"This is it."
Eous led the two of them and Panta to a spot beside the tracks. Their task was to block the tracks, forcing the computer-controlled train to change its route.
Nekomata glanced at Panta quietly trailing behind Zane. From the start, she had been unusually silent, almost invisible.
If he hadn't been following Zane so closely, people might have thought he was just another stray Bangboo.
"Zane, how are we supposed to block the track?"
Nekomata looked around, her two tails swaying behind him. Frowning, she asked Zane in confusion.
When they had discussed the plan earlier, they had only mentioned blocking the passage, but never explained how.
Looking around, there didn't seem to be anything they could use.
"Isn't it simple?"
Zane's voice came from a distance.
Boom!
A deafening crash shook the air as something heavy slammed down beside them. Startled, Nekomata instinctively leapt back.
When the dust settled, he saw a massive slab of wall smashed across the tracks, completely blocking and even destroying them.
"Z-Zane, what did you just do?"
Nekomata turned to look at Zane, who was casually strolling toward her, strands of black crystal slowly flaking off his right hand.
"What's wrong?"
Zane looked perfectly calm as he blinked at Nekomata.
"N-Nothing," Nekomata stammered, shaking her head hurriedly.
Even without seeing it happen, it wasn't hard to imagine what had just taken place!
That was terrifying.
Was this what she called "nothing special"?
If she punched someone, they'd probably cry for a long time...
Eous stood calmly to the side. To Belle, who was controlling her, it seemed perfectly natural for Zane to casually hurl a massive wall onto the tracks.
Zane noticed a trace of awe creeping into Nekomata's gaze and sighed inwardly.
The girl next door had just seen the real world for the first time. The innocence she once had shattered in an instant—replaced by the weight of reality.
Originally, this job should have been handled by Matcha Cupcake.
But because the little maid had left with Qingyi, the task naturally fell to him.
After all, you couldn't expect a little cat to carry heavy stones.
"Let's go to the control mechanism. With the new tracks destroyed, we just need to switch the original ones."
Seeing that the tracks were thoroughly blocked, Eous waved to the two of them and headed for the next location...
Moments later, with Zane and Nekomata working together, they activated the mechanism. Now the train would follow the planned route into the tunnel.
After that, Belle would control Eous to board the train and bring it to a halt.
"Alright, now we just have to get into the tunnel and wait for the train!"
Nekomata twisted her waist and smiled brightly.
Zane couldn't help glancing at Nekomata's springy ears, his attention momentarily fixed on them.
Curious about how they might feel, he quickly suppressed the thought out of politeness.
But Nekomata, with her feline sensitivity, caught his gaze. She paused slightly, recalling what had happened at the video store.
Could it be that the Phaethon siblings weren't really Furry? After all, she hadn't felt anything unusual while interacting with them.
That butler called himself Furry, but he was just a computerized steward... So the real Furry was actually Zane?!
But she didn't exactly fit the description of a "Furry," right? At most, she was just a cat girl...
Subtly, Nekomata inched a bit farther away from Zane. Although he left a good impression, they weren't close yet.
Maintaining distance was crucial for cats.
The two made their way into the tunnel. It wasn't dark—dim lights lined both sides. After Fairy calculated their position, Nekomata and Zane stopped at a spot inside and waited for the train.
While waiting, neither said a word. Though Belle wasn't physically there, she could still sense the atmosphere felt a little off.
It puzzled her.
In her eyes, Zane was someone easy to get along with.
Still, Belle didn't overthink it, because soon enough, the train arrived!
Whoosh—
The train roared by, the rushing wind brushing against their faces, stirring a sense of danger.
Under Fairy's guidance, Zane and Nekomata sprang into motion, each carrying a Bangboo.
"Master, the train is about to pass the designated point. Please prepare yourself and the client for action."
Fairy's voice came through to Belle, and she quickly relayed it to Nekomata. As the moment approached, the running Nekomata lifted Eous and shouted,
"Go, Proxy!"
But suddenly, Nekomata stumbled, tripping on a protrusion from the tunnel wall.
Eous flew up into the air, but instead of heading toward the planned target, she veered off toward the side of the train.
"Oh no!"
Nekomata steadied himself and saw Eous heading off course, panic rising in his chest. He was too far away to help.
Just then, a figure flashed past him—and kicked out hard!
Bullseye!
Eous soared through the air again and landed squarely on the train car with a loud thud.
"Phew..."
Nekomata let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for a reliable partner. He quickly caught up to Zane, continuing the pursuit.
Meanwhile, on top of the train...
"Please be gentle, Master."
"Your face slammed into the ceiling."
Belle, controlling Eous, stretched out her tiny arms to prop herself up, letting out a relieved breath.
That had been terrifying.
Fortunately, Zane had saved the day with his precise kick.
Even now, Belle could still feel a lingering ache from somewhere on her back.
Zane really hadn't held back!
Struggling to stand on the speeding train, Belle directed Eous to stagger forward.
"This body's even clumsier than I thought... Especially now. Ugh... My arms are too short..."
She grumbled as she moved forward.
"Don't be discouraged. Your blood relative once praised this posture—quote: 'Even small is cute.'"
Fairy ignored Belle's complaints, choosing instead to tease her, which only deepened her frustration.
"Sorry for not being cute enough."
Before long, Eous reached the air vent atop the train.
"This vent is so small that even Nekomata couldn't squeeze through. She's practically liquid."
"But for you, it's as easy as a skilled ninja slicing a watermelon. You are the king of the world."
Fairy kept up the humor as Eous struggled through the air vent.
"Now, King of the World, please head to the driver's cabin and complete your coronation..."