“Star dust? What do you mean?”

— — — — —

Aya looked at me calmly before answering.

“Akagi used star dust and some other ingredients. They are meant to make me stronger and…if something happens to me…they can bring me back to life. That’s what he told me.”

I looked at her in shock, “Wow…that’s incredible.” then I smiled a little and said, “But don’t worry. I’m sure nothing bad will happen."

She smiled back and said, “Yes..”

A question suddenly came to my mind, and I asked her, “How did Akagi even get star dust?”

Aya looked at me and told me, “That’s exactly what I asked him too! He said he got it from his father…our creator.”

“I see..” I said quietly.

Aya placed the jar of pills back in her pocket. Then she gently took the injection from my hand and put it back inside the drawer.

“Today was a nice day, Ryuu.” She said softly, “Now you should rest.”

I looked at her and nodded.

“Yeah…you’re right. I should sleep. But what about you?” I asked while lying down in the bed.

“I will watch over you.” She replied calmly, “I will make sure what happened last time doesn’t happen again.”

“I understand, Aya.”

“Good night, Ryuu.”

“Thanks.”

I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep.

But after a few minutes, I opened them again.

Aya was sitting on the floor near the bed. She was quiet, her head slightly lowered, her eyes half closed as she stared at the ground.

“Hey, Aya…”

She slowly raised her head and looked at me, “Hmm?”

“I feel a little strange sleeping while you’re watching me like that.” I said, “Are you sure you don’t want to sleep too? You could sleep in the bed and I…”

Aya gently interrupted me.

“It’s alright, Ryuu.” she said softly, “You can rest. I’m here to protect you. Sorry if I make you feel uncomfortable.”

I looked at her for a moment and shook my head, “No problem, Aya. And...sorry if I made you feel bad.”

She gave me a small smile.

I closed my eyes again.

The next moment, I woke up standing in a dark forest covered in dense fog.

Cold air filled my lungs as my heart started beating faster and faster.

I looked around me. The trees were tall and silent, disappearing into the thick mist.

“Aya…?” I called softly.

There was no answer.

Panic started rising inside me.

“Aya!” I shouted louder.

My voice echoed through the trees.

“Aya!”

But the forest remained silent and Aya was nowhere to be seen.