My eyes opened slowly, and for a moment, I was caught in the quiet beauty of the world before me. Above, the sky stretched endlessly, adorned with stars so vivid they seemed almost within reach. Each one shimmered like a tiny beacon, their light reflected in the velvety darkness of the heavens. The constellations were unfamiliar, yet they formed a breathtaking tapestry that demanded my attention.
As I stood, the cool air brushed against my skin, carrying a faint hint of grass and something indescribable—a scent that felt like home. The ground beneath me was soft, a blanket of greenery that I couldn't fully see but somehow knew was there.
A warm glow caught my eye to the left. A small Japanese-style convenience store stood at a distance, its light spilling into the night, casting long, soft shadows over the landscape. Beside it, a single streetlamp illuminated a wooden bench. The light created a gentle halo, and within it sat a girl.
She was still, her figure outlined in the lamp's glow. Her posture was relaxed, her hands resting on her lap as her head tilted upward to the sky. Though her face was blurred and indistinct, her presence felt undeniable. I didn't know who she was, but something about her was magnetic. She belonged to this serene world, as much a part of it as the stars above.
I approached cautiously, each step muted by the softness of the ground. The silence around us wasn't oppressive or empty—it was the kind of quiet that soothes, a stillness that welcomed my presence without question.
Standing a short distance away, I stopped. I didn't want to intrude, but I couldn't pull myself away. She remained transfixed by the stars, her head moving ever so slightly, as though following some unseen pattern in the sky.
The light of the lamp cast her in warm hues, the glow contrasting with the cool blues of the night around us. Her silhouette seemed otherworldly, like a figure drawn from a dream I couldn't quite remember.
I watched her for what felt like hours. Time had no meaning here; the world itself felt suspended. The soft rustle of a breeze stirred the grass, barely audible, but she didn't seem to notice.
Then, slowly, she shifted. Her hand, resting on her lap, twitched slightly, and her shoulders moved, almost imperceptibly, as though she were coming to life.
The moment felt fragile, like a thread stretched taut, ready to snap. My breath caught as I waited, unsure of what would happen next.