Chin resting in her hand, Firefly gazed out the window at the blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. She was on a flight to Borkum Island, a destination recommended by Wesley.
She had certainly flown in her previous life, but perhaps because this world was set in 2045, this aircraft was exceptionally smooth and incredibly fast.
Most strikingly, the plane boasted a futuristic, all-black fuselage and a sleek, streamlined exterior. From its appearance alone, it hardly resembled a civilian airliner; instead, it looked more like a special forces transport from a science fiction movie—only much larger, accommodating over two hundred passengers.
In less than half an hour, the plane landed successfully. Firefly retrieved her luggage and headed straight to the hotel she had booked earlier.
It's worth noting that during the flight, a young man had swapped seats with the elderly woman originally sitting beside her and proceeded to chatter incessantly in her ear about all sorts of nonsense.
She wasn't stupid; she could see right through this guy's intentions with a single glance. It seemed her appearance was quite appealing to these foreigners.
Well, can't blame them!
Firefly's response was simple: she removed her translation earpiece, swapped it for wired headphones, and immediately blasted the world's most beautiful robin song. Suddenly, the world fell into blissful silence.
Back in the present, the silver-haired young girl dragged her suitcase, occasionally glancing around while frequently checking the map on her phone.
Walking alone in a foreign land, surrounded by people who looked nothing like her, listening to incomprehensible conversations, and staring at unfamiliar shop signs, naturally evoked a sense of isolation—a touch of fear, even.
Of course, traveling with friends would completely dispel this feeling. But all her friends in this world were connected to Robin: her colleagues at the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations and some online acquaintances. Firefly genuinely knew no one else here.
Humans are inherently social creatures; they can't survive alone. The loneliness would be unbearable. As Firefly hurried along, she couldn't help but ponder: what should she do? Should she use this body to make some friends?
Humans need social interaction, but maintaining too many connections is exhausting. She certainly didn't want a situation where Robin and Yu Lin were out having fun while she, as Firefly, was obligated to meet up with other friends.
The best solution, she decided, was for Firefly to become Robin's close friend and simply join her existing social circle.
Lost in thought, Firefly finally located the hotel she had booked. After checking in and stowing her luggage in her room, she immediately left and hailed a taxi to the beach.
Upon arrival, she gazed at the vast, endless sea. The azure surface stretched to the horizon, merging seamlessly with the sky. The sheer beauty of the vista left Firefly awestruck for a long moment.
In her previous life, Firefly had seen the sea, but only from the perspective of crowded fishing ports. This pristine beach, with its sandy shore, was a first for her, and she couldn't help but marvel at its breathtaking beauty.
She even entertained the idea of lingering for a while, but quickly realized there wasn't much fun to be had alone. It was, admittedly, a rather sad realization.
Maybe I should have Robin fly over immediately so we can play beach volleyball against ourselves?
Well, that might be even sadder in its own way.
Lost in these musings, Firefly rented a temporary locker, ducked into the women's changing room, and quickly changed into the new swimsuit she had recently bought. After locking her clothes away, she stepped barefoot onto the sand.
It's worth noting that this particular beach offered free admission to everyone. Revenue came primarily from services like locker rentals, swimming tubes, surfboards, and food and drink vendors.
Strictly speaking, this beach was a state-owned resource, like a public park. Everyone was welcome, and the government didn't restrict vendors from setting up stalls to sell goods.
It was one o'clock in the afternoon, and the weather was perfect. Firefly's delicate feet sank slightly into the soft, warm sand with each step, the grains parting around her soles. A few slipped between her toes, but instead of discomfort, the sensation was novel and pleasant.
Bending over to look down (she couldn't see them from a straight posture), the first thing one noticed was her adorable pink toes.
Unlike Robin, Firefly wore no nail polish on her fingers or toes. In fact, she wore virtually no makeup at all, a stark contrast to the polished looks of most female characters in Honkai: Star Rail. She was completely barefaced.
This might explain why Firefly's beauty, while pleasant, lacked Robin's dazzling allure. After all, she didn't wear makeup. Yet, paradoxically, it amplified her girl-next-door charm and childhood sweetheart appeal.
After playfully kicking at the sand for a few moments, Firefly focused on her mission and strode toward the sea. She soon reached the dark, wet sand where the waves lapped.
The cool, damp sand beneath her feet and the rhythmic rush of small waves that washed over her ankles evoked a classic scene from countless anime: the heroine splashing in the surf, running barefoot across the wet beach as the setting sun painted the sky.
She continued into the water, which quickly rose past her calves, then her thighs, until it reached her chest. Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her goggles, dove into the sea, and began swimming swiftly away from the shore.
Firefly wasn't exactly a skilled swimmer, but her current body's physical capabilities far surpassed those of an ordinary person.
Don't underestimate Firefly's combat prowess even when she's not transformed. As a weapon specifically bred for battle, she had recently tested her limits. Even without transformation, she could hold her breath for at least twenty minutes. She hadn't timed it exactly because her taxi had arrived before she could find out.