Ch. 4: The Thing That Appears in the Forest
The next night…
Together with Spica, I went to the Eastern Forest in search of the Gentle Star.
OO: “Wow…”
Between the trees of the forest was a place where the moonlight filtered down through the branches.
Spica: “It’s said you can only see the Gentle Star from this special place in this forest.”
That place took my breath away, looking up at the sky as the stars seemed even more beautiful.
OO: “I wonder which is the Gentle Star.”
Spica: “Let’s see…”
As Spica looked up to the sky…-
There was a strange rustling sound, and from within the trees appeared…-
OO: “A-a bear!?”
Spica: “You’re…”
The bear let out an agitated snort and moved to attack us.
Spica: “…”
As if understanding what was happening, Spica calmly moved me behind his back.
Ch. 5: The Heart of the Wish
The bear that had appeared from the forest moved closer to us…-
(What do we do?)
Spica: “This bear’s usually a gentle one, but today he seems worked up about something.”
At that time, I noticed blood flowing down the bear’s foreleg.
OO: “Spica! The bear! It’s hurt…!!”
I shouted out without thinking.
Then, as if taking that as a signal, the bear flew at us…-
OO: “!!”
Spica: “Stop!!”
Spica’s voice was low as it cut through the forest.
I slowly opened my eyes, which I had tightly shut, and…
OO: “S-Spica…!”
I looked, and Spica’s eyes which were always closed, were now open.
Spica: “…”
His gaze was sharp and threatening, and the bear had gone completely silent.
(W-wow.)
Spica slowly approached the bear…-
Spica: “You were probably attacked by a hunter. Poor thing…… the stars, the animals, and us, we’re all living things.”
Spica gently patted the bear, and as he began to treat the injury, I rushed over to help.
Spica: “Injuries like this are so sad, aren’t they.”
His voice was tinged with sadness as he spoke quietly, and suddenly he looked up at the sky.
Spica: “…this is my first time seeing it too.”
At his words, I too looked up at the starry sky and…-
I saw a star, shining with a brilliant white light.
OO: “Is that the Gentle Star?”
Spica: “Yes. The most brilliantly shining star. … I wonder, what will you wish for?”
Spica, who had already closed his eyes again, asked me kindly.
OO: “…that this one will make a speedy recovery.”
Saying so…-
Spica smiled gently, and placed his hand on top of my head.
Spica: “Me too. If two people combine the power of their wishes, I’m sure it’ll come true.”
OO: “Eh?”
Spica: “I said it before, the stars, and us, and the animals, we’re all living things. And I’m sure that power we all have is the same. That’s why the stars even have the power to grant our wish.”
This time he moved his hand from my head and clasped my hand in his.
I felt a mysterious power from Spica’s words as he spoke…-
As if making a prayer, I squeezed his hand back.
END