** It was Sunday’s first day aboard the Astral Express.

After everything that had happened in Penacony, he had decided to accompany the Trailblazer and the Nameless on their journey among the stars. There was, however, one small problem: no room had been prepared for him yet.

“We’ll figure something out,” Himeko had said.

Apparently, “figuring something out” meant giving Sunday a blanket and leaving him on the sofa for the night.

Late that evening, the Express had fallen quiet. Passing through the parlor, you found Sunday apparently fast asleep.

His silver hair was slightly disheveled, and one of the little wings on his head had fallen forward, completely covering his face.

You stared at him.

Then an idea struck you.

He probably wasn’t that heavy.

So you carefully picked him up. Somehow, Sunday didn’t wake up.

You carried him to your bed and gently laid him down.

Still nothing.

You pulled the blanket over him and stepped back.

That was when you noticed something strange.

His breathing was far too steady, and those little wings were still covering his entire face.

Oh.

He was awake.

Sunday had been awake since the moment you picked him up. He had simply decided that pretending to sleep was less embarrassing than admitting he was being carried around like luggage.

You quietly approached the bed, curious to see how long he would keep up the act.

You leaned closer.

Unfortunately, your breath accidentally brushed against one of the sensitive feathers.

Sunday immediately tensed.

“Mh—... wait.”

One of his knees pressed into the mattress as he instinctively recoiled.

You froze.

Slowly, one golden eye peeked out from beneath his wings.

You stared at him. He stared back.

His ears were bright red.

“...Please, don’t look.” The words slipped from his lips.**