POV: Kai Mizushino
Place: Forest Path & Village School
Date: August 28, 2214 (17 Years Before the Fall)
The morning sun had just begun to peek through the canopy of the Forest of Withered Stars, its light filtered through shifting leaves and misty dew. The earth smelled of wet moss, and birdsong echoed from high branches, soft and melodic. It was only Kai's second day of kindergarten, but something about this morning felt different—more alive, more vibrant, like the forest itself was holding its breath.
Kai clutched his lunchbox tightly in both hands, his small feet crunching along the leaf-strewn path as Yuuna walked beside him, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. Her warmth grounded him.
"Did you sleep well, little star?" she asked, her voice soft like the wind rustling the leaves above.
Kai nodded, though sleep had been fitful. He had dreamt of stars again—bright constellations whispering names he didn't recognize, voices murmuring from the sky. He hadn't told his mother. He didn't want her to worry.
Yuuna smiled knowingly and knelt in front of him once they reached the edge of the school yard. She adjusted his scarf, then leaned forward and kissed his forehead.
"Remember, just be kind and be yourself. That's enough," she whispered.
He nodded, and with a small breath, stepped forward. The school building stood like a crooked old guardian at the edge of the village. Though humble, it looked more familiar today. Less like a stranger.
Children were already gathering near the swings and under the tree. Among them, Kai spotted Akito and Touya.
Akito was dangling upside-down from the lower branch of the tree, his brown hair falling in a wild halo.
"Kai!" he shouted the moment he saw him. "You're late! We started drawing already!"
Kai hurried over, the nerves in his chest loosening at the sight of them.
Touya stood with his arms crossed, looking amused. "You really think climbing trees is a kindergartener's way to show leadership, Akito?"
"Yes," Akito replied with a grin. "I'm the king of the tree now!" He raised a stick like a scepter.
Kai laughed quietly. It felt good—easier than yesterday. He took his place between the two boys, and for a moment, the three of them simply sat in the shade, passing a drawing book between them.
Akito was attempting to draw a dragon. It looked more like a lizard with wings, but his enthusiasm made up for it. Touya's drawing was cleaner—a sword and shield. Kai, unsure what to draw, began sketching stars. Not just dots in the sky—but swirling ones, like the ones in his dreams.
"That's pretty," Touya said, peeking over. "Looks like magic."
"I think it is magic," Kai whispered.
Akito leaned over. "You know magic? Show us!"
Kai hesitated. Truthfully, he didn't. Not real magic. He had tried once, when no one was watching, but all that happened was a flicker of light in his palm—and he wasn't sure if that was even real. Still, he raised a hand and concentrated, just like he had in the dark.
Nothing.
Akito and Touya waited, watching.
Kai dropped his hand, embarrassed. "I guess… not yet."
But neither boy laughed.
"You will," Akito said with certainty. "I mean, look at those stars. I bet they're real in your head."
Touya nodded. "Maybe your magic's different. You just have to find it."
Their faith settled something heavy inside Kai's chest. It was the first time someone believed in him without him needing to prove anything.
The rest of the day passed in warmth and wind. They made mud pies near the well, listened to their teacher speak about shapes and numbers, and even played pretend with sticks—Akito was the wild mage, Touya the knight, and Kai the "celestial guide," as Akito called him.
When the school bell rang, and the children began to scatter, Kai waited near the tree, looking up at the sky.
The stars wouldn't come out yet, but he still whispered to them.
"Thank you… for today."
Yuuna soon appeared, calling his name with a soft smile.
As they walked home, she noticed something had shifted in him. The way he walked. The light in his eyes.
"You made friends," she said.
He nodded. "Two. Akito and Touya."
She smiled and ruffled his hair. "Then today was special."
Kai looked up at the darkening sky. "I think… I think I'm going to be strong, Mama. One day. Like the stars in my dreams."
Yuuna paused, watching the expression on her son's face—a mix of wonder and determination. Her heart squeezed.
"You already are, Kai."
That night, after he had gone to bed, she stepped outside the cottage and looked up.
The stars were beginning to appear, faint at first, then brighter as the sky darkened.
Yuuna closed her eyes.
"Thanatos," she whispered to the void, to the stars, to the gods long gone, "watch over him. Please. He's your son… but he's my world."
The stars twinkled in silent reply.
To be continued
[End of Chapter 6: Starlit Promises]