Chapter 61: Pom-Pom, the Conductor
You dreamed through most of the long journey.
But in your dreams, there was always a cup of intensely aromatic coffee…
When you slowly woke up, Himeko was sitting beside you, seriously reviewing some data.
"You look very tired, Su Xiaobai. You can sleep a bit longer; there's still time before we reach the station."
Himeko put on a pair of simple glasses, which made her appear much more mature…
"In fact, this is a massive project. You'll understand once you see it. I think repairing the Astral Express will take a long time…"
"So there's no need to rush…"
Himeko's voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze brushing past your ear—cool yet warm.
"Besides, let the past stay in the past. We shouldn't remain stuck in its shadows, don't you think, Su Xiaobai…?"
Himeko removed her glasses and looked at you, her gaze carrying a trace of scrutiny…
You nodded.
"Actually… on the night of your last birthday, Miss Himeko, I felt like I finally understood things more clearly…"
"And have you forgotten a lot?"
Himeko's words left you completely stunned…
"Hm?"
"For example, when we were children… by that lake?"
Her words seemed to guide you toward a scene you should have remembered vividly…
But…
Your mind was blank; you didn't understand what she was referring to.
"What? I only remember that we were very happy back then… Miss Himeko was very kind to me, like my own sister…"
You were confused. A few fleeting images passed through your mind—happy moments of the two of you playing and talking by the lake.
"Then how did that happiness disappear?"
Himeko continued, her expression serious, as if pressing for a very important answer.
But…
You searched your mind; your negative personality seemed to have gradually fallen into depravity…
"Maybe… it's because I slowly drifted away from you, Miss Himeko…"
She seemed deeply concerned about something—saying not to dwell on the past, yet constantly trying to confirm something…
Himeko said nothing more.
Although you felt something was off, you didn't press further.
The debts of the past—you would repay them…
…
He really…
Forgot…
What exactly happened that night?
Himeko's heart suddenly filled with doubt.
But there was still no answer…
You stared for a while, then quietly picked up a piece of data Himeko had with her.
You began reading it…
And just like that, the journey came to an end—and also to a "beginning"…
The damaged Astral Express lay nearby.
…
When you saw the Astral Express again, you were even more shocked that Himeko alone had managed to repair something so heavily damaged…
The long carriages twisted into strange arcs, like a snake whose body had been crushed in multiple places.
Only the front section of the train retained some integrity.
You watched as Himeko walked to the front and knocked on the door.
"Who's knocking, Pom-Pom!"
The voice from inside sounded strangely familiar…
This was… the conductor of the Astral Express who could never leave it…
Pom-Pom.
"It's me, Himeko."
She replied with a smile.
The door burst open, and a rabbit-like figure with big eyes proudly appeared at the entrance.
The moment it saw Himeko, it suddenly burst into tears…
"Passenger Himeko, you've finally arrived, Pom-Pom… The Conductor… the Conductor was almost starving on the Astral Express, boo hoo…"
"There, there. Don't cry. Look what I brought—this tastes better than the Express's pot…"
Himeko showed a large bag of self-heating hot pot she had bought along the way.
"Wow!!"
The big-eyed rabbit's eyes lit up with golden light, and its sadness vanished instantly…
It grabbed the bag and rushed into the Astral Express…
"This is Pom-Pom, the Conductor, always with the Astral Express…"
Himeko introduced.
"Alright, I'll report your situation to the Conductor later. For now, we can get to work."
Himeko stepped directly into the carriage, and you followed closely behind.
Pom-Pom was nowhere to be seen. What lay before you was an observation car that looked like it had survived a war zone.
Grass sprouted faintly through the cracked floor, and a cool breeze slipped through the shattered windows.
You observed the relatively intact carriage, then began measuring and recording various parameters.
The floors and carriages of the Astral Express urgently needed repairs.
Meanwhile, Himeko was busy organizing and storing supplies she intended to leave for Pom-Pom.
"I might come here next semester to keep the Conductor company. After collecting the spatial fibers, transporting the materials over such a distance will be impossible…"
She spoke of her plans—without including you.
She wouldn't actively ask anything of you…
"What are your plans, Su Xiaobai…?"
You didn't stop working.
"I plan to build my own room on the Astral Express with my own hands."
You weren't someone who could make do with cardboard boxes—you genuinely needed a proper room.
Himeko's lips curved slightly, and her movements became a little lighter.
"Alright. When your new home is finished, I'll give you a gift…"
With those simple words, a promise for the next semester was made.
You would become the second passenger of the Astral Express, walking the path of the Trailblaze.
Maybe…
You stopped thinking so much about the future and simply focused on the task at hand.
"A new face, Pom-Pom!"
Pom-Pom, who had likely just finished a hearty meal somewhere aboard the Express, returned and stood beside you.
Crouched down, you were now at eye level with it.
"Hello! I'm Pom-Pom, the Conductor of the Astral Express!"
Now full of energy, the conductor showed its usual liveliness again.
"Su Xiaobai… a potential passenger who wants to board the Astral Express…"
As expected, Pom-Pom's eyes grew slightly moist, and its large ears drooped.
"Ah… the Astral Express has been stranded here for so long… The Conductor… hasn't heard anyone say that in a long time, Pom-Pom!"
"Pom-Pom, don't cry. I promise that before long, you'll receive many requests to board the Astral Express…"
"Just like you once told me."
Himeko stepped forward again, gently comforting the conductor.
"Waaah…"
Pom-Pom cried even harder…
"I'm so moved… I'm dying, Pom-Pom…"
After being stranded for so long, its tear ducts seemed especially well-developed.
You watched the scene quietly.
The departure of the Astral Express wasn't just Himeko's dream—this Conductor was also searching for its lost direction…
You calculated the amount of material needed for the floor—likely dozens of units…
To form a uniform and stable field.
It seemed this break would be a busy one…
After that, you helped Himeko record all the places along the Astral Express that needed repairs.
"Thank you, Su Xiaobai…"
Standing beside you, Himeko—who was slightly taller than you at this moment—thanked you sincerely for the first time.
The journey of the Trailblaze was always solitary.
But having a companion… was something worth being grateful for.