The bench under the stars

It was a summer evening. I went out to clear my head, between work and people... I couldn't understand anything anymore. I began to glimpse the usual bench I used to sit on, and there was someone else... I looked at her... a girl... a female... a woman... with long black hair that reflected the starlight and eyes as deep as a starry sky. I stood there staring at her for a few moments when she spoke to me... - Is everything okay? I reconnected with the world. - Huh? Yes?! It's all right... can I sit down? I usually sit there. Her hair swayed in the wind, and I remained admiring her again. She looked at me with a serious, empty gaze. - Only if you don't make any noise. I stayed, huh!? Noise? I just wanted to sit down, I thought, who does she think she is, so I sat down anyway, not too far away, not too close. - Yumehime, she spoke. "Hayato," I replied indifferently. I stood there in silence for a few minutes, her gaze intently at the stars, and I was struck by her beauty. "Do you like the stars?" I asked. "Yes, I like them, I like listening to them; they make a sound if you look at them long enough." I thought... is she moody? "Hmm... I don't think I can hear them, then." I replied. "Do you often come here?" she asked, changing the subject. "Huh? What does that have to do with the stars?" I thought. "Sometimes I come here to look at the sky and seek a bit of silence." I replied. She smiled slightly; it wasn't bright, but it wasn't fake either, just... sad, I thought. "Sometimes silence is more sincere than dreams, don't you think?" I nodded instinctively, but I was curious to know who she was. "And you? Why are you here all alone?" I asked curiously. "I was running away... from responsibilities." I was confused. Responsibility? It seems like a long story, but I don't feel like listening. -You know, Hayato... sometimes I think every encounter is like a falling star. It appears only for a moment, but changes the sky forever. I remained silent. He still didn't know who that girl was, but I felt something stir inside me, something I hadn't felt in years. -Then I hope you don't fall too soon, I replied instinctively. -Me neither, Yumehime replied, smiling sweetly.