"All the supplies have been procured according to the 'standard.' The three checklists are completely maxed out. The Corporation's delivery bots will bring them over shortly. Pom-Pom, could you please handle the receiving?"
Having just finished fleecing… I mean, procuring the supplies, Wende handed Himeko three checklists so long they nearly dragged on the floor, then glanced around the carriage.
"Hm? Where's Pom-Pom? Shouldn't he be listening to music in the Parlor Car around this time?"
"Well…"
Seeing Wende's confusion, Himeko shrugged helplessly.
"It seems that Miss Topaz has a natural affinity for small animals. Pom-Pom has taken quite a liking to her. He even approved her request to bring her own little animal companion on board."
"What? Didn't Pom-Pom say he didn't want shedding pets on the train? Even though he sheds himself."
"Um… Benefactor, this…"
Tingyun awkwardly swished her large tail.
She hadn't had a chance to properly care for her tail lately. While it wasn't shedding… if it did start to shed, would Pom-Pom dislike her?
"Ah, don't worry, Tingyun. I also purchased some hair care products this time. No need to worry."
Wende said with great understanding, even though he was the one who had just made the slightly insensitive comment…
"But Pom-Pom's shedding problem is something we really need to consider. I suppose we can't make any more greasy, salty, or overly sugary foods for a while."
Wende considered this with a serious expression.
"What! Wait! Anything but that! If I can't eat happy food, I won't have any energy!"
March, who had been watching Dan Heng play a game and argue with his teammates, jolted to her feet and rushed to stop Wende.
That was her lifeblood! The thought of having no sweet things… it was terrifying!
"Alright, alright, I'm not going to torture your tastebuds. Don't worry, healthy food can be made delicious too."
Wende, the Astral Express's professional chef, reassured March.
"But we're about to go to Punklorde… What if it's like Belobog was back then? We have to prepare in advance."
March patted her tummy with a very serious look on her face.
"Ah… Preparing fat for the winter?" Wende muttered under his breath.
"What was that? I can't hear you~"
"Okay, okay, our little March doesn't get fat from eating. And since we're heading to Punklorde soon anyway, there's no need to be so strict with you all."
Shrugging, Wende conceded.
"Hmph~ That's more like it. I'll go get Stelle to help you cook later! Wait! Hey! I just realized! Me and Stelle, one inherited your massage skills, and the other inherited your cooking skills… doesn't that mean your medical skills are next for…"
March's gaze instinctively shifted towards Dan Heng.
---o---
In-game
Blade: Dan Heng! You will die!
Kafka: ?
Silver Wolf: I can't believe you guys. Aren't you on the same team?
Dan Heng: Sorry. I just get the urge to hit him on sight.
Stelle: Kafka-mom Heal me
Kafka: Mm, good girl~
Silver Wolf: Tsk… Can't compete in real life so you come to the game to be a healer, huh?
Silver Wolf: Hey, hey, hey! Stop smacking my butt! I was wrong!
---o---
"…Hmm? What is it?"
Noticing March's stare, Dan Heng turned to look at her, his expression perfectly normal.
"Uh… never mind, you can go back to what you were doing… Strange, why would I have such a vision…"
March pressed a hand to her forehead. The thought of Dan Heng gently healing someone…
Ugh! So uncomfortable! The mental image is so awkward! Would that even be Dan Heng anymore?!
March stood rooted to the spot, hands clasped to her chest, her inner monologue in turmoil.
"Stelle, once you finish this round, come to the kitchen and help."
Wende called out to Stelle, who was engrossed in her game.
"Okay! I'll be there as soon as I'm done with this match!" Stelle replied without looking up.
For some reason, looking at Stelle, Wende felt an inexplicable sense of crisis. Strange…
---o---
In-game
Kafka: "Little Star I'll give you a buff"
Stelle: "Thanks, Kafka-mom!"
Silver Wolf: "I want one too!"
Blade: "What? Shouldn't you be using an AoE buff?"
Dan Heng: "It's a healing buff. You shouldn't get it."
---o---
"So, I have to ask, is it really okay for us to just be sitting here playing games?"
Silver Wolf put down her gray-and-white console with a sigh, looking helplessly at Kafka, who had a smile in her eyes.
"Oh? What's wrong with this? Since we're in the next script, isn't it more convenient to travel with them?" Kafka replied without looking up.
"It's convenient, sure, but hiding in their supplies… don't you feel a little like bugs?"
Silver Wolf looked around the pitch-black shipping container. She was sitting on a crate of fresh fruit. And Blade? Oh, he was seething with rage amidst a pile of leafy green vegetables, just one step away from screaming curses at Dan Heng.
"By the way, why didn't Sam come?"
Looking at the two completely unreliable adults, Silver Wolf suddenly found herself missing that cold, metal guy.
"Little Wolf, he's not in the script this time. More importantly, sending him to Punklorde… wouldn't that just be a suicide run?"
Kafka explained to Silver Wolf with a hint of helplessness. Although there were few hackers on Punklorde who could threaten Sam, if he wasn't in the script, there was surely a reason.
"Is… that so?"
Silver Wolf's eyes widened in suspicion. Now that she thought about it, had she ever actually tried to hack into Sam?
"Shh… Little Wolf, don't get distracted."
Kafka pressed a finger to her red lips, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gestured for Silver Wolf to focus on the game.
"Sigh, fine, fine."
Shaking her head in resignation, Silver Wolf dangled her little feet and went back to her game.
Two small shipping containers were transported by Corporation bots into the Astral Express's cargo hold. After stowing the goods, Pom-Pom hopped away, like a big rabbit, heading towards the Parlor Car.
---o---
[Ding… Emotion Value increased by 50,000.]
Wende, who was in the middle of cooking, raised an eyebrow. The movements of his hands didn't slow in the slightest as he, as if by habit, placed the shredded meat he had just cut into a large bowl to marinate.
The players in the real world must have pulled some new stunt. No need to be surprised. It's only fifty thousand, so it probably isn't a huge deal, right?
Wende thought to himself.
---o---
"Wha… Veyl… Sister Veyl… what's wrong with you…?"
In an orphanage in the old district of Punklorde, Veyl, who had been sitting calmly at the meeting table, suddenly shuddered. Both of her bionic arms involuntarily switched into combat mode, startling Meryl, who was sitting across from her. With a look of terror, Meryl typed on her tablet, her words spoken through an electronic synthesized voice.
"…Hah, sorry. I just… felt something in my arms again? Not that simulated, realistic sensation… but a real… feeling?"
Veyl stared at her own bionic arms, her eyes narrowed as she murmured to herself.