AN: Hellooooo people of the internet!!
How's it going? Have you guys played the latest 3.7 update? How's your pulls? Did you got the characters you are hoping to get?
Me, I got my Cyrene and her LC after 200 pulls now all of my saved jades are gone~ ahahaha... ugh...
I need to speedrun the events this patch to get Cyrene to E2.... which I hope I won't end up me topping up... cry..
anyways here is the update for this day and I just want to say....
DAMN YOU HOYO!!! I LOVE AND HATE THE ENDING YOU DID!!!!
PS: Thanks to you my friends for the power stones! SparkleEyeMole, DragonConquer1 and
GalacticBaseballer.
===== << START >> =====
Dragon's Valley, DesuMachi World.
Morning arrived gently over the valley. Sora stumbled from her room, rubbing her sleepy eyes as a yawn escaped her lips. She walked to the couch in the living room and dropped onto it with a soft thud. Grabbing the nearby Homu plushie, she hugged it close and reached for the TV remote.
The screen turns to life, its brightness momentarily making her squint. A cheerful anchor's voice filled the room.
[Good morning, universe! Another bright day in the galaxy—]
Click.
"Mm… too bright…" she mumbled, half-buried in the plushie.
The next channel showed a cooking show.
[Today, we're frying mushrooms that may or may not explode—]
"Exploding mushrooms…? No thanks," she muttered and pressed the button again.
Click.
Now came a loud, colorful variety show. Contestants screamed while a host waved a plate of bright red noodles.
[The next challenger must eat five bowls of Galaxy Spice Ramen in under a minute!]
Sora blinked slowly, tilting her head. "Why would anyone do that to themselves…?" she murmured in disbelief, already feeling secondhand heartburn.
Click.
Robin's concert replay appeared on-screen, filling the room with a soft, melodic voice that could only belong to Robin. The gentle rhythm of her song washed over the living room, blending with the morning atmosphere.
"...Nice song," Sora murmured drowsily, her voice barely above a whisper. She adjusted her position, her head resting on the couch's armrest as her body melted into the cushions. "Robin-san always sounds so dreamy…"
Her eyelids fluttered, heavy and slow. The melody continued to play comforting, tender, and full of warmth. The TV remote slipped from her loose grip, landing on the carpet. Within moments, Sora fell asleep again, her breathing evening out as she curled up, hugging her Homu doll like a guardian of dreams.
An hour later, the faint scent of breakfast spread through the air. The sizzle of something frying reached her ears. Sora stirred, blinking groggily as she rubbed her eyes. "Mmm… smells good…" she muttered.
She sat up, realizing a blanket now covered her. Tilting her head in confusion, she mumbled, "...I don't remember bringing this." Her sleepy gaze turned toward the kitchen.
There, standing with an apron tied over his usual clothes, was Hachiman. A pan in hand, he moved with practice ease, the light from the sun outside touching his figure.
"Huh…" Sora blinked a few times, still unsure if she was dreaming. ".....that's Hachi-nii, right? Not… our family's Herrscher of Dinner?"
At that thought, she giggled softly to herself, the cozy air of the living room mixing with the scent of breakfast.
As if sensing her stare, Hachiman turned toward the living area where a half-asleep Sora sat up, her hair messy and eyes half-open, watching him.
"Good morning, Sora," he greeted softly, a small, genuine smile forming on his face.
"Good morning… Hachi-nii," she murmured, her tone still heavy with sleepiness but carrying that familiar warmth.
Hachiman's lips curved into a wry smile. "Go wash your face, it will help wake you up. I'll make you some hot cocoa."
Sora blinked slowly and nodded, letting out a yawn. "Hmm… okay…" she replied before trotting off toward the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she returned looking slightly more awake, her hair still a little damp. Taking her seat at the table, she watched as Hachiman placed a steaming cup of cocoa in front of her.
"Thanks…" she mumbled before taking a small sip. The rich sweetness made her eyes soften as she let out a contented sigh, swinging her legs under the table. "It's perfect… like always."
Amused, Hachiman gave a small snort. "You always say that," he muttered, hiding a faint smile behind his coffee mug. With smooth movement, he flipped an omelette in the pan, landing it flawlessly. The satisfying sizzle filled the room.
"Whoa… that flip was cool," Sora said, a bit more awake now.
"That's normal, nothing special," he replied dryly, giving a light whistle as he checked the next dish. Soon the aroma of breakfast filled the air — sausages, crispy bacon, baked beans, mushrooms, salad, and golden grilled cheese toasts.
She blinked at the sight of mushrooms sizzling in the pan, remembering the chaotic cooking show she'd watched earlier. "These mushrooms… don't explode, right?" she asked nervously.
"...What?" Hachiman raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-flip. "Why would they explode?"
Sora waved her hands quickly, flustered. "N-no reason! Just… something I saw on TV. The chef there said it might."
Hachiman snorts, as two particular people who could actually do it pop up in his mind. "Well, unless they are made by someone named Kaslana or Palettia, they're safe."
Relieved, Sora leaned back with a small laugh, taking another sip of her cocoa. "That's good.... I don't want our morning to start with a bang."
Hachiman's mouth twitched into a faint smirk. "With the kind of life we are in and the type of companions we have, I would be surprised if it didn't. "
Laughing at what he said, she turned and about to say something but realizing the person she was looking for was not there. "Huh? How rare for Mei-nee to sleep in."
"She must be exhausted from yesterday's battles," Hachiman replied, calmly flipping another omelet onto a plate.
"Mm-hmm. Mei-nee really worked hard," Sora nodded in agreement, sipping again from her drink. Not noticing the strangest in his tone
Just as Hachiman finished frying the third omelet, they heard a soft clank from one of the room doors. Mei stepped into the living area, dressed casually and with her hair tied loosely. Despite her usual calm, she looked slightly embarrassed.
"Good morning, Hikigaya-kun. Sora-chan," she greeted warmly before moving to help him at the counter. "Sorry for waking up late. I must have really overexerted myself yesterday."
"Good morning, Mei-nee," Sora said with a cheerful smile, a little too cheerful, given the chocolate mustache on her lips.
Mei giggled softly at the sight. "You've got a little something there, Sora-chan."
"Good morning, Raiden," Hachiman greeted, still focused on plating the food. "Don't worry about it. As long as everyone's in one piece, we're fine."
Smiling gratefully, Mei turned to him. "Thank you," she said softly, arranging the plates neatly on the table before gently wiping the chocolate off Sora's lips. The girl giggled sheepishly, earning a small, amused smile from Mei.
Hachiman refilled his cup with more coffee, then refilled Sora's cocoa and poured a cup of coffee for Mei. Once everything was ready, Mei finished setting the table, the spread warm and inviting. The three took their seats, Hachiman on one side, Mei and Sora on the other.
"Thank you for the food," they said in unison, clapping their hands together before digging in.
Mei placed some omelets, sausages, and sandwiches onto Sora's plate. "Eat slowly, okay? It's still hot," she reminds her gently. Sora nodded with her mouth already full, earning a sigh from Hachiman.
He turned the TV back on while sipping his coffee, letting the calm voice from the narrator fill the air.
[... Thus the Star-Devouring Narwhals have begun migrating once more, searching for new worlds to feed upon...]
"Star-devouring whales, huh?" Sora mumbled between bites. "Sounds adorable yet scary at the same time."
Hachiman snorted softly. "That's a terrifyingly accurate thought."
Mei chuckled, covering her mouth with her cup.
As they continued their meal, she turned to Hachiman. "So, what's our plan for today?"
Hachiman glanced away from the TV, picking up a sandwich before answering. "Just rest for the day. Tomorrow, I'll check if there's a nearby human city or at least a settlement."
"I see," Mei hummed thoughtfully, slightly frowned as she sipped her coffee.
"Before you start thinking that you're dragging me down, let me make this clear, you're not," he firmly said, cutting off the thought he could already read from her face.
Mei flinched, caught off guard by his sudden bluntness. She quickly turned away, cheeks faintly blushed as if she'd just been caught doing something wrong. Sora, sitting at their side, pursed her lips and glanced between the two teens, unsure whether to say something or stay quiet.
With a sigh, Hachiman set down his cup and met Mei's eyes. "Listen. We still lack proper information about this world. From what I learned from Hei Long, there is something like an appraisal ability that some people of this world possess. It lets them see people's details. I want to come up with countermeasures for that before we move. So, while I'm handling that, you and Sora just rest and regain your strength."
Mei fidgeted slightly, lowering her gaze before nodding. "Alright… I understand," she said softly.
He watched her for a few seconds longer, making sure she wasn't just agreeing out of guilt. Once satisfied, he returned his focus to his food. The room fell silent again, the only sounds coming from clinking dishes and the hum of the TV. Hachiman wasn't exactly good at small talk, and Mei, sensing his mood, didn't push further.
Feeling the awkward air thickening, Sora awkwardly reached for the remote and switched channels. The new show came with upbeat, trendy music. The screen burst into life with pink sparkles, floating utensils, and a shower of confetti as a neon sign glowed brightly behind the host.
[Elysia Channel! COOKING WITH LOVE! — Where the Fire Alarm Is Just Another Ingredient!]
The screen flashed with glitter and confetti, unmistakably the show of a certain pink fairy from the Express.
"Huh? It's already time for Ellie-nee's show?" Sora blinked, her brows lifting. "I didn't even realize it's this late!"
"Technically," Hachiman said dryly, "it's lunchtime now. We all woke up close to noon."
Sora blinked again, forming a small 'O' with her mouth. "Ohhh… that explains why my stomach's still asking for seconds."
Mei chuckled softly, finishing her coffee. "Then after we ate, you can start your schoolwork, Sora-chan."
Sora froze mid-bite, turning to Mei with a betrayed look. "W-what?! S-schoolwork?! Even though we're on an expedition?!"
"Of course," Hachiman and Mei replied in perfect unison, their expressions perfectly calm.
"EEEHHHHHHHHHHH?! WHY?!" Sora groaned dramatically, pouting as if the world had ended.
Unmoved, Hachiman rested his chin on his hand. "The expedition isn't an excuse to slack off."
Mei smiled patiently, setting her cup down. "We asked Principal Theresa to give you special permission to work at your own pace while we travel. But you'll still have assignments and quizzes every two weeks. It's just to make sure you're keeping up."
[Hello universe!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back to the channel of the universe's most adored fairy, Ms. Pink Elf, Elysia!!!~] Elysia greeted, her voice brimming with energy as she waved enthusiastically at the camera. She twirled gracefully once for flair, her frilly pink and white idol-style dress shining under the studio lights. Over it, she wore a pastel pink apron emblazoned with the words "Kiss the Chef (If You Dare)" beside a chibi Noah happily holding Shamash like a frying pan. In her hand, she wielded a wooden spoon like it was a royal scepter.
"W-what?!" Sora shouted, disbelief painted all over her face. "H-how could this happen?! I was expecting to spend our time exploring, eating, and meeting new people, not studying during my free time!"
She slumped dramatically onto the table, her forehead pressing against her arms as she let out a long, defeated groan. Not even Elysia's cheerful voice booming from the TV could lift her spirit. Hachiman sighed, shaking his head at her antics, while Mei gently patted Sora's back to comfort her.
"Don't worry, Sora-chan," Mei said kindly. "I'll help you with your workbooks, okay? I'll even teach you myself."
Sora peeked up from her folded arms, her eyes wide and pleading. "Can… I just rest… for today? I'm still tired from yesterday."
Before Mei could answer, Hachiman spoke up. "Sure," he said evenly, "but you'll need to finish all your lessons and submit your workbooks by this Saturday. Himeko-sensei's expecting them."
"...Okay…" Sora mumbled, clearly sulking but too tired to argue further.
Mei and Hachiman exchanged a knowing look, a small understanding between two caretakers who had just survived another Sora negotiation.
[Today's episode is—Cooking with Love! The ultimate culinary crossover between taste, disaster, and emotional damage! Our goal today: teach my lovely family how to cook without accidentally creating another dimensional rift!]
The camera panned to her three very lucky guests behind a counter that already looked like a war zone: Kiana, Gabriel, and Herta — the real one.
Kiana had already opened three spice jars and was sniffing each one like a chemist testing volatile compounds.
Gabriel tilted her head, staring at a whisk as if it were some sacred relic from the heavens.
Meanwhile, Herta was holding the recipe book at arm's length, muttering calculations like she was deciphering a scientific equation.
Elysia clapped her hands, her smile radiant. [Alright~! Today's recipe will be… An Omelette Deluxe! A simple dish using eggs, love, and hopefully no explosions this time!]
Seeing who Elysia had chosen as her guests for the cooking show, Hachiman and Mei simultaneously paled.
'Oi, oi, oi!! Is she serious?!' Hachiman's thoughts raced in panic. 'One of them alone could destroy the kitchen… but all three together?! That's not a cooking show, that's a natural disaster waiting to happen!'
He exhaled through his nose, muttering under his breath, "...I just hope there's still an Express to go back to after this episode."
Mei nervously clutched her empty cup, her expression mirroring his worry. "Captain, Lumine, and Sirin should be there to handle the aftermath… right?"
Hearing Mei mentioned those three, Hachiman rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to reply but stopped, realizing something. He sharply turned at the screen, scanning the frame for any trace of the three. There were none. Even Herta, the real Herta, was at the Express. That, more than anything, made his stomach tighten.
'Hajime and his group are out for 'vacation'. Mei, Sora, and I are on expedition duty… Madam Herta is at the Express… and Noah, Lumine, Sirin, the ones responsible for navigation, world searching and scouting, aren't visible anywhere.'
He leaned back slowly at his seat, brows furrowed. 'Just what kind of situation forces everyone to work separately like this…?'
"Hikigaya-kun?" Mei's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Hachi-nii?" Sora added softly.
Realizing both were staring at him, Hachiman blinked and straightened, forcing the tension from his shoulders.
"Sorry," Hachiman said with a small, easy smile, trying to sound reassuring. "I was just thinking about what kind of mess we've gotten ourselves into."
'He's lying,' the Herrscher of Thunder's voice reached into Mei's mind, making her eyes slightly widen.
"Geez, Hachi-nii!! You should have a little more faith in Kiana-nee and the others!" Sora protested, puffing her cheeks. "They're just making an omelet! It's not like anything's gonna explode or—"
As if on cue, a massive boom erupted from the TV, sending a wave of pink smoke across the kitchen set. The live stream audience sent out worried messages while Elysia's cheerful voice rang out, [Oops~! Maybe a little too much love this time!]
Sora froze, her jaw dropping. "…Okay, maybe I jinxed it."
"I believe in them, Sora," Hachiman said dryly, taking another sip of his coffee. "That's exactly why I knew this would happen."
Mei let out a small sigh, watching him from across the table. Then, she called out to her other self. 'Why did you say Hikigaya-kun is lying? You know he doesn't and wouldn't lie to us.'
'…..You're right,' the Herrscher replied thoughtfully. 'He didn't lie about thinking that we're in a mess… but he didn't say which mess he's worried about.'
'...What do you mean?' Mei asked, her gaze flicking toward Hachiman.
The Herrscher sighs, before continuing. 'From the way he spoke, he wasn't thinking about the cooking show or anything happening here. And earlier when you mentioned the Captain and those two, something changed in his demeanor. Whatever's bothering him, it's tied to them.'
Mei's hand unconsciously clenched, her gaze went back on the show as Patricia Ericson and Rem swiftly moved to contain the explosion and fire in the kitchen. Despite the chaos onscreen, what truly unsettled her was the realization of the absence of Noah, Lumine, and Sirin even after all that noise. A small knot formed in her chest. '…Did something happen? Something serious enough to make Captain and the other two leave the Express?'
'I don't know either…' the Herrscher murmured, her voice faint and thoughtful.
Before Mei could think further, a loud bang! shook the room, the door of their tent slammed open, breaking the calm of their once peaceful (well, afternoon) morning.
Everyone froze. Hachiman's cheek twitched at the sight of the now half-hanging door. Sora let out a startled yelp and hid behind his back, holding at his shirt tightly, while Mei instinctively took a defensive stance, pure electro energy dancing across her body as her eyes glowed hot pink.
A small figure passed through the doorway as if she owned the place, a mischievous grin painted across her face. It was none other than Akon Kagura, the same Dragon God Mei fought yesterday, and the same one Hachiman had bath under a shower of falling rocks. Following her in a panic was the poor lizardkin they'd met yesterday, out of breath and flailing to catch up.
"I have come, Hero and Maiden of Thunder!!" Akon declared proudly, planting her hands on her hips like she'd just entered a stage.
Hachiman stared for two full seconds, then buried his face into his palm. "Of course you have…" he muttered.
Mei's jaw dropped in disbelief, while Sora peeked over Hachiman's back, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Is being small a requirement for being a Dragon God?" she whispered, recalling Ophis, another Dragon God who looked younger than her. "Maybe it's like… a universal law or something?" she added while rubbing her chin.
"Dragon God-sama, please calm down!!" the lizardkin pleaded desperately, bowing multiple times as he tried to rein her in.
Hachiman glanced at the sunlight pouring through the broken door and sighed deeply. "Great. Our supposedly relaxing day just became a circus…" he muttered before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Haaa… just my life."
—-------
Mei gently placed a steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of Akon Kagura. She also offered their lizardkin acquaintance a drink, but he quickly declined, clearly too nervous to sit casually in the presence of a Dragon God. Akon's eyes twinkled as she spotted the fluffy marshmallows floating in her cup. With an eager little hum, she lifted it carefully with both hands and blew on it to cool it down.
Her actions were so innocent, so childlike, that Mei and Hachiman momentarily forgot she was a Dragon God. For a second, it felt more like they were entertaining an excitable child than a divine being.
"Fuuhaa… so sweet! So warm!" Akon sighed contentedly after her first sip, a soft smile brightening her face. "The drinks humanity makes are always delightful!"
Mei smiled faintly at the sight. "I'm glad you like it."
"Hmm, hmm! I like it very much!!" Akon Kagura said with a child-like grin, before taking another sip.
Mei sat at Hachiman's left with Sora between them, glancing his way. His expression had already returned to its familiar stoic calm, but the way his eyes looked at Akon Kagura told her he was already analyzing everything, likely already forming half a dozen theories about why the resurrected Dragon God suddenly came to their tent.
Then, with a satisfied huff, Akon Kagura placed her empty cup onto the table and beamed. "Fuuhaa… that was delicious!" she announced proudly, her childish smile blooming as she turned to Mei. "My gratitude to you, Maiden of Thunder! You are not only a great warrior but also an amazing waifu!"
"EEHH?!" Mei's face flushed bright red, her eyes widening in shock. "W-w-wha—what did you just call me?!" she stammered, completely caught off guard by the unexpected word.
Hachiman's brow twitched, his eyes wide open in disbelief. "...Wait. Hold on. Just where the heck did you learn that word?"
Sora blinked innocently, looking between them. "Uh… what's a waifu?" she asked, clearly missing why Mei looked ready to short-circuit.
Akon Kagura tilted her head, looking genuinely curious. "Is that not what those warriors from Akiba call the women they hold in high regard or their ideal romantic partner?"
There was silence. Then, Hachiman's eyes twitched harder. "Of course it's those guys… spreading their cursed knowledge across worlds." He groaned, rubbing his temples. "This world is doomed."
Sora tilted her head. "Akiba… that weird place where everyone dresses up and shouts about power levels?"
Completely unfazed, Akon shrugged and smiled brightly. "Leaving that aside," she said with renewed cheer, "I actually came here to meet the Maiden of Thunder who fought me in equal strength and the Hero who successfully killed me."
Her posture straightened, and in an instant, her childish demeanor melted away. A divine presence radiated from her, her expression serene yet commanding. She bowed slightly toward Hachiman and Mei, her tone carrying reverence. "Thank you, heroes from another world, for saving me and freeing me from whatever those demons had done to me."
The lizardkin bowed deeply, gratitude and awe clear in his trembling voice. "Thank you, heroes… truly."
Sora, sitting between Hachiman and Mei, blinked in surprise before her face broke into a bright smile. She clasped her hands together. "See? Akon-chan and lizardo-san think you two are amazing," she said proudly, her voice full of warmth.
Mei's expression softened, patting Sora's head before she turned toward Hachiman. Their eyes met for a brief moment just long enough to exchange a silent understanding before they both looked back to Akon Kagura.
"We're grateful for your kind words," Mei said gently, her smile calm and humble. "But… we don't think we deserve such praise. Please, raise your head."
Hachiman nodded, his tone firm but sincere. "If anything, I should be the one apologizing for having no choice but to kill you just to save you. It wasn't something I'm proud of."
Akon Kagura raised her head slowly, meeting their eyes. For a moment, silence filled the tent. Then, to their surprise, she let out a soft laugh gentle and full of meaning.
"...As expected," she murmured to herself. "My decision will be the right one after all..."
Dropping her divine act Akon Kagura reverted once again to her bubbly, childish self. She grabbed her empty cup and looked toward Mei, who smiled wryly as she refilled it.
"Nevertheless, both of you still managed to save me. And technically, as a god, I shall reward your efforts!" she declared proudly.
Sora tilted her head curiously. "Reward? Like, treasure or divine blessing kind of reward?"
Akon giggled, taking a sip of her hot chocolate. "Something far greater~!" she said theatrically, a mustache made from chocolate foam in her lips.
With a flick of her fingers, three glowing screens suddenly appeared in front of Hachiman, Mei, and Sora. Hachiman's eyes widened the moment he read the text, his brain connecting the dots faster than he could process.
[NOTICE]
[YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO BE A GAMER]
[DO YOU ACCEPT OR DECLINE?]
He exhaled slowly, shoulders slumping as he muttered under his breath, "...Of course. From fantasy to sci-fi... now it's the gamer route."
Sora blinked, poking at her own screen curiously. "Whoa! It's like those things in games! Do I get cute dresses? Maybe a pet dragon?!"
"Sora-chan, don't touch random glowing things that appear out of nowhere," Mei scolded gently, giving her a light, warning glance as she reached out as if to stop her.
"Ehhh~ but it's glowing in pink, like Ellie-nee! It looks friendly!" Sora whined.
Hachiman sighed deeply, resting his face in one hand. 'Just what kind of life am I treading through?' he thought miserably, already bracing for whatever absurdity would come next
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