『 The video continues.
[ I'm sorry. For certain reasons, there are things… things I cannot reveal to you entirely just yet. ]
[ But there are matters about which I should be honest. ]
[ The Watchmaker's Legacy is indeed what I seek, but we don't necessarily have to part ways or become enemies. At least… I don't want that to happen. ]
Hotaru looks at Stelle, her tone sincere.
[ I hope so too… ]
Stelle meets Hotaru's gaze and slowly nods.
[ …Thank you. ]
Hotaru smiles, a smile that warms the heart.
[ In my dream, I saw a scorched earth, and a new sapling emerging from it. It bloomed against the morning sun, and whispered to me. ]
[ I still remember the question on the invitation letter— ]
[ Why does life slumber…? ]
[ You see, everything is possible in this land of dreams. ]
[ The nightmarish past will disperse and fade away like bubbles in water, and the future that you don't want to face will never come. ]
[ Why do people choose to sleep? ]
[ I think… ]
[ It is because they're afraid to wake up from the dream. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina: "Waaah! Stop talking, stop talking! And don't sing anymore!"
Furina: "If this goes on, I'm going to die of crying… Waaah!"
In Palais Mermonia, at this moment, Furina watches the scene on the video, crying her eyes out, a complete mess.
Beside her, Neuvillette is constantly handing her tissues.
Paimon: "W—Wasn't this supposed to be a date?!"
Paimon: "Why… did it suddenly become so sad…"
Paimon: "And… Miss Hotaru is actually sick in reality?"
Paimon: "Ugh, Entropy Loss Syndrome… it sounds like a terrifying condition just by the name."
Yoimiya: "Even though the scenery of the Dreamscape is so beautiful, I can't feel happy at all right now."
Yoimiya: "If life in reality weren't so cruel, why would Miss Hotaru be forced to admire beautiful scenery only in her dreams…"
Nahida: "Indeed… just as Miss Hotaru said…"
Nahida: "Why do people choose to slumber? It is because…"
....
—✦In Between✦—
—✦Genshin Impact World✦—
In Sanctuary of Surasthana—
"Because they are afraid to wake from the dream… In the dream world, there is no cruelty, only beauty… There, no one will look at me with strange eyes… No one will compare me to her… I can just be myself, fully and joyfully. Even if… I can only be a moon…"
"But it's a shame… Dawn will eventually break… and sweet dreams must always come to an end…"
Nahida sits within her cage, her expression growing dim…
—✦Honkai Star Rail World✦—
Astral Express, in the Parlor Car—
"Entropy Loss Syndrome… Is the truth truly so cruel?"
"Our daily actions in reality… For her, are things that can only be realized within a dream…"
Stelle watches this scene, falling into a long silence.
She had imagined what kind of truth Hotaru would reveal to her, but she never expected the truth to be so harsh.
A girl as delicate and beautiful as a flower, yet in reality, she is but a helpless, broken vessel.
"Waaah, Miss Hotaru is so pitiful."
Beside her comes the sound of March 7th sobbing. This scene has moved her to tears as well.
—
Zhongli: "It is regrettable that this is the outcome."
Venti: "Sigh, I truly wish for a world forever without suffering…"
Raiden Ei: "Miss Hotaru… she must live a very hard life in reality…"
Dr. Ratio: "To be able to realize one's dreams only by relying on the Dreamscape… I must say, it is only at times like this that I slightly acknowledge the significance of the Family's Dreamscape."
Aventurine: "It is a pity that lucky people like Miss Hotaru are the minority."
Aventurine: "Most stowaways can't even make it into Penacony's Dreamscape alive."
Welt: "Reality is often cruel, but we can do our utmost to change it."
Welt: "At least to make it less cruel."
Madam Herta: "A nice thought, but implementing it is harder than becoming an Aeon."
Sunday: "A true sweet dream should treat everyone equally."
Sunday: "It should not be a privilege for a select few."
Thoma: "Well said! Mr. Sunday is truly a benevolent man!"
Robin: "Regrettably… this is not something we can change…"
Sunday: "Not necessarily. As long as there is a will, anything is possible!"
Stelle: "So Hotaru… are you okay… in reality?"
Lumine: "I would like to ask this question as well."
Himeko: "I hope Miss Hotaru is safe and sound."
Nahida: "Miss Hotaru is a strong girl; she will surely be fine."
Hotaru: "Thank you all for your kindness! Please, don't worry—I'm doing just fine."
Hotaru: "I'm so sorry, everyone... I never intended for my circumstances to cast such a shadow over the mood here."
Sampo: "Hey now, don't everyone have such long faces. Come on, think of something happy. Let's have a laugh."
Boothill: "How 'bout this? I'll liven up this fork-tongued funeral myself!"
Boothill: "Hey, Scara-mutt! Dotto-dog! Get your tails over here, front and center!"
Boothill: "Why don't you two bark a few times for the folks on the livestream? Give 'em a real hoot and a holler to cheer 'em up!"
Scaramouche: "Boothill, you mongrel, watch your mouth before I tear it out. DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK!!"
Dottore: "You insignificant insect. I have tolerated your presence for far longer than your utility justifies. Do you truly mistake my patience for a lack of temper?"
Hanabi: "Aha! Hahaha! Oh, I'm dying! That is one way to kickstart a party. Your sense of humor is absolutely exquisite~"
Arlecchino: "….."
Tartaglia: "….."
....
『 [ The atmosphere suddenly became so heavy. Sorry, it shouldn't be like this… let me think, what's a good way to lighten the mood? ]
[ That's right—you have many friends on the Express. ]
[ What do you guys usually do in situations like this? ]
After a short while, Hotaru's emotions returned to calm. Realizing the atmosphere was a bit off, she wanted to liven things up and dispel the heaviness from moments ago.
[ Well… there are many things… ]
[ For example, Dan Heng would tell a dry joke with a straight face… ]
Stelle thought for a moment and gave an example.
[ Tell a joke? Ah, I… I don't have much of a sense of humor… ]
[ Maybe… we can think of other methods? ]
Hotaru shook her head, indicating she couldn't pull that off.
[ Or, Pam would cool us down with water from a spray bottle... ]
Stelle gave another example.
[ A spray bottle?? That's too… direct, isn't it? ]
[ Perhaps… we have other choices? ]
Hotaru felt this method was a bit too radical.
[ Then… Himeko-nee would brew us a cup of coffee… ]
Stelle scratched her head and thought of Himeko's method.
[ Coffee…? We don't seem to have the conditions for that right now… ]
Hotaru looked around and shook her head.
[ Let's try something simpler. ]
[ Uncle Yang would try to change the subject… ]
Stelle mentioned Welt's approach.
[ But… I… I'm already trying to change the subject… ]
[ But… I failed. ]
Hotaru looked at Stelle, her expression somewhat helpless.
[ March would drag us all into a selfie together. ]
[ I think that method should be pretty good. ]
Stelle unleashed her trump card.
[ Selfie, a selfie… you're right! ]
[ I've been here so many times, why didn't I think of taking a photo? ]
[ But taking one of just myself… always feels a bit awkward. ]
[ Would you like to join me? Let's commemorate this moment. ]
Hotaru thought this method was excellent, but she felt it was meaningless to do it alone, so she wanted to pull Stelle in.
[ Of course, that sounds great. ]
Stelle agreed readily without a second thought.
[ Hehe, I can be a little bit camera-shy, so don't laugh at me, okay? ]
[ Here… you hold it. ]
Hotaru handed her phone to Stelle, wearing an expression of anticipation.
Stelle took the phone, deftly opened the camera function, and switched to the front-facing lens. She began to stretch out her arm to fit both herself and Hotaru into the frame.
[ Wait a moment… let me get ready… ]
Hotaru suddenly spoke up, then quickly tied her hair into two cute little braids.
[ …Okay! Let's start. ]
[ One… ]
[ Two… ]
[ Say cheeeese! ]
Click, the shutter sounded.
A photo imbued with beautiful emotions was born at this moment, with the dreamlike sky as its backdrop.
In the photo, the two smiled sweetly, a sight to be envied. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Hu Tao: "Wow, this group photo is truly BEAUTIFUL!!"
Hu Tao: "Miss Hotaru's smile is sweet, and Miss Stelle's expression is very gentle too."
Klee: "Klee wants to take a picture with the two pretty big sisters too."
Stelle: "Just thinking about how I can't get my hands on such a precious photo right now makes me want to SCREAM!!"
March 7th: "What a pity. The me in the dream isn't with Stelle right now."
March 7th: "If we were together, wouldn't I be able to take a photo with Miss Hotaru too?"
March 7th: "And I even brought my camera; I could have printed the photo out right AWAY!!"
Hotaru: "I… I haven't really taken photos before…"
Hotaru: "Do I… look okay in the photo?"
Furina: "Of course you do! Miss Hotaru, you are extremely photogenic."
Furina: "I dare say, if you went the sweet idol route and became a star, you would absolutely be adored by countless people."
Robin: "Miss Furina is quite right."
Robin: "Miss Hotaru's sweet aura can simply warm people's hearts."
Robin: "It is a pity… that Miss Hotaru has inconveniences in reality."
Robin: "Otherwise, I would really want to invite Miss Hotaru into the Iris Family."
Robin: "With the professional standards of the Iris Family, I am certain that within a few years, we could mold Miss Hotaru into a cosmic superstar no less radiant than myself."
Yoimiya: "Sigh… if only…"
Hotaru: "Um… thank you everyone for your recognition."
Hotaru: "Actually, being able to do these things in the dream, I am already very satisfied."
Sunday: "If Miss Hotaru is willing, you can live in the Dreamscape forever."
Sunday: "I have already processed permanent residency for Miss Hotaru."
Sunday: "In the future, when you come to Penacony, it will never again be as a stowaway."
Sunday: "Consider it a small token of regard from my sister and me."
March 7th: "Mr. Sunday, you truly are a generous and good person!"
Stelle: "What good person?"
Stelle: "This is clearly a Great Saint! It's my Brother SUNDAY!!"
Hotaru: "No… no need! I don't want to cause trouble for Mr. Sunday!"
Robin: "Miss Hotaru, please do not be polite."
Robin: "The meaning of the Dreamscape's establishment was to allow everyone to taste the flavor of a sweet dream. To leave behind their own touched hearts."
Robin: "Therefore, to allow Miss Hotaru to experience happiness in the dream…"
Robin: "This is also our honor."
Silver Wolf: "Tsk tsk tsk, you siblings really are generous."
Sunday: "My sister speaks the truth. Miss Hotaru, there is no need to refuse."
Hotaru: "B-But… um… alright then."
Hotaru: "Thank you, Mr. Sunday and Miss Robin."
Hotaru: "I will engrave your kindness in my heart."
Acheron: "Heh, how nice."
....
『 After taking the photo with Hotaru, Stelle dragged her around to wander for a while longer.
Then, her phone received messages from the group chat.
[ Group: Astral Express Family ]
[ ⚠︎ Himeko invited (Trailblazer), March, and Welt to join the group chat ]
[ /Himeko: Everyone, are you having fun? ]
[ /March 7th: Lots of fun, sure. ]
[ /March 7th: But I feel like something is wrong… ]
[ /March 7th: It feels unreal, strange, I can't put my finger on it. ]
[ /Stelle: It is a dream, after all. ]
[ /March 7th: I saw a guy wearing a plaster head sculpture at the auction, and he walked off without doing anything. That's pretty suspicious ]
[ /Welt: I also have some rather unpleasant discoveries. The situation is complex; it would be best to speak in person. ]
[ /Himeko: Me too. ]
[ /Himeko: It seems it is time to return to reality for a moment. ]
[ /Himeko: Let's gather in my room. ]
The messages ended there.
[ Do you have to go back already? ]
[ Time flies so fast. ]
[ I also plan to return to reality to rest… let's go, we'll part ways at Golden Hour. ]
Hotaru saw Stelle's actions and understood that she could no longer accompany her. So, she thoughtfully proposed leaving.
Seeing this, although Stelle was reluctant to part, she had serious business to attend to.
Thus, the two walked side by side, preparing to return to the main urban area of Golden Hour together.
There, they would bid their farewells. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "I'm not leaving! I want to snuggle with my HOTARU!! (Loud Crying.jpg)"
Hotaru: "Um… serious business is more important, right? (Helpless.jpg)"
March 7th: "Exactly! Why are you so insensible! (Angry.jpg)"
Stelle: "I'm still a baby, why do I have to be sensible? (Innocent.jpg)"
Himeko: "Hehe, alright, stop fussing."
Himeko: "Since several of us discovered anomalies, then clearly something big is about to happen."
Welt: "Correct. We must have investigated some critical information."
Dan Heng: "What conspiracy lies hidden within this? And regarding the Watchmaker's Legacy, who put out this smokescreen?"
Furina: "What exactly is the Watchmaker's Legacy?"
Furina: "It feels like everyone coming to Penacony is here for this legacy."
Lumine: "Indeed, even Miss Hotaru wants to obtain this legacy."
Hotaru: "Ah, this… I… I actually have my difficulties…"
Stelle: "UNDERSTOOD!!"
Navia: "Then why don't we all take a guess? What exactly is this legacy?"
Dori: "I guess it must be wealth that one can never finish spending!"
Paimon: "Maybe it's endless delicious food?"
Venti: "Ehe, guessing blindly is useless. Let's just wait for the video to reveal it to us!"
Zhongli: "I have a feeling that perhaps the significance of this legacy is very heavy."
Raiden Ei: "I agree with this view."
Nahida: "Then let us wait and see."
....
(If you think Raiden Ei feels a bit OOC, you're not alone. But before commenting on it, just remember this is a reaction fic—there will always be some OOC moments. It's simply how Author-san chooses to shape the "what if" scenario. Starting in this Chapters I'm gonna used "Madam Herta". And will use such as "⚠︎, /" as an indicator for phone conversations.)