The screen gradually brightens, and amidst a hazy glow, two figures appear, flickering in and out of focus.
As the scene becomes clearer, the audience sees the familiar figures of Hiyakura and Tao Yao.
Hiyakura's eyes are filled with a determined light, while Tao Yao wears a calm expression.
Hiyakura is the first to break the silence, her voice trembling slightly:
"Tao Yao, I will never let you go! Absolutely not!"
Saying this, she lunges toward Tao Yao.
Tao Yao gently sidesteps, effortlessly evading Hiyakura's attack.
Her movements are elegant and fluid, as if she is dancing a silent ballet.
Hiyakura stumbles a few steps but quickly regains her footing.
"Why? Why can't you just take a look at yourself right now? Then decide whether or not to protect others?"
There seems to be a hint of barely concealed anger in Tao Yao's tone.
"Why can't you just cherish yourself properly?!"
Hiyakura grits her teeth and rushes at Tao Yao again.
This time, her attack is more ferocious but still fails to touch Tao Yao in the slightest.
With a gentle push, Tao Yao sends Hiyakura sprawling.
The scene suddenly changes, and Hiyakura finds herself standing in a sea of fiery red flowers.
Flames erupt around her, the power of the Flame Fairy enveloping her.
Her gaze hardens, as if she intends to burn through all obstacles.
"See, even like this, you're still not my match."
Tao Yao's voice remains calm, but there is a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Hiyakura lets out a roar, and the flames surge wildly.
She charges toward Tao Yao like a flaming meteor.
However, just as she is about to collide with Tao Yao, the flames extinguish suddenly.
Hiyakura crashes heavily to the ground while Tao Yao remains still, unwavering.
The scene shifts repeatedly, and Hiyakura tries again and again, but each attempt ends in failure.
Her attacks escalate from gentle to ferocious, yet the outcome remains unchanged.
With every failure comes another heavy blow from Tao Yao, unyielding and merciless.
Just watching that scene is enough to evoke a sense of heartbreak.
In her final attempt, Hiyakura collapses to her knees, exhausted.
She looks up at Tao Yao, her eyes filled with unwillingness and confusion.
She is no match for Tao Yao.
Gradually, she begins to slip into unconsciousness.
At that moment, Tao Yao's voice slowly resonates, as if floating from afar.
"Hiyakura, my civilization, my home, and my final thoughts have all been lost amidst these repeated calamities..."
Tao Yao's voice is filled with a sense of sorrow and desolation:
"The supreme fairy tramples on the embers of civilization."
"In the face of the immortal fairies, humanity back then lost all hope."
"But even so, I am still willing to protect the world you wish to guard."
"Until that moment, when fate snatched you from my hands."
"Since then, my world has been shrouded in darkness."
Tao Yao continues, "It is only then I realized, I also acknowledge that you might be more important than I imagined."
The scene shifts once again, this time showing Hiyakura being born from the Flame Flower.
Tao Yao's voice echoes on:
"Therefore, when I saw you born from the Flame Flower once again, I had already made my decision."
A look of surprise flashes in Hiyakura's eyes as if she understands something.
Tao Yao's voice grows more resolute:
"Everyone says that fairies will destroy everything, including themselves, because fairies are born bearing sins. If saving a fairy is a sin, and changing a fairy inevitably comes at a price, then let me bear that cost."
"And you will step forward as the fairy of the new era, toward a better tomorrow."
The scene slowly fades out, finally freezing in a moment where Tao Yao and Hiyakura stand facing each other.
Then the scene changes once more.
In a suppressed ruins environment, Tao Yao is healing the heavily injured Hiyakura.
Right as the pacing builds toward a climax.
As she prepares to leave with Forget-Me-Not and the unconscious Shiro.
Hiyakura instinctively grabs her hand.
Tao Yao falls silent for a moment, as if hesitating.
In the end, she breaks free, insisting on leaving.
The entire short film showcased the deep bond between Tao Yao and Hiyakura in a unique way.
From their initial gentle confrontations to later intense conflicts, culminating in a heartfelt confession, the entire process is both touching and shocking.
As the short film concludes, the livestream chat falls into silence once again.
The audience seems still immersed in the recently heartwarming and shocking scenes, unable to extricate themselves.
Even the usually sarcastic comments have quieted down, as if processing this sudden emotional impact.
However, this brief silence is soon shattered.
The host, Sakura Fubuki's voice suddenly breaks through the silence of the livestream.
Her voice is filled with complex emotions, anger, grievance, and a hint of barely concealed pain.
"Tao Yao? What do you mean? Tao Yao?"
Sakura Fubuki's voice becomes sharp, "Why did you inexplicably hit Hiyakura?!"
Her tone is filled with confusion and anger, seemingly questioning a friend who has betrayed her.
Sakura Fubuki continues, "You could have just come back, why did you have to resort to violence? After taking action, you just run away, bullying me and then escaping..."
Sakura Fubuki's emotions escalate, her voice louder. Memories of being toyed with by Tao Yao come flooding back, intensifying her feelings.
"You better leave and never come back to find me again!"
She nearly screams.
With Sakura Fubuki's emotional outburst, the atmosphere in the livestream begins to tense. The comments start to roll rapidly, as the audience is startled by the host's sudden emotional shift.
However, at that moment, a slight choked sound unexpectedly appears in Sakura Fubuki's voice. Her tone shifts from anger to grievance, resembling a bullied child.
"Why do you have to treat me like this?"
Her voice trembles, "What have I done wrong?"
Tears well up in Sakura Fubuki's eyes, turning them red.
This feeling of grievance seems to have been suppressed for a long time, now completely released at this moment.
Her voice becomes intermittent as she tries to hold back her tears.
The comments immediately notice the host's change and start flooding the screen:
"Is Fubuki crying?"
"Whoa, looks like she really is crying."
"Don't cry, we are here for you!"
"What happened? Did something happen?"
Seeing these comments, Sakura Fubuki's emotions ramp up even more.
She rubs her eyes forcefully, trying to conceal her feelings, but her voice has obviously changed.
"I'm not crying, damn it!!" she shouts, filled with anger and grievance, "Who the hell is crying? I'm not crying!"
But her voice has clearly changed, thick with nasal tones, clearly fighting back tears. This reaction only fuels the enthusiasm of the comments:
"Not... why is Fubuki so flustered?"
"Just cry if you want, no one will say anything."
"Hahaha, Fubuki can cry too?"
"Don't be upset, we understand!"
In the comments of Sakura Fubuki's livestream, they always enjoy going against her.
No matter what emotional state she is in, they always enjoy teasing her.
Normally, Sakura Fubuki can hold herself together, but at this moment, seeing these comments makes her feel even worse.
"I'm not crying! This damn game just plays people, it's not worth my tears!"
Sakura Fubuki tries to hold on, but her voice is beginning to tremble.
Accompanied by the background music of the short film, Sakura Fubuki seems to reflect on her streaming career, recalling the grievances she has endured all this time.
She can no longer take it, suddenly slamming her hands on the keyboard.
"Besides, what's so fun about this damn game?"
Her voice is filled with anger and disappointment, "Every day is just this childish plot. What fairies, what protection, it's all a lie!"
Sakura Fubuki's emotions completely collapse, her voice filled with pain and despair.
"I've had enough! It's always like this, being played with. I don't want to go on like this anymore!"
Taking a deep breath, her voice dripping with resolve: "I won't stream anymore, okay?! This game simply isn't worth my time!"
The comments explode again:
"Calm down, host!"
"Don't! We still want to watch you live!"
"Fubuki, don't be angry! We all support you! Cry as much as you like, whoever doesn't let you cry, I'll spray them!"
But Sakura Fubuki seems unable to hear any pleas.
The livestream screen suddenly goes black, leaving only a message stating, "Host has gone offline."
Sakura Fubuki abruptly ends the stream, leaving a group of dumbfounded viewers.
The chat erupts, comments rolling wildly:
"Whoa, did Fubuki really run away?"
"What happened?"
"Haha! This is priceless, Sakura Fubuki crying and throwing a tantrum, it's hilarious!"
"What on earth is this game? Why did it make the host so mad?"
However, no matter how the comments call out, Sakura Fubuki does not reappear.
The livestream falls into silence, with only the continually rolling comments remaining.
This sudden emotional outburst catches everyone off guard.
No one expected the usually strong Sakura Fubuki to show this vulnerable side.
Although it can be said that Sakura Fubuki's breakdown might be more about betting against the comments.
And then losing.
Along with the pressure from the comments being a part of it.
But Sakura Fubuki has indeed broken down.
This animated piece feels more like a fuse, igniting the emotions that Sakura Fubuki had been suppressing for so long.
As Sakura Fubuki turns off the livestream, the room falls into silence.
She sits in front of her computer, hands covering her face, her body trembling slightly.
Suddenly, a low sob breaks the silence, followed by uncontrollable crying.
Tears burst from between her fingers, sliding down her hands.
Sakura Fubuki can no longer control her emotions; the grievances and pressure that has built up over the years are released like a flood breaking a dam.
Her cries grow louder, as if trying to expel all the sorrow within her heart.
Sakura Fubuki sobs, reminiscing about her streaming career.
From the initial excitement and anticipation to later fatigue and helplessness, she has experienced so much.
And all of this seems to be related to Tao Yao.
Since meeting Tao Yao, her life has been completely transformed.
Tao Yao is like an inescapable nightmare, tightly entwining her. Her joys and sorrows, her successes and failures in streaming, even her entire life seem inseparable from Tao Yao.
Sakura Fubuki recalls those moments of joy brought by Tao Yao and those moments of defeat at her hands.
She suddenly realizes how dependent her emotional ups and downs have been on a virtual game character, which makes her feel both ridiculous and helpless.
"How did it come to this?"
Sakura Fubuki mumbles to herself, her voice filled with confusion and pain.
She wipes her tears, takes a deep breath, and tries to calm herself down.
Time ticks by, and Sakura Fubuki's sobs gradually lessen, leaving only light sniffles.
She feels as if the pressure in her heart has flowed away with her tears, though her eyes are still red and swollen.
But her heart feels much lighter.
After a long while, Sakura Fubuki finally reopens the game.
This time, she does not start a stream.
Instead, she opens the character interface.
She opens Tao Yao's details.
Sakura Fubuki gazes deeply at Tao Yao on the screen,
This four-star form character stands silently on the standby interface, as if sensing the turmoil within her heart.
Tao Yao's gaze sparkles with gentle light, her mouth slightly curves upwards, revealing a hint of concern.
Suddenly, Tao Yao's voice breaks the silence: "What's wrong? Do you have something on your mind?"
This statement leaves Sakura Fubuki stunned. She knows this is merely a pre-set dialogue in the game, but at this moment, it feels so real, as if Tao Yao can truly see through her heart.
Tao Yao continues, "Do you know? Whenever I see the clouds in the sky, I think of you. They are free and ever-changing, just like you, filled with infinite possibilities."
Sakura Fubuki can't help but smile slightly. This breaking of the dimensional barrier makes her feel both surprised and inexplicably warm.
"Sometimes, life presents us with challenges,"
Tao Yao's voice is gentle yet firm, "But it is these challenges that make us stronger. Just like the adventures we've experienced together, each one helps us grow."
Listening to Tao Yao's gentle words, Sakura Fubuki feels an even more complex mix of emotions rising within her.
She suddenly feels that she and the main character in the game are quite similar.
Hiyakura has always lived in her own world, recklessly, never considering the consequences.
Even when she causes trouble, there will always be someone to clean up her mess.
Until the current storyline, Hiyakura, although having grown, still makes very slow progress.
Sakura Fubuki cannot help but reflect on whether she is the same, always relying on others while neglecting her own growth.
Tao Yao seems to sense Sakura Fubuki's thoughts and continues:
"The person I care about most wants to see this world at its most beautiful. Therefore, I am willing to fight for everything beautiful in this world. The past may hold many unhappy moments, but when I carry such beliefs, all unhappiness becomes yesterday. And I, am already heading towards tomorrow."
These words deeply touch Sakura Fubuki's heartstrings.
Tao Yao's tone is filled with determination and hope, providing her with an inexplicable strength.
"I hope that you can also find your own ideals. Keep it up!"
Tao Yao's words are like a ray of sunlight, illuminating the shadows within Sakura Fubuki's heart.
Sakura Fubuki is surprised to discover just how rich Tao Yao's standby interface voice is.
Each time she opens it, she hears new dialogues; it's no wonder so many players like to linger on this interface.
She finds herself listening multiple times, each phrase seeming like personalized encouragement for her.
As Tao Yao's words continuously resonate in her ears, Sakura Fubuki slowly lifts her head.
Her once-dissolved pupils gradually regain their sparkle, and the light of hope reignites in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Sakura Fubuki closes the standby interface of Tao Yao.
This time, she does not start a stream,
but chooses to continue advancing the 1.5 version of the game alone.
She no longer seeks out showy effects and instead immerses herself seriously in the story.
As the game progresses, Sakura Fubuki notices that Hiyakura returning to the Manju Academy seems to have also undergone significant setbacks.
The protagonist begins to participate in various training programs, accepting missions to enhance her strength.
During this process, Hiyakura gradually realizes her shortcomings and starts working hard to change herself.
Sakura Fubuki becomes completely immersed in the game, as if becoming one with Hiyakura.
She feels every little advancement, every growth of the protagonist is intimately connected to her.
The scene of Hiyakura shedding sweat in the training ground reminds Sakura Fubuki of the effort she put into her streaming.
Back then, when her streaming career wasn't taking off, it seemed she was still very passionate?
But she doesn't remember when this passion began to fade.
She has started to become lackadaisical.
Originally, she positioned herself as a skilled streamer, but by the end, she inexplicably turned into a comedic one.
Thinking of this,
Sakura Fubuki opens the Old Day Flower Language mode.
She either plays through the levels of Flower Language or plays just to mess around.
Or she would directly slack off and just watch the story from other streamers, considering herself to have completed it.
Remembering how she was mocked during her stint in the Old Day Flower Language.
Sakura Fubuki couldn't help but chuckle at herself.
"Regarding this mode, I seem to be pretty terrible, huh?"
She knows she is bad.
But she has never admitted that fact.
With this thought, Sakura Fubuki reenters this mode, opening the corresponding level interface.
The Old Day Flower Language has many Disaster Beast bosses.
On a normal day, when encountering these bosses that aren't necessary to defeat,
Sakura Fubuki often chose to give up.
She also often keeps saying she's not a skilled streamer to cover up the fact that she is bad at the game.
But this time,
Sakura Fubuki recalls Tao Yao's words.
"I want to become a real skilled streamer!"
This thought suddenly surfaces in Sakura Fubuki's mind.
It even surprises herself.
But thinking of all the doubts cast upon her,
She clenches her teeth tight.
"I bet no one thinks I can play this game well, huh?"
"If that's the case, then I have to break your doubts!"
As her words fall,
Sakura Fubuki modifies her setup to remove her wheelchair.
Using the most conventional lineup.
Then she starts the Old Day Flower Language process.
...
In the game world, Tao Yao has just left Hiyakura, completely unaware of the events happening in the outside world.
She doesn't know that she has inadvertently pushed a certain streamer to the brink of collapse and then provided healing in the end.
At this moment, all of Tao Yao's attention is focused on Shiro, whose complexion is becoming increasingly pale.
Forget-Me-Not cautiously supports Shiro, allowing her to lie on her knee.
Shiro's condition looks dire; her skin appears unnaturally grayish-white, her eyes half-closed, breathing rapid yet weak. Even her meticulously kept maid outfit is now wrinkled and stained with dirt and sweat.
Shiro's lips have lost their color and tremble slightly, seemingly enduring immense pain.
Forget-Me-Not speaks in a trembling, anxious voice:
"Mom, she seems to be in great distress, it looks painful..."
Seeing this scene, Tao Yao suddenly feels a rush of indescribable emotions.
She slowly squats down and gently takes Shiro's hand.
Shiro's hand is cold and powerless, and Tao Yao can sense her weak pulse.
Closing her eyes, Tao Yao begins to release her fairy power, cautiously probing Shiro's physical condition.
As the fairy power seeps in, Tao Yao's brow knots tighter, and her expression grows increasingly serious.
Aside from being protected by Tao Yao's fairy power, Shiro's entire body is corroded by the biological toxins of the Poison Fairy.
These toxins, like countless tiny bugs, are gnawing away at Shiro's life force bit by bit.
Tao Yao can feel Shiro's vitality gradually weakening, like a flower wilting, beautiful yet fragile.
In her heart, Tao Yao asks the system spirit Xiao Xiao: "Xiao Xiao, what's going on?"
[Master, this is the dominion of the Poison Flower.]
Xiao Xiao's voice rings in Tao Yao's mind,
[According to the characteristics of Poison Fairies, once humans are infected by the toxins of Poison Fairies, it is essentially a death sentence. If not for you exchanging for a five-star card and using your fairy power to protect her heart, she would have already become a completely irrational Disaster Beast like Little Fox.]
Tao Yao's gaze sharpens even more, and she questions:
"Tell me, what should I do?"
[Master, don't you already know?]
Xiao Xiao's voice carries a hint of hesitation, [Now, the only way is to find the Poison Flower, but the problem is, the Shadow Fairy is hard to catch...]
"So what use are you?" Tao Yao's tone contains obvious impatience.
[Wuwu... Master, don't rush!] Xiao Xiao hastily explains, [There's actually another method to catch the Shadow Fairy.]
Tao Yao raises an eyebrow, her tone laced with anger:
"If there's a method, why did you keep it hidden?"
[Though this method can lure the Shadow Fairy and has a chance to capture her, the process of realization is very dangerous; you might…]
Xiao Xiao's voice grows quieter, seeming to fear Tao Yao's reaction.
"Spit it out."
Tao Yao is beginning to feel impatient.
She looks down at Shiro's pained expression, a wave of indescribable discomfort suddenly washes over her.
For some reason, seeing Shiro in such pain makes her feel quite unwell.
[Master, this method requires your fairy flower essence to be released, forming a bait.]
Xiao Xiao carefully explains,
[Although the Shadow Fairy is cunning, she is still a fairy; any fairy will have an instinctual desire for powerful fairy flowers. Moreover, you are the Prim Fairy? If your fairy flower essence separates from your body, it is highly likely to attract the Shadow Fairy out.]
Tao Yao furrows her brow and thinks for a moment, then inquires:
"Is it that simple? Why do you say it's dangerous?"
[Because...]
Xiao Xiao's voice is filled with evident worry,
[Initiating the severance of the fairy flower bond will make you very weak. Even if the Shadow Fairy is attracted, you won't have the strength to subdue her...]
Tao Yao falls silent for a moment, her gaze landing on Shiro's pale face.
She can sense Shiro's life force ebbing away bit by bit.
If no action is taken soon, the consequences are unthinkable.