Regulus (Alpha Leonis)

“So, Sora-san, how do you feel about your role in the upcoming sci-fi thriller ‘Stellar’? You must be feeling a bit anxious, right?”

Takumi sits in front of a studio audience, on a chair across from a sharply-dressed TV host.

Takumi’s laid-back posture and untucked shirt make him the target of the women in the audience, fawning over his every gesture.

“I like the complexity it brings, and everyone on set really lent me a hand when I needed it. It was a really fun experience.” Takumi humbly answers, approving nods from the crowd at his answer.

Takumi leans forward, continuing, “It was challenging, but that’s what lets me grow as an actor. I want to be able to reach more people’s hearts with my performances”

I want more people to see me. More people completely devoting their attention…to me.

“What a noble cause, truly. What’s funny is that a star like you starring in a movie centered around stars is…well…starring- I mean jarring!” The host replies, the audience laughing in response.

“I don’t consider myself a star, more like someone who’s talked about at most” Takumi casts a line out, baiting praise.

I’m not just a star, you meaningless mannequin. I’m The Star. I guide people's attention. Get it right.

“My, aren’t you a humble man! I think everyone here's in agreement that you are, undoubtedly, a star, right?” The interviewer asks the audience, him and Takumi look out at them to hear a resounding “YES!”

With an externally humble smile, Takumi thanks the crowd. Not to his surprise, as this was exactly as expected.

“Well that’s all the time we have today, so everyone give a big round of applause for Takumi Sora-San!”

The crowd erupts in applause, and Takumi stands up to accept it. The yellow spotlight held him, and him alone.

The crowd remains clapping, but as he exits the stage he sees someone not clapping. Someone not standing. Someone that looked like her.

She’s here? But-

Takumi blinks, and the girl in the crowd is no longer there. Without hesitation, he exits the stage and heads to his dressing room.

…

In his dressing room, Takumi mindlessly scrolls his phone, like he normally does. Comments and posts about him, praising him for anything and everything.

“He’s, like, the coolest person ever~”
“I would pay to see him in more things”
“I want him to take me on a date~”

“Why is he, just like, completely my type”
“He shows a complete control of himself in acting, he’s a genius in his field”
“In that upcoming movie, casting Takumi Sora as Polaris was a great choice, he just fits it perfectly!”
“I think I might be seeing a bit too much of H-”

He shuts his phone off, smiling to satisfy his reflection on the blank screen.

He lingers on the screen, the smile fading to a blank expression before a notification prompts him to return to reality.

He gets up, and leaves the room, heading for his house.

Takumi enters his home.

The soft click of the door closing behind him locks the cold silence inside with him.

Walking through the entryway, motion-activated lights blink to life as Takumi walks farther, illuminating the path ahead.

He fully enters the apartment suite, taking his shoes off and walking over to the couch.

He sits fully back, staring up into the ceiling, spotting the light fixture. It remains off, but still catches his attention.

I thought we replaced that light, well…whatever.

His phone buzzes in his pocket, taking it out to check who or what it might be.

It’s a promotional announcement on social media for Polaris, and Takumi opens the thread.

They must be all over me, this is a big role after all.

He scrolls to the comments, and to his slight frustration sees an even amount of praise for him and his co-star.

Takumi puts his phone down on the coffee table in front of him.

It’s just marketing, that didn’t really have me in it anyway.

Takumi sinks into the chair, reassurance settling.

They just want to make sure she gets her share. Once they watch, they'll only remember the one who holds the crown in that movie.

Takumi rests on the couch, comforted by the reassurance of his own wise words.

The rhythmic ticking of the clock once more overcomes the room, filling the silence.

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

Until even the ticking is gone, and Takumi is left with nothing to soothe his attention.

The apartment is empty. Cold. Unfeeling.

No spotlight. No applause. No indistinct chatter of groveling fans. No orbit of assurance.

“Tch”

Takumi clicks his tongue, unable to satisfy himself with silence alone.

The TV remote is next to his phone, and Takumi reaches for it to fill the silence.

I think it might be airing about now, with the time delays and all.

Takumi grabs the remote and points it to the TV but hesitates after seeing his own reflection.

Even if it was for a moment, a single insignificant moment…

He thought of her. And what she said.

“A student. Like the rest of us”

Yuna’s words ravage the eardrums of Takumi, a full assault on his psyche.

This episode comes to a halt when the door to the apartment slams open, with Takumi’s younger brother, Hikaru Sora.

Hikaru’s short, dirty blonde hair sways as he walks, his blue eyes reminiscent of the ocean reflecting the gaze of the pale moonlight.

“How’s it goin, big bro?” Hikaru asks playfully, a beaming smile projecting light onto Takumi.

“I’m going to sleep” Takumi coldly replies

Takumi gets up, and leaves for his room. Hikaru stares at where Takumi was sitting, then sits in his place.

He turns the TV on to see the interview Takumi just did, analyzing Takumi’s every move, every action and reply.

This wasn’t idealizing, it was competition.

I’ll become more than you, someday. When it comes, I want you to know…

Hikaru looks up to the door of Takumi’s room, intently staring.

I’ll finally be the one to look down on you.

Hikaru switches the channel to a streaming service, ending his train of thought.

…

During school the next day, Takumi sits in boredom while his teacher rambles on about the solar system or whatever. Who knows?

“Since we’re on the topic…Sora-san?” the teacher calls out, Takumi looking to meet his gaze.

“Yes?” He professionally replies
“You just starred in a movie with heavy relations to stars, did you not?”
“That’s true, It was called Stellar”
The class begins to whisper around, as the movie’s been getting more popular.

“Can you tell me what the guiding star is called?”
“That one’s easy, I did just play him after all”

The class laughs at the joke, Takumi soaking up all the attention before finishing his answer with “Polaris”.

“That’s correct! Now a follow-up, which star is considered the “King Star”?”
“Is that also Polaris?” Takumi skeptically asks, asking a learning question to appease the teacher.

“Almost. Polaris is considered to be a guiding star and is used for orientation. The king star is called Regulus. Some say that without Regulus, the sky itself may very well collapse!”

The students begin to laugh at this joke, but it sits with Takumi.

The teacher begins talking more on stars like Regulus, Polaris, Algol and others, but the final part still resonates in Takumi’s mind.

Without me…the sky would collapse…

People need someone to look up at. A star fit with the title of king, to be observed and cherished, but out of reach for the normal people.

Takumi looks at the rainy sky outside, the darkness contrasted with the fluorescent light of the classroom.

Nobody’s reached the stars.

Takumi stares at his own reflection, not noticing Yuna’s reflection behind him.

Takumi’s off-center reflection fills the gap between him and the student in front of him, covering the light from a bulb on the roof.

That’s right. You’re all stuck looking up at the stars, reaching for a hope that someday you’ll live like us.

Takumi focuses on his desk, and the open notebook.

So watch me. Watch what a person you dream of being is capable of.

Watch and see what you’re unable to accomplish in your dim lives.