『 As she spoke, Hotaru, her face filled with determination, slowly stepped into the pool.
At the same time, a monologue from the depths of her heart, accompanied by a song coming from nowhere, rang out.
[ The Astral Express and the Stellaron Hunters… are like light and shadow. ]
[ We walk on different paths, intertwined, moving forward together, growing passionately… ]
Hotaru donned her Hotaru Type-IV armor, transforming into Sam, and scooped the bomb doll out of the water.
Then, under Stelle's worried gaze, she flew straight up into the high sky without looking back.
[ Perhaps the destination is predetermined. ]
[ But... it is not today. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "This song, and this monologue…"
Furina de Fontaine: "It sounds so heartbreaking…"
Furina de Fontaine: "Miss Hotaru will be fine, right?"
Paimon: "I want to know too…"
Paimon: "In the end… will she win?"
Lumine: "She will, she definitely will!"
Lumine: "Everyone, look on the bright side. There are still over twenty minutes left before the bomb explodes!"
Lumine: "With Sam's speed, I think it's more than enough!"
March 7th: "Yeah, don't be down, everyone!"
March 7th: "Maybe we're just overthinking it!"
Qingque: "But… this music that started playing out of nowhere, and this monologue from Miss Hotaru, both tell us that things might not be so optimistic."
Hanabi: "Oh my~ I really didn't expect that a video made by someone from a higher dimension would fit the scene so perfectly, even adding background music and a monologue for the Hotaru-chan."
Hanabi: "It's so touching, I'm almost crying!"
Kachina: "Uwah, I'm a bit scared to watch."
Mualani: "Don't be scared, Kachina! Miss Hotaru will definitely succeed!"
Mualani: "Because she's a hero!"
Mualani: "There's no reason for a hero to fail, right?"
....
『 The thrusters behind Sam burned incredibly hot, streaking toward the depths of the sky at maximum power.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly.
However, just at this moment, the bomb doll in her hand suddenly began to change.
[ Seeing as things are going too smoothly… ]
[ Hehe, Let's speed up the countdown! ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "F**k! Hanabi, you!"
Stelle: "I !@#%@&*# %@&*&*!"
Hanabi: "Oh, Little Gray hair, so anxious you can only say symbols now?"
Stelle: "HANABI, YOU PRECIOUS LITTLE DARLING, I ABSOLUTELY FUCKING LOVE YOU TO DEATH!!"
Boothill: "NICE! WELL, CURSED!!"
Boothill: "A PIECE OF SHIRT LIKE THIS DESERVES TO BE CURSED TO HIGH HEAVEN!!"
Welt Yang: "Sigh… as expected."
Welt Yang: "I knew this so-called bomb was actually under her remote control the whole time."
Welt Yang: "In other words, she was intentionally playing with people."
Pam: "The Fools are truly unreasonable bullies!"
Pam: "This bomb reminds Pam of when the Express was blown into two pieces!"
March 7th: "UNFORGIVABLE, ABSOLUTELY UNFORGIVABLE!!"
March 7th: "Damn it, how can there be such an evil person in this world?"
March 7th: "ACTUALLY USING OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES FOR AMUSEMENT AND FUN!!"
Stelle: "Fly, Hotaru-chan, fly!"
Stelle: "I BELIEVE IN YOU, YOU'LL DEFINITELY MAKE IT BACK SAFE AND SOUND!!"
....
『 The doll's mocking, strange tone caused Hotaru's expression inside Sam to shift.
Then, she began to burn herself recklessly to push Sam to even higher output.
A dreamlike, glowing green fire erupted violently from the thrusters, and the brilliant blaze completely enveloped Sam.
Green, glowing ribbons unfurled from behind, trailing a gorgeous wake of fire, as she charged into the depths of the Primal Memory Zone with absolute resolve.
[ Human life is short, just like fyreflies to a flame. ]
[ So. If you also have an answer in your heart… ]
On the Radiant Feldspar, Stelle could only watch helplessly as that fearless figure turned into a glowing green speck of light, growing smaller and smaller, further and further away against the horizon.
Until…
BOOM—!!
A boundless light erupted, and a deafening roar resounded through the sky!
[ Always remember, don't leave with any regrets. ]
[ We have that right… don't we? ]
The monologue rang out alongside the intensely erupting white light and then fell completely silent, like a final echo. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "It… ex… exploded…"
Furina de Fontaine: "No, it can't be!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Miss Hotaru survived her first two deaths; there's no way she'd die this time!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I don't believe this ending!"
Hu Tao: "I don't believe it either!"
Hu Tao: "Miss Hotaru must have successfully delivered the bomb to the depths of the Memory Zone, and she definitely escaped herself!"
Paimon: "Uwahhh, even though I want to think so too, no matter how you look at it just now… it went off right in Miss Hotaru's hands…"
Paimon: "Uwahhh… what kind of happy ending is this?!"
Lumine: "It's okay, don't be too sad."
Lumine: "This is just a video, a future that hasn't happened yet."
Lumine: "It's not the present!"
Lumine: "Now that we know this ending, this kind of thing won't happen!"
Lumine: "It definitely won't happen!"
Stelle: "This feeling of helplessness…"
Stelle: "I didn't expect that in Penacony, I would experience so many things where I was completely powerless, one after another."
Stelle: "As expected, I'm still too weak!"
Stelle: "I want to get stronger, I must get stronger!"
Stelle: "ONLY THEN CAN I PROTECT THE PEOPLE AROUND ME!!"
Stelle: "And truly make sure I leave no regrets!"
Acheron: "Yes, I believe in you."
Acheron: "If it's you, you can definitely do it."
March 7th: "Why is Stelle the only one here at this crucial moment?!"
March 7th: "Where is everyone else? Where am I?!"
March 7th: "So much time has passed, why haven't we arrived yet?!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "This light is truly blinding."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Tsk, I see."
Aventurine: "Professor, what did that brilliant brain of yours figure out this time?"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Nothing, just a comforting matter."
....
『 Amidst the dazzling, erupting white light, Stelle instinctively shielded her eyes.
Once the light faded, she quickly opened them and looked up at the sky, but Hotaru was nowhere to be seen.
This caused her heart to slowly sink.
BANG—!
BANG—!!
BANG—!!!
At that moment, brilliant fireworks began to bloom high in the sky, adding a touch of romance to the otherwise silent atmosphere.
Stelle jogged forward, standing at the bow of the ship, hoping to search for Hotaru's figure once more amidst the sky full of fireworks.
[ Hehe, since you care so much about others' safety— ]
[ Why don't you get a closer look! ]
Hanabi's voice suddenly rang in Stelle's ear.
Before she could react, she realized she had been hammered off the Feldspar by Hanabi!
And at this moment, the monologue belonging to Hotaru abruptly rang out again.
[ You see. In this land of dreams, everything is permitted, everything is possible. ]
[ We came here with our own purposes, and achieved them in unexpected ways. ]
As Hotaru's monologue sounded, a brilliant streak of light suddenly shot up from beneath the Feldspar.
Then, Sam reappeared, holding Stelle, trailing a streak of light as she flew into the high sky, leveling with the fireworks.
Subsequently, the Sam armor disengaged, revealing Hotaru.
She and Stelle held hands, spinning continuously amidst the sky full of fireworks, forming an exquisitely beautiful picture. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "This is?!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Could… could it be…!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Another plot twist?!"
Hu Tao: "Wait, what's going on!?"
Hu Tao: "Miss Hotaru didn't die!"
Hu Tao: "She's back!"
Hu Tao: "SHE EVEN CAUGHT MISS STELLE, WHO WAS KNOCKED OFF THE AIRSHIP BY HANABI!!"
Venti: "Hahaha, so that's how it is!"
Venti: "Miss Hanabi is truly amazing."
Venti: "What a massive game of chess!"
Mualani: "I get it now!"
Mualani: "Miss Hanabi clearly did this on purpose to create a dating opportunity for Miss Stelle and Miss Hotaru!!"
Mualani: "There was never any bomb; it was all a scheme!"
Mualani: "WE MISUNDERSTOOD HER!!"
Stelle: "Ah, THIS!!!"
Stelle: "I really didn't expect this!"
Stelle: "The atmosphere was built up so much, and you tell me it was all fake?!"
Hanabi: "Oh my~ Little Gray hair, don't you like it?"
Hanabi: "This is the happy ending I originally planned to craft for you!"
Stelle: "I… love it!!"
Stelle: "I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!"
Stelle: "Uwah, Director Hanabi, I'm so sorry!"
Stelle: "I actually cursed at you just now!"
Stelle: "It's my fault, I blamed you wrongly!"
Stelle: "Director Hanabi is so good to me, you really care about me!"
Stelle: "FROM NOW ON, YOU'RE ONE OF MY WINGS(Waifu) TOO!!"
Hanabi: "???"
Hanabi: "Eww! Don't say things like that!"
Hanabi: "You're giving me goosebumps!"
Silver Wolf: "Spoken like a true player."
Paimon: "Wait, this plot twist is so beautiful, I was smiling so hard I drooled!"
Paimon: "BUT, I STILL WANT TO ASK!!"
Paimon: "Why?!"
Paimon: "Why did Miss Hanabi do this?"
Lumine: "Taking the risk of being misunderstood just to pull this off, what was Miss Hanabi after?"
Hanabi: "What was I after?"
Hanabi: "Would you believe me if I said I wanted to see these two happily married?"
Qingque: "No."
Qingque: "Though your actions really do make you look like a matchmaker."
Hanabi: "Hehe, I wouldn't believe it either."
Hanabi: "So what I was after was fun, Elation!"
Hanabi: "And of course, to do someone a favor."
Hotaru: "A favor?"
Hotaru: "Uh… Silver Wolf, could it be?"
Silver Wolf: "Correct, I'm the one who hired Director Hanabi."
Silver Wolf: "I had her direct the entire Penacony show based on the script."
Silver Wolf: "And I specifically had her plan your three deaths."
Hanabi: "Hehe, she repeatedly emphasized that these three deaths had to be safe, safe, and safe again!"
Hanabi: "I had to put a lot of effort into it for that!"
Hanabi: "Looking at it now, my plan, which hasn't been executed yet, seems pretty perfect!"
Hanabi: "Hehe, as expected of me!"
Stelle: "DIRECTOR HANABI IS THE GOAT!! (Voice cracks!!)"
Hotaru: "Thank you, Miss Hanabi! (Grateful.jpg)"
....
『 [ Regardless if the result was a sweet illusion or a bitter reality, it was an answer we longed for day and night. ]
The monologue continued, and the screen flashed with the figures of various people at this moment.
March 7th, Himeko, Dan Heng, and Welt arrived at the bow of the ship just in time, looking up at the beautiful scene in the sky with relief.
On an open-air rest area of the airship, Jade and Topaz appreciated the fireworks, smiling as they raised their glasses to each other.
In the entertainment room, Boothill played billiards while glancing at the fireworks outside, with Argenti beside him praising the brilliance of the fireworks.
Not far away, Dr. Ratio, who was reading, found it too noisy.
He gave them a look of disdain, closed his book, and walked away.
In a quiet place, Robin watched the fireworks alone, a bright light shining in her eyes, a smile of hope gracing her face.
At the Clockie Plaza, Aventurine paused to look at the sky.
The corners of his mouth slowly curved upward.
On the streets, amidst the flow of people, Black Swan smiled, holding her glass as she walked against the crowd, quietly disappearing into the throng.
At this moment, everyone's faces were so vivid, and the ending finally achieved true completion.
[ So, why do people choose to slumber? I think it's as you said... ]
[ Because in the end, we all have to wake up from the dream. ]
Amidst the final monologue, Hotaru and Stelle held hands, turning into a streak of light that disappeared into the fireworks-filled night sky.
Dawn slowly arrived, and a faint light began to rise on the horizon.
At the very end of the video, the Feldspar sailed toward the rising light, and the hopeful song finally came to a close. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Yunli: "YAY!!!"
Yunli: "CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FINALE!!!"
Qingque: "CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FINALE!!!"
Guinaifen: "UWAHHH, THIS SCENE REALLY MOVED ME TO TEARS, CONGRATS, CONGRATS!!"
Paimon: "ME TOO, ME TOO, CONGRATS!!"
Lumine: "Hey, wait, everyone!"
Lumine: "It hasn't said it's the end yet, right?"
Hu Tao: "This grand reunion scene, if it's not the finale, what is it?"
Hu Tao: "THE STORY IS PERFECT RIGHT HERE. IF THERE'S ANOTHER TWIST, IT WOULD BE REALLY RUDE!!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Exactly!"
Furina de Fontaine: "From a director's perspective, I think the story up to this point is absolutely stunning and unprecedented!!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I've never seen anyone direct such a breathtaking real-life story in reality!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Miss Hanabi, I must admit from the bottom of my heart, you are truly a genius director!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I really… REALLY WANT TO TALK TO YOU FACE-TO-FACE ABOUT DIRECTING EXPERIENCES!!!"
Hanabi: "Oh?"
Hanabi: "So you're in the same trade?"
Hanabi: "You should have said so earlier!"
Hanabi: "Don't worry, if there's a chance, feel free to come and chat with me!"
Hanabi: "My directing experience is no joke!"
Feixiao: "Excellent, hahaha!"
Feixiao: "I like this ending!"
Jiaoqiu: "Ah, getting older makes me easily emotional. This scene actually brought tears to my eyes."
Jiaoqiu: "But I also want to say… it's truly wonderful…"
Jing Yuan: "A happy ending for all, thriving and prosperous. Not bad, indeed not bad!"
Robin: "Watching the Feldspar sail toward the light, I feel like I can see a brighter future for Penacony."
Robin: "Brother, do you have any thoughts on this scene?"
Sunday: "Even though I didn't personally experience everything in the video."
Sunday: "It left a very deep impression on me."
Sunday: "And Miss Hotaru's final words have warned me once again."
Stelle: "So, let me ask one last time."
Stelle: "Why do people choose to slumber?"
Hotaru: "Because in the end…"
Hotaru: "We all have to wake up from the dream!"
....
(I can't find any YT video with Hotaru and Stelle... Also, please don't start the 'fyreflies' rabbit hole...)