Chapter 2 – The Night of the Falling Star
Far above the mortal realm, beyond the veil of time and space, a great celestial kingdom lay hidden among the stars. The sky here was endless, filled with swirling galaxies and shimmering constellations that stretched into eternity.
At the center of this divine domain stood an immense throne of golden light, floating within a vast, open temple. From this sacred place, the gods watched over the mortal world, their eyes ever observing, ever judging.
Seated upon the throne was Tsukihikari-no-Kami (月光の神)—the God of Celestial Light, ruler of the stars and keeper of fate. His form was both radiant and intangible, shifting between pure light and deep shadow, as if he existed in multiple realms at once. His divine robes, woven from the fabric of the cosmos itself, shimmered like the night sky.
Before him, a great mirror of eternity reflected the world below. And within its surface—
He saw Hoshino Aki.
The boy sat in his garden, waiting.
Waiting for the moment that had been written in the stars four centuries ago.
The god's golden eyes gleamed with curiosity. Would Aki prove himself worthy of the celestial gift?
Behind Tsukihikari-no-Kami, another divine figure stepped forward.
Amaterasu (天照), the Goddess of the Sun, her presence glowing with warmth, observed the scene within the mirror.
"So, the time has come," she murmured, her voice both gentle and commanding.
The Star Maiden was descending.
And with her, fate itself was beginning to move.
---
The Mortal Realm – Aki's Garden
The quiet hum of crickets filled the air as Hoshino Aki sat alone in the small garden behind his house. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the old maple tree, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and grass. The night sky stretched endlessly above him, a canvas of twinkling stars untainted by city lights.
Aki took a slow sip of warm tea, its heat grounding him as he tried to quiet his thoughts. His fingers absently traced the rim of the cup, his mind drifting back to memories of long ago.
He had been waiting for this night for twenty years.
"When the star falls, a beautiful girl descends with it… She is sent by the heavens to grant the wish of those who truly need help."
His mother's voice echoed in his mind, as clear as if she were sitting beside him.
"Only those with a pure heart and great suffering will be chosen."
As a child, he had clung to that story, believing in the hope it offered. But as he grew older, he buried it deep inside himself, convincing himself it was nothing more than a fairy tale—a lie to ease the pain of loss.
And yet, tonight, something deep inside him stirred.
The 400-year star shower was happening.
It was real.
And if the star shower was real… could the legend be real too?
He placed the empty cup beside him and lay back on the cool grass, gazing up at the endless sky. The stars shimmered softly, unaware of the weight they carried in his heart.
Then—
A streak of silver-blue light blazed across the heavens.
Aki's breath hitched.
Another followed. Then another. Within moments, the sky erupted into a breathtaking display of falling stars, each one burning bright before vanishing into the darkness.
Gasps and murmurs echoed from the streets beyond his house. Families and friends had gathered in open spaces across the city to witness the celestial event.
But Aki wasn't watching the ordinary meteors.
He was searching for one.
A special one.
A single, brilliant light, larger than all the others, descending slowly—deliberately—toward Earth. Unlike the fleeting meteors, this one did not fade. Its glow intensified, pulsing like a heartbeat.
Aki sat up, his pulse racing.
The air around him grew thick, charged with an unseen energy. The leaves trembled. The wind stilled. Even the insects fell silent, as if the entire world was waiting.
Then—
A sudden explosion of radiant light flooded the garden.
Aki shielded his eyes, his heart hammering. The glow was overwhelming, washing over everything in a silvery-blue brilliance.
And within that divine radiance—
He saw her.
A silhouette, floating gracefully amidst the falling stardust.
Her long, flowing hair shimmered like spun moonlight, and her delicate figure glowed with an otherworldly aura. She descended slowly, her feet barely brushing the grass as the celestial energy swirled around her.
Aki's breath caught.
His mother's legend—
It was real.
Then, the air shifted.
A second presence emerged.
Towering behind the girl was a colossal divine figure. Its form was shifting, as if it existed between two worlds—its body made of pure light and endless shadow, its outline flickering like the space between dreams and reality. It had no true face, but two burning eyes, like miniature suns, gazed down at him.
Aki's knees buckled. The sheer weight of the being's presence was overwhelming. It wasn't just power—it was divinity itself.
A voice—not spoken, but felt—resonated through Aki's very soul.
"The time has come."
The earth trembled beneath him, the very air humming with unseen energy. Aki could feel it pressing against his skin, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to comprehend what was happening.
The Star Maiden stepped forward, her glowing eyes locking onto his.
"Hoshino Aki," she whispered, her voice both soft and infinite. "The gods have heard your suffering."
Aki tried to respond, but his voice caught in his throat. His vision blurred, his limbs suddenly feeling heavy. The divine energy in the air was suffocating, pressing against his very soul.
He reached out toward the Star Maiden, but before he could touch her—
His world spun.
A deep, overwhelming darkness pulled at his consciousness. His body lost all strength.
And then—
He collapsed.
---
The Heavens – Tsukihikari-no-Kami's Throne
From his celestial throne, Tsukihikari-no-Kami leaned forward, his divine eyes narrowing.
"The boy has fainted."
Amaterasu placed a gentle hand over her mouth, watching with concern. "The mortal realm cannot easily withstand divine energy," she murmured. "He is only human, after all."
The Celestial God's golden gaze lingered on Aki's unconscious form.
He had seen countless mortals across the ages, but something about this boy unsettled him.
Why did he feel… concerned?
With a quiet sigh, he turned his attention back to the glowing Star Maiden.
She knelt beside Aki, worry flickering across her delic
ate features.
Gently, she reached out and touched his cheek.
And in that moment—
A strange warmth bloomed within her heart.
---
To be continued…