Chapter 109: A Couple

Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for each novel.

Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff

******

The Trailblaze squad successfully returned to the Astral Express, bringing along new passengers Serval, robot Pascal, and familiar Sophia.

As everyone gathered together, Bochang introduced them one by one. Since Himeko and Welt Yang were already aware of their arrival, they showed no surprise but instead advised the newcomers to rest well, alleviating the fatigue from their time on Jarilo VI.

Soon, the Astral Express would depart this region promptly for its next destination.

Meanwhile...

Bochang retreated to his room, which Himeko had prepared for him. Currently, it contained only a bed, nothing else.

Although Pascal the robot was considered Bochang's pet,

he didn't intend to monopolize Pascal's services. Instead, generously allowing Pascal to assist everyone aboard the Astral Express.

Earlier when Bochang returned to his room,

Pom-Pom had called Pascal away for some unknown reason, possibly needing assistance with repairs.

Lying on the soft, large bed, Bochang wasn't feeling sleepy yet.

The reason was simple—he had napped at Natasha's clinic earlier that afternoon. It was quite normal for him to be wide awake now.

With Pascal serving as Sophia's mount, she also didn't linger by the black-haired youth's side, making...his room relatively quiet. After lying down for a minute, Bochang suddenly sat up.

"Well, since Stelle's room is right next door, I might as well go check on her."

With this thought, Bochang stepped out of his room, only to find Stelle exiting hers at the same moment.

Both were momentarily taken aback.

Then simultaneously, they asked, "Where are you going?"

"You first." They spoke in unison again.

Bochang and Stelle couldn't help but chuckle.

"Go ahead, Stelle," said Bochang, ensuring no further overlap.

"I'm feeling pretty bored and wanted to see your room," replied Stelle.

If Bochang's guess was correct, Stelle's room would be just like his—empty except for a bed.

Bochang nodded.

"How coincidental, I also wanted to visit your room."

Taken aback, Stelle asked, "Then... should we switch and take turns looking?"

"Cough... perhaps not." Bochang shook his head. His main intention for wanting to see Stelle's room was simply to find her there. If she wasn't present, it held no purpose for him to go.

After briefly chatting outside, Bochang invited Stelle to his room as a guest. The gray-haired girl didn't decline.

Once inside, with the door closed, Stelle promptly sat down on Bochang's bed. With her legs dangling off the side, the pale feet of the gray-haired girl swung casually.

"Speaking of which... Bochang, you and I aren't related by blood, right?"

"Hmm... that seems likely..." Bochang responded nonchalantly.

Stelle observed, "You don't seem surprised at all."

"Of course... considering our hair and eye colors, one could probably guess," Bochang shrugged.

Earlier on their journey, no one had brought up this topic.

Now, Stelle continued, "So... what do you think our relationship is? Maybe we really are lovers, just as you suggested before."

Her words reminded Bochang of an incident at the Herta Space Station when they first met.

At that time, the newly arrived black-haired youth indeed made such a flippant remark...

about them possibly being lovers.

Bochang didn't expect Stelle to revisit this conversation now.

[Dating Options activated.]

[Option 1: Immediately agree, saying, "Yes, we should be lovers." - Completion Reward: Random item, ranging from a matchstick to a star destroyer. Note: This type of item will...]

[Option 2: Politely decline, stating, "This... I was just joking; perhaps we're only friends." - Completion Reward: Random item, ranging from a matchstick to a star destroyer. Note: This type of item will...]

"Hmm? Isn't Silver Wolf supposed to be monitoring me? What's going on with the sudden lack of reaction? Did they go off to play games?" Bochang muttered to himself.

In the past,

in such situations, nine times out of ten, choosing the first option was not advisable.

Once selected...

Silver Wolf would undoubtedly intervene.

Surprisingly, this time there were no consequences.

"Who cares? Anyway, since all Dating Options offer rewards, it means I can choose them."

"Option One!"

Opportunity knocks only once; seize the moment.

Bochang promptly responded, "Yes, we should indeed be considered a couple."

[Reward being issued—Congratulations! You have received a pack of instant noodles. Note: This type of item will...]

"Couple... If we're a couple now... what exactly should we do?"

Stelle looked perplexed and uncertain.

Just as Bochang was about to reply,

Suddenly, March 7th opened the door and asked, "What are you two doing here...? Hurry up, it's time for mahjong, we're short two players."

Just like playing cards, mahjong was also available here, with rules similar to those from his previous life.

Bochang had even played it on his phone before.

However...

Right now, mahjong should not be the priority!

Bochang turned around, looking speechlessly at March 7th, feeling that her timing couldn't have been worse.

Stelle didn't dwell on it much.

"Hmm... Bochang, let's go play mahjong first," she said as she stood up.

Bochang swallowed all the words he initially wanted to say. After a brief moment of silence, he gently sighed and ultimately decided to join March 7th and Stelle for a game of mahjong.

Apart from them, the fourth player was Himeko.

Serval, who didn't know how to play yet, stood nearby to learn.

As they engaged in their mahjong game,

While playing, Himeko engaged everyone in casual conversation.

"Bochang, I heard from March 7th... that you've learned another incredible stealing skill. Could we see it in action?"

"Well..." Bochang hesitated momentarily, then noticed March 7th discarding a Two of Bamboos tile. "Wait, pong."

Himeko asked, "Is there... some inconvenience using it?"

"No, I'm just concerned about accidentally stealing something inappropriate, since... the stealing skill is entirely random. Earlier today in Belobog, I ended up stealing one of March's socks."

As Bochang spoke, he discarded a bamboo tile.

March 7th retorted, "So you weren't at all worried about potentially stealing something more embarrassing from me back then?"

Upon reflection, March 7th felt quite fortunate—luckily, it was only a sock they had lost.

Had it been their skirt or blouse instead, things could have gotten interesting.

That would have been quite amusing.

"Of course I cared... But at that moment, to silence you, I had no choice but to use my skill; otherwise, you'd keep harping on the girls' situation... It would've been such a hassle." Bochang didn't voice these thoughts aloud and instead defended himself by saying, "I couldn't predict what item I'd steal... If I knew it would be clothing, I wouldn't have done it."

"Don't worry, there's nobody else here anyway. Go ahead and try your power; I'm genuinely curious about it," Himeko expressed with keen interest.

Bochang asked, "Are you serious, Himeko?"

"Absolutely."