"It's said that in the Milky Way, only a very small portion of habitable star systems have civilizations, while the vast majority of systems are extremely desolate."
"Sometimes I dare not look at this expanse of stars, because the more I look, the more I feel my own insignificance, so much so that it seems everything I do ultimately turns out to be futile."
"Don't give up, you do these things not really to change the world, right?"
"In fact, I've known for a long time that I can't change the world; the only thing I can change is the little bit of it that I experience."
"That's not bad at all, because this little bit is our world."
Afterward, the quiet observatory settled down. Some people were still gazing at the distant starry sky while others closed their eyes, and gradually, some even drifted off to sleep.
Ores turned her gaze, looking towards Tilan sleeping next to her, and noticed her breathing becoming slow and steady; she seemed to be fast asleep.
So unsuspecting, she thought to herself, and then leaned her head closer to take a detailed look at Tilan asleep, before gently resting her head next to hers and closing her eyes as well.
On the other side of the mat, Ailu Kelu lay on her side, secretly playing a small game on her personal terminal, while Blanchi, gazing at the stars above, also gradually succumbed to sleep.
Audrey and Prin whispered to each other, occasionally gesturing, probably discussing the gains and losses from the previous Star Cluster confrontations.
Shui Yanqing was very awake and didn't sleep; she first sat up to take a look at the other Songstresses, then lay back down, closing her eyes to rest.
So it went until the early morning when the moon passed beyond the angle observable by the observatory, and the present Songstresses left one by one.
The next day, Tilan went through her normal daytime classes and also attended the 'Four-leaf Crystal Regional Mutual Aid Association' celebration in the evening.
Members of the celebration all came from the Four-leaf Crystal Star Domain, some of whom were students, and some were business people earning a living in the Central Star Domain.
After attending a small meeting, Tilan said her goodbyes and left.
After finishing the day, it was Thursday, and Tilan took the rare opportunity of a night without arrangements to sleep well at home and rest.
Then came Friday, and even before the day ended, she could feel that the atmosphere on campus was a bit lighter.
"Because it's the Autumn Moon Lantern Festival." Ores and Tilan walked through the campus corridors, observing the students passing by outside.
"The celebration on campus is just a simple observance. To truly see the Autumn Moon Lantern Festival performances, we must go to the central business district of Zone One. There, many large corporations sponsor and carry out promotional activities, and so many stars and performance groups are invited."
"Do you have the time to join me tomorrow, Tilan?" She extended the invite.
"I'm available tomorrow," the girl nodded slightly.
Seeing her agreement, Ores felt much more cheerful and then reached a fork in the road. She waved goodbye to Tilan before entering the pathway that led to her own mansion.
Back at her residence, Tilan changed into an outfit suitable for going out. On the upper body was probably a basic well-fitted shirt with deep red ribbon at the collar, while the sleeve ends carried traces of white lace adornment. Below was a skirt that matched the color of the ribbon, just above the knee, neither long nor short, with dark red hem interspersed with the patterns of white roses—a simple kind of elegant.
Tonight is when she agreed to have dinner with Yilin; the two had been in the Central Star Domain for a month, and this was their first meal together.
"Where are you now, Tilan?" came Yilin's familiar voice from the personal terminal.
"At the Pine Swordtail station by Zone One's center," Tilan raised her head to look at the brightly lit station opposite her with various sized lanterns, occasionally spotting red ribbons fluttering.
"Wait for me, I'll be there soon."
Leaning on the railings outside the platform, Tilan looked up at the sky, her flaxen grey long hair cascading down, with an indefinable smoothness and ease.
Her body slightly curved, fingers grasping the railing, her posture carried a certain carefree attitude that made passersby occasionally stop and look back in admiration.
Five minutes later, a supersonic train pulled into the station, and following the disembarkation of many passengers, there was a chestnut-haired woman among them.
Stepping out of the platform, Yilin saw Tilan leaning against the railing and walked over with a smile.
Afterward, the two walked towards a bustling commercial street filled with tourists.
Traces of time brushed by inadvertently. Compared to their visit to the botanical garden four years ago, Yilin had matured. Her big wavy chestnut-colored hair that had been permed and dyed, the pearl bracelet on her wrist, and her handbag all emphasized her easy fashion sense and generous temperament.
By her side, Tilan seemed even younger, but unlike the softness of four years ago, Tilan appeared somewhat carefree this evening, some of her movements lacking the timidness of the past.
After browsing through a few shops, they stepped out again, with Yilin talking about the clothes and interesting things she saw just now.
"Speaking of which, Tilan has really changed a lot." She finally noticed these subtle changes.
"Hmm?" Tilan turned her head, somewhat puzzled.
"Nothing much, just that feeling, like the little Tilan we knew has finally grown up. Well, although not as bewilderingly cute as before, you also have a kind of fresh beauty."
"Is it really that obvious?" Tilan interlocked her fingers, recalling her changes since coming to the Central Star Domain.
"It seems indeed more relaxed than before." She swept a lock of hair behind her ear.
"High school was very stressful, and you also know later on, how Edith Academy was at loggerheads with Saint Yingo in a difficult situation."
"Back then, I relied a lot on the school, and I had many unknown worries about the future. It reflected in my temperament as being slightly cautious, and sometimes I felt constrained."
"And now? Do you know, when I walked out of the station, saw you leaning against the railing, I almost didn't recognize you." Yilin covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Now, do you know the word 'demystification'?" Tilan replied.
"I once had many imaginations about the Central Star Domain and, being an ordinary person, the reverence and fear towards the Federal Upper Echelon."
"However, after coming to the university, I gradually got to know the real situation of the Central Star Domain, which is to say, that layer of misty veil was completely lifted, and the various courses and activities at the academy allowed me gradually to see the true power structure and the current state of the Federation."
"The more I knew, the less fear I had, it's probably like that."
"When you're aware of everything, you no longer feel that inexplicable fear and worry." Tilan shook her head gently.
"I think sometimes psychological problems don't necessarily need psychological treatment; perhaps really experiencing and understanding reality can resolve many psychological issues and unfounded anxieties."
"You're amazing, Tilan." Yilin looked at her friend with a sense of relief and admiration.
"Do you know, when you were seriously analyzing and explaining to me, you exuded a confident and sincere aura, a charm that I've never seen you have before."
"So calm and strong."
"Hehe, although it sounds a bit exaggerated, I am really surprised and happy." Concluding, she turned her head again to gaze at the red, fish-like floating lanterns at the far end of the street.
"It turns out people really do change." After saying that, she closed her eyes, then slowly opened them again.
"From the distant Four-leaf Crystal, a tiny Underground City beneath the Jade Skirt, to this bustling metropolis of the Central Star Domain, it feels like time has flown, and things have changed dramatically."
"Will we still be able to be friends in the future, Tilan?" she suddenly asked.
"Of course, why ask that all of a sudden?"
"Because I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up with you one day." Yilin answered earnestly.
"Now, you don't need to depend on me anymore." She spoke of the slight sense of loss in her heart.
"Even though I don't depend on you, I still need you, Yilin." Tilan took Yilin's hand and walked under the night sky where fireworks were rising.
"I remember, you know, that afternoon after school when you came to play with me carrying a bunch of sweets, Yilin, the one who stood up for me and spoke up in my defense, the mature and generous Yilin in everyone's eyes."
"That's part of my past memories, a part that cannot be forgotten or discarded."