Holding nothing back

After finishing dinner, Lin Yu and Firefly sat on the sofa to watch TV.

Only Firefly was watching, though. Lin Yu was tearing his hair out over the virtual avatar she would use for livestreaming.

The stylus kept spinning in his hand, but he still hadn't put it to the screen.

The character in the drawing already looked perfect to him, yet he kept feeling that something was missing.

Argh!!! If I can't figure it out, then forget it. Rather than torment myself over this, I'll reward myself with a game!

With that thought, Lin Yu took out his phone and launched Honkai: Star Rail.

It occurred to him that he hadn't played in a while.

Ever since Firefly arrived, he'd somehow become busy.

My stamina must be almost capped by now, right?

While the game loaded, Lin Yu glanced at Firefly and found her staring intently at the TV.

He looked at the screen and saw that it was playing the domestic sci-fi blockbuster The Wandering Blue Star.

The movie had caused quite a sensation when it first came out.

Back then, it had been hailed as the film that opened the doors to science fiction in Dragon Country.

It told the story of the sun rapidly expanding and threatening humanity's survival, and humans discovering a new home 250 million light-years away, then fitting Blue Star with thrusters to travel there.

He had watched the movie in a theater back then.

The special effects and advanced weapons and equipment he'd seen in it had once made him believe that sci-fi movies were on the rise.

But to his surprise, some movies had slammed those doors shut again.

Firefly was so engrossed. She probably really liked sci-fi movies, right?

But he noticed that whenever various weapons appeared, her eyes even lit up.

Still, I remember Firefly being pretty obsessed with weapons and stuff.

No wonder she's so engrossed. It's all the weapons in it that have caught her attention.

The game finished loading just then, and he entered it to the familiar music.

Penacony's story had ended now, so next should be Amphoreus, which had been mentioned in the story.

For now, though, it was just a dry patch of spending stamina and saving pulls.

For farming materials, he had to bring out his fully built E6S1 Firefly!

He'd spent half a year's worth of saved pulls to get her.

She was incredibly strong, too. She could even clear the Abyss on auto.

Speaking of which, he'd registered a Honkai: Star Rail account for Firefly today. Had she played it yet?

"Firefly, have you played Honkai: Star Rail yet?"

Hearing him call her, Firefly shifted her gaze from the movie to Lin Yu.

She tilted her head in puzzlement, looking rather adorably clueless.

"What is it, Lin Yu? I was focused on the TV just now, so I didn't catch that."

Lin Yu repeated himself.

Having heard the question clearly, Firefly nodded to indicate that she'd tried it.

"What did you think of it?"

Firefly gave her assessment.

"Hmm... the gameplay felt pretty novel to me. It doesn't take much mechanical skill, but it still takes too much brainpower."

From the sound of it, this was quite challenging for Firefly.

"How far have you gotten, then?"

"Um... I remember it was a planet frozen over with ice and snow."

Those keywords told Lin Yu exactly where she was. Her progress seemed decent.

Hmm, at this pace, she should finish it before long. And once the livestreaming stuff is sorted out, she can stream Honkai: Star Rail, too.

While Lin Yu was thinking about what came next, Firefly asked a question that he wouldn't be able to forget for a long time.

"Lin Yu, do you think I really exist?"

In the early hours of the morning, Lin Yu lay on the sofa, unable to fall asleep.

Firefly had already gone back to her room and turned in early.

Her words kept replaying in his mind.

When Firefly had said that, he'd wanted so badly to say, You really do exist!

But before he could get the words out, the sadness on her face had quickly vanished, replaced by her usual smile.

It was as though what she'd just said had only been a joke.

Yet Lin Yu could tell that the trace of sadness she'd revealed hadn't been an act.

Firefly didn't say anything, and he didn't dare ask what exactly had happened.

Argh! What am I supposed to do?!

Lin Yu scratched his head in frustration. His head really hurt.

He'd intended to stop worrying about it, but it seemed he wouldn't get his wish.

After tossing and turning on the sofa without falling asleep, he simply decided not to sleep at all!

He tossed aside the blanket covering him, took out his laptop, and opened his drawing software to continue his earlier work.

He hoped this would distract him and keep him from thinking about it.

Dun dun dun~ dun dun, dun dun dun~

In the morning, Lin Yu was woken by his phone's ringtone.

He switched off the annoying sound, got up, and stretched.

"Mmm-!"

"Phew~"

Lin Yu rubbed his slightly sore eyes.

He'd stayed up until four in the morning last night and had only slept for three hours.

Now his head felt swollen and a little dizzy.

Although he really wanted to sleep a little longer, he had to take Firefly grocery shopping, so he couldn't sleep in.

He got up and went to the bathroom to wash up, then went to the bedroom door and knocked.

"Firefly, time to get up! We need to head out soon!"

After a while, a faint voice came from inside.

"Okay~"

After hearing her reply, Lin Yu left the doorway to prepare breakfast.

He took out the fresh-sliced bread, milk, and butter he'd bought earlier, planning to try a toast recipe he'd learned online.

The milk-soaked bread sizzled in the buttered pan.

A milky aroma wafted toward him.

"Mmm, smells great!"

He heard movement from the bathroom. It seemed Firefly was up.

He plated the fried toast and put it on the table, then poured two glasses of fresh milk. With that, breakfast was ready.

Firefly finished washing up and came to the table just then.

She rubbed her eyes sleepily, too. It seemed she hadn't gotten enough sleep.

"Ah~ good morning..."

"Yeah, good morning. Come have breakfast."

"Mmm..."

Firefly sat down beside Lin Yu languidly and began slowly eating the toast in front of her.

Lin Yu started eating, too, watching the girl beside him as he ate.

Finding her no different from usual, he couldn't help questioning whether yesterday's incident had really happened.

Before long, Firefly had polished off every last bit of her toast and milk.

"Mmm~! That was delicious!"

"If you like it, I'll teach you how to make it later."

"Yes! It's a promise!"

Firefly stared straight at Lin Yu, making him feel a little uncomfortable.

"Wh-what is it? Is there something on my face?"

Firefly shook her head. "No. I was just wondering if there's anything you can't do, Lin Yu."

Firefly's unexpected answer left Lin Yu at a loss.

"Uh... well, um... all right! Go get ready, and we'll head out!"

With that, Lin Yu made a quick getaway.

Only Firefly remained.

Firefly's lips curved into a smile, and then she began clearing the dishes.

A little while later, the two headed out.

Before leaving, Lin Yu had made a point of tying Firefly's hair into a ponytail and putting a hat on her.

Although it wouldn't disguise her, it could still reduce the attention people paid to her.

Lin Yu took Firefly to the market he frequented.

As he shopped, he taught Firefly how to choose fresh vegetables and meat.

Along the way, he had Firefly watch from beside him as he bargained.

He could truly be said to have held nothing back in passing on his many years of grocery-shopping experience.