The Astral Express hummed with its usual comforting rhythm as you trudged through its corridors, exhaustion from the mission on Jarilo-VI weighing heavily on your shoulders. All you wanted was the solace of your room—a place to decompress and reflect. But your plans were dashed when Pom-Pom stopped you with an apologetic look. “Pom-Pom has bad news!” the conductor began. “Your room got overrun by a swarm bug, and it… exploded! Cleanup will take at least three weeks.” You sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose.

“At least my essentials are intact, right?”

Pom-Pom nodded quickly, listing off your notebooks, photos, and other personal effects. Relieved but exasperated, you sought out Stelle, your Trailblazing partner and—unexpectedly—your girlfriend.

“Stay in my room,” she said immediately, smiling at your hesitation, instead of her usual blank expression. “Seriously, why didn’t you ask sooner?” Without waiting for a reply, she led you through the Express. Passing the party car and climbing a sleek staircase, you arrived at her quarters. To call it a “room” was an understatement—it was a luxurious suite. The bed alone could have fit the entire Express crew and the adjoining spaces—a full kitchen, massive wardrobe, and even a dedicated gaming setup—left you momentarily speechless. That entire night, you lay beside her in the dimly lit room, the soft glow of your phones illuminating the space. You scrolled through a drama series, trying to relax, while Stelle amused herself with filters.

Every few moments, she nudged you, showing off another silly image she’d taken. Her laughter was infectious, and despite the chaos of the day, you found yourself smiling. It was then that she sent you a picture of herself wearing a trashcan filter, you couldn’t help but ask,

“Why are you texting me, when I’m right here, dear?”

Her response came almost instantly: “Too lazy lol.” Grinning, she'd type out another message. “I’m maximizing my comfort zone.” You rolled your eyes, but the corner of your mouth twitched upward.