Honkai, but Behind the Scenes

[After a brief interlude, your journey to find the crystals has resumed.]

[Your next destination is the Yucatán Peninsula.]

[Along the way, Shakespeare delivered a speech; it must be acknowledged that this writer's speeches, like her plays, have the power to move people's hearts.]

[At the same time, Schrödinger also demonstrated to everyone Durandal's cutting ability to change molecular arrangement, although the price was a raw diamond as large as an eggplant.]

[Furthermore, since your target this time is the tropical region, Shakespeare was very considerate to prepare suitable clothing for you, of course, not swimsuits.]

"Hmm... that's a pretty skirt."

"Hey! I-I wouldn't wear such a thing!"

"Hmm? Why? Isn't your current outfit also a skirt?"

Tian Shi glanced at the clothes. Though formal, they were far more revealing than the tight skirt Bianka wore. Well... probably just showing more arms, shoulders, and waist.

"I think it's quite good too."

Rita stepped out, having changed from a maid outfit to a sleeveless bartender-style one.

The maid becomes a bartender?

"Shakespeare, you have good taste."

"Ahaha~ Thanks for the compliment~"

"Why, why does my dress reveal so much?!"

"Please, Miss Bianka, could you see how thick your clothes were before?" Shakespeare sighed. 

"And what kind of statement is that? Obviously, this is normal casual wear. You might as well have thought I gave you three band-aids."

"What the hell? How can something like a band-aid be considered clothing?" 

Bianka complained, utterly confused.

What a pure child!

Bianka had no intention of changing her clothes.

"I mean... Rita, don't you think this dress is totally useless for fighting?"

"I think, judging by the material, this garment is more suitable for combat."

"Yes, yes, it's visibly light and airy~" Shakespeare and Rita sang in unison.

"That's right! I agree with Miss Rita! Such a beautiful outfit only suits Miss Bianka!"

"Can you just throw this unpleasant and vulgar sword away?"

Bianka's lips twitched as she looked at Xiao Du, who was adding fuel to the fire. 

But then again, this thing is a little ugly after looking at him for a long time.

"I see." Tian Shi directly controlled Durandal (Xiao Du).

"Boss Tian, Tian Shi..." The familiar sensation of stiffness and invasion throughout his body.

"I think I understand how Yae Sakura feels when Higokumaru calls her big sister." 

Tian Shi muttered to himself: "You should stay outside now."

"I want to see Miss Bianka change her clothes!" Xiao Du struggled as much as he could.

"Impossible, it's better for you to change your uncle-like personality."

"Ah... I actually identify as female..."

"I don't know at all. Do you think this excuse can help you get closer to girls?" 

Tian Shi opened the door while complaining, ready to throw Xiao Du out.

"It's unfair! My personality is really feminine! Obviously, you, boss, are the real man..."

Duang~

After Tian Shi threw Xiao Du out, he closed the door immediately.

"Alright, I've thrown the sword away." Tian Shi reported lightly as if nothing had happened.

"Speaking of which, you should also go outside, right?"

"Eh?"

"What the hell is that surprised voice of yours!" Bianka, her face flushed, seemed to have taken the position of superiority in terms of intelligence. 

"Isn't it normal for a male ghost like you to stay outside too?"

"But there's a changing room over there." Rita had just changed clothes there.

"What if you come in for a look?"

"Don't worry. As your assistant, I will protect you, Lady Bianka... And I don't think Sir Guardian Angel is that kind of ghost, right?"

"Of course not, I'm a gentleman."

"Eh... really?"

Bianka seemed a little shocked. After all, after knowing him these days, Tian Shi isn't that kind of vulgar person... Besides, ghosts can't do anything too vulgar. 

But it's not that she doesn't trust Tian Shi, but... Bianka felt an inexplicable sense of embarrassment.

"Of course it's true, though it's useless for me to say it now."

"?"

What's the matter now?

Bianka seemed confused for a moment, and the next moment, a gust of wind blew from behind her.

"I understand!"

"Shakespeare!?"

Shakespeare grabbed Bianka from behind.

"Hmmmm~ Looks like our A-rank Valkyrie underestimated the enemy." Shakespeare smiled maliciously.

"Let go of me! Red midget!"

"Hey! Red midget? Miss Rita, I'll take care of the rest."

"Eh? Rita?"

Rita, wearing a sleeveless bartender outfit, smiled apologetically at Bianka.

"I'm sorry, Lady Bianka, I apologize for the offense."

"Rita—!"

"So, idiot Bianka, I'm the only one here who's 'safe and harmless'~" 

Tian Shi smiled and watched Bianka being dragged into the changing room.

"It's truly beautiful."

"Really...?" Bianka blushed a little at Tian Shi's compliment. 

She felt a chill in her stomach and was somewhat embarrassed. 

"I don't think I'm used to it."

Bianka, dressed in light summer clothes, now vaguely resembled the future S-rank Valkyrie Durandal (the person).

"I think Rita's outfit is more suitable."

"After all, with Rita's figure, it's against the rules if she wears a maid or bartender outfit!"

"I'll take that sentence as a compliment and accept it." Rita's lips curved slightly.

"Are there any summer clothes left?" Schrödinger, who had just removed her mask, looked at the blushing Bianka and the smiling Rita for a moment, and then asked her captain.

"Can't you adjust the temperature yourself?"

"I'm just not willing to... receive compliments from the leader or something." 

Schrödinger murmured, though she couldn't hear what Tian Shi said in detail, but by looking at Bianka's expression, Schrödinger knew Tian Shi was definitely complimenting Bianka.

"You really are popular with girls, Alliance Leader."

"Hahahaha~ Schrödinger, my dear crew member, this is jealousy~" Shakespeare chuckled and then sang loudly. 

"Oh~ Let me tell you a story."

"Captain, let's forget about your long, boring story. It probably won't end well."

"What shameful prejudice...! But it doesn't matter, this is a story everyone knows: the Golden Apple of Greece."

It seemed Shakespeare was determined to continue telling this story. 

But the golden apple... To be honest, it still made Schrödinger a little more interested.

"According to legend, one day in the 13th century BC, on Mount Ida, outside Troy, Hera, the Queen of Heaven, Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War, and Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, presented Prince Paris with a golden apple inscribed with the words 'To the Fairest Goddess'."

"'My handsome Prince Tian Shi Paris, please tell us who is worthy of this enormous, beautiful, and invaluable golden apple.'"

Tian Shi's mouth twitched; he had a bad feeling about this. However, Shakespeare's story continued.

"I am Hera Schrödinger, and if you give me the golden apple, I promise you will be the richest man in the world."

Shakespeare seemed to be playing three roles at once; she treated this place as if it were her own stage.

"Sir Paris, I am Aphrodite Rossweisse. If you give me the golden apple, I will bless you and your beloved to be together forever."

Immediately, Shakespeare's tone changed again.

"Hmph! What a fool! Give me the golden apple, Athena Ataegina! I will teach you the most advanced weapons and combat techniques, and make you an invincible hero!"

Under the gaze of the crowd, Shakespeare successfully completed the task of playing three roles.

"I always feel like you're scolding me." 

Schrödinger looked at Shakespeare with no expression. 

"Why would I be the jealous Hera? And what I sent wasn't right either."

The other two... are mostly reasonable, and Rita's alluring aura gives her a Cupid-like feel. 

Although Bianka isn't very intelligent, she's also good at fighting. 

But she... Hera and wealth, what does that have to do with her?

"Ah, because the original role was for me, the captain. It would be too complicated to change the script, so I gave up. After all, Hera is still the queen." 

Shakespeare said with a smile. 

This explanation greatly improved Schrödinger's mood.

"Look, those two over there don't have any objections?"

"It's just that there are so many things I want to say... I don't even know where to start." 

Bianka was speechless. 

She seemed to feel that something was wrong, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.

And Rita... smiled.

Rita continued to look at the air with a smile.

"Anyway, don't worry about the details~"

Shakespeare twirled her wrist, and a large red apple appeared in her hand. 

"Although I don't have time to paint it like a golden apple, it can be similar in appearance to the legendary golden apple~ Prince Tian Shi Paris, please give this apple to your favorite 'goddess'~"

Shakespeare firmly placed the apple on the table beside her, then turned and left without hesitation.

"Captain, Miss Bianka is inside..."

"It's not like we can only use one sword here~"

Shakespeare grabbed Xiao Du and took him away, leaving only the three women and one man (ghost) in the room staring blankly at the apple in front of them.

"That Shakespeare..."

An artificial Shura field, right? 

Shakespeare, you bastard! I'll remember this!

Eh... no, wait a minute. Tian Shi suddenly recovered.

My relationship with Rita and Bianka hasn't reached that point yet, has it?

[Compatibility with Rita: 101%] 

[Compatibility with Bianka: 81%]

Even more, his compatibility with Rita in the real world is only 90%... 

Although if you think about it, he's only been with Rita in the real world for about a week, and he's been here for almost half a month. 

Even, he's only 90% compatible with Rita in the real world... Although he's only been with Rita in reality for about a week, he's been here for almost half a month. 

This is what's called compatibility... 

As expected of the initial host selected by the system, it's surprising that they get along well with each other, especially Rita, who is still young. 

Although she's 16 now (no, after her birthday, Rita is already 17), in short, 17-year-old Rita and future 22-year-old Rita are 90% similar in temperament. 

But, after all, it's a matter of temperament, and some experience isn't enough... 

The degree of compatibility basically increases on her birthday. 

Why do you say it like you're persuading minors this time...?

Tian Shi shook his head and re-confirmed the compatibility... 

Well, thinking about it, Bianka's 81% compatibility is fine—after all, Bianka is natural—but isn't Rita's 101% compatibility a bit dangerous? 

He had clearly spent half a month, but Tian Shi inexplicably remembered the night at the hotel before the simulation: it wasn't the night of his first beginning, so why did he remember it so clearly?

But then again, in this situation, he shouldn't have to worry about a Shura Field appearing... 

After all, Bianka is a natural airhead. 

Schrödinger is very sensible. Rita... 

Well, Rita shouldn't be a problem either.

Perhaps...

Rita: smiles Schrödinger: smiles

This is a huge problem, okay?!

Seeing the two girls looking at each other with smiling expressions, Tian Shi wanted to throw Shakespeare, the guy who took the initiative to stir up the Shura Field, into the sea to feed the sharks. 

That's why Bianka was unexpectedly reassuring at this moment.

"That red midget is really inexplicable."

Bianka completely misunderstood the atmosphere and pulled out a knife from her bag.

"This is a big apple, and everyone who sees it should get a share. How about we cut it into thirds?"

"I think we can," Tian Shi immediately agreed.

My benefactor—!

"Since Lady Bianka said so, I don't mind."

"Secondly, that person is extra annoying today."

"Really? That person didn't think I could see a good show just for an apple, did he? What a foolish story... I'm not interested at all." 

Bianka complained as she carefully cut the apple into thirds.

The two girls who were smiling at each other silently looked away after hearing this.

Phew!

Tian Shi breathed a sigh of relief. 

For the first time, he felt that being unable to comprehend the atmosphere was an advantage.

"But, then again, Rita, who finally gave the golden apple to the protagonist in the original story?" Bianka asked curiously.

"Well... I remember it was Aphrodite, the goddess of love." Rita took the apple Bianka handed her, replied softly, and looked at Schrödinger with a smile. 

She had been playing Cupid in that scene just now.

"Thanks," Schrödinger took the apple and then looked at Rita, "But the God of Love's gift caused the Trojan War; in the final analysis, Paris did not obtain happiness."

Ah... Why does the smell of gunpowder feel stronger?