After leaving the spacecraft, a complex and indescribable feeling settled in your heart as you headed home.
Originally, you had thought that the one guarding the other side of the border was not that future genius killer.
But now, the information Opal revealed was extremely specific and unquestionably true.
That person was the Silent Lord.
And most importantly, Opal's final words were:
"If you want to succeed, it would be best to go back and properly say goodbye to your sister…"
The meaning of those words was clear.
To deal with the Silent Lord and save Herta's Star, you had only one option.
That was…
To make the Silent Lord suffer the consequences of harming you or even killing you…
In other words, this was destined to be a path of no return.
A kind of fear spread through your heart. The sensation of once standing on the brink of death from late-stage lung cancer in your previous life resurfaced in your mind.
Despair.
Coldness.
Suffocation.
You were not yet ready to face death. From this perspective, you were not some great, selfless person, but an ordinary human being who felt fear and cowardice.
At that moment, you felt a little lost, wondering why things had turned out this way.
You walked out of the cabin, and without realizing it, night had already fallen…
Those two stars, one called the "White Star" and the other "Herta's Star"…
Hanging in the sky as always…
Shining brightly as always…
The scene of your seventh birthday resurfaced in your mind.
"Brother, even if that star disappears, I'll still stay by your side…"
Herta Star's sweet words sounded as if they had been spoken just yesterday.
The entrustment of Herta's mother on her deathbed also struck you in an instant.
Your eyes gradually brightened, like those two stars.
The belief in your heart slowly solidified.
Even if this journey…
Meant facing death…
You would definitely make your sister healthy again.
After clenching your fists, you walked toward home. Since you had no other choice, then go see Herta's Star one last time.
Consider it a farewell.
You thought to yourself…
…
At home, in Herta Star's bedroom, you gently pushed open the door and looked at the various instruments beside her, just like those your father once used.
Your sister's life was already tragic enough. If she were to pass away like this, it would become a lifelong regret for you, an irreparable one.
You walked to the bedside and carefully observed the unconscious girl. Her long light-violet hair was spread across the bed, and her bloodless face, combined with her delicate features, gave her a fragile, sickly beauty.
Your heart ached. She should not look like this.
You extended your slender fingers, lightly smoothing her slightly disheveled hair, then gently wiped her face…
Finally, you pulled up the quilt, sighed softly, and prepared to leave the room.
"Brother…"
"Where are you going?"
The voice from behind froze you instantly.
You turned around and looked into those eyes, now open, still so bright and beautiful.
"You're awake, sister…"
"Your brother isn't going anywhere. Your brother will stay here with you."
You returned to the bed, gently helping her weak body sit up and letting her lean against you.
"Brother… I… had a dream. I dreamed that you disappeared…"
"I searched everywhere for you, but I couldn't find you…"
"I was so scared, so sad, brother… don't leave me alone… okay?"
Herta's Star sobbed, leaning against your chest.
You gently patted her back, feeling fortunate, truly fortunate, because the doctor had said that Herta's Star would awaken once more.
For a very short time…
Your eyes were slightly moist as you gently embraced her delicate body.
"Your brother won't leave you. He'll always be with you, just like the star that bears my name…"
You spoke softly, your voice filled with all your tenderness.
The girl smiled upon hearing this.
"Brother, I'm really happy you can say that…"
"So happy…"
"Brother, I know I'm going to die. My condition is the same as Dad's back then…"
The girl struggled to move closer to you from the bed, wanting to be as close as possible.
"Brother, you don't need to comfort me. Soon I'll be like Dad and never wake up again…"
Herta Star's eyes were moist, recalling her deceased parents.
You fell silent, wanting to tell her that she would definitely live…
But you…
Did not have that confidence at that moment.
You only gently wiped the tears from the girl's eyes.
"Brother, having you… is so good…"
The girl, sensing that her life was short, clearly wanted to spend this final time happily with you.
She tried to extend her left hand, gently touching your face. Her fingers were a little cold.
Her vitality was slowly draining away, and her brain was under continuous attack from her own immune system.
"Eh? A ring…"
She saw the ring you had placed on her hand.
"It's shaped like the White Star…"
"I like it, I like it very much… thank you, brother, but…"
"I want to see you put it on with my own eyes…"
"Brother… help me sit up. I… don't want to be like this…"
You nodded, helping the girl sit up and prepare…
Soon, Herta's Star looked just as you remembered her, wearing an exquisite purple-and-black outfit that accentuated her graceful figure, her long hair lightly gathered back.
Aside from her somewhat pale complexion, she was still very beautiful.
"So beautiful…"
You could not help but stare in amazement. Without realizing it, the girl had grown into this form.
Elegant and charming…
You imitated a proposal video you had seen in your previous life, kneeling on one knee and once again placing the ring on the girl's finger.
Her lips curved slightly upward, her face full of happiness.
If not for these events, this scene should have taken place by the shores of the Rose K Sea…
"Brother, what about yours?"
The girl asked about your ring.
You took it out. It was the ring shaped like "Herta's Star."
"I want to put this 'Herta's Star' on my brother too."
She gently took the ring and tenderly placed it on your left ring finger.
After that, both of you looked at the rings, which shone brightly even in the dark room.
Inexplicably, you felt a great warmth.
If time could stop forever at this moment, then the two of you would be very happy people.
But…
Reality was not a fairy tale. A brief ring-exchange ceremony had just ended.
Herta's Star began to feel a headache again…
"Brother, it hurts so much…"
The girl clutched her head. Seeing her suffer felt like needles piercing your heart.
You picked her up…
And walked toward the room with various treatment devices.
Preparing to connect her to them.
"Brother…"
"No… just… hold me like this…"
The girl curled up in your arms like a sick kitten.
"Brother, if I die, then, in a world without me, you must promise me that you'll live well…"
The girl's eyelids grew heavier and heavier, seemingly about to close again.
"All right… Then, if you go to a place without your brother, remember to live happily and joyfully too…"
"Okay?"