Starting with Firefly, Speedrunning the World

"So that's why there are sometimes communication issues."

Noticing Kurama Neon's reaction, Firefly hurriedly explained.

Not just with Kurama Neon—this Herta puppet often acted unpredictably with her too. If there was something to be done, it was best to tell her directly.

If you beat around the bush, she would not only misunderstand, but also get angry easily.

Never Seen a Woman as Beautiful as Me?

"What? Miss Herta is a puppet?"

Firefly's words startled Kurama Neon. She stared in disbelief at the beautiful young girl Herta not far away. So cute, so lifelike—and she was actually just a puppet?

Firefly wasn't lying to her, was she?

Why was it so hard to believe?

"Of course. And it's not difficult to tell. If you look carefully at her joints, it'll be obvious."

Although the Herta puppet was indeed incredibly lifelike, the most obvious feature was her distinctly nonhuman joints—the kind unique to dolls.

Who knew why Madam Herta had kept the traditional doll joints? With her technology, there should have been no need for them.

Or perhaps she felt that keeping them made it easier to confirm her identity as a puppet?

"It really is!"

She really was a puppet.

Kurama Neon moved closer to Herta and noticed the obvious differences between her joints and human ones. Only then did she have no choice but to accept that Herta was truly a puppet.

But this puppet was way too amazing.

The last bit of unease in her heart vanished, and now she only wanted a puppet like this for herself.

"Is Herta also one of the Stellaron Hunters?"

Such an incredible puppet could not possibly belong to this era. Thinking of Firefly's identity, Kurama Neon guessed that she was also a creation from beyond this world.

"You could say that."

This Herta puppet belonged to her, and Firefly was a Stellaron Hunter, so this puppet could also be considered part of the Stellaron Hunters.

"That's so nice."

Kurama Neon carefully examined Herta, liking her more the longer she looked.

Though she was no longer a child, she was still very interested in dolls and puppets. What girl hadn't dressed up and changed the outfits of dolls when she was little?

But she had never seen a life-sized one this cute, especially one with artificial intelligence.

"Stop staring at me. Have you never seen a woman as beautiful as me?"

After being watched by Kurama Neon for so long, Herta put her hands on her hips and spoke with an annoyed expression.

This human was making such a fuss over nothing. She was just a puppet—what was there to look at? There were plenty of them at Herta Space Station, and those researchers never acted like this!

"So cute! Can I hug you?"

Rather than getting angry, Kurama Neon found Herta even cuter like this. This was a puppet with artificial intelligence, after all. She was simply too lovable.

"No. Don't even think about it!"

Herta mercilessly rejected Kurama Neon's request.

"Alright."

Hearing that, Kurama Neon did not insist.

She turned and returned to Firefly's side, asking curiously, "Firefly, what can she do?"

"A lot. She has a certain degree of self-defense ability and basic research capabilities. She's also good at basic tasks, like cleaning and making coffee."

"That's amazing. She can even do research..."

As expected of a puppet with artificial intelligence, Kurama Neon no longer dared to underestimate her.

But such an impressive Herta was being made to clean?

Night arrived.

Firefly and Kurama Neon decided to go out for dinner.

Firefly could actually cook, but there were only some simple ingredients and noodles at home. When she was alone, she could eat anything casually and never cared much about it.

But now that Kurama Neon had returned, eating like that would have been too plain, so they chose to eat out.

Fortunately, there were quite a few restaurants nearby. As for the taste...

Anything was fine with Firefly. Even if it was bad, she could still eat it.

However, on the way back after dinner, Firefly bought a small cake.

Now that she was no longer short on money, having a small cake every day made her very happy. So whenever she had the chance, she naturally could not go without one.

"Do you want some, Neon?"

After taking a bite of the small cake, Firefly suddenly realized... then hesitantly held it out toward Kurama Neon.

"No, thanks."

"We just finished eating. I can't eat another bite!"

Kurama Neon hurriedly shook her head. She didn't have Firefly's little hobby and wasn't nearly as obsessed with cake.

"Oh."

Since Neon didn't want any, Firefly didn't press the matter.

Rubbing her little belly, Firefly figured that since her body had been modified, she probably wouldn't put on weight easily. So she didn't need to restrain herself too much when it came to sweets.

"But what about Herta... does she really not need to eat?"

Kurama Neon was a little concerned.

Although Herta said she was a puppet, she looked far too much like a real person. Was it really okay that they had gone out to eat without bringing her along?

"She's a puppet, so naturally she doesn't need to."

"That's so nice."

Hearing Firefly's answer, Kurama Neon couldn't help but sigh. No need to eat meant no need to worry about one's figure.

"Hmm?"

Firefly froze.

"Ah, it's nothing. We're home!"

Coming to her senses, Kurama Neon quickly changed the subject.

As she spoke, she pushed open the door and kicked off her shoes... Then, wearing her short white socks, she stepped onto the entryway mat a few times. The mat had an antibacterial fragrance function.

Not only did it get rid of odors effectively, it also released a pleasant scent!

People generally didn't wear shoes inside here, only socks. After walking for a while, even without athlete's foot, there could still be a slight odor, so having this mat was much more convenient.

Watching Kurama Neon head inside, Firefly braced one hand against the wall and bent over, reaching down to take off her shoes.

Like Kurama Neon, Firefly wore only a pair of mid-length white socks that came just up to her calves.

The snow-white stockings were clean and silky, their soft threads gently clinging to her ankles and calves like a thin mist draped over them, like a delicious scoop of ice cream.

Firefly herself had long since grown used to it and paid no attention. After taking off her shoes, she stepped inside.

Herta wasn't in the living room. She was probably in the bedroom, though the lights were off.

By then, Kurama Neon had completely collapsed onto the sofa after getting home, holding her phone and playing something unknown.

Firefly took a cantaloupe from the refrigerator, cut it up, and placed it in front of Kurama Neon.

Fruit was expensive in Japan, but Firefly wasn't short on money now, so she wouldn't deprive herself over something so small. Still, it hurt a little—she had no idea how many little cakes this cantaloupe could have bought her.

"Thanks."

Kurama Neon didn't think much of it. She thanked Firefly for the fruit, ate a small piece, then continued playing on her phone.

After checking the time, Firefly wasn't in a hurry to sleep. She lay down on the sofa as well, curled into a ball, pulled out her phone, and started using it.

Though it seemed this phone ought to be replaced too. She just hadn't noticed before.

Since she hadn't used it much.

"Firefly..."

After a while, Kurama Neon put down her phone and looked at the girl before her. She seemed to want to say something, but she hesitated.

Streaming Together

"Wh-what is it?"

Seeing Kurama Neon's hesitant expression, Firefly asked in confusion.

"It's just... um..."

Kurama Neon was conflicted. She might be troubling Firefly, and it felt like she was asking too much.

But after looking at the many messages on her phone, she still asked.

"Um, I haven't streamed in so long, right? My fans have been leaving messages saying they want to see a livestream, so I was wondering... is there any way for me to keep streaming?"

After saying that, Kurama Neon looked at Firefly with pleading eyes.

Over this period, she had only recorded a video every so often and hadn't livestreamed in a long time. After all, livestreaming would expose her location.

Because of that, she had lost quite a few followers, though she still had plenty.

After all, she was a hugely popular influencer with tens of millions of followers.

Kurama Neon didn't care much about making money. As the young heiress of the Kurama Conglomerate, who could possibly be richer than her?