Chapter Text
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||Childhood||
A beautiful and nostalgic stage of human life, beginning at birth and associated with immaturity and innocence.
A stage from which one must eventually break free to become their own master.
Often used as a metaphor for a life without reason—dark, ignorant.
The path toward an enlightened, conscious, and rational adulthood.
A period of development where foundations are laid, skills are acquired, and emotional bonds are formed that will shape adult life.
And also...
The best time to make promises. Promises that may become a beautiful reunion in the future—or your greatest regret.
"Promise...
What an annoying word"
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∆∆∆
Somewhere in a city in Japan, two children around the age of eight were running and laughing, one chasing the other.
A cheerful and playful girl led the race. Behind her, a black-haired boy with a big smile tried to keep up.
After running for a few minutes, the girl glanced back and noticed how exhausted he looked.
"Hey! Don't stop now, it's this way!" she shouted, waving her hand.
"I'm coming... Just... give me a second," the boy panted, trying to catch his breath. "Why are you in such a hurry? And where exactly are we going?"
"That's a surprise," the girl replied mischievously. "We better hurry, it's getting dark, and we don't want our parents to worry, right?"
"Ugh... Fine..." he groaned, picking up his pace. "Show me this so-called surprise."
"Don't be like that," she said, laughing. "I'm sure you'll love it."
After a long walk, they arrived at a wide clearing filled with grass and a few bushes—the perfect place for a picnic on a sunny day. But that wasn't why they came.
"H-hey... was it really necessary to cover my eyes...?"
"Of course! It's supposed to be a surprise, dummy," she replied. "Or do you not trust me enough to put your life in my hands?"
"I-it's not that... it's just..." he stammered, unsure of what to say. "Never mind! I trust you completely."
"Good... then trust me right now and open your eyes," she whispered, slowly removing her hands from his face.
When the boy opened his eyes, he was left breathless. Before him stretched a starry sky, clear and brilliant.
A huge smile spread across his face, overflowing with joy. From there, the Milky Way was clearly visible. He could say without a doubt that this was the most beautiful place he had ever been.
"Judging by your face and that big smile, you liked the surprise."
"This is amazing!" he exclaimed, turning to her. "How did you find this place? How long have you known about it? And why didn't you tell me sooner?" he bombarded her with questions, his excitement nearly pressing his face against hers.
"W-well..." the girl struggled to stay composed at the closeness. "A few weeks ago, I overheard some people mention it... and curiosity got the better of me, so I investigated."
"You've known about this place for weeks and didn't tell us?" the boy said, confused.
"W-well... I didn't because I wanted to wait for the right moment," she replied shyly.
"The right moment?"
"I needed to gather the courage..." she whispered, too softly for him to hear.
"Did you say something?"
"N-nothing! Just talking to myself," she replied quickly.
"Really?" he asked, but soon brushed it off, since the starry sky had now completely captivated him.
They both gazed at the stars in silence, until the boy furrowed his brows.
"You know... it's a shame," he said.
"What is?" the girl asked.
"That only the two of us get to see this. If she hadn't gone on that trip, we could all be here."
"..."
"You know, like we always do."
"..."
"The great Pleiades gang reunited in this amazing place! You, me, and..."
"Don't say her name..." the girl interrupted, her voice dark.
"Eh?" was all he could say.
"..."
"Wait... don't tell me you're still mad about what happened?" he asked, scratching his head, slightly blushing.
"Of course I'm still mad..." she snapped. "I'll never forgive what she did," she mumbled, frowning as small tears welled up.
"Come on... it wasn't that big a deal," he tried to cheer her up.
But the mood suddenly turned heavy.
The little girl began emanating a dark aura, like a character from fiction with murderous intent.
The boy gulped. This wasn't going to end well.
"Not that big a deal...? NOT THAT BIG A DEAL?!"
"H-hey..." he tried to speak, but she cut him off.
"I'll never forgive that... that... homewrecker cat!"
"Eh?"
"Just because she's a little taller and stronger, she thought she had the right! Just because she met you first... how dare she... that shameless girl... always wearing so little, she's nothing but a lit--"
"Okay, okay, calm down!" the boy interrupted, trying to ease her rage.
"I'll never forgive her for stealing your first kiss! And she had the nerve to do it in front of me!"
The boy blushed deeply and looked away, desperate to avoid eye contact.
The girl was breathing hard, still recovering from her outburst. After a moment, she straightened up and took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
The boy watched her, speechless. Just moments ago they were admiring the stars, and now his childhood friend looked ready to commit murder.
A sudden clap from her snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Anyway, we're here to admire the stars," she said with unsettling calm.
"R-right... let's look at the stars," he replied with a nervous laugh. "Shall we sit?"
"Oh, yes. I'd love that," she answered sweetly, the tension seemingly gone.
They sat and remained silent, gazing at the sky.
But that peace was soon broken by the girl's voice.
"Hey... I brought you here not just to show you this place, but because I have something important to tell you."
"Hm?" he turned to look at her. "What is it?"
She was visibly nervous, but stood up quickly and gave her cheeks a light slap, trying to muster courage.
"You know... ever since I met you, I've had so much fun. Every moment by your side has been a joy.
"Because of you, I started liking stars and learned a lot. I got to know myself better and met amazing people.
"What I want to say is... you're kind, attentive, and generous. You're a wonderful person, and I'm really happy I met you."
She paused to catch her breath.
"You've been a great friend to me this whole time."
"You... really see me that way?" the boy asked, surprised, slowly standing to face her. "I don't know why you're telling me this, but it really makes me happy."
She smiled, but her nerves returned as she prepared to say something even more important.
"Do you remember when you asked me what my favorite constellation was and I didn't have an answer?"
"Of course. You bring it up because now you have one?"
"Exactly..."
She pointed at the sky, eyes shut tightly.
"That... that's the constellation I fell in love with!"
The boy looked where she was pointing, trying to identify it.
After a few seconds that felt like an eternity to her, he finally recognized it.
"I see... You have good taste," he said calmly. "But that's not a constellation. It's an open star cluster in the constellation Taurus. Also known as the Seven Sisters."
A long, awkward silence followed.
The girl looked stunned. Then, slowly, tears welled in her eyes.
That's when he realized... he messed up.
"S-sorry if that came off rude!" he said quickly. "I didn't mean to upset you. It was just a small correction anyone could have made."
Drying her tears and clenching her fists, the girl sighed and stared at him.
"You... You idiot!" she shouted. "All that courage I built up and you didn't even realize it. You really are dense."
"Courage? Realize what?" he repeated, trying to make sense of it.
"I pointed to those stars by their Japanese name and said I fell in love! I planned a special way to tell you... and you didn't get it!"
"Get what?"
"That I'm in love with you!" she yelled, blushing deeply.
He froze. Processing her words.
"I'm in love with you..."
Was it a misunderstanding? Did he hear wrong?
No. He couldn't deny it. It was real.
The feelings he had hidden... were mutual.
His face turned crimson. He didn't know what to say, but he had to say something.
"I... I'm really happy," was all he managed.
"This was something I really wanted to tell you," she said, looking down. "I wanted to say it... before I leave."
His blush vanished, replaced by pale shock.
"Before you leave?"
"The truth is... in a few days I'm moving to another city. I don't know where exactly, but... it'll be far. Maybe... we'll never see each other again."
It hit him like a bucket of ice.
Just when he learned his childhood crush felt the same... fate was tearing them apart.
"No, that can't be... there's still so much I want to see and do with you," he said, tears rolling down his cheeks.
She couldn't hold back anymore and cried.
"I'm sorry... I really wanted more time with you. I wanted to know you better. I wanted... to be your girlfriend."
He was stunned. Just a small, naïve boy.
He barely understood love, much less relationships. What was he supposed to do?
Before him stood the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, drowning in tears.
He wanted to grant every wish she voiced. But he knew he couldn't.
Still... just because it seemed impossible didn't mean it truly was.
If they tried, if he tried... maybe they could meet again one day.
That was his conclusion.
With newfound confidence, he faced her.
"Let's make a promise," he declared boldly.
"A... promise?"
"Yes. A promise to meet again in the future."
She was speechless. Why hadn't she thought of that?
Just because they'd be apart didn't mean they couldn't reunite.
He stepped back and dramatically pointed at the sky.
"Here and now, I promise: no matter how much time passes, we will meet again. And when we do—I'll make you my girlfriend!"
She was stunned.
Tears returned, but now from joy. She smiled and hugged him tightly.
"Uwah!" he gasped.
"Promise you won't forget me? That we'll meet again when we're older?"
He knew it would be hard, but he wouldn't give up.
He smiled, knowing exactly what to say.
"Of course. I'm a man of my word, and I always keep my promises."
She smiled even wider, hugging him tighter.
"Thank you... really, thank you."
With that promise engraved in his heart, that black-haired boy with amber eyes felt like the luckiest kid in the world.
After all... he'd promised to become the boyfriend of the most beautiful girl in the world.
That long, moon-like white hair... the star-shaped hairpin that made her look even cuter... those beautiful violet jewel-like eyes, those pointy ears that made her seem like a fantasy being, and that lovely black dress. Everything about her was like a dream.
As they embraced, they longed for the day they'd meet again.
They were sure it would be the happiest day of their lives.
Or maybe not...
∆∆∆
A cold wind blew across his body. The moonlight on his face stirred him from sleep. Slowly, with clear annoyance, he opened his eyes.
He was in his room, on his bed. Still nighttime. He glanced at the clock.
3:33 a.m.
Still hours before sunrise. He tried to go back to sleep, but another cold wind stopped him.
He sat up to find the source. His window, slightly open.
Irritated, he got up and walked to close it. But when he touched it, he noticed the clear sky outside. The stars were visible despite the city lights.
He paused, choosing to admire them. Rarely did he get to see them so clearly without going to the countryside.
As he stared, his mind wandered.
A year had passed since he moved to Tokyo. Time had flown.
He remembered all the crazy things that happened his first two months there.
He was mugged by thugs, rescued by an angel and a handsome guy, chased by twins who thought he was a criminal, made two great friends, and met many interesting people.
What a wild year.
Now, he was about to begin his second year of high school.
He couldn't wait for tomorrow... or rather, today.
The clock now read 4:21 a.m.
He had spent almost an hour staring at the stars.
If he didn't go back to bed soon, he wouldn't be rested for his first day.
He returned to the comfort of his bed, eager for another year of what many saw as boring school life.
But for him, it was the opposite. He looked forward to more adventures with his friends.
As he drifted off to sleep, he had no idea what awaited him.
New friendships, unexpected reunions... and old promises.
This was the beginning of Natsuki Subaru's second year at Lugunica High School.