Hoshi no Ouji-Sama (Prince of the Stars)

Chapter 5 - Kuiper Belt

Another day. The temperature's low, but it shouldn't be too bad.

I look at the time, 7 AM. It's unusual for me to wake up so early, but I didn't mind. I grabbed a grocery bag, and started preparing for a trip to Taiyou's place. She invited me to help her bake, something I hadn't done in forever. I got a few ingredients, before Es stepped in.

"Oh, are you baking a cake or something?"

"I have no clue, really. I'm just heading out."

"Well, it's really cold out, so you should wear a coat."

"Planning on it." I wasn't much for conversation, really. I got all the socialization I could out of me already, and that doesn't mean well.

I noticed that the chives had some sort of slime on them. Placide must of used them in their cooking. I didn't need them, but the one thing I needed was right next to it, and it was in slight contact with the chives. I ended up saying 'screw it' and picking what I needed up. I was about to go out, but then remembered that I forgot a coat. That would've been a probable disaster, and rightly so. When I got outside, it was absolutely freezing. Not the particular kind of weather I liked, but better than the summer.

I walked for about a block, before realizing that I was heading the wrong way. I turned around, only to realize that I was walking the right way. Sometimes neighborhoods are confusing. I got tired of literally going in a circle, so I ended up calling her.

"Hey."

"Oh, hey! What'd you need?"

"I'm lost."

"You're... lost?"

"Yes. I'm lost in the middle of the neighborhood and I don't know which way to go."

"...Meet me at the library."

"Alright." I hang up. That was easier than I had thought.

I walked down to the library, an easy task. Today, it was packed, though. Probably because of the nice heating. From there, things were quite confusing. A lot of kids stopped and asked me questions, for I was a part-time librarian. They were easy questions though, like 'Where's that cool book about tigers?' or 'Where's the newest novel at?'. Nothing I couldn't answer. I looked across from the main hall, and saw Taiyou. I quickly ran towards there, and almost ran straight into the wall.

"Jeez, don't hit the door on the way out!"

"Hey, that was an accident!"

"Do you have what I asked you to get?"

"Yeah. I didn't have to go to the store, I had everything there."

"You know half of that stuff's mine, probably."

"Yeah."

We walked most of the way to her house gripping each other's hands. She said it was so 'I didn't fall', but I obviously knew she was lying. Though, we let go once we got to the front door, of course. It would be hard to open the door with one hand.

The inside is somehow clean, despite her baking almost 24/7. I guess she might have cleaned it before I came over, but we're going to mess it up again. So, it was pretty pointless, but I didn't mind.

I wasn't really expecting her to be readily prepared, but I was wrong yet again. She had almost everything, except for the things I had brought.

"This your first time baking?"

"Yeah, I haven't actually done it in a while, so-"

"No problem, I can help you through it."

I tried my usually bluff- act like I know what I'm doing. She turned to face me, and it seemed like her eyes were shining as bright as the sun- meanwhile mine were as dark as the night sky- a weird balance. I couldn't really say no, so I allowed her to help me through this.

"Well, we should look at the instructions first."

"...Maybe that's a good option, Sei."

"Hey, I've never really done this, so I'm relying on you."

"Don't you always?" We pause. "...Not saying it's a bad thing. It's kind of cutesy when you ask for help, y'know." She pauses again. "Am I weirding you out?"

I softly smile. "No, it's alright. I sort of agree."

"What do you mean 'sort of'?"

I look up at her. "Everything you do is adorable. You just being here is warming to me. And I'm glad-" I shut up for a moment. I didn't even think before I said that. The words kind of, just, fell out. Before I can apologize or finish my sentence, Taiyou grabs hold of my arm. My expression falls from a tender grin to that of confusion and worry, but with slight joy.

"Don't say anything."

Well, here comes my demise.

"You.. don't have to say anything after that. That alone is enough."

"Tai-"

"Shush. We've gotta finish these cookies by tomorrow."

I immediately lose any expression.

"Are you serious." She lets out a small laugh, followed by her usual self, a focused and bright person.

A few hours pass, and we're done.

"They're not that bad, considering you've never done this."

"I guess it's thanks to you, really."

"Guess so."

I prepare my things to leave. "By the way, Sei, there's a meteor shower tomorrow. I was wondering-"

"If we could go? Of course."

Taiyou stares at me, who's about to leave for home.

"Don't get lost again, and have a good night, itoshii." There it is again.

"Sweet dreams, itoshii." I shut the door. Walking alone in the dark is a truly melancholic experience, but not today. Though, I'm a little upset.

I didn't even get to take any cookies home.

But, that doesn't really matter. I got to spend time with the person I truly love the most. And that's all that matters.

I enter home, and immediately head to bed. I'm too tired to deal with anyone.