Ouroboros
...It's cold.
I adjusted my clothes as I hurried my steps home.
Today was quite an unlucky day.
I've got so many complaints from customers during my shift at the convenience store.
My replacement arrived 30 minutes late without a word.
And the sudden cold snap made the commute home way colder than usual.
...Well, I guess today's just one of those days.
My experience tells me something super bothersome is bound to happen on a day like this.
The smartest move right now is to go home and catch up on some anime.
But things in this world never go the way you want them to.
Like that blonde girl over there standing in the middle of the road, staring this way...
Finally...
I've found you.
I looked around, but there was no one else around.
The road I take home isn't usually this deserted.
But for some reason, the streets were eerily empty, as if everyone promised to be elsewhere.
Captain... your home is a place like this...
The one before me was a girl with a mystical aura. As if she came from another world.
Her long blonde hair and navy blue eyes shimmered even in the darkness.
Are you talking to me?
Yes, Captain.
I've been searching for you... for so long.
...I think you got the wrong person.
I can call the police if you need help.
It's okay. Even if you can't remember me now.
We will surely... meet during the [Journey].
You will surely... find everyone again.
The Journey...?
I went through my memories about what she was talking about, but nothing came to mind.
But she gave me a smile and then shook her head.
Do you like stars?
Stars...?
That's not something I ever gave much thought about.
A star is just a star. It's just old light from a hydrogen fusion happening from far, far away.
No, that's not quite right.
Stars aren't just light from a long time ago.
Within them... are dreams, wishes, and connections...
And hope for what comes next.
A long time ago, that's what you taught me.
So this time... I'll tell you.
That we are still waiting there.
She stretched out her arm and pointed to the sky.
Do you see that star, the one shining the brightest?
I followed her hand and looked up at the sky.
A golden star that I've never seen before was shining in the center of the sky.
And... somehow, it seemed like the light was growing bigger.
As if it were about to erase all the darkness of the night.
Blinded by the light, I raised my hand to shield my eyes. And in that moment, her final whispers reached my ears.
The name of that star is [Lavistar].
Welcome back to the world of stars.
With those words, I lost consciousness.