(T/N: Here are your 5 bonus chapters.)
March 7th, who had been laughing and chatting with Stelle, suddenly felt a chill and instinctively looked toward Firefly.
"Miss Firefly... you... what are you doing here?"
Firefly's gaze was intense as she glared at March 7th. This one is holding Stelle's hand. Absolutely unforgivable!
Even as oblivious as March 7th was, she could sense Firefly's hostility.
It was different from the usual monsters—far more frightening and unsettling.
"Well... Miss Firefly seems to have some opinions about me. Hey, don't just stand there! Say something for me!"
Stelle's expression remained unchanged. She said flatly,
"Something."
March 7th blinked, then stomped her foot in frustration.
"After I gave you six hundred Stellar Jades to collect today!"
Himeko stepped forward and pulled March 7th away.
"Ah?! Himeko, what are you doing?!"
"Little March. Go back to your room for now. Silver Wolf? What about you?"
Silver Wolf nodded and left as well, leaving only the reunited Firefly and Stelle.
Once March 7th and the others were gone, Firefly returned to her usual gentle demeanor.
"Stelle, long time no see."
Stelle scratched her head and asked,
"Didn't you say that in reality, you could only stay in SAM's medical cabin?"
"Well... Madam Ruan Mei helped me. Oh, look at these!"
Firefly handed Stelle all the Xianzhou snacks she had just bought.
Stelle took a bite of a mille-feuille roll. Firefly handed her an Immortal's Delight.
"How is it, Stelle?"
"Not bad. Same snack shop I went to with March 7th last time."
Firefly froze. Stelle and March 7th had already been there together.
The pang of helplessness was overwhelming.
Of course. March 7th can be with her now. Most of the time, I'm far away from Stelle.
No. I can't think like this. I can't give up so easily.
Snapping back, Firefly pulled out another gift.
"Oh. Then... what about this, Stelle? I bought these Luminary Wardance souvenirs just now."
"Those? I have some too. Lots, actually. Look."
With a casual gesture, Stelle produced dozens of Luminary Wardance souvenirs and began introducing them one by one.
"March 7th gave me this one. Yukong gave me this one. Fu Xuan gave me this one..."
Firefly's face fell, but she forced a smile and nodded. Sigh. I should just go back. Stelle has plenty of people who care about her.
"Stelle... is there anything you want? I'll bring it next time."
Stelle wrapped an arm around Firefly. Firefly's eyes went wide in disbelief.
"Stelle?!"
"The only thing I'm missing is you."
Stelle even handed her hat to Firefly. Firefly stammered,
"Ah?! But... but there's March 7th..."
"I never make choices. They're all my win—"
Bam.
Himeko knocked Stelle unconscious and looked at Firefly apologetically.
"Sorry about that. Stelle must have eaten some of the chocolate Welt brought. She has no tolerance for alcohol."
Himeko glanced at Welt. He nodded.
"Just as Himeko said. Stelle can't hold her liquor."
"Oh... alright."
Just as Firefly turned to leave, Silver Wolf said casually,
"Firefly. Wait a little longer. See what happens when Stelle wakes up. Who knows when you'll meet again?"
Firefly didn't turn around. She just clutched her sleeve tightly.
"Stelle has March 7th. She has the Express crew. Let's just go."
Seeing Firefly's low spirits, Silver Wolf pressed,
"What did Stelle just say to you?"
Firefly recalled Stelle's words: "I never make choices. They're all my win—" A helpless smile crossed her lips.
"Sigh. She really is something. Has someone in her bowl, wants someone in the pot, and eyes on the whole table."
Silver Wolf blinked. Damn. That's bold. Isn't she afraid Firefly will torch the whole Express?
"And you're just going back? We've got three weeks until the next mission. That's a long time to be bored."
Firefly shook her head.
"I want to go back to Penacony. Visit the streets where I first met Stelle. The shops. The Dream's Edge."
Silver Wolf gave a sly smile.
"If you ask me, just stay on the Express for three weeks. Only SAM knows you're a Stellaron Hunter. Most visitors won't recognize you as Firefly."
Firefly blinked. Before she could refuse, Silver Wolf turned to Himeko.
"Teacher Himeko. What if Firefly stays here for three weeks as a guest? The Stellaron Hunters owe you one. Deal?"
Himeko turned, staring at Silver Wolf in disbelief.
"What did you just call me?"
"Let Firefly stay here. Don't worry, she's good at chores. And she's very considerate."
Himeko shook her head.
"A favor from the Stellaron Hunters?"
Himeko shook her head again, then pressed,
"Your... your title for me?!"
Silver Wolf scratched her head.
"Sorry. It just slipped out. Won't happen again."
Himeko sighed softly.
"Actually, I do have a dream. You're one of my students. Though it's very blurred."
"Anyway, it's just a title. Call me whatever you like."
Silver Wolf blew a bubble with her gum.
"Sure thing, Auntie Himeko."
Himeko's brow furrowed. She crossed her arms, visibly annoyed.
"Firefly can stay. But you? That's another matter."
Silver Wolf smiled calmly. Just like Kafka—caring how people address her, especially her age.
"No problem. I don't specially like staying on the train anyway."
Silver Wolf nodded at Firefly, signaling that everything was settled. Then she used her etheric power to teleport off the train.
After all, her real target on the Xianzhou wasn't the Express—it was Genius Society member #83. Herta.
An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. That's Silver Wolf's rule—for gaming, and for life.
In her eyes, life was just another game.
Winning or losing wasn't the scary part. Losing the resolve to play was.
Himeko turned to Firefly.
"Come with me. I'll help you choose a room."
Firefly lowered her head, stammering.
"O-okay. Thank you, Sister Himeko."
Himeko smiled warmly.
"Firefly. No need to be so formal. Think of the Express as your home."
"Home?"
"Yes."
Firefly looked up, confused.
"But I've never had a home."
"Firefly... you have no family?"
Firefly shook her head.
Himeko paused. A look of pity and sympathy crossed her face. [The same expression March 7th had when she asked Bailu about her parents in Changle.]
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I'm used to it."
"Firefly. For now, please think of the Express as your home."