Chapter 88

“Then, who issued this directive?”

After confirming once more that there are no other passengers at the ticket booth I’m currently standing at, I leaned my head toward the attendant.

While utilizing a premium cabin isn’t a crime in itself, if unsolicited seat upgrades or protocols are prepared for me, anyone would likely feel uneasy. It must be A’s doing, but let’s hear it out.

“Uh… I apologize! I’m merely following superior orders!”

“Hmm…”

Even without any intention to reprimand or interrogate her, feeling the burden of my proximity, she waved her hands and leaned back into the chair’s backrest.

That’s quite an intense reaction. Whether it’s the avoidance maneuvers or the dramatically shaking pupils, it’s similar to being thrown into an earthquake.

Twisting her body frantically, it seemed as though hiding between the cushions in a manner reminiscent of a certain anime might bring her some psychological comfort. But as long as it gives her peace, I have no grounds to object.

I rested my elbow on the counter and tried to sort out the jumbled thoughts.

Squeezing an answer out of her wasn’t going to yield any constructive results.

Since the situation arose entirely due to circumstances on my end, the cause should still lurk somewhere in my memory.

“Hmm…”

I roughly understand that Aaron holds me in extremely high regard.

But if asked whether this was a matter significant enough for such a busy authority to bother attending to personally, one has to wonder: Shouldn’t the real task be preventing me from leaving to another metropolis because I’m a convenient errand boy who can be saddled with bothersome tasks?

Moreover — not something to boast about — I’ve already spent the nominal stipend I received without a second thought, and quietly procured a Christmas gift for Zero; such unasked-for favors make me feel both flattered and dubious.

Giving more treats to the disliked? Or perhaps it’s more like rewarding the resolution of a sudden situation without escalation, with a side request to leave quietly and enjoy the red carpet?

It’s hard to read the mind of an ordinary person, let alone Aaron, who is undoubtedly the most devious among my encounters.

Ugh, this is such a hassle. Why must I endure this internal struggle?

If he has something to say, he should just call and say it plainly, instead of going through all these complicated and roundabout expressions. Maybe this is a common preference among the high and mighty.

…Is this what they call politics?

That’s why I dislike it.

“The first-class cabin is fine, but can you just reserve a regular seat for me? Surely, downgrading doesn’t require an additional fee, does it?”

“Uh… downgrade… Since it’s a downgrade, there shouldn’t be any extra charge…”

The attendant nervously repeated my unprecedented request in a shrill voice, as if confirming she heard correctly, scrutinizing my complexion carefully.

Though her flustered behavior was rather adorable, I still lacked the luxury of time. Young lady, I’m this close to missing the train, you know!

“But… Yes, yes! If you prefer, we can surely switch your reservation to a regular seat!”

It was only after receiving my prompt glance that she rushed back to the ticket booth’s computer.

Not interested in the luxurious cabin? I am extremely curious.

However, no matter how comfortable the body might feel, if the mind is uneasy, the experience would be no different from wearing poorly fitting attire. That’s my conclusion.

Above all, it was hard to ignore the likelihood of it being a warning. Or rather, worrisome. Assuming this is an elegant indication that they’ll keep a close watch on me as a contracted party, even as the distance increases.

To be honest, after this notion struck me, any inclination to readily board the reserved cabin vanished instantaneously.

I don’t have a habit of sticking my face into a snake’s burrow only to get bitten. I’ll find a place suitable to my station on my own.

…At the very least, if I’m dragged away amid the vicinity of other people, it might leave behind some account of a certain unfortunate hacker being captured by Paradise.

“Excuse me, Miss Anastasia?”

A quiet voice accompanied by the offering of a printed train ticket.

Ticket for seats 23 and 24 in the four-person chamber of the Astra Express A-185. The elongated ticket form, complete with perforation lines for potential cutting, reminiscent of old airplane tickets, brought a nostalgic warmth.

“Though… this is a service provided by the company, should your mind change during your journey, you can always call the crew for an instant upgrade. In any case, I’ll make sure there’s no hassle in reverting to the original cabin!”

“…Thank you for your trouble.”

Because of my stubbornness, it seems there’s more work for the already pitiable salaried workers, but what can one do if the principal party truly dislikes it?

Expressing gratitude instead of an apology, I took the handed-over ticket and stored it in my pocket for immediate boarding. There was no need to delegate it to Zero as I was ready to board without delay.

Ting!

The metallic sound offered an inexplicable sense of satisfaction as the gates opened to confirm visitors without any disqualifications.

I’m already glad I didn’t send Zero through the cargo route.

Under normal circumstances, achieving mutual respect amidst the milling crowd usually entailed exchanging shoulder taps, glances at each other’s firearms and knives before cautiously adjusting distances.

Now, upon hearing an altered footstep, one naturally turns their vision to respect the entity instinctively.

…Not considering the statistical probability of being surrounded by model citizens everywhere.

“Have you used train stations frequently? Your movements are quite decisive.”

“Not really, I have absolutely no idea after passing through the gates. Can you check the boarding procedures for me?”

– I will meticulously study and memorize everything.

“Zero? Studying to that extent isn’t…”

I stopped urging after catching the frantic blinking of his eyes. With the network already reeling with activity, it seemed unnecessary to add to it, and ensuring there’d be no issues with our inaugural long-distance move sounded plausible enough to entrust him with.

Then what should I do?

I glanced around the railway station interior.

The first sight was the neatly arranged vending machines and shops, apparently designed to cater to the numerous commuting travelers.

Most sell standard convenience foods, beverages, but since my necessities easily fit into just one small bag, the other items seemed aimed precisely at travelers.

For instance, friends with a smell of gunpowder…

“Ammunition… haven’t had a chance to use it. Blast blast…”

Empty arms should be promptly replenished, and when there’s spare time, immediate maintenance is necessary.

That’s Miss Helena’s blood-like teaching.

Following this, during my idling period at the mentor’s shop, I meticulously maintained my handgun, and the magazines are thoroughly filled, thus requiring no further checks.

Rather, if anything consumed during this period, it’d be the numerous plasters all over my body and the consumed pills.

“Ah.”

Did I consume it all? Or was some left over? The continuous intake often avoided conscious thought, so it had slipped my mind.

Thankfully, the pharmacy was close by. Checking my bag would reveal whether a purchase was needed, and if time permitted, I’d have done just that.

[ Astra Express A-185 passengers may now proceed with departure procedures and access the platform area. Please note that once the train departs, refunds for unused tickets will not be issued…]

– Shall we go now, Miss Ahsa? The crowd is already gathering.

“Uh? Oh, that’s right.”

Kang!

Before boarding, I stepped on the offered knee and settled atop Zero’s shoulders.

Thanks to the leading Carebot, we succeeded in queuing up earlier on the route leading to the platform, swiftly moving ahead of the suddenly surging throng.

…I hope no one refers to this as cutting the line. In the hustle of establishing queues just before they form, noticing and respecting those around is the international rule.

– Had we had a first-class ticket, we would have used the side passage. But this early bird advantage has its own merits.

“Side passage?”

When my turn came, to avoid confusion, I observed and memorized the movements of the person ahead, as they went through the X-ray and detailed scanning process.

There was the long line this side for inspections, and on the opposite side, the First Class Only passage stood eerily empty, guarded only by police officers without a single ant in sight.

Thinking back, the crew member did explain that first-class passengers skip the inspection.

In other words, I almost unknowingly shuffled through that side while everyone else grumbled about corporate policies.

“Ew, it’s awful.”

“Next passenger, please proceed!”

Following the exhausted officer’s direction, Zero passed through the scanner confidently.

Red, green lights scanned his body, clothes, and bags thoroughly without triggering any special alarms.

Having conducted such a baggage check myself in the past, I can assertively state: It’s a bewildering process of thoroughly searching everything except guns.

The only fortunate aspect is that, being an departure proceeding, the cumbersome data inspections are skipped, so if all goes according to plan and we board through the platform, that’s it…

“The contents of the medicine bottles in your bag will be examined. Please submit a total of four bottles here.”

“…Damn it!”

Such an idiot.

Having emptied the first aid kit would have saved me going through the scanner so quickly.

Ticking sounds… thud…

Following the implicit instruction, I rummaged through my bag and placed the medicine bottles one by one on the table.

A comprehensive dietary supplement, acquired to obtain nutrients absent in standard food and cartridges.

A large bottle of antibiotics purchased because it was tedious to buy repeatedly every time I got injured.

…Sleeping pills for sleepless nights and brutal stress management.

And finally…

“Chomp…”

I clicked my tongue internally and took out the contentious medication.

Clang!

Female hormone regulators, commonly known as menstrual pills, were loudly placed on the submission pile.

All the medicines except for the sleeping aid I recently purchased for nightmares were actually recommendations from my younger sister.

A professional-looking employee, with a long lens attached instead of an eye where one might expect, carefully picked up the medicine bottles one by one and scrutinized them meticulously.

Ten seconds… twenty seconds… Before even a minute passed, the bothersome inspection concluded.

“Vitamins, antibiotics, sleeping pills, menstrual control medication. Neither signs of tampering nor discrepancies. Ingredients match the products sold on the market. Thank you for your cooperation. Please proceed to the platform.”

“…”

I roughly shoved back all the articles examined into my bag.

Everyone present, including the other passengers who poked their heads curiously, lost interest after hearing the details.

However, I… I was genuinely, extremely embarrassed.

To what extent?

Let’s just say I felt incredibly thankful not to endure a full strip search, and a strong wave of heat surged up my neck.

“How long until we arrive at our compartment, let me know.”

– If you’re tired, it’s perfectly fine to take a nap. I’m here to assist you.

Trusting the reliable assistant to navigate completely, I dropped my head onto my knees with the excuse that my interest in the platform, train, and everything else had vanished.

Gender and its associated identity… it’s a topic I’ve consistently ignored.

Had the situation been leisurely enough for a self-discovery journey, I would have delved into it long ago. It’s both a problem and assignment I’ve been avoiding.

My forehead softly rubbed by the soft fabric as the steel butler’s movements continued.

The steady shaking and vibration felt like being in a car, making me feel as if I were in a cradle.

Do you know? I don’t even know if this body, my body, can have periods.

Merely because there’s an obvious way to prevent it, I haven’t sought out such a horrifying experience, and have been taking these pills regularly since they reportedly also suppress sexual urges.

The adult sites and related materials I casually gathered data on when I first arrived on Harvest Planet come to mind.

At the time, I had no real understanding or awareness, merely puffing my nose and thinking how advanced the future adult content was.

After meeting Helena—more accurately, after hearing her critique—my thoughts altered.

Has a significant question reshaped my perception? Regardless.

In the past, I was undoubtedly an ordinary person who liked the opposite sex.

If so… in the present, what does “the opposite sex” refer to for me? Stick to the old identity as female? Or possibly… not?

“Ugh…”

My stomach churned. My head hurt. No.

The cheap stomach protection medication didn’t protect as it should.

Let’s think positively.

Even with my freelance title meaning unemployed, I have ample time to muddle over things instead of dealing with reality avoidance.

Cease running and look. Even during this train ride, as long as I’m not sprawled out the entire time, there will be ample bits of time to sort out the chaotic palpitations!

Drrrrk!

– We’ve arrived at compartment 23. I’ll help you down shortly. Please be careful of your footing…

““…Huh?!””

Suddenly, Zero’s voice cut off abruptly.

Additionally, a startled intake of breath resounded loudly from the opened compartment.

Did we accidentally open the wrong cabin? Even though I’m not a crew member, it is quite normal for others to panic when a droid abruptly opens a door.

Given my current low spirits, I pulled on every ounce of logic and reason to compose myself. Raising my head, I prepared to deliver a polite apology, confident that any reasonable person would understand and let it pass.

“…Huh?”

In front of me were the familiar faces of a red-haired girl and a one-armed man of Arab descent.

I’ve heard that the ability to handle sudden situations divides experienced from inexperienced individuals, yet seemingly, excessive coincidences leave no room for clever maneuvers.

Ultimately, during the brief moment of disorientation, she, the talkative and loose-lipped one, reacted most candidly and starkly.

“Hey… It’s a disaster! A terrible disaster!”

What?

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