Until the Stars Align
Chapter 2 — Shadows Between Us
The next morning, Luka lingered at the gates of Seaview High, his bag slung lazily over one shoulder. He usually timed his arrivals so he could slip into the building unnoticed, avoiding the morning rush. But today, his nerves betrayed him. His thoughts kept circling back to the girl with copper-streaked hair and eyes that had asked for his help.
Aria Fenton.
The memory of her whisper still clung to his ears. "Go. Get help."
He exhaled sharply, forcing himself forward. You're overthinking. She's fine. She was fine yesterday.
But was she?
"Luka!"
Kenji's booming voice nearly knocked him off balance. His best friend clapped a hand against his back, grinning wide. "You look like you just watched the final episode of Your Lie in April again. Did you cry yourself dry?"
Luka gave him a flat look. "That's rich, coming from the guy who bawled when—"
"Shhh!" Kenji slapped a hand over Luka's mouth. "Don't you dare spoil it for these uncultured heathens!"
A couple of nearby students laughed at Kenji's theatrics. Luka shook his head, hiding a reluctant smile as they walked inside together. Kenji's ridiculous energy was exhausting—but it was also the one thing that could drag Luka back to normalcy.
Still, even Kenji's jokes couldn't push Aria out of his mind.
---
The day passed in a blur of lessons and chatter. Luka answered questions when called, took notes neatly, and avoided unnecessary attention like always. But when the lunch bell rang, he found himself drifting—not toward the cafeteria, but the library.
Again.
He told himself it was coincidence. He told himself he wanted quiet. But deep down, he knew he was searching.
And sure enough, she was there.
Aria sat by the same table near the window, light pooling around her like a frame. Her pen moved across her notebook with crisp precision. But today, her face wasn't as calm—it was tight, her lips pressed thin, her gaze unfocused.
Luka hesitated. Normally, he'd never interrupt someone. But something in her expression urged him forward.
"Hey," he said softly.
Her head lifted. The tension in her shoulders eased, if only a little. "Luka."
He blinked. Hearing his name on her lips was strangely disarming. "Mind if I sit?"
She gestured to the empty chair. "Please."
---
They ate in quiet for a few minutes—Luka unwrapping his convenience store sandwich, Aria stirring her miso soup without really tasting it.
Finally, he spoke. "Yesterday… are you okay?"
Aria's hand froze mid-stir. For a moment, he thought she wouldn't answer. But then she set the spoon down carefully. "I'm fine. Really."
"That's not an answer," Luka said before he could stop himself.
Her eyes flicked to his, sharp but not angry. If anything, she looked… surprised. "You're direct."
He adjusted his glasses, flustered. "Sorry. I just—if someone's after you, pretending everything's normal won't make it go away."
For a long moment, she simply studied him. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled. It wasn't the polite kind she'd worn yesterday, but something softer. Warmer.
"You're different," she murmured.
Luka tilted his head. "Different how?"
"You actually notice."
---
Their conversation shifted after that. Slowly, carefully, Aria let down pieces of her walls—not enough to reveal the truth, but enough to let Luka glimpse her humanity.
She asked about his hobbies, and he admitted sheepishly that he spent too many nights gaming until dawn, often losing track of time.
"Don't tell me you're one of those people who rage-quit," she teased lightly.
"I don't rage," Luka defended. "I just… express passionate disappointment."
Her laugh was quiet, almost startled, as though laughter wasn't something she gave away often. Luka found himself memorizing the sound.
In return, she spoke about books she liked—mystery novels, mostly. She claimed she didn't care for romance stories. "They're always too perfect. Life isn't like that."
Luka raised an eyebrow. "So what's better, then?"
Her gaze grew distant, thoughtful. "Stories that remind you pain is real… but so is healing."
The words lingered in his chest long after the bell rang.
---
That evening, Luka lay in bed, game controller idle in his hands, the glow of his monitor painting the walls. But instead of diving into the new RPG, he stared at the ceiling.
Aria's smile. Her laugh. Her words.
Why was he thinking about her this much?
He turned on his side, pulling his blanket over his head as though that could smother the confusing warmth in his chest.
"This is bad," he muttered. "I'm breaking my own rule."
But even as he said it, he couldn't stop the corners of his lips from tugging upward.
Far outside his window, Tokyo's city lights shimmered against the dark water. Luka closed his eyes, unaware that somewhere in the distance, shadows still lingered—watching.
Waiting.
And the bond between him and Aria was only just beginning.
TO BE CONTINUED…