The weight of the gods' gaze lingered long after Aki awoke. Even in the dim light of his room, he could feel it—an invisible thread pulling at his very existence.
Hoshikiri sat beside him, quiet yet watchful. Her celestial presence was a reminder that his life was no longer his own.
Aki ran a hand through his hair, his mind spinning. The stars have chosen you. The words echoed in his head, relentless.
"…This isn't normal," he muttered. "I'm not normal."
Hoshikiri sighed. "You were never meant to be."
Aki clenched his fists. He had always been an ordinary boy—someone who lost his parents too soon, who carried grief heavier than he knew how to bear. But now? The gods were watching. The stars had whispered his name.
And he didn't know why.
Before he could say another word, a sudden pulse vibrated through the air.
Aki's breath hitched. He recognized this feeling—it was the same tremor of energy that had pulled him into the celestial veil.
But this time, it wasn't coming from the heavens.
It was coming from inside him.
His body stiffened as a strange warmth spread through his chest, curling around his ribs like unseen threads of light. His vision flickered—
And then—
The room disappeared.
---
A Place Beyond Time
Aki stood in an endless void. It wasn't dark, nor was it light—it simply was. Like a place untouched by the rules of the world.
And before him—
A figure.
She stood in the distance, wrapped in flowing robes of stardust, her presence both familiar and distant. Her hair shimmered like silver moonlight, and when she turned—
His breath caught.
"…Mom?"
Hoshino Yuki smiled, her expression warm yet tinged with sadness.
"You're growing stronger," she murmured. "Faster than they expected."
Aki's throat tightened. He took a shaky step forward. "I don't understand."
"You will."
She reached out, her fingers barely brushing against his cheek. The warmth in her touch sent shivers down his spine.
"Aki," she whispered, her voice like a fading melody. "Your fate is not bound to the gods. Not even the stars can hold you."
His breath hitched.
Her form flickered.
"Mom, wait—!"
The vision shattered.
---
Back in the Mortal Realm
Aki gasped as he was pulled back into reality, his chest heaving. His heart thundered like a drum, the echoes of his mother's voice still ringing in his ears.
Hoshikiri was already at his side, her eyes sharp with concern. "What did you see?"
Aki's lips parted, but the words caught in his throat.
He had no idea how to explain it.
His mother had spoken to him.
His mother, who had died long ago.
And she had told him something terrifying.
His fate wasn't bound to the gods.
Not even the stars could control him.
A cold shiver ran down his spine.
If even the stars couldn't dictate his fate—
Then what was he?
---
To be continued…