Himeko

An adventurous scientist who encountered the Astral Express as a young woman when it got stranded in her homeworld. Years later, when Himeko finally repairs the Express and begins her journey into the stars, she realized that this is only the beginning. On her journey to trailblaze new worlds, she would need many more companions... And while they may have different destinations, they all gaze at the same starry sky.

The girl is lost. She can't remember when she became lost. She just walked and walked, on and on into the dark night, chasing the sun and the moon, over and over again — until she falls. She remembers what she looked like as a college freshman, remembers her chosen major — interstellar travel dynamics — and now she's lying face down in the mud. She looks up to the stars, and just then sees meteors streaming down: one, two, three... And then more, smaller ones, flickering and flashing ever so finely before a magnificent blaze tore open the night. Her limbs drag her forward, leading her on to where the land meets the ocean. At the shoreline, the waters jostle against her like how the tide treats that stranded Express, alone and lost. She walks in and see the scenery outside beginning to change. The Express shows her a myriad of magnificent worlds. They are faraway, beyond her homeworld, yet also close enough to be a simple train ride. She tries to repair the Express. It starts up only briefly, but it is enough to skid across the sky of her home. She immediate sees the path home. From that altitude, the journey is so short, and even the ocean of her homeworld appears so insignificant. It asked her whether she'd like to travel together. She wonders what kind of journey that would be. "A journey to the beginning." "Let's go then." Without hesitation, the girl replied, "Just as you brought me home, so would I take you home, too."

Himeko has a suitcase. This suitcase is her treasure trove. Previously, she'd filled it with all kinds of train repair tools to fix up the Express. But now, it's packed with a molecular saw, an escaped satellite, and countless other contraptions — the embodiment of her whims and the proof of her resolute will. No travel companion is more faithful to her than this suitcase. Passengers come and go on the Express, and perhaps not even "the conductor" would be able to accompany her and the Express from start to finish. But she doesn't care. She didn't care when that pretentious blond man left without saying goodbye, just like how she didn't care about her distant homeworld and old friends. She knows that this journey is lonely. Even if she could get to know like-minded travel companions, even if they showed her generous grace, even if she could witness the end of a complete journey with those companions — that's all just a momentary fluke. She knows that this journey is lonely. Nobody can follow in the exact same footsteps as anyone else. Nobody can experience for someone else everything that happens along a journey. All she can rely on are her own two eyes and feet. That's why she stores inside her suitcase all the sights her eyes have witnessed, and all the footprints her feet have left behind.

Himeko's memory is very good. The longer the journey gets, the more travel companions she accrues. She can still remember many of them. She remembers her awkward chit-chats with Pom-Pom, and how the first two passengers aboard the Express were Welt and his blond friend. She remembers how the taciturn Dan Heng defeated the monsters that can swallow stars with just one strike of his lance. She remembers how March 7th had awoken from her icy slumber, all the outfits she'd designed for March, and what March loves the most. She remembers how the Crew arrived at Herta Space Station, how she met Trailblazer, and how they'd embarked on a new journey once more. She remembers the specifications for every single component of the Express and how they're assembled. She remembers when to oil the Express's bearings and when each plant on the Express needs watering. She remembers Pom-Pom's non-negotiable bottom line, and that Welt has rather juvenile hobbies. She remembers that Dan Heng is always pulling all-nighters to organize the data bank, and how March 7th loves to sleep in. She remembers the personality, habits, hobbies, birthdays, and other anniversary days of everyone aboard the Express. And she remembers much, much more. The greatest pleasure for Himeko is that everyone can safely reach their destination on the Express. "Traveling always has an end point. When it happens, I'll smile and say goodbye to everyone." She always says that, and she'll definitely remember to do that. It's memory that has formed the road she came from, and memory that will eventually return her to the seas from whence she came.

"What a long journey." She says. "I've been waiting for so, so long."████ looks at her: "It wasn't bad luck that has led you down this path, but wanderlust and curiosity." "Of course," she smiles, "But I've experienced far less than what you've been through." "No, I've never experienced the things you have." ████ shakes their head: "There are as many routes as there are pairs of feet." "Right now, we may be standing in the same place, but we harbor different thoughts and views." Together, they look up to the stars in silence, and just then saw meteors streaming down: one, two, three... And then more, smaller ones, flickering and flashing ever so finely before a magnificent blaze tore open the night. A quiet voice disturbs the still air once more: "What do you see?" "The stars have finished their journey." She says. ████ laughs: "I, instead, see that their journey is only just beginning." They do not speak again. "Let's go back. They're waiting for me." ████ is silent, then asks: "Has the journey so far made you happy?" She picks up her suitcase and walks back in the direction of the Express without looking back. "Same as always."

Welcome aboard, Trailblazer. I'm Himeko, navigator of the Astral Express. I'm sure we're about to embark on a fascinating journey together.

Hey there. Tired? How about a coffee?

Relax, Pom-Pom and I are here to take care of the train.

The Express and I are like old friends — we've helped each other a lot. I fixed it so that it could get back to its original route, and in return it takes me to unknown frontiers.

As far as malfunctions on the train are concerned, I've usually dealt with them before you guys even realize anything's amiss.

I'm speculating, but I think the Express departs from Akivili's home world and returns there before starting the journey anew. So the Express doesn't have a "final stop" per se — it's up to you where you disembark.

I have a knack for blending different coffee beans. Can I make you a cup? I recommend not adding milk — black coffee is proper coffee.

Seems like only Dan Heng has a kind word for my coffee. What do you think? ...Well, I've always thought that bitter is better...

When people live together it seems like nobody ever changes. Only when they're away from each other for a long time do surprising transformations occur...

When we scour the universe for the things we seek, most of the time it's less of a "Eureka, I found it!" moment and more of a "Is this it? What if I'm wrong?" moment.

If I woke up on the Express without any memories, there's no way I'd recover as quickly as March has. I admire her for that, but I also worry about her... If I'm ever too busy, please do take the time to chat with her.

Dan Heng is the cautious type — I think he's gotten used to doing things by himself. He doesn't like to bother or inconvenience others. That's why I asked him to be the train's guard and maintain the data bank. I don't think he'd have joined us if there wasn't anything for him to do.

I think Welt's anxious that he can't keep up with you youngsters, but he sure seems young at heart to me...

To Pom-Pom, I'll always be the train's mechanic, haha.

He's not so uptight nowadays. I think Trailblazer and March helped him understand that relying on others sometimes really isn't a big deal.

The Express's path bridges the stars, as if it were a string of shimmering pearls.

With countless marvelous sights to be seen, I couldn't possibly consider stopping here.

Our final stop can never truly be reached.

The human thirst for discovery is truly boundless.

If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask, Trailblazer.

Make sure to keep yourself safe this time March... and remember, we're all in this together.

I'll be right behind you with all the support you need, Dan Heng.

I'll be right behind you with all the support you need, Dan Heng. Be fearless.

See, Welt, I told you we'd have lots of chances to shine.

I have something for you.

Be careful.

Combat is a series of precise machinations.

Time for a detailed overhaul.

It won't be so easy next time.

One at a time!

Come one, come all.

Barely felt it.

You've got a lot of nerve.

Perhaps you still don't understand...

Humanity never conceals its desire to control the heavens... And I'm no exception.

You won't get away!

I was... just getting... started...

Did you miss me?

Much obliged.

Burn away.

One step closer to the stars.

This is also the reward of trailblazing.

Oh, how nice.

What a pleasant surprise.

Sometimes you gotta do things yourself.

No help required.

Practice target?

Fancy a coffee?