Utapri Short Stories

Starry Dreams - Part 1

Walking on the endless starry sky.  Through the night, floating from him towards space. Comets, constellations, planets and stars passed like a blur whenever she accelerated a little more. So were Haruka's dreams every night that she lay down to sleep, after exhausting work as an assistant at the city observatory.
★★★
She was always in love with the stars and the planets, but living alone she was not able to afford an astronomy college. Luckily, she got a job at the observatory, but what she received was hardly enough to pay the bills and yet she was grateful for what she had achieved. Living alone was not easy, but she always received help from the kind lady who owns the observatory.
★★★
“Did you work late again, dear?” The Kind Lady asked the next morning, when the young woman arrived to work with a sleepy face. “No. I just had some weird dreams again.” Haruka replied with a gentle smile, trying to reassure her. The two ate breakfast together and sometimes had lunch at the nearby restaurant as well. They liked each other's company and could hardly imagine what fate had in store for that planet.
★★★
Shion had been sent to Earth to analyze the perimeter and calculate the size of the disaster that was going to happen to that planet and its people. Among the 13 Star Gods, no one really cared about the fate of the human race. For this reason, they were indifferent to the tragic fate that was reserved for that species. Humans were so selfish and insensitive that they did not deserve salvation. Soon, the comet Halo would extinguish life on Earth forever.
★★★
Shion is a Star God, one of the 13 who ruled the 13 main constellations in the starry night sky. His mission was to reconnect with the Milky Way planets that were about to undergo drastic changes. It was up to him to decide whether his inhabitants deserved to be saved or not. He was a powerful being, but he didn't like socializing very much. He was a man of few words.
★★★
The humans learned of the passage of Comet Halo and in some small towns its inhabitants held festivities to celebrate the occasion. The star gods thought it was ridiculous, but they respected human customs. Shion didn't bother to disguise his clothes this time, so wherever he went he ended up attracting attention. He looked like a mystical knight out of a fairy tale.
★★★
Haruka was extremely excited about the passing of the comet. She believed it to be a once in a lifetime chance! But the kind lady who owned the observatory was not that excited... She had received the news that she was very ill and had no many time to live. Still, she didn't tell Haruka anything and pretended that everything was fine.
★★★
“Can you buy us lunch today, dear?” The Kind Lady asked, feeling too weak to walk to the restaurant. She gave money to the young woman, who accepted the request and proceeded to the place. However, on the way back she ended up meeting some troubled and ill-mannered tourists, who had come for the festivities.  They tried to flirt with her and didn't leave her alone. “Stop! I don't want to go with you!” The young woman screamed.
★★★
Shion was standing there nearby where the red-haired girl appeared to be in trouble. It was not common for the Star Gods to interfere in human affairs, but for some reason he decided to help. “You. Let go of the young woman.” He strode up, but with great serenity. The tourists mocked him and went after him with the intention of attacking him, but Shion managed to immobilize them and won the fight with ease.
★★★
“Thank you so much.” Haruka finally found her voice again to thank him.  She smiled kindly. Shion looked her up and down, but did not answer. He just shrugged and walked away, aimlessly.  The young woman was disconcerted and intrigued by the boy's appearance and clothes. Not sure why, she followed him and ended up going to the forest behind the observatory.
★★★
“Why are you following me?” Shion asked finally, turning to face her.  Haruka tried to hide, but it was useless. She bowed her head and was silent for a while trying to think what to say. “I wanted to thank you for saving me.” She said and looked up again. Shion did not seem surprised.  Nor did he show another reaction. “You already thanked me.” He said simply.
★★★
“Here.” Haruka took a lemon pie from the bag that would be her dessert and handed it to him. “I want you to have this.” She explained a little embarrassed. “Your clothes are so different. Did you come from another country?” She asked, unable to contain herself. Shion blew out a long breath and took the pie she offered him. “I am not from here. I'm from the Scorpio Constellation.” He said without caring how she would interpret it. Soon she would be dead, too. It didn't matter if she knew the truth.
★★★

[Continue in the next chapter...]

~ Chapter cover edited by me.