Chapter Text
It started on one rainy evening, as some cliche things tend to start with, like a traveler stumbling to a hole-in-the-wall cafe in a cheesy story.
Inside a certain house in the quiet neighborhoods of Zoshigaya, Nagisa Kamishiro was busy storing away the cleaning supplies in the living room. An idle hum from last band practice’s song slipped from his lips, a tune that carried his recent house cleaning session with warmth. His life has been getting busy lately, but it’s a good kind of busy, the kind that never seems to stop giving him surprises. So, even if the student has been juggling a lot of activities, he can honestly say to someone else that he’s been managing pretty well for himself and fully mean it.
Well, as well as one could be from the rising leader of the Phantom Thieves, a group that only started several weeks ago, with the recent tick of two Palaces under their belt.
Sometimes, Nagisa thinks everything is going a bit too fast for his liking. And yet, he can’t fully say he doesn’t like the change of pace, the diverse rush of activity that now colored his life. Ever since that fateful day with the strange dream, the world seems to expand a little bigger for him to breathe in. He’s noticing things he used to brush away before, used to set aside when his world once moved under the haze of dull grays. When he looks at those things again, Tokyo glows with energy, as if the city has its own soul outside its people and now he’s seeing all of its sides for the first time in a long while.
A falling noise briefly snapped his thoughts, as one of the brooms he used tipped out of the storage cabinet and into a wooden surface. He paused his humming, picking back the fallen broom when his eyes caught where the handle fell.
It was a small wooden box, the type you usually put small old trinkets and knickknacks with for safekeeping, hidden in plain sight under the narrow shelves. And yet, on the box’s dusty cover top was a paper taped on it, the letters within written in familiar yet faded childish red crayon:
Nagi-Nagi’s Star Puzzles!
Open when Really, Really Bored!
After storing the fallen broom back into the cabinet, Nagisa found himself picking up the box. Opening it greets him with various jigsaw pieces of midnight blue paper, each sprinkled with lines and dots of dried white paint. Some of the papers are bonded with colorful paperclips, each gathering a set of various jigsaw-shaped pieces. On the bottom of the box lies a set of dried paintbrushes and two small tins of white poster paint, presumably the ones used to accent the paper. Further down the box were lightly dusted pad papers, each carrying faint pencil sketches of scattered dots and lines, one that he recognized was his own childish pencil work.
Nagisa could only blink in surprise; who knew his mother still kept these old trinkets after all these years? His fingers gently traced the pieces, flaky yet smooth when he heard the fluttering of feathers behind him.
“Ah, there you are! The rain doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. According to the news, it seems it will last until the night– Eh? Nagisa?”
“Oh, Lufel. I just… found something I made a long time ago.” Nagisa replied, showing the box to his owl roommate.
“Hoom? What is that?”
“A box of old star maps. Jigsaw puzzle pieces of them.”
“Star maps? Like the ones sold in the planetarium souvenir shop?”
“Mmhm,” Nagisa nodded, a wistful smile on his face. “I used to make them all the time when I was a kid. I’d sketch the stars late at night. Then the next day, Mom would recreate them with this paper and turn them into puzzle pieces that we’d solve in the afternoon. Mom says it helps with recalling memories. It’s kinda a silly reason, but I think she’s just excited to finally have another star nerd in the family.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. If Dad loves the sea, Mom loves the stars.” Nagisa replied as hummed. “Adored them, really. Every year, they’d either take me to the planetarium or the old ocean park when I was little. Always told me to keep going beyond, even if it’s scary.”
Lufel glanced at the jigsaw pieces of the map, and then back at Nagisa. The owl can’t help but notice the small smile on his partner’s face as he recalled the memory. “It must have been a happy desire for you to keep.”
“You can tell?”
“You’re smiling, are you not? Even if your parents are abroad right now, their desire to share their interests with you is formed from pure love.” Lufel closed his eyes. “At least, based on what I infer from your stories.”
“...They’re good people. Kind people.” Nagisa affirmed. “And they’re doing alright abroad, so I’m not too worried.” He slyly grinned. “Probably be surprised that I have a new roommate when they return, though. But we’ll get there when we get there.”
“Hoom, if you insist, then I will believe it.” Lufel replied before he then noted, glancing at the papers. “These papers look quite old, though. When’s the last time you finished one of them?”
“The last time I solved star puzzles? When I was 12… no– when I was 10?” Nagisa paused before he shook his head. For some reason, he is drawing a blank.
Another thing he noticed recently, ever since Janosik now settles comfortably in his mind, is that there’s noticeable gaps in his memory. Not enough to qualify as a total amnesiac, but just enough that life before his Awakening were all blending into indistinct bits and pieces. It’s the small details in his first year of high school, his favorite things in middle school, what did his old classmates like back then, those sorts of things.
“…Not again."
“Nagisa?”
“Sorry, it’s just– Ever since we started being Phantom Thieves, I can’t… fully recall some days when my desires were still stolen.” Nagisa admitted, tucking his knees next to his chest. “Like I knew Tomiyama-san when I was a kid, but I can’t fully recall what we used to talk about before we met again this year.”
“Hoom,” Lufel nudged a little closer to Nagisa as he noted. “This is just a hypothesis, but perhaps it isn’t much of a stretch to assume that the Shadows who once stole your desires also stole your love for the craft. Your memories of your childhood hobby may have been a part of that stolen package.”
“...Maybe. That’s probably what happened.”
“Has this been bothering you for a while?”
“...Sometimes. It’s like a scab you shouldn’t scratch but if it gets itchy enough, you get tempted to pick on it.” Nagisa huffed before he glanced at the paper-filled box. “But seeing this again, it brings back good memories, even if I don’t remember the details.”
Surprisingly, the paper isn’t all worn out. It could still be pieced together if he pastes them all in an illustration board. And knowing the attic upstairs of unused things, of his Mom’s hoarding hobby of stationary supplies back in her college days, he probably could make a couple of complete puzzle boards before he has to restock.
“Do you want to pick up your hobby with star maps again?”
…He could, couldn’t he?
“To be honest, I’m a little scared that I’ve forgotten how to do it. Forget the joy I used to have.” Nagisa exhaled a tense breath. “I mean, I’m no longer a little kid. I’ll probably see it differently now. And yet…”
“And yet…” Lufel curiously tilted his head.
“And yet, I want to try. Just a little.” Nagisa admitted as he then placed the pieces in the box, carrying the container gently. “If it helps me piece back the things I lost, I want to do it.”
His tentative resolve was then marked with a faint rumbling sound. Nagisa fought the sheepish smile on his face, because that was certainly his stomach upset at how long he’s taking his time. “We’ll try after dinner. Come on, I just need to fry tonight’s katsu and shred the cabbage.”
“Uwa, you know owls are carnivores, correct?”
“If you’re not eating the cabbage, then I would eat it, silly bird.”
~
One dinner later, Nagisa then tinkered in his workbench area. On his side were the various puzzle pieces retrieved from the box and one of the old illustration boards he got from the attic. Putting the pieces and pasting them on the board sets off a nostalgic feeling. Finishing it makes him feel a little braver, just a bit.
There is something courageous in facing your old childhood hobby and not cringing after doing it, Nagisa thinks. It’s not the usual way of showing your courage like working out or reading an action novel, but it bears a sense of courage all the same.
The puzzle completed, Nagisa cracked a smile as he propped the board up, showing the complete board. An odd sense of fulfillment washed over him as he hummed, taking a picture of it with his phone as a virtual memento.
Lufel peppered him with various questions of the constellations and stars on the board. Nagisa answered as best as he could; this one is the Ursa Minor, with a little imagination, it can look like a little boar– and so the brightest star over there is Polaris, the star that’s often used in navigation for travelers, because it’s always pointing north.
As evening waned into night after light chatter, Nagisa placed his star map board on the upper shelf of his display case. He probably needs to do a bit more rearranging sometime soon; since his case won’t only be holding just capsule toys when tomorrow comes.
A ping on his phone resounded; as an unknown message reached his IMs.
Virtual Galaxy Craft: Advertisement
>Want to try Virtual Galaxy Craft? It’s free to play!
>Sign up now and get a free Explorer’s Backpack!
>If you upload a picture of the stars, get a bonus Luma-Luma Orb and expand your explorations further!
>Explore the Boundless Galaxy Ever-Brilliant!
Another online game advertisement, huh?
…Eh, what can hurt? Based on the specs, Nagisa could play it on his game console too. It’s probably a coincidence that the ad showed up the same time he rekindled his old hobby. Still, it sounds pretty fun.
~
Logging in, the title screen of Virtual Galaxy Craft was painted in the colors of nebula blue.
Nagisa bit back a chuckle at the subtitle of the game as he sets out on the character customization. “Calling my game’s server as the Earth Server is a bit too on the nose, but they really want to keep it on the space theme, aren’t they?”
His avatar in-game wasn’t anything fancy, customizing it in a similar way that he does to Harvest World Online. The same auburn hairstyle, the usual face shape and eyes, and the like. Still, for a change of pace, and because he couldn’t find all his usual clothes from Harvest World, he decided to have his avatar wear something a little different.
Glancing at the virtual mirror, he noted his avatar’s new appearance. A pale yellow shirt lay underneath his black long vest. Pinned under his chest is a plain violet bowtie. The fingerless gloves are colored in warm hazel, as compared to their darker tones in the farming game. Tied above his dark pants and around his waist is a pale blue scarf whose ends drift on his right thigh and accented in silver polka dots, its color resembling the blue sleeves he once wore in Harvest World.
Surprisingly, it looks charming though. Bold yet simple.
Well, would you look at that? Maybe I’m not washed in fashion coordination. I can send this design to Tomiyama-san sometime. I wonder if she’ll like it.
Outfit contemplations aside, looks like he’s ready to jump in the game.
The opening lobby guided him towards a bustling city hub at night, with various markets of wares surrounding his initial login point. Unlike Harvest World, where most of the avatars are shown in humanoid forms, Galaxy Craft seems to be more liberal in its customization system. It’s surprisingly diverse and populated, with colorful characters and faces milling around the lobby. The game embodies its space motif really well.
Nagisa exhaled a breath, as he then posted his star map board online in the central bulletin board. As soon as he posted the board, something glowed on his right hand before eventually fading into his inventory. “Ah, that must be the Luma-Luma Orb.”
His work idly glimmered between the mills of avatars roaming to and fro as he takes a step back. While some people were pausing to take a look, it only seemed to last only a few seconds before they went back on their way. He bit back a shrug at the lack of acknowledgment. He glanced up at the virtual world, seeing the sky painted in the colors of midnight blue and idly scattered with stars in every direction.
The lobby’s ambience is quite comforting, though. Even with the background bustle of activity, the overall visuals make him feel at peace.
“Oh, awesome! There’s a new Star Map tonight!”
Well, that comment came out quicker than he was expecting.
Nagisa glanced to his right, meeting the source of the voice. It came from a boy wearing an orange sports cap backwards with a small visible icon of a pixelated dinosaur. He wore a plain orange hooded jacket over a white shirt, dark blue pants and black boots. His wrists were wrapped in maroon warmers and an armored watch of sorts is clamped over his right arm.
“This is the Big Dipper, isn’t it? And if the Big Dipper is here, then there is the Ursa Minor and upward there is Polaris…” The boy cheerfully hummed, noting all the star map’s details. “Whoa, I haven’t seen them this close in ages! Last I heard, it’s getting harder to find them now due to light pollution. But this Map makes their connections all clear!”
Nagisa felt like he should chat a bit. Approaching the newcomer, Nagisa then spoke. “I’m glad you liked it.”
“Eh?” The boy blinked before he glanced at Nagisa. “Oh, hello! Is this your Star Map?”
“Mmhmm. Although, I have to clarify some things. I drew this map when I was still a child so this has been a couple of years old. I only just rediscovered it and I refurnished it. It doesn’t feel right to let it just rot in the dust.”
The boy beamed. “Ooh, I see. That’s still awesome to note, though! I’ve been collecting the same Star Maps in this game for a long while, but it really feels different to see a new one from the real world! And to do this in this game… it just feels right, you know?”
“You must really love the stars.”
“I do! They’re just amazing. I could never tire of them.” The boy grinned before he bowed. “My name is Dino, by the way. It’s awesome to meet you!”
Dino sounds like a code name, which Nagisa doesn’t mind. All par for the course in online gaming.
“Nice to meet you too, I’m…” Behind the screen, Nagisa bit back a sheepish smile. “Actually, I haven’t set my official tag name.”
“Eh, you haven’t?! For real?!” Dino took a step back before he hummed. “Well, you just signed up so it does make sense. What if I call you Star then?”
Nagisa blinked. “Uh.”
Dino huffed amusedly. “Nah, that sounds a little corny.” He then glanced at Nagisa's southeast side. “The blue waist scarf really suits you, though. You look really awesome with it.”
“You think so? The color motif just came from another game I’m playing with a friend.”
“Yeah, it just fits you! The scarf looks like a shooting star’s always following you, or maybe a comet!” Dino’s eyes seemed to sparkle at the last word, as he snapped his fingers. “Ooh, Comet! How about you set your tag name as Comet?”
“I like it.” Nagisa smiled as he then adjusted his default tag name to be Comet.
“Hehe, awesome! So, Comet! Since you posted a Star Map, that means you have a Luma-Luma Orb with you, right?” At Nagisa’s nod, Dino explained even further. “When two people with Luma-Luma Orb join forces, they can discover things not even solo players can reach. Seeing your Star Map made me realize I need to step out of my comfort zone in the game eventually. I can’t keep collecting the same thing all the time. I can discover new things but I have to be a little brave about it. So, if you don’t mind… Do you want to be traveling partners with me?”
Nagisa blinked in surprise at the offer. He doesn’t mind, really. And Dino’s excitable energy is endearing, whimsical yet somehow encouraging.
“Sure. I can be your traveling partner.” Nagisa nodded before he made a request. “And if you don’t mind, can you teach me more about your star maps while we travel? I want to rekindle my star hobby. I’ve only just recalled it so… I don’t want to forget it that easily.”
“...Oh, of course! I can do that!” Dino replied. “I’m confident in my astronomy knowledge; we’ll get to learn more about the stars together during our travels.”
“Sounds great. Thanks, Dino.”
Dino then pulled out a thumbs up on both fingers. “Hehe, then it’s settled. We’re now traveling companions and star map makers! Awesome to work with you too, Comet!”
Dino and I decided to travel the in-game world and make new star maps together.
I feel my bond with Dino growing deeper…
~
I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast forged a new bond in hope.
It shall become the fire of life
that consumeth the cycle of ruin
From the flames of desire
I shall emerge fortified…
~
Synergy Unlocked!
Dino Rank 1
Skill Gained
Astro Cartographer
Gain bonus Guts points upon completing a Star Map in the Workbench.
~
Time lightly moved again in motion. Unaware of the birth of a new Synergy, Dino stretched out his hands upwards before he exhaled a breath. “Okay, we have a new goal, and we have a lot of work to get there. Feel free to take it easy until then! Get those new player jitters out of the nerves, yeah? I’ll handle the initial prepwork so our journey will be smooth. So… until we meet again, Comet!”
“Heh, until we meet again, Dino."
I promised to meet Dino again before logging out.
~
Award Earned
Bronze - Virtual Galaxy Craft First-Time Login - Unlock Synergy with Dino