The real world.
Siberian Duck started her livestream right on schedule again that day.
She had been hooked on Honkai: Star Rail over the past two days. If not for her streaming hours and viewer engagement, she probably would have finished all the story content and quests off-stream already.
Today, she continued progressing through the story. On-screen, the gray-white planet Jarilo-VI was visible through the train window.
Still, since she was only seeing it in a game, there was little to marvel at beyond Honkai: Star Rail's impressive production quality.
The story reached the part where March 7th was delighted that all four of them could go adventuring together, while Jiang Yu, who was right there, paid her no attention whatsoever.
The player was also given two dialogue options. Compared to the first, which involved joining in with equal enthusiasm, the second-"I'm a little sleepy"-was clearly more tempting.
Siberian Duck immediately chose the second option.
"Poor March! She's so excited that everyone gets to go together, but the Trailblazer says she's sleepy, and Little Fish is chatting with Ms. Herta instead of paying attention to her!"
Siberian Duck showed absolutely no awareness that she herself had selected "I'm a little sleepy." At a time like this, it fell to her viewers to set her straight.
[Three Pounds of Pork Jerky a Day: Who picked "I'm a little sleepy"? Could you tell me, streamer?]
[Sound-Asleep Fungus: Who exactly caused this outcome? Did you pick it, idol?]
"Hey, don't just blame me! Little Fish ignored March too, didn't he?"
[Danxin Hengjiu: Little Fish has important things to do. Didn't you see him busy talking to Ms. Herta?]
[Ms. Herta Fan Club: Exactly. You had the choice right in your hands, and you still couldn't read the room.]
[Mom, Hit Me Again: Little Fish is so busy, and you're still blaming him? What are you trying to pull?]
Watching the chat tear into her, Siberian Duck said through gritted teeth, "Fine, fine, fine! You've all turned into Pom-Pom now, huh?"
[Deep General Big Freak: Little Fish is handsome, saved the Trailblazer, and even gave her Stellar Jade. What's wrong with taking his side?]
"I... I'm done arguing with you!"
Siberian Duck rolled her eyes and ignored her viewers' double standards as she continued the story.
Soon, she reached the part where Jiang Yu worried about maintaining his idol image, followed by Old Yang looking regretful because he wanted to join the outing too.
"Haha! Little Fish is already worrying about his idol image!"
[Wall of the Heart Far Beyond the Sky: I think he has a point. He's already flown on a sword. It's just an adventure on another planet, right? Stay calm!]
[China Jerk-Off Fan: I can't take it. Isn't Little Fish way too cute, saying with a completely serious face that he can't get too excited?]
[Duck Without the East Pole: That's what makes airheaded characters so endearing!]
[Hard Pity for Characters and Weapons: Sigh, my username turned out to be prophetic. Now only Little Fish can soothe my wounded soul.]
"Little Fish looks genuinely adorable to everyone else when he's being so serious. Sigh, I don't even know who to envy anymore!"
Siberian Duck sighed.
"March gets to pinch Little Fish's cheeks! They look so soft and squishy-I bet they feel great. But being touched by a pretty girl like March sounds pretty enviable too!"
[Siberian Little Black Duck: Streamer, you're such a creep!]
[In the Name of the World: I think Old Yang is the funniest one.]
[Little Fish's Sword: True. Old Yang looks like he wants to come along and have fun but can't.]
[Wind Boy Solo Fan: Can't be helped. Himeko's right-young people need to spend more time together. Aww! Little Fish is such a good kid. He's taking the initiative to comfort Old Yang!]
Aside from Dan Heng, who was in the archives, the entire Astral Express family was gathered there on-screen.
Siberian Duck's eyes lit up at the sight. After taking a screenshot, she said:
"Now they really are an Astral Express family. Old Yang and Himeko are the dad and mom, Dan Heng is the mature, dependable eldest, March is the lively, energetic second child, the Trailblazer is the clueless third child, and Little Fish is the youngest, whom everyone spoils."
[Tang Seng Washes His Hair with Rejoice: Honestly, that's exactly right.]
[Big Fume-shroom Is So Horny: I agree!]
Siberian Duck's description of the Astral Express crew as a family met with widespread approval.
Then came the conversation with Dan Heng, where Jiang Yu wanted to change his clothes.
"Little Fish really is dressed a bit too lightly," Siberian Duck said.
[Wind Boy Solo Fan: Dan Heng is so nice. Wind boys need to stick together!]
[Danxin Hengjiu: Dan Heng's sigh sounds so resigned, but somehow it always feels affectionate. It's confirmed: Little Fish really is the youngest, whom everyone looks after the most.]
[HOIUH Whiffed Ult: Just how much of a worry is March? Someone has to accompany her every time.]
[Old Yang's Arahato: Dan Heng is clearly used to it by now.]
[My Pee Is Yellow: Little Fish is so nice, handing out compliments just like that.]
Next came March's declaration about a pretty girl's dignity.
[Emanator of Aha: Nice. Schrödinger's cold resistance, huh?]
[Memories Sealed on March 7th: Little Fish asked that so bluntly, hahaha...]
[Siberian Little Black Duck: Streamer, are you like that too?]
Seeing the question in chat, Siberian Duck immediately quoted March 7th word for word: "Stay out of a pretty girl's business!"
[oasd9090: Give it up, streamer. You don't count as a pretty girl.]
[Xiboliyaya's Little Sidekick: Pretty girl? (×) One of the bros! (✔)]
[Strong Winds Test Sturdy Grass: I suggest you develop a little self-awareness.]
Every comment calling her one of the bros made Siberian Duck grit her teeth, but she could never win an argument against them, so she had to change the subject.
Just then, Little Fish appeared on-screen wearing Dan Heng's clothes.
"Look, Little Fish changed into Dan Heng's clothes. You know, they actually look pretty good on him. They're just a bit big."
[Little Fish's Sword: Looks great, love it, so cute!]
[Tang Seng Washes His Hair with Rejoice: He actually changed outfits? So March not changing clothes isn't because they couldn't be bothered to make another model, but because she really does have a pretty girl's dignity?]
[Little Fish Is My Child Groom: All I can say is that our Honkai: Star Rail has its own Love Nikki now.]
In the game.
Jiang Yu and the other three had left the train and arrived on the snowy plains of Jarilo-VI.
White was all that met their eyes. Snowflakes continued to fall, swept along by the frigid wind and spread across the ground like sand. The mountains on either side were buried in accumulated snow as well, with occasional patches of jagged black rock exposed along their slopes.
Looking out across the snowy plains, they saw nothing but white in every direction. Drifting snowflakes obscured their vision, preventing them from seeing far. Several ice sculptures stood nearby. Judging by their basic shapes and a few indistinct details, they seemed to be soldiers of the Antimatter Legion.
Not only Reavers and Distorters, but even mighty Tramplers had become works of art in the freezing wind.
Jiang Yu and the other three stood side by side. Dan Heng raised his head and surveyed their surroundings. "Jarilo-VI. We've arrived."
Before you continue