The sun filtered softly through the tall windows of their newly assigned clubroom, its bare walls waiting to be filled with the dreams of five students. Stacked boxes of astronomy books, a few shiny props, and a telescope covered in protective wrap sat in one corner like treasures waiting to be claimed.
"Alright," Haruto said, leaning against a desk, "before we officially start, we need to decide the most important thing—our club name."
They all exchanged excited glances.
"Stargazers Club?" Souta offered.
"Celestial Wonders," Luna said dreamily.
"Galaxy Explorers?" Tadao suggested.
Beru tapped her chin thoughtfully. "What if… what if we call it Cosmic S.T.A.R.? Space Tracking, Administration, and Research. It sounds ambitious, but also fun."
There was silence for a moment, followed by nods of agreement one by one.
"That's… actually perfect," Haruto said with a grin. "Cosmic STAR it is."
With their name decided, they moved on to roles. Beru, to her surprise and embarrassment, was chosen as President unanimously. Haruto stepped in as Vice-President, Souta as Treasurer, Luna as Secretary, and Tadao as Equipment Manager.
"Now that everything's official, let's start!" Beru declared, trying to sound confident, though her cheeks flushed with pride.
Their days as a club began. They pored over astronomy books with wide-eyed fascination, tracing constellations with their fingers on the pages, marveling at galaxies billions of light-years away. Every afternoon, Luna brought an elegant spread of snacks and coffee from her family's café chain. From delicate pastries to gourmet sandwiches, it was like a royal feast in their clubroom.
"Luna," Souta said with his mouth full, "if this continues, I might actually join for the snacks instead of the stars."
Luna rolled her eyes. "Knowledge and sugar fuel the brain, Souta."
After a week of small activities, Beru suggested something bold.
"Let's do our first official stargazing. There's a place… Mount Hoshigawa. It's known for its clear night skies."
That weekend, they hiked up the gentle trail of Mount Hoshigawa. The city lights faded behind them, replaced by the quiet rustling of leaves and the cool mountain breeze. When they finally reached the summit, the sky unfolded into a canvas of shimmering stars, breathtaking and endless.
They set up their telescope, passing it between themselves, gasping in awe at Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and the glittering star clusters. Laughter and chatter filled the air, but amidst the group's excitement, Haruto found himself standing quietly beside Beru.
She tilted her head back, gazing at the stars with a smile brighter than any constellation.
"Haruto… doesn't it feel like the universe is alive? Like it's trying to tell us something?"
Haruto glanced at her, noticing how her eyes reflected the starlight. For a moment, words failed him. He finally said, softly, "Maybe it is. And maybe… we're meant to listen."
Beru's heart fluttered, though she quickly turned away, hiding her blush in the cool night air.
Later, as the group packed up and began their descent, Beru lingered for a second longer, looking up at the sky. A shooting star streaked across the heavens. She closed her eyes and made a silent wish, never realizing Haruto had seen it too—and was quietly wishing for the same thing.
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To be continued...