Ch. 1: The Gentle Star
Kingdom of Pertere in the Land of Stars, Month of Air…
Beneath the sky overflowing with stars, I sought out one particularly brilliant star.
(I wonder where it is.)
Having been invited to this country by Prince Spica, I had heard of a beutiful legend.
Within the night sky there is said to be a particular star that outshines all the rest, and if one makes a wish on that star, no matter the desire, that wish will come true…
(Which star is it…)
While looking at the twinkling, sparkling stars, I let out a great sigh.
(It’s no use. I just can’t seem to find it.)
Spica: “OO?”
OO: “Spica.”
I looked to my side and noticed Spica standing there, a gentle smile on his face.
Spica: “What are you doing? You’ll catch a cold.”
OO: “I heard about the wonderful legend in your country.”
Spica: “Ah yes, the story of the Gentle Star. If I remember right, there’s a bright star over there in the northern sky.”
OO: “Spica…that’s south.”
Spica: “Oh. Well, since there are bright stars everywhere, I can’t really tell.”
Just as Spica had said, the distant sky was full of countless stars, shining and twinkling.
Ch. 2: Life of a Star
Spica: “The Gentle Star…originally, it was a fairy tale. The story of a kind star that would grant the people’s wishes.”
OO: “Really? I heard that it was a star that shone particularly bright and would grant only one wish.”
Hearing that it was a fairy tale, I became embarrassed with how adamantly I had been searching for the star.
Spica: “OO, what would you wish for?”
OO: “You won’t laugh?”
Spica: “Laugh? Why would I do that?”
OO: “What about you? Do you believe in the legend?”
Spica: “Of course.”
Spica: “After all, the stars are alive. They breathe just as we do. They move just like we do. And they live and die, just like we do.”
OO: “…”
Spica: “The stars are alive. So if you tell them your wish, they will certainly accept it.”
(That’s kind of a big scale story. なんだか、スケールの大きな話だけど)
OO: “I think so too.”
As I said it, Spica smiled kindly.
Spica: “Come on, let’s go back to the castle. You mustn’t catch a cold.”
Spica turned to go but…
OO: “Spica! That’s not the way to the castle gate…”
Spica: “Ah, sorry. I’m always sleeping at this time so I just got a little turned around.”
(…does he have no sense of direction?)
Beneath the star-filled sky, I chased after Spica and we walked back to the castle.
Ch. 3: Spica's Horoscope
After we had returned to Spica’s castle…-
Spica: “Pretty, isn’t it?”
OO: “Wow…”
Projected on the ceiling of Spica’s room was an entire sky full of stars.
OO: “Is it a planetarium? It’s beautiful!”
Spica: “Is that what you call it in the world you came from? It’s a projection of the real night sky. With this, I can hear the voices of the stars any time.”
OO: “It’s the real sky? That’s amazing!”
Spica: “Do you want to try?”
Saying so, Spica slowly pulled out a crystal on a chain, and held it up to the night sky on the ceiling.
Spica: “It seems there’s another star being born in the Melt Nebula. And the stars are blessing it. However… in the mean time, the light of the Tiol star grows faint. It should be careful for a little while.”
I could only blink at his words.
Spica: “Ah, sorry. It’s kind of like fortunetelling. Is there anything you’d like to know?”
OO: “Well then…how does my luck look?”
Spica: “…”
At my answer, Spica fell into a silence akin to prayer.
Spica: “Right, your fortune looks good. They say even if something unexpected happens, you won’t have any reason to be surprised.”
OO: “Well then…how does my future with love look?”
Spica: “…”
As the crystal swung slightly, Spica was silent for a moment.
Spica: “Let’s see…slowly, the stars are starting to move.”
OO: “Speaking of the stars…is the Gentle Star here?”
Spica: “…”
Once again Spica fell to silence, and the crystal sparkled.
Spica: “If you go to the forest to the east tomorrow, you should be able to see it. However… the stars are a little anxious.”
OO: “….we probably shouldn’t go then.”
I spoke that, feeling a little disappointed.
Spica: “Your face says how disappointed you are. I’ll come along, so let’s go.”
OO: “I’d like to go to that forest.”
Spica: “Hmmm…alright, if you take me with you, it should be okay.”
He lowered his eyes a little and smiled at me.
And so we were to go to the Eastern Forest the next day.