Chapter 245 Mobius: If You Love Su Mu, Just Drug Him; Getting Pregnant Before Marriage Works Too.
[First Luna, then the Electric Donkey (Yae Kasumi), followed by Kongming, and now a Rita... Whoa, isn't the Captain a bit too much of a playboy?]
[My evaluation is that the Luna and Kongming shippers can stop fighting, because Rita Rossweisse has officially entered the battlefield!]
[Wait, wait, wait—this move has me totally confused. The Old Thief specifically wrote a Rita independent of the main story who helps the Captain multiple times... what is he doing? Has he had a change of heart?]
[Old Thief, what happened to 'only loving Theresa forever'? Aren't you an Iron-Blooded Theresa Main? Turns out you're the biggest flirt of them all!]
[I'm fuming! Wicked Old Thief, have you forgotten the Kongming by the lakeside?]
[Heh! I finally understand. The Old Thief isn't a fanboy or anything; he's just a lecher!]
Though it was somewhat magical, after the release of the Fallen Rosemary character and event plot, the mountain of rumors about Su Mu's secret crush on Theresa and his "chasing stars with company funds" collapsed instantly. No one could explain why Su Mu would specifically release a Rita character event and shape a second Rita distinct from the main story; this special treatment wasn't exclusive to Theresa's characters.
In reality, these rumors had started as jokes among the fans. Su Mu and Theresa themselves had never responded to such baseless claims. Coupled with Otto's personal visit to Arc City, the rumors gradually faded away over time.
However, in their place, new problems followed. During the recent livestream, Theresa's appearance as a guest caused quite a stir in the chat. This commotion reached its peak as the stream neared its end. Previously, Theresa had not streamed for a long time, and her idol account, Teriri, hadn't been updated in ages. The official Schicksal Branch notice announced that Teriri would suspend all streams and performances, without providing detailed reasons or a timeline. This worried many fans, leading to a constant stream of questions about her well-being during the broadcast.
But to those concerned messages, Theresa offered no response. Even after the stream ended and the screen went black, people continued to ask in the chat. Yet, the response never came.
Everyone present noticed something was wrong with Theresa, especially her silence regarding her current situation.
"As I thought..." Since his intimate bath with Otto, Su Mu had gained some understanding of Theresa's status. Lately, she seemed to be intentionally avoiding him... or rather, avoiding everyone close to him. She hadn't even contacted her niece, Kiana. Kiana had suggested hanging out several times, but was rejected under the pretext of work. Even for this livestream, Theresa initially didn't want to come; it took Su Mu quite a bit of persuasion to get her to agree.
When Theresa's situation was brought up, not just Su Mu, but others noticed the change as well.
Bronya: "How should I put it... the Principal used to be quite rowdy, often doing surprising things on a whim. Rather than a mature adult, she was more like a child who never grew up."
Raiden Mei: "She once suddenly held an idol election on campus, and after hyping the atmosphere to its peak, she appeared on stage as Teriri... it turned into her personal solo show. Though her performance was great, thinking back, it was truly reckless."
Kiana: "Yeah, yeah, Auntie is unreliable. She's the type to be late to a meeting she's hosting because she overslept... but everyone loves her, maybe because she has no ego and is very approachable."
Seele: "But... Sister Theresa has seemed very preoccupied lately. Sister Bronya and I saw her from a distance while shopping a few times; she looked quite haggard."
When Su Mu asked Rita, who knew Theresa best, she simply smiled with a playful glint in her eyes. "Lord Theresa... heh, it's only natural she became like this. After all, while Lord Su Mu is exceptionally capable, he is surprisingly dense in certain areas... though I don't blame the Director. Lord Theresa is an idol, and acting is part of the job. She disguised herself very well."
Though confused by Rita's words, Su Mu clearly understood that Theresa was troubled by something. And this trouble was the root cause of her retirement from the idol and streaming world. Rita seemed to know the inside story, but no matter how he pried, she never gave a straight answer.
"Dense? Me?" Su Mu found Rita's evaluation hard to believe. He never thought a workplace veteran like himself would one day be associated with the word "dense."
When he asked the others if they agreed with Rita:
"Dense?" Seele thought for a moment and nodded firmly. "Brother Su Mu is indeed dense in some ways... ah, but I don't think you should blame yourself. Everyone has things they are good and bad at."
"Dense... I don't see it that way." Bronya looked at Su Mu with a complex expression. "Rather than dense, you are the type who is so focused on your goals that you easily overlook things right beside you."
The topic of whether Su Mu was dense actually sparked a discussion within the company. Naturally, the initiator was the atmosphere-maker, Elysia.
Carole thought for a long time before giving her take. "The Director? Mhm... he strives for perfection in everything, whether it's making games or dealing with people. When Honkai 3rd launched, he wrote down over a hundred potential problems and their solutions in advance. Does a normal person do that? At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he has OCD... But if it's not OCD, I think the Director desires success more than anyone and fears failure more than anyone. I understand that feeling... after all, I was once a 'failure,' being laid off and failing in workplace competitiveness... Though I don't know the Director's past, his life probably hasn't been easier than mine back then." Carole scratched her head and laughed. "What am I saying? This doesn't fit my image as a high-energy youth! Failure, failure!"
Pardo was visibly startled when asked. "Eh? Su Mu-bro? Mhm... he's an amazing person. I feel like my success in the streaming world is all thanks to him... Hahaha, Su Mu-bro has a plan for everything, right? He's constantly helped everyone around him—me, Sister Ellie, Sister Sushang, and Senti... he practically supported us step by step on his own. But, how to put it, though I'm grateful... I still think Su Mu-bro is a total dummy. Releasing so much kindness and helping so many women without holding back... it's very difficult for a woman not to develop feelings for someone like that."
Elysia even interviewed Eden for the cause.
"Su Mu? That child..." Eden said. "While his abilities are outstanding and he is mature and seasoned in his dealings... the rise of MiHoYo and the explosion of Honkai 3rd were all within his grasp. He elevated those around him while building a network he could use freely. Every step has his design, which isn't a bad thing... but life has no perfect plan. The human heart is the hardest thing to control. Su Mu's characters are so vivid it's as if real people are performing in another world. Yet reality is not a game, and these people cannot act exactly as he expects... For instance, the blossoming of a young girl's heart... Su Mu isn't 'dense' and unable to notice; it's that from the start, he never even considered the possibility."
After a full round of interviews, the "Su Mu Research Report" was unveiled at a "Romance Group" meeting led by Elysia, a few days before the Fallen Rosemary stream.
"I see. So the people Su Mu knows already have fixed images in his mind. He perceives them through these fixed lenses, so when they act outside his expectations, he becomes lost."
"Thinking about it, that makes sense. Director Su knows our personalities inside out, but he never calculated that Seele would confess to him..."
"People change. While a total personality shift is hard, tiny changes happen every moment... and it's hard to notice them in those we are most 'familiar' with. By the time you notice, you're hit with a shock. What's that saying? 'A dike of a thousand miles collapses at an ant's nest,' right?"
"So I think Director Su also failed to notice Theresa's heart."
"Mhm... though I know it's rude to meddle in others' affairs, is it really okay for Theresa to do this?"
The members of the Romance Group fell silent. The reason for this meeting was that Rita Rossweisse, a new member of the group, had brought the truth about Theresa's impending retirement. Though Theresa had begged Rita to keep the secret, Rita couldn't simply pretend not to know and let her retire like this.
"But what else can be done? Theresa doesn't want others to know her feelings, right? Especially Su Mu..." Mobius leaned back in her chair, looking helplessly at the group occupying her lab as their meeting room. "Ultimately, this Romance Group has just been playing matchmaker, hasn't it? Seele and Bronya aside... Theresa has clear feelings for Su Mu, but she has no intention of making them public... Doing nothing is probably best. Your meddling might hurt her. And, if I may be blunt, your real goal is just because you enjoy seeing Su Mu overwhelmed by romance, isn't it?"
Elysia slammed the table and stared Mobius down. "Are we supposed to let Theresa hide her true feelings, retire, go back to lead Schicksal, and regret it for the rest of her life?"
"Mobius, you might be right. Our actions might be matchmaking, and I do enjoy it! But this time is different! To sincerely love someone and carry that weight in silence until death without them ever knowing... I simply cannot accept such an ending!!"
Carole and Pardo began whispering to each other. "Why is Sister Ellie so emotional suddenly? She used to just find it fun." "Apparently, she's been watching a lot of tragic romance dramas lately. She was crying while watching, muttering 'to have a crush and never tell them, then taking that secret to the grave—it's too pitiful'!!" "...So Theresa's situation matches the dramas she's watching." "In every sense, as expected of Sister Ellie." The two sighed together, looking completely defeated by Elysia.
"Hmph... being unable to face one's feelings honestly is indeed annoying. That's why I hate romance manga." Mobius ran a hand through her long hair, a trace of impatience in her snake-like pupils. "That's why I hate you people talking about love all day. I'd rather do math problems."
Elysia's gaze moved to Mobius's desk. On it sat a photo from the amusement park—the "family of three" photo where they played Griseo's parents with Su Mu.
"Is that so? Though Mobius says that... in reality, you aren't much better than Theresa, are you?" Elysia wore a knowing smile.
"Sh-Shut up! Aren't you a romance idiot too? No experience, yet acting like a master..." Mobius was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, entering her classic "stubborn mouth" mode. "Besides, there is a decisive difference between me and that girl."
"A difference? What difference?"
"If it were me, I would drug him."
"...Eh?"
"It doesn't matter how many times it takes. One day, I'll make it so he can't live without my medicine... no, better yet, just get pregnant before marriage and show up with the child. Then he has to take responsibility regardless..."
Elysia instinctively took a step back, feeling a chill down her spine. "Ha, ha... Mobius certainly has a sense of humor... drugging or 'mysterious encounters' are a bit much, that's a crime, a crime~ you really gave Ellie a fright there. Ellie doesn't want her friend behind bars, haha—"
Mobius didn't respond, just stared at Elysia expressionlessly.
"M-Mobius, you're kidding, r-right?" Now it was Elysia's turn to sweat. Had she accidentally awakened a yandere side of Mobius? This was bad! Mobius was definitely capable of doing such things! Had she touched a taboo—
However, Mobius let out a mocking laugh. "Hmph... seeing that naive face of yours, just like his, irritates me. It was a throwaway comment and you took it so seriously. A simpleton like you wants to be a matchmaker? I can't help but pity Su Mu."
Elysia's eyes went wide. "Eh? It really was a joke? you scared me, Mobius—phew~"
Mobius turned away with a huff. "You'll do it regardless of my disapproval anyway, won't you? you're already planning how to make Theresa confess. Hmph. Instead of worrying about others, why don't you face your own feelings?"
"Mobius, what are you saying? what 'feelings' of Ellie?"
"Keep playing dumb and doing these pointless, stupid things... ha, fine. Why am I even talking to a dummy like you. I'd rather spend time on research." Mobius shook her head and turned toward Klein, who was recording data.
"Well, anyway—" Elysia turned to the members of her group. "Let's start by getting Theresa to appear on a stream again, how about it?"
END OF CHAPTER
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