Of course, what Himeko held in her hand wasn't a Galaxy-Destroying Bomb, but blueprints.
"I'm just an ordinary person with a severe lack of security. Everyone, please believe me."
Aidan tried to snatch his precious blueprints back from Himeko, but grabbed only thin air.
Himeko tucked the roll of blueprints behind her back, her other hand holding a cup of coffee.
"Lack of security?"
"Right, right, exactly that—a lack of security." Aidan nodded, trying to make his expression look more sincere. "Sister Himeko, think about it. I'm so weak; any random person with a gun could pin me to the ground. Of course I have to prepare something for self-defense..."
"A Galaxy-Destroying Bomb."
"Uh..."
"For self-defense."
"Self... self-defense, you know? Nipping things in the bud, saving for a rainy day, being prepared..." Aidan spoke faster and faster, his eyes beginning to wander.
"Does self-defense require a weapon of this yield?" The smile on Himeko's face remained gentle. "It's confiscated. It's more appropriate to keep it in the Astral Express's safe. Also, you aren't allowed to manufacture such things on the Astral Express."
"Sister Himeko, can we... discuss this a bit?" Aidan tried one last struggle, rubbing his hands together with a flattering look. "For example, I won't build the actual thing, just keep the blueprints as a souvenir? Or I could reduce the yield? Change it to planetary level? Even satellite level is fine!"
The smile on Himeko's face grew even more radiant.
"No."
Aidan's face instantly slumped.
"At least you can create some less dangerous inventions. I think the strength transfer gloves are quite fun."
March 7th ran over to shake hands (?) with the Cyan, then lifted the sofa up.
"It has that much strength?"
March 7th discovered that her greatest enhancement was in her grip strength.
However, the Cyan was now walking around looking quite listless.
"First, you are not allowed to manufacture any weapon on the Astral Express with an energy level exceeding what is needed to blow up your own room. Second, you are not allowed to research any device involving the concept of 'large-scale.' Third, anything you think might be dangerous must be reported to me or Welt before you make it."
"Sigh, alright, Sister Himeko. I promise to only make civilian lifestyle inventions from now on."
Aidan looked aggrieved.
After sealing Aidan's Galaxy-Destroying Bomb blueprints in the safe, Himeko had a strange premonition.
The Astral Express might really need to purchase new safes in the future.
A 'Box of Sealing,' so to speak.
When Stelle boards the Express, she'll probably steal Aidan's forbidden blueprints first.
Just like Naruto.
"It's still just a child; it hasn't even had a chance to look at this beautiful world yet."
"If it did, this world might not be so beautiful anymore. Alright, stop looking so aggrieved. I'm doing this for your own good, and for everyone else's. If you really can't sit still, why don't you help me repair the Astral Express?"
"Okey-dokey."
Now Aidan was interested.
Repairing the Astral Express? That sounds interesting.
"Where to repair? How? What do I need to do? Are there blueprints? Any fault logs? Do you need me to do a full diagnostic?"
Why do I feel like... I've made a wrong decision?
Himeko looked at Aidan's eager, palm-rubbing expression, and her hand holding the coffee paused slightly.
"You're this enthusiastic?"
"Of course!" Aidan puffed out his chest righteously. "Repairing the Astral Express! This is serious business!"
And he could now legitimately give the Astral Express some cool transformations.
Himeko stopped in front of a door in the middle section of the Astral Express.
"This is the Astral Express's Maintenance Passage." She pushed open the door, revealing a narrow corridor with walls covered in dense pipes and wiring. "Normally, Pom-Pom handles daily cleaning and simple maintenance, but some deeper issues require a more professional touch."
Aidan poked his head in to look, his eyes growing brighter.
"These pipes... energy transmission? The wiring layout is a bit old, but the overall architecture is very rational. What's that interface over there? Backup power? Or some kind of emergency device?"
"You can tell?"
"I can."
"Have you studied Astral Express maintenance?"
"Actually, I only studied watch repair." Aidan stood up and brushed the dust off his hands. "My knowledge base is just a tiny bit larger. But as for whether things can be replaced and how, I'll need an actual inspection. By the way, is there a toolbox?"
Himeko led him further and stopped in front of a small door at the very end. Opening it revealed a small space with walls lined with various tools, from basic to precision instruments.
Aidan tested them; they felt very handy.
"To me, our Astral Express looks a bit like a watch."
"Like a watch?"
...
"Shush, why is the Party Car so noisy?"
"Passenger Aidan is currently inspecting and renovating every carriage of the Astral Express. He told me not to disturb him for five minutes."
Shush shrugged.
Before long, the door to the Party Car opened.
"Everyone, please head to the Party Car for a moment. I'm going to give the Parlor Car a major renovation!"
Aidan's face was covered in dust. He had mostly averaged his strength with Himeko's; otherwise, he would have collapsed from exhaustion by now.
He was much weaker than Himeko at the moment.
Everyone looked at each other.
"Major renovation?" March 7th looked at him suspiciously. "Are you sure it's renovation and not demolition?"
"Of course it's renovation!" Aidan said righteously. "I just checked; the overall structure of the Astral Express is very stable, but some details can be optimized. For example, the energy consumption of the lighting system can be reduced by 30%, the seating layout can be more rational, and this viewing window—"
He walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and tapped on the glass.
"The light transmittance of this coating isn't good enough. If we replace it with a new one, the view will be much clearer."
"You even know about this?" March 7th's eyes widened.
"I know a little bit," Aidan said modestly. "Mainly, I just happened to run a diagnostic."
"Just happened to?"
"Yes, just happened to." He pointed to the layer of dust on his face. "The cost was just a bit high."
Everyone was pushed by Aidan into the Party Car.
"Himeko, this... what is this place? Where did you bring me? Is this still the Astral Express?"
March 7th looked in shock at the Party Car after Aidan's super-modification.
It wasn't some tacky, nouveau-riche renovation, but rather a design that added more functional areas to the retro style.
"Sister Himeko, this... how much budget did he use?"
"...Not a single Credit Points was spent."
Himeko paused for a moment before speaking.
"None? Did he take all of this from the storage room?"
"No, if I had to say... his way is more like..."
Himeko struggled to find the words.
"Not using imaginary energy, but purely using his own thoughts to create matter out of nothing."
Welt scratched his head.
Why does this ability sound so familiar?
Oh, right. I have that ability.