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The daughter of Tentei the Heavenly Emperor, Orihime, was a weaver who lived on the banks of the milky way. Depressed, Orihime sought for love and marriage to cure her loneliness. On a night long ago Orihime met Hikiboshi and the two instantly fell in love, however, due to their marriage they started to neglect their duties. Tentei separated the two lovers across the milky way out of anger. Orihime, upset at this decision, cried to her father and Tentei who was moved by his daughter's tears, allowed them 7th day of the 7th month if she finished her weaving.
Tanabata, is an event Tracen Academy celebrates once a year, many umas come together at night in the midst while the stars are shining the brightest to celebrate Orihime and Hikoboshi meeting. Many celebrate making wishes written on Tanzaku, and coming together to spend time with each other.
Miracle was excited for Tanabata, sometimes she liked to look at the stars at night even if she didn't know much about them. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends at night and watching the fireworks that happened during the festival.
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Drowsily, Miracle slowly woke. A nudging of her arm and a calling of her name brought her out of her accidental nap. She wasn't that tired at first but it was getting late so it wasn’t that unexpected to fall asleep.
Across from her sat a face she could never grow tired of. Her dark brown hair shone in the cabin lighting, her eyes shined like her name as she stared at her.
Ruby, her dearest friend, roommate, and rival. Someone who she would never forget and would cherish always.
“I apologize for waking you, but we’re almost at the next station.”
Miracle smiled in response, “No worries Ruby, thank you for waking me.”
Ruby nodded, putting her attention back to the paper she was reading, something about the constellations and when and where you can see them.
Miracle turned to the train's window. Stars sparkled in the night sky, brighter than she's ever seen, like crystals scattered in the sky. They reminded Miracle of her friend, she wore jewels on many of her dresses to appear more elegant and beautiful, they sparkled so bright when she wore them and made her stand out significantly amongst the average uma.
Beneath the stars lay a river bank, its rushing water illuminated by the stars and moon in the sky, the grass that grew by the bank swaying in the gentle breeze as the train passed. Miracle pressed her hand against the glass and leaned closer to get a better view.
“Isnt it beautiful?” Ruby says while gazing out the window.
“Yeah,” Miracle replied almost breathlessly, “It's very beautiful.”
The two sit together in silence, admiring the view as it passes by them.
“I hope my mother forgives me for this,” Ruby whispered, just barely breaking the silence between them.
Miracle almost didn't hear her. If Ruby was any quieter she was sure she would miss it.
“Why do you say that?”
Ruby paused before responding, contemplating what to say. “I would like to be able to make her happy, to please her.”
Miracle turned to Ruby with a smile. “I’m sure you already make her happy. You’re a very kind person.”
Ruby glanced over at Miracle, expression unchanging. “An uma creates happiness around
her when she does something good. That's why I'm sure my mother will forgive me.”
Ruby looked back out the window into the distance. It was hard to read from her expression but she seemed to have made her mind up about something.
Miracle turned back to the window, just in time to see the grass part and give view to Swan Island. Far out in the distance away from the train, it almost looked like a picture. The grass quickly covered the island back up, blocking the island entirely from view.
“We are almost at the next stop, the Swan Station. We should be arriving at eleven o’ clock.” Ruby said while correcting her position to be sitting properly.
“Do you think we’ll see swans?” Miracle asked while following Ruby, sitting back down normally in the seat.
“We may. Would you like to get off at this station?” Ruby asked.
Miracle nodded, “It reminds me of my favorite childhood book, I think I've told you about it, right?”
“It’s why you have so many swan-themed possessions.”
Before long the train entered the station. The train gradually eased its pace and a row of lights came into view as the train stopped directly in front of the big clock in the Swan Station. All of the passengers went up and left the train, eager to make it to their destination.
Miracle stood up and put out her hand for Ruby to take, almost like a prince. Ruby took her hand and got herself up, saying thanks to Miracle as she did.
They made their way outside the train and onto the platform. The station was completely empty, not even a stationmaster was around. A white road led off into the distance through the station's exit and entrance.
As the two followed the white road, it led into a seemingly never ending flower field filled with several types of rose. The road traveled through the flowers and into the far distance.
“Oh, how pretty!” Miracle walked over to a patch of roses and kneeled down to take a look.
Ruby slowly followed, looking around as she did. Miracle was right. It is very pretty.
As Ruby approached Miracle, Miracle stood up with a rose in hand. She took one look at Ruby and placed the rose next to her flower ornament she wore next to her ear, making sure to not ruin her hair or the other flowers as she did.
“It suits you.” Miracle stepped back to admire Ruby's new look.
“I think it would look better without the others.” Ruby reached up and unclipped her flower ornament from her hair, leaving only the rose next to her ear.
“Both look nice. You’re pretty either way.” Miracle smiled at Ruby.
As they both made their way back to the train, the station was filled with people again. Many were waiting for the train which would be arriving soon
As they reboarded the train many new passengers traveled the cabins, passing by the two as they found a place to sit. It was eerily quiet for how many passengers were moving about, nobody said a word as they found a place to sit.
“A little silly to call it the ‘Swan Station’ and not having swans, right?” Miracle jokingly complained, the flowers were nice but she was really looking forward to seeing the swans
Ruby nodded understandingly, but as if a silent alarm went off she immediately froze.
Ruby sat up from her seat, “Pardon me, I have something to attend to. Please give me a moment.”
Miracle nodded at Ruby. Ruby then made her way to another cabin, disappearing amongst the other passengers.
Miracle stayed seated where she was, the passengers slowly started to filter out and the traveling began to stop as people got settled
“PIENNN!!! CAN SOME1 HELP!!!!!!” A girl with a very eccentric appearance ran into the cabin, she looked very distraught and was almost crying.
She looked around and spotted the now very startled Miracle, “YOU! You’re an uma!!!! Can you like help me??!?!?!?!”
Miracle stared, “Ah uh mayb-”
“So like I like totally got lost and its SOOOO not cool Because I was with my bestie Pamachin Right? And like we were about to go to this killer party and all but like WE GOT SPLIT and IDK what to dooooo?!?!?!? Yabababa pls im legit begging on my knees here!!!” The girl rudely interrupted, but she was distressed so Miracle could understand why.
Miracle paused, struggling to understand the slang. “Ahh.. I could try to help? Maybe she went to another station… would you like to come with us?”
“Weiiii!!!!!!! Azamaru fisheries! You’re legit my savior agepoyo! The name’s Daitaku Helios☆” Helios threw up two upside down peace signs and winked at Miracle.
“K.S. Miracle, nice to meet you!” Miracle copied her and presented her own peace sign, albeit less enthusiastic.
Helios sat down next to Miracle, “So.. You mentioned an ‘us’?? Who’s your partner??”
“Well she-” as if the universe heard their conversation, Ruby opened the cabin door.
Helios, who was so very curious, turned to look at Ruby. Her eyes went wide and her ears perked. She almost forgot all about finding her Pamachin.
“AAAAA???!?!?!?” Helios bolted up from her seat and ran towards the very unfazed Ruby.
“CUTE CUTE CUTE CUTE TOTES ADORBS plsplspls Lets be together☆” Helios grabbed Ruby's hand, “My main squeeze eeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“No thank you, I have somewhere to be.” Ruby took her hand back and ignored Helios, walking past her to take her place across from Miracle.
“OHHHHH!! We’re going to be traveling together! WEI! Totes enough time to hang☆!!!!” Helios ignored her rejection and ran over to sit next to Ruby.
Ruby paid no attention to her and instead brought out the booklet she was reading earlier. Miracle softly laughed to herself at Helios, though there was this weird feeling in her stomach she could not place.
The train's doors slowly closed and it slowly started to move out of the station back onto its journey through the stars.
“So…. Helios, where do you think your friend could have gone?” Miracle asked.
“Ehhh well I’m like not really sure~ BUT I know she totally wasn't at the last station!” Helios rocked around in her seat whilst simultaneously glancing at Ruby multiple times a second.
“I kno she wouldn't just ditch me…..” Helios sighed, dramatically clutching her heart in sorrow.
“If you are looking to find her at the Opal Station, be prepared to get off in half an hour.” Ruby said without looking up from her booklet.
“How do you know so much about the stations?” Miracle asked, “You’ve been buried in that pamphlet for a while now.”
“I got it from the Milky Way Station, did you not receive one?”
Miracle tilted her head, “I don't remember being at any Milky Way station.”
“You can have mine if you would like.” Ruby closed the book and looked up at Miracle.
“No, it’s fine, you can keep it. If there’s anything interesting, you can let me know.”
“Oohh oohh oohh Can I see????” Helios looked at Ruby like a begging dog.
“If you insist.”
“WEI!!!!!” Helios took the booklet from Ruby and very excitedly began to look through it.
Miracle chuckled and turned her attention to the window, gazing outside it. Before she knew it, she was completely zoned out. Helios’ antics left behind as she thought about how fun this has been, but despite the fun something felt off. Ruby was acting strange and she wasn't sure why.
Something poking her arm woke her up from her trance, she turned her head around to the seat next to her to see Helios poking her.
“Mira-tannnnnnn I'm leaving sooonnnnn…..” She whined while tugging on Miracles' sleeve.
How long had Miracle been staring at nothing?
“Are we really almost there? Sorry, I zoned out for a bit there.” Miracle rubbed the back of her head.
But no matter what she did, she couldn't shake how wrong everything felt.
The train slowly entered the station and made its stop at the platform. The doors opened and several of the passengers on the train made their way out.
Helios stood up from her seat and ran to the door, but paused and turned back to Miracle and Ruby.
“You guys should like totallyyyy come to one of my parties! Tracen yeah? Just ask around!!!!!! It’d be hella lit if you came☆” Helios threw one more peace sign before exiting the train car.
“Bye Helios!” Miracle waved her goodbye with a smile, Ruby did nothing but watch her leave.
Miracle turned to face Ruby, “She was fun, I’ll miss her. Maybe when we get back home we could check out one of her parties.”
“Only if my schedule permits.”
Miracle chuckled, “Don’t worry, I know.”
Miracle thought to herself for a second, “We still have time, would you like to check out this station? It’d have to be quick though…”
“It would not hurt to check it out.”
Miracle stood up and went to take Ruby’s hand once again, she liked to help Ruby even if it was small.
The two of them made their way out of the train, hands still held. This station was different from the Swan Station. There were many people traveling about and the architecture was full of bird engravings. It was quite beautiful, though Miracle couldn't help but be confused. Swan Station had no birds… But the Opal Station does?
“Is there something wrong?” Ruby stopped in her place and asked.
Ah, she must've been making a weird face. “Nothing, I was just thinking about how pretty the wall designs are.”
Ruby looked up at her surroundings, “Swans in the Opal Station but the Swan Station had a noticeable lack of swans.”
“Right??” Miracle laughed and continued walking towards the exit.
They entered into a beautiful meadow, the sun was shining brightly upon the grass-filled field. It was filled with giant windmills spinning slowly in the gentle breeze.
The two of them, still holding hands, walked around the meadow. Miracle bent down to feel the grass, it was very soft for grass, almost like a blanket.
As they walked up to one of the windmills
“I dont think ive ever seen one in person, it's giant.” Miracle stared up at it with huge eyes, it was kinda pretty in a way.
“This one is actually on the smaller side, only a gust compared to other breezes.” A girl was sitting beneath the windmill, almost invisible in the shade. Her long hair blew gently and her dress was a beautiful cream color.
Miracle flinched at the new voice, she didn't notice her sitting there and got startled. However Ruby did not flinch, almost like she knew she was there already.
“Ah, I'm sorry, did I scare you?” She brought her hand up to her mouth as the girl's expression turned to worry.
“No no, it's fine! I just didn't see you.” Miracle waved her hand in apology.
The girl gently smiled at Miracle, then looked up at the sky, “I’ve always loved the wind, no matter if it’s just a gale or an entire storm, I've always thought it was peaceful.”
“The wind can carry memories, no matter how far it blows it won’t forget where it’s been and will carry everything along with it in the breeze.” The girl looked up with content, raising her hand to feel the wind blow.
Ruby tightened her grip in Miracles hand almost nervously. The girl looked directly at Ruby and smiled.
“Please be kind to her, a zephyr can only go so far.” She stood up and walked towards Ruby, looking directly at her but walking past her.
“What's that supposed to mean….” Miracle looked back to follow where she went, but when she looked the girl was gone.
Ruby stayed motionless despite what just happened, almost like she was frozen in shock or perhaps fear.
“Ruby..? Did you know her?” Miracle looked at Ruby, questioning her as she was very confused on what the girl meant by that.
Ruby opted to not respond to her question, instead she started to walk back to the station, dragging Miracle with her.
“The train will leave soon, we have to go.” Ruby refused to look at Miracle despite her worried glances.
Miracle was confused about what was happening but didn't try to argue, Ruby knew something she didn't so maybe it was for the best.
The two got back onto the train, almost a little too close to being left behind. Despite Ruby's flat expression she was clearly shocked, sweat rolled down her forehead and her eyes were too focused on the floor.
Miracle on the other hand wouldn't stop staring at Ruby. She's never seen her like this before. It was kind of scary.
Ruby took a deep breath to compose herself. It was fine. Someone like her shouldn't be acting like this.
Ruby let go of Miracle’s hand and acted like nothing happened. She sat down at her usual seat. Nobody was in the cabin except them, different from last time. It feels like if a station is crowded the train won't have a single soul.
“Ruby…..” Still standing, Miracle looked down at Ruby with confusion, however, Ruby opted for staring out the window. The train moved out of the station and the scenery completely changed.
The river ran once blue ran red, the once clear water now cloudy with dust and debris. A large crimson fire burned brightly in the distant field, lighting up the dark sky brighter than any moon or star. The fire's smoke covered the surrounding stars as it burned, blocking out anything but the flame.
“It's Scorpio’s fire. The fire burns to this day after it burned to death. It’s an interesting story.” Ruby ignored Miracle, opting to give information about the distant fire.
“Ruby, you can tell me anything. You've been off this entire trip and I'm worried.” Miracle sat next to Ruby this time, placing her hand over Ruby's hand in her lap.
Ruby sighed and took her attention away from Scorpio and to the floor.
“I want you to realize you are the kindest person I have ever met, even if I am not with you I want you to stay kind.”
“Ruby? What do you…” Miracle’s expression widened with confusion and worry, she took Ruby's hand into her own this time and pulled it away from her lap.
“What do you mean not with me? Can we stay together forever..?” Miracle looked down at Ruby's hand in hers. Ruby's hand was so small against hers, and oddly cold.
“If I could wish for anything in the world, it would be to stay with you. But fate does not permit it.”
Ruby looked at Miracle, her face stern. Miracle took in some of her features, how pale she looked and how her eyes didn't shine the correct way, almost looking dull. The rose she picked at the Swan Station still in her hair, albeit now somewhat wilted. Its petals were turning more brown by the second and the stem started to lose the strength to keep the rose up.
Miracle doesn't understand, tears slowly start to pool out of her eyes, wetting her cheeks as they fell from her eyes and below. She squeezed Ruby's hand tight in denial, as if it could keep her from leaving.
Ruby gave Miracle a somber smile, she brought her other hand up to Miracles face, she wiped her tears and held her face in her hand as she sobbed. Miracles stressed breathing somewhat slowed as she was comforted by the touch of her hand.
“Please promise me.” Ruby's thumb rubbed her cheek, “Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”
Miracle sobbed into Ruby's hand, she didn't want to leave Ruby, she would rather follow Ruby for thousands of miles forever in this train if it meant she could stay with her, she couldn't make that promise or else she would be admitting defeat.
“But what will I do without you?” Holding back another sob, Miracle’s voice cracked as she spoke. Ruby dropped her smile and looked at her seriously.
“Please don't let my absence stop you from living a happy life. If I could stay with you, I would. But you don't belong here.”
Miracle didn’t want to leave her. She didn’t want to stop waking up to Ruby getting ready for training. She didn’t want to stop going on outings with her when Ruby had free time. She didn’t want to lose the one person she truly loved.
Loved, it was so obvious.
“I love you, Ruby,” Miracle choked out, if this was going to be the last time she ever saw Ruby, she needs to at least admit her truest feelings.
“I love you too, Miracle-san.” Ruby brought Miracle’s face up to her, staring into her deep blue eyes before kissing her. It was almost painful for Miracle, to be having her first and last kiss with her most favorite person in the world. It hurt so much, she couldn't stop crying.
Ruby reluctantly separated from Miracle’s lips. Miracle couldn't help but whine at the loss of contact.
“Thank you.” Ruby whispered against her lips, before moving back in to kiss her again.
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Miracle jolted awake absolutely drenched in sweat and tears. She was breathing heavily and shaking. She had completely forgotten she was hanging out with her friends, Dantsu Flame and Hishi Miracle, for Tanabata. Now she felt embarrassed for falling asleep on them.
“Kei-chan, are you alright?? You fell asleep but you started freaking out and I didn’t know what to do so I just woke you…” Mirako said worriedly. Dantsu who was sitting beside her also wore a worried expression.
They were sitting on the grass outside waiting for the fireworks to start before Miracle dozed off, Miracle wasn’t sure if the fireworks started or not due to how long she was asleep.
“It’s fine, I'm fine. Thank you Kuu-chan.” Miracle lightly laughed it off. “I just had an odd dream, that's all.”
Miracle sat up fully and composed herself, the remnants of her ‘dream’ fading away slowly.
“Did I miss the fireworks? I’m sorry for falling asleep on you two.” Miracle rubbed the back of her head embarrassed.
“Actually, they’re about to start soon, it’s a good thing Mirako-senpai woke you when she did!” Dantsu smiled at Miracle.
Miracle tried to reciprocate both their excitement, but her dream made her feel sick. She couldn't shake the uneasiness it brought her even if she could barely remember it at this point. Either way, she should still try to enjoy her time.
The first firework shot up into the sky and both Mirako and Dantsu looked on in awe, beautiful golden flares lit up the sky. Miracle looked up at the beautiful colors being painted into the night as more and more fireworks flew up. She couldn’t help but feel lonely, almost like someone– no, people, were missing.
A particular gust of wind caught her attention, almost like a hug it blew around her. She couldn't help but take in the scent. Roses, which was odd to smell as she wasn’t near any sort of flowers at all. It was quite comforting in a way.
Miracle got the courage to actually join her friends, moving up next to them to join their excitement watching the fireworks. She loved her friends very very much.