#apr

Instead he swiftly chugs down a half-full bottle of beer (hoping against hope one of them observes the velocity of the disappearing act as a penchant for alcoholism, or any other vice) then mumbles something about getting a refill, would they want one?

Higuruma kicks himself as the question slips from him and his aunts lunge, gushing about what a "considerate, fine young man" he is, surely deserving of a fine, young lady and oh, they just so happen to know where he might meet one, she does yoga, or fencing or makes her own hand-poured soy wax candles, see, they have a clip of her conducting a craft workshop at the village fair, demonstrating for all the little kiddies, gosh she's so good with them isn't she, Higuruma should save her contact, here they'll just take his phone so her name's spelled right-

Higuruma is contemplating how he can make stomping on his mobile with both feet look like an accident when he spots a miracle - a life raft lashed together with chicken carcasses and vegetable scraps. He grabs the dinghy of dirty dishes, excusing himself and does his best to conceal his cringe as one of his aunts remarks on how rare it is for a man to take the initiative on domestic duties to a chorus of approvals.

Wielding the plates as a shield Higuruma races from the dining area, tactically retreating across the drawbridge into kitchen as he scurries towards the sink with its reassuring moat of suds.

Of course it's not an entirely foolproof strategy, he could be cornered in the kitchen too; castle turned Alcatraz with a volley of pointed comments about his complexion whizzing over the turrets of the trays, those dark circles shadowing his face identical to bullseyes for how targeted his uncles' brusque inquiries are. Fortunately, all he has to do is suggest the wok needs a more thorough rinse, would they like to assist him? And then blessedly, they beat a hasty retreat and Higuruma gets to enjoy some solitude...for all of ten seconds before his gambit comes to bite him in the ass.

Some cousin pops in with their latest toddler in tow, cheerfully offering unsolicited advice, fussing about the stove top in a scheme to offload the infant clawing at his hips onto Higuruma, holding out the crimson faced cryptid doing its best impression of a banshee. It's the cousin closest to his age whom, up until a few years ago, had faced these very same ritualistic trials engineered by their relatives. Higuruma can't help feeling betrayed; so much for surviving the prisoners' dilemma together, or their fraternal bonds forged in the fires of their aunts' chirpy interrogations. Brothers in arms no longer.

Hastily Higuruma starts stacking and drying pans, occupying his hands and furiously buffing utensils till the spoons are concave mirrors catching the rich marinade of his misery, knowing he's running out of tines to shine while the shrieks and whines of the nominally humanoid spawn continue to climb and climb, his father fumbling awkwardly, haphazardly trying to hiccup his miniature replica with an odd jostling rhythm.

An unexpected saviour appears at the 11th hour, the aunt who owns the house sweeps into her kitchen, drawn to what is an apparently angelic cacophony. The heavenly host relieves the parent of the screaming cherubim, cooing some excuse for the colic baby (and an erroneous assessment that they aren't from the tenth circle of hell).

Too late however, Higuruma realises this is less divine intervention and more Grecian pantheon machinations as the aunt drops her guise of allyship, the formidable adversary commanding her emissary with a breezy, "Oh, Oetsu, don't forget to tell Hiromi about your charming co-worker! You were telling me she has a really pretty voice, when your company did a karaoke night right?"

Cousin Oetsu clears his throat and Higuruma shoots him a wounded glare. Et tu, brute?

"Yeah! She did quite a charismatic rendition of Livin' on a Prayer."

It takes every fiber of Higuruma's already strained optic nerves for his eyeballs not to roll to the ceiling. Trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, he grits his teeth and spits a Hail Mary.

"I heard your 8-month-old son learned to sit up this spring?"

Cousin Oetsu and his aunt bare their teeth, with the kind of vicious incandescence that makes it into history books, accompanied by ominous pictures of looming mushroom clouds. It makes his bones brittle, but Higuruma knows he's bereft of any other choices.

Croaking his defeat, he mutters the nuclear question, "Did you record it?"

Higuruma doesn't know how many eons have elapsed when he finally stumbles out of the kitchen, having survived 27 folders of videos and photos (and what? TikToks as well now? what are those?) of babies doing incredible variations of very little to nothing at all - in most of the footage, the tiny creatures at least seemed as equally perplexed as him as to why their mere existence warranted this much wonder and fascination. He scarcely gets a moment to brace himself with a burning swig of amber liquid before having to deal with his immediate family.

Fortunately Higuruma has had years to practice, to perfect subtlety with those nips of whiskey vaccinating him against his mother's withering sighs, his father's jabs about his job prospects, his elder brother's boasts about the latest island resort he's invested in, and so on. But riding back to his apartment on the last train in an empty cabin, Higuruma has to admit to himself that what he can't outmaneuver is Time and the fact that yes, (he hears this in his mother's beseeching drone) Grandma's 95th birthday is coming up and a 96th doesn't seem an exceptionally realistic prospect; the dowager deserves to at least feel like all her descendants are on the track to her antiquated concepts of success and happiness, right?

So he enlists you, or not so much enlists as bribes you; A bargain, a steal really, doing just three weeks of your paperwork but you have his parking lot for the rest of the year - and you get to relish the normally poised, polished as silverware, eloquent Higuruma Hiromi out of his element; a rare chance to see this forthright, courtroom commanding orator with razor sharp intellect become an evasive, even sheepish, blushing boy outwitted by a nonagenarian in her tea parlour? You almost bruise yourself with the pinch when he implores you to pretend to be his partner, mumbling it around his mouthful of bourbon during a post-work week drink/drowning session. The request is garbled through the alcohol, but it doesn't do enough to disguise his desperation.

Higuruma Hiromi, at your mercy, in your debt - the rarest of opportunities. In all honesty he could have offered a measly three days of paperwork for this golden chance; but lucky for you your morose faux Romeo is none the wiser.

It's going to be a summer potluck type of thing, out in the country for a few days. You send him photos of sundresses listed on several boutiques' sites, to assess what would be, in your words "an appropriate amount of ankle to reveal in front of his relatives?" and you're sure you'd have heard his eyeballs rollicking to the back of his sockets if you weren't too busy inelegantly snorting out an espresso through your nose at his reminder that any sackcloth cowls or ermine fur-trimmed chemises will be at your own expense. How does he of all people know what a chemise is anyway?

But after that, you don't ambush, much less consult him in the cafeteria again about your fashion choices.

However, when the day comes, you wonder if your attire is sufficiently modest or if he's found something to nitpick about your chiffon midi dress with its square neckline. Met with his prolonged silence, you mentally race through the reflection you'd checked before opening your door to him; The silhouette isn't too snug, flattering without being figure-hugging, it traces rather than accentuates your waist and while there's a leg split along the long cream skirt embroidered with sunflowers, it ends a mere couple inches above your thigh. All things considered, very demure and unlikely to be the cause of hushed whispers or cardiac arrests from any female relatives aged 40 and up. So, you have half a mind to reach for Higuruma's pulse as he stands stock still on your front step without a single word, with saucer plate eyes. Scrutinizing as usual, you're sure.

Perhaps you had some strands out of place? You tuck a lock behind your ears and press your cherry tinted lips together.

"I have a band tee and an ancient pair of bermudas I could change into instead," you offer drolly, notching a fist at your hips.

Higuruma blinks, as if ridding himself of pirouetting black spots, a penalty for staring at the sun.

"Uh no no, it's fine. We should get going, it'll be a long drive."

You nod once, adjusting a strap along your otherwise bare shoulders, and Higuruma considers accounting for his abrupt onset of muteness. He registers your faintly concerned expression and racks his brain for an explanation; Maybe he could say it was something to do with how he's only ever seen you in a rotation of black or dark blue pantsuits and corporate attire - yes, that reason could hold water - until a memory of you in a particular navy pencil skirt trickles unbidden into Higuruma's mind and he blanches, just as he did back then when he'd bumped into you during that morning commute...

"Higuruma?"

"Sorry, what?"

"I asked if the car you rented was an automatic. My license does apply to manuals, but it's been a while since I've driven one."

"Oh yea. Yes, it's an automatic." Higuruma pats his left pocket, then his right, then checks the inner lining of his jacket, before finally pulling it out of his left pants pocket.

You keep the snigger off your face though you suspect it's sidled into your tone; luckily, for whatever reason, Higuruma's focus doesn't seem to be as laser pointed as it usually is.

"Okay, just let me get the Yakitake from the fridge," you hum.

"Yaki..take?"

"Yep, the place has really taken off. They recently opened a fifth outlet at Akasaka. I got it since your grandma enjoys cheesecake."

"She does..." Higuruma diverts the quizzical drawl in his voice to his gaze as it trails instead toward the large, glossy paper bag you pass him while you lock the door behind you.

"You mentioned it a few months ago, when we had that 71 year old accused of a string of B&Es into that bakery chain."

"Oh, right. Still don't understand why someone would try to steal sourdough starter. Or how it'd be kept in a safe."

"That place is popular for a reason, but too crowded! I get my sourdough from this reliable place, it's not far from Ichigaya Station. Shame they don't sell them in quarter loaves though, but at least they make for good croutons. I'll let you sample it next time."

"Croutons?"

"No," you say, unable to keep the giggle at bay this time, "a sandwich."

"I think I'm more of a vending machine shokupan kinda guy," he comments, unlocking the door on the passenger's seat side for you.

"Just by necessity, and you don't even like the tuna mayo!"

You continue to chide as you slide into the vehicle, "Nobody does - it's always the last flavour. Even those vacuum packed fish bars get sold out first."

You hear Higuruma's restrained sigh ghost over his words even above the sibilant hiss of seat belts being pulled into place.

"They're not so bad once you've had them three or four days in a row," Higuruma mutters, starting up the engine.

"A BLT," you declare, as the straps snap into their slots with a definitive click,"When we get back I'm introducing you to BLTs."

"I'm acquainted. That's how I discovered I dislike lettuce, especially raw."

"You know, I don't think I've ever recalled you being in the vicinity of a vegetable."

"Actually I had three of those martinis last Friday, so three very briny vegetables."

You stare at one of the most inarguably brilliant attorneys you've ever met in the span of your entire career, banking on silence to prompt an elaboration of his bizarre statement. When it doesn't come, you say slowly, "You know olives are a fruit right."

Higuruma fixes his gaze dead ahead through the windshield. You wonder if he'll put a crack through it.

"I knew that."

There's a two second gap, before he adds, "They were vodka martinis. I was referring to the potatoes it's distilled from."

You clap a palm over your mouth just in time, but the snicker that gets repressed reroutes to your shoulders instead, and you're certain the quiver will carry to your voice, so you simply say, "Sure, Higuruma. Sure."

The ripple of your mirth over his syllables is too enticing not to confirm what's in his periphery. Higuruma's gaze flickers to his left then snaps straight back onto the road; he's not about to risk a demerit point for being distracted by an unexpectedly blinding beam.

Perhaps he should get his shades out from the glove compartment; he can't let you see his focus waver.

This was supposed to be a simple, smooth drive after all, except now he can't help but wonder if this peculiar, unfamiliar tautness in his chest bodes ill for the ruse ahead of both of you...

Apologies if Mr Director's head is in frame for some of the screenshots, it is very large.

Mirror Dungeon 6:

Alongside the new Abnormalities and EGO Gifts that are presumed to be coming with the next Mirror Dungeon, the Mirror of Immortality will be gaining a new UI, alongside changes to Starlight and will allow Rental Units (preset)

Like the past MD, this will be released over a series of 3-4 Weeks.

Starlight Accumulates rather than being a static max of 120 based on rest bonus for starting Cost and bonus, we can now gain more over time and spend it on the above listed (Not Resets they remain being Cost rather than Starlight)

New EGO gifts will be added regularly

and there will be universal EGO gifts added alongside new packs, not only limited EGO gifts such as those for Intervallo and Bokgak packs.

Walpurgisnacht:

Brightened image of the Don Teaser

We are able to see the Central Control Team armband on Don so we know that she will indeed be an ID.

2 ID and One EGO will be releasing this Walpurgisnacht.

in the following Walpurgisnacht, we will be once again having a Ruina Guest theme, which seems to confirm the pattern of alternating games.

Real Life things:

HHPP: An animation regarding the finale of Library of Ruina, and merchandise related to it were revealed

From the 24th June to 5th October, HHPP will be themed around the finale of Library of Ruina

Following the Ruina theme, beginning in later October, for the remainder of the year HHPP will be Mili Themed

Food and Drink items based on Mili Songs (eg. Painful Death for the Lactose Intolerant (Or at least I hope they make this one)) Mili Merchandise and HHPP crossover merchandise will be available As the theme begins a bit before the Mili Concert (see below), there will be items related to it as such; "Practical, usable utensil merch", whatever that means.

Mili:

Mili Concert MILI CONCERT MILI CONCERT

The venue will be a rough capacity of 1800 - 2000 people, and there will be a simulticast online to watch.

The date will be the 2025/11/8 (YYYY/MM/DD)

Intervallo Rerun(s):

Time Killing Time:

1 EGO and 1 ID will be released alongside the announcer for Hubert More chances for Everlasting ID or Inertia

Murder on the WARP Express:

2 (somethings) will be released in this intervallo rerun. We know that we will get an announcer for the Warp PA. If Cassette Tape gets an ID I will be happy

Hongle:

Spoilers for canto 8 kind of because thats how PM goes about it:

This is the only image we have seen. Currently the ID is being planned out somewhat: It will be able to make free use of Heishou IDs that are in support (reinforcement chain) positions

Canto 8.5:

this intervallo will largely be focused around Xichun (and sinclair) taking classes on how to become a Hierarch(ess) proper, but this intervallo is still in development. Wei ID will presumably be Yi Sang due to his appearance in the Ishmael ID

Arknights Collaboration:

1 announcer and 4 EGO (sinners as previously revealed: Faust, Hong Lou, Ishmael and Gregor.) this will be the first true limited banner so save your lunacy

(my personal money is on Faust being Kal'tsit or Amiya or Priestess, Hongle gives Kroos Vibes with the same eye connection, Ishmael Skadii? and Gregor Patriot or something)

The Unsevering:

Canto 9 name revealed

The release target is late this year, roughly around Christmas I can assume. Refraction Railway 6 will be skipped to make time for this release target.

If, later in the year, canto 9 release target is infeasible, RR6 and a second intervallo will be made.

Quality of Life and other features:

Various UI changes for teambuilding.

A non sinner specific EGO and ID selection. Cleaner appearance, all/owned toggle selection, and favorite ID marks for teambuilding. (image 1, top right), EGO resource has been made more readable and teams may now have custom names (Top centre first image)

Enemy readability:

less reading comprehension is required moving forward (not meant condescendingly), various attacks and passives will be marked as seen in the image(s) for clearer priority and ease of play

Lore Accuracy:

Lore accuracy game mechanic. By spending Lunacy, you may revive all sinners mid battle.

No EX rewards will be granted if the revive feature is used. If the fight in question is later nerfed (eg. Final bosses, dungeons, overtuned fights), all lunacy used will be refunded.

Cosmetic ID "Skins":

Due to the process of accounting for differing skill effects, animations, and coin counts, the ID skin system is still in development. They say that we will be able to use a semi global system for the ID skins, so maybe we finally realise the Ideal goal since launch of 12 Fucking Yi Sang.

Game File Optimisation:

While the company does not plan to change how battle animations function, they will be attempting to minimise the file size

Regularly available content and gamemodes:

to encourage players to play, and collect new ID//EGO, the company is planning on adding a new gamemode, one that allows the player to challenge their skills, but on a more permanent basis compared to Refraction Railway

More information will be revealed in future presumably. Potential for threadspinning 5 also mentioned (for EGO)

Project Moon (as a company) moving forward:

Company expansion:

The company will not be expanding more than its current size for the foreseeable future.

Various reasons have been given: the Director's lack of management ability and mental fortitude to handle a larger company. Interpersonal relationship stress (as seen before, stating that he didn't want to start seeing employees as numbers)

While the current office of PM/HHPP is a limiting factor, it is largely due to the Director's lack of confidence and preparation in managing anything larger. the current projection is that in two years time, when the company office is finished construction, the Director will be more capable and experienced in leading teams and managing, and will be able to expand the company further then.

The Director hopes to maintain a friendly and smooth working environment.

Direction:

The game has grown significantly larger than the company had ever expected. While this is naturally a good prospect, the company wishes to remain focused largely on creating Limbus as planned, in a reasonable time frame and size, rather than chasing MAU/DAU and sales.

The goal remains at the company to tell the story of the city from beginning to end. As of current, though unfortunate, they are unable to take advantage of this sudden uptake in popularity.

the following section is a quote from the livestream itself:

When I started this company it was to give myself meaning and a sense of doing something worthwhile, and that hasn't changed now (a platform for fulfilling the CEO's self-realisation)

(Q):When Do I feel that sense of "meaning" and "doing something worthwhile"? (A): When we manage to release a story we want to tell in a somewhat satisfactory manner;when our players enjoy said story; and when in the process of making that content, the team remains non-hostile with each other in both speech and manners, when the team does not feel a sense of doubt about their work I don't want to be afraid of going into work.

I understand that some may step away or feel disappointed by our limited development capacity and slower updates. But even if you were to leave, we'll still be here, just as we are now, waiting for your return with the stories and content we've been cooking up... Like that old, familiar, hole in the wall that you've always known and loved. We'll be sure to prepare a backlog of good stories for you to enjoy upon your return after a brief beak.

End quote.

Employee Privacy:

While the Director himself has given permission to use any images of his face/person as you see fit (Eg. memes), please refrain from using or posting any photographs of employees due to privacy concerns, and as some may no longer be working at the company.

See below, depictions of the Director.

Employee next to director? no. Director? yes.

If photos of employees are taken, used or distributed, legal action may be taken to protect their privacy.

APR 2025(Not part of the livestream):

Absolute Pride Resonance has raised 5400$ for charity. Check out the various (actually affiliated) content creators and artists alongside the stretch goals//donation thresholds.