The next morning, Sakura High felt strangely peaceful — as if the entire school had exhaled after days of tension. The skies were bright, the breeze soft, and sunlight spilled across the windows like warm honey. It was the kind of day where even the teachers felt too relaxed to scold anyone.
And for the members of the Cosmic S.T.A.R. Club, it felt like the universe had gifted them a moment of calm.
Haruto, Beru, Souta, Luna, Tadao, Aira, and Ren gathered in the club room after classes, drifting in one by one with sleepy expressions and soft greetings. Everyone was tired — emotionally and physically — but there was a glow in their eyes, a quiet contentment born from knowing they made it through something heavy together.
Souta slumped onto the couch dramatically. "I swear, my soul is still tired. Someone please carry me home."
Beru tilted her head, amused. "After all that running and climbing ? I'm surprised you're even alive."
Haruto chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "He survived the warehouse. He'll survive a little exhaustion."
Luna, sitting beside the window with her tea, glanced at Souta with a faint smile. "If you faint, I'll ask the butler to bring the stretcher from the mansion."
Souta sat up immediately. "I HAVE DIGNITY."
Everyone burst into laughter.
It felt good to laugh. It felt needed.
Aira, still fairly new to the club, watched them with soft admiration. "You guys have such strong bonds… it's really nice."
Ren nodded quietly beside her. "Yeah. It's warm. Like… family."
Beru clapped her hands suddenly. "Then today! No club work. No serious stuff. No planning. We take a break and just relax!"
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly does 'relax' mean?"
Beru grinned mischievously. "Games."
Aira's eyes sparkled. "What kind?"
Beru pulled out a stack of old board games from the club's dusty locker — some they didn't even know existed. Uno cards, an ancient othello board, a half-broken Jenga set, and a mysterious box labeled "Sakura High Dare Roulette."
Souta immediately pointed at the last one.
"That. We're playing that."
Luna's eyes narrowed. "No."
Beru shook her head. "Absolutely not."
Tadao frowned. "That box is cursed."
Haruto stared at it. "Why does it rattle?"
Ren touched it and stepped back instantly. "Nope. No way."
Souta looked betrayed. "Guys… where's your sense of adventure?"
"In the hospital, probably," Luna deadpanned.
They eventually settled on Jenga — simple, peaceful, safe. Or so they thought.
Because fifteen minutes later, the club room was trembling with chaos.
"BERU STOP SHAKING THE TABLE!" Souta shouted.
"I'M NOT SHAKING ANYTHING!" Beru protested.
Haruto leaned forward like a bomb expert. "If this falls, whoever makes it fall has to treat everyone to snacks."
Aira gasped. "That's so scary…"
Tadao coughed politely. "It was Souta's idea."
Souta pointed at the tower dangerously leaning to one side. "That thing is defying gravity! It wants me to lose!"
Luna calmly pulled a block from the most impossible spot, placed it on top, then sipped her tea like it was nothing.
Everyone stared at her.
"…Are you secretly a pro?" Ren whispered.
"With my life," Luna replied.
Then — of course — Souta made the tower collapse like an avalanche.
He stared at the fallen blocks in silence.
"I'll go buy the snacks," he muttered.
Beru beamed. "Yay!"
Everyone went with him — mostly to enjoy the fresh air. The seven of them walked down the street together, the early evening breeze brushing their hair. Luna walked beside Souta, quietly matching her steps with his. There was still a trace of shyness, a leftover warmth from that emotional night.
Souta scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Hey… Luna. Did your dad get some rest? Everyone at your house looked really exhausted."
Luna nodded softly. "Yes. Things are calming down now. And… thank you. For worrying."
Souta looked ahead, trying not to blush. "Of course I would worry. It's you."
She blinked — then smiled faintly, a small flicker of emotion in her eyes.
Behind them, Beru whispered loudly to Haruto, "They're so cute."
Haruto nodded. "Yeah. Like two shy rabbits."
Ren and Aira exchanged looks.
"Do they always tease like this?" Aira asked.
Tadao sighed. "Every day."
After snacks were bought (mostly sweet things Beru stuffed into Souta's arms), they returned to school, sat on the rooftop, and enjoyed the golden sunset together. The sky was painted with lavender and orange clouds, the wind cool and gentle.
Beru leaned against Haruto, who wrapped an arm around her shoulders comfortably. Aira rested her chin on her knees, admiring the sky. Ren quietly gave Luna a small blanket when the wind picked up.
And Souta?
He stared at the horizon, a soft look settling on his face.
He didn't say anything, but he thought it:
I won't let anything happen to you again, Luna.
The sunset slowly melted into twilight, and the group sat in peaceful silence.
No kidnappings.
No rivalries.
No battles.
Just warmth.
Just the feeling of being together.
Just a day that felt like the first breath of spring after a long winter.
As the stars began to appear, Haruto stretched lazily. "Today was nice."
"Mm," Luna agreed. "Peaceful."
"Let's… have more days like this," Souta said quietly.
Beru grinned. "We will. Many more."
Tadao smiled gently. "As long as we're all here."
Ren nodded. "Together."
Aira clasped her hands happily. "Forever Cosmic S.T.A.R.!"
Everyone laughed — but the sentiment settled warmly in their hearts.
The night deepened, and as they walked home beneath the glowing streetlights, it was clear:
This was a chapter they would all remember.
A soft one.
A healing one.
A reminder of why they stayed together.
And tomorrow, when life grew busy again — this calm, this warmth, this peace — would stay with them like a quiet constellation in their hearts.
---
To be continued...