"Attention—attention, dear passengers. The Express will soon initiate its jump. Please gather in the main lobby without delay. I repeat—jump sequence imminent. Kindly proceed to the lobby immediately."
Pom-Pom's voice came on cue, and moments later, she entered through the doors of the observation car.
Though small in stature, she carried herself with a sharp, commanding air. Hands folded behind her back, she swept a measured gaze across the car, pausing briefly on Felicity and Stelle. After a silent headcount, she gave a nod of approval.
"Good. Everyone's accounted for."
"What about Dan Heng?"
Stelle asked, tilting her head.
"He won't be joining. Leave him be."
Pom-Pom's voice cut in, firm and decisive.
"The conductor might seem strict, but she's softer than she lets on."
March 7th whispered like a narrator from the sidelines.
She took Stelle's hand and sat down beside Felicity, then tilted her head back, eyes lifting to the ceiling.
Above them, a whale-shaped hologram shimmered gently. As the Express started moving, the scenery outside blurred, and the whale above seemed to come alive—gliding through a galaxy all its own.
Felicity watched the scene unfold, a quiet spark lighting within her chest.
The universe, the Astral Express, the journey ahead. It all felt like the opening of a game or the start of an anime, and she stood at the edge of something far larger than herself.
Alongside it came the possibility of danger—of truly frightening unknowns.
But suddenly, she understood. Exploration wasn't just a mission; the act itself held meaning. Facing the unknown—it was thrilling.
"Reaching for the stars?"
March 7th's voice drifted over. Felicity turned, just in time to see Stelle lift her hand toward the whale, as if she could pull it down from the heavens.
"I tried that once too. But instead of a star, I grabbed a ceiling lamp."
March 7th laughed softly, though her smile faded. For once, the ever-cheerful girl fell quiet. Her gaze wandered to the passing stars, her mind elsewhere.
"When I first woke up from the ice... I opened my eyes and saw lights above me. I thought they were stars, so I reached out. Turns out, it was just the ceiling light."
"Everyone stared. It was embarrassing."
March 7th spoke with a sheepish grin, her tone light, as though the moment had never really belonged to her.
"That's not so bad, is it?"
Felicity blinked and raised her hand. A faint green glow shimmered across her palm.
From the light, a small fish-shaped glow formed, gently resting in her hand.
"There's nothing wrong with chasing light. It just means you're meant to blaze your own trail."
"Really? Ehehe... That's kinda embarrassing to hear."
March 7th scratched her head, grinning awkwardly as the heavy feelings from earlier quietly melted away.
"Mm, that's good."
Felicity gave a rare, sincere nod. "You need something to chase. Without that, life would be far too dull. Don't you think, March? Isn't 'trying to catch the light in your heart' kind of cool?"
"Hearing you say that… I guess it's not as embarrassing anymore."
March 7th perked up again, the brightness returning to her eyes. She looked up at the whale with a gentle smile.
"Catch the light in your heart…"
She echoed the words softly, though she didn't reach toward the ceiling this time. Instead, she squeezed Stelle and Felicity's hands, her smile widening.
There's no time to dwell on past regrets. What matters is now—and those who walk beside you.
It felt… nice.
"Thank you for your insight, passenger Felicity. The Express is now outside the safe range of the station. Jump sequence will begin in ten minutes. Please be seated and brace for impact."
Pom-Pom's voice brought her back. March 7th blinked and glanced down to see the conductor in front of them, serious as ever.
"Eh? Did you really have to come all the way here, Pom-Pom? We've warped so many times~"
March 7th asked, half surprised.
"And yet you still manage to fall over every single time."
Pom-Pom replied dryly, clearly unimpressed.
"Hehe~ That's called spirit."
March 7th beamed, entirely unfazed. She puffed out her chest with pride.
"What do you mean by that?" Stelle asked, curious.
"Oh, nothing! Just a little self-test—to see if I can stay upright when we jump."
March 7th placed her hands on her hips, radiating confidence.
"I'm strong, after all~ The ice protects me. When I'm about to fall, it forms under me… though sometimes landing on ice hurts worse than the floor."
"What is your ice protecting, exactly?"
Felicity couldn't help but retort.
She quietly sat down on the sofa, gripping the armrest with one hand. Then she glanced sideways—at the girl next to her, whose eyes were now gleaming.
"…Don't tell me you want to try too?"
Felicity asked, a bit exasperated.
"..."
Stelle said nothing. She simply turned with wide eyes, the look on her face practically shouting, "How did you know that? Are you psychic?"
"I'm not reading your mind."
Felicity responded first.
The result was clear—Stelle looked even more stunned.
Her eyes shook with disbelief.
"…Go have your fun."
Felicity patted her on the head and let out a soft sigh.
"Okay."
Stelle gave a determined nod, then stood and went to join March 7th.
"Oh! Are you going to try too?"
March 7th's eyes lit up. Having someone to join her nonsense made her gleeful. She grabbed Stelle's hand—then suddenly gasped.
"Ah! I almost forgot—let's take a photo! Our first memory of this journey!"
"A photo?"
"Yes! A real one! And Sister Felicity, come be in it too!"
March 7th grinned as she pulled out a blue camera, slung her arm over Felicity's shoulder, and made a big "yeah" pose.
Seeing that, Stelle quickly moved to Felicity's other side and mirrored the pose.
Click.
The shutter snapped as the three faces pressed close together, caught in one frame.
And though Felicity claimed otherwise, the corners of her lips had curled into a smile.
This feeling… wasn't so bad at all.