Later
Cafeteria
"So...you guys are Nameless, right?" Stelle asks as March, Dan Heng, and Zhi Jiang nod in unison. "...I never got to ask, but what does Nameless do?"
"The simple answer, travelling to other planets and making friends!" March exclaims as Dan Heng sighs.
"That's an oversimplification. As Nameless, we travel around the galaxy from one planet to another using the Astral Express. As we travel, we create a path called Star Rail, which could connect one planet to another, allowing them to use that path to travel around safely and even trade resources. We also help the planet's residents in any way we can, even if sometimes we have to get involved through their politics." Dan Heng explains as Stelle hums while eating her food.
"...yeah, I prefer March's explanation," Stelle says as March giggles while Dan Heng snorts before Stelle glances at Zhi Jiang. "Also...is there a reason why you wore pajamas when we first met?"
"I was supposed to be resting in the Astral Express, but after seeing how chaotic the Space Station was, I decided to lend a hand." Zhi Jiang says while rubbing the back of his head. "I ended up getting an earful from everyone."
"Did you get injured?" Stelle can't help but ask in concern, causing Zhi Jiang to blink. He and Stelle had just met, so it was surprising that she was concerned about him.
"...I was malnourished, and the Nameless of Astral Express had helped me recover before we arrived at this space station," Zhi Jiang explains as Stelle frowns before taking another bite.
"Why are you malnourished in the first place?" Stelle asks as she glances at March and Dan Heng.
"I was supposed to be stuck on a deserted island with no one rescuing me. I was taking my last breath before, suddenly, I was awake inside a train that was moving in space." Zhi Jiang says as Stelle blinks.
"...how did you awake in a train when you're supposed to be stuck on a deserted island? I mean, no offense," Stelle says while taking another bite.
'Why is she acting like a curious child? Is it due to what March said, about the girl losing her memory?' Zhi Jiang ponders while clearing his throat.
"Don't be, and as for your question, I had no idea. But, everyone seems to believe that the reason behind my sudden appearance may be caused by an Aeon called Aha," Zhi Jiang says as Stelle blinks.
"...does this 'Aha' is an insanely hot man with detached arms, messy white hair, a pair of golden eyes, and a huge scar on its chest with golden blood flowing out of it like a waterfall?" Stelle asks as both March and Dan Heng look startled, while Zhi Jiang looks confused.
"That's Nanook, another Aeon who represents the Path of Destruction." Dan Heng says as he frowns. "When did you start seeing this figure?"
"It...was when I tried to protect March before everything turned black. Then, I feel like I was in space, falling endlessly before I was greeted with this 'Nanook'...." Stelle frowns as Dan Heng and March look at each other.
"...I feel slightly left out," Zhi Jiang sweatdrops.
"The Aeon of Destruction casted THEIR gaze on you after the Stellaron on your body went out of control." Dan Heng says as Stelle looks panicked. "Like I said previously, the Stellaron in your body has been sealed, so it won't cause any harm."
"No offense, but when people say seal, it sounds more like it was temporarily stopped, not permanently stopped," Zhi Jiang says as Stelle becomes even more panicked, causing March to sigh.
"The sealing method is approved by the intergalactic alliance as the best method to deal with Stellaron, and Mr. Yang had explained that the seal will remain for a very long time, and can be reapplied again," March explains as Stelle calms down.
"I...see..." Zhi Jiang glances at Stelle and winces. "Sorry for making you panic..."
"It's...fine..." Stelle stutters as Zhi Jiang winces again, looking away guiltily. Everyone silently eats their food, except for Dan Heng, as he texts the rest of the Nameless, reporting what he had heard from Stelle before eating his food.
Not long after, the three Nameless receive a message from the group chat, and they pull out their phone to look. Stelle blinked when the trio had 'cast their gazes' onto her.
"Um...is there something on my face?" Stelle asks innocently. March can't help but snort at how innocent she looks as Zhi Jiang shakes his head.
"No. Our navigator, Miss Himeko, would like to talk to you after receiving the news about you waking up. Would you like to meet her?" Zhi Jiang asks as Stelle blinks again.
"...why does she want to meet me?" Stelle asks curiously.
"Not sure. We were tasked to inform you about this. I had a feeling she wanted to personally thank you for helping Dan Heng and March, especially March," Zhi Jiang says as he glances at March.
"Ah...sure," Stelle shrugs. "I mean, I had nothing to do. Amnesia and all..."
"Very well, we can lead you to her once we finish our meal," Dan Heng offers as Stelle nods with a smile.
"Thank you." With that, they quickly finished their food (Of course, they made sure not to choke on their own food) and went to pay for the food. To their surprise, the people in the space station simply say the meal's on the house.
"The more they did this, the more I feel guilty..." Zhi Jiang mutters. If he is still stuck on the deserted island, he won't take any free food for granted for the sake of his survival. But, he's no longer in the wild, so he knows he can't keep acting selfishly just for the sake of his survival.
Of course, it's a different thing if they're enemies.
As they're on their way to meet Himeko, Zhi Jiang notices that Stelle has suddenly stopped while staring at something and informs his fellow Nameless. As they wonder what had stopped Stelle, they notice Stelle is staring at an unexpected scene.
A bunch of robots dump a can filled with trash into a hole.
This puzzles the Nameless as they wonder what makes this scene interesting for their new friend, but they didn't find anything other than the robots dumping more and more trash. They notice Stelle's eyes somehow have stars in it and it puzzles them even more.
"Stelle?" March calls as she shakes her shoulder, snapping her out.
"Huh? What? Uh?" Stelle stutters as she looks at the Nameless, who are giving her a concerned look.
"You okay?" Zhi Jiang asks as Stelle shakes her head.
"Y-yeah, I'm okay," Stelle says with a reassuring smile, but after what they witnessed earlier, all they could feel was nothing but concern. "A-anyways, we should not keep your Nameless Navigator waiting."
With reluctance, they all continue their original journey, and it didn't take long to find Himeko, who seems to be busy talking with...
"A...puppet?" Zhi Jiang mutters in confusion. Of all things he expects from the world that could only exist in science fiction, a walking and talking puppet seems a bit out of place.
"....right, you're new," March slaps her forehead, berating herself for forgetting about her new friend being new to the world of cosmos. "That's Madam Herta, member #83 of the Genius Society. She's the boss of this space station."
"...The genius is a puppet?" Zhi Jiang mutters in disbelief. He may have seen weird things (The Antimatter Legion and an alien bunny), but he is far from getting used to the weirdness of this world.
"It's not the real Herta. She is just a puppet that shares her consciousness, and she has a ton of them under her command. Each puppet is shaped like her." Dan Heng explains.
'I know she's prideful based on how everyone described her, but the puppet thing is just narcissism...' Zhi Jiang sweatdrops. 'She might be a Genius, but...'
"Ah, you all are here," Himeko says as she glances at Stelle. "I'm glad you are alright, Stelle. I would like to properly thank you for helping the children against the Doomsday Beast."
"It...was nothing," Stelle says bashfully as Dan Heng and March simply shake their head in disagreement.
"Don't dismiss your actions so casually," Himeko says with a slight frown. She can't help but feel disturbed by how Stelle dismisses it, not after she almost risks her life to shield a random stranger she just met.
"So, this is the girl with MY Stellaron shoved into her chest?" The puppet Herta asks with a raised eyebrow. "She doesn't look that bright, does she?"
Zhi Jiang can't help but feel a bit weirded out upon hearing Herta's voice. Her voice sounds like she's much older than she is supposed to look, and the way the puppet's face move look as natural as a human face. The puppet notices this and frowns at Zhi Jiang.
"And what are you looking at?" The puppet asks as Zhi Jiang looks like a deer caught in headlight.
"A-ah, sorry. I was amazed at how your puppet body moved as naturally as a human, especially with the facial expression. It's like a perfect replica..." Zhi Jiang says honestly as the puppet raises her eyebrow.
"...oh wow, you weren't kidding when you said he's from a backwater planet. His mannerism says it all," Zhi Jiang can't help but wince at Herta's blunt honesty. It seems that Asta's saying Herta is socially inept is accurate.
"Anyways, I hope you don't mind, but I would like to talk with Himeko and this new Stellaron girl," Herta says as she waves her hand dismissively at the rest of the Nameless. "You kids could continue walking around the station and do whatever you want."
Without complaint, they left Stelle with the adults, while Zhi Jiang couldn't help but look relieved. He was glad that he didn't choose to stay, as it was very clear she showed no interest in him with how she talked to him.
To be Continued