When Xianyu boarded the Astral Express a year ago, they had already known each other's true identities. In all that time, neither had ever brought it up.
For the first time, Bacchus used the term "best friend," indirectly revealing his identity to Xianyu.
Xianyu was momentarily speechless.
He had never imagined that Aha actually knew something! It seemed he really could be useful!
Bacchus frowned. He seemed unable to sort out his own feelings, his tone wavering between confusion and hesitation.
"Isn't the way things are now good enough?"
Their eyes met. Bacchus quickly looked away and murmured, "This really is... so boring."
He soon forced a smile, showing eight teeth.
"It's so boring in here. I'm off-"
Bacchus turned and hurried out of Xianyu's room.
The next day, he was back to his lively self, sidling up to Pom-Pom and trying to stroke the Conductor's ears.
Pom-Pom was well prepared, dodging him while pushing the food cart.
Those movements were so practiced it was heartbreaking.
Pom-Pom had met all sorts of Nameless, many of whom wanted to touch their ears, just like Bacchus.
Unfortunately for them, only a handful had ever succeeded.
Eric was one of them.
At that thought, Pom-Pom couldn't help looking up and glaring at Eric, who sat at the Bar Counter.
He was chatting with Akivili, looking utterly relaxed.
Not only had that fellow touched their ears, he had tricked them too!
Pom-Pom had been so shocked by the two options Eric offered that they completely forgot they could refuse him! And so they had fallen into his trap.
Compared with making Akivili an honorary director of the company... surely a one-percent stake was easier for an Aeon to accept?
By the time Pom-Pom realized what had happened, it was too late.
But they had