Chronicles of the Astral Express: First Steps

A/N: Hello! I'm here again for another Chapter and Rewrite Version for chapter 22!

Hope you check it out!

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Evening settled over Yuragi Inn with a warm, lazy hush, each resident relaxing in their own way. In the common area, Hajime sat by the open window, methodically polishing a freshly calibrated weapon, the metal sparkled as it reflects light. On a nearby cushion, Alice sat in seiza style, her focus split between jotting notes into her notebook and occasionally stealing glances toward the others. Across from them, Anisphia sprawled over the low table, casually munching on rice crackers while playing with a magic circuit board. Images play as it lights up while turning.

"Anis, if you keep eating those, you'll spoil your appetite for dinner," Alice said without looking up.

"It's fine," Anisphia replied breezily, crunching another bite. "I have a separate stomach for snacks."

Hajime gave a short laugh. "Yeah, that's what you always say... right before you check your weig—gah?!"

A cushion hit him squarely in the face.

"Never bring up a girl's weight, idiot!" Anisphia huffed, glaring at him as her hand went for another cushion just in case.

Rubbing his forehead, Hajime gave her an unamused look. "You're the one with a built-in snack stomach."

Alice chuckled softly and shook her head. "And here I thought this evening might be peaceful."

Then the shoji door slid open with a soft click.

Sagiri stepped inside and blinked, her eyes darted back and forth between the three as if she'd walked into a storm just after it passed.

"...Did I interrupt something?" she asked cautiously.

Alice offered a serene smile, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Nothing serious. Just the usual verbal sparring. You look a bit tense though. What's wrong?"

Sagiri let out a slow breath. "We received an official and urgent message from Kyoto. Lady Yasaka of the Youkai faction is requesting a formal meeting on behalf of Lady Amaterasu... and she specifically wants to meet with you, Nagumo Hajime."

Hajime's hand froze mid-polish, tilting his head. He exchanged a glance with the girls. "Yasaka, who?"

Sagiri smiled wryly "Lady Yasaka, leader of the Youkai faction of Japan. She is based in Kyoto. She's both their political head and guardian. A nine-tailed fox of immense power and influence. She's kept balance between the supernatural and human worlds for centuries. And more importantly she is Amaterasu-sama's voice and ear in the mortal world."

Anisphia raised her eyebrows. "So not just important. Basically a semi divine class VIP."

"Exactly." Sagiri's voice grew more solemn.

Alice straightened with a thoughtful look. "So the gods are finally making their move."

Sagiri offered a small, wryly smile. "Well, you did stumble into a quite mess."

Hajime leaned back, exhaling with a mix of weariness and dry humor. "Handling the aftermath is always the worst part."

Noah made this look easy somehow... he thought.

Sagiri clasped her hands in front of her. "My clan and the Chuuma has longstanding ties with Japan's mundane and mystical side. So I've been assigned as the official liaison for this meeting."

"Understood," Hajime nodded. "When are we expected?"

"As soon as you're ready. They want to meet before any other factions can move in," Sagiri replied firmly.

Hajime turned toward Alice and Anisphia, silently inviting their thoughts with a glance.

"Hmm, I think it's best if we meet Lady Amaterasu as soon as possible," Alice suggested, closing her notebook. "It'll send a clear message that we're here with sincere intentions, peaceful, respectful, and open to dialogue."

Alice Louise, as the crew's designated diplomatic specialist, had always excelled at navigating political landscapes. Her calm reasoning and smile could disarm even the most rigid of officials. Even Noah, who leave things to fate when it making decisions, always came to her when it came to deals, disputes, or anything requiring careful negotiation. More than once, her expertise had pulled them out of messy or unfair deals.

It became an unspoken rule among the crew: if diplomacy was needed, send in Alice Louise. Victory was practically guaranteed with elegance and grin.

Anisphia leaned forward, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, it's not just about diplomacy then. By making the first move, we can reinforce our peaceful intentions and ease concerns other pantheons might have over Hajime's appearance. Plus, aligning ourselves with the Shinto Pantheon could win us a powerful ally."

Anisphia analyze Alice's move with a rare serious expression, missing Hajime, Sagiri and Alice's stunned expressions. 

"No, it would not only the Shinto but also the Youkai faction of Japan, since this Yasaka follows the Amaterasu's decree. Hehehe and maybe we can also get a backdoor connection on Japan's magical side with the connection of Sagiri on Chuuman Ninjas." Anisphia's eyes twinkle in realization. "Ahaha! As expected with you Alice! Using this one meeting to solve most the troublesome issues we will face from the present and in the future!"

When she look at the Alice she only saw the girl in wide eyes looking at her in disbelief along with Hajime and Sagiri.

"Whats wrong with you three? why are looking at me as if you saw a ghost?"Anisphia tilt her head in confusion.

"Who are you and what did you did to my adorable silly Anis?!" Hajime said.

"Demon begone!" Sagiri took out talismans and throw it to Anisphia.

"Anis! stay still I will heal you and purify you from any possession!" Alice used Hajime's blessing and tap on his Authority Blessing of Terra to Anisphia.

Anisphia's eye twitched, her sweet smile turned into something more strained.

"Okay, Sagiri I get... but you two? Hajime! Alice! You both know I'm still a princess, right?! I learn about politics too!" She pointed at them, clearly exasperated.

"Ahh... right. That's true," Hajime and Alice murmured at the same time, suddenly remembering her royal status.

"You two!!" Anisphia groaned, slumping onto the table.

"Wait, wait… Anisphia's actually a real princess??" Sagiri blinked like she just found out her favorite snack had a second flavor. "That doesn't match her image at all."

Anisphia slowly tilted her head up, face half-buried in her arms. "Is it really that unbelievable…?"

Sagiri scratched the back of her head awkwardly and glanced over at Hajime and Alice, who both avoided eye contact.

"Ahem…" Hajime cleared his throat, deciding mercy was better than truth. "I'll talk to Sona-kaichou and ask for a temporary leave."

Anisphia let out a long sigh into the table. "Unbelievable…"

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The morning sun peeked through the windows of Yuragi Inn, life in the inn move with their usual routine. In their respective rooms, Hajime, Alice, Anisphia, and Sagiri prepared for another day at Kuoh Academy.

Hajime slung his bag over his shoulder and was about to zip it closed when he paused, sensing a strangely familiar presence nearby. He raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Something wrong?" Alice asked, adjusting her uniform collar.

"Someone's here...," Hajime muttered, stepping out of the room.

Anisphia and Alice exchanged glances, wordlessly falling in behind him as he moved down the hallway.

When they reached the common area, Hajime came to a halt and his jaw nearly dropped.

Seated at the low table like a regular---no, like he owned the place was none other than Azazel, Governor General of the Grigori. He was nursing a sake cup with the relaxed poise of a man who had absolutely no business being this casual. To his left, Nonko Arahabaki, the inn's resident drunkard, giggled as she poured another cup for him. On his right, Chitose Nakai wore a look that danced between amusement and fatigue, clearly having been stuck managing their guest's antics. And floating just off to the side was poor Yuuna, desperately trying to dodge Azazel's persistent flirtations.

"Come now, little miss ghost," Azazel crooned with a teasing grin, lifting his cup toward Yuuna. "Surely even ghost crave companionship now and then?"

Yuuna's face turned a shade of crimson as she spotted Hajime across the room. With a startled yelp, she darted over and practically glued herself to his back like a frightened kitten.

"H-Hajime-san!" she squeaked.

Hajime blinked at the sudden impact, letting out a long sigh as his hand ran down his face. "...Why am I not surprised."

Alice and Anisphia appeared beside him just as Sagiri arrived from the hallway, drawn by the noise. Alice blinked in surprise, while Anisphia stifled a giggle behind her hand, while Sagiri gave Azazel a sharp, unamused glare.

"Of all the people who could show up," Hajime muttered, eyeing Azazel with a tired expression.

"Yo, Nagumo Hajime," Azazel greeted casually, lifting his sake bottle in a lazy toast. "Thought I'd drop by and say hi before you go and accidentally level Kyoto."

Hajime stared at him, deadpan. "You're not helping your case."

Azazel chuckled and tilted the bottle toward him. "Want a drink?"

Yuuna clung tighter to Hajime's arm like her safety depended on it, peeking at Azazel with clear distress.

"No thanks," Hajime said, tone flat. "And keep your flirting to the consenting adults."

Nonko let out a loud laugh, raising her own cup. "Aw, lighten up! It's just a bit of harmless teasing."

"It's barely breakfast and you're already hosting a sake party," Hajime muttered. "Do you even know what time it is?"

Azazel replied with a wink, taking another sip. "It is neither too early nor too late to drink, kiddo~"

He set his cup down with a soft clink, then leaned back. "As much as I'd love this to be a normal visit, I'm here to ask a favor. Well... more accurately, it's a joint request from the Three Factions."

Hajime raised an eyebrow. "Three Factions?"

"Yeah. Heaven, the Fallen, and the Devils," Azazel replied casually, though the edge in his eyes said otherwise. "They want you to look into something. A small investigation after your Kyoto meeting, of course."

Alice gave him a wary glance. "Define 'small'."

Azazel gave a short laugh. "That will depend on how much you think. But let's just say it's... delicate."

Anisphia tilted her head. "How delicate are we talking? Diplomatic incident or world-ending threat?"

"Somewhere in between," he replied dryly. "There's been strange activity in a seaside town near the Mediterranean. Unusual energy readings, and worse readings that match the 'Stellaron' you 'spaghettify' along with Kokabiel."

Hajime let out a slow breath as he exchanged a look with Alice and Anisphia before turning back to Azazel.

"So why us?"

Azazel set his cup down, smirking with a trace of exasperation. "Because you three are the only ones crazy and capable enough to do it without starting a war. Anyone else would either mess it up or get tied in red tape."

Hajime sighed again, this time deeper. "…Of course we are."

"Don't worry," Azazel added with a lazy wave of his hand. "You won't be flying solo. We're assigning you a team for the Mediterranean case. Some handpicked agents from our side."

Hajime turned toward the window, watching the golden morning spill through. Despite the growing list of problems on their plate, the sun still shone like it always did.

Alice stepped beside Hajime, brushing her shoulder against his. "Explore, understand, establish and connect… Such fate of each Trailblazer."

Anisphia ave a quick stretch, grinning then winked with spark in her eye. "Besides, what's the point of being legends if we don't keep living up to it?"

Hajime looked at them both, before smiling at his precious companions. "Then let's get ready not just for Kyoto... but to whatever insanity comes after."