The Seera Sweets tent was quieter now, the sweet aroma fading as the last of the pastries disappeared into boxes. Lumeira brushed her flour-dusted hands against her apron, carefully wrapping leftovers with her team.
"Phew… that's a lot of work," one of the girls murmured, stacking a tray.
As Lumeira turned to check the supplies, a familiar voice slid in behind her, smooth as ever.
"Well, well, I can't possibly let these beauties do all the hard work alone… not when this guy is standing right here."
Solace leaned against the counter with a grin, sleeves rolled up, wrench still tucked in his belt like a badge of honor.
Lumeira blinked, then gave a small laugh. "Well, thank you for your help. I appreciate it… sir."
"Sir?" Solace placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. "That makes me sound ancient. The name's Solace."
"And I am—"
"Lumeira," he finished softly, his tone dipping with something warmer than his usual playful charm.
She tilted her head. "How do you know?"
For the first time all day, Solace hesitated. He scratched his cheek, covering it quickly with a crooked grin. "Well, uh… the beautiful name only suits a beauty like you. So I guessed. Lucky shot, right?"
His words were wrapped in flirtation, but his eyes betrayed him—lingering, almost reverent.
Lumeira smiled politely, choosing not to press. She turned back to the trays, gathering herself with a steady breath. Finally, she stretched her arms over her head with a soft sigh.
She looked to her team of helpers and clapped her hands together. "Good job, girls. Thank you for all your hard work today. And thank you too, Solace, for your kind help."
Solace flashed his usual confident smile, though his heart thudded unevenly. "Don't mention it. Always happy to help when it's you."
The low hum of chatter dimmed as a teacher stepped onto the small wooden stage near the bonfire, microphone in hand.
"Students," she announced, her voice carrying over the crackling flames, "tonight is rare. In just a moment, all the planets will align completely. Look up—this is something you won't want to miss."
At once, dozens of heads tilted skyward.
The heavens stretched clear and endless, constellations glittering like scattered diamonds. And then, slowly, the great orbs of the planets shifted into place, one by one, forming a perfect line across the night sky.
Lumeira tipped her head back, lips parting softly. "It's… beautiful, isn't it?" she murmured, her eyes shimmering with wonder.
Solace stood beside her, gaze darting between the heavens and her face. For a heartbeat, he forgot the sky entirely—until something unusual caught his eye.
Just beneath her right ear, near the curve of her neck, a faint tattoo-like mark glowed gently in rhythm with the alignment.
"Umm—" He scrambled, tearing his gaze away. "Yeah… it's beautiful. Very beautiful."
The words slipped out slowly, and though he spoke of the sky, his eyes lingered on her.
Not far away, Seul tilted his head back as well. For once, the weight in his chest eased. The stars felt alive, as though they were whispering directly to him.
So far away… and yet they shine for us. If only people could be like that too—distant, but still warm.
His lips curved in the faintest smile, one he rarely showed.
Beside him, Zeddy leaned back casually, hands behind his head, grinning up at the spectacle. "Man, you don't see stuff like this often. Pretty lucky, huh?"
Seul glanced at him and chuckled softly. "…Lucky, yeah."
Elsewhere, Selene was already snapping away with her camera. "Woooow… click, click, click!" Her pale grin stretched unnervingly wide as flashes danced across Karmine's face.
Karmine shielded her eyes, scowling. "For crying out loud, can you stop blinding me for one second and just enjoy the moment?"
Selene's eyes never left her viewfinder. "But if I capture it perfectly, it'll boost my project score. A perfect sky… for a perfect grade."
Karmine groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Unbelievable. You're gonna miss the real thing while staring through that lens."
Selene only giggled creepily, her camera clicking again.
The alignment locked into place, and for a breathless moment, the entire sky glowed with a strange, ethereal light.
The grass was cool beneath them, the firelight flickering faintly in the distance as Seul and Zeddy lay eyes fixed on the brilliant line of planets stretching across the night sky.
Seul exhaled softly, closing his eyes for a moment. In the stillness, something welled in his chest—an unspoken wish he could never share. .…
Zeddy tilted his head toward him. "What're you doing?"
"Made a wish," Seul murmured.
"To the planets?"
"No… yes… maybe." His voice was barely above the breeze. "Who knows if it comes true."
Zeddy blinked, then chuckled, stretching his arms behind his head. "Alright, then—I'll wish too. I wish…" He smirked at the glowing heavens. "…that we'll get more nights like this. Cool skies, good food, and—"
He trailed off, the last part swallowed by his thoughts. —…..
Seul cracked an eye open. "…Food and what?"
Zeddy flashed him a teasing grin. "Hey, if you can keep part of your wish a secret, then so can I. Fair's fair, right?"
Seul huffed a quiet laugh, the corners of his mouth softening. "…Guess so."
The two of them fell into comfortable silence again, the planets above gleaming in a perfect, fragile line—unaware that below their feet, the earth was beginning to tremble.
The night sky was still strung with wonder, planets glimmering like jewels on an invisible thread. But beneath the beauty, something stirred.