Chronicles of the Astral Express: First Steps

A/N: Hello denizens of the internet! I'm back this week for a new chapter and rewrite of chapter 21!

Please do check it both!

The call had ended, the holographic screen closed with a soft ring.

Inside their room at Yuragi Inn, Hajime sat cross-legged on the tatami, eyes shut as he reflected on Noah's words along with his unconditional trust towards them.

"To represent the Crew..."

He repeated the words under his breath, savoring each word and its meaning to him. ".....If I screw this up, I'm letting down more than myself, I'm also letting down everyone who puts their trust in me."

He exhaled slowly, feeling the pressure yet the determination was there. To make this meeting successful. 

Behind him, seated comfortably on fluffy futons, Alice and Anisphia were deep in conversation—each word laced with just the right mix of curiosity and drama.

"You heard what Noah said, right?" Alice murmured, a soft sigh escaping as she leaned back. "Someone abandoned by their family... sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it? Probably a girl too, knowing how these things go."

Anisphia crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "That setup screams 'tragic backstory meets protagonist's healing arc.' And knowing Hajime's luck? It's going to turn into a rom-com with us tossed in as the rivals, of course."

Alice gave a knowing smile, her cheek resting against her knuckles. "I've seen this script too many times. Still, I'm not worried. As Hajime's fiancée, I know where he stands. We've been through too much to be shaken that easily."

Anisphia gasped, throwing her arms up dramatically. "Such composure! Is this the secret power of the first wife?!"

Alice blinked, calm as ever. "You're spiraling again."

Anisphia waved her arms, half panicked, half dramatic. "Okay but what if she's stunning?!! Graceful and refined??!! What if she sweeps him off his feet?! Hajime has a thing for princesses, like temperament!!"

"..You do know you are an actual princess, right?," Alice said lightly, not even looking up.

"Details!!"

She flopped onto a pillow and groaned. "Ughhh, how am I supposed to show my position without sounding like a jealous mess?!"

Then her eyes lit up. "Maybe I'll remind him about our joint blueprints. Or the time we built that magic array in under two hours. Or how he let me modify his weapon with my gear syncing tech... we do have chemistry... right?"

"Literal and figurative," Alice replied with a wryly smile

Anisphia clutched her chest like she'd just received a life-saving diagnosis. "Then there's hope! Crisis delayed!"

Hajime's brow twitched.

"The political stability between Heaven, the Underworld, and the Fallen depends on this meeting. We need focus and teamwork—"

"—Which is why I must make a statement as the second wife!" Anisphia stood up dramatically. "I, Anisphia Wynn Palettia, royal inventor, beloved of Hajime, and future queen, will not let some newcomer steal our, mine and Euphy's momentum!"

Alice gave her a supportive clap. "Ohh!"

Hajime slowly turned toward them, his voice flat. "Did you two even hear a word I just said?"

Alice smiled without missing a beat. "Every single one. Doesn't mean we're not also preparing for... alternative scenarios."

Anisphia leaned over like she was unveiling a master plan. "Let's be real. If this person's story screams emotional connection, you know Hajime's going to get dragged into it. And we have to stay competitive!"

Hajime rubbed his temple. "It's a diplomatic summit, not a dating sim. For the love of logic, can we focus?"

Alice brushed her hair back with an amused grin. "Rom-com rules apply, my dear Hajime. Don't underestimate the genre, it always comes back to bite."

Anisphia suddenly sat bolt upright. "Exactly! If I slack off, I might lose ground! Do you want that, Hajime?!"

"You're already my co-inventor and partner in creation. Nothing can change that," Hajime replied with a dry smile. "Besides, we are basically engaged."

"That was my family's idea! They're the ones trying to crown you as the king after Al-kun's rebellion," she huffed, throwing her hands up. Then, added with a pout, "Although I don't mind it, I still want something special... something real. A proper proposal wouldn't kill you, you know?"

Hajime scratched his cheek and looked away for a moment, clearly unsure how to respond.

Alice chuckled, sliding closer to rest against Hajime's arm. "Heee, so you want another 'I will give you the world' episode like the one he said to Algard and those nobles?"

"Kyaaa!!!~ Alice, don't remind me about that!!" Anisphia shrieked and hid under the futon forming a splendid bun.

"....I regret saying that," Hajime muttered. "But... if that's what you need, I'll say it again."

"You damn harem protagonist!!," the girls shouted in both affectionate and scolding tone.

-------------

The next morning, Hajime walked through the familiar halls of Kuoh Academy, his steps quiet but sure. Sunlight streamed through the windows, lighting up the path ahead, though his mind was still caught in the whirlwind of last night's strategy meeting with Noah and the others.

He soon reached the student council room.

Inside, Sona Shitori, Tsubaki Shinra, Rias Gremory, and Akeno Himejima were already seated around the table, documents stacked neatly before them.

"This should cover everything regarding the Kokabiel incident," Sona said, flipping to the last page.

Rias stretched her arms above her head with a small groan. "Ugh, I swear, we've rewritten this thing more times than Issei's failed pickup lines."

Akeno chuckled gently as she refilled everyone's teacups. "Still, we can't afford mistakes. Not when the major factions will be watching every detail."

A knock echoed through the room. Tsubaki stood up to check, then opened the door slightly.

"President, Nagumo Hajime is here to see you."

All eyes face toward the doorway, the atmosphere changes to something expectant.

Hajime stepped inside and gave a polite nod. "Hope I'm not barging in."

"Not at all," Sona replied smoothly, motioning to the empty seat across from her. "We were expecting your arrival soon. We've just wrapped up our final revisions for the conference report."

Tsubaki stepped in and placed a warm cup of coffee in front of him.

"Appreciate it," Hajime said with a short bow before sitting. He took a sip, exhaled lightly, and nodded. "Your work is thorough, as always."

Rias leaned forward slightly, "So, have you and your group decided? Will you be joining us as witnesses to this historic moment?"

Hajime placed the cup down gently. "Yes. After discussing it with the Captain and the rest of the crew, we've decided to send a formal delegation. I'll be representing the Astral Express along with Alice and Anis."

He paused for a second, letting them digest his next words.

"And since we were directly involved in stopping Kokabiel," Hajime added, "it's only right that we see through what our actions have set in motion."

Sona nodded, her expression softening. "You three gave this world a chance to come together. It's not just duty, it's your right to witness where this leads."

Rias added with a light smile, "Then it's settled. Your group will attend as the spark that pushed this peace forward."

"Let's hope that spark lights the way for something better," Hajime said, sitting upright with quiet resolve.

Sona returned the gesture. "Then, come with us. A new era's waiting."

Meanwhile, back at the training field behind the academy, chaos was business as usual.

"Issei! You're supposed to aim, not just blast everything in sight!" Anisphia shouted, her voice half-drill sergeant, half-exasperated teacher, as smoke curled from yet another ruined training dummy. "Come on, you're a dragon host, not a walking firecracker!"

"This is aiming! Sort of! I'm aiming at not dying!" Issei yelled, ducking behind cover as his own wild attack ricocheted off a training barrier.

Anisphia scribbled furiously on her notepad. "Mental note: dragon instincts still in beta."

Not far off, Alice sat beside Gasper, gently adjusting his posture. "Deep breaths, Gasper. Don't fight your power, guide it. Think of it like... pouring tea without spilling. Slow and steady."

Gasper gave a small nod, his hands glowing faintly as he focused. The moving stone in front of him stopped.

"Did I just…"

"Yes!" 'Alice offered an encouraging smile. "Just like that. See? You're doing great."

Issei's latest explosion cut through the moment, sending sparks flying.

Anisphia sighed. "That's the fifth dummy today. I'm sending the repair bill to Rias-san."

"I'm learning!" Issei shouted, ducking behind another scorched dummy.

"You're blowing up! That's not the same thing!" Anisphia snapped, gesturing wildly with her arms. "This isn't a fireworks festival!"

"Issei-san! You're on fire!" Asia cried.

"Huh?!" Issei glanced down, eyes widening as he noticed the flames licking up his sleeves. "AAAHH!! My uniform's on fire!! Someone get water or a blanket or something!!"

Kiba blinked, arms crossed, mildly impressed. "Oddly enough, he's getting better. His explosions are more... concentrated."

Koneko, nibbling her sweets, deadpanned, "Exploding consistently is still growth."

Amid the chaos, the sounds of scolding, encouragement, and light laughter filled the air. Their methods were unconventional, but they were growing.

------

Elsewhere, far from Kuoh's walls and the training fields, Sagiri knelt in the ancestral home of the Chuuma Ninja Clan. Before her sat the Matriarch of the clan, Shigure Ameno, her grandmother clad in traditional miko outfit.

"Was it true," Shigure asked. "The one who defeated the fallen angel Kokabiel... is a God Slayer."

Sagiri bowed deeply. "Yes, Grandmother. His name is Hajime Nagumo. His power... it overwhelmed Kokabiel with ease. it's unlike anything I've ever seen."

The Shigure's expression became thoughtful, before releasing a sigh. "A 'Campione' was it?... That title has spread around the world. Every pantheon is looking for him. They do not take kindly to those who can challenge the divine."

"Then the aftermath may not be limited to the three factions," Sagiri said with a slight pale face.

"Indeed," she confirmed. "If those prideful gods feel they are threatened, they will act. And we humans will get caught from it."

She looked hard at Sagiri. "You've lived along with them, what do you personally think about them?"

Before Sagiri could respond, a younger attendant stepped forward with a scroll in hand, bowing low before the Matriarch.

"A message from Kyoto," he said. "Lady Yasaka of the Youkai faction wishes to formally request an audience with the God Slayer... specifically at the behest of Amaterasu-sama."

The Shigure's expression hardened, then turned contemplative. "So, Amaterasu-sama made the first move."

She turned back to Sagiri. "Convey this to the God Slayer's group, have them know the will of the gods."

Sagiri bowed low. "As you command, Grandmother."