Stellar Train: I Open a Small Shop on the Train

New Inazuma, on the main island.

The environment of New Inazuma was exceptionally beautiful.

The architectural style remained traditional, the skies were clear, and seabirds soared freely across the sky.

The sea was a deep blue, with waves rolling one after another onto the sandy beaches.

In Inazuma City, both sides of the streets were lined with cherry blossom trees.

The entire city looked like a picturesque town nestled within a cherry blossom forest—truly stunning.

Stelle, Hu Tao, and Firefly wandered down the main street, each holding a skewer of grilled meat.

Stelle held a lamb skewer in her left hand and thirty other skewers in her right.

She took a big bite of lamb, chewing happily. The strong aroma of cumin and chili powder mixed with the rich flavor of lamb filled her mouth.

After swallowing, Stelle said:

"These Inazuma skewers are pretty good! And not too expensive—just 2,000 credits for all of these."

Just as she finished speaking, two people approached from ahead.

"Of course! Here in Inazuma, our specialty is low prices," one of them said.

Stelle turned her head.

"Oh! Miko! Yoimiya! It's you two!"

Stelle casually tossed the bamboo skewer she'd finished onto the ground.

Yae Miko's eyes lit up upon seeing this. She covered her mouth and laughed, pointing to a nearby wooden sign.

"'Littering—Fine: 1,000 credits,'" she quoted.

Stelle followed her finger and saw the sign indeed said there was a 1,000-credit fine for littering.

She was dumbfounded.

"Uh… would it help if I picked it up now?"

Miko held out her hand.

"Nope. Pay up."

Stelle reluctantly pulled out her phone and transferred 1,000 credits to her.

"Sigh~ annoying… The skewers only cost 2,000, and now I've just lost half of it."

Miko smiled.

"Well, that's what you get for littering.

Anyway, let's get to the point—what brings you all to Inazuma?"

Stelle took another bite from a beef skewer in her right hand.

"What else? We're here to have fun! You know we can't sit still on the train."

Yoimiya chimed in.

"Then you came at the perfect time. There's a fireworks festival tonight—want to stick around for it?"

Stelle looked at Hu Tao, Firefly, and Kiana.

Kiana nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes! I love fireworks! It's been ages since I last saw them. The last time was during a fight with Sunday in Penacony—there were some fireworks in the background."

Hu Tao raised an eyebrow.

"Sunday? Oh~ you mean Sunday. Kiana, why are you calling him the youngest? You should just say Sunday, you're not even a crew member of the Astral Express."

Stelle responded:

"Ah, same difference. You guys just haven't officially joined the Express.

Like Himeko used to say, —When have we ever gone on an expedition without all of us together?"

Lumine thought back for a moment.

"That's true. Every time I've gone with you all, I end up collecting treasure chests and earning stellar jade."

Yae Miko then said:

"Alright, come on. I'll take you to Tenshukaku. Lady Makoto heard you were in town and wanted you to drop by."

Seeing this, Stelle and the others followed Miko and Yoimiya toward Tenshukaku.

Meanwhile, inside Tenshukaku...

Makoto and Sangonomiya Kokomi were busy working.

Ever since Makoto was resurrected, she has resumed control over Inazuma.

The first thing she did upon returning was to reassess and consolidate talent—gathering all the skilled individuals across Inazuma.

Naturally, Kokomi was among those summoned and now served as Makoto's assistant.

Kokomi glanced at Makoto, who sat seriously dealing with paperwork at the head seat. Then she looked over at Ei, who was lying on the floor, propped up on one elbow, munching on potato chips while watching a soap opera on her tablet.

Kokomi felt a mix of admiration and resignation. They're sisters, but how can they be so different?

She sighed inwardly but was also filled with gratitude.

Gratitude that Lady Makoto had returned to life.

With Makoto back, Inazuma had been brought back on track.

Now—

Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate had reconciled, and the people from both sides now lived together in the vast New Inazuma City.

People lived peaceful, happy lives.

Elderly citizens were cared for in the nursing homes Makoto established, and orphans were raised in orphanages.

People no longer have to worry about their next meal. Back in the old days of Inazuma, what people thought about every day was just how to get their next meal.

But now, that's no longer a concern.

Kokomi is now wholeheartedly assisting Makoto with managing Inazuma.

At this moment—

Yae Miko walked in with Stelle, Hu Tao, and a few others.

"Makoto, Ei, I brought Stelle and the others."

Stelle waved to Makoto and Ei upon seeing them.

"Long time no see, Makoto, Ei."

Ei lifted her head and glanced at the group, nodded slightly, then returned her focus to the tablet in her hands.

Makoto smiled.

"Everyone, welcome to Inazuma.

Please have a seat and chat. I'll have someone bring some tea and snacks."

As soon as she heard the word "snacks," Ei abruptly looked up.

"Snacks? I want flower pastries. Two or three plates, thanks."

Then she lowered her head again and continued watching her soap opera.

Makoto chuckled.

Her little sister—ever since discovering the internet, she had completely become a shut-in.

Still, when asked to do something, Ei would still do it, and she hadn't neglected her martial arts either—she practiced daily.

Kiana was very curious about what kind of drama had Ei so captivated.

She leaned over Ei's shoulder and curiously peeked at the soap opera playing on the tablet.

"What show is this, Ei? You're watching it so seriously."

Ei looked up and saw it was Kiana, then turned her gaze back.

"This is The Evil Stepmother, it's really good. I've already watched 380 episodes, and there are still 700 left."

Kiana gasped softly in amazement and lay on Ei's shoulder, watching the soap opera with her.

Makoto then introduced Kokomi to Stelle and the others.

"Hello, I'm Sangonomiya Kokomi, assistant to Lady Makoto."

Stelle nodded.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Stelle, also known as the Galactic Fire Hero, and the Light-type Pokémon Champion."

Hu Tao looked at Kokomi with great curiosity—she looked about the same age as her, yet she was already assisting Makoto in handling government affairs.

"Kokomi, how old are you?"

Kokomi was a little flustered by Hu Tao's question.

Age is always a sensitive topic for girls.

Lumine noticed Kokomi's discomfort.

"It's okay, Kokomi. We're all girls here, you can tell us."

Upon hearing that, Kokomi replied,

"I'm 16 this year."

Hu Tao exclaimed loudly,

"Whaaat!!! You're already helping manage a country at just 16? That's amazing!"

Yoimiya spoke up at that moment.

"Kokomi had already started managing an island before. Don't you remember? You even made a deal with her before—you sold them a shipment of food."

Lumine thought for a moment, then clapped her hands.

"Oh!! That's right! I remember now! What was the name of the island again? Let me think—Watatsumi Island, right?"

Kokomi smiled and nodded.

"Yes. Thank you back then, Lumine. If it weren't for that shipment of supplies, we would've had a hard time surviving.

Back then, Watatsumi Island was really running out of food."

Lumine waved her hand.

"No need to thank me. It was a regular trade—you paid, I delivered."

***

Miko smiled upon hearing that.

"Speaking of which, I just have to mention—Lumine, you're actually a wanted criminal in Inazuma~"

Stelle perked up with interest.

"Oh ho ho? A wanted criminal? Tell me more."

Miko continued:

"At that time, Watatsumi Island, under Kokomi's leadership, was considered a rebel force.

And since Lumine was doing business with them and providing a large amount of food, she was naturally considered an accomplice.

So she was wanted back then."

Stelle nodded in understanding—it boiled down to aiding the enemy and smuggling, essentially.

"Ahh, I see.

So how about now? Is she still wanted?"

Just as Stelle finished speaking, Kujou Sara walked in from outside.

"Lady Shogun, we just received a report that the wanted criminal Lumine has appeared in Inazuma City. Should we apprehend her?"

Kujou Sara raised her head after reporting, locking eyes with Lumine.

Lumine looked constipated. Good grief, are they really going to arrest her?!

She thought, Inazuma is completely unlivable! I'm outta here!

Ei smiled lightly.

"Cancel the warrant. Lumine is now our honored guest."

Kujou Sara acknowledged and withdrew.

After that, Stelle, Hu Tao, and the others played around Inazuma for a long time and didn't return home until late at night after watching the fireworks festival.

The next day arrived.

La Signora packed her luggage and arrived at the palace adjacent to the Tsaritsa's.

This palace belonged to the young girl (possibly referring to someone important), and the teleportation gate was placed here. The girl watched it every day.

When La Signora arrived, she immediately saw Tartaglia (Childe).

Tartaglia seemed to be in a good mood, wearing headphones and humming a little tune.

Seeing La Signora approach, Tartaglia waved and greeted her.

"Morning, superstar of Snezhnaya~"

La Signora rolled her eyes at his teasing.

"Morning. Where are you off to?"

Tartaglia smiled.

"I've got the day off, so I'm planning to visit the Luofu. I heard they have a bunch of martial arts halls—I want to find someone to spar with."

La Signora replied:

"Don't go dying over there."

Tartaglia chuckled.

"I'll take that as a sign of concern from you. And you? Off to join a film crew?"

La Signora nodded.

"Yeah, Ayaka said we'll move in and rest today and join the crew the day after tomorrow."

Tartaglia responded:

"Alright, let's go to Ye Yun's shop first.

Honestly, this'll be my first time visiting~"

La Signora thought back.

Yesterday had been her first visit too.

The shop's interior—how to describe it?

Very elegant, very steady. A style she quite liked.

The two entered the palace.

Inside Ye Yun's shop.

Ye Yun, Himeko, and others were having breakfast.

The teleportation gate flashed, and Tartaglia and La Signora stepped out.

Tartaglia looked around curiously.

"Hey everyone, good morning~"

Paimon was a little surprised to see him.

"Tartaglia? What are you doing here?"

Tartaglia smiled.

"I've got the day off. Planning to explore the Luofu a bit."

Paimon eyed him suspiciously.

"You're not just looking for a fight again, are you?"

Tartaglia was quite surprised by that.

"Exactly! How did you know?"

Paimon chuckled.

"Hehe~ Like I don't know you? A rare day off, and instead of spending time with your family, what else would you be doing?

It's always either fighting or... fighting."

Tartaglia laughed.

"Yeah, I'm heading to the Luofu to check out some martial arts halls."

Lumine glanced at him, her brain quickly hatching a devious idea.

She smirked wickedly.

Hehe~ this is gonna be fun.

"Tartaglia, you're going to the Luofu? What for? Looking to challenge strong fighters? There's one right here on the train.

See that rift over there? Go inside—there's a woman practicing swordsmanship in there. She's the one you're looking for."

Tartaglia, trusting her words, nodded.

"Oh? I'll go have a look."

He entered the Domain—and just a few seconds later, came back out.

He stared at Lumine, expression deadpan and unimpressed.

Seeing his constipated expression, Lumine couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"Hahahaha! I didn't lie to you—come on, admit it, isn't she a powerhouse?"

Tartaglia nodded slightly.

Powerful? That's an understatement. That woman was none other than Jingliu, who once stormed the Tsaritsa's palace and killed the Doctor, walking away unscathed.

Sure, he liked to fight strong opponents—but there's a difference between a fair fight and being absolutely steamrolled.

Against Jingliu, he couldn't even react. What kind of fight is that?

Stelle chimed in.

"You're a little late. If you had come earlier, you could've caught the Luofu's Martial Exhibition Ceremony. It's a grand martial arts event."

Tartaglia looked regretful.

"That's a real shame. When's the next one? Where do I sign up?"

Stelle shrugged.

"That, I don't know~ You'll have to ask Jing Yuan and the others. They're the organizers."

Tartaglia nodded thoughtfully, planning to message them later on his phone.

Just then, Ye Yun called out:

"You two eaten yet? Want to have breakfast with us before heading out?"

Tartaglia instantly agreed.

"Sounds great! I haven't eaten yet today.

Judging by the look of it, I bet these dishes were made by Xiangling, huh? I haven't had her cooking in forever."

La Signora also nodded in agreement.

They had plenty of time—no need to rush.

The two sat down, and Xiangling handed them bowls and chopsticks.

Everyone dug into breakfast.

Just then, Tohru entered the shop with Kanna.

"Good morning, everyone!"

Xiangling waved.

"Tohru, you're here! Hold on a bit—once I finish eating, we'll head back to Wanmin Restaurant."

Tohru nodded. She was now officially an apprentice chef at Wanmin Restaurant and followed Xiangling every day to learn how to cook.

Kanna looked around curiously, searching for Klee and the others.

Himeko noticed and smiled.

"Kanna, Klee and the others are inside the Domain. Go ahead and find them—they're probably playing."

Kanna smiled and nodded, then ran into the Domain to look for them.

Inside the Domain, Klee and the others had just finished a sword lesson with Jingliu and were planning to head back to Rose Castle for a bath.

Seeing Kanna, Klee was overjoyed.

"Yay! Kanna! Kanna! You came to play with me?"

Klee dashed over and hugged her tightly.

Kanna nodded.

"Mm-hmm. I came to play with you guys."

Bailu grabbed Kanna's hand and led her back to Rose Castle.

She pointed to the couch in the living room.

"Kanna, have a seat here for a bit—we're going to take a bath. Just finished sword practice, and we're all sweaty."

Kanna nodded and sat down on the sofa.

Klee, Bailu, and Hook ran off noisily into the large bath.

Soon, the sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.

Kanna glanced at the TV in front of her, picked up the remote from the table, and started flipping through channels until she settled on a cartoon.