Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Ster - Prince of Meteobel - Main Story
Chapter 1 - On a Night of Shooting Stars
Kingdom of Shooting Stars, Meteobel, October... On a night, where shooting stars were falling brightly...
??: You are...?
What appeared after being released from a ring was a prince that was shining brightly as if he was surrounded by starlight.
(What a pretty person...)
His silver hair looked like it was fused with stardust and he had blue eyes that were like a starry sky. Also, on his chest, there was a sand clock necklace shining with sand that was the same color as his eyes in it.
??: If you freed me from a slumber... Then, you must be the Traumerei Princess.
MC: It's nice to meet you, I'm MC. You are?
??: Ster. The prince of the Kingdom of Shooting Stars, Meteobel.
As the shooting stars shined on his swaying hair, it looked like a sparkling water surface.
Ster: By the way, how long are you going to stay like that?
I realized that I was looking up at him while I was on my knees on the ground from when I released him from the ring.
(How embarrassing...)
Ster-san offered his hand to me.
MC: Thank you.
Surprised by how cold that hand was, I looked up at his cheeks that were clearly pale.
MC: Um, are you okay? Your complexion is...
Ster: Don't worry about it.
After saying that coldly, Ster-san took a long deep breath.
MC: Eh...!
When a small shooting star was formed from his breath, his long fingers took hold of it.
MC: Wow! How did you do that...?
Ster: ...You seem to like asking questions.
Ster-san softly whispered something to the shooting star in his hand. Then, when the shooting star shined beautifully, it lightly rose from his hand and stopped.
Ster: Here. Once you put a wish in it, release it into the night sky and it'll grant any wish just once. This is my thanks for waking me up.
The cold shooting star that he handed me made me recall how cold his hand was. As I looked at the star, Ster-san turned his back on me and departed.
MC: U-Um.
The moment I was about to touch the hem of his sleeve to stop him.
MC: Ah!
His body emitted a dazzling light as he fused with the stars. Before I knew it, I was riding the stars with Ster-san and was crossing over the starry sky...
Chapter 2 - The Power of the Stars
As it felt like we were going through the stars, Ster-san and I rode the shooting stars and glided through the night sky...
When our feet arrived at the ground, Ster-san looked at me as if he forgot how to blink.
(Was I riding the shooting stars? I was surprised when I crossed over the sky on the Moon Road for the first time, but riding shooting stars...)
Ster: ...
Ster-san looked at me with an astonished expression.
MC: I'm sorry, I...
Just as I murmured that without thinking, that's when I realized something for the first time.
(C-Cold.)
Beneath my feet was a field that was completely covered in snow and the cold made me hold my own body.
Ster: To think that I ended up taking you along...
When Ster-san lightly sighed, he brushed off the snow from my shoulders.
///Choices///
- So many strange things (☽)
MC: There were so many strange things happening that I was surprised...
Ster: Strange?
He tilted his hand to the side oddly.
- Ster-san's hand is (☼)
MC: Ster-san, your hand is...
Ster: I'm fine.
His fingers softly brushed away the snow that had fallen on my cheeks.
///Choices///
MC: This is the first time that I've ridden on stars. Can everyone in Meteobel do that?
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I asked that while speaking so fast.
Ster: Only the royal family of Meteobel can. On nights of shooting stars, we can ride them above ground and go to areas in Meteobel. As long as they're small stars, we can use them aside from shooting stars.
MC: That's amazing...
When I sighed in a daze, Ster-san moved his gaze towards the stars in the night sky.
Ster: From earlier... That star. You can use that star. Once you're done, it'll sent you back to where we were before.
MC: Use it?
Ster: It can grant wishes.
MC: Grant wishes?
(Ah... I'm only asking questions again.)
Ster: ...That's right.
Ster-san softly spoke without getting irritated. He sounded cold, but he casually walked in front of me and treaded on the snow.
Ster: The people in my family have the ability to grant people's wishes by borrowing the power of the shooting stars. Then, by granting their wishes as promised, we obtain the power to do so by gathering small stars. Today, I sensed the voice of an earnest wish from this star. When I was in the middle of working, I got attacked by dream eaters.
MC: Is that so... Granting wishes in shooting stars, how nice.
Although...
Ster: Nice? Shooting stars will disappear either way. Would you call that nice?
MC: Eh? I think it's really nice, but...
When the sound of his footsteps in the snow stopped, Ster-san suddenly stopped moving.
MC: Um...?
Ster: ...No, never mind.
Ster-san's pale cheeks turned red a little.
Ster: Once I finish this quickly, I'll send you off.
As it looked like the side of his face was about to disappear into the night sky for some reason, I pulled his sleeve without thinking.
Ster: What?
When he asked that, I frantically went through my thoughts.
MC: Um...
(...I know.)
MC: If it's okay, can you take me with you for a bit? A journey of granting wishes... I want to see that.
Even though that was something I thought of in the spur of the moment, that was my true intention. The time when I rode the shooting stars felt so magical that it got me all excited.
MC: It's so nice that it sounds like a fairytale...
As Ster-san was at a bit of a loss, he nodded as if it was bothersome.
Ster: Those are the words of my benefactor, so I can't ignore them.
MC: Are you sure?
Ster: It'll be troubling if I leave you here.
As he said it like that, Ster-san gently brushed off the snow that continued to fall on my shoulders and hair many times.
Ster: You're shivering... You'll catch a cold at this rate.
Ster-san took a long deep breath again and summoned a shooting star. This time, Ster-san didn't take it and when he whispered something to the shooting star, the sand clock on his chest shined...
MC: Wow...!
From out of nowhere, a white warm looking coat appeared.
MC: Amazing! Thank you so much.
Ster: ...It's no big deal.
When he placed the coat over my shoulders... It fit perfectly on me.
MC: So warm.
When I smiled, Ster-san smiled happily too.
Ster: ...I see.
(Eh...)
Ster-san offered his hand to me. When I held that hand that was cold as ice, my cheeks felt strangely warm...
Chapter 3 - A Moment Lasts Forever
As the starlight became absorbed by the pure white snow... While walking around, I realized how small this star was.
MC: Look, it's a snowman.
My feet stopped when I saw a tiny snowman on top of a stump.
Ster: A snowman?
MC: You don't know what a snowman is? You do this...
When I tried making one, Ster-san looked at it coldly.
Ster: What is this misshapen thing?
MC: M-Misshapen...! Then, you try making one, Ster-san.
When I said that while sulking a little, Ster-san elegantly crouched down and made two perfect spheres in a blink of an eye.
(He's better than me...)
Despite that he didn't give it a face like I did, it was a cute snowman no matter how you look at it.
Ster: It's easy. You're unexpectedly unskillful.
(...!)
///Choices///
- I guess so (☽)
MC: I guess so...
Ster: ...Did I hurt your feelings?
Ster-san looked at the snowman that I made somewhat troubledly.
- That's not true (☼)
MC: T-That's not true.
Ster: Really? The round shape looks kind of crooked.
Ster-san looked at the snowman that I made amusedly.
///Choices///
When I looked away in embarrassment, Ster-san picked up the misshaped snowman from my hand.
MC: ?
Then, he placed the nicely made snowman on top of my hand in return and started walking again.
(Was he trading with me...?)
MC: Are you sure?
Ster: They're going to melt soon either way.
MC: Thank you.
Feeling somewhat happy, I couldn't stop myself from breaking into a smile. While looking at me like that, Ster-san smiled happily.
MC: ...
(It's that smile again...)
The moment I placed my hand on my chest and became speechless...
Ster: ...There it is. Over there.
Ster-san pointed towards a snowy direction.
(A girl?)
When we got closer, there was a little girl crouched down in the snow.
Ster: What's wrong?
When Ster-san spoke to her, the girl raised her face frightenedly.
Girl: Mister, who are you?
Three little rabbits jumped towards the girl's chest in a panic. When Ster-san crouched down in the snow to be at the same eye level as her, he softly spoke to the girl.
Ster: There's no need to be scared. I'm the prince of the Meteobel household, Ster. I'm here to grant your wish.
Girl: Um... A prince that can grant wishes?
Ster: Yes.
The girl's eyes shined brightly at that moment.
Girl: Um, I don't want to move to a faraway kingdom. So, my wish involves these guys.
The three rabbits showed their faces from her coat and looked at Ster-san.
Girl: I've been told that I can't take them with me. If I'm gone, these guys will freeze from the snow.
A large tear fell from the girl's eyes.
Girl: Your Highness...
Ster: ...
Ster-san placed his hand on the girl's head and summoned a shooting star.
Then, when he chanted the wish, the sand clock on his chest shined...
Girl: Wow...!
After the dazzling light disappeared, a flower field was spread out beneath out feet. Even though I could see snow falling from afar, this was the only spot that was strangely warm.
MC: Pretty...
The rabbits jumped from the girl's chest and happily bounced around in the flower field.
Ster: ...Does this put you at ease?
Girl: Yes! Thank you.
Ster: No problem.
After the girl said that with a smile, she happily followed the rabbits. While watching her from behind, Ster-san smiled with a gentle look on his face.
(What a kind person... People's smiles must really make him happy.)
As Ster-san was smiling, I felt warmth and also, pain...
Ster: ...I forgot.
When I looked up after he said that, Ster-san looked at the misshapen snowman that melted near our feet.
(It melted since it suddenly became warm...)
MC: But, this one is okay.
When I presented the beautiful snowman that Ster-san made, he tilted his head to the side oddly.
Ster: ...That's fine.
After saying that, he picked up the snowman from my hand and softly placed it next to the melted snowman.
MC: ??
As Ster-san looked at the snowman for a while, he softly closed his eyes.
Ster: Let's go.
MC: Eh? But, what about the snowman...?
Ster: It's fine.
Then, he looked at the girl running with the rabbits from afar the same way he looked at the snowmen...
Ster: I've remembered enough, so that I won't forget... It's fine.
MC: Eh...?
When his words got absorbed by the night sky, my heart became noisy for some reason. Just as I was about to question him again in return, I became emotionally moved from breathing in the scent of the flowers that were carried by the wind.
MC: ...What a nice scent.
I said that while showing a smile as Ster-san was silent.
Ster: Do you like flowers?
MC: Yes.
Ster: Even though they wither?
///Choices///
- I love them (☼)
MC: Even so, I love them.
Ster: ...I see.
Ster-san narrowed his eyes bitterly for some reason.
- That's probably why they're so beautiful (☽)
MC: That's probably why they're so beautiful.
Ster: You're... a strange girl.
Ster-san showed a faint smile.
///Choices///
Ster: Now then, I really need to go now.
MC: Eh? But, we should tell that girl.
Ster: The shooting star has arrived.
MC: ...Okay.
Ster-san didn't turn around at all. As I looked at him from behind, I felt an indescribable pain for some reason...
Chapter 4 - What Lies Within the Heart
While Ster-san and I were riding the shooting stars, the next place it descended upon was...
(It's really lively.)
As it was overflowing with lively music all around, beautifully dressed people were dancing.
Ster: The festival here is lively. There's no meaning in having a festival every day.
MC: Really... It feels like we're in a dream somehow.
(To think that a party like this is happening every night somewhere in the night sky...)
As I was watching the fun looking festival...
Ster: ...Look out.
MC: Eh?
Suddenly, Ster-san pulled my hand. At the spot where I was, a band playing music passed through.
MC: I-I'm sorry.
When my face was placed against Ster-san's chest, my heart suddenly became loud.
Ster: ...You're just like a child. Suddenly going into a daze and not paying attention to your surroundings.
MC: I'm sorry...
After saying that, Ster-san turned towards the many people that were going back and forth on the sidewalk.
(He's so kind...)
The moment I placed my hand on my chest to suppress my loud heart...
Ster: Still, seeing your foolish dazed face was pretty fun.
(Foolish, he says...)
My cheeks turned red. I frantically tried thinking of a way to change the subject.
MC: Uh... What were you like when you were a child, Ster-san?
Ster: What I was like, you say?
MC: Uh, what kind of things did you like to do?
Ster: Like what?
///Choices///
- Going on adventures (☼)
MC: You look like you have gone on adventures in the neighborhood.
Ster: An adventure, huh. That's pretty mischievous.
- Playing fashionable games (☽)
MC: Like using your mother's cosmetics to play fashionable games.
Ster: My older sister did that... She got scolded a lot.
///Choices///
Ster-san looked at the starry sky on the opposite side of the lively town.
Ster: It seems like fun... I hardly remember playing myself.
MC: Eh?
Ster: I've always been in bed. My body was weak, so my only enjoyment was learning. Since I was unable to do anything, I was going through life and death that it only made my mother cry.
MC: That's...
Ster: When I became an adult and left the palace, I started granting people's wishes and became happy. I felt alive for the first time from granting wishes and making people smile.
(That's why he was smiling happily like that after granting a wish...)
His expression that was like clear water made my chest tightened. Just as I was about to search for the words to say back to him...
Townsperson: Hey, Lady, it's your turn next!
MC: Eh?
When a townsperson called out to me, he forced me to sit down in a chair.
Ster: Hey, what are you...
Townsperson: What, you say, it's a makeup and styling service! You must dress up for a party.
MC: Um, I-
Before I could refuse, he instantly continued with the cosmetics and put a dress coat over my coat.
Ster: ...
Ster-san didn't stop him and watched him somewhat amusedly.
After a while, when the cosmetics and stylings were finished...
Townsperson: Okay, done! Lovely, lovely! Now, what do you think, Sir?
When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I was wearing a ridiculous robe with bright red blush and some intense lipstick on. No matter how I look at it...
(Scary!)
Ster: ...
When I looked at Ster-san, he was covering his mouth as he was trembling a little.
Townsperson: Are you speechless from how pretty she has become? Well, get along now.
The townsperson went off...
Ster: ...Haha!!
Ster-san laughed out loud.
Ster: Hahaha!
My chest tightened sweetly from hearing him laugh for the first time. Although, it was so embarrassing that I feel like disappearing right now...
Ster: Let me see.
When Ster-san stopped laughing after a while, he softly lifted my chin as he had a tear in the corner of his eye.
Ster: ...What he did. This style, it's genius.
(So embarrassing...!)
///Choices///
- I'm taking it off (☼)
MC: I'm taking it off.
Just as I was about to turn my face, Ster-san's finger took hold of my chin.
Ster: Let me.
- Please don't look at me (☽)
MC: Please don't look at me.
Ster-san tilted his head to the side maliciously a little.
Ster: Why can't I look at you?
///Choices///
Ster-san took out a handkerchief and wiped off the lipstick and blush. Then, he went behind me and untied the ribbon on the robe.
MC: T-Thank you...
Ster: It would've been nice if you stayed that way for a bit longer though. Well... This style suits you more.
After saying that, Ster-san summoned a shooting star and softly traced it against my neck...
Ster: ...You said that you liked flowers.
MC: Eh...?
When I looked down at my chest, there was a delicately made flower necklace.
Ster: Even though they're going to wither, here...
MC: Pretty...! B-But, accepting this is...
Ster: You don't like it?
MC: No, it's just so pretty that...
(I feel kind of rude.)
Ster: Then, it's fine. Wear it.
Ster-san narrowed his eyes gently.
(Such gentle eyes...)
Feeling happy, I broke into a smile. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me like that, then...
MC: ...!
His fingers held up the necklace and he softly placed his lips on it. Just as my heart skipped a beat, I became unable to speak and...
Ster: This is the moment where I should say that I want to dance, but... Let's leave. It's been a while since I laughed like that, so just for a bit...
MC: Are you okay!?
Suddenly, his hand felt colder than before that I gasped.
Ster: To the castle of Meteobel.
Just as Ster-san got on the star with a pale face, he told it our destination and passed out.
MC: Ster-san!
I heard him breathing in pain. While we were flying through the stars, it felt painfully long...
Chapter 5 - Ster's Decision
-Flashback-
Ster: It's been a while since I laughed like that, so just for a bit...
MC: Are you okay!?
Ster: To the castle of Meteobel.
-Flashback-
After we arrived at the castle of Meteobel by riding on a star, Ster-san was currently sleeping peacefully thanks to the nursing of the butler and the doctor.
(So, Ster-san wasn't feeling well this whole time. If I had known, I wouldn't have pushed him into taking me along...)
I gripped the necklace that I received from Ster-san.
Ster: Mm...
MC: Ster-san?
When Ster-san opened his eyes, he looked at me as his eyes were still wavering.
Ster: MC...?
///Choices///
- I'll go call for someone now (☽)
MC: I'll go get someone now. So, wait for a-
Ster: Just stay here.
Ster-san softly pulled my hand to stop me.
- What a relief (☼)
MC: What a relief! How are you feeling?
Ster: I'm okay. Calm down.
Ster-san said that gently to calm me down.
///Choices///
Ster: There's no need to make that kind of face. This is normal.
(Normal, he says... His body seems weak right now.)
Ster: ...
Ster-san traced his chest and gripped the sand clock uneasily.
MC: Ah...
The moment I looked at the sand clock, I noticed something unusual about it for the first time.
(Huh?)
The cause of the uneasy feeling... It was that no matter how much the clock's angle changed, the sand looked like it was defying gravity as it wasn't moving so firmly.
MC: That's...
Ster: Yeah...
Guessing from my expression, Ster-san continued speaking softly.
Ster: ...This isn't a sand clock. It's called a stardust clock. As my remaining life decreases, the stardust has been made to go down with it.
MC: Eh...? What do you mean...?
In the top part of the stardust clock, not a single speck of stardust was remaining. I went through my mind about what he said, so I could get a clear idea of what he said so casually.
Ster: Yeah... This was made for this kingdom's royal family when they were born, so that they'll know what their lifespan is.
(Then... How much life does Ster-san have...?)
Ster: My stardust was low from the start. Since my body was weak. Right now... I have 1 or 2 more left.
Ster-san said that as he held up the stardust clock in the light of the chandelier.
(Is he kidding...?)
Ster: Well, that's fine. If I die from doing something that I want to do, then I have no regrets.
No matter how I look at him, there was a serious look in his eyes. With my thoughts jumbled around in my head, I could hardly breathe.
MC: Why would you do that...! Also, you said that you want to do it...? Could it be that you passed out earlier because it's related to that?
Ster: ...It's because I was defective from the start. The stardust in the stardust clock only decreases the more I grant wishes. My family usually has an unbelievably long life. No matter how many people's wishes they grant, they live longer than them. Among that family, me, the defective, was born. My body is weak, so the amount of stardust decreases even more.
MC: Then, if you keep on granting people's wishes...
Ster: Living like a coward and fearing death, how can I live without doing anything? I don't want to live like that. The time when I was useless to everyone and only made people cry, I don't want to go back to that. Because I love people's smiles.
As Ster-san said that softly, it was clear how scared he was. Within my spiral of thoughts, I realized one thing.
MC: This is...!? Could it be that this is your life too, Ster-san!?
From my pocket, I took out the shooting star that he gave me the first time we've met.
MC: Also, these too...!
The necklace and the coat that Ster-san wished for from the shooting stars...
(The flower field too... They were all exchanged for Ster-san's life?)
MC: Why...!
Ster-san looked at me troubledly. The inside of my heart throbbed brokenly from how beautiful those eyes were...
Chapter 6 - A Kind Person
The stars were whispering on the other side of the curtain in the silent room. As the chandelier light was swaying, Ster-san's long eyelashes made a shadow.
Ster: ...Why are you so mad?
MC: Why would you do something like that...!
Ster: What else am I supposed to do? You saved my life. I thanked you for it. You were trembling from the cold next to me. I wanted to warm you up. There was a crying child. I wanted to help her. You said that you like short-lived flowers, so I gave you some flowers that won't wither. ...I don't know anything else that'll make people happy besides granting wishes. I've been living that way this whole time.
MC: Ster-san...
As I wasn't sure on what to do, a tear broke out and fell.
Ster: Why are you crying? Would you smile if I gave you more flowers? Or would you like more shooting stars?
His fingers slowly reached out to me and wiped away the tear on my cheek. Those cold fingertips made my chest tighten even more.
Ster: I'll get a shooting star right now.
MC: Stop! Ster-san... Please stop it. If you do, that girl, I... If we had known that our wishes would be granted in exchange for your life, do you think that we'll be happy? Everyone that you've made smile happily, what do you think would make them happy besides granting their wishes?
Ster: ...That's, I can't think of anything.
MC: Ster-san...
///Choices///
- Touch his cheek (☽)
When I touched his cheek, he looked at me without any resistance.
Ster: Stop crying...
- Gently hold his hand (☼)
When I gently held his hand, his shoulders trembled a little.
Ster: Why are you looking at me like that?
///Choices///
MC: Your wish... What is it?
Ser: What am I supposed to say...! No one has ever taught me anything else. Doesn't everyone become happy from having their wishes granted? Weren't you smiling too?
He gripped the stardust clock pendant in his hand.
-Flashback-
Ster: I've remembered enough, so that I won't forget... It's fine.
---
Ster: Do you like flowers?
MC: Yes.
Ster: Even though they wither?
-Flashback-
I heard Ster-san's words repeatedly in my head.
(Ster-san... is going to disappear?)
The ground swirled around me and all the sounds became distant.
Ster: What is your wish? What can I do to make you stop crying?
(My wish...?)
When I heard his distant voice...
-Flashback-
Ster: Once you put a wish in it, release it into the night sky and it'll grant any wish just once. This is my thanks for waking me up.
-Flashback-
(Any wish...?)
Someone who's kinder than anyone else. Right now, that's just so sad.
(My wish is...)
As I gripped the necklace around my chest, I gripped the bright shooting star in my other hand...
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