About Little Teacher Te's journey on the Astral Express

Somewhere in the universe ( ̄﹃ ̄ԅ)

Is a very mysterious place (;一_一)

Rumor has it d(ŐдŐ๑)

A string of tanghulu often passes by (●✿∀✿●)

This string of tanghulu even leaves a faint trail of light, and some say it makes a whistling sound like a train! (^0^)/

And if you eat it! You'll become immortal! ヽ(｡･ω･｡)ﾉ

.....

"That definitely sounds like a story March would tell," a handsome young man with sharp features muttered, sitting on the sofa and covering his face, a look of utter exasperation on his face, as if observing an idiot.

Dan Heng wore a loose-fitting coat that gradiated from white to indigo. The hem bore an insignia resembling that of some faction; the left side was inscribed with cursive poetry, while the right had two seals drawn on it. He wore a pauldron on his left shoulder, tied with a red cord, and underneath the coat was a black high-collared shirt. He wore short boots, completing his guard-like attire.

"Hey! Dan Heng, why are you looking at me like I'm an idiot? Was my story not good enough!?" A pink-haired girl beside him glared at Dan Heng indignantly.

The girl who spoke was March 7th. From being the ever-present character since the game's launch to the ice-wielding beauty she was now, her personality and appearance had captured legions of incredibly dedicated fans. If any character embodied the charm of the girl next door, it had to be March 7th.

"You're quite self-aware," Dan Heng's lips curled upwards almost imperceptibly before returning to their usual calm state. He turned back to his book.

"Nngaahhh...! Miss Himeko, look at him!" March 7th let out a series of wails, pointing at Dan Heng while addressing a red-haired woman.

"While it sounds delicious, our Express isn't quite a tanghulu, little March," Himeko said, a slight smile playing on her lips, her expression always gentle.

This woman, seemingly as passionate as fire, was named Himeko. She was a navigator, and also a teacher...

Including the two beside her, even Welt Yang, sitting nearby, had been picked up by her.

"Ah, Miss Himeko, you too? Fine, I won't talk to you guys anymore. I'm going to play with Pom-Pom!" March 7th puffed out her cheeks and started to stand up, only for a violent lurch to nearly throw out her back.

"Ouch! Hiss..." Due to the sudden jolt, March 7th was now sprawled flat on the floor, her pained expression indicating it was a nasty fall.

"Little March, are you alright?" Himeko steadied herself, then quickly helped March 7th up.

"Ow ow ow... My back is going to break!" Supported by Himeko, March 7th cried out incessantly, her lovely face contorted in pain.

"This is bad, Pom!" A cute creature resembling a rabbit doll suddenly hopped out from a doorway, rushing anxiously towards the group and jumping frantically.

Though even jumping, it couldn't reach their knees.

"What is it, Pom-Pom? Did the Express run into something?" The middle-aged man who had been sitting silently spoke up, his expression serious, hands resting on what looked like a cane for support.

"The Express, it hit ice again, Pom!"

"Ice?"

"Ice?"

"Ice?"

"What? Ice! Hiss... ow ow ow!"

March 7th instantly perked up at the word "ice," only to wince again from the sharp pain in her back.

"Little March, don't get excited just yet. Let's go take a look first," Himeko helped March 7th sit down on the sofa, then brought up the train's external viewscreen.

The other two immediately gathered around, and even March 7th craned her neck, trying to see.

Meanwhile, Pom-Pom at their feet:

... Don't be height-ist, Pom!

"Look, you guys, does it seem like there's someone inside this ice?" March 7th could barely make out the scene in the image. A large chunk of white ice seemed to contain something pink, but the ice was too thick for her to be sure.

"There's something here... Pom-Pom, can we retrieve the ice block first?" Himeko's expression turned serious as she addressed Pom-Pom.

"Of course! Helping others is a fine tradition of the Express, Pom!" Pom-Pom replied resolutely, then turned and headed towards the carriage door.

"Dan Heng, let's go."

"Mn."

.......

I dreamed of an ice field... not an endless expanse of white, but red, stained with countless patches of blood.

I dreamed of a landship. I was collapsed in a pool of blood, still holding a girl in my arms.

I dreamed of a battlefield, where storms swept across the land. Horned people were slaughtering each other, strange lights constantly erupting amidst the crowds.

I dreamed.....

This isn't your dream. You should wake up.

—

"Um... should we do artificial respiration?" March 7th scratched her head, looking at the person whose eyes were tightly shut before them.

They had extracted this body from the ice. Judging by the ice shards scattered everywhere, the operation hadn't been easy. The girl now lying on the sofa, also with pink hair, gave them all a strange sense of familiarity, making them subconsciously want to get closer.

"A life is at stake. Allow me."

Himeko smoothed her skirt, then leaned down, preparing to begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

But just as her lips were about to make contact, a pair of pink eyes were already staring back at her.

"Miss Himeko, she's awake!" March 7th cheered. She quickly pushed Dan Heng aside and leaned closer, asking, "Hello, hello! How are you feeling? Is anything uncomfortable?"

The girl just stared blankly, seemingly oblivious to March 7th's calls, lying quietly on the sofa.

"Oh no... Don't tell me she's been frozen stupid!" March 7th worried.

"March... do you think everyone is like you..."

"Waaah, Dan Heng, what's that supposed to mean? Are you calling me stupid!?"

"It seems you're not entirely stupid then," Dan Heng shook his head.

"..."

The girl before them... no, it should be Tian An now. All she remembered was seeing two bright headlights flash before losing consciousness. When she awoke again, she was here.

But that wasn't even the most important thing.

The most crucial part was, if her memory served correctly, weren't the two people bickering in front of her Dan Heng and March 7th!?

......

Suddenly, thump, Tian An controlled her body to sit bolt upright on the sofa. The abrupt movement caught the Express crew completely off guard, causing them all to jump back.

Plop...

The girl collapsed again...

Fin. (Just kidding)

The crew members looked at each other, then at the girl whose eyelids had slid shut once more, lost in thought.

"What... What are you all standing around愣愣 for, Pom!? Save her already!" Pom-Pom was hopping beside them, nearly frantic enough to fly, finally snapping them out of it.

"Er... Oh!"