Collapse Iron: Cosplaying the Near-Death Star, but with a full destiny.

Xing's heart suddenly started beating very fast.

She could feel the warmth of Hoshino's shoulder beneath her palm.

Warm, soft, and pulsating with life.

That person is indeed still alive.

It is indeed still here.

Right under her palm, in the warm water, in this small bathroom.

"so."

A smile crept onto Hoshino's lips.

In that smile, there was pleading, expectation, and a little bit of... coquettishness.

"Could you...press it a little longer?"

"or……"

Her voice was lowered even further.

"What else can we do?"

"Does it make me feel... like I'm still here?"

Xing's mind went blank.

She could feel her face burning, and the tips of her ears were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

What is Hoshino saying?

What is she implying?

But at the same time.

A part of her heart was quietly loosening.

Hoshino is right.

Nothingness can make people feel "empty".

And the way to fill this emptiness...

It is "existence".

It's a "feeling".

It is "temperature".

in case……

If she could make Hoshino sense these things.

If only she could quiet that dark hole down.

If she could make Hoshino no longer feel lonely...

Then she...

"you……"

Xing's voice was very soft, with a tremor she herself was unaware of.

"are you sure?"

Mohoshi's eyes lit up.

A light flickered in those golden eyes.

Like a spark, like sunlight, like the sum of all things warm.

"certainly."

she says.

"When have I ever been unsure?"

Xing took a deep breath.

Her hand slowly moved off Hoshino's shoulder and slid to the edge of the bathtub.

then.

She adjusted her posture and leaned closer.

The water surface sloshed.

The two people grew closer.

They were so close they could feel each other's breath, so close they could see their own reflection in each other's eyes.

Your face is so red.

"Ichihoshi said with a smile."

"It's even redder than before."

"Shut up."

Xing said through gritted teeth.

"Say one more word and I'm leaving."

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore."

Hoshi obediently shut her mouth.

But those eyes were still bright and sparkling, full of anticipation and excitement.

Xing looked at her.

Looking at the girl with only one hand, looking at that dark, ethereal mark, looking at that face that always wore a smile.

There's something in my heart that makes me incredibly soft-hearted.

then.

She lowered her head.

-

The sound of water.

A soft, rustling sound of water.

It drifted out from under the bathroom door, lingering in the empty hallway.

The corridor was quiet.

Only occasionally, a few muffled, indistinct sounds could be heard from the bathroom.

With a smile.

Carrying warmth.

It carries... a softness that cannot be described in words.

The warm yellow light shone through the crack in the door, casting a thin strip of light on the hallway floor.

The band of light swayed gently.

It was as if something was quietly growing behind that door.

-

late at night.

A small light was on in the train's lounge.

March 7th hugged a cushion, huddled in the corner of the sofa, staring intently at the ceiling.

Unable to fall asleep, she tossed and turned, so she got up to find something to eat.

As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I heard some... strange noises.

just now.

There was only one thought in her mind.

"Could they be doing something strange?"

"No, they are the same person."

"What is this? Dating yourself?"

"Wait, this concept is so complicated..."

Her face turned as red as a boiled shrimp.

Just then.

The door to the lounge was pushed open.

A familiar silver-gray figure walked in.

Her hair was still wet, she was wrapped in a large bathrobe, and her face had an expression that was... hard to describe.

Satisfaction? Laziness? Or... some kind of satisfaction?

"star!"

March 7th suddenly sat up straight.

"What...what were you doing just now?!"

Xing paused in her steps.

She turned her head and looked at March 7th.

There was a glint in those grey-gold eyes.

"It's nothing."

she says.

"What the hell is that?!"

The voice on March 7th cracked.

Xing did not answer.

She walked to the refrigerator, opened the door, and took out a bottle of milk.

I unscrewed the cap, tilted my head back, and took a big gulp.

then.

She turned around and looked at March 7th.

A meaningful smile played on his lips.

"You want to know?"

"Shall I teach you next time...?"

March 7th's face flushed bright red instantly.

She hugged the cushion and shrank deeper into the sofa like a frightened little animal.

"No, no, no need!"

"I don't want to know anything!"

"Go play by yourselves!"

Xing smiled and didn't say anything more.

She took the milk bottle and slowly walked out of the lounge.

The footsteps faded into the distance, disappearing at the end of the corridor.

March 7th sat blankly on the sofa, her mind a complete mess.

"..."

"So what exactly happened?"

Why do I feel like I've missed something very important?

"Where's Hoshino? Why hasn't she come out?"

"Could it be... that she fell asleep from exhaustion?"

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became, and finally she simply buried her face in the cushion.

"Aaaaaahh ...

"I don't understand!"

"I don't understand anything!"

"This world is crazy!"

Her wails echoed in the empty lounge.

Only that little lamp burned silently.

Her fluffy pink head was reflected as a blurry, erratic struggle.

And in the bathroom of the party car.

Hoshi leaned against the edge of the bathtub, her left hand behind her head, her eyes half-closed.

The warm water enveloped her body, making her feel warm from head to toe.

The dark mark on his chest was now completely still.

There was no feeling of being hollowed out, no fear of disappearing at any moment.

It's completely full...

"Presence".

The corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

My mind is still replaying everything that just happened.

"really."

She thought to herself.

"A life of pleasure...is this what you call pleasure?"

"Aha is still way too much."

"But look at Xingbao's expression."

"What a pity."

She stretched and yawned, then splashed her left hand in the water a couple of times.

then.

She closed her eyes, and the smile on her lips softened even more.

outside the window.

The Star Train continues its journey through the universe.

That galaxy protected by the divine tree has become a distant point of light.

A new journey, a new planet, a new adventure...

They are waiting for them ahead.

And in some corner of the train.

Aha's laughter suddenly rang out.

The voice was ethereal and seemed to come from another dimension.

Only one sentence lingered clearly in the air.

"Hahahaha! The fate of 'pleasure' is not just about making you 'happy'."

"Aha, this is how I help you..."

"Next time... remember to buy me a drink?"

The laughter gradually faded away.

A profound silence was left behind.

Hoshino frowned slightly.

But soon, she relaxed again.

"Whatever."

She muttered to herself.

"Anyway, I'm not losing out."

then.

She rolled over and submerged her head in the water.

It exhaled a string of bubbles.

Glug glug glug—

The sound echoed in the quiet bathroom, carrying a hint of childish capriciousness.