A Night of Shimmering Stars

That's odd... Where did I put it?

Oh, Rover, you came at just the right time. Have you spotted a thin booklet in the lecture hall with a plain cover?

Really? Thanks, Rover. I remember after I took the booklet out, I never left the lecture hall.

I've searched through this side of the lecture hall. Let's split up and check the other side.

Under the stars, we are both observers and part of the cosmos itself. When you close this guide, your real journey has only just begun. Forget the names of the constellations. What matters is that you looked up and let the starlight in. The moment you first lost yourself in the beauty of the stars is more precious than any astronomical fact. A gentle reminder for every stargazer: 1. There's no need to bring advanced telescopes. A curious heart is all you need. 2. Pick a night when the moon is shy, and the sky is clear. 3. Bring a star chart, a flashlight, and a friend who'd love to share the quiet of a starlit night with you. When the starlight touches you, remember this: every cell, every fiber, every element that makes you who you are was born in the heart of a star. You are, in your own way, stardust made manifest. May the stars always bring you peace and inspiration. Dedicated to all those who have ever stopped and looked up. Appendix: Lahai-Roi Stargazing Calendar ...

Great, you found it, Rover.

...Yes. And not just me, my friends will be there too.

We made this promise when we first came to Startorch Academy. But the school system and personal pursuits have sent us to different departments.

We don't really talk or hang out like before. We have so much to tell, and so many stories to share, but we rarely find the right moment.

So we figured we needed something to bring us back together. To everyone else, my friends and I probably just look like the quiet and boring type…

Fireworks or big, loud parties aren't really our style. So we chose something you just have to look up to see—the stars.

We can lie under the stars, talk about the things we love, and enjoy the tranquility that's just for us.

I was just going through this guide, trying to find the perfect time and spot to see the stars so I could tell my friends.

Huh? The Spacetrek Observatory's already been rebuilt? If that's the case, it's definitely the best stargazing spot.

Would you like to join us, Rover? The guide says tonight's sky will be especially beautiful.

Then let's go tell my friends the news.

Phew... Finally, a message!

Dear user, complete your transaction now to enjoy... Ugh, that same message again.

Great, the only things hitting my phone this week are just spam texts and the Academy's drink bot.

Has everyone really forgotten it?

You mean our promise to watch the stars?

Ang!

Sorry, I've been a bit busy lately. I'm only getting around to telling you today.

Oh, and this is Rover, from my department...

The Observatory? You mean we can actually go to a real observatory to watch the stars? Wait, my camera! Where's my camera...?

No need to over-prepare. Our great photographer can make do with a phone or the Terminal camera this time.

Don't be fooled by how unreliable he seems, Rover. He's actually the most perceptive of us.

He fell in love with photography. Instead of trying to invent something that would shock the world, he'd rather make a B movie that genuinely moves people.

Of course, it's way cooler when a crappy movie still moves people.

Alright, then tonight's shoot is in the hands of our future B-movie director. Let's meet at 10 p.m., Rover. We should go tell my other friend.

...The "Fundamentals of Phase Coating Theory and Techniques" exam is on Monday. Great, I haven't read a single chapter yet...

Then there's the "Consciousness Field Theory" exam on Tuesday. That one's okay, I guess. Just one big chapter left to go through… Not like the earlier chapters gave much away for the answers anyway.

Wednesday, "Roya Socio-Cultural History." I'll cram it on Wednesday morning. And there's the campus virtual idol online concert this weekend, so it'll be another all-nighter...

What about today?

Today? Today I just feel like going outside and looking up at the sky... Oh, Ang, you're here.

Looks like our busy bee at least subconsciously remembered our promise. So, what do you say? I already checked the guide for tonight's best stargazing time.

Right, this is my classmate Rover. We found the perfect time and spot for stargazing. Now all we need are the right people to be there.

Of course I won't miss something like this...

But your courses...

Studying is all about balancing work and rest. But whether I work first or rest first… well, that's up to myself.

Okay, but do take care of yourself. I'd feel terrible if you ditched your studies because of us. See you at 10 tonight.

Now, that's everyone from our side invited. Rover, is there anyone you'd like to bring along?

Cool. Let's all get ready and meet at the Spacetrek Observatory tonight at ten.

Rover? What brings you here?

Oh, don't worry. Everything still looks normal. And if anything does come up again, I promise I won't try to handle it alone.

Something else?

Want to go stargazing at the Spacetrek Observatory together? Since it was rebuilt, you've been busy recruiting and handling all the follow-up work. I don't think I've seen you take a real break.

According to the Lahai-Roi Stargazing Guide, the Sky Projection Array will simulate a one-of-a-kind sky tonight.

It's the perfect chance to set your duties aside and just be an ordinary stargazer, to really soak in the beauty and wonder for yourself.

To soak in the beauty and wonder as an ordinary stargazer... Mm-hmm, let's go together.

You're here, Rover! Oh, so you invited Miss Dhalifa!

Mm-hmm, Ang once asked me about some basic astronomy.

Hehe, it's never too late to arrive tonight. Lahai-Roi's starry sky was just waiting for one more audience.

Hey, look at those stars in a circle. Don't they kind of look like the "modified Startack" on Professor Mornye's head?

Yeah, they're so bright. Thanks to Professor Mornye and the others, we can now see such a beautiful night sky.

And look over there. If you connect those stars, it totally looks like Professor Carl's big nose.

Then those stars must have a runny nose, kinda like they're saying in a really stuffy voice, "Wow, what a one hot pile of academic junk!"

Oh, then that shooting star must be… their trail of snot.

Ew, that sounds gross.

Indeed. What do you think, Rover? Miss Dhalifa?

Haha. Well, snot or shooting star, how about we make a wish on it anyway?

Sure!

So... what did you guys wish for?

Shh, you can't say it out loud or it won't come true.

Haha. Would you help me capture this moment under the stars? I'd love to keep it forever.

I still want to know... what did you all just wish for?

Not telling you. But... it does have something to do with all of us.

I want to see starry nights like tonight countless more times. Will you still be with me by then?

Of course I will. It'd be pretty lonely to let you have this whole sky all to yourself, wouldn't it?

Yeah. Rover, did you have a good time tonight?

That's great! Thank you for watching the stars with us. If you don't mind, we would like to invite you again next time.

Whenever you're ready, welcome aboard. The three of us will be here for you, always.

Phew... Finally, a message!

Dear user, complete your transaction now to enjoy... Ugh, that same message again.

Great, the only things hitting my phone this week are just spam texts and the Academy's drink bot.

Has everyone really forgotten it?

...The "Fundamentals of Phase Coating Theory and Techniques" exam is on Monday. Great, I haven't read a single chapter yet...

Then there's the "Consciousness Field Theory" exam on Tuesday. That one's okay, I guess. Just one big chapter left to go through… Not like the earlier chapters gave much away for the answers anyway.

Wednesday, "Roya Socio-Cultural History." I'll cram it on Wednesday morning. And there's the campus virtual idol online concert this weekend, so it'll be another all-nighter...

Ugh, why should a student handle so much stuff?

How about this spot?

Looks good... You two should just stand next to Dhalifa.

Face the lens and strike whatever pose you like!

Three, two, one, cheese!

Let's try another pose...

How about we do it like this...

One last shot...

Are we done? Let me see, let me see!

Well?

This one... and this one too. They all look great!

Thank you, Rover, for inviting me here.

Thanks to that, I'm more certain about the Observatory's purpose. It's not just about controlling Lahai-Roi's climate...

Now it also carries everyone's hopes for something beautiful. If I could still see a starry sky like tonight's for another hundred or even a thousand times...

I don't think I'll ever get tired of it!