You turned over, got out of bed, and opened the door.
It was Lady Herta, looking a little pale.
"Silly brother, I can't sleep. Can you stay with me for a while?"
You nodded naturally and stepped outside.
You went up to the rooftop. The starry sky that night was bright and cloudless, stars twinkling everywhere, with meteors streaking past from time to time.
"What's wrong? Is your mind getting active again?"
You could not help worrying and gently touched her forehead. She had no fever, and you sighed in relief.
She had always been your little sister in your heart, and taking care of her felt only natural…
The final wish of Herta's mother made you feel that you had to shoulder this responsibility even more.
"No… silly brother…"
"It's been half a year. Recently, I've been trying to find a new way of living, not wanting to sink into sadness all day…"
"After all… Dad and Mom wouldn't want to see us sad all the time, right…?"
Starlight shimmered. You turned your head and looked at the profile of the seventeen-year-old girl. It was the first time you had observed that familiar face so carefully in a long while.
Her voice was low, her eyes seemed to glisten with tears. Talking about her parents without feeling sad… was a lie.
Still, life had to go on. The departed were gone, and focusing on the present was what mattered.
Irreversibly immersing oneself in grief would only lead to gradually losing oneself and sinking into eternal despair…
"Yes. I support you."
You spoke softly, standing beside her. At that moment, your sturdy figure was like a solid nut, shielding her from the cold, endless night…
"Mmm…"
The girl fell silent. The feigned strength she had maintained by your side shattered instantly. She turned and threw herself into your arms, as if your chest were her warmest refuge at that moment.
She cried very sadly, and also very freely…
Your eyes filled with tears as you gently stroked her slender back.
The chill of the night crept in. You took off your jacket and draped it over her trembling body as she cried in your arms.
Suppressed emotions needed an outlet. At that moment, she was just a child…
The girl cried for a long time before finally stopping. The emotions she had accumulated for so long slowly dissipated. Then she looked up, her small face streaked with tears, her eyes red and blurred, and looked at you.
You tenderly wiped her red, swollen eyes. The slightly firm pressure made her purse her lips involuntarily.
"What? Did I hurt you?"
She shook her head without speaking, gently freeing herself from your embrace and looking up at the star-filled night sky.
"Silly brother, what is that star called…?"
She pointed to the star that bore your name and asked softly.
"It's called the White Star…"
You smiled gently. You knew the answer.
"And that one?"
"Herta's Star."
…
She fell silent, offering no comment on your perfect answer, only staring at the stars at opposite ends of the night sky.
"Those two stars are like Silly Brother and me…"
"Always taking care of each other, never abandoning each other…"
"Silly brother…"
"Mmm."
You listened to the girl's words, your heart warming, and responded softly.
"You must also be like that 'White Star,' always, always staying with 'Herta's Star,' always, always staying with your little sister…"
"Okay?"
You looked at the two stars. Their twinkling frequency was the same. In the night, only they echoed each other, watching over the lonely, endless darkness…
"Okay…"
You gently smoothed the strands of hair stuck to her lovely face by tears and replied seriously.
"Mmm, I'll also always, always be with Silly Brother, just like that 'Herta's Star.' No—even if that star isn't there, I'll always be with Silly Brother…"
The girl raised a hand, as if making a promise. The clothes draped over her slipped with the movement, but she did not mind.
"Mmm!"
You gently tapped her nose and picked up the clothes from the ground for her.
"It's late. Time to rest."
You looked around. It was already deep night, silent and still. Without realizing it, you had stayed on the rooftop for a long time again.
"Mmm… I want Silly Brother to carry me on his back…"
Lady Herta complained playfully.
You smiled, turned around, and bent down slightly, feeling the girl jump onto your back.
Her soft body pressed against your back, her cheek, still warm from crying, resting against your neck.
You carried the girl down from the rooftop.
"Silly brother, I want to… hear you sing…"
Even at such a short distance, she still wanted you to sing, so you hummed softly.
Before you even reached her room, the girl had already fallen into a deep sleep on your back.
Your singing always had a good effect on her.
You gently pushed open the door to her bedroom, carefully placed her on the bed, took off her shoes and socks, tucked her in, and then turned to leave…
"Silly brother…"
"Don't leave me… alone…"
Her sleepy murmur made you pause, but seeing her sleeping soundly, you quietly left the room.
"How could Silly Brother abandon you?"
You murmured softly, then returned to your room.
In the days that followed, you began a new life, trying to leave the past and your sorrow behind.
You focused on your career, continued cooperating with the Interastral Peace Corporation, occasionally recorded famous tracks from Blue Star, released singles, and put out albums…
Your fame spread ever more strongly across the stellar seas, but renown was not what you sought.
You only wanted to live your life without regrets.
As for Lady Herta, from that day on, she gradually immersed herself in her own research. She said it was research her father had not finished, and that she wanted to find an answer.
An answer… that would give her father peace of mind.
She often shut herself away in the laboratory for long periods, studying piles of books, forgetting to eat and sleep.
She would also cling to you in her spare time, pestering you to sing for her and occasionally, playfully, asking you to carry her on your back.
The sorrowful past seemed to fade little by little, but at times, when seeing some of their belongings, pain would still surge in your heart, and you would curl up and cry uncontrollably…
Life seemed to repeat itself day after day, and amid the melancholic tone, a warm companionship seemed to be added, forming a melody that made one barely notice the passage of time…
And your diary, like individual notes in this melody, recorded every beat of your life.
That day, your diary read:
"Lady Herta is slowly growing up. In six months she will turn eighteen. Girls undergo eighteen transformations, each one for the better. She is gradually becoming the person I remember, and her personality has matured, becoming rational and calm…"
It made me think of that phrase: "Lady Herta… unparalleled in the world. No, I should say, my little sister, unparalleled in the world…"
And I too have become a well-known singer in this universe. I am very satisfied with this life.
And lately, I have had a faint feeling that the day I see Harmony does not seem to be very far away…