"Is this heart-eyed Lumina... something we can actually broadcast?"
In the real world, inside the live stream, only Little Bear knew the sheer panic he felt when the heart-eyed Lumina appeared in the game. He was terrified that a single glance might get his stream shut down...
Fortunately, Honkai: Star Rail was rated 12+, and this heart-eyed Lumina, aside from the hearts in her eyes and slightly flushed cheeks, exhibited no other overtly suggestive behavior.
Seeing this, Little Bear breathed a sigh of relief, though a hint of regret lingered in his heart.
The live stream hadn't been banned due to this minor incident in the plot, which Little Bear found reassuring.
As for why he felt a pang of regret... well, ahem.
"This place is practically paradise!"
No longer dwelling on such thoughts, Little Bear gazed at the game screen filled with Lumina after Lumina and blurted out his true feelings.
As his words echoed the unspoken thoughts of most viewers in the live stream, their suppressed excitement finally burst forth, their murmurs rising like a chorus:
[Oh my god, so many Luminas! Even Paradise can't compare to this!]
[Don't hold me back! Don't hold me back! That Lumina with hearts in her eyes is mine! (lewd)]
[Then the Indifferent Lumina is mine! (lewd) Just the thought of her looking at me with the same disdain she reserves for trash... it fills me with excitement!]
[Seriously, am I the only sane person here? Every time you all go berserk, I feel so out of place... If you ask me, we should pack up all these Luminas and take them home. One flavor a day—what's wrong with that?]
[Yo yo yo, one flavor a day? Even a sow in heat wouldn't be as insatiable as you!]
Unsurprisingly, the sheer number of Luminas appearing before them had sent some perverts in the live stream into full-blown daydreams.
As for these daydreaming perverts, Lumina naturally wouldn't hesitate to give them a little extra trouble. Just crank up the difficulty to 160 and repeat a few times—that should keep them in line.
"These Luminas are all real..."
"I think they're emotional Avatars of Lumina. However many emotions Lumina can feel, that's how many Avatars she can manifest."
"But why do these emotions manifest as Avatars? And where did the real Lumina go? We'll have to keep pushing the story forward to find out."
As the story progressed, Little Bear heard Indifferent Lumina's words and realized he wasn't as air headed as March 7th. After a moment's thought, he more or less understood.
Speaking of which, Lumina actually felt heart-eyed adoration? He wondered what she had experienced to evoke such an emotion.
That's so fascinating, Little Bear thought, his curiosity piqued. However, he didn't let his mind wander down that path.
After all, a little heart-eyed expression was something normal people might unconsciously display a few times in response to certain things or events...
Ahem, those who know, know...
Little Bear cleared his throat inwardly, shaking off a slightly impure thought that had crept into his mind.
[I think there are two possibilities. First, these emotions are all "human" emotions, not Lumina's own. Second, these emotions are all experiences Lumina once lived through. (Ponders)]
[You're just going in circles! You're saying nothing at all! (Rolls eyes)]
[I have a theory. In the Version 1.7 PV, wasn't Third Phase Lumina portrayed as godlike, devoid of all emotions?]
[Understood. To combat the Abyss, Lumina severed all emotions related to "humanity," leaving only her Divinity behind. (Pondering)]
[Understood. I know how to make it tragic now. After separating from her emotions, she'll discover they can never be recovered. (Smiling)]
Regarding these emotional Avatars, viewers in the live stream began sharing their opinions.
"Little Swarm is so adorable! I wish I had a daughter like her! (* /ω＼*) "
As the story progressed, Little Swarm's shy and endearing expressions appeared on screen, bringing a sense of healing to Little Bear and most of the viewers in the live stream.
[Without a doubt, Little Swarm is my little angel!]
[An angel has descended to my side!]
[You all claim to love her and call her an angel, but if you really mean it, why do you still go to the Weekly boss fight?]
[One thing at a time.]
Liking Little Swarm is one thing, wanting to treat her like a daughter is another, and crushing the Starcrusher Swarm King is yet another. Is there any conflict between these?
No conflict at all~
"We've arrived. This is our destination."
After a short walk, Indifferent Lumina led the group to a massive door resembling the entrance to a cathedral.
Instead of immediately opening the door, Indifferent Lumina turned to the others and said, "Gentle, powerful, maternal—these are the impressions you have of Lumina, and the impressions she has shown you."
"Whether it's Teasing Lumina, Indifferent Lumina, or Heart-Eyed Lumina, all these are merely human emotions."
"Now, you will encounter the most authentic Lumina... I hope you can still maintain the image of her you hold in your hearts."
Before March 7th or the others could respond, Indifferent Lumina pushed open the massive door.
From the Player's perspective, the game screen went black, transitioning into another cutscene.