Chapter 66: The "Birthday" of the Navigator and the Train
Time always slips away without us noticing.
Like fine sand running through your fingers—by the time you realize it, the breeze has already carried it off.
All that remains are faint traces of those days, along with a touch of regret… and a quiet melancholy in the heart.
---
When you woke up, it was already late at night.
You opened your eyes lazily and realized there was an extra jacket draped over you—it was Himeko's.
You felt a little dazed. The soft warmth behind your head still lingered…
Himeko hadn't woken you. She had let you sleep in her arms until now.
A flicker of guilt crossed your eyes as you quickly sat up… only to notice that Himeko had fallen asleep at some point.
Her head tilted slightly, her breathing slow and steady.
Recently…
She had been very tired too.
You felt deeply moved, but also a faint sadness.
No matter what her future held, she was still just a normal girl who needed care…
Gently, you placed the jacket over her, then bent down and carefully lifted her.
You carried her to her room, laid her on the bed, and tucked her in.
Then you quietly left on tiptoe…
Good night…
Miss Himeko…
---
The next morning, you went to a nearby market.
It was going to be a good day—you needed to buy a few things…
The repairs of the Astral Express were already more than halfway done, and it was also Himeko's birthday.
You decided to celebrate it properly.
Red wine, coffee, food, cake…
Soon, you had bought everything, called a vehicle, and hurried back near the Astral Express…
---
Meanwhile, Himeko had already woken up.
She was surprised to find herself lying in bed…
Rubbing her forehead, she couldn't quite remember what had happened the night before.
When the conductor told her that you had carried her back, a blush spread across her cheeks.
A girl would always feel a bit shy about such intimate contact…
Her thoughts drifted, imagining the scene of being carried by you, feeling somewhat strange…
But she hadn't resisted…
It was just that…
The shadows of the past still lingered in her heart.
Those past betrayals always made her feel uneasy…
If only she could suddenly forget them…
Unfortunately, that was impossible.
Himeko shook her head and stopped dwelling on it. Seeing that the train carriage had become a bit messy due to recent work, she got up to help Pom-Pom clean the Astral Express.
---
When you returned, you saw her busy wearing an apron…
For a moment, a strange illusion crossed your mind:
She looked like a housewife quietly working for the home that was the Astral Express.
And you were the "husband" who had gone out to work…
The two of you managing this small home together.
---
"Miss Himeko! I'm back."
You called out, feeling that warmth.
When she hurried over with a smile to help carry things, that feeling of "coming home" grew even stronger.
For a moment, it truly felt like home.
---
"Xiaobai, thank you…"
Her words, as she carried the cake, shattered that illusion.
"Don't mention it. From now on, I think this could become a regular celebration on the Astral Express…"
"To commemorate the meeting between the Astral Express and Miss Himeko."
---
"That's actually a surprisingly good idea, Xiaobai! Then from now on, you'll be in charge!"
Her eyes lit up slightly, clearly intrigued.
A hint of complexity flickered in your gaze, but you hid it well.
"Alright!"
You agreed immediately and carried everything into the carriage.
---
"Miss Himeko, I'll leave the decoration to you…"
"I'll handle the cooking."
She smiled and nodded, happily taking the decorations.
Soon, the clever Himeko had transformed the Astral Express.
Ribbons, flowers, balloons…
A festive atmosphere filled the carriage, and she even tied a cute bow on Pom-Pom's tail.
Meanwhile, you prepared a table full of rich dishes.
---
That night, everyone ate happily…
When the lights dimmed and candles were lit, their glow reflected on Himeko's slightly flushed cheeks after drinking some wine.
You smiled quietly.
---
"It's time to make a wish, Pom-Pom!"
As Pom-Pom's voice softened, Himeko slowly closed her eyes.
She clasped her hands, making a wish you didn't know.
You assumed it must be something distant.
Something grand.
You didn't ask.
---
The birthday celebration ended warmly and joyfully.
You stepped out of the carriage, your cheeks slightly flushed from wine.
The stars shone brightly. She was young. The Astral Express would depart someday…
You felt genuinely happy for her.
Holding a cup of coffee to sober up, you took small sips while gazing at the deep, mysterious starry sky, a gentle smile on your face.
---
"Xiaobai…"
"Thank you. I've been very happy tonight… This might be the happiest birthday I've had since I was a child…"
She turned and raised her cup toward you.
You lifted your glass of water, smiling silently.
---
"Xiaobai, are you willing to come with me… to see a wider sky… to witness the other side of the sea of stars?"
"I…"
You nodded, raising your glass and lightly clinking it with hers.
"Cheers, Xiaobai…"
"Cheers."
---
That night, the wind gently played with her red hair, like a small flickering flame…
You knew—of course you knew—
that flame would one day shine as brightly as the stars themselves.
---
How you wished time would slow down… just a little more…
so you could look at her just a bit longer.
But that wasn't possible.
You could feel your body slowly weakening.
Still… there should be enough time to complete the Warp Engine.
---
You also wanted to see the world from the perspective of The Trailblaze.
That was your final wish:
To ride the Astral Express… and take one last look from above.
---
So you worked relentlessly.
Aside from basic rest, you researched and experimented day and night.
The Warp Engine was the core of the Astral Express—and a difficult, critical project.
You were extremely careful.
You couldn't afford even the smallest mistake.
You didn't want to spend your life solving problems unless absolutely necessary.
---
But ideals are like the moon in the sky.
You can see its light.
You can describe it.
But you can't touch it.
You can't truly reach it.
---
The theoretical model of the Warp Engine was quickly completed through your joint efforts with Himeko.
But…
As always—
Materials became the insurmountable obstacle.
The requirements for the Warp Engine were even more extreme than those for the gravitational systems before it.
---
And just like that—
You found yourself trapped in a struggle.