A Night Sky for Two
The winter wind of January blew in through the window, mixed with the sounds of celebration.
NOA had grown so lively due to the New Year's festival.
As for me...
Achoo!
...I had come down with a terrible cold.
Thank you for all your hard work this year, Captain. May the new year bring you good fortune.
The New Year's festival you spoke of is already tomorrow.
...Fufu. I must admit, I am a little nervous.
I still remember the promise we made to go enjoy it together.
...I promised her.
But I felt like I was burning up, and every small movement made my muscles and joints cry out.
Even so... I couldn't go back on my promise.
All I could think about was somehow getting out and meeting Carnelia.
I'm late, but I can still make it if I leave now—
Whoa?!
I fell, landing flat on the floor hard enough to hurt my chin and elbow.
It's okay. If I move just a little farther, I will be able to reach the door.
That was what I told myself as I gritted my teeth and tried to force myself up.
...
I knew it would be discourteous, but I entered without knocking since I heard a loud noise...
...
But I suppose there is no need for me to ask what happened here.
I'll help you up, so please do not overexert yourself.
Here, like this... Stand up slowly.
...You're as hot as fire. Since when have you been feeling like this?
...I see.
Carnelia's face had gone strangely tense.
The way she supported me was gentle, but there was a firmness I could not resist.
It was almost like... a gentle restraint.
...Did I upset you?
No, it's not like that...
...I'm not upset.
You should spend the day resting and doing nothing else.
I'll stay with you too, so please let me know whenever you need something.
You didn't come even after some time had passed. Besides, you didn't seem to be in good condition.
To be honest, you already looked unwell by the end of training yesterday...
But I didn't realize it would be this bad.
I should have paid closer attention...
...Fufu, it's quite all right.
It may be unfair of me to say... but I am glad simply to be able to see you up close like this.
So please don't worry about anything, and rest comfortably now.
No matter what you and I do, it means nothing if you are unwell.
Carnelia gently placed her hand on my forehead.
She was likely checking how high my fever was, but her touch felt careful and soft.
There, there...
...Good. Just keep resting.
I'll ask for some fever medicine and cold medicine to be brought over.
I wish you could at least see the fireworks.
...No. It would mean nothing to watch them alone while leaving you behind.
Didn't I tell you? Being able to see you up close is enough for me.
It was never the fireworks that mattered to me.
What mattered more was spending time with you, Captain.
Carnelia drew the curtains.
The room went dark, and the sounds of the festival faded into the distance.
It's dark now.
Yes. It's the night of the New Year's festival.
A night I never would've experienced... without the Journey, or without you.
It's no match for the night sky of the festival, but...
This should allow to see it as well.
This is...
It's nothing remarkable. At most, it's just a small trick of mine.
It comes from the power of this artifact, the Light of Dawn.
Fufu. Thanks to you , Captain... I find myself using it in a way I never thought I would.
The dark walls of the room turned into a night sky, and bright clusters of light scattered like stars.
Carnelia and I gazed at it together in silence.
To me, it was far more beautiful than the fireworks of the New Year's festival.
...Yes, Captain.
I'm counting on you for that.