Chapter 67: When Tomorrow Comes, We Return to the Beginning
The blue sky held only a few scattered clouds, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of spring flowers.
It should have been a beautiful day.
But you weren't in a good mood.
Because…
The materials for the engine still hadn't been found.
Himeko showed no signs of anxiety, but you were starting to feel it.
Your body was already reminding you—you didn't have much time left.
What troubled you most was that the two locomotives of the train were enormous…
And due to their structure, they couldn't be dismantled individually.
That also meant your plan of "finding a friend" had failed.
---
"It's okay, no rush, Xiao Bai. We can take our time."
Himeko comforted you gently.
But the time she spent in the experimental carriage kept increasing…
If the engine were repaired, the train could depart again.
Deep down, she was anxious too.
But she never let that anxiety affect others.
She remained calm.
Sipping her coffee slowly, smiling, even asking if you wanted a cup.
You still hadn't gotten used to her peculiar drink.
---
That wasn't the important part.
The important part was that between your theoretical model and the actual engine—
Only two materials were missing.
Himeko had once offered a high price online to acquire them or any related leads.
She found nothing.
---
The sky was clear, but it felt like a dark cloud hung over you.
Even you felt suffocated.
Days passed.
Your body grew weaker and weaker—like something you'd only seen in the elderly.
You didn't dare gamble.
Didn't dare bet that you'd still be alive tomorrow.
Or when the train finally departed.
---
After much thought…
You made a decision.
---
That night, you told Himeko you'd been under a lot of stress and wanted a drink.
She didn't suspect anything.
She agreed immediately, even reassuring you:
"There's no need to rush, Xiao Bai… finding materials takes time."
"We can all wait…"
---
No… I can't wait anymore, Miss Himeko…
You smiled warmly.
---
That night, you drank and talked beside the train.
You were unusually enthusiastic—so much so that an outsider might suspect hidden motives.
Himeko's cheeks flushed red, but she didn't refuse your repeated toasts.
---
"Xiao Bai… if you have any worries… you can tell me…"
Even slightly drunk, she tried to ease your burden.
---
"Miss Himeko… I'm really sorry…"
"For those one hundred and five lies… every time I think about them, I feel ashamed…"
---
She was already overwhelmed by alcohol.
Her words were fragmented, her gaze unfocused.
---
"Mmm…"
"Xiao Bai… I… I've forgotten them…"
She staggered toward you, getting closer—as if trying her best to make you believe her.
Even drunk, her elegance didn't disappear.
Her movements were softer, less steady—but carried a mature charm.
---
She leaned gently against you.
Her smooth forehead pressed lightly against yours.
Her slightly uneven breathing carried the scent of alcohol.
Not unpleasant.
---
She was truly drunk.
Her behavior felt like it had returned to the past…
Like when you were children.
---
"Xiaobai…"
"But you also brought… more than a hundred parts for the train…"
"I saw how tired you were… I was moved… but also felt guilty…"
"This… isn't what you should be doing…"
She whispered softly.
---
It is what I should do.
And what I most want to do.
You answered silently.
---
"But…"
She raised a finger and gently covered your lips.
---
"No 'buts'… I'll solve the engine problem, Xiao Bai… don't worry…"
"Maybe… I still have some shadows from the past…"
"But in the future… I won't…"
"Forgive me… Xiao Bai…"
---
Her eyes half-closed.
She was already drifting into sleep.
---
"Then… starting tomorrow… will we go back to how things were before, Miss Himeko?"
You asked quietly.
---
"Mmm… tomorrow… begins…"
"Let's make a pinky promise…"
---
She weakly extended her little finger.
You hooked yours with hers.
---
Leave the past behind.
When tomorrow comes—
You return to the beginning.
---
Himeko finally succumbed to the alcohol and fell into a deep sleep.
You held her once more.
Her body was warm and soft, pressing gently against you.
---
You walked slowly toward the carriage.
With each step, that warmth faded a little more.
---
How could things ever truly go back?
A clock only moves forward.
Even if a moment looks the same—
Yesterday is already gone.
---
You carefully carried her to her room and tucked her in.
After asking Pom-Pom to look after her, you left the train.
---
Returning to the picnic blanket, you felt a hint of embarrassment.
You hadn't been drinking alcohol.
It was grape juice.
---
Your final toast with her—
And you still deceived her.
---
But…
In the future…
You wouldn't.
---
You slapped your face lightly to stay awake and walked toward the locomotive.
---
Why did Himeko remember that you had brought more than a hundred parts?
You counted carefully.
There were 103 parts—
Including the floor and the spatial fiber device.
Adding the two materials for the front and rear engines—
It became 105 again.
---
A bit ironic.
---
It didn't matter anymore.
You reached the rear engine.
Opened its cover.
The component you urgently needed was the core responsible for bending spacetime.
---
You extended your finger.
Once again—
Sacrificing your lifespan.
---
Dizziness hit you instantly.
You steadied yourself.
---
You had to endure.
---
Golden light slowly spread across the surface of the component.
A beautiful, ethereal blue glow emerged.
The process didn't take long.
---
But you weren't satisfied.
You wanted the train to go faster.
Farther.
---
So—
You began a second reinforcement.
---
Your heart pounded violently.
Like a blazing fire in your chest.
---
The second reinforcement finished quickly.
Your face turned pale.
Your steps became unsteady.
---
You leaned against the carriage wall and moved toward the front locomotive.
Repeating the same process.
---
Using your lifespan—
To give the train a pair of "shoes" to walk across the sea of stars.
---
After one reinforcement, the blue glow reflected on your pale, worn face.
You managed a faint smile.
---
You gritted your teeth.
You had to do it again.
---
Your body stiffened.
Withered.
Your teeth loosened.
Wrinkles spread across your skin.
---
In an instant—
It felt like decades had passed.
---
Finally…
Your violently beating heart slowed.
A metallic sweetness filled your throat.
Blood flowed from your nose.
---
Your lifespan…
Was exhausted.
---
The golden light faded from your finger.
One corner of the component remained unfinished.
---
You tried with all your strength to reignite that golden glow.
---
You failed.
---
"So… in the end… I still couldn't give it everything… huh?"
---
A deep disappointment settled in.
You had no choice.
You slowly leaned back against the engine.
---
A drop of fresh blood fell…
Landing on that final corner.
---
Instantly—
A brilliant golden light burst forth, like the sun.
---
Ding…
---
A powerful engine roar echoed from both the front and rear of the train.
One by one, the carriages lit up.
---
You exhaled in relief.
And slowly collapsed to the ground.
---
"Xiaobai!!"
---
Through fading vision, you saw a red-haired figure—
Barefoot, rushing toward you.
---
Ding…
---
In the distance, a church bell rang.
The second day—
Had arrived.