I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

"Well, I'm here."

"I'm sorry... I made you worry..."

"It's okay, it's not your fault."

"I'm going to sleep for a little while... just a little while..."

"it is good."

"...Sakura, you're still here, right?"

"Well, I'm here."

"Okay...that's good..."

Upon receiving a response, Xi Wang seemed to finally relax, no longer forcing herself to stay awake, and gradually drifted off to sleep, no longer holding onto Ying's hand tightly.

"Thank you...really...thank you..."

"I love you the most... Sakura..."

"...Yes, I like you the most too."

Sakura paused slightly, feeling Xi Wang's grip gradually loosen. She smiled softly and squeezed his palm in return, as if to tell him—don't worry, she's right beside him.

...Although she knew that Xiwang's words were spoken in a vague way, and although she knew that in his heart, her position was probably still not as good as Eden's,...Ying was still very happy to hear him say that, her face blushed slightly and her heart was filled with joy.

Therefore, she responded with a smile, telling him about her feelings... Sakura felt that something must be wrong with her, that she would have such a strong reaction to Xi Wang's simple words.

However... I don't dislike it.

Because at this moment, Sakura discovered for the first time that Xi Wang was not as dazzling as the stars or as strong as diamonds as others perceived him to be... He also had such vulnerable moments and such fearful moments.

Moreover... this vulnerability and fear seemed to stem from her and Eden... which made Sakura even happier.

Sure enough... there must be something wrong with me.

Sakura smiled helplessly.

And so, Sakura quietly stayed by Xiwang's side, like a flower blooming silently, accompanying him until his breathing became steady, until he fell into a deep sleep.

After confirming that Xi Wang had fallen into a deep sleep, Ying gently released Xi Wang's hand, tucked him in, and then quietly left the bedroom to begin cleaning the room in an orderly manner.

tick-

Outside the window, the rain was still falling gently. The dampness seeped in through the cracks in the doors and windows, adding a touch of coolness to the room.

Thanks to her experience of taking care of her younger sister Rin, Sakura was quite skilled at caring for people and housekeeping, and quickly cleaned the house.

Finally, Sakura returned to Xi Wang's side... Perhaps Xi Wang sensed something along the way, because he curled up as if in fear, his brows furrowed, and his face showed panic and even terror.

"cherry……"

He read it softly, his voice trembling with a sob, filled with immense sorrow.

He had another nightmare—Sakura understood, and gently took his hand, wanting to offer him some comfort.

But this time, it seemed that simply doing so was not enough... He was still filled with fear, and a few tears streamed from his tightly closed eyes, running down his face.

"........."

Sakura remained silent, then looked around again, as if she was worried that someone might be watching.

Then, Sakura seemed to realize that what she was doing was somewhat unnecessary, and then smiled helplessly... Sure enough, something was wrong with her.

Looking at Xi Wang, who was still trapped in a nightmare, she seemed to have made up her mind. She gently stepped forward, carrying a faint floral fragrance, bent down, raised her hand, and tucked her cherry blossom-like long hair behind her ear.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally, with a slightly flushed face, lightly kissed the corner of his mouth like a dragonfly skimming the water.

"Don't worry, Xiwang..."

She spoke softly.

"I'm here."

After saying that, she sat on the edge of the bed, took his hand with one hand, and gently wiped away his tears with the other, smoothing his furrowed brow.

Gradually, his dreams seemed to be imbued with the faint floral fragrance emanating from her, becoming beautiful and reassuring.

"call……"

He slept peacefully with her by his side.

tick-

The rain outside seemed to have stopped.

Chapter 44 Indeed, hope/dawn... is a good word (5476)

After resting for a full 7 days, you have fully recovered. You are no longer excessively sleepy, your daily routine has returned to normal, and you even look much more energetic.

After discovering that you had recovered, "Moth Chasing Flame" immediately conducted a check-up on you. In the end, apart from detecting a slight Honkai energy reaction on your body, there were no other problems, which relieved many people.

[And you readily agreed to everyone's warning to "stay away from the beach"... You can't let everyone worry anymore.]

The only downside is that it will be difficult to see Skadi... since you can no longer go to the beach, and Skadi can't possibly come ashore...

However, aside from this matter, Mei also specifically discussed your "dreams" with you... After all, judging from your previous sleepiness phase, your "nightmares" severely affected your mental state, and when you showed that "vulnerable" appearance, it was also a phase when your Honkai energy was relatively active.

This situation already confirms the inference that "Honkai energy can affect mental health"... or rather, it proves that "patients with 'Honkai disease' gradually become more irritable as their condition worsens," only this time your situation is clearer.

[After all, you only showed a mild Honkai energy reaction, without any signs of "Honkai disease" or Honkai erosion, but even so, it has seriously affected your mental state... This is not good news.]

[To guard against the potential emergence of "Herrschers" targeting the mental realm, Mei tried to obtain more detailed information from you and also asked the Fifth Science Department to research corresponding drugs... In any case, it's always good to be prepared in advance.]

Unfortunately, the "nightmare" you could clearly feel fades away like a normal dream after you wake up, leaving only a faint impression.

[You instinctively want to recall that memory, but something blocks your exploration, indicating that it's "protecting" you. At this moment, you can't accept that memory. Later, as you become stronger, this memory will naturally resurface... Strange, why do you have this thought?]

Although you were puzzled, you suppressed the urge to force yourself to recall, and Mei didn't get any more information from you, which is a bit of a shame.

[However, there is one thing you still remember... that is the azure sea, the water that submerged everything, the entire planet. You remember it, and you told Mei about it, asking her to be careful.]

After discussing the matter with Mebius and others, May concluded that the all-encompassing flood you dreamed of was simply because the "songs" influencing you originated from the sea, which is why you amplified this characteristic in your dream. She believed it was nothing to worry about... However, this did serve as a reminder to May that the issue of the ocean definitely needed attention.

[Mebius also discovered that when you sing, the slight Honkai energy emanating from your body also pulsates rhythmically, drawing in the surrounding Honkai energy with a unique "melody" and guiding it towards stability, making it calm and temporarily losing its terrifying corrosiveness.]

In other words, your song's power has become stronger and more "visible," and you can now try "copying" it.

However, there are problems. The "melody" that accompanies your singing will continuously draw Honkai energy to you and guide it towards stability... This also means that as long as you sing, the Honkai energy around you will increase, and the excessive Honkai energy around you may react with the Honkai energy on your body, thereby eroding your body...

In other words, it's best for you to avoid areas with high Honkai energy concentrations right now. Even when you're fighting as a "Taunting Doll," it's best not to sing for too long, otherwise you might show signs of Honkai erosion.

So, even though everyone knows you really want to use your song to help others, and you were especially happy after learning that your "characteristics" had been enhanced, everyone also warned you that the research on Honkai energy inhibitors is nearing completion and will be finished soon. Until then... don't take any risks.

You nodded in agreement, after all, you didn't want everyone to worry anymore.

However... things rarely go as planned.

[With everyone's help, you might not actively go to areas with high concentrations of Honkai energy, but... those places might come looking for you.]

After all, the outbreak of collapse is always sudden and irrational.

[Not only that, but what appeared beside you this time was a "Herrscher" level "Great Honkai"]

[What's worse is that the person who became a "Herrscher" was one of the "Moths of Flame"—Himiko.]

--------

The fire was burning... everything was ignited, stained by the flames, and then blazed with intense heat, as if to burn everything to ashes.

Buildings... collapsed, crashing down among the panicked crowd, accompanied by painful screams and desperate cries for help.

But eventually, all of this will be drowned out by the cacophony of collapses and swallowed up by the sound of flames burning.

The sound... can no longer be heard; my music, my singing... can no longer reach the ears of others.

Is this... the Honkai? — Eden thought to himself.

This was the first time she had come into such close contact with the outbreak of Honkai, and the first time she had felt so clearly the suffocating sense of oppression.

This should have been her moment to shine, her moment to sing her heart out, her moment to bring glory to everyone as a star.

The melodious voices will echo here, and the beautiful songs will flow into everyone's ears and into their hearts, bringing them the beauty of the past and showing them the crystallization of human civilization—this is how it should be.

But when the flames came, when the collapse came... her song was drowned out by the chaotic sounds, and the light she shone was obscured by the collapsing buildings, making it impossible for her to attract anyone's attention anymore.

The musical instruments beside them were scorched by the flames, and the musicians around them hurriedly fled, as did the expectant audience...

This was the first time Eden realized how cruel Honkai was; once it appeared, it would strip her of everything and extinguish her most proud song.

And all of this happened in just a moment.

"Eden? Eden!"

"Ah... um, um!"

Xiwang's shout pulled Eden back from her daze.

Eden quickly regained his composure, hiding his confusion in his eyes and in his heart.

It's okay. This time... I'm lucky, we're all lucky. Xi Wang is with us, and the "Moths of Fire" team happens to be with him, so... it's fine.

Her concert was interrupted... No problem.

Her singing was drowned out... It's okay.

At this moment, nothing is more important than life, so... we must calm everyone down, follow the instructions of the surrounding "Moth Chasers" members, and evacuate in an orderly manner.

But... how can that be done?

Eden opened his mouth, wanting to shout, but found that his throat was blocked and he couldn't say a word.

She knew it was because she had been devastated. Her most prized voice had been ruthlessly shattered, and she... didn't know what reason she could possibly have to continue speaking out.

For a fleeting moment, she even had the thought, "I might as well just perish with this stage."

But then, her hand was grasped.

Warm, like a campfire on a snowy night.

She turned her head and looked at him standing beside her.

He was smiling, still smiling.

Gentle, like a mountain stream.