Ch. 10: Something Grounding (SUN)
The evening air occasionally blew through the window and caressed my cheek…-.
Ster: "OO… You asked me before. What my wish is. I finally understand. It's that I want to be at your side."
OO: "…"
It was so sudden that I found myself speechless.
I…how should I respond to that?
All sorts of things whirled about inside my head, and I stood there unable to answer…
King: "Young lady."
OO: "Y-yes."
King: "You have my heartfelt thanks for saving my son…for saving Ster."
OO: "Oh no, I…! I just… I was scared of what would happen if I could never seem him smile again…"
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Ster: "I committed it to memory so it won't disappear…so it's fine."
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…and then what…?
OO: "I didn't want it to disappear…I always wanted to see it…"
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Ster: "…you said you liked flowers."
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OO: "I…"
Something resounded within my heart.
I still couldn't put it to words, and I simply gripped the necklace he'd given me…
King: "Ster."
Ster: "Yes."
King: "I couldn't possibly have any objections to your request."
Saying so, the king stood from his seat.
King: "Go."
Ster calmly bowed before the king, then held his hand out to me.
After some time riding on the falling star, we were alone in the quiet night sky.
The journey through the starry sky was as beautiful as ever, and I looked only at the stars, unable to look at Ster's eyes.
Ster: "OO."
I jumped slightly as he called my name.
Ster: "…did I startle you?"
OO: "Just a little…"
He chuckled, then pulled me into his chest.
Ster: "…it's not like I wanted a response. I've always wanted something solid, grounding. And I found it…this feeling."
OO: "Ster…?"
Ster: "I love you."
OO: "…"
His voice sounded near my ear, and he pulled me in tightly…
Ster: "I've decided. I'm going to give this life for the sake of my country, and for you. Like how the Stardust Clock shines so strongly now… I want you with everything I am."
When he'd finished speaking, he gently placed a kiss on my cheek.
OO: "…"
A sweet tingling sensation spread through my body and I almost stopped breathing.
Ster: "OO…"
Ster looked at me with profound love in his eyes.
The night was clad in thousands and thousands of stars sparkling in the heavens…-.
I felt myself locked in his eyes, just as the stars were trapped in the night sky, and found myself wanting to melt into them.
END