“Goodbye, Herta Space Station.” “Goodbye, Astral Express.” “Universe, here I come!” With the help of the anti-gravity device built into the [Black Tomb Puppet], Kazuki easily broke free from the gravitational pull of the Herta Space Station and plunged into the sea of stars.
Immediately after, he activated the anti-scanning device, bypassed the radar of a large carrier ship, and slipped inside the vessel like an eel.
He snuck into a logistics crew member’s lounge, swiftly knocked him out and tied him up, snatched his Destiny Cards, and immediately transformed into [Student Himeko].
Approaching the porthole, he finally saw the full picture of the Herta Space Station—individual cabins pieced together like giant building blocks stacked by a child.
The people who had been running around inside earlier were now shrunk to tiny black dots, looking no different from moving ants.
The melody of ‘Cornfield Chase’—the theme song of Interstellar—began to play uncontrollably in his mind.
The solemn and vast atmosphere enveloped him, and an inexplicable sense of sorrow welled up.
He felt that in the boundless universe, an individual was truly as insignificant as a speck of dust.
[Student Himeko]’s voice suddenly popped up in his mind, carrying a trace of helplessness.
“Wake up, the melody in your head fits the scene too well.
You’re making me feel emo too.” Kazuki didn’t say anything, only letting out a soft sigh.
[Student Himeko] continued, her tone sounding like she was reciting facts in class, “Let me tell you, this inexplicable sadness you’re feeling right now is scientifically known as the ‘Overview Effect.’ It’s a normal phenomenon.
From evolutionary psychology, it’s a sense of isolation and fear of vulnerability triggered by your survival instinct.
From cognitive neuroscience, it’s just that your original cognitive framework has been overturned, causing a disruption in your neural homeostasis.” Kazuki paced back and forth in the room, a hint of irrepressible anxiety in his voice.
“Himeko, I know it’s because of that ‘Overview Effect’ thing, but I just can’t help but wonder.
Do you think I can really make a name for myself in this universe?
Should I…
have just stuck together with the Astral Express…” As he muttered to himself, he scratched his hair in frustration.
Not paying attention as he stepped back, his lower back slammed hard against the metal cabinet behind him.
A loud clatter of clashing metal echoed from inside.
Kazuki froze for a moment.
He reached out and opened the cabinet door.
Well, would you look at that—inside were two boxes of tin cans neatly stacked.
A quick glance revealed they were actually filled with strong liquor!
“No way?
Strong liquor can be brought into space?
Isn’t this stuff contraband?” He muttered to himself for a moment before suddenly realizing—this was the Honkai: Star Rail universe, and he was still holding onto his pre-transmigration mindset.
Like someone who had found a treasure, he scooped the two boxes of liquor into his arms.
However, when the two soft mounds on his current body’s chest brushed against the cold metal cans, he instantly shuddered, and his mind cleared up significantly.
Turning to look at the tightly bound, still unconscious logistics guy on the bed, he gave an awkward smile.
“Sorry, brother.
I’ll borrow this alcohol first.
If I get the chance in the future, I’ll definitely pay you back double.” With that, he canceled his transformation, reverted to his original body, and, holding the two boxes of liquor, dove straight into [Student Himeko]’s card space.
One second he was in the dead, freezing environment of space; the next, he landed on a campus where cherry blossoms drifted through the air.
Warm sunlight bathed his face, and even the wind carried a faint scent of cherry blossoms.
“Woohoo, Himeko!
The liquor is here!” Following the guidance, he ran clattering up to the school rooftop, shouting happily.
Himeko was crouching by the edge of the rooftop adjusting an astronomical telescope.
She didn’t even raise her head at the noise—after all, she had’seen’ those two boxes of liquor clearly through their shared vision.
When Kazuki rushed up to her holding the boxes, she finally pointed to the clean concrete floor nearby and said with a smile, “Just put the liquor there.
But then again, are you sure you want me to drink this?” Kazuki froze for a moment, scanned her up and down, and suddenly slapped his forehead.
“Oh, right!
You’re still underage right now, aren’t you?
No worries, no worries.
Just drink a little, just a couple of sips to taste!” Himeko rolled her eyes dramatically on the spot, almost throwing the wrench she was using to adjust the telescope right at his face.
Was that what she meant?!
“I was asking if you are sure you want to summon me into the real universe just to fulfill my wish?” She stopped smiling, her expression turning incredibly serious as she said word by word, “If there comes a day when you would delete me like those useless cards, then I won’t drink a single drop of this liquor.” The smile on Kazuki’s face instantly froze.
This was the first time he showed obvious displeasure in front of her, his voice deepening a bit.
“Himeko, what do you mean by that?
In your eyes, am I the kind of person who would throw away a companion just for some benefits?
From the moment you started sharing your vision with me, you weren’t just a cold card to me—you’re one of us.
Don’t talk to me about abandoning or not abandoning.
I don’t like hearing it.” Hearing his heartfelt words, Himeko’s fingertips twitched, and she slowly reached toward the liquor.
Yet, a lingering hesitation remained on her face.
Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something more.
With a soft thud, Kazuki tossed a bottle of liquor right into her lap.
He then set the remaining boxes on the ground, grabbed a bottle, hooked his finger through the pull-tab, and yanked.
“Sshhh—” Following the crisp sound of the metal pull-tab tearing open, a rich aroma of malt mixed with the scent of alcohol instantly wafted through the air.
“Cut the crap!” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“Where did that spirit you had when we first met go?
Why are you being so sentimental now?
Drink!” Himeko gritted her teeth, tore open her pull-tab just like he did, and tilted her head back to take a huge, gulping swig.
The liquid trickled down her jawline and into her collar, but she didn’t care at all.
Wiping her mouth, she burst into loud laughter.
“So this is alcohol?
I thought it would be something amazing, but it’s not much different from sweet fermented malt juice!”