A few days after Star's first restaurant experience, his friends decided it was time for him to explore another new place - the town library.
It started when May noticed Star sitting outside his house one morning, quietly staring at the sky. She sat beside him and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Star didn't answer right away. His eyes were distant, his mind tangled with thoughts. "I'm... trying to understand something," he finally said. "I used to think life was just about surviving. But now... there's so much more. Emotions, people, food... I don't understand it all."
May smiled gently. "You know, there's a place where you can find answers - the library."
Star tilted his head. "Library?"
"It's a place with books - thousands of them - full of stories, facts, and knowledge," she explained. "You can learn about anything."
That same afternoon, the entire group decided to take him there. Star, still wary of crowded places, hesitated at first, but with Luna holding his hand and the others encouraging him, he agreed.
At the Library
The moment they stepped into the library, Star was overwhelmed.
It was quiet - unlike the busy restaurant - but the silence felt heavy, almost sacred. The air smelled of old paper and ink, and the towering shelves seemed endless, each one packed with books of all sizes and colors. Dim light filtered through tall windows, casting long shadows on the wooden floor.
Star's eyes darted from shelf to shelf. "So... many..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Jake chuckled softly. "Yeah, there's a lot. Feeling okay?"
Star nodded, though his fingers fidgeted at his sides. The sheer amount of knowledge in one place made him feel small - as if the library was a giant and he was just a speck of dust.
May led him to a section labeled Introduction to Emotions. She pulled out a thin book with a soft, colorful cover and handed it to Star. "Here's a start - something simple about emotions."
Star stared at the book like it might bite him. "I... just open it?"
Lila giggled. "Yes, Star. It's a book, not a wild animal."
He carefully opened the book, his fingers brushing the paper. It felt strange - soft yet firm. The words were neat, the pictures simple - smiling faces, frowning faces, angry faces - each emotion explained in a way a child could understand.
"Sadness," Star read aloud. "When you lose something or someone important."
His voice faltered. Memories of Aliana leaving and his master's cruel control rushed through his mind. He gripped the edge of the book, his knuckles turning white.
Nia noticed. "Hey... are you okay?"
Star blinked a few times, forcing himself back to the present. "I'm... fine," he muttered. "I didn't know there were... names for feelings."
May gently patted his shoulder. "There are, and this is just the beginning."
The group showed him other sections - history, science, fantasy - each aisle introducing him to something new.
In the History section, Star picked up a heavy book about ancient civilizations. "These people... they lived long before us?" he asked, running his fingers over an illustration of stone cities.
Henry nodded. "Yes. History teaches us how people lived, what they fought for, and what they left behind."
Star's mind raced. I didn't know the world had a past, he thought. I thought it was just me and the master.
In the Science section, Eric explained how the stars in the sky weren't just glowing dots but massive burning suns, light-years away. Star listened intently, his mouth slightly open in awe. "So... the night sky is more than just a ceiling of darkness?"
"Exactly," Eric grinned. "There's a whole universe out there."
But what fascinated Star the most was the Fantasy section - books about magic, mythical creatures, and heroic quests. He stared at a story about a young boy who went on a journey to break a curse - a story that hit too close to home.
He clutched the book. "This boy... he's like me," he whispered.
Jake smirked. "Well, except you actually broke a real curse. That kid's got nothing on you."
For the first time in the library, Star smiled - a small, genuine smile.
When it was time to leave, Star hesitated again. "Do I... leave the books here?"
May laughed softly. "No, silly. You can borrow them - take them home."
Star blinked. "I can... take the knowledge with me?"
Luna chuckled. "Yes, but you have to bring them back once you're done."
He carefully selected three books - the one about emotions, the boy with the curse, and a simple astronomy guide - and followed his friends to the counter.
The librarian, an older man with glasses, smiled gently. "First time at the library?"
Star gulped but nodded. "Yes."
The librarian didn't ask questions - just checked out the books and handed them to Star. "Take care of them," he said.
"I... will," Star replied softly.
Back at Home
That night, back at Star's house, they all gathered in the living room as Star carefully placed the books on his small table, treating them like rare treasures.
"These... hold answers," he said quietly. "Answers I didn't know I needed."
Kade leaned back, arms behind his head. "And there's more where that came from. The library's always there for you."
As the others began discussing their next plans, Luna curled up on a chair, strumming her guitar softly. Star opened the book about emotions and started reading. Every word felt like a key unlocking a part of himself he never knew existed.
For the first time, Star realized that the world wasn't just about obeying, fearing, or surviving. It was about learning - about others, about the past, and most importantly... about himself.
And in that quiet moment, with his friends around him, he wasn't just a former puppet of his master - he was a student of life, ready to discover its many mysteries.
Life was gradually changing for Star. Each day felt less like a fearful existence and more like a journey of discovery. His friends, like pieces of a puzzle, each played a role in shaping his understanding of the world.
Eric would often show up with books-some simple stories, others filled with deep ideas about life and emotions. At first, Star struggled to focus, but Eric was patient, explaining the meanings behind the words. Slowly, Star learned that books were more than just paper-they were windows into the minds of others.
Nia and Lila worked with him on his emotions. Nia taught him how to recognize when he felt anger or sadness bubbling up, while Lila explained how not every strong feeling had to control his actions. They made him practice breathing exercises and talked him through moments where he felt overwhelmed, helping him find balance.
Luna's music filled the house every evening, and Star listened intently. He didn't always understand the emotions behind each note, but over time, he realized how music wasn't just sound-it was a feeling. The day Luna got selected for the youth music program, the whole group watched her performance together. Star even felt something close to pride-a warm, strange sensation that made him smile.
Gem showed him the beauty of nature, flipping through pictures of forests, oceans, and sunsets. Star would ask endless questions about why the sky changed colors or how rivers flowed. Gem enjoyed answering them, feeling like a teacher guiding Star through the world's natural wonders.
Jake, still sarcastic, often showed off trinkets and items he bought with money he "acquired." While Star didn't fully grasp the moral issues behind Jake's methods, he was fascinated by the items themselves-a worn-out pocket watch, a shiny ring, a sketchbook. They were tokens of a life lived on the edge, yet Jake seemed more focused on sharing than boasting.
May and Henry were like his guides through life. They told stories about their own struggles-moments of heartbreak, joy, and growth. They reminded Star that life wasn't just black and white-it was messy and complicated, and that was okay. Whenever Star looked lost or uncertain, they reassured him, making sure he never felt alone again. May was supportive and cheerful while Henry was more like a teacher.
Kade with his playfulness and secretly made up jokes brought laughter into Star's life. His jokes sometimes made no sense, but Star found himself laughing simply because the others did. Kade also introduced him to sports, teaching him how to throw a ball, kick a soccer ball, and even run just for the fun of it. At first, Star didn't understand the point of playing with no goal, but over time, he realized it wasn't about winning-it was about bonding.
And the food-oh, the food. Every day, the friends brought something new for Star to taste. Sweet, sour, spicy-each flavor was a new experience. No longer was he bound to those plain cup noodles. Instead, he learned to enjoy fruits, warm stews, fresh bread, and even desserts like cake and pie.
Day by day, Star was growing-not just in what he knew but in how he felt.
Each day, the line between surviving and living was growing thinner for him.