The drizzle fell gently on the earth, forming tiny streams that trickled between blades of grass and pooled in the cracks of uneven stones. The gray sky hung low and heavy, unmoving, as if it too mourned with those gathered beneath it.
Hoshi stood frozen, his black suit clinging to his damp shoulders. The umbrella in his hand trembled slightly—not from the cold, but from the weight pressing down on his chest. Around him, the group of black-clad mourners began to disperse, their soft murmurs dissolving into the gentle rhythm of the rain.
One by one, they left, until only Hoshi and his father remained. They stood side by side, rooted in place before a freshly carved gravestone. Its polished surface reflected the dim light, and the name etched into it pierced their hearts with unrelenting sharpness: Aoi Takizawa.
Hoshi's gaze rested on the wet flowers adorning the grave. Droplets of rain clung to the petals, glistening like tears. Beside him, his father exhaled a shaky breath, the sound barely audible over the rain. Neither of them spoke. They didn't need to. The silence between them was enough to convey the weight of their loss—heavier than the gray clouds above.
"It's time to go home," said Eda.
"That's easy for you to say, Dad."
Eda fell silent at his son's words. He understood the pain of losing someone you love. It was bitter for Eda to accept that his wife was gone forever, but it was even more unbearable for Hoshi, who had been by Aoi's side during her final moments.
"If only I'd done something... I…"
"This isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself," Eda said firmly.
"But maybe… maybe I could have…"
Eda stepped closer to his son, placing a steady hand on Hoshi's shoulder. "Grief is natural, but don't curse fate, Hoshi," he said, his tone resolute.
"But I failed, Dad! I FAILED TO SAVE HER!"
Suddenly, Eda's hand flew to Hoshi's cheek. The slap was sharp and forceful. The sound echoed through the quiet graveyard, sending Hoshi stumbling backward until he fell to the ground. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The sting burned on his face, but what hurt more was the wound it left in his heart.
"It's not our place to decide fate. Accept it and move forward," Eda said, his voice steady but cold, before turning and walking away, leaving Hoshi alone.
Hoshi bowed his head, staring at the rain-soaked grass. His father's words offered no solace. If anything, they deepened the ache of accepting a fate that had torn Aoi away from him forever.
As Eda stepped out of the cemetery gate, Hoshi's sobs began to fill the cold air. At first, they were quiet and restrained, but soon they grew into a full, heart-wrenching wail of grief. The sound echoed among the rows of headstones, cutting deep into Eda's heart.
Eda stopped in his tracks, gripping his umbrella tightly to keep it from falling. But in the end, he chose to keep walking, his face turned forward. He knew that no matter how much it hurt, time was the wisest teacher for his son. To Eda, Hoshi needed to learn to face this pain alone—even though every cry felt like a blade slicing through his soul.
"Someday, you'll understand," he murmured.
★
Back in his mother's old room, the curtains were wide open, allowing sunlight to spill across parts of the space. Unlike before, the room was now empty, save for a few of Aoi's belongings left behind.
Everything was still vivid in Hoshi's memory—the scent of Aoi's favorite perfume seemed to linger in every corner, soft yet piercing. Memories of his mother played like a film reel in his mind—her quiet laughter, her warm touch, and words he would never forget.
If he followed his heart, he would cry again, releasing the pent-up sorrow within him. But his body was drained, his tears seemed to have dried up, leaving behind only a heavy void. The pain hadn't lessened; it had merely changed shape—silent yet searing.
Something caught Hoshi's eye—a black jacket hanging limply over the back of a chair. The fabric was worn and faded, yet it still held memories that time hadn't erased. Slowly, he extended his hand, brushing his fingers over the material. It was soft to the touch but carried a chill.
Carefully, he picked it up, holding it as though it might break, and pressed it tightly against his chest. A faint scent lingered, familiar and comforting, carrying with it the ghost of Aoi's presence. Even though it was just a piece of clothing, the jacket gave him a fleeting warmth, enough to fill the emptiness in his heart. For a moment, his longing felt a little less unbearable.
His attention then shifted to a book resting on the table—a diary that had once belonged to Aoi. It hadn't been written in for years. Perhaps the last entry was made seven years ago, before Aoi fell unconscious. Hoshi wasn't sure how the diary had ended up here, but the sight of it tugged at something deep inside him.
One by one, he turned its yellowed pages, each filled with Aoi's handwriting. His fingers brushed over the rough texture of the paper, which was dotted with brown stains. Its scent carried the mustiness of a book long abandoned.
Each page bore a date and a story, capturing moments from Aoi's life.
"Zodiac Aries appears on…"
"The moon will cross the horizon at…"
Hoshi smiled softly as he read through the diary. Each word seemed to carry Aoi's essence, as if her spirit lingered within the pages. The topics she wrote about weren't surprising—they were exactly what he had expected. Yet, the familiarity of her voice in the words was almost overwhelming, as if he could hear her speaking to him, her tone bright and full of excitement.
The more he read, the deeper he was drawn into her world. The writings came alive in his mind, bringing his mother back to life in his imagination, her cheerful voice narrating her stories. If he closed his eyes, he could almost hear her laugh in between her words.
As Hoshi carefully flipped through the pages, he came across a blank section and stopped. The emptiness spoke volumes—it was the moment when Aoi fell into her coma, and her pen, which once danced across the paper, came to a final halt.
He turned the blank pages slowly, as if searching for something hidden within the white void. Each sheet felt heavy, as if it carried the weight of time that could never be recovered.
Suddenly, his fingers stopped on a page.
"A poem?"
In this world, twelve bonds reside,
Each one a fortress where life abides.
But beyond the heavens and secrets veiled,
Two twin queens keep a throne unveiled.
One carries a star devoid of light,
Faint yet rich in meaning's sight.
The other holds light without a guide,
Brilliant yet lonely, with none beside.
Should fate unite them in its design,
Balance shall return, once divine.
Two powers converge, complementing each other,
Reviving the soul, restoring what's withered.
Hoshi read each stanza with a mixture of confusion and awe. Not once had he heard his mother speak of something so enigmatic. But one line stood out: "Reviving souls, and transcending time."
Those words seemed like a key to a secret he had never realized existed.
He slumped into the chair, staring blankly at the page. His mind raced to decipher the hidden meaning behind the poem, but it was as if a thick fog clouded his thoughts. It was the most puzzling riddle he had ever faced—a riddle that seemed impossible to solve.
Yet, the poem ignited a new sense of hope in Hoshi. He now had a reason to move forward. Even though the poem's true meaning was unclear, he vowed to uncover its mystery. Nothing would stop him. He would do whatever it took to acquire the power it spoke of—the power to bring Aoi back.
★
"Hoshi, I'd like to order two more bowls of ramen!"
"Could you bring me a glass of soda?"
Six months had passed. Hoshi now worked at his father's small restaurant, helping as a waiter. At first, he thought of the job as nothing more than an obligation—a distraction from the emptiness that haunted him. But over time, he discovered there was something calming about the bustling life of the restaurant. The aroma of warm miso soup and freshly cooked rice filled the air, accompanied by the laughter of customers and the soft clinking of plates and utensils in the kitchen.
Hoshi often observed the customers who came and went. There was something about the lively atmosphere that slowly began to knock on the door of his wounded heart. Sometimes, he would see a young boy sitting with his mother in a corner of the restaurant, happily eating a plate of onigiri. The mother's smile as she wiped rice off her son's cheek touched Hoshi's heart. Small moments like that, though fleeting, eased his longing for Aoi, even just a little.
However, every time that longing resurfaced, Hoshi's determination to bring Aoi back only grew stronger. His gaze often wandered to the ticking clock on the restaurant wall, a constant reminder that time was passing, yet he remained stuck in the unsolved mystery of the poem.
He had read the verses of the poem countless times, jotting each line onto a crumpled piece of paper that now lived in the pocket of his work apron. No new clues had surfaced. Still, Hoshi refused to give up. He knew that somewhere, the answer awaited him—perhaps hidden among the stars he gazed at each night, or perhaps in something he had overlooked all along.
After nearly four hours of nonstop work, it was finally time for a break. Hoshi removed his apron, which had absorbed the smell of miso soup and hot oil, and hung it on a wooden hook near the kitchen. His fingers brushed against the crumpled paper in the apron pocket—the poem that still held its secrets—and he quickly transferred it to his pants pocket. He never left it far from his reach, as if afraid that losing it would mean losing his hope as well.
Without a word, Hoshi stepped out through the restaurant's back door, inhaling the cool evening air with relief. The breeze brushed against his face, carrying the scent of wet leaves, car exhaust, and a faint whiff of freshly baked bread from a nearby shop. He walked slowly, heading toward a small convenience store at the end of the block.
Technically, Eda always prepared meals for the staff—dishes that rarely changed, like curry, soup, or simple fried rice. But after six months, Hoshi's taste buds were begging for variety. Maybe it was just an excuse to step away for a moment, to enjoy some solitude away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. After all, seeking out onigiri from different convenience stores in town had become his little ritual—something to break the monotony of his otherwise empty days.
That day, Hoshi's steps brought him to a small convenience store at the end of an alley, a place he had visited for the first time just last week. Despite its size, the store felt warm and inviting, its soft yellow lighting illuminating shelves. A small bell above the door jingled as he entered, and the cashier at the counter gave him a halfhearted smile and a slight nod.
Wasting no time, Hoshi headed straight for the ready-to-eat section, his eyes scanning the neat rows of onigiri wrapped in plastic. Tuna mayo, grilled salmon, umeboshi—there were plenty of options, but he took his time, letting himself enjoy the simple act of choosing. Finally, he picked up two tuna onigiri and added one more flavor he hadn't tried yet. Holding the neatly packaged rice balls in his hands, he couldn't help but smile a little. Perhaps this small, mundane routine brought him a kind of peace that was difficult to explain—as if a single onigiri could momentarily fill the void he felt inside.
With light steps, he walked toward the checkout counter. Outside, the sun was beginning to dip, casting long shadows on the streets. In his heart, Hoshi thought: even if today felt like any other, at least moments like this reminded him to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Each item Hoshi picked was scanned by the cashier, the monotonous beeping filling the quiet air. Hoshi stood still, his hands in his pockets, but his mind wandered. His eyes drifted to the window, gazing at the fading hues of sunset reflected on the glass.
In the distance, a figure caught his attention.
A woman stood at the end of the street, dressed entirely in white. Her outfit was pristine, like the morning mist, and she wore a wide-brimmed straw hat adorned with a purple ribbon tied neatly around it. Her long, soft brown hair shimmered like pearls under the golden rays of the setting sun, swaying gently in the breeze. Her skirt rippled with the wind, as if dancing in sync with the evening air.
Hoshi tilted his head slightly, squinting to get a better look. The woman didn't look like a local. She exuded an air of mystery—not just because of her white attire, which contrasted sharply with the urban surroundings, but also in the way she moved. Her steps were slow, yet every movement seemed smooth and deliberate, as if she were gliding.
"Where's she going…" Hoshi whispered to himself, his brow furrowed in curiosity.
Then he saw it—the woman was walking toward a restricted area, marked by a large red sign that read DO NOT ENTER. The area led to an overgrown forest that had long been abandoned, a place locals avoided and spoke of in hushed tones. Even in daylight, the path was unsettling.
A feeling of unease crept over Hoshi. The woman showed no hesitation or fear as she walked steadily toward the forbidden path.
"Why is she going there?" he thought, his chest tightening with worry.
Without a second thought, Hoshi pulled out his wallet and hurriedly paid for his items. His hands fumbled as he almost placed the wrong bills on the tray in his haste. Mumbling a quick "thank you" to the cashier, he dashed out of the store, the onigiri still clutched in its plastic bag.
Outside, he glanced left and right, searching for her. He spotted a flash of purple from the ribbon on her hat, fluttering in the distance at the edge of the restricted area. The woman was almost out of sight.
"Hey! Wait!" Hoshi shouted, but there was no response.
He broke into a run, his footsteps echoing against the asphalt. The cool evening breeze now felt colder as he approached the forbidden path. He stopped in front of the large red sign, its bold letters seeming to warn him personally.
But the woman had already disappeared into the shadowy underbrush.
Hoshi swallowed hard, his heart pounding. For a brief moment, he hesitated. "Should I go in?" he asked himself.
Then, without giving it another thought, he stepped past the sign and into the restricted area. His steps were slow but resolute, his determination driving him forward.
★
"Miss? Miss! This place is dangerous!" Hoshi called out, his voice loud but slightly shaky. He now stood directly behind the woman, but she paid him no attention, as though he didn't exist.
Hoshi scratched his head, his eyes glancing up at the sky. The sun was sinking lower, stretching his shadow across the ground. He was already 20 minutes late for work, but the heavy feeling in his chest wouldn't let him leave.
"What am I supposed to do…" he muttered, clenching his fists, determination beginning to bubble up within him.
With quick steps, Hoshi ran ahead and blocked the woman's path, planting himself firmly in front of her. He was out of breath, and his shirt clung to his back, damp with sweat.
"You need to come with me right now! This place is dangerous!" he said earnestly, his arms outstretched as though trying to shield her from an unseen threat.
The woman, however, simply stared at him with a cold, indifferent gaze. Finally, she spoke. "Leave this place."
Her words made Hoshi freeze in his tracks, confused. He was exhausted from trailing after her, desperate to protect her, only to be dismissed without a second thought. His efforts felt meaningless.
"But, Miss—"
"You better leave before I kill you," the woman interrupted, her tone sharp and icy.
Hoshi blinked, startled. "What?"
The woman raised her hand, shaping her fingers into the form of a pistol. Hoshi stared, his eyes narrowing in confusion. Was she joking?
"Hahaha… You're funny," he said awkwardly, attempting to laugh.
But his laughter died in his throat as a bright white light formed at the tip of her fingers. Before he could even process what was happening, a shot was fired. The light streaked through the air, heading as if straight for him—but it missed, striking a large tree nearby instead.
The tree didn't just splinter; it toppled over entirely, its roots ripping from the ground as its trunk fell with a deafening crash. Hoshi froze, his entire body going stiff. His heart raced like a drum, and he felt blood rush to his head as panic began to take over.
"W-wait, Miss! I'm just trying to hel—"
A second shot rang out, cutting him off. This time, Hoshi barely managed to dodge in time, throwing himself to the side.
The woman continued firing without hesitation, each blast of light slicing through the air with deadly precision. Hoshi scrambled, dodging each attack, his breath growing shorter with every step. Sweat dripped down his brow as he realized he couldn't keep this up much longer.
He had to act—and he had to act now.
Without thinking, Hoshi sprinted toward her. Before she could aim again, he dropped low and threw his arms around her left leg, hugging it tightly.
"My name's Hoshi! Hoshi Takizawa! Why don't we get to know each other first?" he said in a mix of panic and forced cheer, desperately trying to diffuse the situation.
The woman froze, silent for a moment. Hoshi clung to her leg with all his strength, even though his body was trembling with fear.
"Hoshi Takizawa…" she finally said, her tone shifting. It wasn't cold anymore; instead, it carried something unsettling, almost ominous. Her head tilted downward, and her piercing eyes locked onto him, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Impossible," she murmured.
Hoshi exhaled in relief as the woman finally stopped her attack. Yet he still didn't let go of her leg—there was something he needed to know.
"How do you have that power?" he demanded, his voice firm.
"I don't know," she replied curtly, her tone devoid of emotion.
"Hey! Answer me properly!" Hoshi snapped, his brows furrowing in frustration at her indifferent response.
The woman closed her eyes, and for a brief moment, her expression showed the exhaustion weighing on her. "Just leave. I'm not in the mood to kill anyone today," she said flatly. But deep down, she knew she could never kill Hoshi—not after hearing his name. She had heard it before.
Still, Hoshi refused to budge. His grip on her leg tightened like a child holding onto something precious. "I'm not letting go until you answer me," he said, a small grin spreading across his face. To him, this was the perfect strategy to stop her from escaping.
The woman let out an exasperated sigh, clearly annoyed. Without saying a word, she began dragging him along with her leg. Hoshi's body scraped against the ground, but instead of loosening his hold, he only clung on harder.
After nearly five minutes of struggling, the woman finally stopped. She couldn't bear the weight of this ridiculous situation any longer.
"Fine. Fine! I'll answer your questions," she said, her voice tired and resigned. "But only three questions."
Hoshi's eyes lit up with excitement. At last, his persistence had paid off.
"What's your name?" he asked eagerly.
"Sora Maikano."
"Why are you here?"
"My house is nearby."
"How do you have that power?"
Sora paused, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I…" She took a deep breath before continuing. "My family monitors people who have star powers."
"Star powers?" Hoshi repeated, his eyes widening.
"Three questions. That's it," Sora interrupted sharply. "Now let go of me."
Hoshi had no choice but to release her. A promise was a promise. The woman named Sora adjusted her shoe, which had nearly come off during Hoshi's antics, and began walking away.
Hoshi stood there, watching her go, his mind swirling with unanswered questions. Sora's magical powers, her reaction to hearing his name, and her mention of star powers—all of it felt like clues to a mystery he had long thought unsolvable.
As Sora disappeared further into the distance, Hoshi bent slightly forward, his posture almost pleading. "Please… tell me more about star powers!" he called out, his voice filled with longing.
Sora didn't turn around. Her steps remained steady, unyielding.
But as she realized Hoshi hadn't moved from where he stood, doubt began creeping into her heart. She tried to remain cold and detached, but she couldn't shake the thought: this was no place for an ordinary human like Hoshi.
Sora stopped in her tracks. Her hands balled into fists as she debated her next move. Finally, she sighed and spoke, her voice cutting through the air.
"In this world… there are twelve zodiac bonds."
Hoshi's head shot up instantly at her words. His eyes glimmered with newfound curiosity.
"Each of them is responsible for maintaining the balance of the Earth. If that balance is disrupted, we will all be destroyed. That's why we are tasked with monitoring them, to ensure nothing terrible happens."
Hoshi's jaw dropped. He had never imagined that such powers could exist in this world. "Can I… work with you?"
Sora smirked, her eyes scanning Hoshi from head to toe. "You saw my power earlier, didn't you? Do you think this kind of work is suitable for an ordinary human?"
"I don't care!" Hoshi said with fiery determination, his eyes burning with resolve. "There's something about me that's connected to you. That's why I need this job."
Sora gave a faint smile. "If you're so sure, let me tell you the condition."
Hoshi waited anxiously, his heart pounding.
"Anyone who knows you now… will forget you," Sora said, her voice calm but firm.
Hoshi froze. Her words felt like a dagger stabbing straight into his soul. His thoughts immediately went to Eda, the only family he had left. He couldn't bear to lose his father after already losing Aoi. But deep in his heart, he knew that accepting this offer might be the key to unlocking the mysteries that had haunted his life.
Seeing Hoshi stunned and silent, Sora shrugged and began walking again. "I'll give you two days. If you decide to accept, come back here. I'll be waiting. If not, don't bother me again."
In the blink of an eye, Sora disappeared from view, leaving Hoshi alone. The sky was now painted with the hues of sunset, golden and amber streaks stretching across the horizon.
Hoshi stared at the spot where Sora had vanished, his mind swirling with questions. He knew he needed to return home, but his thoughts remained fixated on the choice that had just been thrown at him.
"I never thought it would come to this…" Hoshi muttered, letting out a long sigh as he slowly made his way back toward the shop.
-Chp 1 : end-