Chapter 128: Sharing a Room with Himeko
Himeko and Welt had already departed, heading out first to handle the tedious check-in registration for the Express crew.
Daziel, March 7th, and Sparkle followed a little later, making their way towards The Reverie Hotel's reception area to meet them.
March 7th let out a long sigh, her rosy cheeks puffing out slightly, her tone tinged with a hint of complaint.
"Ugh... we finally made it! The Penacony Family's entry procedures are way too torturous, aren't they?
We went through more than a dozen checkpoints, big and small, and my suitcase was turned inside out and inspected four or five times..."
Her voice dropped, laced with a touch of mortification.
"They even found the little toys I secretly packed. Seriously, it was so embarrassing!"
A vein throbbed at Daziel's temple, and his lips twitched unnaturally.
"What did you bring those things for?"
March 7th hmphed, full of self-assurance, her eyes glancing towards Daziel.
"Well, what can I do? When Daziel isn't around to keep me company, the nights are long, and I need something to pass the time, you know."
Sparkle's heterochromatic eyes sparkled with mischievous amusement, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama. She leaned in with a light laugh.
"Oh my, March 7th, your needs are quite… vigorous, aren't they? Unlike me, I have no interest in such little trinkets..."
March 7th's cheeks flushed red, and she reached out in a fit of pique, giving Sparkle a light pinch on her waist.
"Stop with your snide remarks!"
Sparkle yelped in mock pain but laughed even more gleefully.
Daziel rubbed his temples, which were starting to throb, trying to cut short their pointless bickering.
"Alright, alright, stop fooling around. Let's get to the front desk. Himeko... Himeko and Uncle Welt must be getting impatient."
...
Stepping into the lobby of The Reverie Hotel, an almost surreal, suffocating sense of luxury washed over them.
Above, a colossal crystal chandelier hung like a frozen waterfall, cascading down a dazzling brilliance.
The light, refracted through countless facets, was almost too bright to look at.
Underfoot, the marble floor, polished to a mirror shine, was cold and hard, clearly reflecting Daziel's slightly uneasy figure and the lingering embarrassment on his face.
"My sincerest apologies, sir."
The receptionist's voice was sweet and standard, her face adorned with a well-trained, impeccable professional smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, betraying a formulaic detachment.
"Our system database shows no reservation information under your name."
Her gaze swept across the terminal screen, her speech smooth and even.
"The Astral Express has booked a total of four platinum guest rooms... The registered VIPs are Mr. Welt Yang, Ms. Himeko, Ms. March 7th, and… Mr. Dan Heng."
The receptionist looked up, confirming once more.
"Indeed, these are the only four reservation records. Additionally, Ms. Sparkle's room information seems to be linked elsewhere..."
Welt pushed up his glasses, a hint of understanding flickering behind them.
"I see, that explains it. When we confirmed the list with the Family, Daziel hadn't officially joined our journey yet."
Himeko stepped forward, explaining in a gentle yet firm tone.
"This young man is a new member of our Astral Express. We can vouch for his identity completely."
The smile on the receptionist's face stiffened almost imperceptibly, her tone laced with difficulty.
"This… If you suddenly make such a request, I'm afraid it doesn't comply with the hotel's regulations..."
The soothing, ethereal background music flowed through the lobby, yet it did nothing to alleviate the increasingly stiff atmosphere gathering around the counter.
"Tsk, this is making me impatient."
A voice, tinged with frivolity yet heavy with ill-concealed arrogance, drawled lazily from nearby, breaking the brief impasse.
Everyone simultaneously turned towards the sound.
A impeccably dressed, aristocratic-looking blond youth was casually leaned against one of the massive lobby pillars.
His distinctive iris-hued eyes, filled with a playful impatience, scanned the situation.
Daziel recognized the man before him and instantly understood which part of the story they were in.
Welt remained composed, inquiring politely.
"We're dealing with a small hiccup during check-in. We apologize for taking up your time. May I ask who this gentleman is?"
A half-smile played on the blond youth's lips, his tone languid.
"The name's Aventurine, of the Interastral Peace Corporation's Strategic Investment Department, serving as a humble non-performing asset liquidation specialist under the esteemed 'Diamond'."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Express crew members, then added, "And also, just an ordinary tourist who has been waiting behind you for quite some time."
Himeko gracefully stepped forward, taking the lead in the conversation. Her voice remained soft, yet it carried an undeniable presence.
"So, you're the representative from the Interastral Peace Corporation. I've heard much about you.
We heard your esteemed company also received an invitation to Penacony's grand event. You must be their delegate.
The IPC's elites truly have an extraordinary air about them."
Her tone shifted, carrying a perfectly measured hint of a request, "For a distinguished figure such as yourself, I wonder if you might do us a small favor and be a little accommodating?"
Aventurine raised an eyebrow slightly as if he'd heard something amusing, and chuckled.
"Did I hear you correctly, Miss Navigator? A favor? Shouldn't I be the one saying that to all of you?"
His gaze fell upon the expensive watch on his wrist, his tone exaggerated.
"I've been standing here for over ten minutes. Do you know, for someone like me, how many credits flow by in ten minutes?"
Himeko's smile remained unchanged as she responded with composure.
"The Interastral Peace Corporation's influence spans the entire universe; your words naturally carry great weight.
We were hoping to leverage your esteemed status to provide a small guarantee for our new companion."
She continued, her tone sincere, "This way, not only would you save your precious waiting time, but you'd also make new friends with us from the Astral Express. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"
Aventurine stroked his chin, a shrewd glint in his iris-colored eyes. He seemed to be weighing the pros and cons.
After a moment, he spread his hands, a somewhat flamboyant smile on his face.
"Alright, of course. However, beautiful Miss Navigator, I must point out one thing—"
His gaze sharpened, carrying the precision of a seasoned businessman.
"If I were to lend a hand, then the time saved should be considered a benefit I've secured for myself—not something generously bestowed upon me by all of you."
Himeko's smile faltered for a microsecond but quickly returned to normal.
Aventurine, as if he hadn't seen that momentary change, became effusive again.
"But! The latter part of what you said, I couldn't agree more! Friends, yes, what in this world is more precious than friends? Especially renowned Trailblazers like yourselves, the Nameless."
He took a few steps forward, his posture appearing much more amiable.
"Then, for the remainder of my journey in Penacony, I'm afraid I'll have to rely heavily on the care of my new 'Trailblazer' friends. I sincerely hope we—get along splendidly."
Himeko smoothly picked up the thread, "We're very pleased you think so, Mr. Aventurine. Then, about the matter of the guarantee..."
Aventurine turned to the still-hesitant receptionist, his tone carrying an unshakeable air of command.
"Miss, you heard everything. For my sake, let this gentleman check in."
He added, as if to reassure or perhaps to pressure, "I have a separate appointment with Mr. Sunday of the Family. I'll personally ask him to handle the follow-up procedures later. Rest assured, it will cause you no trouble at all."
Beads of sweat formed on the receptionist's brow. She was about to speak, "But, the rules..."
Just then, a gentle and steady male voice, imbued with a certain soothing power, rang out.
"Everyone, please calm yourselves."
Immediately after, another pleasant female voice chimed in.
"The Family's hospitality dictates that we absolutely cannot allow our distinguished guests from afar to enter sweet dreams with any burdens."
Aventurine's smile widened. He turned towards the source of the voices, his tone carrying a perfectly timed note of surprise.
"Oh my, speak of the devil. Look who's here—Mr. Sunday, and his superstar sister, Robin."
Everyone followed his gaze. At the end of their line of sight, a young man in a pristine white formal suit was strolling over.
His silver hair was impeccably styled, his handsome face gentle and warm, a perfect smile gracing his lips.
His pace was unhurried, and he exuded a peculiar aura of affability, as if he could instantly pacify all surrounding turmoil.
The woman following closely behind him was even more dazzling, almost too radiant to look at directly.
A cascade of silver hair flowed down to her waist, her features as exquisite as a deity's most perfect sculpture.
Yet, deep within her beautiful eyes, there seemed to be a barely perceptible emptiness.
The man's appearance was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, instantly drawing all attention.
The subtle tension in the lobby also seemed to quietly dissipate with his arrival.
"Mr. Sunday."
Aventurine gave a slight bow, his posture still retaining a merchant's slickness, yet with an added touch of solemnity.
Sunday nodded gently in response.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting, Mr. Aventurine. Might I have a word? There are some details to confirm."
Aventurine readily agreed, and the two walked off to a quiet corner to converse in low tones, leaving the striking silver-haired woman behind.
March 7th's eyes lit up instantly, and with irrepressible excitement, she carefully edged a few steps closer, her voice trembling slightly. "Um… excuse me, are you… are you by any chance…"
She took a deep breath, her tone filled with the fervor of a fan meeting their idol.
"The universally renowned songstress, Epsilon's megastar… 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking' is your celestial masterpiece, isn't it?"
The silver-haired woman—Robin—nodded lightly, a faint smile blooming on her face.
"I didn't expect such a lively and adorable young lady to be one of my listeners."
"Ah! It really is Miss Robin!"
March 7th nearly jumped, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Oh heavens, I can't believe I'm seeing you in person in Penacony..."
Robin's gaze swept over the group, her voice soft.
"It is also my honor to meet all of you Trailblazers here."
Her smile was gentle and appropriate, but Daziel keenly sensed that it didn't truly reach her eyes.
Those beautiful orbs seemed veiled by a thin layer of mist, exuding an indescribable sense of detachment.
Himeko noticed this as well. Her gaze towards Robin held a hint more inquiry, as if she were assessing something.
The voice of this universe-renowned singer, at this moment, also seemed to lack some of the ethereal vibrancy heard in her albums, replaced by an almost imperceptible, mechanical-like stiffness.
Just then, Sunday concluded his conversation with Aventurine and walked back, a smile on his face.
He announced to everyone in a warm voice.
"Please rest assured, I have already instructed the front desk to handle this matter appropriately."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over them, a hint of apology in his eyes.
"Although, according to regulations, we cannot immediately add an extra guest room for you.
However, we can upgrade one of the standard rooms to a deluxe double room free of charge. Perhaps this might alleviate your troubles somewhat. What do you think?"
Sunday's voice remained gentle and magnetic, as if every syllable had been meticulously crafted, carrying a soothing power.
He turned to Daziel, his apology deepening.
"Mr. Aventurine has another important meeting with the Oak Family and has already checked in.
He specifically asked me to convey his apologies to everyone from the Astral Express and looks forward to opportunities for collaboration in the future to achieve great things together."
Welt pushed the glasses on his nose, his gaze profound behind the lenses. He pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"For Mr. Sunday to be so considerate and willing to mediate to resolve the current predicament in this manner is already a great fortune. We are immensely grateful."
Sunday smiled faintly, like a spring breeze.
"You're too kind. All of you have traveled far and are distinguished guests.
Ensuring you have a pleasant experience in Penacony is the Family's undeniable responsibility. May you all spend a wonderful time in sweet dreams."
Sunday's flawless words and impeccable demeanor effectively eased the immediate predicament.
This seemingly perfect solution, however, left a lingering doubt in Daziel's mind.
Just like in the original plot, what's so inconvenient about getting another room?
Besides, entry into Penacony is through the Dream Pool, so what difference does it make if it's a double room or not?
From the initial difficulty by the receptionist to Sunday's perfectly timed appearance and mediation, everything felt excessively… faithful to the original plot, making Daziel feel a sense of unease.
The earlier obstruction felt more like a quiet probing, while the current arrangement of a double room seemed like an absorption after confirming value.
This sensation of being secretly scrutinized and evaluated made Daziel vaguely uncomfortable.
Is the one watching me the culprit behind this inner world meme?
Sunday personally led the way, guiding the Express crew towards the exclusive VIP reception area.
The check-in process was exceptionally swift, impressively efficient.
A waiter respectfully handed over several exquisitely crafted room cards, their surfaces inlaid with fine stardust that shimmered with a dreamlike luster under the lights.
Just as everyone thought everything was settled and was preparing to return to their rooms for a short rest, Himeko, who had been silent all along, suddenly broke the superficial calm.
Her voice was still soft, yet it carried an unshakeable firmness, like an undercurrent surging beneath a calm sea, instantly causing the air to freeze.
"Daziel, why don't you stay with me in that double room?"
The sentence struck like a bolt from the blue, exploding in everyone's ears.
Welt's gaze behind his lenses sharpened abruptly, a clear flash of surprise. Even he, always composed, was somewhat taken aback by Himeko's sudden proposal.
Daziel's mind went blank with a buzz, as if a massive boulder had struck him, instantly falling into a void.
He stared blankly at Himeko, doubting if he was hearing things.
"No way!"
A crisp, clearly annoyed voice burst out before anyone else could react.
March 7th, who had quietly sidled over at some point, now stood with her hands on her hips, her rosy cheeks puffed out like a startled little hamster.
"Why should he! Himeko, how could you! If anyone's going to share a room, it should be…"
Before she could finish, another voice, laced with playful mischief, chimed in like a cunning little sprite.
"Oh my, Himeko, you're so thoughtful. But you know, I'm familiar with every nook and cranny of Penacony. How about Daziel stays with me instead? I can guarantee him the best experience, you know?"
In a way, that wasn't wrong. Even in the original storyline, Sparkle seemed to know everything, likely because the Stellaron Hunters had shown her Elio's script when they sought her cooperation.
She giggled and squeezed in next to Daziel, her heterochromatic eyes twinkling with cunning, as if anticipating a good show.
"How about this? I'll give you my single room card, and Daziel can just come stay in my double room. Wouldn't that be more convenient?"
Seeing this, March 7th became even more agitated. She stomped her foot and whined,
"Sparkle, you little troublemaker, stop stirring things up! This is none of your business… This is an internal matter for our Express crew! You're just temporarily staying on the Express."
"What's wrong, March 7th?"
Sparkle tilted her head innocently, her tone carrying a hint of provocation.
"Don't I even have the right to try and room with Daziel?"
Daziel instantly felt like he was at the center of a storm, firmly locked by the intersecting gazes of Himeko, March 7th, and Sparkle.
He felt as if he were under a scorching spotlight, with nowhere to hide.
On one side was Himeko's gentle yet unshakeable gaze, as if she were calmly stating an established fact, brook no argument.
On the other were March 7th and Sparkle, one fuming with dissatisfaction, the other gleefully fanning the flames, neither willing to back down an inch.
Himeko… why would she suddenly make such an almost intimate request?
What deeper meaning was hidden behind it?
He instinctively looked at Himeko, trying to catch a clue from her eyes, to find an answer to his confusion.
Himeko returned a reassuring smile, her eyes still deep and calm, making it impossible to fathom her true thoughts.
Welt cleared his throat lightly, attempting to break the suffocatingly awkward situation, and began in a slightly tentative tone, "Himeko, this arrangement… isn't it a bit inappropriate? Perhaps…"
Himeko looked at Welt, her tone still calm and unwavering, yet carrying an air that permitted no discussion.
"I have some matters I need to discuss privately with Daziel. Talking in the room will be more convenient."
Discuss?
What was there that Himeko needed to discuss with him, away from the other members of the Express?
Daziel was somewhat baffled.
Ultimately, with an unshakeable demeanor, Himeko overruled all objections, finalizing the arrangement for her and Daziel to share a double room.
Holding their room cards, everyone headed towards the elevators, each with their own thoughts.
The hotel corridor was carpeted with thick velvet, muffling their footsteps, as if even sound itself was completely absorbed, leaving only a heavy silence to spread unspoken.
Daziel followed behind Himeko, feeling as though his steps were somewhat unsteady.
He couldn't comprehend Himeko's sudden action at all, nor did he know what would happen next.
The room door opened, revealing a spacious and bright area, elegantly and exquisitely decorated, every detail exuding understated luxury.
Beyond the massive floor-to-ceiling windows lay a mesmerizing, dreamlike nightscape, like a giant kaleidoscope, dazzling the eye.
In the middle was a pool filled with transparent liquid—the Dream Pool.
Daziel stood at the room's entrance, hesitating for a moment, unsure where to put his hands and feet, feeling thoroughly ill at ease.
Himeko turned sideways, gesturing for him to enter. She casually removed her black overcoat and hung it on the coat rack, her movements elegant and nonchalant.
"No need to be so formal. Come in first."
Her voice carried a barely perceptible hint of amusement, seemingly to soothe Daziel's awkwardness.
Daziel took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm the turmoil within, and stepped into the room where he was to spend the Penacony night with Himeko.
Himeko walked to the sofa in the center of the room and sat down gracefully.
The soft sofa dipped slightly, supporting her graceful figure.
She gently patted the empty space beside her, gesturing for Daziel to come over.
"Why are you standing? Sit."
Daziel's Adam's apple bobbed. He sat down beside her as instructed. The sofa dipped again.
The distance between them instantly shortened, and the air seemed to thicken.
Now, she wore only a simple white dress.
Its clean lines accentuated the alluring curves of a mature woman.
The light fell gently upon her, as if draping her in a hazy halo.
Beneath the hem of her dress, her long, well-proportioned calves were crossed, her skin fair and smooth.
A subtle aroma of coffee mingled with her unique personal scent.
This fragrance wafted into Daziel's nostrils, causing his heart to beat involuntarily faster.
He could even feel Himeko's body heat radiating from her side.
It was a warm and reassuring touch, yet it also carried a hint of allure.
Daziel didn't quite dare to look directly at her, his gaze falling on the intricate pattern of the carpet.
The velvet carpet absorbed every sound, making the room unnervingly quiet.
Only the iridescent lights of The Reverie Hotel outside flickered silently.
The water in the massive Dream Pool was still, reflecting the scene within the room.
Everything felt so unreal, as if on the verge of a dream.
Himeko didn't speak immediately. She picked up the coffee cup from the table – specially prepared by the hotel staff, likely much better than Himeko's own brew.
She took a gentle sip, her movements unhurried, but her eyes remained fixed on Daziel.
Her gaze was calm, yet it seemed capable of piercing through one's heart, seeing through all pretenses.
Daziel felt as if his thoughts were laid bare before her.
He forced himself to remain composed and met Himeko's gaze.
"Himeko… you asked me to share a room with you alone, is it because…"
Himeko put down her coffee cup, the bottom making a crisp, soft sound against the tabletop.
She leaned her body slightly forward, a little closer to Daziel.
Her warm breath almost brushed against Daziel's ear.
"Daziel, don't you think…"
Her voice was very low, carrying a peculiar magnetism.
"It's about time you added me to your little harem?"
"All that commotion you make in your room every day, do you think the rest of us on the Express can't hear it?
Even though you gave us a heads-up beforehand, it's still a bit much, don't you think?
Do you have any idea what that kind of nightly ruckus does to a woman who's been… celibate for years?"
It felt as if all the blood in Daziel's body rushed to his head, only to freeze solid the next second.
His heart lurched violently, almost leaping out of his throat.
He jerked his head up, his eyes wide with disbelief, his voice cracking.
"Hi-Himeko?! What… what nonsense are you talking about! You called me here to share a room with you just for this?"
___
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