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[4:30 A.M]
A star-stricken girl exited her bed, floating into her nightwear slippers and quietly left the dorm room, shared with one who was split, as to not wake either of them up.
After the door was closed, a dazing voice exited her mouth, “‘Operation: Star Gaze’ is now ‘Underway’.” Her soft footsteps made no noise as she seemed to float through the halls, down one, down stairs, then to the front entrance.
Her slippers moved into the locker she owned, swapped by shoes for the outdoors, as the door opened by the stars themselves and let out the star-driven girl. Her path laid out by the shining of the lights above, her airy footsteps went to the field near the dormitory, devoid of light pollution, only illuminated by the gentle moon.
She sat herself down on the grass, feeling the slight wetness against herself, and each blade gently cushioning her through her pajamas. The girl looked into the sky, as her eyes started to shine just like the dozens of stars that were in her field of view. “The ‘Operation’ was a [SUCCESS] for Neo Universe.” She stared at each individual star twinkling. Her eyes glowing bright with each one, akin to the same ones she saw. Her eyes and hands pointed towards the stars, she made shapes out of each one, both standard constellations but also shapes and things that meant the world to her. “[BNNY],” “Heart,” “Star.” She listed them off, her words getting more stars lining them with each one. Then, a gentle breeze passed. Time moves forwards.
[5:00 AM]
The soft rustling of grass entered the girls ears, it matched the tone of another uma so she knew she would be fine, as she kept sitting down. Though, her back hurt a little from the posture needed, and she gracefully lay on the grass instead, feeling every piece of grass lift her like a mattress. She kept her arm in the air as she traced more stars. “L Shape,” “Cat,” “Satellite.” The grass rustling stopped by her, then rustled again as the person sat behind her, out of sight unless turned to. Her ears twitched like a cat, and her free arm caught onto a limb of the one behind her, soft, like a pillow. Her hand sank into it, “[U.F.O.]” She slithered on the grass to rest her head on it, as her head was gently raised and placed onto the two pillows, her eyes still focused on the stars not seeing what or who she was on.
A gentle hand lay on the girls head, slowly patting it. The smell of coffee entered her nose as she was close. Idly, she said to the one she lay on, “Neo Universe… likes to ‘have pillows’. Neo Universe….” her speech trailed off. A rare, honest warm smile and a sip of coffee were all that was shown in response.
The one in black idly looked at the stars while patting the girls head, their friend, invisible to almost everyone else, pointing out their own constellations they saw.
”It waS quitE ThE gOOd idEa TO cOmE. DO yOu SeE ThaT bunnY?”
”...Yes.” Trying not to disturb the other, their voice was internal. But the lack of a response made it apparent that some vocalisation was needed. So barely audible, repeating themselves, “I do.”
Their friend looked pleased at the response given; The one on their lap perked up a bit at the fact that words were said to nobody, and her eyes went off the stars to look around for anyone else. She could tell after those words that someone else might be there, but couldn't quite tell what. Then, she remembered another who was like this, while unsure if it was the same or a literal ghost talking to the one she lay on, the dreamy voice left her mouth.
“Neo Universe, can ‘see the stars’ beside the [BLACK] [CREEPING] ‘like a mission’... to, ‘communicate.’”
They realise what happened, forgetting that every single person in this academy has hearing so well they would be able to catch onto even a faint whisper. Their hands went from patting to scratching her on the head, gently. “...So… you can tell… she's there?” Their eyes turned back to the stars, still smiling.
“I can ‘see her,’ your friend. Neo Universe ‘knows a few’ who can ‘be like that.’”
Their other arm gently scratched her side, their nails slightly piercing the fabric as it was felt through. “...” Their mouth opened to say something, but nothing came out. They only heard rumours of her roommate but from their guess she meant that her roommate could also have the same sort of deal. “Is it about.. your, room-mate?”
No response was given, the sky was changing colours very softly to a darker pink, as some stars softly faded.
[5:30 A.M.]
“ThaT waS raThEr fasT.” Their friend noted. Time did seem to flow quite the much more when you're around anyone. Though, the creeping pink made for a beautiful view, as bright stars stayed in the sky for a final few constellations, however vague they may be.
”Carrot,” said in unison for the final, disappearing constellation being spotted. She slowly made her way off their lap and sat up to see who it was, a person with thick, long black hair that felt like it shrouded their face, and what felt like someone similar, invisible to see but if focused, could be done.
“Neo Universe ‘had fun with you.’” A smile was all that returned, as the coffee had finished, they took their leave, following an invisible friend as they went. She stayed a bit longer to look at the sunrise, reminded of every single time she was there with someone else, etching it into her heart as another precious memory.