2 weeks later.
"It's the start of MY MONTH!!!", says Zarya excitedly. Everyone is now a part of the Thread.
"YAYYYYY", jumps Rain in excitement, together with Zarya. The two are jumping around. Fae joins them and jumps too. "Yippeeee :3"
Aeternum and Futurum smile at Fae. "Our daughter is adorable, isn't she?", says Futurum.
"Love, you've said that many times in the past 2 weeks. She is adorable, yes.", says Aeternum.
Futurum chuckles, and hugs Aeternum.
Mailen and Jala are just sipping tea and talking about the future plans of the Thread, and Threadia.
"Anyways, you guys. Let's head to Scutia!", says Zarya.
"Oh, right. Let's take a road trip. It'll take two entire days. Just in time for the concert and your birthday~", says Rain. Mailen calls dibs on the wheel and takes the car that Star gave him a few days ago just in case this happens.
"Star really is spoiling you, Mailen.", says Jala.
"Mom, stop teasing him!", says Rain.
"Oh, do you like him? You don't want your mother to take your job?", says Jala, smirking at Rain.
Rain blushes and shuts up. Zarya just looks shocked at Jala and Rain. She mumbles to herself: "This woman is good with words. She's the whole opposite of Rainy, wow. "
Fae just looks confused on what happened. Her innocent soul stays pure for another day.
"Two thousand kilometers left. I hope y'all are ready.", says Mailen, turning on the navigation between Aozora and Scutia.
"We're all ready!", says Futurum. Rain, still very red and embarrassed, says "Yes, Mailen."
After 400km, they approached the border of "Minami", where a lot of people approached them for their fame and ownership of Threadia. There, they got access to the 'special lane' on the South Hoshinaran Highway. After a day, they approach another country, "Kami".
After 2 days, they approach "Scutia", the biggest entertainment city in all of Hoshinara.
"Tomorrow's the day!!! Oh my god oh my god omgomgmogmgomgomgomg…"
Everyone settles in a hotel in the center of Scutia. There, they meet a young dark-blue-haired girl. "Oh, sorry, didn't see you there. Here, you can pass through.", she says.
Zarya instantly recognizes her. "Excuse me, are you Sheni, perchance?"
The girl nods her head in agreement and shows her ID for proof. Zarya's heart starts beating fast. She hugs Sheni and says "I am one of your biggest fans!! I have a lot of your merch on the Thread, oh my goodness."
"Wait, wait, wait. The Thread? Like, the famous Astral Thread?", says Sheni.
"Yes! That's us!", says Zarya.
"Oh, now it makes sense why you're here. You can afford this, hehe.", says Sheni.
Zarya's heart is still pounding at the fact she actually just met Sheni.
"You do know how popular you are, right?", asks Zarya.
Sheni chuckles and says: "I do not look at numbers. I just sing in places, and money appears in my account. There's also people who ask me for help, which I always do!"
"You're impressive.", says Zarya before Mailen calls her over to go into the room they're designated in.
A few minutes later, in their room.
"Zarya. Please go into that room over there.", says Rain, pointing at the bathroom.
"Uh… okay.", says Zarya. Rain closes the door after her.
Several minutes later, Rain tells Zarya to come back.
"Happy birthday!!!!", everyone say.
Zarya tears up and says "thanks, everyone".
The entire room is filled with joy. Zarya's phone also explodes in notifications. Her friends on social media, and her contacts are congratulating her a grandiose 18th birthday.
Finally, the cake arrives. "Make a wish!", says Rain. "It's a common thing on Earth to make a wish when you blow the cake~"
Zarya blows the cake.
"I wish…"
Several hours later, they enter the Scutian Theatre, where Sheni is performing her biggest concert yet: "Petals Flying Across the Milky", with the length of 16 hours.
"Yoooooooooo! It's your girl, Sheni!! Are you all ready for SIXTEEN HOURS of THE BEST MUSIC IN THE GALAXY???", shouts Sheni at the audience. The entire audience, a total of 1.2 million in the Theatre and a total of 89 million online cheers back as the lights darken and the show starts. ♪
After several hours, the first break occurs. The bells ring, and everyone leaves to take a break. However, a security officer comes up to the crew.
"Hello there. Is here a lady named 'Zarya Lunova'?", asks the officer.
"That's me, what's up?", asks Zarya.
The officer pulls out a card and says: "Miss Lunova, please read this."
Zarya opens the card and reads: "From Sheni to the Astral Thread (and their birthday girl, miss Zarya Lunova). Hello, Astral Thread!! It's Sheni! I've heard of your experience in Almatia and wanted to say thank you for saving them! I actually prepared to do a tour there before the Driftspace took control. Thank you guys, now I can continue the tour and have every Almatian enjoy themselves! And to Miss Lunova, who is one of my biggest fans, please read the back page, personally."
Zarya reads the card's back page in her head and tears up in excitement.
"This is… the best birthday ever!!", screams Zarya, catching a few glances from other guests.
"What happened?", asks Rain excitedly.
"Sheni gave me her number!! EEKKKKKKKKK!!!!", jumps Zarya.
Rain jumps in excitement, the two holding hands and fangirling.
Xita looks at everything around. "Their excitement is increasing very quickly. They should be cautious."
The next day, the crew decides on what to do next.
"Well, our fun in Hoshinara should be coming close to an end, Zarya has celebrated her birthday, and we have some stuff to do.", says Aeternum.
"I'll finish setting up Threadia.", says Mailen.
Aeternum, Futurum and Fae decide to prepare themselves for the Intelligence Network meeting a month from now.
Xita, Zarya, Rain and Jala are behind in Scutia.
"Well, I will take Xita and go have some fun across town. I'll let you two enjoy your family rebound~", says Zarya, telling Xita to come, as it rolls away on its wheels.
"Mom. Why did you look back for me?", says Rain.
"…There's something I didn't tell you.", says Jala. "Out of all the achievements your grandfather mentioned in Starma, he never mentioned you, and someone else."
"Who?", asks Rain.
"I'll just tell you the name. When we meet him, everything will come to light.", says Jala.
"The name is Shawn", says Jala. "He currently resides in Platter, a planet in the Omega system, all the way in Andromeda."
"That's a whole galaxy across.", says Rain.
"You'll hopefully get to meet him in your lifetime. If he's alive too.", says Jala.
"Interesting. We'll see.", says Rain. "Anyways, why don't we go have a break too? We will have to go to Astoria soon, Aeternum sent me a message about the Intelligence Network EXPO meeting."
"Fun! All right, why don't you show around? I have never been in Hoshinara.", says Jala.
"Moooooom!! Neither have I!", exclaims Rain, making Jala chuckle.
They go out and enjoy their time in Hoshinara for the time being.
The Vennurs are in their room. "Fae, prepare toothpaste, okay? Caries is a significant issue for children like you.", says Futurum, scolding Fae, who is playing 'Super Bonk 3' on her gaming console.
"Okay, mom. I'll do it!", says Fae, closing her console and getting to work.
"Kärn, sweetie~", says Futurum.
"Yes, Kira?", says Aeternum. "Before you ask, I did pack my clothes. I won't wear the same things. Do not worry. That was my thing in my 20s."
"Good.", replies Futurum.
Several days pass, and everyone is finally ready to depart for Almatia.