After drifting through the cosmos for countless years, Elysia—now known as Ellie—finally found herself aboard the Astral Express, a mysterious passenger among its crew.
"Sister Ellie, we're approaching the Herta Space Station!" chirped a lively voice.
Ellie didn't respond. Instead, she quietly hid beneath the bed, eagerly anticipating the moment she'd startle March 7 again.
"Sister Ellie, I'm coming in!" March called out once more.
The door slid open, and March peeked her head inside. "Weird… Ellie should be here. Don't tell me you're hiding in the closet again? Sister Ellie, come out! You promised not to use the same hiding spot twice!"
From beneath the bed, Ellie grinned. Silly March. I would never scare you from the same place twice.
"I'm opening the closet now!" March announced, reaching for the handle.
Just as she swung the door open, Ellie crept out from under the bed and popped up behind her with a mischievous grimace.
"Ahhh!!!" March's scream echoed through the carriage.
"March, are you alright?" Dan Heng rushed in, his usually calm demeanor tinged with concern.
"I'm fine…" March muttered, glaring at Ellie, who was doubled over in laughter. "Sister Ellie, you scared me again! If you keep this up, I won't talk to you unless you coax me!"
Ellie immediately switched to her best puppy-eyed expression, gently taking March's hand. "My sweet March, you'll forgive Ellie, won't you? You're too cute to stay mad～♪"
March sighed. How could anyone resist that face? "Fine… but only this once!"
Danheng stood silently, as usual. Himeko, Pom-Pom, and Welt arrived just in time to witness the aftermath of Ellie's prank.
"They're full of energy," Welt chuckled.
Himeko smiled warmly. "It's nice to see them getting along so well."
Welt nodded, his gaze drifting as he thought of his home planet. I wonder how things are back there…
Suddenly, a siren blared through the train.
"What's happening?" Danheng asked, his voice sharp.
Pom-Pom's ears twitched as they hurried to the control panel. "Alert! The Herta Space Station is under attack!"
Ellie's playful mood shifted instantly. She grabbed March's hand and dashed toward the observation car. Danheng, Welt, and Himeko exchanged glances, then followed.
Pom-Pom's fluffy ears twitched anxiously as they relayed the situation. Ellie, however, was momentarily distracted—her eyes locked onto Pom-Pom's ears, sparkling with curiosity.
Without warning, she reached out and gave them a gentle poke.
"Eek!" Pom-Pom yelped, spinning around.
Everyone turned to look.
"Ellie, now's not the time for pranks," Himeko said gently.
"Ehey, you caught me～♪" Ellie giggled.
March glanced at Pom-Pom's ears, a flicker of discomfort crossing her face.
"Focus, March," Danheng said firmly.
"Ah—right! Coming!" March snapped out of it and ran to join Ellie.
Himeko turned to Welt. "Welt, you're in charge of the train's defense."
"Understood," he replied.
Pom-Pom, still recovering from Ellie's sneak attack, glared at her with wide, indignant eyes. If looks could kill, Ellie would've been vaporized on the spot.
"Passengers, please stay safe while assisting the Herta Space Station," Pom-Pom announced.
"Got it." the crew replied in unison, heading out to face the threat.