Sparkle followed Su Chen down from the rooftop, still bouncing lightly with each step.
"Boss~ You're not really mad at me, right? I was just adding a little spice to the show~"
Su Chen didn't even glance back. "You turned my theme park into a seven-day hypnosis circus. That's not spice—that's arson."
"Arson is such a strong word~ I prefer 'creative direction'!"
They reached a quiet observation deck overlooking the glowing central plaza of Interactive City. Most of the lights had already returned; staff were rushing around resetting attractions, guided by Black Swan's subtle hand gestures from a distance.
Su Chen finally stopped and turned around. "You realize you helped Elysia delay me for exactly seven days—the precise amount of time needed for the board transfer to finalize and for Topaz's legal team to finish burying Caenis's hidden shares."
Sparkle tilted her head, mask glint catching the neon. "Ara~ So you already knew the whole script?"
"I wrote half of it." Su Chen pulled out his phone and showed her a single screenshot: a calendar marked with red Xs across exactly seven consecutive days. "The other half was you and Elysia improvising. Badly."
Sparkle giggled, covering her mouth with her sleeve. "Then why let me keep going? You could've stopped the play at any time."
"Because watching two masterminds fail spectacularly at the same scheme is excellent market research." He pocketed the phone. "Also, Black Swan needed field data on how deeply Elysia could implant suggestions before someone noticed. Congratulations—you both set a new personal record."
Sparkle's playful demeanor faltered for half a second. "...You used me as a test subject?"
"I used the situation. You volunteered." Su Chen's tone remained perfectly even. "And now you owe me ten billion plus interest. Or—"
He produced another contract from his coat pocket—this one noticeably thinner.
"—you can sign this instead. Standard Masked Fools affiliate clause. You work directly under me for the next five years. No more freelance chaos in my properties. In return, I wipe the debt and throw in creative control over three seasonal events per year."
Sparkle stared at the document, then at Su Chen, then back at the paper.
"...You're serious."
"Deadly."
She took the pen he offered, twirled it between her fingers once, twice—then signed with an exaggerated flourish, adding a little heart over the i in her name.
"Fine~ But only because the alternative is boring." She handed it back. "Also, I want front-row seats when you finally make Elysia wear the employee uniform."
Su Chen accepted the contract without comment and tucked it away. "Already ordered. Pink, frills, mandatory smile. She's going to hate it."
Sparkle clapped delightedly. "I'm already filming the teaser in my head!"
——
Down in the central plaza, the rest of the group had gathered near the main fountain.
Firefly sat on the edge, legs dangling, watching colored lights dance across the water. Phainon stood awkwardly a few steps away, still in his eye-searing yellow-and-purple outfit, trying (and failing) to look inconspicuous.
Kiana was loudly explaining to Silver Wolf why egg fried rice was objectively the greatest dish in existence, complete with hand gestures. Silver Wolf looked like she was mentally speedrunning every escape route.
Acheron simply stood with arms crossed, staring up at the artificial starry ceiling as though wondering whether she could cut it open.
Cyrene and Elysia (the pink one) were having what appeared to be the most surreal conversation in history—comparing hair-care routines across timelines.
Aglaea, Mydei, and Castorice had already been pulled aside by Topaz and Jade, who were handing out onboarding packets with the ruthless efficiency of people who had done this a thousand times before.
Sunday watched everything from a bench, fingers steepled, expression unreadable.
Su Chen eventually rejoined them, Sparkle trailing behind like an over-caffeinated shadow.
Firefly looked up first. "Did you win?"
"I always win," Su Chen replied, sitting down beside her. "Sometimes it just costs more props."
Firefly leaned her head against his shoulder. "Can we go home now?"
"Soon." He reached up and gently tapped the side of her helmet. "One last scene to wrap."
He raised his voice just enough for everyone to hear.
"Alright, everyone—photo time. Official Mihoyo Interactive City reopening shot. New staff, new cast, new era. Line up."
Groans, laughter, and shuffling feet ensued.
Phainon tried to hide behind Mydei. Mydei grabbed him by the collar and dragged him forward.
Kiana jumped onto Acheron's back for no reason. Acheron didn't even flinch.
Silver Wolf took the selfie stick from Sparkle (who immediately tried to photobomb), angled it perfectly, and—
Click.
The fountain lights flared brighter for exactly one second.
In the resulting group photo:
Su Chen stands dead center, arms crossed, faint smirk.
Firefly is beside him, helmet tilted toward his shoulder.
Elysia (pink) and Cyrene are making matching peace signs on the left.
Phainon is being forcibly held in frame by Mydei and Castorice.
Kiana is still riding Acheron like a backpack.
Silver Wolf has thrown up a V-sign while simultaneously flipping off the camera with her other hand.
Sparkle is photobombed in mid-jump behind everyone, tongue out.
Sunday, Topaz, Jade, Aglaea, and the rest fill out the back row looking either resigned or quietly amused.
The caption Silver Wolf immediately posted to the company group chat:
"New season loading… 99%"
Su Chen looked at the photo on his phone, then at the people around him.
For once, he allowed himself a real, unguarded smile.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Let's go home."
——
End of Arc: Golden Grand Hotel