Ch. 81I'm Not Dumb, Navigator Himeko!
Key plot points
- Qin Qi initially dismisses Raccoon Star’s claim that she is bankrupt, joking that Pom-Pom must have been sold to a zoo. Raccoon Star insists she owes twenty billion Credits and begs for a loan, even threatening to use Sesame Crisp as collateral.
- Raccoon Star admits she took Qin Qi’s trash can and refuses to return it, calling it a Trailblazing treasure.
- Suspicious that she might truly be in trouble, Qin Qi asks Perlica to investigate. She confirms Raccoon Star joined the Thousand-Star Domain game “Lose Money to Become a Tycoon.” Players must spend twenty billion Credits in three days to win a prize, but restrictive contract rules invalidate many purchases; those who fail incur a debt.
- Qin Qi calls back and apologizes for doubting Raccoon Star. She says the Astral Express crew plans to work for eight thousand years to repay the debt, but still regrets not studying the rules carefully enough to win the prize.
- Qin Qi realizes she is more interested in the game’s rewards than avoiding the scam. Raccoon Star wants a limited-edition trash-can plushie, a new baseball bat, and other items, and says Himeko has stopped giving her an allowance because she buys too much junk.
- Qin Qi asks to speak with someone reliable. After briefly talking to March 7th, he is finally connected to Himeko, the Express’s red-haired navigator.
Character developments and interactions
- Qin Qi shifts from disbelief to concern, checks the facts through Perlica, and apologizes—but quickly regrets feeling sympathy when Raccoon Star reveals her priorities.
- Raccoon Star is genuinely trapped by a deceptive contract, yet remains impulsive, stubborn, and fixated on the prize. Her shameless bargaining and refusal to return the trash can drive much of the comic banter.
- Perlica demonstrates how quickly and effectively she has built an information network.
- March 7th proudly insists she is clever, then trips while hurrying to pass the phone to Himeko, adding to the running joke about her clumsiness.
- The chapter ends with Qin Qi beginning a conversation with Himeko, setting up the next exchange.
Significant themes
- Deception and careless decisions: A misleading contract turns a seemingly easy money-making game into a major liability.
- Greed and poor judgment: Raccoon Star focuses on the prize and desired purchases even after learning the consequences.
- Friendship expressed through teasing: Qin Qi’s mockery and Raccoon Star’s complaints conceal genuine concern and familiarity.
- Self-confidence versus others’ perceptions: March 7th insists she is intelligent despite being teased for being dumb.