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It isn’t uncommon for Dr. Murata Himeko’s classes to go well over the typical allotted 2 hours for a St. Freya University course, even her smaller discussion courses. Himeko has a habit of getting side-tracked with tangents, or making coffee in the middle of a lecture- not to mention the frequent visits from other faculty, up to and including the Dean of Students.
Neither is it uncommon for students to stay after class, with questions, or thanks, or even the occasional gift (that always gets turned down given university rules of conduct). Himeko is a popular professor with the students, and she always makes sure to schedule office hours right after her classes ended for those students who needed the help.
What is uncommon, however, is for a student to stay after class asleep at his desk.
Correction, not asleep- but definitely close to it.
“Dan Heng,” Himeko starts, as the last of her students file out through the door.
A mumble that might be a response oozes from the mass of sleepy student sitting at the desk. “Mmmhmm..?” Dan Heng’s gaze flickers to life for a moment, eyes cast down at Himeko before they shut again. “Yes, Doctor?”
“You are aware class is over, yes? Unless you have questions you need to ask, you may want to head out. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on lunch or some social time with friends.” Himeko responds, gently.
Dan Heng pulls himself up off his desk, hand creeping over to the bag at his side. “Ah, yes, my apologies. I was…” He pauses for a moment, trailing off. “Thinking about that bit in the lecture today, about relativity approaching a black hole?”
Himeko ignores the obvious for a moment, and lets the small smile creep up on her face. At least the kid wasn’t sleeping through her whole class. “Yes, relativity is quite the fascinating topic to me. I’m actually planning on teaching a whole course on the topic next semester. I know the year has only just started, and you’re probably not thinking about those things, but if you like the topic I would urge you to consider taking it. It will be a lot more in-depth than what we cover in this course.”
Dan Heng nods, slinging his pack over his shoulder. “Maybe. Not sure what I’m studying yet though.”
“Of course, I don’t think anyone expects you to just yet.” Himeko sympathizes. It took Himeko two years to declare a major when she was in university, albeit in her case because she couldn’t decide what aspect of astronomy interested her most. “You’re only just a freshman, yes? A word of advice, if I may?”
“Go ahead, Doctor.”
“Don’t worry too much about your core class requirements, and just cast a wide net in trying to find what interests you. You might find that by broadening your horizons, you stumble upon what you love in the process.”
Dan Heng’s gaze flickers aside, as if letting the idea process in his head like a computer running a program. “I’ll… think about that. Thank you, Doctor.”
Himeko’s smile widens. “And try to get a little more sleep in the mornings. It’ll help you in the long run, I promise.”
“Er,” Dan Heng’s eyes flit away, and he moves to scramble out the door. “Right. Thank you, Doctor.”
And like that, he’s gone. Himeko watches her door for a moment, contemplative, before taking a sip of her coffee.
Hm. Gone cold.
Something to keep an eye on, then.
Of course, by the time their next class has rolled around, the eyebags under Dan Heng’s eyes only look worse- and worse again the following week. Students who struggle to keep up with the pressures of university life are something Himeko has gotten used to over the years, but students struggling to keep up don’t also typically keep up with lectures and discussions, and aren’t typically able to recall small moments and tangents from class after the end. To wit, Himeko has gotten an eye for when something’s gone wrong over the years, and right now, it looks as though Dan Heng is in the thick of something.
However, each time Himeko dismisses Dan Heng from class, he never seems to elaborate or speak up about anything. And Himeko isn’t in the business of prying into her student’s personal lives. So that leaves her with limited options.
Which is why she finds herself in the office of her mentor, and the Dean of Students- Welt Yang.
“It looks as though something is troubling you.” He observes, setting his cane down next to his chair. Welt’s office isn't exactly what one would consider well put together, especially seeing as how these aren't even his office hours. Aside from his cane set haphazardly aside, the office is decorated more like a studio than anything else- artwork plastered on the walls, figurines on the shelves…Not standard for a Dean of Students- but perfectly Welt Yang. “What's the matter, Himeko?”
“One of my students- Dan Heng?” She offers.
Welt nods. “Yes, I know of him. Quite the capable young man, from what I’ve gathered of him.”
“Yes, that's my take of him as well. He's a bright student. But that's not necessarily the issue. I could just ask him to talk to me in office hours if it were. No, I’m actually concerned about his mental health. He’s been coming in exhausted each morning, and while he hasn't been sleeping through class, he has often been… dozing, I suppose.” Himeko responds thoughtfully, rubbing her thumb along the handle of her coffee mug. It wasn't so long ago that she was in Dan Heng’s position herself, struggling with the overwhelming nature of starting college. Back then, it was Welt, still just an art and animation professor, who helped get her on track. She's hoping that he can show her how to do the same now for Dan Heng.
Welt rubs his chin in consideration. “Well, if he weren't a freshman I’d start by bringing this up to his Advisor. But seeing as he doesn't have one yet, nor has he gone to the campus medical office, there's not much we can do. Although,” Welt continues. “You could certainly say something to him after your next class. You don't have to pry, but knowing that you're available might go a long way. It did for you.” He reminds her gently.
Himeko blinks. “Ah- Right. I suppose I could do that, couldn't I?” Welt smiles softly, pushing his glasses up on his face. He always had a way of pointing out the obvious to Himeko without making her feel dumb for having missed it. One of those things she always appreciated about him when he was her teacher. “Thank you, Welt.”
“Anytime, Himeko. Now, let me tell you about what I’ve been working on in my spare time…”
Himeko quietly listens to Welt describe his most recent animation project for a while. He isn't particularly energetic in his words or motions, but Himeko has spent enough time with Welt to know how to pick up on his hidden passions. Certain turns of phrase, or even just how much he says. It's rare to hear so many words out of Welt Yang at once, outside of his classes.
Eventually, a glance at the setting sun out the window keys in Himeko to just how late it's gotten. “Oh, it's already evening!” She notes, pulling Welt out of his fugue state.
“Ah? Indeed, I suppose it has gotten late. My apologies, Himeko, I hadn't intended to keep you for so long.” He apologizes.
Himeko waves him off easily. “No worries. It's been far too long since we had a moment to chat anyway. It was nice getting to hear about your project.”
Welt laughs. “Yes, well, it’s simply nice to have someone willing to listen to me that isn't a student.”
Himeko excuses herself after that, her mind placated for the time. Still though- that nagging feeling continues in the back of her head, that something isn't well with Dan Heng.
By the time Himeko’s next ‘Intro to Astronomy’ class comes around, Dan Heng is looking as exhausted as ever. He valiantly does his best to pay attention during the lecture, but Himeko can see him struggling to keep himself upright at his desk. At one point, she even sees him jolt awake as the student next to him asks a question about orbital ellipses.
When class ends, he begins to lethargically gather up his books and his laptop, but Himeko interrupts him. “Dan Heng,” She starts, as the rest of the students file out the door, “May I perhaps have a word with you?”
The edges of Dan Heng’s mouth dip in a close approximation of a frown. “Is something wrong, Dr. Murata?” He asks.
Himeko shakes her head, giving him a placating smile. “Not quite, or at least not in the way you’re thinking. I’ve just noticed you’ve frequently been tired or near sleeping during class, and wanted to see if there was anything happening, or if there’s anything I could do to help?”
Dan Heng blinked, tired eyes taking a moment to process what was just said. “Ah, right…” He begins. “I just haven’t been sleeping well. Nothing serious.”
“Hm.” Himeko makes a noise, not very convinced. “Well, I won’t pry. But if you ever need anything, I’m always available. At the very least, you can always stop by my office later if you need to review the material for the day. I don't mind scheduling some extra hours there if you need it. And I do also make a mean cup of coffee if you need to wake yourself up.”
Dan Heng nods, yawning. “Thank you for the offer, Doctor. I… may see you later in your office hours then.”
Dan Heng visits her office hours that night. She briefly goes over what she discussed in her lecture earlier in the day while Dan Heng gets out his papers and notes from the last few weeks. Once he’s ready, they go over things together, helping Dan Heng catch up on what he’s missed. It helps that Himeko keeps her workspace very organized. Any question Dan Heng has, she can answer easily- and if she can’t, she knows where to look. It’s a system she’s perfected over the years (no thanks to Welt’s influence).
The bags under his eyes aren't as prominent after that, and he's able to absorb her material more easily, so she teaches for a bit. After long, however, she's gone over everything and Dan Heng doesn't seem quite ready to leave. He's too polite to admit it, but the kid just seems like he needs a break. So Himeko starts to talk. She dances from topic to topic, talking about some of the most recent astronomical news, or her own stories from being a student, to upcoming campus events. He reminds Himeko a little bit of Welt, she realizes.
“Have you thought at all what you’re going to declare as your major, Dan Heng?” Himeko asks suddenly.
Dan Heng blinks. “A little bit, I suppose. But I don’t think I can say anything definitive yet. I’m still…” He pauses for a moment, thinking. “Absorbing what I can, I suppose, from the courses I take this year.”
“That’s fair.” Himeko says with a smile. “It’s good to keep your net wide, and your mind open.”
“Yes, I think so too.” Dan Heng says. He rises to his feet, grabbing his bags and papers. “I should probably get going. I have other homework that needs doing. Thank you for the help, Dr. Murata.”
“Of course.” Himeko nods. “I hope you sleep better tonight, Dan Heng.”
Dan Heng freezes for an almost imperceptibly brief moment, before continuing. “As do I, Doctor.”
Dan Heng does not show up for the next class he has with Himeko. It isn’t until later on in the day that she receives an email from him, apologizing and asking for the materials from that day’s class.
Himeko types up a reply, providing the materials in question- but pauses for a moment before hitting send. This is… beginning to move past a simple concern. If he simply didn't care, he wouldn't go through with asking for materials or meeting with Himeko during office hours. Not to mention the eye bags. At this point, it's clear that something is happening beyond simple insomnia, for it to be getting worse in this way.
‘Dan Heng,
Here are my lecture notes and discussion notes from this morning’s class. I’ve also already posted the readings and homework on the course website as well, so you can have those ready for next class. Feel free to contact me again if you have any questions.’
Himeko reviews what she's written for a moment, and then continues typing.
‘Is everything going okay outside of class? It seems as though this insomnia is getting worse. Have you considered speaking to someone about it? Or at least consulting with the University’s medical staff? I’m also willing to lend an ear if need be.
Doctor Murata’
She hits send on the email before she has a chance to reconsider.
Himeko isn’t sure what she was expecting when someone knocked on her office door after hours, but it certainly wasn’t an exhausted looking Dan Heng carrying a backpack and with a small girl. The backpack looks to be overstuffed, dragging down Dan Heng’s exhausted shoulders with a weight Himeko couldn’t even imagine. The girl stands at his side, looking uncertain, but with a special fierceness in her eyes Himeko can recognize.
“Dan Heng?” Himeko asks, stepping aside to let him and the girl in. “What’s going on…?”
Dan Heng lifts the girl up onto the guest seat, and leans against the wall, letting the door to Himeko’s office gently close on its own. “...Sorry, Dr. Murata, I just wasn’t sure who else to turn to. I don’t mean to impose.”
Himeko brushes her papers aside on her desk, leaning against it. Somehow, sitting down in her own chair doesn’t feel right. “If there’s something going on, I’m glad to help but… an explanation might be in order first?” Himeko pushes gently. She only hopes she doesn’t come off as callous. She wants to help, but she needs to understand.
Dan Heng exhales. “It’s… going to be a bit of a long story.”
“That’s alright. Take all the time you need.”
Dan Heng looks at the young girl, who nods back, and then he begins. “I’ll start by admitting that I haven’t been completely honest with you about my academic struggles. While I have been struggling with sleep, yes, there’s more to it than that. In truth, I’ve been caring for my half sister, Bailu. Our father, Dan Feng, has been…” Dan Heng trails off. His eyes wander, searching the room for the right words to continue. “Absent, I suppose would be the best way to describe it.”
The young girl, Bailu, speaks up. Her words carry a weight older than her years. “He walked out.”
“...Indeed.” Dan Heng continues. “He walked out on us just a week before the semester began. I’ve been trying to keep the two of us afloat since then, but it’s been a struggle.” He pauses, unable to look Himeko in the face. “I don’t mean to impose on you, Doctor, but I would appreciate some advice. I’m beginning to run out of options.”
“I…” Himeko falters. To think that this is what her student was going through, all this time. No child should have to experience that, and especially not one so young as Bailu. And yet, what can she do? Can she do anything at all? “Is there anyone you can contact for direct help? Extended family members? Family friends?”
Dan Heng looks down, no longer meeting her gaze. “We don’t really have any family beyond our father. Our mothers aren’t in the picture, and our father has no siblings.” He looks down for a moment, and Himeko swears she sees an expression of bitterness flash across his face for a moment, but whatever that was, it fades as soon as it appears. “There is one person, an old friend of our father, but he’s- He hasn’t been around in a few years. Busy with work.” He shakes his head. “Too far to help us.”
Himeko’s heart bleeds for them. She thinks back to her own past- the death of her mother when she was young, her father’s absence in his operations with the military. So much of her youth without anyone there for her, to care for her. It wasn’t until much later in her life that she met Welt, and had anyone to look out for her. It’s a lonely life. A difficult life. And now here she is, face to face with two children in the same position, one of them barely old enough to be living on his own, much less care for a child. No one to look after them.
Only… That isn’t true, is it?
There is one person who can do so.
Can she…?
Himeko takes a deep breath. Regardless of what she can, or should do, in this situation, she needs to think. Take things one step at a time. “...When’s the last time either of you ate?” she starts.
“This morning, breakfast.” Dan Heng replies.
Bailu sighs. “He means I had breakfast. He hasn’t eaten since last night.”
Himeko looks pointedly at Dan Heng, who still refuses to meet her eyes. No wonder the boy has so little energy all the time.
“Well then,” Himeko starts, “Before anything else, you two both need to eat.” She grabs her keys off her desk and motions for them to follow her.
Dan Heng tenses. “What are you…?”
Himeko gives him a soft smile. “There’s a diner I like to go to on my way home sometimes. They serve good, filling food. You two need to eat, and I don’t keep anything in my office except coffee. So, I’m bringing you two with me tonight.” Sensing Dan Heng’s continued uncertainty, she continues. “It’ll be okay Dan Heng. If you’re worried about either of us getting in trouble because I’m your professor, things like this aren’t all that uncommon. Some advisors will treat their students to celebration dinners at graduation.”
“You aren’t my advisor,” Dan Heng observes.
“That’s okay.” Himeko replies, and gestures to Bailu. “And your sister needs to eat too, doesn't she?”
Dan Heng looks at Bailu, whose eyes lit up when Himeko mentioned a diner, and relents. “Alright. I suppose food is a good idea.”
The diner is quiet this time of day, just after the dinner rush. Only one other table in the diner is occupied, and the area is quiet enough for the three of them to continue to talk in peace. Himeko sips her coffee, giving Dan Heng the space to find his words, while Bailu wolfs down her food. Dan Heng simply watches for a time, even as Bailu encourages him to partake in his own dinner. He puts up a token resistance, but capitulates easily, either too starving to seriously avoid eating, or too unwilling to disappoint his half sister. He eats slowly, uncertainly. But he does eat. And eventually, he speaks up once more. “...I appreciate the food, Doctor Murata.” He starts. Even now, he seems to be doing his best to keep himself composed. Likely for Bailu’s sake, Himeko notes to herself sadly. To see her caretaker and brother falling apart would… not be good for someone so young. “Like I mentioned earlier, I would appreciate advice. I’m uncertain how to handle this.”
Himeko fights a frown. Advice is far from what Dan Heng needs the most right now but… She needs to be delicate. Take things at his pace. “Well, I suppose we should start by determining the most pressing matter.” She begins. “What would you say that is?”
“Food.” Dan Heng admits, looking down at his own plate. “If it were only myself, it wouldn’t be an issue. But my student meal plan doesn’t provide enough to feed two people, and my job doesn’t pay enough for me to feed myself.”
“He’s been giving me the food he gets from his meal plan.” Bailu interjects.
Himeko nods. Not surprising, she supposes. Most students can barely manage a minimum wage part-time job. “Well then, it may not be a bad idea to check in with some of the programs the school has. There are a few I know of that provide extra food and resources to the students who struggle more to meet those ends. I could provide a list for you.” She offers, getting ready to pull her phone up and get a list going, when Dan Heng shakes his head.
“I don’t qualify for any of them, unfortunately. I don’t meet the income requirements.”
Now that makes Himeko pause. How could he not meet the income requirements if he’s struggling to afford food? “You don’t? Where do you work?” She finds herself asking.
“I’ve been working at the local public library.” Dan Heng’s mouth twitches into a frown. “There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I’m not struggling with food because I’m not making money. I’m struggling to afford food because I’ve been putting all of my money towards rent on our apartment, and keeping Bailu in school.”
Wait, what?
Himeko stiffens, and her eyes widen slightly. This- This is a lot more than she was even expecting. She looks over to Bailu for a moment, and then back to Dan Heng, and wonders if they even know how precarious the situation they find themself in is. Foolishly, Himeko realizes she had been assuming Dan Heng was living in a dorm, and was simply sneaking his sister in with him. The fact that Dan Heng can even afford to keep themselves housed in the current state of the economy is frankly a miracle. Homelessness for the two is likely only a matter of time.
She takes a breath, steadying herself. That isn’t something she can simply let happen. Yes, maybe she’s thinking with her emotions more than with her brain right now, and maybe this is only because of how much she sees herself in Dan Heng, but… She can’t let herself watch this happen to even one person, much less two. Not while she has the power and means to stop it. She could never forgive herself otherwise.
Of course, that all depends on whether or not the two will accept.
“Dan Heng,” She finally begins, pushing her coffee aside and sitting up straight, “All of this, this is a lot for one person to handle, even if they were living alone. And you have a little kid to look after. My advice is that you need a lot more than advice. You need help.”
Being told you need help is never an easy thing to accept, especially when you’re only an eighteen year old. But to his credit, Dan Heng simply closes his eyes, and exhales. “...You’re right. I think I may have been too stubborn to admit that myself. But I cannot do this alone.”
For a moment, Himeko sees through his composure and poker face, finds herself face-to-face with the reality of what Dan Heng is going through. She sees a fragile, overwhelmed young man struggling to keep himself and his sister afloat, panicking as he flails in the ocean. She sees the face of someone facing a struggle far beyond his years, untethered from the life he should be living.
Eventually, Dan Heng slumps down in his seat, allowing that moment of vulnerability. “Anything you can help with would be appreciated.”
Himeko deliberates for a moment. The best thing to do would be to remove Dan Heng and Bailu from the situation completely. Provide for them, as best she can. And… Well, she can afford that. Quite easily, in fact. Being one of the foremost astrophysicists and rocket engineers in the country has its perks. The real question is if Dan Heng will accept something that direct.
“Well, I have some resources I can pull from, give you access to. I was in a similar situation at one point in my life, so I know some of how to handle it, but…” She pauses, glancing over the two of them. “I could also provide something more direct, if you’re willing.”
“Direct?” Dan Heng asks.
She takes a deep breath. It’s now or never. “The two of you could stay with me for a while.”
Dan Heng’s mouth opens, the most expressive Himeko has ever seen him. Even Bailu has taken a break from eating to gawp at Himeko. “Is… Is that allowed?” She asks, in Dan Heng’s place.
Himeko nods. “It is. Even if it’s just temporary, people who are struggling go to live with others all the time. And it wouldn’t be the first time a teacher had someone who lived with them as a student.”
Dan Heng opens and closes his mouth a few times before finally finding his words again. “That’s… Far too much for me to ask for from you.” He manages.
Himeko simply smiles. “Well, you didn’t ask. I offered.” She watches Dan Heng’s eyebrows knit together in uncertainty, a war clearly waging in his mind. Accepting help is something she recalls struggling with vividly, even after acknowledging her own need for it. It took far too long for her to give in and accept Welt’s assistance when she was in school, for instance. Pride can be a hell of a drug. Himeko reaches over and pats Dan Heng’s hand reassuringly. “You can say no, Dan Heng. I’m not interested in forcing you to do anything. But this is something I know I can do for you, and I could never forgive myself if I didn’t at least extend the offer.”
Dan Heng says nothing for a while, as his eyes flick over to Bailu, still reeling from the offer herself. But Himeko knows what’s going through his head. It isn’t just help for him she’s offering, it’s help for Bailu too. And he knows that.
Finally, he swallows.
“I… You’re far too kind to me, Doctor Murata. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to pay you back.”
“You don’t have to.”
He looks to Bailu. Bailu nods.
Dan Heng takes a shaky breath. His eyes grow misty. “Then… I accept.”
Himeko nods, grinning, and finds that her own eyes are a little wet as well. “Let’s finish up here, then, and you can tell me where your apartment is so we can grab your things.”
Himeko’s home has never been anything spectacular by most people's standards. It is, if she's being perfectly honest, a bit of a mess, with old papers and notes scattered around tables, books haphazardly placed around the house wherever she was last reading them, miscellaneous astronomical instruments in the strangest locations, the entire building smells faintly like coffee, and is overall the complete opposite of how she keeps her office on campus. In short, it's perfect.
Himeko gestures for Dan Heng and Bailu to leave their things wherever. The two didn’t bring much back from their apartment, to be honest. Just a handful of personal affects each, and their clothing. It doesn’t take much effort for Himeko to piece together that they didn’t really have much anyway, and it isn’t as though she needs their furniture, she has plenty as is. Dan Heng places his backpack on the coffee table, and rests his suitcase next to it, while Bailu just flops onto the nearest couch, letting her things fall to the ground.
“Well, you two can make yourselves comfortable. I only have one guest room, though- would you two be okay with sharing?” Himeko asks, picking up Bailu’s bag and setting it with Dan Heng’s.
Dan Heng looks to Bailu, who shrugs from her position as an orb on the couch. “Sharing is fine.” He decides.
“Alright then, I’ll take these up to your room.”
The guest room, unlike the rest of the home, looks relatively untouched. It takes a moment for Himeko to even remember the last time someone used it- Siegfried and Cecilia, if she recalls correctly? And that was years ago.
Regardless, she places the two bags on the bed, and pulls down the air mattress she keeps in the closet, setting it up and letting the air pump before making her way back through the hall and into the living room.
As she makes her way down the hall, she can faintly overhear the two having a short conversation.
“Do you really think she’ll let us stay here? For a while?” Bailu asks.
Dan Heng responds after a short pause. “I don’t know. I think she may. She has been kind to me. But I don’t know.”
Himeko stops for a moment, before stepping into the room once more. “Alright, I’ve got your things in the bedroom.” She sits down on the couch, opposite Dan Heng and Bailu. Bailu is clearly trying to hide her nervous fidgeting, while Dan Heng simply sits still. “I know this is probably a lot at once. I don’t want to overwhelm the two of you, or at least not any more than I might have already, so… What do you two want to do from here?”
Dan Heng blinks. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, what do you want to do for tonight? You could go straight to bed, or do something, or just… relax for a while?” Himeko smiles kindly at the two.
Dan Heng and Bailu look at each other, seemingly in thought. After a moment, Bailu shrugs. “I’m kinda sleepy… So I might just go to bed. But Dan Heng, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Dan Heng simply makes a thoughtful noise, while Bailu pulls herself off the couch.
“Do you need anything before bed?” Himeko asks.
“I’m fine.” Bailu responds, plodding into the guest room and gently closing the door behind her.
“Don’t mind her.” Dan Heng speaks up. “She’s the type to get prideful the moment she thinks someone’s coddling her.”
Himeko shrugs. “That’s okay. We can take it at whatever pace she needs.” She turns back to Dan Heng. “What about you?”
“…Do you think you would mind showing me around?” Dan Heng asks.
“I would love to.”
Himeko takes Dan Heng through the house slowly. It isn’t a big house by any means anyway, and Himeko wants to make sure he has the time to take it all in at his own pace, waiting for him to be finished in one room before she shows him the next. He seems especially fixated on all the photos and knick knacks Himeko has around, more than anything else. Absorbing the information of her home like a sponge as he studies each room. Occasionally, he’ll ask a question about a specific item or photo, such as the photo she has of her at JPL (she was giving a guest lecture, a real highlight of her career), or the framed print of a spider web (she avoids giving the context to that one beyond saying it was a gift from a date). Mostly, however, he is silent.
Finally, they wind up in Himeko’s backyard. It’s fairly small, and not particularly well kept save for a single telescope sitting on the stone porch. Dan Heng floats over towards it, being the only real object of note, and Himeko watches him inspect it with a knowing smile. “Feel free to give it a whirl. It might not be as ideal as using it out in the wilderness, but there’s still a lot of things you can see in the night sky with it.”
Dan Heng nods his head, and places his eye on the lens, watching the stars above. “It’s different.” He observes, after a while. “Seeing the stars like this, as opposed to discussing them in class.”
“Indeed. It’s been a while since I really went stargazing myself, but I used to do it a lot. I keep this telescope to remind myself.” Himeko agrees. “It was a gift from my father, actually. I used to watch the sky a lot, when I was little.”
“Hm.” Is Dan Heng’s only response.
Eventually, Dan Heng pulls away from the telescope. “Thank you, Dr. Murata.” He says, before yawning. “I think it might be time for me to go to bed.”
“Maybe,” Himeko starts with a small laugh. “Good night, Dan Heng.”
“Good night, Dr. Murata.”
As Dan Heng walks back into Himeko’s home, Himeko turns and looks back up at the night sky. And though that night sky is obscured by the light pollution of Salt Lake City, she knows that just behind the dark is a truly luminous web of stars.
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