Ch.83 : Shine Like the Star Sirius

In the Red District side of the city, Nic's family was finally heading back home after a long time away. They had decided to save money by not taking a flight and instead used Nic's father's old family car.

His dad was behind the wheel, mom sat beside him, while Kiara and Daniella sat in the back, peeking out the window at the quiet, snowy roads.

"Hey... that black car behind us looks kind of weird," Daniella mumbled, leaning forward slightly.

Kiara turned her head. "What do you mean weird?"

"It's been following us for a while. Even back at the last turn. Same distance, same speed."

Their mom chimed in calmly, "Maybe they just happen to be going the same way. Don't be too suspicious, Daniella."

Daniella stayed quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah... hope that's all it is."

Eventually, they reached the borders of Harlington—the city where Nic lived now. It was a quiet town, neutral and peaceful. As they approached, Daniella checked behind again. She watched the black car turn off onto a different street.

"Whew... false alarm," she muttered in relief.

When they pulled into the driveway, Kiara jumped out excitedly and pounded on the front door.

"NIIIC! WE'RE BACK! OPEN UP!!"

Her shout echoed down the block. Their mom immediately flicked her ear. "Don't yell like some street thug!"

Finally, the door creaked open.

Nic appeared, wearing a loose hoodie and holding a cold canned drink in one hand. He smiled lazily.

"Ah, you're finally back. I missed you guys too, I guess."

His mom instantly pulled him into a warm hug, while his dad ruffled his hair affectionately. Kiara slipped past everyone and muttered as she went inside, "So, how's life without your big sis, huh?"

Nic grinned. "Peaceful. Kinda fun, honestly."

"Brat..." Kiara scoffed and marched off to her room grumbling.

Daniella laughed at the interaction and waved goodbye. "I'll head home for now, gotta check on my place. See you tomorrow!"

The family waved back.

Inside, Nic's dad struck up a conversation. "So, how's school going, son? All good?"

Nic nodded. "Yeah. Oh, and by the way, my class won a fashion competition last week."

Kiara poked her head out from the hallway. "SERIOUSLY? You were in it?!"

Nic smirked and pulled out his phone. "See for yourself."

He scrolled through a few photos Astrid had taken.

First photo: Nic soaked in black, half-open clothes showing off his abs—he quickly swiped past that one, cheeks red. "Skip that one!"

Second: him in an elegant butler suit.

Third: an abstract artistic outfit filled with colors, standing between two classmates.

And lastly, the Yin-Yang shot with Chloe—Nic supporting her as she looked like she was about to fall, the harmony between them glowing.

His mom's eyes lit up. "Since when did my son become so... amazing?"

His dad added with a chuckle, "Used to just hang out in internet cafes. Now look at him... up on stage. You've grown, Nic."

Nic scratched his head, chuckling. "Well, thanks. But I couldn't have done it without you guys."

As night fell, Nic asked for permission to go out.

"Just taking a walk to clear my head," he said, bundling up in a thick jacket and the same knitted scarf from before.

He made his way toward the hill—the same hill where he'd seen the mysterious blue-haired girl days ago.

When he arrived, the sky was overcast. No stars. Just cold air and silence.

"Hm... The mood's different tonight," he murmured.

He looked across the ravine to the opposite hill—where the girl had stood before. It was empty now. He sighed and turned to leave.

But then, she appeared again.

The girl with the long, icy blue hair stood quietly, looking up at the sky. Her expression was even sadder than before. There were no stars tonight, no aurora. Only grey clouds and biting wind.

Nic stepped forward instinctively, then stopped. The ravine was still there.

"Ugh, why didn't I just go to that hill instead!?" he groaned.

He opened the system. "Zeta! What skill can I use to jump across?!"

Zeta appeared, her tone flat.

[ Sorry, Master Nic. You currently don't have a girlfriend with athletic or long-jump specialization. ]

"UGH! That's so annoying!" Nic shouted.

Across the gap, the girl remained still, unaware of the commotion, her face distant and full of sorrow.

Nic stood at the edge, staring down the cliff. She was right there... but unreachable.

He muttered, "Zeta, if I fall, will I die?"

[ 50/50, Master Nic. If you fall, you won't feel pain thanks to your passive... but your body definitely won't be okay. ]

Nic swallowed hard. "Great... If I try to go around, she'll be gone by the time I get there."

Zeta's voice became anxious.

[ Master Nic, don't be reckless! Just use Cupid Arsenal already! ]

"God, you're so noisy," he mumbled.

Then, without another thought, he ran full speed and jumped.

His fingers caught the edge of the other hill.

"HNNGH!"

But he couldn't pull himself up.

"Come on! My stats are high! Why can't I do this?!"

Zeta hovered beside him.

[ Your stats lean emotional, not physical strength or climbing. Sorry, Master Nic. ]

He began to slip.

But then—a hand grabbed his arm and pulled.

Nic found himself on solid ground again, breathing heavily. In front of him stood the girl, hair flowing in the wind, eyes calm and deep.

He sat up slowly. "Why... did you help me?"

She looked at him for a long moment, then finally spoke, "My name is Nova. If that's all you wanted to know, then... please. Just leave me alone."

Her voice was flat, but something trembled underneath it.

Nic nodded slowly, but didn't leave. He sat beside her instead.

"I'm Nic. So... why do you like the stars?"

Nova glanced sideways. "…What do you mean?" She pretended not to understand.

"I like Sirius," Nic said casually. "Brightest star in the night sky. It's beautiful."

( Thank God I skimmed some star articles last night, Nic thought.)

Nova's eyes widened. That name... it echoed in her memory. Her father's gentle voice whispered again.

"You'll shine like Sirius, Nova—the brightest among the stars..."

Nic continued, "What about you? Do you like any stars? Or maybe auroras? Planets?"

Nova's face tightened. Her body stiffened.

"Please... just stop... I don't want to talk about this... please understand..." she whispered, her voice cracking.

Tears fell, uncontainable. Her shoulders trembled. The wall she had held up shattered all at once.

Nic sat silently. Then, gently, he removed his scarf and used its edge to wipe her tears. He wrapped it around her neck.

"Talk to me,You're in a bad condition right?" he said softly. "I'm sure you've told all this to doctors and therapists... but sometimes it's not about their profession. Sometimes you just need someone... to listen. No advice. No judgment."

Nova stared into his eyes. Something about Nic felt warm. Safe. Familiar... like her father.

And so, she began to speak.

She told him everything.

Her father—an astronaut and space scientist—had promised her a star. He left on a mission, and never returned. Rumors spread, each worse than the last. But Nova had refused to believe them.

Until the day the wreckage was found.

She was only fifteen.

Since then, every night, she climbed that hill and stared at the sky, hoping to see him return. Every shooting star... she imagined it was him, sending a message.

Her mother tried everything. But Nova always said, "I'm fine."

Nic listened quietly until the end.

Then he stood. "Nova," he said gently, "if I ever take you to a place that could make you feel happy again... would you come?"

Nova turned, eyes still damp. "What kind of place?"

"You'll love it, I promise. Just trust me."

Nova gave a faint nod. "Okay... if you ever want to meet again, just come here at night. I sleep during the day…"

Nic smiled to himself. "She's a heavy sleeper, huh."

He extended his hand. "Deal?"

Nova nodded and took it. "Deal."

After parting ways, Nova remained on the hill. The snowfall eased. Slowly, stars began to appear in the sky once more. She looked up... and smiled.

On his way back, Zeta popped up beside Nic.

[ It seems Master Nic now prefers building emotional bonds first when meeting impactful girls. ]

Nic rolled his eyes. "What do you know, Zeta? I just... really wanted to help Nova."

[ Well... at least you're still the same Nic I know. ]

He simply smiled, gazing up at the same night sky as Nova.

To be continued...