serval nodded, her expression shifting into a rare, academic seriousness. "When I was with the Architects, the Stellaron was actually my primary research subject."
The room went silent.
"Wait, Serval," Kenta voiced everyone's shock. "Why have you never mentioned this? We've been friends for years, and I've never heard a peep about 'Architect research' from you."
"Oh, come on," Serval said, leaning back and patting Kenta's shoulder with a carefree grin. "You knew I worked for the City Builders. Why would I bore you with my research? You wouldn't have understood the physics anyway."
Kenta found her logic irritatingly sound and let her continue. According to Serval, she had studied the Stellaron using ancient archives and simulation data, though she had never seen the object in the flesh. Cocolia had abruptly dismissed her and shut down the lab the moment Serval started producing actual results.
"It's obvious someone didn't want me getting too close to the truth," Serval shrugged, her words hanging heavy with the implication that the Supreme Guardian was hiding the source of the world's rot.
"Right," Kenta spoke again, cutting to the chase. "Do you know where it is?"
In truth, Kenta was asking out of formality. He didn't expect a workshop mechanic to have the coordinates of a world-ending anomaly. But to the surprise of everyone present, Serval gave a sharp nod.
"Yes. Based on my old simulation experiments and external survey data, the Stellaron is likely located north of Belobog, somewhere in the vast, uncharted snow plains."
"..."
Kenta's heart was a knot of conflicting emotions. Discovering that the answer they'd been chasing through monster-infested mines and illegal fight clubs was known all along by his best friend felt like searching for his keys for an hour only to realize they were already in his pocket.
The Astral Express trio shared the sentiment.
"So why did we have to go to the Underworld and take such a huge detour?" March 7th asked, throwing her hands up. "If we'd known, we could've just asked Serval over coffee the first day!"
"Look on the bright side," Kenta offered, trying to salvage the mood. "At least the target is locked. Dan Heng?"
"We move now," Dan Heng said, his voice cold and urgent. "Before Cocolia realizes we're back on the surface. Serval, can you guide us?"
"I'm coming with you," Serval said, already reaching for her guitar-case weapon. "To get north, we have to cross the Silvermane Restricted Zone. It'll be a lot easier with a Landau as a guide. Besides, I spent ten years studying that thing. I want to see if the reality matches my math."
The group headed for the door, but just as Kenta's hand touched the knob, the sound of rhythmic, military boots echoed from the street.
"Oh no!" Serval hissed, her eyes widening. "I forgot! My little brother said he was stopping by today! Everyone—hide! Now!"
"Seriously, Sis?" Kenta muttered. "Your timing is legendary." He turned around to find that his teammates had already vanished into the corners of the shop with supernatural speed.
"Wow. You guys are fast."
With no time left, Kenta scrambled for a spot. He opened a large wooden crate. Dan Heng was already inside, sitting perfectly still like a stoic mannequin. Closed. He ducked behind a pile of machinery. Seele glared at him from the shadows. "Taken!" she mouthed.
"Damn it! Where else?"
He looked toward the counter. Stelle was lying on her side on the floor, propping her head up with one hand. Seeing Kenta, she patted the floor beside her with a blank, inviting expression. Kenta declined the "duo-queue" invitation and lunged for the only remaining option: a tall storage cabinet in the corner.
He yanked the door open and found March 7th already tucked inside. She blinked at him, her pink-and-blue eyes wide with shock. Kenta didn't say a word; he just squeezed in and pulled the door shut a split second before the workshop's front bell chimed.
G-Gepard! You're here! Serval's voice rang out, vibrating with a guilt so obvious it was painful to hear. I thought the front lines were too busy for a social call, haha...
"The monster attacks have calmed down," Gepard's voice replied, sounding confused. "I'm in the city for business before heading back. I told you this yesterday, Serval. Are you alright?"
Inside the cabinet, Kenta wasn't listening. He had a much more immediate problem. The space was tiny—designed for brooms, not two teenagers. March 7th was pressed flush against his chest, her head tucked under his chin. He could feel the rapid, frantic thrum of her heart through her clothes.
March's face was practically glowing in the dark. She held her hands defensively against his chest, her breathing shallow and quick. Kenta tried to remain as rigid as possible to avoid unnecessary contact, but every time Gepard took a step outside, they both instinctively leaned closer to the back of the cabinet.
March secretly glanced up. Her eyes met Kenta's in the sliver of light from the door-crack, and she immediately looked away, her face burning. "D-Don't lean so close," she whispered, her voice like a mosquito's buzz.
"Where am I supposed to go?" Kenta hissed back. He tried to shift his weight to relieve the pressure, but his hand naturally fell to his side, his palm accidentally brushing against the smooth fabric of her skirt—and the skin of her thigh.
March let out a sharp, muffled gasp. She had never regretted her choice of outfit more than in this moment.
"Hmm?"
Gepard stopped talking. "Serval, was there a noise over there?"
His footsteps began to move toward the cabinet.
"Ah... what? No! Probably just... a mechanical malfunction! Don't go over there, Gepard! It's dangerous!" Serval's voice was borderline hysterical.
Gepard paused, his suspicion mounting. "This feeling..." he muttered, his voice trailing off. "It's exactly like the time I opened a door and found Kenta and Lynx piled on top of each other. I have a very bad feeling about this cabinet."
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