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“No, no, no, wait a minute…!”

Okay, I admit I deliberately picked that dodgy-looking vending machine to send him on an errand.

And yes, I was being pretty obvious about wanting him to clear out for a bit.

But the real reason the squabble that should’ve ended ages ago was delayed was Rosalyn’s request for a consultation.

If we’re going to assign blame here… half of it’s on me for forgetting to tell him to come back as soon as we were done, and half of it’s on Zero for still dawdling on the platform?

Anyway, the important thing right now isn’t figuring out who’s at fault, but getting him back here ASAP.

You can stop killing time now, come back already! Unless you decided the lost and found was a better place for our new home! –

However… even if I couldn’t get you the drink you wanted, I believe I should at least retrieve the money this hunk of junk swallowed. This is nothing short of fraud against Asha. –

Oh dear… I need to revise that fault ratio to six to four.

A can of juice is only, like, 200 or 300 Credits. But since money’s been leaking like a sieve lately, I’ve been really emphasizing thriftiness to Zero, so I guess he’s not overlooking even minor expenses.

Or… maybe he’s just really unhappy that I suffered a financial loss.

Just forget about it, it’s fine! If you don’t get back here quick, I’m refusing delivery of you! –

…Understood. –

“Ugh?!”

Thump! The station employee, who had been dangling and kicking in mid-air, fell to the platform floor.

As the embedded steel fist was pulled out, shattered glass shards and broken vending machine fragments rained down. And along with it came Daily Brew Works’ orange juice, clutched like a trophy.

…For a while, every time I drink juice, I’m going to be reminded of that mess.

What are you doing, you little rascal!

Astra Express A-185, connecting to the southeast track for departure towards Neo Haven. Departing as soon as train placement is complete. –

Thud…

The train vibrates, heralded by the roar of thousands upon thousands of metal parts playing in concert.

Even though the engine hasn’t started, the behemoth slowly shifts its position, and it does so by moving and reassembling the tiles, including the tracks, as a whole.

The magnificent sight, straddling efficiency and inefficiency, reality and platform games, is more than enough as a signal for a fresh start… but this isn’t some midnight escape, and I’m rejecting this dramatic development of losing my one and only partner at the train station.

Don’t trip…? It’ll be a real disaster if you do! –

……. –

There was no reply, but Zero’s movements as he sprinted across the platform became more precise, and faster.

Already, there was a wide gap between the platform and the train, easily more than 5 meters, that couldn’t be closed by simply walking or running, but it’s okay.

He’s got enough of a running start to get the minimum acceleration he needs, so all he has to do is jump, and he’ll have plenty of time to get in before the train doors close. …That’s what would’ve happened if there hadn’t been any interference.

“Hey, Droid! Stop! You’re under investigation for property damage… Damn it, he’s not showing any signs of stopping.”

Clatter! Clatter clatter…!!

The police officers who had caught up to him started firing.

Rubber bullets for riot control loudly pounded the ground near Zero’s feet and bounced away. I should probably be grateful that they weren’t live rounds, but it wasn’t much comfort in this situation.

Even if it was soft tomatoes raining down instead of rubber bullets, it would still reduce the momentum he’d gained and throw off his posture.

He’d already missed the jumping window a long time ago.

The Care Bot’s body, scraping along the ground from the impact of being hit from the side and behind, teetered precariously on the edge of the platform.

Oh, um… no joke, he really missed it…?

“…Hey?!”

Bang! I slammed my hand on the table without thinking and jumped up from my seat.

My palm sent a tingling sensation, begging me to stop tormenting it.

Asif and Rosalyn, who had turned their heads at my outburst, also spotted the Droid left alone on the platform. Their pupils contracted, wondering what on earth was going on.

Zero’s flustered expression was conveyed all the way here.

Whether he should avoid conflict with the police as I’d urged him to at the security checkpoint, or prioritize returning to my side and risk engaging in combat.

I wanted to quickly make the decision for him and tell him the right answer, but… I’m not a teacher, and I couldn’t just rattle off a solution for a lost child during a group activity.

“Huh? Huh?! Wait a minute! If I hack the train control system, I can get it to make an emergency stop pretty quickly…”

“I really appreciate the thought! But why are your solutions always so extreme?!”

I was grateful that she was actively thinking of solutions as if it were her own problem, but taking a path that would clearly lead to all sorts of additional trouble if she put it into practice was a bit much… Rosalyn, aren’t you a little too fearless for a wanted fugitive?

But the idea itself wasn’t bad.

At least it seemed much better than telling Zero to get out of it on his own to go and somehow negotiate a deal myself.

However, I doubted that the people who don’t even give refunds if you miss your boarding time would willingly allow someone to disembark on a whim.

Besides, track adjustments that were just begging for an accident were in full swing, and if I jumped off at the wrong time… ugh.

I’m sorry to everyone else, but I hope you can bear with a slight delay in departure.

Zero, quick! What are the reasons for an emergency train stop? –

According to the regulations published on the network: Instructions from the station control center, safety hazards such as track breaks or external threats, and finally, private requests from corporate VIPs. –

As knowledgeable as he is about theory, he immediately listed the necessary information concisely.

So, there has to be an order from above, the train has to be attacked, or some big shot has to have business.

I get the first ones… but what’s with the last one? It’s such a trivial reason compared to the previous cases, is he sure he’s not mistaken?

…It may be considered the most prioritized reason at times. –

“Ha….”

As soon as I realized what I had to do, a sigh involuntarily slipped through my lips and into the air.

If I had to choose between causing an even bigger commotion or having a minor run-in with the authorities, it was right for Anastasia Valentine, the pitiful, penniless hacker, to endure a moment of embarrassment and humiliation without much deliberation. It’s the most correct and rational decision.

……So I endured it. Otherwise, I would’ve just given up on everything. Ugh.

Click, click, click!!

“Huh? I’m going to complain to the staff. There’s no way those guys will understand our situation…? If you’re in a hurry, we can disable the security system together right now…”

“…There’s an easier way.”

Rosalyn tilted her head at me as I mindlessly spammed the call attendant button.

Asif’s eyes flashed, trying to confirm whether I was going to betray them by reporting them.

Well, fortunately, amidst all the misfortunes piling up on top of each other, the awkward wait wasn’t long.

The sliding door opened smoothly, and soon a staff member with a bright smile entered as if they had been waiting for me.

Now, even if it’s just a nominal, figurehead position.

If I believe what the reception desk clerk said, I’m probably registered as one of the VIPs, so I can confidently demand a stop. It’s nothing special.

So, where should I make the demand… the request…… No, how do I even bring this up?

“Um….”

As soon as I had the messenger to convey my opinion in front of me, I was at a loss for words and couldn’t think of the right vocabulary. I’m telling you again, I don’t know how to be a jerk, but the situation keeps pushing me into this position, and it’s driving me crazy.

What am I supposed to say to the staff member who has a smile that seems to melt down all the sorrows of all service workers?

Um, I’m this kind of person~ Could you stop the train for a moment? Just imagining it made the back of my neck stiff.

“So….”

Before I could finish rolling the appropriate words around in my mouth, the quick-witted staff member greeted me with a splendid greeting.

“Ms. Valentine, it is an honor to have you aboard the Astra Express! I have been instructed to take active measures if there is any inconvenience or anything that offends you. How may I help you?”

Service comments flowed out like a torrent.

She even glanced subtly around the cabin when she said “anything that offends you.”

I guess this is… she knows, right? She must know about the eccentric guest who insisted on riding in the general cabin, right?

“Um, sorry… well, my companion, I guess. He accidentally left some valuables on the platform, so is there anything you can do…?”

“…….”

The platform was getting further and further away. More precisely, I carefully pointed to Zero, who was still busy glaring at the police officers at the very end of it.

If it was advantageous to explain the specific situation, I would have done so as much as possible, but since it was said that it could be a ‘private request,’ I hoped that this crude explanation would be okay… and amusingly enough, it hit the mark exactly.

A sharp, right-angled bow that could be heard cutting through the air.

The staff member’s back suddenly bent 90 degrees, his head facing the ground, with a serious expression on his face.

His tongue, which had been moving so flamboyantly as if it had a motor attached to it, was nowhere to be seen, and he stammered out a reply.

“…Immediately. I will relay this to all relevant departments and stations to ensure you have a pleasant trip. Please wait just a moment, just a little bit.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you…?”

Apart from the answer that came out unintentionally, I had a small question about what all the relevant departments were, but it was quickly resolved.

As soon as he received the complaint and started contacting people while muttering about my situation, the situation began to change drastically.

Thud…

As if rewinding a clock, the grandiose track adjustment process was reversed with a roar.

The police officers who had been surrounding the pitiful runaway robot murmured, then lowered their weapons and returned to their respective duty stations.

The announcement that had been hyping up the departure was now blaring that a ‘minor defect’ had been discovered just before departure and that the train would be returned to a position adjacent to the platform.

Really, all I had to do was sit in my seat and whine a little, and everything would be resolved…? Is… is this power?

…I have more things to grill Aaron about when he contacts me next time.

I trust he didn’t openly register my personal information in the Paradise database.

“Hoo… Then, Ms. Valentine? I will guide you back to the first-class cabin that was originally prepared for you.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine…”

I was about to decline the staff member’s offer, who was wiping away cold sweat, but I noticed the gazes of the two people who looked like they had a lot they wanted to say.

I hate to admit it, but it seemed like there was a decision left for me to make and take responsibility for.

But if the choices were ‘stay here and be grilled from the beginning again vs. run away pretending not to know,’ there was no room for hesitation.

I slowly got up from my seat. I awkwardly tried to grab my luggage, but the staff member was already holding it under his arm.

Behind my back. Just before the cabin door closed.

I awkwardly mumbled a pathetic excuse.

“…I didn’t say I didn’t have one or two secrets hidden away.”