Shooting Stars: Chapter 1
There is a legend of Philos’s history scattered throughout its
In all four directions, wandering poets scatter fragments of the legend all over the planet.
After Philos's for a few hundred years, the queen extolled in the legends finally reclaimed the scepter.
The next spring is . In the darkness, someone is bound to capture the light.
Under the queen’s leadership, Philos’s universe will recover its former light and glory.
I sit at the highest point of the main hall. The throne is broad and ice cold. Standing at the foot of the stairs is my , .
The Queen’s coronation is a day millions of people rejoice, but he is actually here to bid farewell to me.
MC: You've privately come to meet me. If members of your found out, wouldn't they suspect that you've betrayed them?
Xavier: They know.
Xavier: Besides, I am still Philos's knight after all; coming to greet the Queen is my duty.
MC: …You really want to go?
Xavier: The ship is already ready to set off.
MC: But, what you're about to face is a very dangerous journey!
Xavier: …
Xavier: As long as Her Majesty The Queen does not give orders for elimination, we will be safe.
Her Majesty the Queen—he calls me using this distant form of address.
Now that I think about it, it seems Xavier hasn't called me by my name in a long time…
At this moment, I look at him standing at the foot of the long flight of stairs and suddenly realize that I haven't seen his face clearly in a long time.
MC: Since you've already decided, then…
I lower my head, get up, and .
MC: I will announce the news, by saying—
I stop and stand in front of Xavier.
MC: The Grandis Knight has perished in battle against foreign enemies. I'll give you the highest honors.
He smiles at me.
Xavier: Thank you.
The wind blows into the spacious main hall, and his sword hilt's star tassel sways slightly.
The night is too dark. I can't clearly see the tassel's appearance, but I've already pictured it in my mind hundreds of times before this.
MC:
Xavier's thumb brushes the hilt.
Xavier: …I'm used to it.
I can't help but recall the time I first asked him about this tassel's story. It was a long, long time ago…
We were all still studying at at the time.
The snow accumulated throughout all of winter had melted; at the base of the monument to the Holy Sword of the Goddess in the middle of the school's courtyard, a cluster of light blue had sprouted.
The Starhunter School’s interstellar patrol team had just returned from their journey, and after learning this news, I immediately rushed out of my dorm and ran down the long Astroscience Avenue, arriving before the Holy Sword’s monument.
Students stand in groups of two or three, listening to Vice Captain Jeremiah shamelessly bragging about the thrilling scenes of them responding to various types of space crises during their latest patrol.
MC: Jeremiah! Where's Xavier?
Jeremiah: Looking for our school prefect?
He looks left and right two times, scratching his head.
Jeremiah: Strange, he disappeared the moment he returned…
I turn my head to look at the tall clock tower.
MC: I know.
MC: Must be by himself again.
I turn and run towards the clock tower, hearing shouts coming from behind me.
Jeremiah: Hey! He's injured—! You absolutely must not trouble him!
When I climbed to the top of the clock tower, as expected, Xavier was seated on the edge and enjoying the breeze.
MC: …Returning without telling me, alone here.
Xavier: Even if I didn't tell you, haven't you found me anyway.
He doesn’t turn his head, his voice unsurprisingly filled with indifference.
I go over to sit by his side. I see him reattach the star tassel in his hand back onto his sword's hilt.
MC: (Must've been staring blankly at that tassel again…)
Xavier: Such a gloomy complexion the moment you arrived. Who bullied you?
I moved my gaze away.
MC: …Isn't it just you.
MC: Just now I heard Jeremiah say you had gotten hurt on patrol—practically half dead, causing me to be worried for a little moment.
MC: Looking now, you're clearly intact.
Xavier: So even if I were practically half dead, it would make you worry for only a little moment.
MC: …Right now I don't even want to be “a little” worried for you!
Xavier laughs.
Xavier: I was afraid the moment I returned, you'd drag me off to settle a score, by getting rid of my arms and legs.
MC: Since you're aware, next time don't conceal it from everyone and face dangers alone.
MC: However, I indeed want to settle this score with you.
We are talking about a matter that happened one month ago, just as school released us for winter break.
These days in Philos, the Wanderer incursions have become more severe. So, to guarantee our safety, all students have to report their holiday whereabouts to the school.
However, only Xavier made no report and made no arrangements. On the second day of the holidays, he quietly boarded the Starhunters’ winter patrol aircraft, disappearing among the stars.
Aside from a hurried “shh” gesture he gave when he ran into me unexpectedly, he left nothing behind.
MC: For a whole month, the Academy and your family’s retainers couldn't find you, so they all came to ask me.
MC: Since I was covering for you on both sides, on top of being afraid you'd run into danger on your patrol, I've spent every day !
The more I spoke, the angrier I got. Xavier just kept chuckling.
Xavier: All thanks to your eloquence and superb acting, your help covered for me.
Xavier: Later, I'll treat you to ?
MC: Only that?
Xavier: Is that not enough? Then I'll add a slice of brown sugar cake?
As a gentle breeze passed by, Xavier's smile became more annoying… I decided not to let him off so easily.
MC: Two slices.
Xavier: Sure.
MC: You're eating them with me.
Xavier: I'll eat with you for a whole week.
Xavier leans backwards and lies flat on his back, closing his eyes.
Kindled
Xavier: Looking at me without speaking, I'm a little unused to you being like this.
Xavier: The wind feels good, aren’t you joining me?
MC: Recently, your family’s retainers came quite a few times; perhaps this time, it's really an urgent matter.
Xavier: …Next month is the ’ selection, why aren't you training?
Xavier: This year, there is just one position.
MC: Every time your family matters are brought up, you change the topic…
MC: Everyone says when you have someone you like, that’s when you often get lost in thought staring at something.
Xavier: I've said it many times, it's not what you're thinking.
This tassel's design was trendy a long time ago. The person in your heart… their style is quite retro.
Xavier: Really? Then what designs are popular now?
MC: (Hmph, focusing on the …)
MC: Simple, with clean lines, just like the on our uniforms.
Xavier: I never noticed. But hearing that, it doesn't seem that different from my current one.
MC: It's very different! You really don't understand it at all? Next time I'll gift…
Xavier: Just now you said, what do you want to gift me?
MC: …Nothing, I'm going to class now!
MC: Since you're already back, if your family’s retainers come looking for you again, I'm no longer lying for you.
Xavier: After I treat you to honey milk tea… help me with another favor?
MC: Say it…
Xavier: I'll say it tomorrow.
Xavier: Go to class. Tomorrow at noon, we'll meet at the base of the monument to the Holy Sword of the Goddess.
MC: …You wouldn’t, you want me to spar with you again don’t you!
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