As Kafka departed, Stelle drifted into unconsciousness, her body resting quietly within the Space Station.
Meanwhile, the Astral Express trio—Danheng, March 7, and Ellie—arrived near the curiosities collection room.
"March, haven't we already been here?" Danheng asked, eyeing the familiar wreckage of the Anti-Matter Legion.
"Eh? But this isn't the spot marked on Asta's map…" March scratched her head. The shattered crystal remains of Ellie's Flying Flowers were unmistakable. Is Asta's map really that unreliable? she grumbled inwardly.
"Little March, show me the map～♪" Ellie suddenly popped up behind her, startling her.
"Ah! Sister Ellie, don't sneak up like that! You scared me!" March pouted.
"Won't happen again～♪" Ellie giggled and took the map from March's hands. Her smile faded into a curious silence.
Danheng noticed and leaned in. "Is something wrong?"
Ellie's lips curled into a grin. "Little… Little March, you brought the wrong map～♪"
"Huh? No way…" March blinked, confused.
Danheng sighed. "She's right. This is the map from our last planetary expedition."
March's face turned red. "Oops… I'm sorry…"
Ellie, knowing March's shy nature, gently patted her head. "Hmm? Little March, are you blushing? Let me see～♪"
"No, Sister Ellie!" March squeaked, trying to hide her face.
Danheng cleared his throat. "Arlan might still be in danger. Let's focus."
March reluctantly withdrew her hand from Ellie's waist, and Ellie released her playful grip on March's cheeks. She knew Arlan was locked in the security room and likely safe—for now.
Elsewhere, Arlan anxiously searched the room for a working communicator. Nothing responded. Unbeknownst to him, a delicate crystal flower floated silently nearby, pulsing with soft light.
Back with the trio, Ellie pointed toward the curiosities collection room. "Look, no signs of damage. Let's check inside—maybe Alan's there."
They entered cautiously. Danheng's sharp eyes immediately spotted Stelle lying unconscious on the floor.
"March, prepare artificial respiration," he said urgently.
"Eh?! I don't know how!" March panicked. "You should do it!"
Ellie stepped forward. "Why not me? I'm a girl too, and I know how～♪"
"No! Sister Ellie can't do it!" March protested, flustered.
"Why not? I'm perfectly qualified～♪" Ellie tilted her head, genuinely confused.
"Uh… just… no!" March stammered, unable to find a solid reason.
Danheng interjected calmly. "March, Ellie's right. Saving lives comes first."
March fell silent, her eyes darting between Ellie and Stelle. As Ellie leaned closer, March's heart tightened— Is my best friend being stolen…?
Just then, Stelle's eyes fluttered open.