Until the Stars Align
Chapter 10 — The Stars Alligned
The city glowed like a thousand scattered stars as the group spilled out of the karaoke bar, their laughter cutting through the late-summer air. Neon lights reflected on the slick pavement, the quiet hum of distant traffic blending with the excited chatter of six teenagers who, for one night, had let the world and its dangers fade away.
Kenji swung an arm over Luka's shoulder as they walked.
"Man, you were actually smiling back there," he teased, grinning ear to ear. "I thought your face would crack if you ever sang."
"I didn't sing," Luka deadpanned.
"You mouthed the words," Haruto said with a rare grin. "That counts."
Even Aria laughed — a quiet, melodic sound that made Luka's chest tighten in that way he was still learning to understand.
---
The night wasn't ready to end.
They drifted to the riverside again, the same spot where hours earlier they'd played Truth or Dare. The city lights danced on the surface of the water, and the moon hung low, painting everything in muted silver.
Rika was the first to drop onto the grass.
"Okay, one last round," she said dramatically, waving a hand. "One more game, then I swear I'll let you all go home."
Kenji groaned but sat anyway, and soon the circle reformed. The game carried on, filled with harmless dares and goofy truths — Daichi admitting he once cried over losing his favorite phone charm, Rika daring Kenji to shout his crush's name at the river. The laughter was easy, natural, and Luka found himself caught up in it despite himself.
Hours blurred until someone checked their phone and cursed softly. Midnight.
"We should start heading back," Haruto said, standing and stretching. "It's late."
---
The Split
The group drifted into smaller clusters as they began their slow walk toward the station. Kenji nudged Luka with his elbow, jerking his head toward the convenience store across the street.
"Snack run. Come on, Daichi, Haru — let's grab drinks for the road."
"I'm fine," Luka said, but Kenji's grin was sharp, knowing.
"You're coming. No arguments."
Aria glanced over at him when the boys peeled away, her gaze lingering for a heartbeat longer than necessary, but she didn't say anything. She turned back to Rika and continued their quiet conversation as the guys disappeared around the corner.
---
The convenience store was quiet, its fluorescent lights a harsh contrast to the softness of the night. Kenji grabbed a can of iced coffee from the cooler, tossing it to Luka without looking.
"So," Kenji started, leaning casually against the counter. "You and Aria."
"There is no me and Aria," Luka said flatly, catching the can.
Daichi arched a brow. "Could've fooled us."
Haruto crossed his arms, watching Luka with a calm, steady expression. "You've been different since that night. More… protective. It's obvious, Luka."
Luka didn't answer right away, his gaze fixed on the floor. His chest felt tight, like admitting it aloud would somehow make it too real.
"I…" He exhaled slowly. "I like her. More than I probably should. But…" His hand tightened around the can. "I don't want to mess this up. She's… she's been through enough."
Kenji smirked, but there was no mockery in his tone when he said, "Then don't mess it up. Just… tell her. Girls don't wait forever, you know."
Haruto's voice was quieter, more thoughtful. "If you really care about her, Luka… don't hide it. People like her deserve to know they're loved."
Something in Luka's chest twisted. Loved.
"Yeah," he said finally, voice low but steady. "Because I do. I don't just… like her. I want her. In my life. Always." He hesitated, then added, almost in a whisper, "If she'd let me… I'd marry her one day. Be with her until I die."
Kenji blinked, stunned silent for once. Then he clapped Luka on the back, grinning like an idiot.
"Damn, bro. That's some next-level devotion. Respect."
Haruto smiled, a rare softness flickering across his face. "Then tell her. Tonight."
---
The Girls
Back by the riverside, Rika tilted her head toward Aria, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
"So… you and Luka, huh?"
Aria's cheeks warmed instantly. "It's not… it's not like that."
"Oh, please," Rika said, rolling her eyes. "You've been looking at him all night like he hung the moon."
Aria's protest died on her lips because… she had. Every smile, every quiet word, every moment where Luka had been there — steady, unshakable — had been carving space in her heart.
"I don't know what we are," she admitted softly. "I just know… when I'm with him, I feel… safe. Like the world can't touch me."
Rika's grin softened into something gentler. "Then stop overthinking it, Aria. Just… let yourself be happy."
Aria stared at her hands, twisting the edge of her sleeve between her fingers. Happy. Could she allow herself that? After everything? Her heart whispered yes, and for the first time, she didn't silence it.
---
Under the Stars
By the time the boys returned, the easy chatter had quieted into a comfortable hum. One by one, their friends peeled away, heading home until only Luka and Aria remained.
They walked in silence at first, the quiet night pressing in around them. The path by the river stretched ahead, lit by the soft glow of lampposts, the stars scattered above like fragile glass.
Aria broke the silence first.
"Thank you… for today," she said softly, glancing up at him. "For… everything, actually."
Luka's hands were shoved deep in his hoodie pockets, but his gaze stayed steady on her. "You don't have to thank me. Not for that. Not ever."
They walked a few more steps before she spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper.
"That night… in the forest… I was terrified. But knowing you were there… it made me feel like I wasn't alone. Like… maybe I never have to be alone again."
Something in Luka cracked wide open. He stopped walking, turning to face her fully. The world seemed to still — the soft rush of the river, the hum of the city, even the whisper of the wind.
"Aria," he said quietly, his voice rough with everything he'd been holding back. "I don't know how to say this right, but… you're it for me. You're… everything."
Her breath caught. "Luka…"
"If you'll let me," he continued, stepping closer, "I'll be here. Not just now. Not just until things calm down. But for as long as you'll have me. I… I want to marry you someday. To be with you until I die."
The confession hung in the air like a fragile, perfect thing. Aria's eyes shimmered in the moonlight, tears gathering but not falling.
"You mean that?" she whispered, voice trembling.
"I've never meant anything more," Luka said, steady and sure.
For a heartbeat, neither moved. Then Aria closed the distance, her hands finding his, their fingers intertwining naturally, like they'd been made to fit that way.
"I don't know what the future looks like," she admitted, her voice soft but certain. "But I want to find out. With you."
Luka's chest tightened, something warm and infinite blooming inside him. He smiled — small, almost shy, but real.
"Then we'll figure it out. Together."
Above them, the stars shimmered brighter, their light threading across the quiet river like a promise. And in that still, perfect moment, it felt as if the universe itself had shifted, every piece finally falling into place.
Until the stars aligned.
TO BE CONTINUED...