Chapter 251

Chapter 150 Welcome Aboard the Time Train

“I certainly don’t remember.”

There were so many things I had forgotten that fighting someone over a ticket didn’t surprise me anymore. After all, not remembering after some time was normal.

“And besides, what’s the big deal if they’re enemies? When have I ever been scared of a fight?”

[But this enemy is different.]

The virtual panel in front of him shook back and forth as if shaking his head.

[They do not come from another world but from beyond—far beyond. If they find out about your existence, they’ll stop you. Now, because you know why, you are incredibly attractive to them.]

“Hmph, just more space-time police like Shishido, right? It’s not like I haven’t faced something like this before.” Ash scratched his ear nonchalantly, blowing away some debris stuck on his fingers. “Do you think this will make me back down? Let them do whatever they want! But honestly, what other choice do I have? Instead of worrying about trivial things in the future, I don’t want this story to end here!”

As for what happens next—whether things will get better or worse—I’ll leave that to my future self to worry about.

[You aren’t wrong… ]

The panel in front of Ash started to fade.

[Trust yourself, Ash. Believe more in those children’s possibilities; they can save you.]

“No, she’s the one who can save me.” (In lower tone)

Ash shook his head, unfazed, and pulled out his golden ticket box, showing it off while seemingly hiding something.

“Nowhere to be found…”

“This is, a ticket?” Ai guessed based on experience. “But there are no new lines around here.”

Besides, the entire city has been turned into memories, even if there was a train, no one could run it.

“What’s the plan? Are we taking a train to the future? It seems straight out of a fairy tale.”

“Bingo!” Ash snapped his fingers in front of Rikka, praising her. “That’s right?”

Rikka nearly choked on her retort. Is he serious? Could he really be Doraemon?

“Wait, the train to the future—is that…”

“It’s here.”

The howl from the sky drew the girls’ attention. A massive mechanical crocodile train emerged through a rainbow crevice in the sky, generating its “Divine Route” and roaring towards the girls with fierce momentum.

“The train… is flying down from the sky!”

“Hey hey, the railway just appeared out of nowhere!”

Only the knowledgeable ACE watched with shining eyes—the spiked train.

“Oh wow, this is the time train from Kamen Rider den-Oh?!”

“That’s right, this is the ‘Divine Train’ — the Gachigya train! It travels on the Divine Route and can reach any era.”

Its old master is gone now, so it’s Ash’s train now.

In response to the Admin PASS from Ash’s hand, Gachigya Train closed its fangs and slowly halted. As the ticket approached, tight doors slowly opened, releasing a musty smell.

“Welcome aboard my train!”

Ignoring everyone’s reactions, Ash proudly introduced the train.

“Gachigya Train is about to depart. Passengers, please line up to board. Next stop: the Future!”

The golden “Infinity Ticket” in Ash’s Admin PASS flickered with time light, drawing the notice of an external force.

“Achoo—!”

Riding the Gachigya Striker, Ash suddenly covered his nose, sneezing. The sudden movement caused the train to jolt in time and space.

“What’s going on?!”

Akuri peeked into the driver’s cabin from outside. Ash spread his arms innocently.

“This isn’t my fault; maybe someone’s talking about me?”

“Besides us, you don’t recognize anyone else, bigshot?”

“Maybe it’s Regina?”

“Possible.”

Leaving the ticket in place, once it hit a certain speed, Ash let it drive itself while heading towards the rear cars.

The scene inside the car surprised Ash. Ai and Rikka were cleaning, wiping away thick layers of dust on the train.

They were used to cleaning up for this lazybones.

“Purikura battle suits are so convenient, especially since they only get dirty from unavoidable battles,” Rikka said while smoothing her new dress.

“Of course, the Purikura battle suit is a symbol of sanctity and stays clean. But Six, don’t misuse Light’s power for this kind of thing!”

“Don’t worry, I’m just saying. I won’t do it again.”

Once she soothed her sprite, Rikka noticed the newcomers from the front car and raised an eyebrow.

“Everything’s cleaned. Really, you need to keep your own stuff clean. If you keep being so lazy, no girl will marry you.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Ash said dismissively, flopping onto Arisu’s freshly wiped seat. “I’ll just ask you guys for help later.”

Ai pouted and stomped her foot. As they spent more time together, they learned to handle his teasing with calmness.

“You and Six aren’t my mom.”

“Yeah, sure. Stop complaining.”

From Ash’s provocative query, everyone joined in laughter, easing the initial tension.

“Amazing, a train running through time to the past and the future,” Ai marveled through the window at the strange mountains and deserts in the time passage.

“Can we change past tragedies with this… No, if we did, then we’d be like the recorder.”

“Smart guy. Changing the past… Ha.” Ash recalled an unpleasant person who abused his power.

“Feeling hungry on the train… Ash, are there any onboard meals?”

“If there was Miss Misaki, you could buy one from her.” Ash yawned. “But sorry, the Gachigya train doesn’t have staff.”

“That’s mean… Ow!”

Ai clasped her shoulder in pain.

“Your shoulder’s injured?”

Ash sat up.

“Just a scratch, nothing to worry about.”

“Let me see.”

“It’s fine, no bleeding anymore,” Ai said, waving it off. She felt increasingly nervous as Ash approached.

Ash noticed the bloodstain and the hole in her sleeve, worried.

“This isn’t fine.”

“Can I see?”

“Feels sorta embarrassing…”

With a reddened face, Ai lifted her aching arm, revealing her unobstructed armpit.