Tuesday.
Early morning.
The End band group chat had just ended.
Iejichi Nijika sent a message saying she was sick, reminding Hakushu and Yamada Ryo to take care of themselves.
Also, The End's practice might need to be postponed for a few more days.
So, Hakushu expressed his concern: "Nijika, rest well at home. Let me know if you need anything."
He earned some goodwill from Nijika.
Yamada Ryo asked Nijika if she wanted to go to her family's hospital.
Goto Hitori suspected that Nijika had been infected by her.
After school.
Planetarium.
To cheer up the dejected Takamatsu Tou, Hakushu invited her here.
Originally, Hirasawa Yui was also planning to come, but after discovering that she couldn't even read music notation, Akiyama Mio had to personally tutor Yui.
And Takamatsu Tou, as it happened, also planned to go to the Planetarium. When she was in a bad mood, she usually went to the Planetarium or the aquarium.
She had originally planned to invite Hakushu as well, which could conveniently be used as an astronomy club activity. Of course, she would just have to write the club report.
However, the sensitive Takamatsu Tou was worried that Hakushu might not have time; he seemed quite busy, so she hesitated.
Fortunately, Hakushu spoke first.
The two were in agreement.
Now, Hakushu was buying tickets.
Takamatsu Tou waited obediently to the side like a small animal.
She had an annual pass, so she could enter anytime within the year without needing to buy tickets again.
A rare, faint smile graced Takamatsu Tou's face; this was the first time someone had agreed to accompany her to the Planetarium.
"Let's go, Tou."
After buying the tickets, Hakushu smiled at Takamatsu Tou.
"Okay..."
Takamatsu Tou nodded hesitantly, then stuck close to Hakushu like a little penguin.
They entered the Planetarium.
Because it was a weekday, there were very few customers.
This suited Hakushu perfectly.
He liked going to the cinema when it was empty; it felt like he had the place to himself.
The Planetarium was dimly lit, with only the oval-shaped planetarium projector and star-patterned decorations emitting a soft glow.
Following Takamatsu Tou, Hakushu arrived at the spot she usually sat.
Takamatsu Tou sat on the outer side, closer to the aisle, while Hakushu sat to Tou's left.
Then, with Tou's help once more, Hakushu discovered that the soft chairs here could be adjusted until one could lie completely flat.
Slowly opening his eyes, the vast starry sky above came into view, with stars twinkling faintly.
At that moment, it felt as though the entire universe was sparkling just for him.
Besides that, pleasant light music drifted in from time to time, occasionally accompanied by broadcasts of related astronomical knowledge.
"Thanks, Tou."
Hakushu tilted his head, speaking to Tou, who was right in front of him.
Takamatsu Tou's cheeks were slightly flushed as she gently shook her head.
"I'm very happy that you came with me, Akikun."
"That's good."
Hakushu smiled with satisfaction.
It seemed bringing Tou here was truly the right decision.
At that moment, an announcement came over the broadcast, stating that the astronomical program was about to begin.
The two stopped talking and focused on appreciating the starry sky.
At this moment, another person entered, wearing a cap and black sunglasses.
There were quite a few empty seats in the Planetarium, but this person seemed to have a specific destination in mind, heading straight for a certain area.
Then, they arrived at Hakushu's row.
Misumi Touka frowned slightly, as if there was one more person than usual.
The dim environment made it difficult for Touka to see clearly, but she didn't pay much attention and sat down to Hakushu's left.
However, there seemed to be a problem with the seat in that position.
No matter how hard Misumi Touka tried, the chair just kept making a "click" sound, but it wouldn't recline.
The strange noise quickly caught Hakushu's attention.
Hakushu looked to the side. "This chair is like this..."
Then, Hakushu, learning as he went, turned the button the way Takamatsu Tou had shown him.
Immediately, the chair transformed into a recliner.
The two of them locked eyes.
The lights from the Planetarium's rotating projector happened to fall on their faces.
Grey-black eyes met deep blue eyes.
Their breaths landed on each other's faces.
It's that person from last time!
Both of them were stunned for a few seconds, their hearts racing.
Hakushu, who was here for the first time, couldn't help but inwardly complain. Why were the seats designed so close together? It was practically the same as lying down together.
Couldn't they give the customers a little privacy?
Fortunately, the planetarium's lights shifted just then, making it impossible to see each other's expressions.
"Thank you…"
"Sorry…"
Two voices spoke almost simultaneously, and then both of them quickly turned their heads away.
As if nothing had happened, they began to appreciate the starry sky.
Hakushu took a deep breath, calming his racing heart. The last time his heart had pounded like this was when he'd met Toyokawa Sachiko while buying a keyboard.
He glanced at Tou on his right. Seeing her absorbed in the glittering starry sky, oblivious to what had just happened, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
Beside him, Misumi Touka maintained her usual calm demeanor, but her heart was stirring. Her attention was no longer on the stars above.
That feeling of a racing heart... it felt so familiar.
Misumi Touka instinctively placed her right hand over her chest, feeling her heart "thump-thump".
That was… the same quickening of her heart that only happened when she was around Aki and Sachiko.
About an hour later, an announcement signaled the end of the program.
"That concludes tonight's stargazing session. Please exit in an orderly fashion and watch your step on the stairs…"
At the same time, the Planetarium lights came on.
Takamatsu Tou, having just gotten up from her recliner, excitedly spoke to Hakushu.
"Hakushu, it's the story of Altair and Vega."
"Just like you told me last time!"
Her face was flushed with excitement.
"Of course! I'm a professional."
Hakushu replied shamelessly. As someone from China, he could easily recount several different versions of the Magpie Bridge Meeting story, even more detailed than the Planetarium's presentation.
Then, Hakushu said with a smile,
"Let's go outside and talk."
Takamatsu Tou nodded quickly, and the two of them happily walked towards the exit.
Because of this, they didn't notice that behind them, Misumi Touka was staring at them with an expression of disbelief.
What did Takamatsu-san just say? Aki, that person is called Aki… Is this real?
Yes, Misumi Touka knew Takamatsu Tou; after all, she was once the lead vocalist of Sachiko's band.
And… and the story of Altair and Vega.
Aki used to tell me about it too.
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Misumi Touka silently clenched her fists, unable to let go of the feeling for a long time.
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