Central Starskiff Haven Plaza.
After sending the message to Sampo, Sparkle flashed a carefree smile.
Though she was indeed a Masked Fool, she never confined herself to any faction or label.
For her, only the pursuit of amusement mattered!
And beyond the online chaos, She'd discovered a new source of entertainment right here on the Xianzhou's Luofu!
The plaza was crowded.
Many players had gathered around the central screen to watch the livestream, Engaging in lively discussions— It felt like a music festival, buzzing with excitement.
But in one corner, A man stood out, seeming out of place.
He was snacking quietly, With a beautiful woman accompanying him.
When the woman left briefly to fetch water, Sparkle immediately appeared before the man.
Her gaze was laden with meaning.
"Oh-ho-ho, impressive."
"You actually managed to lure a galaxy-famous superstar here?"
Lin Yu smiled faintly. "What superstar? I've no idea what you mean."
Sparkle leaned in, Nearly pressing her face against his.
"Don't play dumb~ The eyes of a Fool never deceive."
Then, Her plum-blossom-shaped pupils sparkled with mischief.
"Relax, I'm not here to ruin your fun—I'm here to join it!"
"Let me think… What mischief can we stir up…"
"How about we fake Robin's murder and send a scam message to Sunday?"
"When he rushes over in a panic, we'll tip off the press…"
"That way, all 17 will know the siblings are on the Luofu!"
"And then… Oh, I can't wait to see the look on that chicken-wing boy's face!"
Clearly, Sparkle's current target for amusement was Sunday.
But Lin Yu shook his head slightly.
"Too small. Think bigger."
"It's amusing, but not enough."
"And the payoff is lackluster—like fine wine that leaves no aftertaste, it'd be a failed endeavor."
Sparkle crossed her arms, pouting.
"Oh? Then enlighten me—what's your grand plan?"
Lin Yu draped an arm over her shoulder, Pulling her closer.
"Do you know where tensions are highest right now?"
"————Penacony."
"Ever since Yu Ling exposed Tazzyronth's identity, factions across the universe have turned their eyes there."
"Many already see Tazzyronth as the greatest threat."
"But… the true mastermind of Penacony isn't Tazzyronth."
He trailed off deliberately, Leaving Sparkle's eyes gleaming with excitement.
This was exactly her kind of fun!
"Out with it!"
"No more suspense!"
"Don't be one of those insufferable riddlers!"
Lin Yu took the chance to pat her head.
"It's not that I won't say—this is spoiler territory for Honkai: Star Rail's future updates."
"But here's a little leak…"
He sent Sparkle a video clip.
After skimming it, Her expression shifted from shock…
To delight…
Then to vindication!
"I knew the Family was shady!"
"This confirms it!"
"Dropping this bombshell would detonate Penacony!!"
But then, Her expression darkened.
She stared straight at Lin Yu.
"Wait… How did you get your hands on intel this explosive?"
"This goes beyond insider leaks!"
"Spill it—what's your connection to Yu Ling?!"
"Guess~"
Just then, Robin returned with water.
Seeing Sparkle tugging at Lin Yu's sleeve, She looked puzzled.
"Um… Lin Yu… Are you alright?"
"Need help?"
Sparkle knew when to quit.
She'd already gotten what she wanted from Lin Yu—
Now, she needed to strategize the perfect moment to unleash this revelation!
With a playful hop, She vanished into the crowd.
Lin Yu straightened his clothes.
"That's my distant cousin. Apologies for the scene."
Robin laughed. "No worries! She seemed… lively."
"And oddly familiar, though I can't place her."
She handed Lin Yu a drink.
"I got this from the vending machine—Soda Bean Juice, a Luofu specialty!"
Lin Yu: "…"
Suddenly, The plaza erupted in cheers!
A hauntingly beautiful melody poured from the speakers.
Robin froze.
The song was hers— "If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking."
She immediately pulled Lin Yu forward!
The crowd was electric.
"AHHHHHHH!"
"This intro—!!"
"My soul is trembling!"
"The moment the BGM hit, I lost it!"
"It's Robin's If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking!!"
"I can't believe Honkai: Star Rail actually included her song! My life is complete!"
"Peak fiction!!"
"Thank you, Robin!"
"This scene + this music = perfection!"
"I wanna fall in love now…"
Robin herself was stunned.
Her song—featured in Yu Ling's game!
No thoughts of royalties or credits crossed her mind…Only overwhelming pride and joy!
She squeezed Lin Yu's hand tightly.
"This is amazing!"
"Robin's song in Star Rail—this must mean Yu Ling approves of her music!"
Lin Yu glanced at the screen.
Guinaifen was blazing through the story—Already at the Dream's Edge rooftop.
Suddenly, A soft warmth crashed into his chest.
Robin's voice whispered in his ear:
"…"
"Meeting you… Sharing this journey…"
"It feels like a miracle…"
As the song swelled, Couples around the plaza embraced, swept up in the moment.
But no one knew…
The song's composer—Robin— Was among them, Just another player lost in the embrace of her beloved.
---
Aboard the Astral Express,
If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking echoed through the cabin.
March 7th's eyes shimmered.
"Wow…"
"I never realized how profound this song was before…"
"But paired with Star Rail's story…"
"It's like it was made for this moment!"
On screen, Firefly stood at the rooftop's edge,
Finally revealing her truth.
"I'm sorry. I am a stowaway."
"My home was destroyed long ago—by the Antimatter Legion, or the Swarm… I'm a refugee, like many 'natives' of Penacony."
"Harmony embraces all, even wanderers from afar. The Family took them in… but they never truly belonged."
"In this gilded metropolis, some dream of Penacony… while others dream only of survival, though all came with the same hope."
"I'm no different. In reality, I have a wish… one I can't fulfill. It burns so fiercely that I sought refuge in dreams…"
"Firefly, please become playable! I can't resist her!"
"Wait, why's the mood shifting?!"
"DANGER! INCOMING KNIFE!"
"If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking… more like To Kill a Heart with Sorrow!"
"I'm not crying…"
"Firefly's too pure…"
Guinaifen, fully immersed, Had tears glistening in her eyes.
[What wish?]
"Entropy Loss Syndrome."
"Ever heard of it?"
"It's… a cruel condition. The body undergoes irreversible, gradual dissolution. You're fading away—so slowly others barely notice."
"You can still run, jump, talk… Everything seems normal. Just… a little slower than everyone else."
"Then slower… and slower… until the world itself blurs. Reality and dreams fracture alike."
"So… how could I refuse?"
"Can you imagine? In this dream… I don't need a medical pod."
"I can ignore the doctors, use my own body—to hear, see, touch, think, live… Even if it's not real… it's precious to me."
"Like right now."
By the end, Guinaifen was sobbing.
"WHY does someone so sweet have to suffer like this?!"
"Like her name… a firefly destined to fade…"
"Yaoshi, please!"
"I get Dan Feng now—no, surpass Dan Feng! Give her the Draconic Transformation!"
"NOOO! I'll beg Ruan Mei, Dan Heng, Yaoshi—even Aha! Just save her!"
March 7th's eyes were wet.
Even fictional tragedies moved her— Let alone Firefly, a real person in their world!
"What do we do?!"
"There has to be a way to help her!"
Stelle sat listlessly on the sofa, A hollow ache in her chest—Like watching something beautiful slip through her fingers.
Himeko offered comfort.
"Don't lose hope. The story might still take a turn…"
To be continued…
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