Chapter 138: The Day You and the Stars Disappear, Begin!
[Before the Captain was teleported, Stargazer gave one last friendly reminder:
"During my observations, I discovered something interesting. Though I don't know what happened before, even the current you is not complete."
The Captain couldn't believe it—had he already undergone fragmentation before!?
In the end, Stargazer was still being tsundere—she didn't come specifically to save you! It was just... a slight interest in that guy who called himself
"Captain."
Strange Drift concludes.]
[Stelle]: "Another one finished."
[March 7th]: "Stargazer's still being tsundere!? Meanwhile, Moonlight's about to win the championship, and Stargazer hasn't even started yet!"
[Silver Wolf]: "LMAO, tsunderes are so outdated! Moonlight's direct approach is where it's at!"
[Kiana]: "Huh... That's it!? I want more! The original plot hole hasn't been filled yet! Why did Stargazer even board the ship!?"
[Next up: The Day You and the Stars Disappear]
For some reason, just seeing this title made everyone's hearts skip a beat—as if something terrible was about to happen.
[Silver Wolf]: "Oh no. After two whole worlds of fun, is it time for the knives to come out? Bring it on! Bloodthirsty viewers fear nothing!"
[The Captain's brain was booting up—two versions of himself, three worldlines, all his memories echoing in his mind as he gradually regained consciousness.
"!?"
"Move... out of my way..."
The Captain was still rebooting, barely registering the voice beside him. "You... you're not even listening! If this keeps up, we'll be caught... Fine, whatever!"
A familiar voice yanked the Captain along. "Huh... It's you!?"
Under the girl's overwhelming strength, the Captain quickly snapped awake. "...Wait... You're Stargazer?"
Then it hit him: "You're Theresa... Starry Maiden Teriri, the Sage King of the Huang Empire?"
Theresa let out a bitter laugh. "Even you recognized me. My disguise really is a failure."
"But don't call me that anymore... I'm no longer the Sage King of the Huang Empire. Now, I'm just a fugitive."]
[March 7th]: "Even though Theresa and Stargazer look identical, you can still tell them apart easily even in the same outfit!"
[Stelle]: "That pure gaze, untainted by knowledge!"
[Silver Wolf]: "Oho! Starting off with max suspense—Theresa's a wanted criminal now!?"
[Kiana]: "Which version of Auntie is this now?"
[Qingque]: "So far we've got Stargazer, Moonlight, Delilah, this Theresa, and the Academy Head who didn't appear in the last bubble world."
[Qingque]: "Seems like this is one of the timelines where the Captain met her during that Three Kingdoms conflict. That world reset multiple times anyway."
[Murata Himeko]: "Starry Maiden Teriri? And Magical Girl Teriri... Wait, could it be...?"
Himeko turned to Theresa, who immediately countered with a glare: "What? What does that have to do with me?"
Despite her words, cold sweat was already running down Theresa's back.
[Soon, they were caught by pursuers. Just as the Captain was about to be killed, Theresa pleaded for mercy and demanded to see Rita. The Captain was tied up and taken before "Her Majesty."
After being bound for some time, the Captain and Theresa were brought to a magnificent palace.
The ruler above ordered the soldiers to release the Captain, who instinctively asked: "Your Majesty? The current ruler of the Huang Empire... Who are you?"]
[Kiana]: "Huh? Auntie really got overthrown as Sage King!?"
[March 7th]: "Wait... Her Majesty's voice sounds so familiar!? It's like Theresa's but with a different tone... No way!?"
[Qingque]: "Yikes... So did Stargazer stage a coup?"
["Hah... Is this guy an idiot? Who in this world wouldn't know..."
"The Sage King Stargazer, who single-handedly ended the Three Kingdoms conflict and unified the land!"
The Captain looked up—Stargazer sat high upon the dragon throne, legs crossed, one hand propping up her chin as she gazed down at him from the shadows.
Like a tyrant.]
[Kiana]: "Th-This is Stargazer? No way—since when could Auntie's face look so domineering!?"
[Theresa]: "This... Huh? I-I could never make an expression like that."
[Stelle]: "Stargazer with the aura of an emperor! I love it even more—that disdainful gaze..."
[March 7th]: "Wait, Stargazer just got back—how did she conquer the other two nations so fast!?"
["Theresa... So you disguised yourself as me. I never knew you had such tastes."
"But even so, you cannot escape my grasp."
"St-Stargazer!? It's you!?"
Seeing it was someone he knew—the same Stargazer he'd just met—the Captain relaxed slightly but wondered what was going on. "As expected of the Captain, remaining calm even now.
You've piqued my interest somewhat... But make no mistake—I am indeed the Sage King."
Though she claimed interest, there wasn't a trace of warmth in Stargazer's eyes as she coldly assessed him. Her gaze was like a black hole, devouring all light. The Captain shivered involuntarily. Stargazer ordered Theresa to change clothes. Maids reverently presented Theresa's performance outfit—her favorite dress. Yet now she struggled in their grip, practically forced into wearing it. "Stargazer, what are you making Theresa do?"
"I ask nothing of her. I only wish for her to be a happy little songbird—wings clipped, singing day and night in my palace."
Stargazer's words were devoid of any warmth. "I won't sing just for you! I'll sing for Rita! For everyone!"
Theresa fought against the maids but to no avail. Knowing Theresa was once called "Starry Maiden Teriri," Stargazer demanded she perform To the Stars as an opening act. When Theresa tried to refuse again, Stargazer said: "No matter how many times you refuse me, no matter how many times you flee—I will always find you. Just like this time."
Theresa seemed to give up then, standing dejectedly to the side.]
[Tesla]: "***Is this really Stargazer!? Damn it, did Otto possess her or something!?"
"We're the Astral Express, Theresa's Starry Maiden Teriri—I say we're missing a Theresa on our crew!"
[March 7th]: "What could have happened to make Stargazer so cold and ruthless..."
[Kevin]: "...That expression..."
It was one Kevin knew well—the look of someone who had lost everything except themselves... A sorrowful emptiness...
[Griseo]: "Big Sister Stargazer's colors... so icy..."