Someone, in a burst of wild imagination, proposed the theory that miHoYo was planning to release a Go game.
Of course, everyone… didn't take it seriously.
Still, the hype was real.
[miHoYo's next game has been decided—it's you! Honkai IV: Galactic Go!]
[And not just Go! I think it should be a massive multiplayer online game too, but to even play it, you'd have to clear Honkai Impact 3rd, defeat the Honkai, and ascend to a higher dimension. (comedic)]
[If that's the case… isn't that bar set a bit high?]
[You just don't get it. A high bar keeps the game environment clean. (doge face)]
[Telling you, it's gonna be Gomoku.]
[Got it, got it. I totally understand now.]
...
The chat was ablaze with discussion.
Pardofelis watched as Kalpas exited Honkai Impact 3rd and quietly asked:
"Kalpas-Bro, what should we stream next?"
"Today's stream ends here. We're wrapping up," Kalpas calmly replied.
"Huh? Ending it just like that?"
Pardofelis raised her voice a little.
Kalpas looked slightly surprised:
"What, you want to keep going?"
"Well… There are still so many viewers sending in donations. If we keep streaming a little longer, that would be… ahem, we'd be helping Elysia-sis lengthen her stream time, right? She's been so busy lately."
Pardofelis nearly said the quiet part out loud but quickly steered the topic back, speaking with a righteous tone.
"Troublesome."
Kalpas only said two words.
Still, despite what he said, he re-launched Honkai Impact 3rd.
"Kalpas, what are you planning to do?" Pardofelis asked.
"Abyss grinding." Kalpas replied succinctly, warming up his fingers for the task.
"Umm..."
Pardofelis hesitated.
"Grinding Abyss doesn't have much entertainment value, does it?"
If there's no entertainment, how will people…
Ahem, bring joy to the audience while making a little extra income—surely that's not too much to ask?
An equal exchange: she brings them joy, and they help her fund her tuna cans.
"Then what do you propose?" Kalpas stopped his warm-up. His voice was deep and slow.
"We could…" Pardofelis made her suggestion: "Help the viewers pull gacha!"
"Gacha?" Kalpas repeated.
Pardofelis explained:
"The Herrscher of Flamescion was just released. I bet there are still tons of players who haven't pulled her yet."
She paused, then added,
"Kalpas, are you not okay with that idea?"
"...Whatever. Anything works."
With that consensus, Pardofelis announced in the stream that viewers who wanted them to pull on their behalf could DM their login info.
Before long, Kalpas was pulling gacha for viewers on Elysia's channel, drawing great enthusiasm from the audience.
During the stream, Kalpas stepped away for a bit, leaving Pardofelis to take over.
By the time he returned, the chat had transformed from
[Another rooftop VIP seat claimed]
to
[Is this even scientific? IS THIS EVEN SCIENTIFIC?!]
The viewers' shock was practically overflowing from the screen.
"What happened?" Kalpas asked upon seeing the agitated chat.
"Hehe~~"
Pardofelis laughed sheepishly:
"Well, I helped with the gacha while you were away and... just happened to pull something in one ten-pull."
"I don't see what the big deal is—I usually get stuff on single pulls... ahem, anyway, I'll hand it back to you now, Kalpas."
Kalpas: "..."
...
Pardofelis and Kalpas's stream continued smoothly.
Elsewhere—
Elysia wasn't streaming today.
She went to miHoYo.
Obviously not because she just randomly felt like cuddling with adorable girls.
She'd been called in by Hokuto for official business!
Although…
"Elysia-neesan… mmph mmph…"
"Griseo, you're the cutest~ Let me squish your cheeks~~"
Elysia giggled as she gently squeezed Griseo's soft cheeks.
"Ehehe~~"
So soft, like marshmallows. The sensation was irresistible.
Until Hokuto, standing nearby, couldn't take it anymore.
"Elysia, please stop bullying Griseo."
"Sigh~~"
Elysia let go and wagged a finger.
"Elysia would never bully a cute girl."
"Sure, sure."
Hokuto replied sarcastically,
"Not like someone came in here and… hmm, let me think…"
"Touched Kiana's high ponytail, hugged Theresa, pinched Griseo's cheeks…"
After Firefly, Kiana had changed her hairstyle and recently become obsessed with a cool high ponytail.
"Elysia, you really are something else. Always leave me speechless," he muttered.
"Aiya~"
Elysia touched her cheek. Had she really done all that on the way in? She couldn't even remember.
Still, she explained to Hokuto,
"I just couldn't help myself when I saw all those beautiful things."
"Everyone's so adorable—you get that, right Hokuto? I love everyone just like you do."
Hokuto: "..."
He was silent for a moment, then sighed softly.
"Alright. I called you here for actual business."
"I know, I know. It's the rehearsal fitting for the online concert costumes."
Elysia crossed her arms.
"Of course I remembered."
"Then let's not waste time. Come with me." Hokuto turned to lead the way.
Elysia turned to Griseo one last time:
"Griseo, let's go mooch off Mobius for dinner tonight."
With Eden constantly expanding the Golden Courtyard and Mobius occupied with private research, she had moved out of Elysia's place.
"Okay."
Griseo nodded.
"Even if Aunt Mobius only makes instant noodles, I'm happy to go with Elysia-neesan."
"Haha~~"
Elysia laughed softly, waved goodbye to Griseo, and followed Hokuto.
As they walked—
Elysia, ever restless, struck up conversation again.
"Hokuto~~"
"What is it?"
"Didn't you ask me before if I wanted to be involved in a Honkai Impact 3rd side story?"
"Hmm… I think I did."
Hokuto had to dig deep in his memory to find that particular moment.
Probably sometime after Lament of the Fallen, he had casually asked Elysia if she was interested in participating in a side story.
"You're bringing it up now—does that mean you're interested?"
"Talking to you really is easy, Hokuto. I didn't even say it and you already understood."
Elysia spoke with rare seriousness.
"I've actually had a script in mind for a long time. It's a wondrous adventure with everyone."
"I originally wanted to shoot a short film with everyone, but things just kept getting delayed."
"And while now would be a great time to film something, turning it into an event in Honkai Impact 3rd would probably be even better."
She had thought about this before—but hadn't brought it up since Hokuto hadn't invited the full cast yet.
"Hmm?"
Hokuto paused slightly.
Elysia went on:
"If it's okay, can I show you the script?"
She finished with sparkling eyes, staring intently at Hokuto.
A little bit adorable, honestly. Hard to resist.
"..."
"I think... we can totally do both: the event and the short film."
Hokuto thought for a moment and gave her an even more exciting answer.
"Really?!"
"Yeah. Different formats could give players a more immersive experience."
Elysia's face lit up—then faltered a little.
Not because she doubted Hokuto, but...
"Just to be clear, you're allowed to reject my script. But you can't change it."
If he turned it into a tragedy, she'd rather not do it at all.
"No way. As long as your script passes my review, I promise not to change a single word."
Hokuto said solemnly.
"Good... that's good."
Elysia was relieved, and smiled sweetly.
With both a short film and an in-game event, the joy would be doubled—surely it would make even more people happy.
Chatting away, Elysia and Hokuto finally arrived at their destination.
To prepare for the online concert, Hokuto had specially commissioned numerous costumes themed around Honkai Impact 3rd characters.
And, truthfully, out of a little personal interest and foresight that they might come in handy someday—
He just went ahead and spent a large sum of money to have every possible costume made.
Even ones with no immediate use.
He'd even reserved an entire room in miHoYo to store them.
Herrscher of Reason, Flamescion, Human: Ego, Corruption…
You name it, it was there.
After all—
Hokuto was actually the biggest Honkai Impact 3rd fan in this world.
Click—
The door opened, pushed open by the eager Elysia.
She walked quickly into the room marked "Character Fitting Room."
"Waa~~ This is incredible!"
"This is... Vermilion Knight! Even though the greatsword's made of foam, it looks so real! From afar I thought it was an actual weapon…"
"This is Herrscher of Thunder! They even made the divine ring—so complete! But how do you attach it to the back? Hang it with wires?... And the horns! Mei's horns! Hehehe~~"
Eyes sparkling, Elysia leaned into the racks, looking at costume after costume.
Her tiny hands explored everything—especially those horns, which got a few extra pats.
Hokuto patiently followed behind her, not rushing her at all.
Not out of indulgence, but because watching Elysia marvel so genuinely gave him a quiet joy.
That feeling...
Though a bit off the mark, it was kind of like the happiness you get after successfully introducing your favorite thing to a friend—
And realizing they've come to truly love it too.
Simple and real.