The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

THE two just finished dinner and were now drinking tea while admiring the moon. Astrid drank the tea, although it wasn't as good as their family's home-grown tea, it would suffice. Apparently, Wulfric thought so as well, because the other said;

"Ever since I drank your family's tea, no other kinds of tea even came close."

After saying that, Wulfric put down the cup and looked at it with disgust.

Astrid smiled seeing this. "I think it's okay," he said, putting down his own cup. "But if you like our tea, then I guess this little gift will make you happy."

After he said that, he took out a two boxes of tea leaves from his space stone and put it before Wulfric. The newly harvested tea leaves sent by his parents finally arrived the day before yesterday. The first thing he thought was to put aside two boxes for Wulfric.

There were five boxes sent to him this time. Since he had already promised to give one box each to Ellis and Lauren, of course, one would be left for his own use, so, he decided that the remaining two could be given to Wulfric. 

Sure enough, as soon as the other saw the two boxes of tea leaves, his eyes brightened. He took the two boxes and held it like a treasure. Then carefully put it in his own space stone.

"Thank you, Aster. I will definitely cherish it."

"Hey, instead of cherishing it, you should drink it," Astrid said with a chuckle.

How could he not cherish it? This was the first thing that Aster had gifted him. – Wulfric thought. 

Seeing his expression, Astrid could immediately tell what the other was thinking. So, he added, "If you want something to cherish, then how about this." He took another item from his space stone. It was a rectangular velvet box. "Go, open it."

Wulfric looked at the box and recognized that it was the thing that Aster bought earlier at the jewelry and accessory shop. He didn't know what's inside. Because he only had a glimpse of the box when Aster was paying for it. He thought the other bought it for Reas. So, he was shock to know that it was actually for him.

He picked up the box and slowly opened it. Inside was a silver necklace that wound around a crystal pendant like a coiling vine. The crystal was shaped like a prism. And at the center of it, a golden energy was swirling. It was not something that made the pendant shine with light. Because the light was confined inside, making it really beautiful. 

"When I saw it earlier at the shop, I immediately thought of the color of your eyes. So, I thought of buying it and giving it to you," Astrid said with a smile. "So, what do you think?"

"I love it!" Wulfric said with a bright smile, he almost couldn't stop himself from hugging the necklace like a child. 

"I'm glad you do," Astrid said, he didn't even notice how his gaze softened. "Do you want me to put it on you?"

Before Wulfric could think properly, he found himself nodding enthusiastically. 

Astrid chuckled when he saw the other acting like a kid. He stood up and walked behind him. He took the necklace and carefully put it on Wulfric.

Wulfric felt the cold feeling of silver touching his neck. But that was not all, he also felt the warm touch from Aster's fingers. The combination of these feelings made his heart jumped wildly. 

He looked down at the pendant and then looked back at the standing Aster. He smiled. "Thank you, Aster. I will definitely treasure this."

Astrid was stunned seeing the soft smile on the other. He had only seen this soft smile once. And just like then, just seeing it brought a fluttering feeling to his stomach. That giddy feeling as if bubbles were popping continuously inside him. 

Really, how could this person dismantle him with just a smile?

He looked away, avoiding the other's gaze. Then, he quickly went back to his seat to make it appear like he wasn't startled by Wulfric's smile.

As expected, Wulfric didn't notice anything weird by Astrid's action. It's not just because Astrid did it seamlessly but more because of the fact that Wulfric was feeling high from excitement.

He couldn't believe that he would not only receive one but two gifts from Aster. Could this day get any better? 

Ah, right! He almost forgot. Didn't he also buy a gift for the other?

He quickly took out a small velvet box from his space stone. "Here, this is for you."

Astrid had already calmed down at this point. He looked at the box in front of him. He had already somehow expected this, so he wasn't that much surprised. He reached out for the box and opened it. When he saw what's inside, his eyes slightly widened.

Inside was a beautiful pearl brooch. The brooch was in the shape of a blooming flower and the pearl was its centerpiece. The flower was in laid by dark violet gems. Perfectly highlighting the black pearl with a luminous sheen at the center.

"It's beautiful," he couldn't help but mutter.

Wulfric smiled proudly when he heard that. "I'm happy you like it. I- I actually also chose it because the pearl reminded me of your eye color."

Astrid closed the box and carefully put it inside his space stone. He smiled hearing the last part that the other said. "What is that saying, ah, great minds think alike? Pretty apt, don't you think?"

Wulfric grinned. "Yes."

It was then that colorful fireworks appeared on the sky. 

Astrid was startled a bit. Then, understood that this must be set up by Wulfric. After all, the other reserved the whole floating restaurant for them tonight. He looked up at the sky and enjoyed watching the fireworks.

"Beautiful," he muttered.

"Yes, very beautiful," Wulfric agreed. 

It's just that, instead of looking at the fireworks, he was staring straight at Aster.