Chapter 12 - 12 - Bitter Coffee~

"Ugh......" Opening her eyes again, Stelle looked up at the familiar ceiling with a sense of confusion. This was the second time she had fainted... For some reason, her head ached. She couldn't tell if it was from sleeping too long or something else, but she still felt groggy. "You're awake. Would you like some water?" Wende, who had been waiting nearby for Stelle to wake up, noticed her open eyes and immediately came over with concern. Uncle Welt really needs to learn to go easier on people. She's not the brightest to begin with, don't go and make the kid dumber! Wende complained inwardly as he watched Stelle rub her forehead. "Mm, thank you!" Completely oblivious to Wende's inner monologue, Stelle felt her ears burn as if they were on fire, just from seeing how concerned he was. Her delicate earlobes flushed a faint red, but they were hidden by her gray hair. "Here." Wende twisted open the bottle cap and handed her the water. Watching Stelle take small sips, Wende couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Seriously, it was like every miHoYo protagonist was cursed with fainting. They were always collapsing for one reason or another. The one right in front of him was especially good at it, with a battle continuation skill that just led to more fainting. "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere else?" Wende asked, taking the now-empty bottle and setting it aside. He looked at the much more alert Stelle and asked out of a doctor's sense of duty. "Er... my head feels a bit fuzzy... wait, suddenly I feel much better!" Stelle did indeed feel a throbbing in her head, but then she saw three lightning needles instantly materialize in Wende's hand, and a flash of panic crossed her eyes. In that single moment, her headache miraculously vanished! She frantically waved her hands at Wende and declared loudly. Are you kidding? She had already experienced the power of Wende's lightning needles before. That tingly, numbing sensation... Stelle decided she'd rather have stayed unconscious! "Really? You shouldn't hide an illness for fear of treatment," Wende said, raising an eyebrow. He looked suspiciously at the obviously flustered Stelle, then let the needles in his hand dissipate into an arc of electricity. His gaze was completely serious. "Really! I'm fine! Look!" Meeting Wende's skeptical purple eyes, Stelle stood up briskly and swaggered a couple of steps in front of him. She was brimming with energy, looking nothing like someone who had just taken a laser beam to the face and then been knocked out with a blow to the head. "I see. It seems there really is no problem." Seeing Stelle walking with such vigor she looked like she was about to perform a three-part meme combo for him, Wende once again marveled at her incredibly tough constitution. "Himeko and Madam Herta are downstairs. They told me to have you see them once you woke up." "Okay, I'll go right now." Stelle nodded and, under Wende's watchful gaze, walked down the stairs. The period that followed was a rare moment of rest! Wende had been on the space station for almost a full day, but he still hadn't had a chance to properly look around. March 7th and Dan Heng had gone to help the security department clean up the remaining Voidspawn. The station's wounded no longer needed Wende's attention. Stelle was probably about to be dragged into the Simulated Universe by Herta, and the station's executives were all busy with repairs under Asta's leadership. And he, Wende, had seemingly become the idlest person on the entire station. As for taking on side quests... what a joke. Wasn't that just stealing Stelle's job? The thought of Stelle opening her mouth to bite him in revenge for stealing her Stellar Jades... didn't seem so bad, actually. After all, the current Stelle had yet to be "polluted" by trash cans. With her gray hair, golden eyes, and cool, beautiful voice, she was the epitome of an elegant older sister! The thought made Wende sigh. Beneath such a perfect exterior lay such a chaotic soul! Ding-dong~ Just as Wende was lost in his thoughts, his phone chimed. "Himeko: [Image.jpg] [This is the supply list Pom-Pom made. Lil' March and Dan Heng are busy clearing out Voidspawn and don't have time, so we'll have to trouble you, Wende!] [Pom-Pom-heart.jpg]" Well, so much for being idle. Wende shrugged, opened the map on his phone, and began wandering around the space station following the navigation. ................... A few days later, everyone was gathered on the Express. The train was finally about to depart from the space station and embark on a new Trailblazing journey. And, as expected, Stelle had joined the big Astral Express family. Now, Stelle was more certain than ever that her decision was the right one. Inside the Parlor Car, she admired the beautiful scenery outside the window while savoring the small pastries Wende had personally made. Wasn't this infinitely better than staying on the space station to be Herta's errand girl?! "Mmmph! Sho good! Wende, you're sho amashing!" March 7th praised Wende profusely, her mouth full of the "Xianzhou" specialty he had made: "Egg Fried Rice." "March, swallow your food before you speak. Be careful not to choke," said Dan Heng from the other end of the sofa, a dark expression on his face. He held his own plate of fried rice, having just been about to start eating when he saw March's exaggerated display. "Mm, Dan Heng is right. Little March, would you like a sip of coffee to wash it down?" Himeko asked with a gentle smile, her legs crossed elegantly. "Mmm!! Mmph!" March 7th, who had been feasting happily, heard the word "coffee" and, in her haste, successfully managed to choke on her food. "Mmph! Mmph!" "Little March! Quick, have some coffee to wash it down!" Seeing March choke, Himeko quickly brought her own cup of coffee to March's lips. March 7th's eyes went blank. In that moment, she wondered if simply choking to death might have been a more dignified end. Gulp, gulp, gulp... Blech! After being force-fed a cup of coffee, March 7th wore the expression of someone who had been completely broken. She lay peacefully on the sofa, looking serene. Welt: "......" Dan Heng: "......" Himeko: "????" "Um? Is March... alright?" Stelle's mouth twitched uncontrollably as she looked at March, who seemed to be peacefully ascending to the heavens. "Hmm..." Dan Heng pondered for a moment, stroking his chin. He then went to Pom-Pom, who had just finished making drinks, and got an iced beverage. Seeing this, Welt also quickly grabbed a drink and placed it nearby. He looked at March's increasingly contorted face, shook his head helplessly, and then silently took a bite of the fried rice Wende had made. "!" The familiar taste that filled his mouth, this feeling! Welt's expression grew complex as he looked down at the fried rice in his hands. This... was the taste of home!