Chapter 65: Lap Pillow and Massage
Once the train's flooring and outer structure were completed, it was impossible to tell from the outside that it had ever been damaged.
Your most recent achievement with Himeko was repairing the carriage walls and installing the train's floor panels.
The devices embedded in the flooring also passed constant-gravity tests and were able to provide stable, long-lasting resistance under the influence of "The Trailblaze Energy."
You looked at the long train, now no different from an ordinary one.
Finally, you let out a sigh of relief. Over the past month, the workload had been immense every single day—so much so that even hardworking Himeko had begun to feel overwhelmed.
Fortunately, it was finally done.
"Xiao Bai, you can finally rest for a few days…"
Himeko wore a dust-protection suit, but it did little to conceal her impressive figure. Behind her glasses, a hint of fatigue could be seen in her eyes.
"Hoo…"
You let out a long breath and dropped onto the grass beside the train.
Yes… you could finally rest for a few days.
After that, Himeko went into the train to take a shower, while you lay on your back in the grass, gazing at the pale blue afternoon sky, emptying your mind…
A faint smile appeared on your lips.
Lately, your relationship with Himeko had grown much closer. In truth, she was a very pure person.
You didn't realize this was because you hadn't broken her trust again…
That wasn't important. What mattered was that Himeko was genuinely understanding, kind, and generous.
She took good care of you in daily life. Many times during the train repairs, she would casually wash the clothes you had taken off.
The train wasn't equipped with washing machines or similar appliances for the time being.
Everything had to be washed by hand…
That moved you deeply…
After all, work clothes were always stained with sweat and grease…
Still, this only happened occasionally; most of the time, you didn't leave your clothes behind…
Not only that, Himeko began to show the unique talent of a Navigator. She could remember numerous details about the train—what parts had been replaced in which carriage, what kind of paint had been used…
She meticulously recorded everything in her mind.
Whenever small issues arose, Himeko had already fixed them one by one before they could become real problems.
This must be talent…
Or perhaps there was some unknown connection between the train and Miss Navigator.
As you were thinking—
Miss Himeko, having finished her shower, came out dressed, drying her beautiful long red hair, and sat right beside you.
A faint fragrance drifted into your nose with the afternoon breeze, making you want to close your eyes in comfort.
You said nothing, simply enjoying this rare moment of relaxation.
Himeko's scent was unexpectedly soothing.
Her hair was very long; after drying it, the breeze occasionally carried strands brushing lightly across your face.
"Miss Himeko, I remember tomorrow is your birthday…"
Seeing her gently swaying hair, you spoke softly.
"Mm… I've been so busy I forgot…"
Himeko replied quietly, as if she truly hadn't remembered.
"Your birthday coincides with the train's birthday. Two years ago, on this very day, the train also set off from the place where it had been stranded…"
You spoke softly, as a vague idea formed in your mind—celebrating both Himeko's birthday and the train's…
The train and she shared the same fate…
About to embark on that vast, boundless, mysterious sea of stars.
Let it be a small groundbreaking ceremony…
"Hmm?"
Himeko tilted her head, not quite understanding.
"Heh… Miss Himeko, tomorrow I'll be the chef and prepare a feast for you…"
"You should also make the train look beautiful…"
Himeko nodded, a faint smile forming on her lips. She seemed to be in a good mood.
After tasting your cooking once, she had been impressed…
You weren't boasting, but…
Himeko was also a disaster in the kitchen.
Hard to describe…
You chewed on a foxtail grass stem, arms behind your head, squinting as you thought about what to cook tomorrow.
Himeko, however, turned to look at you, as if wanting to say something…
But then she suddenly noticed that the roots of your slightly longer hair were actually white.
"Xiao Bai… your hair…"
Himeko felt something was off—how could the front half of your hair be black while the newly grown part in the back was white?
You were slightly surprised to be found out. You had been too busy lately to think about it.
"It's just premature graying. Doesn't it still look fine?"
"It's not about looking fine, Xiao Bai. How about we go for a medical check-up tomorrow? I'm a bit worried about your health…"
The concern in Himeko's eyes was genuine.
You shook your head—not because you were afraid she would discover the truth at the hospital…
But because going wouldn't reveal anything anyway.
"It's nothing, just a side effect of thinking too much lately…"
Your tone was firm. Though doubt lingered in Himeko's eyes, she didn't press further.
Still, more concern appeared in her gaze. She had been observing your recent condition.
Very tired… yet very dedicated…
"How about I give you a head massage?"
"Hmm? That's not necessary, Miss Himeko, it's probably nothing serious…"
"I've learned a bit—it's quite effective for relieving fatigue. I think it'll help you relax…"
"Then…"
"Come here."
Himeko said softly. Without really thinking, you moved a little closer to her.
"A bit closer."
"...Oh."
You leaned in further, and then Himeko adjusted your position, resting your head on her lap…
You looked up and could barely see her slightly flushed cheeks…
"Close your eyes."
You obediently closed them, once again experiencing Himeko's lap pillow after more than a month…
Quietly, you felt a bit happy.
Himeko gently massaged your temples.
Her cool fingers and just-right pressure made you feel extremely comfortable.
Himeko is very kind…
You enjoyed that well-earned moment of peace, with the faint sensation of returning to the lakeside from long ago.
Back then, the two of you had been close, talking about everything…
But now, even as your head rested freely on her soft lap, there was still a sense of emptiness in your heart…
It was enough…
Where in this world was anything ever perfect?
Perhaps the massage relaxed you too much, or perhaps the lap pillow was too hypnotic.
You fell into a deep sleep…
Himeko's eyes softened as she watched you sleep, wondering what she was thinking.
Her hands slowly came to a stop.
Supporting herself on the ground, she lazily gazed toward the horizon.
A scene appeared in her mind…
A cheerful, radiant boy. A quiet, gentle girl. Looking up at the summer night sky filled with stars.
"Miss Himeko… I… want to stay with you forever…"
The ten-year-old boy didn't understand what those words meant…
But the slightly more mature girl interpreted them as a confession…
Too young and confused, her eyes reflected uncertainty—and that uncertainty shattered the boy's self-esteem…
He began skipping school, gambling, dyeing his hair…
Carelessly degrading himself…
Stepping onto a path that led into the abyss…
Himeko looked at you again, her heart becoming complicated.
Her journey was meant to be solitary…
But if someone walked it with her…
Then it could also become something worth remembering.