The sun dipped lower in the sky, washing Sakura High in golden light as the final day before the festival began. The entire campus buzzed like a living machine—students carrying decorations, paintbrushes flashing, cardboard signs drying in the late afternoon breeze. Excitement filled the air, but so did tension. Everyone wanted to shine.
The Cosmic S.T.A.R. Clubroom was a storm of last-minute chaos. Posters, fairy lights, holographic projectors, and models of planets lay scattered across every surface. Souta was balancing on a ladder, trying to hang a glowing "Mini Planetarium Café" sign while Luna stood below, instructing him with sharp precision. "No, no! Tilt it two degrees to the left! It looks crooked!" she called.
"It's perfectly fine!" Souta yelled back, wobbling slightly. "If I go any more to the left, I'll fall into orbit!"
Luna sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, while Beru giggled softly from the counter, where she and Tadao were arranging the decorative stars they had cut out the night before. Haruto leaned casually against the wall, watching the scene with a small smile. For the first time in days, the air around them felt alive again—like the quiet hum before a beautiful performance.
But outside, something else was brewing.
The Science and Technology Club's workspace was just across the hall. The faint whir of machinery and metallic clanging drifted through the walls. Everyone knew that the two clubs were locked in an unspoken competition for the "Best Exhibit" award at the festival.
Rumors had already begun to spread—Saya's club was building something massive, something spectacular that would "redefine" what a school exhibit could be. And while the Cosmic S.T.A.R. Club had their café and their planetarium projection, it suddenly didn't feel like enough.
Haruto turned from the window, brows furrowed. "They're planning something big," he said quietly. "You can tell just by the sound. Whatever it is… it'll steal the show."
Luna crossed her arms. "The Science Club loves attention. But if they think we'll just fade into the background, they're wrong."
Beru looked worried. "But what can we do? The festival's tomorrow. We can't exactly build a robot overnight."
For a moment, silence settled in the room—until Luna's eyes glimmered with something mischievous, a spark that only she carried when an idea took root. "Maybe… we don't need to build anything," she said softly.
Souta blinked. "Oh no. I know that tone. That's your dangerous genius voice."
Ignoring him, Luna stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. "My family has some… connections in the entertainment world. A few artists, singers, even one or two small-time idols. What if…" She paused for dramatic effect. "What if we turn our planetarium café into a cosmic concert?"
Beru's eyes widened. "A… concert?"
Luna nodded, her tone gaining confidence. "Imagine this—when people enter, they'll be served by us like a café, surrounded by constellations and holographic stars. But as night falls, the café transforms into a stage. The ceiling becomes a galaxy projection, and real performers sing beneath it. A performance that feels like you're floating among the stars."
Souta nearly dropped the sign from the ladder. "You mean—real singers? Here? At our festival?"
"Exactly," Luna said. "It would be our secret weapon. While the Science Club shows off their machines… we'll give the audience something that touches their hearts."
Tadao raised a brow. "That's… a brilliant idea. But can we even contact them in time? Tomorrow's the festival."
Luna tapped her chin, thinking. "If I make a few calls… maybe. They're old acquaintances—my cousin, for one, is part of a rising J-pop group called Stellar Arc. They might be free."
Beru's eyes sparkled with awe. "Stellar Arc?! I listen to their songs every day! Their music is so dreamy!"
Haruto smirked. "Guess we're really aiming for the stars now."
Within moments, the entire club was buzzing with energy again. Luna took out her phone, walking toward the window for better signal, while the others gathered around in anticipation.
She dialed a number and waited. "Mio? It's Luna… yeah, it's been a while. Listen, I know this is sudden, but… are you guys free tomorrow? We're holding a school festival, and—yes, yes, I know how that sounds, but hear me out…"
The conversation stretched on. Her tone shifted from formal to pleading, from confident to gentle persuasion. Everyone in the room watched silently, the air thick with suspense.
Finally, Luna's lips curved into a soft, victorious smile. "Really? You will? That's amazing! You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you."
She hung up and turned around dramatically. "They said yes."
The room erupted in cheers.
Beru practically bounced with excitement. "I can't believe it! Stellar Arc is coming to our school!"
Souta flopped onto a chair, clutching his chest in mock disbelief. "We're officially legends. Forget coffee—people will come here for the stars!"
Tadao chuckled quietly. "Let's just hope our café can handle the crowd."
But amidst the excitement, Haruto's gaze lingered on Luna. She looked proud but distant, her smile tinged with nostalgia. "You really went all out," he said softly, stepping closer.
Luna shrugged lightly. "It's the least I can do for everyone. We've worked so hard, and… I want this festival to mean something. For Beru, for you… for all of us."
Haruto nodded, his tone warm. "It already does."
Beru watched them from across the room, her heart swelling with admiration. Luna's intelligence and grace always amazed her, but it was her quiet dedication that truly inspired everyone around her. In that moment, Beru silently vowed to make their café shine brighter than ever.
As night descended, they gathered under the soft glow of their planetarium lights to finalize the plan. Luna explained the logistics—how the stage would be set, where the singers would perform, and how the lighting would merge with the projections to create a dreamlike illusion.
Beru and Tadao worked on adjusting the holographic projectors to sync with the rhythm of the music. Souta handled sound checks and stage setup, while Haruto coordinated the schedule and crowd management. Every member had their role, moving like pieces of a beautifully tuned orchestra.
Hours passed in laughter, trial, and teamwork. Haruto found himself glancing at Beru often, admiring the way her eyes glowed when she worked. Her hands were steady, her focus unshaken, and even when something went wrong, she smiled through it.
At one point, when the projector sparked out unexpectedly, Haruto knelt beside her. "You okay?" he asked, checking the wires.
Beru sighed, a smudge of dust on her cheek. "Yeah, just… stubborn light. Like Souta on cleaning duty."
Haruto chuckled, brushing the dust from her face gently with his thumb. "There. Better."
She blinked, cheeks warming, and quickly turned back to her work, hiding her flustered smile. "You should… focus on your task too."
"Maybe my task is making sure you're okay," he teased softly, earning a quiet giggle.
Meanwhile, Souta caught Luna yawning for the third time and nudged her playfully. "Hey, Miss Genius, even stars need rest. You've been running on stardust all day."
Luna gave a tired smile. "Maybe. But I want everything to be perfect."
Souta's grin softened. "It will be. Because you're here."
The words caught her off guard, and for a fleeting moment, Luna's composed expression melted into something tender. She quickly turned away, pretending to check her notes, but Souta's heart had already skipped a beat.
By midnight, the clubroom finally fell quiet. The decorations sparkled, the stage layout was finalized, and the café's new design glowed like a tiny universe waiting to be born. Outside, the moon hung high—watching, silver and serene.
Beru stretched, stifling a yawn. "I can't believe tomorrow's the big day," she murmured. "It feels like a dream."
Haruto glanced around the room, his eyes lingering on each of his friends—Luna, Souta, Tadao, Beru. The people who had turned his once ordinary days into something unforgettable. "No," he said softly. "It's not a dream. It's our story. And tomorrow… it'll be our brightest chapter yet."
Luna smiled at his words, gazing out the window where the stars shimmered faintly. "Then let's make sure it's a story the world will remember."
As the others packed up, Luna's phone buzzed again. A new message from her cousin: "We've arranged everything. See you tomorrow morning. Let's light up your school, Luna."
She smiled to herself, typing a quick reply: "We'll be waiting beneath the stars."
And so, with hearts brimming with hope and excitement, the Cosmic S.T.A.R. Club left the school grounds under the silver moonlight. Tomorrow, they would face their rivals, the expectations, and the chaos of the festival—but tonight, they walked together as friends bound by a dream.
For in that fragile, fleeting moment before dawn, they were not just students—they were a constellation, shining brighter than ever, ready to turn their universe into a symphony of light and sound.
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To be continued...