"Doesn't it feel like Lumina's words were specifically meant for us?"
In the real world, in the live stream, Little Bear hadn't even had time to wonder why Lumina and Herta were on the Train when he found Lumina's words deeply unsettling.
It was as if Lumina, even within the game, knew there was a whole crowd of Players watching beyond the screen.
But how could that be possible? It was probably just an easter egg planted by the official developers, right?
Little Bear shook his head slightly, dismissing the thought.
After all, they were just lines of code. How could there possibly be a real cosmos called Honkai: Star Rail?
But then again...
Little Bear's gaze drifted back to the screen, where the two characters were sharing a subtle, intimate moment. A warm, aunt-like smile spread across his face.
Aren't these two officially paired? Or did the developers just ship them hard when designing the story?
He pondered this with genuine fondness, utterly charmed by Lumina and Herta's "pure friendship."
As a streamer and public figure, Little Bear had to be careful about his words during live streams.
Even though Little Bear was utterly captivated by Lumina and Herta's dynamic and desperately wanted to gush about their interactions, he had to carefully watch his words, knowing he couldn't incite a frenzy in the live stream.
After all, countless clickbait accounts were lurking in his live stream, ready to twist his words out of context, fabricating lies and smear campaigns.
They might take his phrase, "The Black-White Duo is the best duo in the world," and distort it into something like, "Even dogs shake their heads at the Black-White Duo!"
While Little Bear had to mind his tongue, the viewers in the live stream had no such restraints.
Lost in the Main Story, Little Bear completely ignored the Comment Section.
He didn't need to guess, he didn't need to look—it was obvious that the Black-White Shippers had already overrun the Comment Section...
[ Ship them! What are you waiting for? Ship them! ]
[ Are there any 3D artists out there? I need to see these two in the 3D realm tonight! ]
[ This is the most beautiful love in the world! ! ! ]
[ So... who's the top and who's the bottom? I'm dying to know! ]
[ If cost were no object, Lumina would probably be the top, but who knows? Maybe she just seems like a tough nut to crack, but if you find her weak spot, you could have her eating out of your hand! ]
[Lumina x Herta Pure Love Yuri Novel]
[Full text: 200,000 words, including at least 150,000 words of intense scenes featuring: props, wilderness, role-playing, and more! Don't hesitate—click my avatar to purchase now!]
[ Whoa, a novel already? Brothers, wait for me! I'm going to check it out! ]
[ Marking this spot! Can't wait for the expert's verdict! ]
[ Forget it! Two thousand bucks for a book? Are they freaking insane for money? ]
Little Bear, completely engrossed in the story, remained unaware that the comment section was rapidly spiraling into bizarre territory.
Fortunately, the live stream's moderators weren't asleep at the wheel. The user trying to sell a 200,000-word smut book for 2,000 yuan was swiftly kicked out and permanently banned.
Moments later, the comment section returned to normal, with everyone debating the eternal question: Lumina or Herta—who's the top and who's the bottom?
Yet, unlike other fandoms, the debate remained surprisingly civil.
Perhaps, in their eyes, whether Lumina or Herta took the lead made little difference.
After all...
They were both celestial-tier perfection!
-
"Ugh... Even though you all barged onto the Train without permission, I'll let it slide this time since none of you meant any harm and you all had urgent matters to attend to, Pom."
"But remember to knock next time, Pom!"
In the docking area outside the Reverie Hotel, aboard the Astral Express's Observation Car, Pom-Pom looked at Boothill, Acheron, Black Swan, Lumina, Herta, and the others with a weary shake of its head.
One after another, they just materialize on the Train without so much as a greeting... Lumina, who had always been so polite before, was suddenly acting so strangely.
Just as Passenger Lumina said, she's been influenced by Passenger Herta, Pom.
Though none of the others believed Lumina's earlier explanation, Pom-Pom did. In its memory, Lumina had never been one to lie.
Shaking its head to clear its thoughts, Pom-Pom finished its reprimand. Its stern expression instantly softened.
Pom-Pom had initially planned to give them a thorough scolding, but considering Lumina's explanation and their genuine urgency, it decided to let the matter slide.
"Thank you, Conductor. We'll be sure to knock next time," Lumina said with a gentle smile, nodding on behalf of everyone present.
"Alright, Pom," Pom-Pom replied, nodding back, his trust in Lumina's promise unwavering.
After another polite nod to Pom-Pom, Lumina turned her attention to Acheron, Black Swan, and the others, feigning confusion as she asked, "So, what are you all doing here? Are you planning to leave The Reverie Hotel and the Asdana Star System together?"
Lumina waved her hand, her face a mask of genuine bewilderment and curiosity, as if completely unaware of the chaos that had engulfed Penacony.
"Hmm..." Upon hearing Lumina's words, Acheron and Black Swan exchanged a knowing glance.
In their eyes, given the scale of the events in Penacony, it was impossible for Lumina to be ignorant of what was happening.
"The Charmony Festival can't possibly continue," Black Swan explained. "There's a traitor within the Family of Harmony, and this could jeopardize Penacony and the entire Asdana Star System."
Though Acheron and Black Swan remained puzzled, they offered a concise explanation.
"Oh~ I see. A traitor has emerged within the Family, attempting to disrupt the Charmony Festival."
"I'm aware of the situation, but is it really necessary to flee Asdana on the train so hastily?"
Lumina scanned the room, her expression clearly conveying: Surely it's not that serious? You're not running away over this, are you?
"Miss Lumina, you misunderstand," Black Swan said. "We're not discussing how to persuade the Conductor to activate the Train Warp and take us off Penacony." Though Black Swan wished to avoid Lumina entirely, the presence of so many others in the room made her confident that the situation would remain civil.
With an elegant smile, Black Swan continued, "We're merely speculating about the identity of the traitor hidden within the Family. We have no intention of leaving the Asdana Star System."
"After all... our business partners are still inside. I would never abandon them."
"Go to hell with your forking cupcake!How dare you even utter the words 'business partner'?"
"Believe me, I'll blow your brains out right here."
Black Swan covered her mouth, offering an elegant explanation, but her words seemed to trigger a painful memory for Boothill. He immediately drew his gun, aiming it at her head, as if itching to pull the trigger and put a bullet hole through her skull.
"At least the problem's resolved, isn't it?" Black Swan responded calmly, seemingly unfazed by the pitch-black barrel pressed against her head. She even had the audacity to smile and retort.
"As if!" Boothill snarled, shoving the gun even harder against her head. But just as the barrel was about to touch her skull, he abruptly pulled back.
"Damn it. From now on, I won't be cooperating with Memokeepers like you anymore."
Though Black Swan's words were accurate and her actions justified, her blunt and brutal methods still left a bitter taste...