Track 7

…!!

!!!!!!!!!!

How are you still loud even when you’re not saying anything? …Though, I mean, I get it.

Indeed, I am in awe.

It’s like… everywhere you look… the whole cave’s covered, in stars…

I'm speechless… Is this what it means to be so captivated you can’t put it into words…?

Everyone, please watch your step. Should you happen to fall and strike your head, you may very well find yourself seeing stars in a different way.

But even if you say that~!! It’s a waste to just stare at your feet, I mean, just look at this place…!

Ahem! Now then, let me give you a little explanation!

The Cave of Stars attraction takes place at Chikura no Iwaya, Tanegashima’s largest sea-eroded cavern. A sky filled with 10 million stars is recreated within this cave using the world’s most advanced optical planetarium projector.

This incredible sight can only be seen a few times a year, during a rare overlap of a new moon at low tide in the dead of night, which coincides with a spring tide.¹

Thanks to those perfect conditions, what you see here is a one-of-a-kind world, a breathtaking fusion of nature's beauty and mankind’s ingenuity.

What an eloquent explanation, I would expect no less from the chief.

Ahaha, thanks for listening!

I didn’t know it was so special. But it sure is satisfying to see!

It is all due to the natural conditions of this place. I have seen many planetariums before, but it is my first time seeing such a sight.

The way the stars are projected onto the wall really adds to the vibe, and hearing the waves also makes the whole thing feel even more special.

But they sure put a lot of stars. Like, 10 million is insane.

Looking… at it now… it’s hard to believe… there are… this many stars here…

The amount is indeed impressive. However, the actual number of stars in the galaxy is much greater.

Really? Then how many are there?

Well, there are around 200 billion stars, such as the sun, alone within the Milky Way Galaxy.

200 BILLION!?!?

Shut up! It’s echoey in here, so can you not!?

Sorry! But like, 200 billion’s a crazy huge amount! I mean, your eyes went wide just now too!

As if. You’re going blind.

In addition, I have heard there are around 2 trillion galaxies similar to the Milky Way in the universe.

So 200 billion… times 2 trillion…. That's, uh… how many zeroes…?

I dunno! Ultra super numerously many!

One could call it an astronomical amount.

If there are, that many stars… out there…

…Then aliens have to exist!

Indeed. There may even be planets that are very similar to Earth.

Which means… There could be people who look just like us somewhere in this universe?

Okay, we’re getting into the multiverse now.

…

(…There could be humans similar to us living on a planet similar to the Earth. If such a planet truly exists…)

(...Then perhaps…)

(Somewhere out there, there is a version of myself that has not separated from my father. …A world where Princess does not exist.)

Doesn’t it sound kind of nice? The idea that somewhere out there, a parallel world might really exist… The universe really has a way of making you believe that anything’s possible.

…Perhaps, there is a version of you out there that has achieved their childhood dream from that security question.

Hmm~… maybe? But I think that even in a parallel world, I’d still be a tour guide.

Oh really?

Yeah, because…

No matter what life I live nor what dreams I chase, in the end, I'll always choose this path.

…

…I see.

Hey, what’s that belt looking thing over there?

Ah, that is the Silver River, also known as the Milky Way.

Wow, so that’s the Milky Way! So Orihime and Hikoboshi² live on the ends of it… wherever that is!

Unfortunately, you are slightly off. The Milky Way Galaxy is the galaxy which contains the solar system and our planet Earth.

So we're inside the Milky Way even though we can see it?

We are able to observe it from within because it has a flat disk shape. This is why it appears to us as a belt.

But how… do we know… it's a disk…?

Well, we are unable to actually see what the Milky Way Galaxy looks like from outside.

However, our current map of space was theoretically derived through numerous observations and conducting various research and calculations from within.

Whoa~… I don’t really get it but a map of space, that’s so dope~~~!

Wait, what about Orihime and Hikoboshi?

If the, Milky Way… isn't a, river… then…?

…OH!

Isn’t it totally possible that Orihime and Hikoboshi were separated by some mysterious alien!?

They’re fictional characters. What I wanna know is how you idiots were able to twist that brilliant scientific explanation Muu-chan gave just now into something so childish.

Well, it does stem from the story of Altair and Vega. If you are interested, I can tell you about it at the hotel tonight.

…

(Back when we were deciding the location for the study tour, Muneuji-kun told me something like…)

The truth is, I am reconsidering whether or not I should become an astronaut.

(But right now, he looks so happy talking about space with everyone.)

…

(Ah, it looks like Ushio-kun’s watching him too.)

(He was the one who told me Muneuji-kun was struggling with something. He must've been worried about him this whole time.)

…Looks like coming to Tanegashima was the right choice after all.

…Yeah.

(Oh my, he’s actually being honest for once…)

…

T-Minus 300 seconds and counting.

5 minutes until launch…

What a crowd…! Looks like everyone's here to watch the space launch…!

They say that nearly a thousand people gather here at Hase Park during every space launch.

Whoa, so there's gonna be that many people today…?

I’m getting kinda nervous…! Should I write ‘space’ 3 times on my palm!?

W-Wait, now I’m nervous too…! Space, space, space… *gulp*...

The mission control centre… must be, feeling even more tense… than us…!

…It’s happening, Muu-chan.

The countdown sequence is starting. If no anomalies occur, then…

*inhale, exhale*…

I will finally be able to see the moment a rocket is launched into space with my very own eyes…!

Wait, hold on, wait, ahhh…!? The camera is working, right? Should I check it again!?

…Don't, panic… There's still… time left…

…Muu-chan.

What is the matter? Do you have a stomachache?

No.

I was just thinking that space is the right choice for you after all.

…

You’ve been worrying all this time whether you would’ve gone down this path if that had never happened to your dad, right?

That’s…

But you know, I don’t think that has anything to do with it. Because deep down, you’re a die-hard space geek.

I mean, you had a good time here, right? At Tanegashima.

*eyes widen*

Here, I’m giving it back.

!

You’ll need this if you’re restarting your dream.

I’m saying this as someone who’s been around you since before everything happened.

Uu-chan…

The contents up until yesterday… are all filled in.

…I know it’s kinda creepy.

(Oh, so that is why…)

…Hey, did anything happen to you today?

(He has been asking me about my activities everyday so that he could continue my diary.)

It seems you understand me better than myself.

(My wishes, sadness, pain… and my dream.)

(He knows because he has been watching me more than anyone else. He picked up on the things I obliviously missed, or almost threw away…)

(…And embraced them on my behalf.)

…I am indeed fortunate to be blessed with you as a friend.

…

Turning the flight mode ON.

T-Minus 13.

12.

11.

10!!

!

That scared me… So we have to count along?

9~! 8~! 7~~!

6…! There's only 5 seconds left!

…5.

Activating the thermal battery.

WHOAAAAA~~~! 4~~~~~~!

3…!

2…

1!

Main engine ignition.

0…!

(This culmination of technology was achieved through the work of many individuals. Its giant body leaves behind a storm of smoke as it slowly rises up.)

(Even from kilometres away, the shockwaves released reach us immediately, resulting in a sonic boom…)

(It flies up, straight towards the sky.)

(The tremendous energy it holds pushes it upwards, allowing it to defy gravity.)

(It is a blessing containing the tens of millions of prayers made over the vast history of mankind.)

(I am moved.)

(The rocket is flying further and further away from the Earth, and from us standing here on the surface.)

(It flies straight and true, without any hesitation, like an arrow that never misses.)

…

I want to believe that I will always come to love space no matter the world, nor the lifeforms that traverse it.

HUH!? WHAT!? I CAN’T HEAR ANYTHING YOU’RE SAYING!!

…I WANT TO GO TOO!

!

I… WANT TO REACH FOR THE STARS!!

LIKE I SAID, I CAN’T HEAR YOU!! BUT… I GOT IT!!

…Pft, HAHA!

PWAHAHAHA!