At night, the neon lights of the city outside the window flickered on one by one, while only half of the office's overhead lights were lit, casting a dim glow.
Dan Heng checked the code repository submission one last time and closed his laptop.
It clicked softly.
He stood up and looked at Shinji, who was still sitting in front of the computer, his face looking slightly pale under the fluorescent glow of the screen.
"Shinji."
He walked over, his voice steady as always, but his gaze behind his glasses carried a hint of scrutiny.
"Are you sure you don't need me to stay? I could start building the framework for some of the engine's underlying optimizations and tackle those lingering issues tonight."
Shinji looked up from the screen full of messy mind maps and fragmented settings.
He rubbed his sore temples and smiled at Dan Heng. "No need, Dan Heng. You've already done enough. I have a rough idea of the technical side, but I'll need you to handle the hard parts tomorrow. You should go back and rest first."
Dan Heng didn't leave immediately. He remained silent for a few seconds, his gaze sweeping over the familiar, lingering dark circles under Shinji's eyes.
He then glanced at the cup of instant coffee by his hand, which had long gone cold and had only been sipped once.
Ever since university, and up to founding this studio, his good friend—nicknamed "Captain"—always exhibited a death-defying attitude once obsessed with an idea.
In the past, most of those ideas eventually became neglected folders on a hard drive. But this time…
"Get some rest," Dan Heng finally said, keeping it brief. His tone carried a hint of stiff concern, subtle but real.
"Tomorrow, I want to see a clear-headed planner, not a programmer who needs emergency care."
Shinji chuckled and nodded. "Understood. I promise not to drop dead."
Dan Heng didn't say anything more; he picked up his bag and turned to leave.
When he reached the door, he paused and looked back.
Shinji had already buried his head back in the screen, his fingers flying across the keyboard. His silhouette in the dim light held a desperate, focused intensity.
The door closed gently.
Stelle had already packed her things and was whispering nonsense to March 7th about whether staying up all night reading data could cause sudden death. Seeing Dan Heng leave, she quickly got up too.
"Boss, we're heading out!" Stelle waved, her face showing relief of "finally off work," mixed with curiosity about the new task.
"See you tomorrow! I promise to dig up all the dirt on those games on the market!"
March 7th let out a small yawn and rubbed her eyes. "Mm-hmm, bye Boss. My Long Night Moon is still waiting for me at home; we promised to watch the new anime that came out today."
The "Long Night Moon" she mentioned—full name Long Night Moon—was her younger sister, with whom she had a very close relationship. She wasn't old, but exceptionally sensible, always quietly waiting for her sister to return home.
"Be careful on your way," Shinji replied without looking up, his typing speed never slowing.
Kiana and Mei also stood up. Kiana stretched with a big yawn, her curves fully displayed. Then she threw her arm around Mei's shoulder.
"Let's go, Mei! We promised to try that new dessert shop today! I heard they have a super huge cake!"
She deliberately raised her voice, but the corner of her eye glanced toward Shinji.
Mei, being held by her, smiled helplessly and obediently stood up. She said softly to Shinji:
"Then we'll be going first. Don't stay up too late."
"I know, have fun," Shinji looked up and managed a smile for them.
Kiana pouted, seemingly wanting to say something, but was finally gently pulled away by Mei, and the two left together.
Their voices faded into the distance, and the office suddenly felt much emptier and quieter. Only the tapping of Shinji's keyboard remained…
In the corner, Bronya was still at her desk, her computer screen lit up with unfinished code. She showed no intention of leaving.
Shinji typed a few more lines about Honkai Impact 3rd before realizing someone else was still there.
He turned his head. "Bronya? It's very late. Aren't you going back? Seele must be getting anxious."
Bronya's apartment was shared with another girl named Seele, and the two had an extremely close relationship. Seele was somewhat introverted and shy, but very dependent on Bronya.
Bronya's hand paused. She didn't look up, her voice calm.
"I'll stay. There are some scene compositions I want to refine. Besides…" She paused. "…you need someone you can discuss feasibility with immediately."
Her reasoning sounded perfectly sufficient, very "work-related." But Shinji, looking at her slightly tense side profile, understood there was more to it.
That bank card wasn't just money—it was a silent form of companionship and support.
She was afraid he would face this massive, just-starting concept alone. He might feel helpless, or fall back into the stubborn obsessiveness of the past.
A warm current mixed with a heavier sense of responsibility flooded his heart. Shinji was just about to say something—
"Ring-ring—!"
A crisp, slightly urgent ringtone broke the office silence.
Bronya frowned, slightly annoyed at the interruption, but she picked up the phone on the table.
The caller ID flashed a stick-figure-style rabbit avatar labeled "Seele."
She pressed the answer button, and before holding the phone to her ear, a soft, clingy voice filled with anxiety and dependence came through:
"Bronya sister! When, when are you coming back? The voice-activated light in the hallway seems broken… it's flickering… I… I tried to cook noodles, but I put too much water in… it's about to boil over… What should I do, Bronya sister?"
The voice grew quieter, carrying helpless sobbing.
In Bronya's lake-blue eyes, the slight irritation from being interrupted vanished instantly. Replaced by an almost instinctive softness and helplessness.
She subconsciously lowered her voice, though her tone remained steady. But anyone could hear the soothing meaning in it:
"Seele, don't panic. Turn the heat down first, or lift the lid a little. I'll be back immediately."
"R-really? But Bronya sister's work…"
"Work can be taken home," Bronya interrupted, her tone absolute. "Ten minutes. Wait for me."
"…Mm!" A relieved, nasal response came from the other end.
Hanging up, Bronya silently saved her files and shut down her device. Her movements remained efficient, though compared to her usual flawless speed, there was a subtle hint of haste.
Shinji had been watching quietly. When she packed her things and shouldered her backpack containing her digital tablet, he spoke gently:
"Go back quickly. Seele is waiting. Be careful on your way."
Bronya walked to the door, hand gripping the doorknob, paused, and didn't look back.
"You too." Her voice was very low but clear. "Don't be too late."
After saying that, she pulled the door open, her slender figure merging quickly into the shadows of the corridor outside. Her footsteps faded rapidly.
The office went completely silent. Only Shinji remained, alone, with the screen in front of him.
The astringent taste of the now-cold instant coffee seemed even stronger.
Dan Heng's final "Get some rest" and worried gaze. Bronya's stiff advice before leaving. The complexity in Kiana and Mei's expressions as they left. Stelle and March 7th's eagerness for the new task…
All the images and sounds eventually settled, weighing heavily on his shoulders.
He leaned back in his chair, closing his sore eyes. In his mind, countless images and pieces of information churned and collided:
The dark clouds of the catastrophe over Changkong City. The girl's trembling yet firm hands. The heartbeat of Mei's herrscher core. Kiana's signature, slightly silly yet dazzling smile. The cold metallic luster of Bronya's Project Bunny…
And distant memories belonging to the "Captain": the bridge of the Hyperion, the heroic Valkyries in battle, the journey across the Imaginary Tree, the endless galaxy outside the Astral Express window, the stories of the Nameless meeting and parting…
These magnificent, passionate, sad yet hopeful worlds existed only in his mind at this moment, like treasures on a deserted island.
And he—he had to draw the first treasure map for these treasures, one that others could understand and find appealing.
He opened his eyes, his gaze landing back on the blank document named Honkai Impact 3rd, Chapter 1, on the screen.
He placed his fingers back on the keyboard.
In the silent deep night, the sound of typing rang out once again.
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