The morning light was gentle, washing the town in a golden haze as the sun rose beyond the hills. Dew clung to the grass, glimmering like tiny fragments of glass, and the air smelled fresh — almost renewed — as if the world itself had exhaled in relief.
Haruto and Beru walked down the mountain path, their hands intertwined. Their fingers fit perfectly together, like two halves of a long-forgotten whole finally reunited. Neither spoke much — they didn't need to. The quiet between them was no longer heavy or uncertain; it was soft, peaceful, full of understanding.
Beru's hair fluttered with the morning breeze, brushing against Haruto's shoulder. Every few steps, he'd glance at her, as though afraid she might vanish again. But each time, she smiled faintly, her eyes warm, and his heart eased a little more.
When they reached the base of the hill, a familiar voice called out.
"Beru!"
Her parents were standing by the road. Her mother's face was pale from sleepless nights, and her father looked as though the weight of the world had been pressing on his shoulders. The moment they saw her — safe, walking beside Haruto — relief flooded their expressions.
Her mother rushed forward, tears spilling freely as she pulled Beru into a tight embrace. "Oh, my dear… we were so worried," she whispered against her hair.
"I'm sorry, Mom… Dad," Beru murmured, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I just… needed time."
Her father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his stern expression softening. "You're home now. That's all that matters."
Beru nodded, her eyes glistening.
Haruto bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Denzaki. This was my fault. I—"
Her father stopped him with a small shake of his head. "No, Haruto. What's done is done. Just promise me… you'll take care of her."
Haruto met his gaze, steady and sincere. "I will. Always."
Her father nodded, satisfied.
As they walked back home, Beru leaned slightly closer to Haruto, whispering, "Thank you… for finding me."
Haruto smiled. "I'll always find you, Beru. No matter how far."
Later That Morning
Word spread quickly through Sakura High — Beru Denzaki is back!
By the time she arrived at the front gate, whispers and murmurs rippled through the crowd of students. But instead of judgment, there was relief — even admiration. The girl who had disappeared had returned, looking fragile yet glowing, like the morning light after rain.
At the entrance, the Cosmic S.T.A.R. Club was waiting. Luna, Souta, and Tadao stood near the shoe lockers, their eyes scanning every passing face until Luna spotted her.
"Beru!"
Luna didn't hesitate for a second. She sprinted across the hall and wrapped her arms around her friend so tightly that Beru almost stumbled back. "You're back! You're actually back!"
Beru blinked, surprised, then laughed softly, hugging her back. "Luna… I missed you too."
"You worried me sick!" Luna said, pulling away, hands on her hips. "I almost printed missing posters myself!"
Souta snorted. "She actually designed one," he muttered under his breath, earning a playful slap from Luna.
Tadao stepped forward, his usual calm expression carrying a touch of emotion. "We're just glad you're safe," he said. "Welcome back, Beru."
Then his gaze shifted to Haruto, who had been standing quietly behind her. Souta gave him a half-smile, though there was still a hint of warning in his tone. "You did well finding her. But don't make her cry again."
Haruto scratched his head sheepishly. "Yeah… I won't. Ever again."
Souta gave him a friendly slap on the back. "Good answer, hero."
Luna grinned knowingly, her gaze flicking between the two. "Hmm. Looks like someone's finally realized what was right in front of him all along."
Beru blushed instantly, her face turning pink as she tried to hide behind her hair. "L-Luna!"
Haruto laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I deserve that."
The tension melted away into warm laughter — the kind that only comes from true friendship. For the first time in weeks, the Cosmic S.T.A.R. Club felt alive again.
When classes ended, the clubroom buzzed with soft energy. Dust motes floated lazily through the sunlight streaming in through the windows. The telescope stood proudly by the window, freshly polished — Luna had made sure of that.
Beru ran her hand along its cool metal surface. "I missed this," she said quietly.
Luna smiled, setting a stack of star charts on the table. "Well, the stars missed you too."
Souta leaned over from his seat, teasing, "Actually, we missed having someone who could keep Haruto from falling asleep during meetings."
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Hey!"
The room erupted in laughter again.
It felt so normal — so right.
Later, as evening crept closer, they dimmed the lights and took turns peering through the telescope. Beru's heart swelled as she focused the lens, the familiar constellations greeting her like old friends.
When she found Haruto Star again — the small, golden light she'd discovered nights ago — her chest tightened. She smiled softly, whispering, "There you are."
Haruto, standing beside her, leaned in. "My namesake still shining?"
She nodded, her eyes glimmering. "Brighter than ever."
Their hands brushed again, lingering this time. Neither pulled away.
Luna caught the exchange and smirked behind her notes. "You two are impossible."
Beru laughed shyly, hiding her face, while Haruto just grinned.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the world in amber and rose, Haruto turned to Beru. "Come with me," he said softly.
She tilted her head. "Where?"
"You'll see."
They walked together through the familiar path, past the city lights and into the mountain's quiet trails. The air grew cooler, filled with the scent of moss and blooming night flowers. Fireflies blinked among the trees, their glow soft and fleeting.
When they reached the summit, the old tree stood there as always — tall, ancient, its branches swaying gently in the wind.
Beru stopped, her eyes wide. "It's still so beautiful."
Haruto nodded. "I thought… maybe we should come back here again. Together this time."
They sat beneath its massive branches, the same spot where their hearts had mended just a night ago. The grass beneath them was cool and damp, and the world around them felt still, as though time itself had paused.
The stars began to emerge, one by one.
Haruto lay back, hands behind his head, gazing up at the sky. "You know," he said, his voice quiet, "I used to think stars were just distant lights. Pretty, but unreachable. But now… they feel different."
Beru glanced at him curiously. "How so?"
He turned his head toward her, smiling softly. "Because one of them is named after me. And the girl who named it… is sitting right beside me."
Beru's breath caught. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she looked away quickly, cheeks flushing. "You're… so cheesy."
He laughed. "Maybe. But it's true."
She leaned her head on his shoulder, her smile tender. "Then maybe I'll rename it someday — something that belongs to both of us."
Haruto blinked. "Both of us?"
Beru nodded, her eyes reflecting the starlight. "Because you're not just my star anymore. You're my sky."
He stared at her for a moment, his heart swelling so full it hurt — but in the best possible way.
Slowly, he slipped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer. "Then I'll make sure your sky never loses its light."
They sat there in silence, the gentle rhythm of their breathing blending with the rustling leaves. The moon hung above like a silent guardian, watching over them as if blessing their bond.
Fireflies drifted through the grass, their glow weaving patterns like small constellations come to life.
Beru looked up and whispered, "Do you think… we'll always be like this?"
Haruto smiled, his gaze steady. "No matter what happens — even if we're far apart — we'll always be under the same sky. That's enough for me."
Beru closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "Then I'll hold onto that."
They stayed there long after night fell, the world around them fading into soft darkness.
Above them, Haruto Star twinkled faintly, as if smiling — its golden light crossing the endless heavens, reaching the two souls beneath the old tree who had finally found their way home to each other.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, everything was at peace.
---
To be continued...