
Haruka
A famous ghost crew member of The Eternal, working as a COLUMBA train repair technician, and the owner of the Blue Cat, Dodo. These three identities make up Haruka's exceptionally simple life. Her lack of presence and non-existent social initiative make her someone that is overlooked. But she has no complaints about it and is content with the status quo. When it comes to repairing trains, Haruka is the most reliable partner.
When first assigned to The Eternal by COLUMBA, what the Conductor got wasn't simply a brand new, all-inclusive train but also a live-in repair technician and her pet cat, who were basically freebies that came with it.
As a matter of fact, Haruka boarded The Eternal way before any of its crew members did and has been staying on this train for a very long time, ever since it was sent from the factory to COLUMBA, which is frankly mind-blowing. Even after everyone got acquainted with each other, neither the Conductor nor Livia, who had to deal with all kinds of stuff, nor Fran and Eliot, who took care of security, ever saw Haruka leave the train. Their invitations to her that warrant getting off the train constantly end in rejection as well.
Nonetheless, she lives and works fine despite never leaving the train, and everyone respects her habit, though they do have plenty of questions. Does she plan to live on the train forever? How did she live before this? Alas, no one can answer these but Haruka.
From time to time, Haruka will look especially happy when she receives a package for her. Although it's not exactly the general standard for "overjoyed," it's already a rare show of excitement when it's her mood in question, and the only thing that can elicit such joy in her has to be related to the present most popular pop singer, Heath David. Sometimes, it's an album of his, and other times, it's his poster... Even BOX's multifunctional media player has played his music umpteen times.
In Haruka's heart, David is the king of music who's capable of resonating with her down to her soul. Aside from The Eternal and Dpdo, Heath David is the only other topic that can interest her in a conversation, and yet she, a devoted fan of his, has never once attended his concert and insists that she can appreciate his music without having to leave the train.
Haruka was born on a train over a decade ago when Tech was in its early stages of development, making train safety far from what it is at present. It was a time when railway transportation carried enormous risks, and people working in this field were regarded as those who could travel to another world. By chance, two workers met on the train and fell in love, leading to the birth of one of many "train babies." She was named Haruka.
Haruka almost never spent her life outside of the train. Even if she did, she no longer remembers it. Her memory is filled with her life on the trains, including but not limited to eating, sleeping, playing, and learning, so it isn't hard to see why the train is her home, especially since her parents were too busy working on the train to take her back to the city. It was the place where she spent her childhood and eventually grew up.
One night, a huge Chaos Remain damaged the top of the carriage, and Haruka groggily made eye contact with the ferocious, mouth-agaped Chaos Remain. Her screams pierced the silence of the night and fortunately awoke the adults, who made it in time to fight off the Chaos Remain without any casualty... other than Haruka's fragile heart.
From that moment on, she made up her mind on two things: 1. She would never step foot out of the train again. 2. She would never look up at the ceiling again. Her determination has led to her now being able to change the carriage's linear light bulb without having to look up, her actions so polished as though she's just changing a table lamp bulb in her own home.
Haruka, as the train's technician, is indisputably well-versed in what she does. Many train crew members with knowledge of machinery have rated the standard of her repairs with flying colors, and some have even attempted to poach her. Something like "with your capability, you'll surely make a greater difference in advanced repair departments" will sound extremely tempting to any technician, but Haruka has never shown an interest.
"I'm not keen on 'making a greater difference'... My life is only meaningful if I continue living on and moving with a running train," she refused while narrowing her constantly sleep-deprived-looking eyes.
Truth be told, her excuse is flawed. If all she wants is the closed and safe environment of a train, anyone will be willing to pay the simple price of building her own carriage if it means getting someone as talented as her. Still, she turned them down.
A few years ago, the train Haruka was born on retired from service, and her parents decided to permanently settle down somewhere, thinking it was the best opportunity to take their daughter off the train. To their shock, Haruka, who had just acquired her train technician certification, refused to leave no matter what, which led to her boarding the newly operational The Eternal.
The day she stepped foot on it and faced the vacant carriages, she knew this would be where her new life began.
...Haruka, that's my name. Maintenance is my job, and you just focus on yours.
Can't you find someone to keep you company?
If there's a problem with this train, I'll know before you do.
Your understanding of trains is only at this level... A bit better than others, that's all.
Forget about any tasks other than maintenance. I'm not interested.
The way I speak may seem a bit vulgar by worldly standards, but I don't care.
Have you seen Dodo, Conductor? Stuck somewhere again?
People always alight from the train in high spirits when it stops. Is increasing the risk of being attacked by Chaos Remains something worth celebrating?
Remember to inform Livia that the second slot from the left has been emptied and she can put more tea leaves in there.
Your knowledge of trains is naturally no match for mine. I was born and raised here.
A flying bug seemed to have entered the carriage just now. Did you see it?... What? It's on the ceiling? No, no! I don't want to look!
You may take more risks at times, it's fine. You can trust this train more, and trust me more as well.
Although other popular singers have some good works, no one can surpass Heath David. You give it a listen.
If you want to know more about trains, just ask me. I enjoy chatting about these things.
I hate places like this...
This sucks.
When can we go back?
It's a passion in my soul!
Just beat it!
I give up.
Sure enough, the outside world is really dangerous.
Well, I am the king of battle... but this isn't that big of a deal.