"Too cliché!"
Another female writer with a high ponytail suddenly slapped the table: "It should be written like this: At the moment Stelle clenches her fist and swings at Tatara — Tatara suddenly sheds tears and confesses!"
The oil-fried tofu held between Miko's fingers fell to the ground with a "plop."
"So all of this was to attract Stelle's attention! Those oppressed trash can people were all actors! And when Stelle's fist pierces his chest, Tatara gradually degenerates into a golden trash can and tries to hold Stelle's hand. When Stelle panics and pulls out the hand inserted into its chest, she discovers her palm is full of warm ketchup…"
"If the editor-in-chief is satisfied, we can add a plot where Stelle chases the trash can into a crematorium in the future—"
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Before the female writer could finish, Miko impatiently interrupted her. "This one might be closer to Penacony, but it's already quite far from humanity. Alright, alright, that's it for today. You two go rest first."
After the two left, Miko suddenly looked toward the folding screen beside her and smiled slightly: "Ei, which one do you like?"
The sweet scent of dango milk drifted from behind the screen.
"…The second one." Raiden Ei's voice was muffled. "Mainly because I find it hard to imagine Sampo's face shedding tears and confessing. It's really… something I want to see."
——
[Stelle opened her eyes and immediately saw Sampo's face full of regret: "Oh my, what a shame — I still wanted to see how Stelle would deal with the Trash King."]
["Too bad, too bad! Such a meaningful dream, yet it was abruptly stopped because of Miss Firefly's intervention…" Sampo gave Firefly a meaningful glance. "…I was originally looking forward to what kind of expression you would show the moment you discovered the truth."]
[Firefly unconsciously lowered her head.]
[Stelle asked curiously: "What are you trying to express?"]
["Express? No, it should be exposing…" Sampo wiggled his finger. "The truth about the [Sweet Dream] — aren't you looking for it? Don't be fooled by the beautiful scenery, darling. A comfortable environment creates blind people."]
["Don't you think this dream bubble is very similar to the current Penacony? Hm? A group of people with ulterior motives, squeezed onto a small stage. None of them want to be exposed under the spotlight, so they push the poor little gray-haired one to the front—"]
["Dreamscapes are not your own bathtub, but ever-changing deep seas. If I have to put it more clearly — don't be deceived by the alluring fluorescence. If you get folded in the hands of that kind of person… I will be very, very disappointed."]
["Fluorescence…" Stelle fell into thought.]
["—Look, is that little girl still there?"]
[Stelle turned around abruptly. Sure enough, Firefly who had been beside her just moments ago was gone.]
["Claiming to be a local of Penacony yet not knowing any of the insider ways — but quite skilled at petty theft. What kind of person is she exactly? Darling, have you never suspected her even for a moment?"]
["Listen to my advice. If you have anything you want to ask, go find that girl and confront her quickly. Don't let her escape with her tail between her legs, haha."]
——
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
Inside the tavern, Sein heavily slammed his wine cup onto the table, causing barley wine to splash out.
"Hey hey hey… Stelle is willing, so why does a sly merchant like you need to meddle?" He narrowed his eyes, staring at the blue-haired man whispering into Stelle's ear on the Celestial Screen. "Stelle has followed the train to save so many worlds, rescued countless people, and gone through so much hardship. Coming to Penacony is another mess… Now that she finally meets a cute beautiful girl in the dream, can't she just enjoy a nice romance?"
After speaking, Sein slammed the table again with a heavy "thump," looking even angrier.
Stark chewed on his steak and said unclearly: "But Sampo is also doing it for Stelle's own good. It's a kind reminder."
"You can't trust a single punctuation mark from the mouth of a guy who believes in [Elation]!" Sein frowned, the alcohol making his cheeks flushed red. "This guy secretly followed them, and now he appears to sow discord between Stelle and Firefly…"
"Do you still remember this guy back in Belobog? He spoke to us. Even the Envoys of Destruction and Hunt never spoke to us, but this guy could sense our existence."
Sein took a deep breath. His drunken expression was instead more serious than usual: "This shows… this guy is not only not a good person, but also extremely, extremely strong."
"But after saying all that, Firefly did run away guiltily, didn't she?" Stark shrugged.
"…Maybe she really has some unspeakable difficulties? After all, she came to Penacony alone at such a young age to make her way." Sein tilted his head back and took another gulp of wine. "Anyway! That kind of little girl can't possibly be a bad person! Think back… the way she looks at Stelle — shy yet sincere. Sometimes she even stutters when speaking… She is absolutely, absolutely an exceptionally pure and good girl!"
Stark scratched his head: "When did you become so knowledgeable about women?"
Sein suddenly coughed heavily, his earlobes turning slightly red: "T-This is common sense! As obvious as knowing whether wine has been watered down!"
——
[(What exactly does Sampo mean? Is Firefly hiding something?… I need her to give me an explanation.)]
[Stelle came to a corner of the park and found Firefly, who was alone and gazing at the night scenery.]
["…"]
[She turned sideways, looking into the distance as if avoiding Stelle's gaze. After a long while, she finally turned back and spoke softly.]
["…I'm sorry." The girl said sincerely.]
["I need the truth. Tell me, okay?"]
[The girl nodded: "Mm… I… I did hide some things from you… For example, I'm indeed not a local. The Bloodhound Family chasing me isn't without reason… Traveling with you also has some other reasons… But thank you for helping me. That's real."]
["My yearning for the Nameless is also real. You have been to many worlds and can see all kinds of people and things. Every day is a brand new beginning…"]
[Firefly took a deep breath. Her fingers unconsciously rubbed the hem of her skirt. Her chest rose and fell slightly, as if she was trying to pack all her courage into this one breath.]
["I want to take you to a place. Is that okay? This time it's not a tourist attraction. On the contrary… it's probably my 'secret base'."]
["There, I will tell you everything I know… as much as possible."]