We Will Always See The Stars

Outside of our classroom I saw a bird, singing its song against the blue sky. I wasn't really listening, but as it was the last day before the spring break, even our teacher seemed more happy and generous than usual.

"It's weird to think that our first year of high school has already passed, huh?" Maria whispered.

"Mhmmm."

I nodded, and watched her hair move with the slight breeze from the open windows. I couldn't exactly put into words how I was feeling: like something precious was inside me, but something else was disappearing quickly. Maybe it was just an onset of spring sadness.

I could hear our teacher remind us to prepare for the upcoming school year during our break, but I hardly paid attention to that. But as everyone left the classroom - myself included - I noticed that he even let us all out early. This really must be a special day. I just wish I could be happier.

"What are we going to do during our break?"

Arisu was as carefree as ever, already looking toward the future. I tilted my head in thought. Surely, there must be so many things that I wanted to do... but I couldn't think of any.

"I don't know," I admitted, "Do you have any plans, Maria?"

"Not really." She shook her head. "But I'll be here, for whatever you plan."

I automatically waved at my classmates, who passed us on their way to freedom. They were probably looking forward to going on vacation, or catching up on resting after the exhausting last few months. I myself didn't know what exactly I was looking forward to - while my body ached for sleep, I also wanted to see the stars tonight with my friends. Thinking of them made me a bit melancholic, and I sighed.

"It's Pudding's graduation today, right?"

My friends nodded silently. I was probably just saying what they were already thinking.

"Ah, I was thinking..."

Maria brought a smile to her face.

"...we should surprise her. Make this fun, instead of sad."

"That sounds good."

Still, I couldn't find the energy in me that she displayed.

"It's going to be different without her," I mumbled.

Maria linked our arms together, and pushed me forward. The sudden burst of energy made me stumble, but thanks to her, I didn't fall.

"She's not gone," she said, "She'll just not be at our school anymore. Don't you worry. We'll still watch the stars together."

"I just hope she won't be late again because she's gaming with my brother," Arisu grumbled.

While it seemed that the siblings were closer now, they mostly stayed at different houses: Arisu was still with me, but Ninsei spent most of his time with Pudding. And if Pudding had to go to school, he was playing games alone. I wonder if he'll get eye strain from so much screen time?

"Maybe he can come, too? That would be good for both of them," I suggested.

Arisu nodded.

"Sure. If you want to hear him explain the whole universe to you."

"What, he can do that?"

She sighed.

"Of course not! Or at least, not in your lifetime."

"Oh... okay..."

I laughed. Maybe I didn't need to know the secrets of the universe, anyways.

"Soooo...." Maria looked at us both. "Back to the surprise, yeah? I was thinking we could bake something to celebrate tonight!"

"Ooooh!"

Immediately, Arisu's eyes sparkled with delight.

"Let's make a strawberry cake!"

Together, we went to Maria's home. To me, the kitchen still seemed giant, but by now I knew my way around it. While Maria put on a cute apron with little ducks on it, Arisu and I started to gather the ingredients from the different parts of the kitchen.

"Let's go!"

Maria started mixing it all together, without even having to look up the recipe. And so, I was mostly helping out by cleaning and chopping the strawberries while Arisu whipped up the cream. I blinked, while looking at my friend. Why was she smiling?

Only then did I notice her hair, sneakily grabbing one of the strawberries.

"Hey, stop it! We can't snack while baking."

"I sure can," she answered and chomped down on the small, sweet strawberry.

I shook my head.

"I guess one is okay, but no more."

"Ah, but it's so tasty," Arisu complained.

"And how will we enjoy the cake when we don't have any strawberries left?"

"Oh."

That made her think.

"How about we buy some more? That shouldn't be a problem, right, Sara?"

She turned to me with a big smile, but I shook my head.

"Nope. No more strawberries. So you better stop it."

I didn't want to worry about my budget. She would manage, I was sure.

"Oh, fine."

With a sigh, her hair flopped down, away from my strawberry cutting station. I smiled at her. How long would it take for her to secretly try the cream? Probably not long.

While we talked, the smell of freshly-baked cake filled the kitchen, where it was warm and cozy. Maria took on the decorating, while Arisu and I watched, eating whatever remained of the cream and strawberries. By now, I knew how much baking could exhaust me, but it still surprised me time and time again. Maria apparently noticed my lack of energy.

"You can go home for a bit, if you want. I'll bring the cake with me for our meeting," she said with a smile.

"Thanks."

Suddenly, she laughed.

"You don't have to thank me. It's really no big deal. Also, this way I can ensure that there even is a cake left, before Arisu eats it all."

She winked at her.

"Hey, not fair!"

Arisu playfully protested, and we all laughed as she stole another strawberry.

Everything seemed so normal.

I woke up, startled, and only saw the dark outside of my window.

"Ah, what? Wait, did I oversleep?"

Frantically, I searched for my phone. But the glowing digital clock showed that I still had a few minutes left to get ready for our meeting. It was loud enough for Arisu to wake up as well, sliding out from under the bed. I never fully understood what was so comfortable about that, but she didn't want to sleep on the couch most days.

"We need to get ready," I urged her.

"Mhmmmm?"

She sounded as tired as I had felt mere seconds ago. Now there was only panic in me.

"Hurry!"

She had barely put on her pink jacket before I tugged her along, putting on my shoes at the same time.

"Do you have everything?"

She nodded, and let out a yawn.

"It's not like we need to bring anything."

"True." I breathed out. "Then, let's go."

I let go of her jacket and instead grabbed her hand. Together, we ran outside into the cold, starry night. There was no cloud in the sky, and even here, with the city's lights still bright, we could see a few stars shining down on us.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Arisu nodded.

"You know, before I met all of you, I never really paid attention to the stars."

"Really?"

But if you grew up among them, it's probably different, I thought.

"Yes. But you showed me their beauty."

She glanced at me, and her smile grew even bigger.

"Thanks, Sara."

"Ah, no problem."

I grinned at her as well.

"I'm glad to hear that. You, and the others, gave me so much more than the stars. It's really wonderful."

I took one look at the clock again.

"But we should hurry now."

Arisu didn't say anything, but started to run down the familiar streets, and I trailed behind her, until we both stopped at the hill close to the school, with wobbly knees and gasping for air.

Erica looked at us with slight worry on her face. A year ago, I wouldn't have been able to read her expression, but now I knew that it was all because she cared.

"Did you run here?" She shook her head. "You both know that we would have waited for you."

"But we're here now."

Between breaths, I smiled at them. Arisu had already sat down on the picnic blanket next to Pudding, and I did so as well.

"Here. Do you want some tea?"

I sat next to Maria, who gave me a cup of hot fruit tea before I could even answer her question. Over us, the moon was so bright we didn't need additional lights to see each other. I looked at my friends faces. Maria. Erica. Pudding. Arisu. What would I do without them? Where would I be? I couldn't imagine a life without them. I leaned against Maria, slightly smiling as I sipped my tea.

"I know we can't stay like this forever, but..."

"Why not?"

Pudding spoke and tilted her head.

"Erica is going to be the new leader. I don't think much will change."

But Erica shook her head at our club leader's words.

"Haha, we'll see. I know I can rely on you girls, especially now that my art takes a bit more of my time than before."

"No problem," Maria answered for us all.

Pudding seemed pleased with this outcome. She stretched, before taking a slice from the strawberry cake.

"And I'm not out of the world. I'll join you all whenever I can, uwa..."

Suddenly, Arisu seemed to remember something, and looked around.

"Where's my brother, by the way?"

"I've just introduced him to online matchmaking," Pudding explained with a big smile, "And he had a few matches left when I came here."

Arisu sighed.

"Of course."

"You shouldn't be too hard on him. He's improved so much over the last few weeks."

"Because you two have been gaming non-stop," Erica scolded her.

"But the finals are oveeeeer", she whined, "What else is there to do?"

Erica wanted to answer, but then, she breathed out.

"You know what's best for you. Even though it does seem questionable from the outside."

"Hehe, don't be like that, Erica."

With that, she snuggled up to her friend.

"See? I'm not even tired now, uwa."

"You shouldn't be. This is your last official meeting, after all."

"True."

A bit of sadness tinged Pudding's voice, but she quickly overshadowed it by turning to us all.

"I guess I should say something, uwa."

She took a deep breath before she continued to speak.

"I'm so glad I met all of you. This truly was my best school year. And just because I'll be off to college doesn't mean I'll be away. We can still watch the stars together."

"Yes!"

I clapped, and the others joined in.

"Of course," Maria said with a nod.

"You'd never leave us."

Still, it was hard not to burst into tears.

"Here, take another slice."

Maria gently nudged me, and I enjoyed the sweetness of the cake while watching the stars. This moment couldn't be more perfect.

Finally, I set the plate down.

"Next year will be just as good as this one," I said.

The tears were gone, replaced by a warm light inside of me.

"Absolutely!"

The others chimed in.

It was a night to remember, but who knew what the future would bring?

One thing was for sure:

We would all watch the stars. Together.