["You look rather silly. Yes, I'm talking to you." The adorable creature lifted its round head, giving Stelle a once-over before saying, "I've already heard the details from Himeko. Listen up, rookie—important things, I'll only say once."]
["Lately, many people must have told you, 'You're special.' But this is the Astral Express, and every passenger aboard has their fair share of unspeakable secrets."]
["Since you've chosen to board, you'll have to follow the rules here. You're not the only 'special' one—remember that."]
["I'm the conductor here, Pom-Pom. If you encounter any problems on the train, feel free to come to me."]
[After speaking, Pom-Pom wobbled away on its adorable short legs to attend to work.]
"Conductor??!" Kiana's jaw dropped in shock. "So it wasn't Aunt Himeko's pet after all?!"
"Oh? I don't recall ever keeping that kind of pet." Himeko suddenly appeared in the classroom, taking a seat beside Kiana. She wore a long coat and a pair of sunglasses, her heroic demeanor completely different from the Himeko on the Celestial Screen.
Kiana was overjoyed: "Aunt Himeko!"
"Is it really that surprising? We just went on a mission together not long ago." Himeko removed her sunglasses and smiled. "Kiana, between the Himeko on the train and the one in front of you, who do you prefer?"
"Ah, Himeko, why ask me something like this right away? This is really..."
Kiana immediately looked troubled, her eyes involuntarily darting to the white high-slit dress worn by the Himeko on the screen. There was no doubt both Aunt Himekos were stunning beauties—but one was serene, the other dynamic, each with their own charm. Being forced to choose was genuinely difficult...
"Alright, alright. Silence is an answer." Himeko feigned sadness, spreading her hands. "To think that in my dear student's heart, the Himeko she spends every day with can't compare to a... Ah, how heartbreaking."
"Aunt Himeko, is the Himeko on the screen... really you?" After scrutinizing the images on the Celestial Screen, Kiana voiced her doubts.
Though the two Himekos looked almost identical, with the same voice, their speech habits and fashion styles were completely different. Moreover, the Himeko on the screen didn't seem suited for close combat, while her Himeko-sensei... ahem—clad in the new-generation Valkyrie armor—was terrifyingly strong.
"It's me." Himeko nodded calmly. "But a version from another parallel universe."
"Parallel worlds? Then that means..." Kiana turned to Bronya in shock, but the latter didn't seem surprised, as if she had already guessed the answer.
["Don't let Pom-Pom's appearance fool you. It's been a long time since the Express had a new passenger, so it's quite interested in you."]
[Himeko sat on the circular sofa in the train, holding a steaming cup of coffee as she reassured, "I won't overstep. If you have any questions, feel free to bother the conductor."]
["Got it." Stelle was about to leave when Himeko's voice called out again.]
["—Oh, right. Since it's your first time aboard, would you like to try one of the Express's specialties?"]
["Specialty? What's that?"]
[Seeing Stelle's interest, Himeko placed her coffee on the table and slowly pushed it toward her. "Coffee brewed by my own hands, with beans I ground personally. You won't find it anywhere outside the Astral Express." Himeko's voice lifted with pride as she brought up the topic.]
[Stelle examined the coffee she had been offered—the dark liquid resembled a black hole in the cosmic void, its menacing aura seemingly ready to suck the drinker in.]
["Must be Himeko's specialty. Maybe I should..." Just as Stelle was about to agree and taste this unique train-exclusive flavor, she suddenly felt a piercing gaze from behind, sending a chill down her spine.]
[Turning slowly, she saw Mr. Welt sitting on the adjacent sofa, holding a book, his eyes profound and mysterious behind his glasses.]
["What's wrong, Stelle?" Himeko asked, noticing her dazed expression.]
[In that moment, enlightenment struck. Stelle shuddered violently and waved her hands frantically. "Uh, well... no, no, no need! I suddenly feel really sleepy, and I'm afraid coffee will keep me up. I'll have something else instead."]
["Alright." Himeko seemed a little disappointed but didn't push further. "There's some juice over there that March 7th loves. The cups are right next to it—help yourself if you'd like."]
["Thanks." Stelle exhaled in relief, glancing back at Mr. Welt, whose eyes now held a hint of silent approval.]
"Miko, I can't help but feel they're all wary of that Lady Himeko's coffee. Is it just me?" Raiden Ei tilted her head, seemingly unable to comprehend why a seemingly ordinary beverage would be treated like a formidable enemy.
She had tasted coffee before—a slightly bitter drink quite popular in faraway Fontaine, especially among the nine-to-five working crowd.
But in her opinion, it couldn't compare to dango milk.
"Perhaps Lady Himeko is just... exceptionally bad at brewing coffee?" Yae Miko guessed. "A terrible meal is far more fearsome than your lightning, Ei."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Ei's voice suddenly came from behind Miko, soft and carrying a trace of resentment, making the fur on Miko's tail stand on end.
Miko broke out in a cold sweat, suddenly recalling an incident from long, long ago... when Ei had insisted on cooking for her.
Ei was utterly hopeless in the kitchen—no matter how hard she tried, she could never conquer it. After the Tenshukaku kitchen was struck by lightning three times, Ei finally emerged from the smoke, carrying a plate of something twisted, abstract, and utterly indescribable.
The Tengu General, after lavishing praise on the Shogun, bravely took a tiny bite... and then took a month-long sick leave, unable to recover.
Witnessing this, Miko had jokingly said Ei's cooking was more terrifying than her lightning. But Ei had completely misunderstood, taking it as praise for her culinary skills—and had been delighted for a long time.
But now—
"So what you meant back then was that my cooking was terrible?"
Ei's face slowly drew closer from behind, her breath tickling Miko's ear like a feather.
...Wait, you mean that thing you made was supposed to be food?!