To put it simply… Serval wanted to board the Astral Express and join its crew on their adventures across the stars.
That was precisely why she had invited Leon, the so-called "Astral Express Crew Team Leader," out for a private chat. She needed to test the waters, to see if her dream was even possible.
Who could have predicted that the conversation would imdiately veer off in such a strange direction?
Still, Leon's flustered reaction caused a quiet flicker of pride to bloom in Serval's chest. It seed she still had so of her old charm, after all.
"Alright…" Leon chuckled, his eyes landing on the woman before him. Her own eyes were bright, shimring with a mixture of eager expectation and a hint of nervous tension. "...Welco aboard the Astral Express, Serval."
If not for this very invitation, Leon might have forgotten that in the original tiline, Serval had also entertained the idea of traveling far and wide with the Express. In the end, however, she never set out on that journey, choosing instead to remain in Belobog to help Bronya rebuild their ho. As for the specific reasons why, Leon's mory of the details was hazy.
Now, seeing Serval reveal that sa longing once more caught him sowhat by surprise. After all, in this version of events, Cocolia was safe and sound. He had assud Serval would be more than content to stay by her best friend's side, helping protect the reborn city they both loved. He hadn't expected that her curiosity for the starry sky would refuse to be completely tethered by the warmth of the ground beneath her feet.
Is it possible her desire to board the Express is related to you? Aha's voice echoed in his mind, dripping with amusent. Well, it's a bit of both, I suppose. Ahahaha…
"Really? You just agreed like that?" A look of genuine surprise washed over Serval's face.
"Of course, it's real. Why, do you think it was too easy?" Leon raised an eyebrow, then deliberately lowered his voice, adopting a tone that was both serious and strangely theatrical. "Then, let's put it another way—Ms. Serval, you wouldn't want to lose the chance to board the Astral Express, would you?"
Hearing his deliberately affected tone, Serval couldn't help but burst out laughing, the sound bright and clear. She could, of course, tell that he was just having so fun with her.
"Alright, alright, enough joking around," Leon said, his voice returning to normal, though a smile still played in his eyes. "I've personally agreed, but I still need to ask the other mbers of the Astral Express for their opinions."
"Understandable, understandable. I'll leave that in your hands," Serval replied sincerely. "I know this request is a bit sudden, maybe even selfish… I'll apologize in advance."
"Instead of an apology," Leon leaned forward slightly, a glint of mischief flashing in his eyes, "I'd much prefer a more… practical expression of thanks."
"Then what kind of expression do you want?" Serval challenged, raising a single, perfectly sculpted eyebrow. Now that she'd figured out he was only teasing, her own courage had swelled.
"What do you think?" Leon shot back with a grin that clearly said, you know what I an.
Serval was so amused by his expression that she laughed again. "Fine, I'll buy you an extra snack later. How's that for being a good friend?"
"Sigh, you're treating like I'm Stelle," Leon shrugged with feigned helplessness.
"Hahaha, got it! So in the future, if I want to ask Stelle for a favor, I just need to add a plate of snacks to the deal, right?" Serval's laughter grew even happier, the atmosphere between them light and relaxed.
They chatted for a while longer, the easy banter flowing between them. Just as Leon was preparing to say his goodbyes, Serval suddenly leaned in, planting a quick, soft peck on his cheek.
"This… consider it an advance thank-you gift!"
She delivered the line with surprising openness before hurriedly turning away. Her steps were light as she slipped away, but the tips of her ears had quietly turned a tell-tale shade of red.
"You…" Leon touched his cheek, a slow smile spreading across his face as he shook his head with a soft laugh.
Once Serval had disappeared from view, Leon opened the Astral Express's internal group chat and briefly explained her wish.
Hiko: "Ms. Serval wants to join the Astral Express? Of course, she is welco. As long as she is willing to share the journey, the doors of the Express are always open."
Hiko: "However, I would like to know more about this new friend. What kind of person is she?"
Stelle: "She's a rock star."
Hiko: "That sounds like a style young people would enjoy. It seems the Astral Express is going to get even livelier."
Hiko: "In short, I support this friend coming aboard. Please tell her not to worry and to pack her luggage well; the Astral Express welcos her arrival at any ti."
March 7th: "Yay! 🎉"
Just as Leon had anticipated, the crew of the Astral Express all held an open and welcoming attitude toward Serval joining them. He smiled faintly. Serval was, after all, a perfect fit for the Express.
These days, with Topaz and the IPC moving faster than expected, Belobog's recovery was proceeding at a pace that far exceeded the original tiline. Whether Serval could ultimately fulfill her wish and step into the sea of stars remained to be seen.
However, Leon wasn't about to let the topic go just yet.
"Cocolia," he said with a smile, his gaze falling on the woman standing before him. "Did you know that Serval wants to board the Astral Express?"
Hearing this, Cocolia's posture tensed, an almost imperceptible shift. Serval wanted to leave? She was completely unaware. Serval had never once ntioned it to her.
"Serval wants to board the Astral Express?" She quickly regained her composure, even managing a look of thoughtful realization. "That really does sound like a decision she would make. Since she has chosen this path, then in the future… you must treat her well."
As she spoke, she reached out and tapped Leon's chest lightly with a single fingertip, her tone carrying a note of seriousness and a faint, almost hidden warning.
Leon raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by her reaction. Every ti Serval's na ca up, Cocolia's response was always just a little different; it had beco a small, unspoken source of amusent between them.
"What? You don't plan to try and keep her here?" he asked, his interest piqued.
"Since Serval has made such a decision, she must have given it careful consideration." Cocolia turned to look out the window at the darkening sky, her voice steady and asured. "What I need to do is believe in her and support her."
"You trust her that much?" Leon pressed.
"Of course." Cocolia turned her face back toward him, a hint of confusion in her gaze. "Boarding the Astral Express isn't a journey of no return. Besides…" She paused, a thoughtful look crossing her features. "...can't you bring to your room on the Astral Express anyti you wish?"
Leon was stunned for a mont, then burst out laughing. It was true. He did occasionally bring Cocolia to his private quarters on the Express. If she wanted to see Serval, the distance would hardly be an obstacle.
"That's true, I suppose," Leon leaned forward, his voice lowering into a teasing whisper. "But the sea of stars is vast and the worlds are many. Aren't you afraid that Serval might find a planet she never wants to leave, and never return?"
Cocolia fell silent for a long mont, her teeth worrying her lower lip. Her gaze locked with Leon's, a storm of unspoken thoughts swirling within their depths.
After what felt like an eternity, she suddenly let out a soft, breathy laugh.
"Serval wouldn't do that." She shook her head, a flicker of certainty in her eyes. "...And even in the worst-case scenario, if that day ever ca, it would only an… that planet had sothing more attractive to her than Belobog, wouldn't it?"
Cocolia paused, lifting her chin. Her gaze was like tranquil water as she looked directly into Leon's eyes.
"...How about, Benefactor, you…"
[Inorin's Note:
Enjoying the story? Dropping a quick review, comnt, or Power Stone ans the world to and keeps these daily updates flowing!
Want to read 50 chapters ahead or just want to help keep a shaless translator alive? (My livelihood actually depends on this, haha 😭). You can support directly here:
(P.S. Just remove the brackets and replace the [.] with a regular dot . to use the links!)
✨ Patreon (50 Advanced Chapters): patreon[.]com/InorinTL
☕ Ko-fi (Support / Sponsor): ko-fi[.]com/InorinTL
Thank you so much for reading and keeping this project alive!]
User Comments
0 comments from readers