Stars of comfort

Akihiko (quietly, concerned):

"Naoru, call Miraya."

Aiko shook her head lightly, smiling despite her weak knees.

"I’m okay, really. Just… a bit lightheaded."

Akihiko carefully lifted her into his arms, moving with the grace of someone accustomed to both discipline and care. He took her to her chamber and set her on her bed, tucked the blanket over her, and glanced at her, concern softening his usually stoic eyes.

Miraya entered, calm and precise. She checked Aiko’s vitals, her experienced hands moving with efficiency and care.

"It’s nothing serious. The atmosphere here affects some humans more than others. Just rest a little; you’ll adjust soon."

“Thank you, Miraya. You’re always prepared and attentive to everything.”

He then looked at Aiko with subtle concern and gently asked:

“Aiko, you haven’t had dinner yet. Shall I bring you something to eat?”

Aiko nodded faintly, blushing slightly.

“I don’t want to be a burden,” she said softly.

Akihiko smiled gently and replied:

“You’re never a burden, Aiko. I’ll bring you something to eat so you can regain your strength.”

He brought her a warm meal, almost too much for one person. Aiko looked at it and said with slight worry:

“Thank you, but this seems like too much… And you haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Akihiko smiled lightly and answered:

“Don’t worry about me. But if you like, we can have dinner together.”

Aiko paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded:

“Alright, then join me. Thank you for being here.”

They sat together and began eating, sharing a sense of care and warmth.

“I don’t know what this dish is, but it’s very tasty,” Aiko said.

Akihiko smiled lightly and replied:

“This is one of our specialties here in the palace. I’m glad you like it. If you want, next time I can bring you something else to try. Our cuisine is very diverse.”

Aiko laughed and said:

“I’ll gladly try something else next time!”

Akihiko nodded slightly and said:

“This is just the beginning of your culinary journey here.”

They smiled again, enjoying the meal in a relaxed atmosphere.

Akihiko, with a slightly concerned but gentle look, slowly brought a fork to Aiko’s mouth.

“Here,” he said softly, almost afraid to startle her.

Aiko felt the warmth of the moment, her eyes sparkling slightly. She opened her mouth gently and accepted the food with a smile.

“Thank you, Akihiko,” she whispered.

For a moment, they paused in silence, the feeling so simple and sincere that words weren’t needed.

Akihiko noticed the air in the chamber felt slightly heavy, almost suffocating for Aiko. Her eyes blurred slightly, so he quickly went to the balcony and placed a comfortable, self-inflating futuristic cushion on the floor, giving her fresh air and rest.

He returned to Aiko and gently said:

“Come, you’ll feel better out on the balcony.”

He helped her stand and supported her gently as they slowly moved to the balcony, embraced by the quiet of the night and a gentle warm breeze that softly caressed their skin, bringing relief. The air was fresh yet warm, like a soft embrace calming restless thoughts and slight tightness in the chest.

“May I?” Akihiko asked, and Aiko nodded. He sat gently beside her, feeling the silence of the moment that connected them.

Akihiko quietly instructed Aura to dim the chamber’s lights, leaving only the night sky to illuminate them.

“Do you feel better?”

Aiko thought for a moment, then replied softly:

“Yes, the air out here is different… and these stars… they calm me.”

Her eyes returned to the sky, in the shared silence connecting them.

Akihiko smiled lightly and said:

“I see you’re very fascinated by the stars.”

Aiko turned to him, slightly blushing, and replied:

“Yes, I’ve always been drawn to them… on Earth and now here.”

A quiet bond began to form between them.

“On Earth, I always wondered if I truly belonged there and looked at the sky as if my home was somewhere else…” Aiko said from the heart.

Akihiko looked at her with gentleness in his eyes and said:

“Perhaps that’s because your home isn’t entirely where you were born. Some people belong to more than one place… or even the stars.”

Aiko looked at him in surprise, then smiled slightly.

“Maybe you’re right…”

At that moment, the stars in the sky shone even more brightly, as if listening to their thoughts.

“Can you see Earth from here?” Aiko asked.

Akihiko gazed at the sky and nodded slightly:

“Yes, on clear nights, you can sometimes see Earth. It’s like a tiny blue jewel.”

“Right there,” he pointed with his finger.

Aiko thought for a moment and said softly, almost sadly:

“Earth… my home. I miss my mother and father.”

They both silently watched the night sky for a moment, sharing a quiet understanding.

Aiko shivered slightly from a gentle chill. Akihiko slipped off his jacket and placed it over Aiko’s shoulders.

“Here,” he said with a soft smile, “so you won’t be cold.”

Aiko looked at him, their eyes meeting briefly, then returned to the stars.

“And you, what fascinates you? It must be hard to find anything. You have so much work and duty…” Aiko continued.

Akihiko gazed into the distance for a moment, as if searching for the right words. Then he replied gently:

“Perhaps it’s true that I have many duties… but I also find peace in something simple. Being able to quietly watch the sky and the stars fascinates and calms me as well. It reminds me that the world is bigger than all the worries and responsibilities I carry.”

He sighed lightly and looked at the sky, then added in a slightly softer tone:

“Sometimes I wish I didn’t have all these things on my shoulders — duties, expectations, responsibilities. That I could just be… a normal person.”

For a moment, he fell silent and looked into Aiko’s eyes:

“Just like you.”

Aiko replied,

“But people respect you, that’s surely the greatest reward one can get.”

Akihiko smiled faintly, though a trace of melancholy still lingered in his eyes.

“That’s true,” he admitted. “Respect is important.”

Then he looked at the stars and quietly added:

“That’s why I’m grateful you’re here. Because sometimes I forget all my duties and worries.”

Akihiko looked into Aiko’s eyes, then back at the night sky. After a deep breath, he quietly suggested:

“If you want… you can rest your head on my shoulder. It might be more comfortable for you.”

His voice was calm, slightly gentle, as if he had managed, just for a moment, to step away from all worries and responsibilities.

Aiko, surprised but approving, did so.

“I haven’t thanked you yet for saving my life,” she said.

Akihiko replied with a quiet smile:

“You don’t need to thank me. I would do it again.”

He felt a slight release of tension as Aiko slowly rested her head on his shoulder.

They watched the stars, and Aiko fell asleep. Akihiko instructed Aura to turn on a faint light, just a little. He gently lifted Aiko in his arms, as if holding the greatest treasure, carefully laid her on the bed, pulled the blanket over her, and whispered:

“Rest well.”

He quietly approached the door, turned once more toward her, and added softly:

“Sweet dreams, Aiko.”

The door closed gently behind him, and the chamber fell into a tender semi-darkness, as if the stars themselves lingered to watch over her sleep.