"Welcome aboard the Astral Express, Passenger Anming, Pa!" Pom-Pom adjusted his red conductor's hat, fluffy ears twitching. "And Passenger Stelle too, Pa!"
"Can I... hug this?" Stelle poked Pom-Pom's cheek, marveling at its marshmallow-like squishiness.
March 7th quickly intervened before the duo could wreak havoc. "I'll show them to their rooms!"
The trio passed the Data Bank. "Dan Heng's domain," March explained. "He respawns here daily."
Next door, she gestured proudly: "And this is my room!"
"So... pink," Stelle peeked inside at the pastel wonderland.
March preened. "Cute, right? Oh, let's add you to the group chat!"
Lovely Express Family
Galactic Bat Legend: [Pom-Pom heart]
Cutest Girl in the Universe: Welcome~
Firefly's Dog: [Pom-Pom middle finger]
(Message recalled)
Firefly's Dog: [Pom-Pom thumbs up]
"What kind of nickname is that?!" March glared at Anming. "And where'd you get that obscene sticker?!"
"Herta only sends this when demanding updates," Anming shrugged. Their chat history was a sea of Pom-Pom flipping the bird.
"Who's Firefly?"
"The firefly girl from my dreams."
March patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Virtual relationships aren't healthy. You need to move on."
Anming: "?"
Inspired, Stelle changed her name to Kafka's Dog. The internet was her playground!
March despaired. With these two onboard, the Express's future looked bleak.
Anming's room was spartan, awaiting personal touches. As Stelle ranted about "trashcore aesthetics," March dragged her to the Data Bank for an intervention.
Alone, Anming lounged on the couch, messaging Firefly.
Firefly's Dog: "You there?"
Firefly: "..."
[Incoming Video Call]
Anming straightened his collar, accepting the call. The screen showed blurry cityscapes before focusing on Firefly's blushing face.
"Can you see me?" She tilted her head shyly. "That nickname... so embarrassing."
"Miss you, Firebug."
"...Me too."
A gross understatement. What she meant was: I've missed you for a hundred Amber Eras! But with Silver Wolf and Blade present, she restrained herself.
"I want to see you now."
"Silly... you haven't changed at all."
Firefly's eyes sparkled even through the screen, radiating pure adoration. Just seeing Anming made her giddy with joy.
"Listen," she said seriously. "The Express is safe. Wait for me, okay?"
"Can you hologram-visit sometimes?"
Firefly giggled. "If the Express welcomes Stellar Hunters, anytime."
Anming puffed his chest. "I'm basically the boss here. Even the Galactic Bat Legend answers to me."
"Then Stellar Hunter Sam is your subordinate too~"
Firefly's teasing gaze made Anming blush.
"Entering a dead zone. Talk later?"
"Sure. Bye for now."
Not goodbye, but until next time.
...
"How long has she been like this?" Blade glanced at the rearview mirror, where Firefly still smiled at her phone.
"Three hours. Why?" Silver Wolf didn't look up from hacking Herta's systems.
"...Weird."
The stoic swordsman couldn't comprehend this lovestruck girl. Was this even the real Sam?
"Just a girl in love."
"...Don't get it."
As long as Firefly was fine, Blade focused on driving.
"Wait," Silver Wolf froze. "You do have a license, right?"
"What's that?"
"Bleep! Let me out!"
Engine roar. Tires screech. G-force intensifies.
Three passengers.
Two valid licenses.
Blade wasn't one of them.