"I didn't, I swear I didn't!"
Realizing the two beside her were about to lose it too, the only thing Stelle could do was shake her head frantically and explain. She broke free from their embrace, face crumpled in distress: "Don't listen to her nonsense, she's a Masked Fool."
"Little gray-hair~ saying that will hurt my feelings."
Sparkle hugged her from behind, eyes glinting with a hint of provocation. "Could it be… you're going to betray me for these two?"
"Wah wah wah, little gray-hair, you're so heartless~"
Sparkle wiped away tears that didn't exist. "We were already so intimate, why are you being so cold now?"
"AAAAHH—"
Stelle snapped. She grabbed Sparkle under the arms, lifted her up, and shook her wildly: "Sparkle, did you take the wrong meds?! Stop spouting nonsense!"
"Loose lips sink ships!"
—"[Elation +15, current Elation value 30, emergency response plan cancelled.]"
As a voice appeared in Sparkle's mind, the sly charm on her face faded at a visible speed, replaced by panic and embarrassment.
What… had she just said?!
What did this damned "Elation system" do to her?
If one were to describe Sparkle's change of heart, it could be understood like this: just now, Sparkle going berserk was like a pilot during takeoff—doing anything without care. Now that takeoff was successful and she entered sage mode, she looked back: Holy crap, what did I just do?
"Director Sparkle, Lady Sparkle, I'm begging you, stop tormenting me." Stelle pleaded with a tearful face: "At worst I'll bring you along, okay? Hurry and explain to March 7th and Firefly that everything just now was a misunderstanding."
"I…"
Sparkle glanced behind Stelle. In an instant, a wave of cold killing intent enveloped her—the death glare from March and Firefly.
"I'll explain! I'll explain right now!"
…
Meanwhile, at the Hot Sands Hour.
A world made of lights, sound waves, and stages.
In the past, the registration desk here would be packed with people. Too many wanted to perform on this stage to shoot to fame, become a star, or win prize money to live comfortably… In short, everyone gathered here craved a chance.
But today, the venue that should have been packed was unusually quiet, with only a few figures lingering:
From the Express: Himeko and Welt.
From the Annihilation Gang: Acheron and Duke Inferno.
And the two they'd met before: Aventurine and Dr. Ratio.
They were gathered here for one common purpose:
They all needed to meet Sunday.
Himeko and Welt were the last to arrive. Earlier, during a call with Sunday, he had said he was at the Hot Sands Hour's award podium and, if they didn't mind, they could find him there.
Welt immediately said he did mind. Sunday replied, "Mind all you want, deal with it."
So Welt stopped minding and went to find him personally.
But when they arrived, they were told: the award podium was not yet open. To meet Sunday, they had to participate in the variety show he was hosting and meet him as the champion.
That's why Himeko called Stelle and the others to come compete.
Worth mentioning: though the content of the variety show was still unknown, one rule was particularly special.
Rule restriction: contestants must form teams of two.
"Himeko, the two-person team rule is no issue for us, but I'm worried Stelle's side might be tricky." Welt said.
After all, the entire Express crew… no, except Dan Heng, everyone knew about Stelle, March 7th, and that Firefly girl's relationship. If they were called to help, wouldn't this two-person rule…
"Don't worry, I already thought of that."
Himeko smiled faintly: "Isn't there Shush? Let it be Stelle's partner."
"Oh… right. You're always thorough, Himeko."
"It's my duty. But after I messaged Shush, it never replied. Does anyone know where it went?"
Welt: "How would I know…"
Wait.
Welt paused. Memories flashed rapidly in his mind: he seemed to recall seeing Shush somewhere?
Hiss—right, when he went to support Himeko earlier, that guy had come along.
Then somehow it just vanished?
The scenes in Welt's mind kept shifting, finally freezing on the last moment: Stelle and Shush crashing, both falling, and all three people present rushed to catch Stelle…
Welt slapped his forehead in annoyance. He swore it wasn't intentional. At the time he thought, "There are three people anyway, at least one of the other two will save Shush, right?"
Mainly, Shush picked such a tasteless skin—he really couldn't bear to look!
"What's wrong, Welt?" Himeko asked with concern, seeing his odd expression.
"Uh… nothing. Robots don't feel pain anyway." Welt said: "I saw Shush earlier. He… tripped while walking, probably can't make it. What do we do?"
"Ah? So careless?" Himeko looked worried. "Then… we'll have to mix teams. I'll pair with March, you with Stelle."
"Alright."
"Himeko! Uncle Yang! We're heeeere—"
Just as they finished talking, Stelle's shout came from afar. They turned to see five people, including Sparkle.
The two: ?
The "Samsung Dan" trio was familiar, Firefly was somewhat known, but why was there another girl?
And from their positioning, it seemed this girl was also after Stelle?
Kid, are you the king of all women?
"Himeko, the mission to rescue Dan Heng is complete. Next task, please give orders!" Stelle's eyes sparkled, looking eager to "lighten Himeko's load."
"Go register over there first. To meet Mr. Sunday, we need to win the competition." Himeko pointed to the nearby registration desk. "Time's short, hurry."
"Got it!"
Welt silently stepped aside. Only after seeing all five go register did he adjust his glasses: "Why didn't you tell them about the two-person limit?"
Himeko tilted her chin toward Stelle's back: "Of course, because she should solve her own problems. Our Express's Stelle is great in every way, except one."
"She seems to attract girls a little too much. We have to use this chance to correct that."