Honkai Star Rail:The Assistant director

Continuing where we left off...

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Ritsuka's perspective...

Moments before Ritsuka and Stelle meet again.

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Days have passed since the incident that Silver Wolf caused in the simulated universe and I had to go back to my job as assistant director.

During this time, Ruan Mei quietly arrived at the space station and asked Herta for full control of the sealed zone.

I found it strange why Ruan Mei would want this and I still had to send a team to repair the damage that the Legion had done there.

Unfortunately, as I expected, Herta ignored my opinion on this and gave control of the sealed zone to Ruan Mei without questioning what she was going to do there.

I just hope that Ruan Mei isn't doing anything crazy in that zone. Even though Ruan Mei has a very good reputation and is an excellent biology researcher, I can't help but be a little suspicious of her.

I never interacted with her personally I only met her because of Herta who introduced me to her.

And in the few moments I had with her, my instincts immediately went on alert around her.

As a Master of over a hundred Servants, each with their own unique personality, I was given the ability to identify an individual's nature.

I had to develop this ability so that I could have a good relationship with my Servants, and this ability also helps me in combat to create combat strategies against my enemies.

And my instincts are rarely wrong. Ruan Mei is not a normal person, which is to be expected since she is Herta's "friend", but unlike Herta, who in addition to having a big ego similar to Gilgamesh's, Herta is honest with her intentions.

Ruan Mei is the opposite. She keeps her nature behind a perfect mask, not showing any sign of weakness. For a moment, I thought she was a robot just following the logic of science as the answer to everything.

Anyway even though she was suspicious to me, I had no reason or motive to go against her, so I just continued with my work.

Ritsuka: It's good to have you here with me, Fou. I'd probably go crazy if I didn't have some familiar company with me anymore.

Fou: Fou!

After doing a certain amount of paperwork, I decide to use this free time to solve a small problem with a certain someone I know.

Ritsuka: I wonder if Robin is available? She's probably busy, after all, she's a famous singer throughout the galaxy, but it doesn't hurt to try.

I use my computer to call Robin using her private number that she gave me.

After a few seconds of waiting, I'm surprised to see that Robin answered my call very quickly and Robin's video image appears on my computer.

(Photo)

Robin: Hello, Ritsuka. I thought you wouldn't call me after reading my messages. What happened?

Robin said this with a worried expression behind the video screen, I thought she would be mad at me, but I can't forget how hard it is to make Robin mad since she is a very patient woman.

Ritsuka: I'm surprised you answered. Don't you have some recording or rehearsal to do for a song?

Robin: Yes, but I can make an effort and make time to talk to you. After all, I didn't see you on the VIP list at my last show, and you didn't answer my calls. I thought something happened to you since you have a bad habit of getting involved in trouble.

Robin said this with a slight, gentle smile on her face, showing that she was truly worried.

💭I've given up trying to escape from the conflicts and problems that happen to me, and it's easier for me to accept this reality for my own good. Anyway, I'm glad to be able to talk to Robin again, although I don't like her jeopardizing her work as a singer in order to talk to me. Although that's my fault, since I said she can be "selfish" with her feelings and desires, I suppose I'm reaping what I sowed at this point.

Ritsuka: Well, you hit the nail on the head, Robin. Something did happen to me, but it's nothing that caused any risk to my life, I assure you.

I'll say that and tell her exactly what happened on the day of the Legion's invasion of the Space Station. I just left out the details of my conversation with HooH so as not to give unnecessary information.

I also told Robin about my adventure in Jarilo-VI, but I only gave a summary of what happened.

Robin: So that's why you couldn't be at my last show.

Ritsuka: I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise to see your show. I know you worked hard to put on that performance.

Robin: I admit I was a little sad not to see you there, but the important thing is that you're safe and well. I just didn't expect you to be responsible for what happened on Jarilo-VI.

Ritsuka: Apparently the news about the return of a planet that survived the Legion's attack has already reached your ears.

Robin: Yes! Many people were amazed to see that the Nameless continue to help planets that are in need of help. You must be happy to be part of this group. After all, you can embark on many adventures and discover wonderful things around the universe.

Robin said this showing how much she admires the members of Astral Express and a thought occurs to me.

💭Hmm.... Robin would be a great member for Astral Express. And it's a shame that the "Family" probably won't allow it and neither will her brother.

Robin: Back to the topic at hand. Ritsuka, are you still being disturbed by those nightmares?

Robin said this mentioning the nightmares I keep having when I go to sleep and these nightmares are things that unfortunately I was used to and had protection from in the past, but now that I am no longer connected to my servants I have no one to protect my mental state.

Ritsuka: Yes, but it is not happening as often as in the past.

Robin: Are you at least taking those pills you managed to buy?

Ritsuka: Well... The rest of the pills I had ran out during my expedition in Jarilo-VI.

Robin: And you didn't go get more?

Robin said this being surprised to hear that I no longer have the pills I got from Bailu.

Ritsuka: Unfortunately, I don't have time to go to Xianzhou Luofu right now, but don't worry, when I finish taking care of some things, I should go there and get more pills.

I say this with a smile, trying to ease Robin's concern, but it seems that it didn't work very well.

Robin: Ritsuka, you have to let go of those negative feelings that you have inside your heart. This is causing disharmony inside you, I'm afraid it could have a big impact on your mental state.

Robin said this, no longer having that angelic smile on his face.

Robin is aware of my burdens because in the time we spent together, due to Robin's affinity with Harmony and her being a resident of Penecony, Robin ended up going through the same problem that Stelle went through when she entered my mind and saw what happened in Ordeal Call 2.

The difference is that Robin saw more than that, she saw the feelings of revenge of the people who died in the other Lostbelts. It was at that moment that I could no longer hide the truth about myself from Robin and I had to reveal my past to her.

This revelation brought us closer together, but I knew better than anyone that trying to go any further in a relationship with a famous singer was asking for big problems and I didn't want to jeopardize Robin's dream that had to do with her being a singer.

Ritsuka: Robin, you know that's not possible. I'm an Avenger, a spirit driven by negative feelings like revenge. Going against that is equivalent to going against your own natural nature.

Robin: That may be true, but you're not a person who holds grudges and resentments.

Ritsuka: Robin, I may be a very patient person, but even I have my limits. You've witnessed it yourself. The only reason I'm not being aggressive towards anyone is because of the blessing of Equilibrium that I possess.

💭 I owe HooH a lot for what she did. If it weren't for that, I would probably destroy the space station and everyone who got in my way.

HooH's blessing made it possible for me to separate my negative feelings, not allowing them to control my actions. That's why when Stelle entered my Reality Marble, she encountered "Alter" who is the embodiment of my negative feelings.

At that moment I received a message from Herta telling me to be present at the meeting between her, Screwllum and Ruan Mei, but I told her what I was doing and that I wouldn't be there because of that.

Ritsuka: Anyway! Let's change the subject. Since I ended up not keeping my promise that I made and because of that as compensation you can wish anything from me and I will do my best to make it happen.

I say this with a smile on my face and I see the surprised look on Robin's face who didn't expect to hear that from me.

Robin: Any wish...

Robin was a little thoughtful and I wait to know what wish she will want from me. After a few seconds Robin's angelic smile returns and I can see that her eyes are shining.

Robin: How about we do what we did the month you "kidnapped" me?

When Robin said that, I blushed with embarrassment as I remembered the week of that "incident".

Ritsuka:No way!

Robin pouted when she heard my answer, sounding like a spoiled child.

Robin: Why not? We both took full advantage of the opportunity we had that week.

Ritsuka: That's true, but as a result of that, the incident ended up all over the galaxy and I became the number 1 enemy of your fanatical fans.

💭Although on the day of that incident I was in disguise, but still...

Robin: Hehe... But you said that I can wish for any wish from you, don't tell me that my powerful dark knight goes against his promises?

Robin said that using a tone that an actress uses to seduce someone to get what she wants, the problem is that this is working.

💭 Dark knight? I've become Batman now? Now that I think about it, cosplaying as the Batman won't be too difficult for me.....

Ritsuka:Dark Knight? Where did that nickname come from?

Robin: Hehe. Well, you wear black armor and can cover your body in black flames, so I guess calling you by that title makes sense.

Robin said this with such an innocent smile that it was impossible for me to argue with her.

Ritsuka: So let's do this. I can't "kidnap" you again, I don't want to get into trouble with the media again. So the best idea for this is for you to pretend to be someone else.

Robin: But that disguise I used to wear doesn't work anymore.

Ritsuka: I know that. But I have certain things stored away that could help you pretend to be someone else.

I say this, making Robin curious about what I'm planning.

Robin: And how do you intend to do that?

Ritsuka: Let's just say that due to circumstances in my life, I had to pretend to be a woman. Because of that, I learned how to use makeup and other things that I won't say outloud.

(Photo)

Robin is surprised to hear this and judging by her growing smile she is about to bombard me with questions about what I just said.

Ritsuka: No! I'm not going to tell you why and why I had to do that in the past.

Robin: Awwww....

Robin starts to make a cute expression and she even makes the little wings on her neck move to enhance her charm and I let out a sigh of surrender.

Ritsuka: Okay. You win, but I'll only tell you on the day of our date, nothing more than that.

Robin: Okay! It's a promise!

Ritsuka: I hate you.

Robin: I love you too~

Robin said this completely ignoring my insult, although I admit it's nice to hear Robin say that.

💭Why did I have to get involved with a famous singer? Damn my luck!

Robin: Oh? My manager is calling me right now. I'm sorry, Ritsuka, I have to hang up.

Ritsuka: It's okay. I also have to finish some things here. Are you the one who's going to set up the date?

Robin: Yes! I'll just finish my photo shoot and then I'll think of a day to schedule our reunion. Bye my dark knight!

With that, Robin hung up the call and I let out a sigh knowing that in the future I'll have to use the disguise equipment Aventurine gave me again.

Ritsuka: I can't believe I'll have to use that thing again.

Fou: Fou.... Fou!

(Special translation: Don't worry, Ritsuka. Humanity will never forget the sacrifices you're making to hold this date.)

I look at Fou with a suspicious expression.

Ritsuka: I have a feeling that Fou is making fun of me, Fou.

Fou: Fou! Kyu!

(Special translation: It's because I am.)

With my connection with Robin ended, I go back to doing my work and I notice a strange report.

Ritsuka: Hmm? What is this?

It's a report from someone anonymous saying that in the sealed zone there is a creation of Ruan Mei that can cause a serious risk to all the people on the Space Station.

Ritsuka: Something in the sealed zone? But who is the person who sent this to me?

At that moment I hear a voice of a certain someone in my mind.

HooH: There is something in that zone that you need to investigate. Find the problem zone and exterminate it until it turns to ashes.

HooH said this in my mind being short and very direct in the order she just passed on to me.

Immediately I get a bad feeling and start to get very worried.

Ritsuka: A suspicious report and now the order coming directly from HooH.... Tch! I knew my suspicions that Ruan Mei would bring trouble were right!

I immediately put on my uniform and Fou jumps towards me, standing on my right shoulder.

Ritsuka: A creation that Ruan Mei made... Anyway, I'm sure I won't like what I'll discover inside.

With that, I leave my office and head towards the elevator to go to the sealed zone and find out what's going on in that place.

To be continued...

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A/N: Change of plans. I didn't intend to prolong the conversation between Ritsuka and Robin, but since I really like Robin, I ended up making a chapter dedicated to her.

Well, she only officially appears at the end of the story and it's not possible for me to explore the relationship between Ritsuka and Robin only in the Penecony arc, so you can be sure that she will appear more times before she leaves for Penecony.