The official livestream had once again concluded successfully.

Everyone from MiHoYo entered the studio after the stream ended to help with tidying up.

Once everything was in order—

"Today was especially exhausting, huh?" Elysia stretched with a big yawn, then immediately wrapped her arms around Mei, who was closest to her. "But as long as I get to hug a cute girl like Mei, all the fatigue flies away."

Mei: "..."

"Elysia..." Kiana placed her hand on Elysia's shoulder.

The atmosphere turned a little... delicate.

But Elysia, with Kiana's hand resting on her shoulder, merely blinked—then reversed her hold and hugged Kiana instead.

"Then... Kiana, a hug for you too! Hugging a cute girl like Kiana, who's just as adorable as me, not only makes all the fatigue disappear, but also recharges my energy!"

"Eh???"

Kiana hadn't expected Elysia to shift her attention so quickly.

Entangled by her, Kiana couldn't help but cast a pleading glance at Mei.

But Mei, far more familiar with Elysia's nature than Kiana, discreetly avoided her gaze and pretended not to see anything.

Kiana: "..."

"Ahem, Elysia, please refrain from troubling my staff too much," Hokuto lightly cleared his throat, reminding her to be mindful.

"Yes, yes, I understand." Elysia nodded, genuinely releasing Kiana.

After all, she just wanted to deepen her bonds with everyone.

Too much of anything is never good. Though, if no one had stopped her, she could have kept hugging for a long while... ehehe.

Freed from Elysia's grasp, Kiana hastily grabbed Mei and bolted out.

But the moment they stepped outside, an exclamation escaped Kiana's lips.

"It's snowing!!"

"Snowing?" *n

Everyone, intrigued, headed outside.

Through the windows, they realized that during the time they'd been cleaning up the studio, the city had already transformed into a white expanse.

"I just made an offhand comment earlier, but who would've thought it came true," Hokuto stood by the window.

Upon hearing him, Elysia blinked and then declared with confidence, "This must be a gift from the gods~ bestowed upon a cute girl like me~"

"Mm-mm, a silver-clad world really is beautiful~♪"

"..."

"As expected of you." Hokuto sighed helplessly. "You say things like that so naturally."

"Mm-hmm." Elysia hummed playfully, then turned and walked outside.

Hokuto and the rest from MiHoYo did the same.

With the livestream over and no further plans, it was time for everyone to head home.

Hokuto, Elysia, and Griseo treaded through the fresh snow back to the Golden Courtyard. They hadn't intended anything special—but downstairs, they encountered some unexpected people.

"Doctor? Doctor?"

"Klein~~"

Hokuto heard the familiar voices. Following the sound, the figures of Klein and Mobius came into view.

Though, Mobius looked somewhat worse for wear. She seemed sleep-deprived.

"Doctor, you stayed up late working on experiments again, barely slept a few hours, then got up early to watch an entire day of livestreams. Go get some rest already," Klein nagged like an old mother hen.

"An all-nighter is nothing to me. It's just... I didn't expect it to suddenly turn so cold and start snowing," Mobius squinted slightly. "So, I can't help but feel a little drowsy."

Hokuto found it odd that Mobius, so sleep-deprived, would still be outside.

But seeing her looking like she might hibernate at any moment, he couldn't help but smile wryly.

Just as the corners of his mouth lifted—

"Hokuto, you're finally back! We've been waiting for you."

It was Kevin's voice.

As his words fell, the rustling sounds of movement surrounded Hokuto.

Hokuto: "..."

"What exactly are you all planning?"

Elysia subtly pulled Griseo away from Hokuto's side, then curiously asked, "I guess this is about today's main story... or rather, Honkai Impact 3rd's main story all along?"

The one answering Elysia was Hokuto himself.

"So you are self-aware. In that case... you should be mentally prepared."

"...What if I say I'm not ready yet?"

Realizing something was off, Hokuto slowly backed away.

But before he could retreat far—

A mechanical click-clack sounded behind him.

Accompanied by Vil-V's signature carnival-like jubilant voice.

"The curtain has risen—listen to the gears' applause... behold, this marvelous [Masterpiece]!"

"...?"

Hokuto slowly turned around.

He saw Vil-V, one foot propped on some Gatling-like contraption, a bizarre device she had cobbled together on the spot upon seeing the snowfall.

Beside her was Pardofelis, diligently loading snowballs into a box that seemed to function as an ammo drum.

Clack—!

With a satisfying snap, Pardofelis finished loading the "ammo" and closed the lid.

"Are you ready, Mr. Hokuto~?" Vil-V wore a raucous grin as she reached for the Gatling's activation lever.

Perhaps some people wanted to "talk" to Hokuto because of the plot.

Or, like Mobius, came out just to spectate.

But Vil-V? She was here purely because—it was fun. How could she miss out on something so entertaining?

Not only could she not miss it, she was determined to make it big, to heat up the atmosphere thoroughly.

Seeing Vil-V's motion, Hokuto's expression changed. But it was too late to dodge.

Ratatatatatat—

The Gatling spun.

Snowballs spewed from the barrel like a barrage.

Hokuto, with almost no room for resistance, was swiftly taken down.

"Ahahaha~~" Vil-V let out a villainous laugh befitting a final boss.

Without pause, she swung the barrel toward the others, unleashing the snowy assault.

"Vil-V, why are you attacking your own allies?!"

"I'm aiming precisely because they're allies."

Everyone: "???"

But there was no time for retorts.

As Vil-V's clamorous laughter echoed, the "ammo" rained down indiscriminately.

The Golden Courtyard descended into utter chaos.

Vil-V had achieved a glorious 1v12 solo massacre.

Pardofelis, beside her, wiped a cold sweat. Fortunately, she had defected to Vil-V's side early.

"Little Pardo, are you ready?"

"Hmm?"

"It's time for us to run."

With those words, the Gatling's spin slowed—the ammo depleted.

Vil-V, ever decisive, turned and bolted.

Pardofelis, still in a daze, remained rooted in place.

Until she noticed the others closing in on her, eyes gleaming with ill intent.

Her body jolted.

"Vil-V-sis! Wait for me!"

"Kevin boss, Kalpas, Snake-sis... please, let me explain!"

Poll: What should replace Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980 (TKT)?

Hey everyone,

I've decided to put Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980 (TKT) on hiatus for now. In the meantime, I thought it'd be fun to run a poll to see what you'd like me to work on next. Can't wait to see what you all pick!

Options:

A brand new fanfic (picked by me)

Continue a recommended fanfic (suggested by Readers and will be voted on Again)

Two chapters a day for Uchiha Kei: Game Dev in the Shinobi World

Two chapters a day for My Game Studio is Full of Valkyries?!

Two chapters a day for Monster Hunter Grand Assembly

📅 Voting will be open on Patreon for one week!

Heres the link to the poll

https://www.patreon.com/posts/poll-on-what-to-137136810?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkpatreon.com/BestElysium