Upon hearing Himeko's words, Stelle was slightly taken aback, because just moments ago, Pom-Pom had served her a cup of rather "explosive" coffee. From what Himeko was saying, it seemed that Uncle Yang and the others were likely drinking that kind of coffee, right?
"Although I do make them drink pure black coffee as punishment for their mistakes, it's not like they'd avoid it this much, is it?" Himeko helplessly held her forehead: "It's not some deadly poison that would kill them, just a bit bitter, right?"
Stelle thought about the intense "resentment" emanating from the coffee Pom-Pom had just brought her and, after some consideration, decided not to tell Himeko the truth.
If Pom-Pom found out it was her who spilled the beans, she had a feeling her days wouldn't be too pleasant moving forward.
Stelle couldn't help but laugh and cry inside. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but it felt like Pom-Pom had a bit more of that [Joy] component in them.
No, no, no, what even is Joy? An Aeon? Didn't that Aeon get chased and beaten with a broom by Pom-Pom alongside the Trailblazer kid? It should be said that Aha has more of a [Pom-Pom] component in them.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"I'm sorry, everyone. The Conductor is useless. The Conductor couldn't get Passenger Himeko to let you off, waaah…" Pom-Pom's big eyes were watery, filled with self-blame and pity: "P-Passenger Himeko said that you guys went too far this time, causing Passenger Stelle immense psychological trauma. Making you drink this special coffee is already considered lenient."
Welt lowered his head to stare at the stagnant pool in his cup: "Even so, it doesn't mean we have to die for it, does it?"
"Passenger Welt, what are you saying, pa? Passenger Himeko would be heartbroken if she heard you, pa!"
Dan Heng silently gazed at the cup of black liquid in front of him… No, this couldn't even be called a liquid. With his water-control abilities, he couldn't even make its surface ripple. This was probably some kind of solid-liquid coexistence state, wasn't it?
Too terrifying.
Pom-Pom's inner thoughts: Wakakakaka, this is exactly what I wanted to see, pa! That terrified expression!
Even though I know you won't drink it, teasing these youngsters with it is just—
"…Mm, Himeko's right."
However, there wasn't the slightest trace of fear on March 7th's face. After the incident, she did feel genuinely sorry. "When Stelle was begging for mercy, we should've let her go. I'll drink first."
With that, under the shocked gazes of the three (including Pom-Pom), she raised the cup and downed it in one gulp.
Pom-Pom's inner thoughts: Pa? Pa?! She actually drank it?! N-No way, right?
Even Pom-Pom didn't know how much stuff it had put into that coffee: lemon juice, ginger juice, leek juice, Xianzhou specialty soda bean juice, oil rendered from fatty meat… and, of course, an entire can of herring juice.
Back then, it had served this very concoction to "the worst Nameless in history," and even with that person's divine power, they nearly died on the train after drinking it (according to a certain Aha, when that liquid entered their mouth, they suddenly couldn't feel joy anymore and almost perished from the collapse of their Path). With March 7th's mortal body… could she withstand it?
The Conductor only wanted you to take a sip, pa!
Pom-Pom panicked. It only wanted to have some fun, not take lives!
Crack—
The glass cup in March 7th's hand shattered, startling Welt, who quickly stood up and "accidentally" knocked over the remaining two cups of coffee onto the floor: "March! Spit it out quick, don't force yourself to hold it in!"
Dan Heng watched Welt's perfectly natural movements, froze for a second, and then mimicked him, brushing against his cup in an attempt to "accidentally" knock it over.
The cup wobbled, tilting to a rather extreme angle, then regained its balance.
Dan Heng fell silent for another second, then gave up pretending altogether. He slapped the cup over onto the floor and shouted with a face full of urgency: "March, what's wrong, March? Don't die, March!"
"If March dies, I'll never forgive coffee, never!"
"Passenger March 7th! Spit it out quick, pa!" Pom-Pom was so anxious it was hopping in place. "That was… that was something Passenger Himeko brewed in the kitchen yesterday, pa. I grabbed the wrong one, pa."
?!
At those words, March 7th's eyes suddenly widened. The next second, she spat it all out onto Pom-Pom's face in a spectacularly unladylike manner, retching uncontrollably.
For a moment, the scene was utterly chaotic.
"Pa, the floor the Conductor worked so hard to clean, waaah…" Pom-Pom sat on the ground, dejected and on the verge of tears, completely shutting down.
…
"Stelle, I've already scolded Welt and the others about their prank. Jokes should have limits, especially after the safe word is said—you absolutely can't keep going." In the room, Himeko spoke earnestly.
Stelle: ?
"What I mean is, a joke is only a joke if both sides find it funny. If one side is clearly uncomfortable, the other side needs to stop immediately. So, I gave them a talking-to. Right now, they're probably sticking out their tongues from the bitterness, huh?"
Himeko winked at Stelle. "Besides that, the Conductor and I prepared a surprise for you. Want to take a guess?"
"A surprise?" Stelle thought for a moment. "Is the Conductor going to make me a Trailblaze Emanator?"
"Pfft… What? Stelle, have you forgotten the fact that you're still living in a bare-bones room on the train?"
Stelle froze for a moment, then had a sudden realization. Right, she'd gotten so used to staying in March 7th's room in Belobog that, even after returning to the train, she subconsciously assumed she'd still be bunking with March 7th.
She'd almost forgotten she had her own room.
"The furniture the Conductor and I custom-ordered for you has arrived. I'll have Welt and the others move it up for you later." Himeko tilted her head with a smile. "Consider it an extra punishment for them."
To her surprise, Stelle shook her head seriously and said, "Himeko, I think I should handle this myself. We're all family. You and Pom-Pom ordered furniture for me, and having March and the others set it up for me—I can't just stand by and watch while reaping the benefits."
"Well said! I have high hopes for you, Stelle~" Himeko nodded in satisfaction, gently flicking Stelle's forehead. "Go on, then. If you get tired, come find me to relax a bit, okay?"
Stelle was startled. "Himeko, what are you talking about?"
"Pfft~ You're so cute, Stelle. Hurry up, don't keep little March and the others waiting. I'll go prepare some tea and snacks for you all~"
Himeko chuckled, her heels clicking "tap tap tap" as she walked away. Watching her retreating figure, Stelle felt a vague sense of unease.
If the original Himeko was the refined, gentle, mature older sister, this version of Himeko had more of a motherly vibe.
And for some reason, that earlier scene felt oddly familiar, almost like something March would do.