"This station offers transfers to Line Three..."
It was almost eleven at night, yet the transfer station was still absurdly crowded. Office workers carrying briefcases added a weary tint to the subway. It seemed Multistar Country's labor laws were not being enforced very well—people still had to work even during the new year.
But once the subway started running, the chattering noise made the carriage feel bright again—after all, tomorrow was a holiday.
The subway left the mountain tunnel and shuttled along the aerial tracks, flying over the city. Looking at the neon-lit Steel Forest in all its colors, Ash felt no discomfort despite being in the cramped carriage. Instead, he relaxed along with it.
The bustle of ordinary life was the greatest comfort to a corporate slave's heart.
"There's a really good griddle place over there." Ash pointed at a commercial street below and said, "The portions are just a little big, so I can't eat much by myself. If there's still time before we leave tomorrow, let's go have a meal there. I'll sit at the same table as you then. No matter how much we order, nothing will go to waste."
Rose's nose twitched, and her brows furrowed. "I feel like you're making fun of me."
The corners of Ash's mouth lifted slightly. Just then, footsteps sounded behind them. He turned his head and saw a burly man carrying a backpack squeeze through the crowd toward the rearmost carriage. He glanced at the long backpack that looked as if it held a fishing rod, took Rose's hand, and silently threaded through the crowd.
Rose quietly followed him. The two stopped at the connection between the second-to-last carriage and the one behind it.
Ash pulled her close against the wall, swept his gaze over the carriage, leaned to