"I'm sorry. Due to certain reasons, there are some things... I can't fully disclose to you right now. But there are also some things I should be honest with you about."
"The Watchmaker's legacy is indeed what I seek, but we don't necessarily have to part ways and become adversaries, at least... I don't want that to happen."
After Firefly spoke these words.
The protagonist was presented with a series of choices.
[I hope so too.]
[I can't make any promises…]
[I can't trust someone who's hiding something.]
[Who are you, really?]
Guinaifen pondered for a moment.
She muttered to herself, "Although I can sense that Firefly is indeed hiding something, she's really a good girl. I believe she wouldn't harm us."
"It's just a feeling!"
"Little Gui, I've always been good at judging people!"
She immediately chose the first option: [I hope so too.]
The live stream viewers also actively posted comments.
...
"She just wants to survive, what's wrong with that?"
"Wahh, turn off the speakers!"
"Can Firefly cure her illness if she gets the inheritance?"
"If that's the case… I'll have to attend the grand event in Penacony! And claim The Watchmaker's inheritance!"This secret base is about to become a viral hotspot.""
"Damn it! I was just feeling sad, and then someone mentioned it becoming an internet celebrity check-in point. Stop right there!"
...
In the hotel lounge.
Watching this scene unfold, Firefly felt a mix of emotions.
For the first time, her existence was known to so many people, and her illness was also exposed…
Being noticed by so many as Firefly.
This was a feeling she had never experienced before.
Even for her, it would take some time to adjust.
After taking several deep breaths, she finally calmed down a bit.
"This is nice…"
"Leaving so many traces in this world as Firefly…"
At that moment.
A line spoken by her in the game's plot.
Made Firefly pause in surprise!
"I dreamt of a scorched land, a new bud breaking through the soil, blooming under the morning sun, whispering to me."
This sentence.
Was something deeply buried in Firefly's heart.
A phrase with special meaning!
She never expected that Yu Ling would know even this!
And even included it in the game!
"Could it be… that Yu Ling also has something similar to a [script]?"
"One that records the lives of any being in the universe…"
At this moment.
In Firefly's heart.
Yu Ling's image had been elevated to an almost divine level.
Close to that of an Aeon.
And perhaps.
Only Firefly herself knew.
There was a second half to that sentence.
"I dreamt of a scorched land, a new bud breaking through the soil, blooming under the morning sun, whispering to me: A firefly rushes into the flame, born to die."
Before she could reminisce about the past.
Next.
She found herself giving another response in the game's plot.
"Do you remember the question on the invitation—Why does life fall into slumber?"
"Look, in this land of dreams, everything is permitted, everything is possible. The unbearable past dissipates like bubbles, and the tomorrow we dread will never come."
"Why do people choose to slumber? I think…"
"It's because they're afraid of waking up from the dream."
Firefly couldn't help but open her mouth slightly.
As if… she was witnessing another version of herself!
Before, watching the game's plot, she hadn't felt this deeply.
But now.
Firefly felt.
The game's plot understood her better than she understood herself!
Some things.
Although she had the answers in her heart, expressing them was another matter entirely.
And Honkai: Star Rail undoubtedly achieved this.
No wonder this game had become such a monumental work influencing the entire universe!
Today, Firefly truly understood its unique charm!
In the live broadcast.
Little Gui wiped the corner of her eye with a tissue.
She sighed, "I still don't know if she's a friend or foe, but at least for now, I wish her all the beauty in the universe~"
"Thank you..."
Firefly was somewhat moved.
At this moment!
This game.
Transcended time and space!
It actually made two girls who had never met before resonate with each other!
Truly a miraculous feat!
"It's time to take a photo with Firefly!"
Guinaifen beamed with joy.
In the game, options to accept or reject appeared.
"Surely no one would actually refuse to take a photo with Firefly, right?"
Adjusting the camera.
At this moment.
The BGM gradually intensified.
"Wait a moment, let me prepare..."
After Firefly said this.
The screen suddenly plunged into darkness.
Only the subtitles at the bottom appeared.
"Alright! Let's begin."
"One..."
"Two..."
Guinaifen's hand trembled slightly.
The completely black background made her feel a sense of foreboding!
Could it be...!?
She thought of some of the side quest endings.
Given Yu Ling's style.
If he were to deliver a blow...
The next scene might be something like this―
After pressing the shutter.
In the frame.
Only the protagonist was left alone, taking a selfie.
And Firefly by her side.
Vanished in that instant...
The more Guinaifen thought about it, the more plausible it seemed!
She even felt a bit hesitant to continue.
Surely not...
It shouldn't be!
Yu Ling wouldn't mess with us at this moment, right!?
Still, she clicked to continue the dialogue.
With Firefly's cheerful "Cheese―!"
A clean and bright selfie appeared on the screen.
In the picture.
Both of them were making peace signs.
Stelle appeared confident and poised.
Firefly was happy, with a touch of sweetness.
Time,
So serene and beautiful!
...
"Little Gui, are you trying to scare me to death?"
"Wuwu..."
"The BGM keeps playing!"
"Accidentally burst into tears."
"Firefly even tied up her hair on purpose."
"Both of them are so cute!"
"At this point, it has become art!"
"The sunlight from behind shines through, highlighting the most sincere smiles of the two in the photo at this moment."
"At this moment, this beauty is forever preserved here."
"We must protect this beauty!"
...
Realizing she had overthought it, Guinaifen let out a long sigh.
"Indeed, Yu Ling isn't that cruel..."
"Just met Firefly not long ago and already putting in the knife."
"This part of the story is really warm and healing!"
"I declare: 'Honkai: Star Rail' is indeed a sunny, positive, and uplifting game!"
At this moment.
A notification popped up in the game.
From the [Astral Express Family]
[Himeko: Everyone, having fun?]
[March 7th: Fun is fun]
[March 7th: But something feels off...]
[March 7th: It feels unreal, weird, can't quite put it into words]
[Stelle: After all, we're in a dream]
[March 7th: I met a man with a plaster head at the auction, he left without doing anything, very suspicious]
[Welt: I also have some unpleasant discoveries. The situation is complicated, best to discuss in person.]
[Himeko: Me too]
[Himeko: Looks like it's time to return to reality]
[Himeko: Gather in my room]
"Huh?"
Guinaifen was stunned after reading the message.
"So only our protagonist is enjoying a pleasant date?"
"Everyone else feels something is off?"
"What's off, this is great~"
...
"A plaster head? Is that you, godfather!"
"The story is this sweet? Logging in!"
"Really don't want to wake up now."
"March 7th, don't contact me anymore, I'm afraid Firefly will misunderstand (doge)"
...
Firefly said with some regret, "Are you going back? Time flies so fast."
"I also plan to return to reality to rest... Let's go, we'll part ways at the Golden Hour."
After Firefly finished speaking.
A prompt popped up on the screen.
[Obtained Item: 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking']
Guinaifen's eyes lit up.
"Great, they even gave us a disc!"
"I'm going to loop this song on the train!"