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ASTERI'S POV
It's been two days since Slap Day and Hinata has been ignoring me ever since. Every time I ask Issei, he'll side with his mother and give me a big fat lie. To the point he ran out of them and was running from me instead. There was a time she sent me a message through a Aoi saying...
"Hinata says she hopes you've found something new to manipulate. She's moved on."
This was heart-crushing for me so I decided to search for her. I hardly sense her signature which means Yin is erasing them and Yang is creating a new one.
Each time I visit the dragons, I end up flying billions of kilometres in this near infinite space but still can't get a hold of her signature.
She's here, the dragons are keeping her safe and preventing me from moving forward due to exponential recursion.
'Meaning, each step generates a new direction; these new directions are branches of more steps.'
Eg
Step 1
├─ Step 1a…
│ ├─ Step 1a1…
│ │ ├─ Step 1a1a…
│ │ └─ Step 1a1b…
│ └─ Step 1a2…
└─ Step 1b…
└─ Step 1b1…
└─ Step 1b1a…
This is a generative process in which the initial step encodes a rule that lets it produce further steps, which themselves follow the same rule leading to a tree of sets, a possible infinite hierarchy.
'To think these newborns can do something like this at this age. This is already Supergod-Tier and can be used to create an infinite-dimensional structure like Matryoshka Prison. Wait, Matryoshka? How come I haven't figured that out?"
Not in the mood to play their games, I exited the star and went back to my hall.
'That name sounds familiar.'
'Yeah, he's the Dark God you lost to.'
'No. This isn't my memory. This is—'
'Guardian of the Superworld of Dimensions in Elyvra, Stellio of Lacerta Constellation.'
Antares broke into our conversation.
'After I left the Star Realm, Taika from the same Constellation was one of the Dark Stars sent to attack me. Of course, that was after she left us.'
He added.
'Unfortunately, those two were all that was left of the Lacerta Constellation and Antares just wiped them off. Thanks to him, we now have twenty seven dead Constellations.'
Entares intervene.
"One of them? So you were attacked more than once?"
'Do you think I'll be left untouched in the vast Hyper Space after being wanted for so long?'
An obvious answer.
"No."
'Why did you recall that name? It wasn't something important, was it?'
Enta asked.
"I just felt that new memory within me. So a Star can become a Dark Star but not the other way around?"
'That's how it is. It's just like a fallen angel can't rise into the heavens once again. Hey, Star Realm behind, we're in the Cardinal World now, let's focus on that.'
"I know."
'So, how can you deal with Hinata? You have only three days left.'
"Don't worry, I have a plan."
THE FOURTH DAY
'Your plan was to ignore her for a whole day?'
"It's called mirroring. I hurt her, yes and now she's hurting me. This will work, just trust me."
'Hmm, I'm just a spectator so I won't get involved.'
"You'd better not."
My plan was ready and the time was due. I left my room and headed to hers. I knocked and perhaps not knowing who it was, she invited me in. I walked into the living room and there she was, seated on a couch, her friendly expression quickly changed when she saw me.
"What do you want?"
She asked, not even bothering to look at me. And for some reason, I'm enjoying this. I feel more…'human' than the star I am. I took a deep breath before speaking my mind.
"I'll be really honest with you so please listen up. I want to start by apologising for using you as a stepping stone to feel something. But you should know I didn't do this purely based on selfishness.
In case you don't know, I'm one of the millions if not billions Asteri tasked with this one goal, learning human nature. I was also the only one bestowed with Antares's real goal, which is to make friends and have fun. This makes me a higher subject than the others.
Although we're almost the same, I can't disappoint my real self by not completing my goal. I did what I did with no regrets and if I couldn't find a way to accomplish my goal, I'll pull some strings to get the job done.
This is in my nature, I can't do much without it. It's like telling an average human to live without thinking. Unless you're a madman you can't do anything without thinking. However, despite all—"
Here comes the biggest scene.
I dropped to one knee as a cluster of alien blossoms from Lady Elara's garden shimmered into existence in my hand, glowing with otherworldly light.
They were sparking enough to draw her attention towards my direction, their smell was just off the chart.
"I'd like you to forgive me. My life here won't be complete without you."
I lowered my head in apology, extending the radiant flowers to her.
'That's some sick romeo shit. From today henceforth, your name is Asteri the Romeo. Guess what, it matched. Among the billions of Asteri, the name Asteri the Romeo stands out—'
'This fool doesn't know when to get serious. Just accept my apology Hinata. I need you. I—love you.'
Her eyes widened and she took the flowers. Entares was choking me, preventing me from thinking that word. He will probably behead me if I say it aloud.
"Thanks for the flowers."
She murmured.
'I made a mistake. But I wish I could start over.'
"Starting over won't erase the blood on your hands."
She answered right away. This answer was no coincidence.
'Wait what? Did she just...'
"What if I can?"
She answered again, reading my thoughts.
"Those powers—since when?"
I asked, rising to meet her gaze.
"Who knows?"
She replied, settling the flowers into an empty case.
"You did a good job confessing and it's reassuring to know you love me. It hurt. You hurt me, Asteri. But—I still see you. So show me you're worth what I lost. And maybe, just maybe, I'll show you what I never stopped feeling."
She said without even turning back to face me. I stood up and approached her.
"I will. I'll show you how I'm worthy of change and I'll show you how much I love you because I really do. I love you, Hinamatsuri."
She turned, surprised and I played her card stealing a kiss at the Mother of Dragons. As expected, she fell for it and was immersed in this moment.
A single kiss at the right moment changes the game, that's what I've learned. After holding the line for a few seconds, I pulled out, giving her some space.
"I must admit, your method did work."
"What method?"
"After confessing the other day, you stated that you created a situation to experience hatred, and when such emotions arise between couples, breakups are common.
I played your card and let you experience it. Towa is too soft and blind, but I did create a scenario where you could learn something."
"So—you weren't angry about what I did?"
"I knew about it for a while. I was pissed for sure. But when put to scale with the life you've given me, it's insignificantly small."
"I see. I'm sorry I had to use such a method."
"You're learning. I want to see the new you, so I will do whatever it takes to make you change."
"How lucky am I to find you?"
"How lucky was I that you found me?"
She giggles, and we melt into another kiss.
"Caught in 4k. I knew it. Asteri is in love with mama."
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through our intimate session. It was Issei.
He was standing in front of the door. For how long? We've been caught but it's Issei so it'll be alright, right?
What, where are his friends? It'll be one thing if he's the only one but having seven kids witness this will be unsettling. Maybe.
"Hey, little man. Where are your friends?"
He's still a kid so a straight answer will be provided.
"Downstairs. I forgot something so I came back."
"Ok. Where is it. Mama will help you find it."
Hinata turned, checked the room up and down.
"I've found it already."
He replied, showing us his 'kids tool'.
(Idk what to write.)
'So he was here the whole time?'
"Um, ok. So—"
"Don't worry, Asteri. I won't tell anyone so you two can pick up right where you left off."
"That's not—"
"I wonder if I'll get a brother or a sister. Either one, I'd love to have a little sibling."
He added.
"Wh—"
Hinata was embarrassed, and I exhaled deeply trying to calm down.
'Small kid, big words. Gimme some space.'
"Anyway, see ya."
He waved before storming off as if he didn't just cause a storm.
"Um—I— um—I have an appointment with Rimuru. Excuse me."
I teleported away in a flash. It was a lame excuse but I had to say something before leaving.
I took refuge in space, sitting on space itself, observing the celestial bodies.
"Phew, made it out successfully."
"Hehehe, it's a bit dramatic so I saved it in my non-existent camera. Feel free to come check it out."
Entares spoke through his artificial mouth on my chin.
"I'll take a day off doing nothing but destroying your collections."
He chuckles menacingly.
"They're non-existent, a piece of existence like you can't possibly do anything."
"Be sure to keep that smile when I've destroyed them."
He laughs before calming down, joining my meditative stage.
Complete silence reigned and I could hear the distant cries of a dying star.
(The gaseous balls not the Supreme Beings.)
"What plans do you have for tomorrow?"
He asked, as if interested in what I'll be doing.
"Attend Rimuru's festival."
"You're just going to, what, stand throughout the day?"
"Of course not. I'll try socialising and see if I'll fit in."
"That's good. This look is old enough. We need something new, majestic and unique. Our style."
"You don't have to tell me that. I'll miss this long hair."
I said, gently pulling my strands.
"I feel sorry for Lady Athena."
"Don't be. I'll force her to open up and stop being an introvert."
(If only I could change too : (
"Shut up, you Good For Nothing Star."
"You shut, up you Evil Bastard."
And we exchanged insults for a while before heading back home. It was already late and the island was quiet and peaceful. It's like the land itself was asleep. The soldiers
"Talk about the land, don't you think it'll be nice to let some of the people have fun in Tempest?"
"You're changing. It's not like you to care about others."
"Shut up and answer the question."
"It's free for all but—"
'Rimuru, is it ok to get some of my people to visit Tempest tonight?'
'What, didn't you tell me you'll bring everyone?'
He replied.
'I was joking. I guess.'
'Nice joke. Please, flood my nation with your people.'
'They'll be using the portal and I don't know how many of them are willing to march out.'
'Like I said, don't worry. I have more than enough spaces.'
'More than enough space to hold this many people, I can't wait to see what you've created.'
'It's just hours left. I'm so excited.'
'So am I? It's your day, you should get some rest.'
'Yeah you're right. Goodnight, I'll see you later.'
'Sure.'
He ended the telepathic call and I went to my room to prepare for the upcoming festival tomorrow.
To be continued...