Inside the spacious carriage, the atmosphere was strange.
Conductor Pom-Pom anxiously circled the sofa, its long ears drooping listlessly with worry: "This is troublesome, Pom! The plan is completely disrupted, Pom! What about the warp, what about the warp, Pom!"
On the sofa sat... well, how should one describe it?
"So—that—means—"
Xing drew out her words, her golden eyes wide and round, her gaze sweeping back and forth between "Himeko" and March 7th. "You two... really swapped souls? Like in those... novels?"
Conductor Pom-Pom, standing beside them, had its ears and Tail drooping listlessly, and its small notepad was filled with chaotic scribbles: "Yes, Pom... it's a complete mess, Pom! Danheng is fine, but Welt and 'shut up' have also swapped, Pom! We were supposed to make the next warp today, but now it has to be postponed, Pom! At least until the swap effect ends in 48 hours and everyone returns to normal, Pom!"
"March 7th," stared at by Xing, showed a hint of helplessness on her face. She tried her best to explain: "That's basically the situation, Xing. It's a phenomenon we can't understand for now. Until we return to normal, everyone needs to try and maintain the status quo to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Meanwhile, "Himeko" seemed constrained.
She tried hard to straighten her back, adopting Himeko's elegant and composed posture, but her occasionally wandering eyes and the subconscious urge to pull her hair, which she stopped midway, completely betrayed her.
Especially when Xing's gaze intently fell on her, a familiar goofy smile would even appear on her face, which she quickly suppressed, making her expression amusingly distorted.
"Wow!"
Xing's face instantly broke into a huge smile. "This is soul swapping? That's so cool!"
She bounced to the sofa in a few steps, bent down, her face almost touching "Himeko's," scrutinizing her closely: "So... you're Auntie Himeko now? Do you remember how to brew coffee?"
"Himeko" looked at the face that suddenly moved close, instinctively leaned back, and showed a habitual expression: "Uh... Xing, Xing... as for coffee... I, I think adding some sugar cubes and milk might make it taste better..."
The voice was Himeko's mature tone, but the manner of speech was entirely March 7th's style.
And "March 7th" sighed helplessly, reaching out to gently push Xing, who was almost leaning on "herself," away a little: "Xing, stop messing around. We need to discuss serious matters now."
She tried to make her voice sound more authoritative, but March 7th's naturally clear voice greatly diminished that authority, creating a peculiar contrast that was endearing.
"Serious matters?"
Xing straightened up, looked at one, then the other, and finally her gaze fell on the worried Pom-Pom. "It's just that we can't warp for now! Pom-Pom, couldn't we just leave after they switch back? This is a rare'spectacle'!"
She even pulled out her phone, eager to take photos. "Record it! Must record it! This is a precious 'dark history' of the Astral Express Crew!"
"Passenger Xing!"
Pom-Pom stomped its foot. "This is not a joke, Pom! The warp plan is related to the subsequent Trailblaze route, and delays could bring a series of unknown impacts, Pom! And... and with everyone like this, what if an emergency occurs, Pom!"
It looked worriedly at the core members, whose behaviors were completely mismatched.
"Isn't Danheng fine!"
Xing pointed to the reliable guard at the door. "With Teacher Danheng here, there's no need to worry about safety! As for warping..."
She rubbed her chin, her eyes darting around. "A few days late is a few days late, the universe won't run away. Maybe we'll even encounter more interesting things along the way!"
Pom-Pom looked at one, then the other, its ears drooping even lower, but finally it sighed: "Since everyone says so... then fine, Pom. The warp plan is temporarily postponed, Pom. But! During these 48 hours, everyone must be careful, and absolutely no more trouble, Pom!"
"Don't worry, Pom-Pom!"
Xing patted her chest in assurance, but her golden eyes sparkled with excitement no less than discovering a brand new treasure.
The meeting hastily concluded amidst Pom-Pom's worries and everyone else's agreement.
As Xing watched "Himeko" leave, observing Himeko's tall, mature body, a brilliant idea exploded in her mind like fireworks.
She quietly followed, and at the corner of the corridor, gently tugged at "Himeko's" sleeve.
"Hmm? Xing, is there something else?" "Himeko" turned around, revealing a bright smile with a hint of confusion on Himeko's face.
Xing looked left and right, lowered her voice, her face a mix of mystery: "March, oh no, should I call you 'Auntie Himeko' now? Come with me, to your... uh, 'my' room! I have a super—fun idea!"
"Himeko" was puzzled, but Xing's enthusiasm made her involuntarily pulled along, returning to March 7th's room.
"Look!"
Xing closed the door, gesticulating wildly, "You're using Auntie Himeko's body right now, right? How dignified, how mature, how elegant Auntie Himeko usually is!"
"Himeko" nodded, trying to make an expression of deep agreement with Himeko's face, though it was a bit awkward.
"So!"
Xing clapped her hands suddenly, "This is a rare opportunity! How about we do something... well, not so 'Auntie Himeko'? Like... like learning Pom-Pom's 'ear-wiggling dance'? Or using Auntie Himeko's face to make your favorite exaggerated expression, March 7th? Or even... imitating Teacher Danheng's usual cold face with crossed arms saying 'According to the data bank...'?"
"Eh?!"
"Himeko" widened her eyes, a hint of panic flashing across her face. "N-no way! If Auntie Himeko finds out..."
"What are you afraid of! She's using your body now, maybe she's in your room trying to do latte art in front of the mirror!"
Xing continued to fan the flames, pulling out her ultimate trump card. "And—we can take photos to remember it! Don't you want to see what Auntie Himeko's body looks like doing these actions? This might be the only chance in your life! A unique 'Auntie Himeko Special Edition' meme!"
"Take photos... to remember..."
March 7th was clearly swayed.
Imagine, the reliable Auntie Himeko, dancing Pom-Pom's cute dance, or making her own silliest expressions... The image was too impactful, and too... tempting.
As a seasoned photography enthusiast, she found it hard to resist such temptation.
"Just... just for a little bit?"
She whispered, her eyes beginning to sparkle with the same light as Xing's.
"Yes, yes, yes! Just for a bit! Let's start with the simplest! Come, follow me and make this expression!"
Xing immediately perked up, first making an extremely exaggerated "shocked face" with her mouth in an "O" shape and eyes wide open.
"March 7th" took a deep breath, trying to mobilize Himeko's facial muscles, which she was not very familiar with, attempting to imitate... just as her features were about to twist into a strange shape—
"Ahem."
A clear cough echoed from the doorway.
The two instantly froze, like puppets whose pause buttons had been pressed.
There stood "March 7th"—who was actually Himeko—using March 7th's body, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe.
That face, which should always be full of lively smiles, now carried a helpless and slightly warning seriousness.
She raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze slowly sweeping between Xing and her own body.
"It seems some people need a little 'correct' guidance."
Himeko spoke, her voice March 7th's, but her tone was 100% Himeko's. "March, come with me. We need to have a good 'talk' about how to correctly use... well, your temporary body, and to avoid being led astray by certain restless elements."
She specifically looked at Xing, her gaze clearly saying "go play somewhere else."
March 7th felt as if she had been granted a great pardon, yet also a bit ashamed for being caught doing something naughty by a parent. She quickly stood up from the bed, head bowed, and obediently followed "herself" out.
Before leaving, she cast a sympathetic look at Xing with Himeko's face, as if saying "good luck to you."
Xing stood still, watching "Himeko" being "escorted" away, then looked at the empty doorway. The excited sparkle in her eyes quickly dimmed, replaced by a huge regret for the aborted plan.
"Sigh..."
She let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping. "Just a little bit more..."
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