Utapri Short Stories

Starry Dreams - Part 2 (End)

Haruka was silent for a long time trying to understand what he had said. “Scorpio constellation? Is this a city?” She questioned, confused. Shion simply shook his head and told her who he was and what he was doing there. The young woman seemed shocked by the information, but that did not surprise him. “And you can't do anything to stop the comet from hitting us?” She simply questioned.
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“The 13 Star Gods see no reason to keep your race alive.” Shion explained without outlining many feelings.  Haruka was perplexed. “Please! You can't let that happen! So many people... So many lives... So many dreams will be destroyed...” Her eyes were full of tears. She was not afraid for her own life, but for the lives of everyone on that planet who had so many dreams to fulfill.
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“You have not proven yourself worthy of salvation.” Shion replied, but when he saw her cry he felt something strange in his chest. “The comet will only reach Earth in seven days. If you can convince me to save this planet, then it will be saved.” He explained and analyzed the girl's expression.  Haruka nodded and wiped the tears from her sleeve. “All right! I will prove that we are worthy!” She said decidedly.
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So, Shion went back to the observatory with Haruka and met the kind lady who was waiting for her lunch.  The girl could not tell anyone about what the boy had said as part of the agreement for the salvation of that planet. Haruka let Shion stay at her house and he was assigned to work with her, which was very useful when the kind lady's health deteriorated the day after the day of the incident.
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“Are you worried?” Shion asked when he noticed the young woman's behavior after the elderly woman's health condition worsened. Haruka nodded, but did not pursue the matter.  She had more important things to do. “So, you humans work hard, fight endlessly, are rude with whose you just met... And do you still think you are worthy?” He questioned after a very troubled day of service.
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Haruka had a lot on her mind and knew that Earth's fate depended on her being able to convince him to spare them, but as much as she thought, she couldn't reach a conclusion. During the first three days, she showed Shion wonderful food, breathtaking scenery, super interesting stories about that planet, but none of that seemed to change his mind. She was starting to despair.
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On the fourth day, they were in the town square and Haruka showed him how human children interacted and had fun together. She thought that this way she could soften his heart. She made him play too and managed to get a smile off his face so neutral.  She also introduced him to some elderly people and played card games and dominoes together. The young woman wanted to show that all humans, despite their defects, were worthy of continuing to live.
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“We are always looking for happiness, Amakusa-Sama. Only that it often takes us a while to understand that it is in the small details of everyday life.” Haruka commented with a sad smile as they returned home at the end of the fifth day. On the sixth day, Haruka received the news that the kind lady had passed away ... and that she left her inheritance and the observatory for her. “You do not look so happy.” Shion commented after they left the wake.
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“And I'm not.” Haruka started to cry and clung to his shirt, burying her face in his chest as she sought solace.  Shion didn't know how to react, but he hugged her. His heart was pounding in his chest for a reason unknown to him. The sixth day was dedicated to mourning. The young woman was really very sad and shaken, so the boy stayed with her all the time.
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When the seventh day finally came, Haruka knew that she had failed to convince him and that the Earth would probably be doomed, as well as the entire human race. Since this was going to be her last day, she decided to enjoy every second. “You look excited today.” Shion commented with a confused expression, but the young woman simply shrugged and showed him a gentle smile.
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Haruka took him to the fair that was happening to celebrate the passage of the comet and ate several sweets, always sharing with him and with some children. They participated in games and donated gifts to needy children. The comet would pass around midnight, so they still had some time to enjoy it. They were on the ferris wheel and had a privileged view of the small town.
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“Amakusa-Sama ... I know it's the last day of Earth and humans, but ... I wanted you to know that I really enjoyed spending time with you.” Haruka started to speak, not daring to look at him. Shion looked uneasy. “I liked to know a little more about the Star Gods and ... That when we die we become part of the constellations.” She smiled a sad smile. “Can you promise me something?” And when she saw that he nodded, she continued.
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“Promise that you will always remember me.” Haruka asked and without thinking about the consequences, she approached him and touched her lips to his. Her kiss was quick and delicate. But Shion's heart seemed to be more agitated than the tail of the comet that was getting closer and closer. He wasn't sure how to react, he just knew that he couldn't let that planet die. He couldn't let that young woman die.
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“Haruka ...” He whispered her name and touched the lonely earring in his ear, sending a message to the other Star Gods, with his final report. “I will not let your planet die.” He touched her face and smiled gently. “You convinced me to save you.” He said simply and then approached her, kissing her once more.
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Haruka was very surprised by the news, but she was also happy. The feeling that she had managed to save Earth was great, but the fact that Shion returned her feelings was even more fantastic. Unfortunately, he couldn't stay with her and live there forever. Instead, he promised to return from time to time to visit her and when he couldn't, he wrote a message in the stars for her, which she could only see in her dreams.
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Those strange dreams that the young woman always had were a sign that she would be the savior of the planet.  The Earth was saved through the love that the young human awoke in the Star God by showing him how the life of humans could be filled with small joys, affection and kindness. Not all humans gave in to evil, some were genuinely good and they were responsible for saving their entire race.

~ The End ~

This Story was originally published in my Instagram account _utapri.stories

Chapter cover edited by me.