Star Railway: I'm developing the Star Railway mobile game at my company.

Now, all Pound has left with is two Motorball game tickets that he and Cocona used to go to.

Seeing this, the audience was also devastated by the successive blows.

"Waaaah, please don't do this!"

"Choosing to leave with all the debt and not drag Cocona down, Pound is a true man!"

"Sigh, if you choose to gamble your future, you have to be prepared to lose everything."

"Dreams, career, love—all shattered. This is me, I'm going crazy!"

"It hurts, it hurts too much!"

In the end, Kokona seemed to completely break down, throwing the record and tickets into the flower bed.

Tickets, music—I don't need any of it.

Subsequently, Kokona's world began to completely transform into a gray and colorless world.

Returning to Xing's perspective, after searching for a while, Xing found Kokona standing on the edge of the roof.

A silent wind blew through her hair, and a tear flew with the wind, tracing a path down your cheek—still burning hot.

Chapter 288 Letting Go, or Holding On

Kokona was standing on the edge of the roof, and a precious life was about to be lost before their eyes, making the audience's hearts jump.

Now that things have come to this, this is probably the last chance to help her.

Seeing this, Xing brought up the song that was not yet finished, but this did not inspire any hope in Kokona.

To make a living, Kokona compromised with reality, gave up her dreams, and learned many qualities she disliked.

But Kokona couldn't completely change; she wasn't as thoroughly evil as people like Scott.

Guilt always catches up with her, and the inner torment always comes, immersing her in twisted pain.

For Kokona, the current choice is not even an abandonment, but a liberation.

You probably wouldn't understand... For someone like me, this isn't a choice I can make.

The voice from within is leading me by the nose—I have no freedom; I can only be manipulated by it.

[It might be good to go along with it this once; it promised... As long as you follow it, all misfortune will disappear.]

Seeing Cocona's despondency, Hoshi tried to comfort her, saying that life always has a way of getting back on track.

You are such an optimistic person... I admire you.

To this, Kokona simply gave a polite but empty smile.

I bet you're surrounded by people who bring you joy, right? That's why you're so positive and cheerful.

This passage immediately brings to mind the companions on the Star Train, while looking at Cocona's side...

"Wow, that sentence totally stunned me!"

"Thinking back carefully, Kokona's past is full of painful memories, she even lost her only boyfriend!"

"On the other hand, we not only have our train crew members, but we also have Star Core Hunters helping us."

"You are a nameless traveler freely traversing the galaxy, while I am just a sales clerk who has to save up money just to leave Pinocchio!"

"What should I do? I feel like I'm being convinced!"

In the past, Kokona had also resisted, fought against, or pleaded with her inner voice.

But no matter how hard I try, the result won't change. I can't win, ma'am... I can't win.

White words appeared above her head, clearly stating: "Come with me, Kokona."

Then, two options are presented: one is to [grab Kokona's hand], and the other is to [watch Kokona leave].

After all, it was a living being, and at that moment most viewers still preferred to grab the other person's hand.

The colorless world seemed to have gained a touch of color, and Kokona responded after Xing's action.

"...Do you want to leave me here? To leave me in this devastated world, to continue suffering?"

I can't take it anymore, this is my limit... Please let me go...

Please...

His words, which sounded like a desperate plea, instantly turned a large number of viewers against him.

"Waaaaah, those words really break my heart. Sometimes living is just torture!"

"Even if we save Cocona now, she'll probably give up on her later..."

"Don't say anything like giving up!"

The same choice presented itself again. Some viewers had already begun to let go, while Gui Naifen firmly chose to hold onto the other person's hand.

The world, which was originally colorless, began to show color after this choice.

Even if it goes against Kokona's wishes, they can't just stand by and watch her fall.

Do you feel like you're helping me?

Do you think no one has tried this before... do you think I haven't met people like you?

"...It was all just a fleeting moment of self-pity. You couldn't possibly understand, it wasn't helping me...it wasn't..."

Let me...be free.

These words, which struck a chord with many viewers, brought them to their breaking point.

Ultimately, the option of saving someone stems more from instinct, an instinct to follow one's own heart without considering the other person's feelings.

In the blink of an eye, another large wave of viewers switched sides, with the barrage filled with suggestions to give up, influenced by Kekena's words.

In response, Gui Naifen recalled her past experiences and then spoke with a rare serious expression.

"I think life is like a road that keeps going. Sometimes you'll see peaks, and sometimes you'll see valleys. But as long as you keep moving forward, the road will keep going. Only by surviving can you face the future that has infinite possibilities."

"Therefore, I will not let go!"

Although she had never personally experienced Kokona's pain, Gui Naifen still made the same choice as Xing.

Hold each other's hands tightly for that life with infinite possibilities.

The colors of the world returned, and Kokona began to vent her emotions as if she had completely collapsed.

I've had enough... I've had enough! You all appear in my life one after another, giving me false hope—

[—Then they abandoned it halfway, leaving me with a mess... letting them parasitize, rot, and poison me...]

I can't take it anymore... I'm fed up with playing the tragic supporting character in every story. All the misfortune... please, let it end...

I don't want to struggle anymore.

The white lettering above her head continued to stir up Kokona's emotions.

Stop believing promises...stop being deceived...fool...fool

This time, Xing's gaze hardened as if she had seen the words that were constantly influencing Kokona's emotions.

I am not your family member...not your mentor...and certainly not your doctor.

Feeling the warmth from Xing's arm and Xing's tightly clenched hand, which seemed to be clenched with all her might, Cocona even felt a slight pain.

All I know is... now is definitely not the time to give up!

A resolute roar, accompanied by the pain in his arm, reverberated through his brain, shaking him to his core!

Instantly, the white lettering above Cocona's head began to completely disappear.

The sadness, loneliness, and anger on his face began to slowly fade, replaced by a hint of surprise.

As if she had been rescued from drowning, Kokona's emotions finally returned to normal, no longer affected by the voice in her heart.

Do you know... that what you're fighting isn't a real person? It's an illness, a nightmare... an invisible and intangible enemy.

Seeing Kokona holding her forehead, finally free from the effects of her illness, the audience erupted in cheers.

"Ohhhh!"

"So cool, sir!"

"Now is absolutely not the time to give up!"

"You know, I've been a fan of Star since the game launched, she's incredibly cool!"

"Galaxy Succubus!"

Chapter 289 The Birth of a Star

Ultimately, Kokona successfully overcame depression and returned to normal.

Thank you, ma'am, thank you for not giving up on me... even if it's just temporary comfort. But at least you've shown me... that there are still people who care—that there are still people who believe I can keep fighting.

When Kokona saw Xing again after returning to reality, a blush suddenly appeared on her cheeks.

This part also brought a strange smile to the viewer's face.

"Yo, you're blushing?"

"Your sins are truly grave!"

March: Another competitor emerges?

At this moment, Kokona felt very good. It felt like a lifetime had passed since she last felt so... vibrant.

It's a little embarrassing to say, but I really want to... sing right now. I don't know if you can understand how I feel...

Seeing that Kokona was still a little reserved, Xing grabbed her wrist and led her to the center of the square.

【Huh?! Wait...please wait a minute...】

Suddenly standing in the center of the square, the gazes of those around her made Cocona extremely nervous, and her knees even felt weak.

But Xing, standing in the audience, looked at the other person firmly.

Don't be afraid, I am your most loyal listener.

Seeing Xing's determined gaze, Kokona felt greatly encouraged.

I...I understand. I'll give it a try!

[This song is called "Imagine a Rose of the Future"—I want to dedicate it to you...and also to myself.]

Then, a slightly awkward singing voice began, seemingly due to a decline in technique caused by a long period of lack of practice.

But Kokona didn't stop. As she gradually became more skilled, her singing became more and more beautiful.

Please close your eyes and look forward.

[For those who are lost, look ahead; it is not empty.]

[But the rose from the future has not yet bloomed...]

As the audience grew larger, Kokona's singing became more confident.

Seeing this, everyone knew that all the previous efforts had not been in vain.

With the achievement "Towards the Light" appearing, the quest ends here.

Even at the end, viewers were full of praise for this side quest that depicted the stories of ordinary people.

"Waaaaah, this is so great! I thought people were going to die in all those side quests with Pinocchio!"

"Realizing your dreams doesn't necessarily mean leaving Pinocchio; you can start from the streets like this!"

"Head towards the light—even if life is full of pain, never give up!"

"I just felt that since I fell so badly when I came to Pinocchio, I couldn't let that heartbroken girl fall and hurt herself again!"

"Huh? Am I the only one who chose to let go? Looking at it now, I suddenly feel a little regretful."

"I was trying to respect Coco's choice. Before she jumped, Coco said it was the happiest day of her life..."

"Don't be so pessimistic. You don't die in your dreams. In the end, Cocoa resigned and left. Maybe she went to pursue her dreams!"

"No, if I choose to let her jump in front of me, it's tantamount to admitting that there's no possibility of her life getting better, and her life is sentenced to death once again!"