Acheron's voice wasn't loud or soft, but just enough for those nearby to hear clearly. At the mention of those two highly sensitive words, many people's expressions changed instantly.
She was going to bring destruction to Sunday's corporation?
She was going to destroy the Penacony Corporation?
She was going to destroy Penacony?
"Uncle Yang, see? I told you the Annihilation Gang isn't up to any good!" Stelle whispered urgently into Welt's ear, tattling. "I say we prepare in advance. If this purple lady draws her blade later… we might not be able to take our luggage."
Welt smiled calmly. "Relax. With me here, if anyone dares cause trouble, I'll make sure they're brace for gravitational disentegration."
Stelle: …What a classic scene and line.
Fine, you're the boss, you're lofty!
"Hm, welcome, welcome. Honestly, I've been waiting for your destruction for so long, I was getting impatient," Sunday replied, unfazed. His smile even widened. "I've long heard the Annihilation Gang's 'destruction' is unique. Adding this 'destruction' memory to the dreamscape will give tourists a more diverse experience."
"Rest assured, once the contract is signed later, the agreed price will be transferred to the Annihilation Gang's account in one go. Plus, on my personal behalf, I'll gift you a 'Reverie Hotel Lifetime VIP' card. Any future expenses here will be on my tab," Sunday said with a smile.
Seeing his politeness, Acheron's lips curved slightly. "Deal. In that case, once the contract is signed, I'll personally gift you a 'Annihilation Gang Destruction Lifetime VIP' card. Any expenses at the Annihilation Gang's destruction outlets across the galaxy will be on me."
"Hahaha—Miss Acheron, you're too kind. Come, this way, please. I've prepared an 880-million-credit Memory-Bitter-Sweet Meal for you. Let's go."
"…"
"Is Sunday's brain broken?" Stelle muttered, puzzled. "'Destruction' is a good thing? He's paying the Annihilation Gang to bring it to him, and what's this about 'Annihilation Gang destruction outlets'?!"
"Who in their right mind would go experience the taste of destruction?"
The world was starting to look incomprehensible to her.
Dan Heng patted Stelle's shoulder, saying solemnly, "Stelle, based on my analysis, what those two were talking about wasn't 'destruction' but 'noodles.'"
Stelle grew even more confused. "? What's the difference?"
At that moment, Shush moved to Stelle's side and said, "'Destruction' is a Path, while 'noodles' are a food. 'Destruction' and 'noodles' are homophones, which is quite amusing."
Stelle: … (frozen state)
Shush: "According to my database, while the Annihilation Gang walks the Path of [Destruction], they've always been dedicated to destroying the food market, aiming to monopolize the entire industry with 'noodles.'"
"They've introduced various noodle flavors—tomato, seafood, beef, scallion, garlic, soda… In short, they have every flavor imaginable, occupying thirty percent of the galactic food market."
"There are even rumors that the Annihilation Gang's efforts earned them a glance from [Destruction] Nanook, and even that Aeon tasted their noodles, giving their products massive publicity."
"No exaggeration, the Annihilation Gang's noodles are like the Penacony Corporation's soda or the Interastral Peace Corporation's Cali White—hot-selling galactic commodities."
Stelle: …This world has gone as crazy as soda.
"Esteemed guests, your check-in procedures are complete. Here are your room cards," the front desk staff said with a smile, handing over five cards. "One more thing—Mr. Mikhail instructed that he has prepared a grand welcome ceremony in the 'Golden Hour' dreamscape, awaiting the Nameless from the Astral Express."
…
In the guest room corridor.
"Five room cards… Hm, perfect for the number of people."
Himeko distributed the cards one by one. "Dan Heng, March, Welt, Shush… all set."
Stelle: ?
"Wait, where's mine?" Stelle asked, wide-eyed, pointing at herself.
"You? You're sharing a room with March. The front desk said the spare card is in the room," Himeko said with a light smile, her tone casual.
Stelle: Huh??
March 7th grinned, grabbing Stelle by the collar and dragging her toward the room. "Come on~ Be good, let's go inside."
"W-Wait, is there some mistake? Why does Shush get a room to itself? Does it even dream? I protest…"
Stelle's voice grew fainter until March 7th dragged her into the room and closed the door, silencing her completely.
"Young people are great," Himeko remarked with a smile, watching the scene.
Welt nodded in agreement. "Indeed. This familiar scene reminds me of a few young people from my hometown."
…
Inside the room, Stelle looked at the Dreamscape Pool, large enough for four or five people, with a troubled expression.
"M-March… are you sure we're both using the same Dreamscape Pool?" Stelle asked, her demeanor awkward, head lowered in unease.
"Of course. What's wrong?"
March 7th asked, puzzled. "You don't like it? Sorry… I got ahead of myself. If you don't want to, I'll—"
"N-No, it's fine."
Stelle stammered, then steeled herself. In front of March 7th, she took off her jacket, then her shoes, socks, vest…
March 7th swallowed hard, a flush creeping onto her face. "Y-You've made up your mind?"
She'd been waiting for this day for so long.
Stelle, head lowered, said shyly, "…Yeah, but, like, isn't this the only option?"
March 7th paused. "Stelle, I won't force you. I know this relationship might be a bit strange, but I can wait until you're ready to accept it."
Stelle looked up, stunned. "?"
"Wait, March, did you misunderstand something? I'm not… I didn't mean to do that!"
Stelle's face turned bright red as she stammered, "I-I-I mean, I saw… the Dreamscape Pool is full of water, and we're both supposed to soak in it to enter the dream. D-D-Don't we need to take our clothes off first…?"
Her voice grew quieter as she noticed March 7th's delicate ears turning redder, all the way to the tips.
"You… idiot! The Dreamscape Pool is filled with liquid memoria—you don't need to take your clothes off!" March 7th explained, flustered and annoyed. "You idiot, taking your clothes off on your own… It's all your fault!"
"Oh… I-I didn't know…"
March 7th, exasperated, shoved Stelle into the Dreamscape Pool. "Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, IDIOT!!"