Docking Platform.
The repair work was more or less complete.
Arlan was handling the handover procedures with Himeko.
"It seems our train can pull in now," Himeko remarked, observing the platform.
"Yes," Arlan replied earnestly. "Our space station has conducted multiple inspections. It has fully met the standards for safe train docking. Do you have any other requirements? If so, please tell me. I'll inform the Station Director right away. We should have a reply very quickly."
"None," Himeko smiled slightly. "Being able to dock here successfully is enough. We won't trouble you with anything further."
"Understood." Arlan nodded. "Then I won't disturb you further."
"Mhm, thank you, Arlan."
"You're welcome."
After parting with Arlan, Himeko turned her gaze toward March 7th, who was sitting on a nearby bench. Her golden eyes softened with a gentle, watery tenderness. She walked over to the bench and sat down beside March.
"Little March, what's the matter? Why do you look so downhearted?"
"Downhearted?" March 7th looked up, straightening her posture. "N-no way! How could I possibly be downhearted?"
"…" Himeko was silent for a moment before continuing. "But if you weren't downhearted, you'd be running around with your camera taking pictures right now, wouldn't you? That's what you always do every time we come to the space station."
"This…" March touched the camera hanging at her waist. "I'll go take some pictures right now!" Having said this, she immediately tried to stand up, intending to escape Himeko's presence at top speed.
However, before she could, Himeko grabbed her and pulled her firmly back onto the bench.
"That won't do, little March. If you don't work through what's bothering you inside, even the pictures you take will turn out poorly. You understand that principle, don't you?"
"Himeko…" March 7th bit her lower lip tightly, as if wrestling with some internal struggle. Finally, she spoke softly. "Himeko… Bai Ming… she… she's not coming with us."
"Is that so?" Himeko gently patted March's shoulder. "Did she tell you that herself?"
March shook her head. "Not directly… but it's pretty much the same… Look, she hasn't come to us even now." March looked toward the passage connecting the platform to the Support Zone, but the figure she had been eagerly awaiting still hadn't appeared.
"I see." Himeko nodded, seeming to understand something. "Then I think, little March, you should consider this from a different angle."
"Eh?" March looked up at Himeko. "Himeko, what do you mean…"
"Because we can't just think about ourselves." Himeko's eyes took in the scene of the platform before them. "If, for little Bai Ming, the space station is a place worth staying, then we have no right to demand that she leave with us. Disregarding little Bai Ming's own wishes like that wouldn't be fair."
"This…" Listening to Himeko, March seemed to grasp something. "Himeko, what I want to do doesn't mean others want to do the same thing… Is that what you mean?"
"Correct." Himeko smiled and nodded. "You've understood, little March. Life can't always go our way. There will always be days when we face situations like this. It just so happens that for us, today is that day."
"I can understand that logic…" March said, her voice tinged with grievance. "But we got along so well before… We even tricked Dan Heng together… And now we have to…"
"Wait—" Himeko raised a hand to stop March. "Tricked Dan Heng? What does that mean?"
"Ah,this!" March waved her hands. "Just some trivial little things!*
"Somehow, I don't think it's as simple as you say, little March. But never mind." Himeko glanced at Dan Heng, who was staring into space like an old man. "He probably doesn't want to know he was tricked. Let's consider it payback for the coffee incident and call it even."
"Himeko, you still remember the coffee…" March couldn't help but gulp.
"Of course I remember. I remember everything about the Astral Express." Himeko looked at March. "That naturally includes all of you. And besides, little March, I don't think we need to be quite so sad."
"What do you mean by that now?" March looked at Himeko, puzzled.
"Because we're not never coming back." Himeko's gaze was very gentle. "We will meet again. It's just… a little later than expected."
"Oh—right!" Himeko's words enlightened March. "We're not not coming back! I still have a chance!"
"I'm glad you can think that way." A faint smile graced Himeko's face. "Let's board. It's time for us to depart."
"Mhm!" March took one last look at the passageway leading to the platform, a flicker of regret passing through her eyes. Soon, however, it transformed into anticipation for their reunion. "Himeko, I'm going in!"
"Go ahead."
Watching March 7th scamper away, Himeko's expression grew complex.
Just then, a steady voice called out.
"Himeko."
Hearing her name, Himeko turned to see Welt Yang.
"Welt, when did you get off the train?"
"A while ago,"bWelt Yang replied coolly. "I came down before you did."
"You hid yourself very well then.I didn't notice you at all," Himeko replied with a smile.
However, in response to Himeko's smile, Welt Yang's expression remained largely unchanged. He still wore that serious look, and he hadn't put down his peculiar cane. Seeing him in this state, Himeko quickly sensed his concern.
"Welt, what is it? If you have something to say, it's best to say it now. Once we're on board, there won't be as much opportunity."
"…" Welt Yang adjusted his glasses. "Where is she?"
"She?" Himeko's expression darkened slightly as she quickly realized who he meant. "You mean Bai Ming?
"
"Yes."Welt Yang nodded. "She's not coming with us?"
"According to March 7th,it seems she won't be." Himeko gave a wry smile. "She seems to feel the space station suits her better."
Hearing this, a flicker of barely perceptible tension crossed Welt Yang's face. "Himeko, is this something she asked to do? Did she request to stay?"
"Eh?"bHimeko shook her head. "I don't know about that. March didn't tell me. Why, Welt? Is this important?"
Welt Yang pondered for a moment before answering. "I feel it's somewhat dangerous to leave her at the space station."
"What makes you say that?"Himeko pressed.
"Himeko, you're also aware she has that thing called a 'Stellaron' inside her, aren't you?" Welt Yang gripped his cane. "It's something powerful enough to contend with a Doomsday Beast. If it were to flare up again one day…" He adjusted his glasses again. "While I'm reluctant to say it Himeko, are you certain this space station has the capability to handle a crisis of that magnitude? They couldn't even deal with a single Doomsday Beast, could they?"
Of course, that wasn't Welt Yang's only concern. He was also thinking about what he had glimpsed on Bai Ming back then.
[Vermilion Knight: Eclipse].
That was absolutely not armor that belonged to this world.Although he had only seen it for an instant, it was no hallucination. Phantoms from the past might still be chasing him.
Welt Yang was a meticulous man.He would never draw conclusions without being one hundred percent certain. Don't create panic. He understood that principle well.
"Regarding the issue you've raised…" Himeko pursed her lips in thought. "I don't think we need to worry. Asta is wealthy enough and clever enough. In response to this Antimatter Legion attack, she will undoubtedly enhance the station's defenses. And Herta has returned to the station. She wouldn't simply ignore this incident. Moreover—"
"Moreover?" Welt Yang's brow furrowed slightly.
"Moreover, I think if such a time truly comes, we can just come back then." Himeko looked toward March 7th, who was preparing to board the Astral Express. "Consider it fulfilling little March's wish."
"…" Welt Yang cleared his throat lightly and readjusted his glasses once more. "That is quite troublesome. But it is a feasible strategy. I just hope such a situation never arises."
"Who wouldn't?" Himeko shrugged. "Let's hope we're all fortunate enough."
"Let's hope so,indeed." Welt Yang turned and, gripping his cane, headed straight for the Astral Express, appearing fully prepared for departure.
Himeko didn't hesitate either. She waved to Dan Heng on the other side. "Dan Heng! Stop counting stars. It's time for us to go."
Dan Heng turned and nodded. "Coming now."
There weren't many people on the platform to see them off—just a few space station staff packing up repair materials, waving goodbye. But that wasn't strange. The Astral Express wasn't docking at the station for the first time. While defeating a Doomsday Beast was certainly a great feat, considering that the MVP of the whole event, Bai Ming, was staying behind, this level of send-off was already quite decent.
As Dan Heng, the last one, boarded the Astral Express, its doors slowly closed.
The train, once belonging to the late Aeon of Trailblaze, Akivili, emitted a clear chime. The classically styled locomotive lit up with three headlamps, their pale yellow light like starlight illuminating the tracks ahead. It had come from afar, and it would now journey afar once again. This was the Astral Express, a pioneer of trailblazing, setting forth toward the stars and seas with dreams in its heart.
However—
Chug-chug-chug.
The train started.The connecting wheel axles began to swing from side to side.
They were leaving.
March 7th leaned against the window, peering through the immaculately clean glass at the platform outside. Although Himeko's words had helped her understand why Bai Ming might stay, the reality of it still stung…
Asta, the Station Director, valued her so much. If Bai Ming really stayed there, she'd live a life of luxury, wouldn't she? That heiress would buy her anything. In comparison… March looked at her own hands, a look of regret flashing in her blue-and-pink eyes. Besides hitting her on the head, she had nothing to offer. It was inevitable she'd choose the space station.
The train picked up speed, and the scenery on either side of the platform gradually receded into the distance. Watching the view grow farther and farther away, March's mood grew heavier. It seemed… the outcome wouldn't change.
March sighed and slowly sank back onto the sofa.
Just then, a figure appeared at the passageway leading to the platform. It was a figure carrying something on its back. Seeing the departing Astral Express, this figure immediately panicked. Then, she began to run.
It was an acceleration beyond imagination, something an ordinary human shouldn't be capable of. She bounded across the long platform in great leaps, leaving behind paw-print-like marks on the newly replaced steel plates. If Himeko was someone who chased stars, then she, at this moment, was someone chasing a train!
The distance between her and the Astral Express gradually shrank. The train's pale yellow tail lights fell upon her, draping her in a hero's cape-like glow.
Finally, the distance between her and the Astral Express closed to an unimaginable degree.
Clang!
She leaped,landing on the moving Astral Express. However, this sound was quickly drowned out by the various noises of operation. But she didn't give up. Everyone on the platform watched in astonishment at what she did next.
Inside the train.
Curled up on the sofa, March 7th looked utterly dejected. The blow of Bai Ming not boarding was far greater than she had imagined. How long would it take to recover from this?
Just then, her phone beside her rang. March fumbled for a while before grabbing it. But the moment she saw the content on the screen, she shot upright. Because it was a message from Bai Ming!
[Bai Ming]: March, open the door quick! I haven't boarded yet!
[March (Pending girlfriend)]:But we've already left! Where are you?!
[Bai Ming]:Right behind you!
The instant she read this message, March whirled around. There, she saw Bai Ming hanging onto the train. One hand was gripping a barely serviceable ledge above the window, the other was holding her phone, expertly tapping the virtual keyboard. Her mouth was occupied holding a large bag. Though she couldn't speak, the moment March's eyes met hers through the glass, Bai Ming grinned like a goofball.
March immediately understood. "Himeko! Stop the train! Bai Ming! She wants to come with us!"
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A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
Honkai Impact 3rd, I Can Transform into a Valkyrie!
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