pdf-ebookys Chapter 24 The Choice of Steins;Gate
Chapter 24 The Choice of Steins;Gate
In the laboratory, Black Tower's gaze swept back and forth between Chen Feng and the small, silver-blue robot at his feet, which was transformed from a trash can, filled with curiosity.
"Are you just going to keep this little guy around like this?" Black Tower asked again, his tone slightly amused. "A talking trash can robot is bound to be conspicuous on the space station."
Chen Feng looked down at the little guy who was looking up at him with "eyes" that were sparkling with curiosity.
"Hmm... it's fine to bring it along," Chen Feng stroked his chin, then grinned. "However, I think it might be more suitable for fans of its 'original' version."
"A prototype enthusiast?" Black Tower raised an eyebrow.
“That’s right,” Chen Feng snapped his fingers, “Since Xing likes to rummage through trash cans, let’s give her a trash can as a companion. She should be very happy.”
"Oh, right, I've decided on a name for it, we'll call it Bucket." He pointed to the robot on the ground.
"Poke, poke..." Black Tower was speechless at the name, but didn't object. "Fine, it's your creation anyway."
"However, Screwgoom is almost here. Are you sure you don't want to stay and have a chat with him? He has the deepest understanding of the birth of intelligent life."
"Next time, next time for sure!" Chen Feng immediately waved his hand, bent down and patted the little guy's head. "Let's go, little guy, I'll take you to find your new owner."
Poo Poo seemed to understand, uttering a short, firm, mechanical voice: "Yes, Father God!"
Black Tower sighed, "...Fine, you two, father and daughter, plus this...Poofou, are a perfect match. Get out of here, don't get in my lab's way. Remember, when ScrewGumm comes, I'll put in a good word for you."
She waved her hand, clearly her mind already on the upcoming Screw Gum and the discussion about the "Awakening" ability.
"Yes, sir!" Chen Feng replied with a grin, leading his newly recruited follower, Tongtong, and swaggering away from the Black Tower's laboratory.
Not far from the laboratory area, in a relatively quiet passage leading to the main control module, Chen Feng encountered a familiar figure.
Wearing an elegant red dress, with her long red hair slightly curled, and holding a steaming cup of coffee in her hand, she exudes a calm and gentle demeanor. She is none other than Himeko, the navigator of the Starry Sky Train.
"Oh? Mr. Chen Feng?" Himeko smiled warmly when she saw Chen Feng, her gaze then falling on the oddly shaped little robot at his feet that followed him closely. A hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes. "And this is...?"
"Himeko!" Chen Feng greeted her warmly, pointing to the silver-blue robot at his feet. "It's called Tongtong. It's my creation, and I'm going to give it to my daughter Xing as a companion."
The bucket cooperated by making two "beep" sounds.
Himeko took an elegant sip of her coffee, unable to suppress a smile: "What a... unique gift. It seems even you, as its father, 'fully support' Hoshi's peculiar hobby."
"There's nothing I can do, she's my own flesh and blood." Chen Feng shrugged, then changed the subject, his expression becoming unusually serious. "Speaking of Hoshino, Himeko, I just happened to run into you. There's something I'd like to talk to you about."
"Oh? What is it?" Himeko put down her coffee cup and looked at him with interest.
"It's about Xing's future arrangements," Chen Feng said solemnly. "I hope she can board the Star Train, become an anonymous passenger, and follow you to explore the starry sea."
Himeko was slightly taken aback, clearly somewhat surprised.
She had met Xing before and knew that this girl, who had just awakened, was full of mysteries and potential, but it was still somewhat unexpected that Chen Feng, as her "father," would so directly suggest that she join the train crew.
"Let Xing become an anonymous guest?" Himeko repeated, her tone tinged with inquiry. "Chen Feng, may I ask why? You seem to have special expectations for her? And it requires her own willingness."
She emphasized the star's own will.
"Why?" Chen Feng's nonchalant smile returned. He pointed mysteriously at the ceiling, then at his own head, and said in a half-joking, half-mystical tone:
"All of this was the choice of Steins;Gate!"
"Huh?" Himeko was a little confused by this sudden and incomprehensible anime reference.
"In short, for Xing, the Black Tower Space Station is her starting point, but it is by no means her end. Her journey is destined to unfold among the stars."
He paused, looking at Himeko's somewhat amused expression, and added, "Of course, the final decision rests with Hoshino herself."
"As her 'old father,' I saw this door in advance and think the train is a wonderful 'door opener' and fellow traveler. I believe you can take her to see a wider universe and experience more meaningful stories."
After listening to Chen Feng's "hype" that was a mix of adolescent pronouncements and sincere expectations, Himeko remained silent for a few seconds.
She looked into Chen Feng's eyes, at the seriousness that wasn't entirely a joke, and then thought of Xing's pure and hopeful gaze, and the star core power within her...
Finally, Himeko smiled gracefully and gently swirled the coffee cup in her hand.
"Chen Feng, I understand what you mean. The path of exploration is indeed full of infinite possibilities, and the Star Train will always welcome travelers with stars in their hearts."
She looked towards the end of the passage, as if she could see the figure of the gray-haired girl carrying a baseball bat.
Whether Xing has this intention, and whether she is ready to embark on this unknown path, still requires time and her own judgment.
"But I will seriously consider your suggestion. When the time is right, perhaps I can invite her to sit on the train and experience it for herself."
"Haha, that's enough! Thank you for your help!" Chen Feng smiled with satisfaction after getting the response he wanted. "Then you go ahead with your work. I'll go and deliver it to Xing first, so she won't get bullied while searching for treasure by some trash can again."
After saying that, he waved to Himeko, and with the silver-blue "Barrel" robot, humming a little tune, continued to stroll towards the area where the star might appear.
……
"A robot?" Xing stood up, curiously leaning closer, her baseball bat temporarily resting against the trash can. "Where did it come from? It looks... well, quite unique."
She noticed the cylindrical main structure of the bucket and vaguely felt that it looked familiar.
"Hehe, this is a 'companion' that Dad made for you by hand!" Chen Feng patted Tongtong's cold metal head proudly. "Its name is Tongtong! It will be with you from now on."
"Tongtong?" Xing murmured the name, then looked at Tongtong's body, which clearly resembled a trash can, and instantly understood its "prototype." Her face lit up with surprise. "Really?! For me?"