The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

LELAND, on the other end of the line, was surprised to hear his brother's statement. Of course, he immediately knew who the other was talking about. A child who appeared every Summer in Alluna.

The child's name was 'Snow'. He was an ordinary child, not only in looks but also in personality. Leland wasn't saying that to undermine the child. It was simply what he had observed.

He was quiet and very unassuming. Unlike Assil who was full of boundless energy. One would think that a child who lost his parents one after another would have a rather reserved personality. But, contrary to that, Assil was a lively child who always try his best to make everyone around him happy.

Leland thought that it might be because his brother didn't really remember their parents that much. Their mother died after giving birth to him and then their father soon followed after. Truthfully speaking, it felt more like he raised the other.

Another reason he could think of was that Assil simply didn't want to worry him, so he tried his best to not become a burden by showing that he was healthy and happy. He was inclined to believe that it was the latter.

Assil had seen how he struggled to make ends meet. His frantic and overworked image during that time must have left quite the mark on his younger brother. So, Assil subconsciously did his best not to make trouble for him.

That time period was truly hard, not just for him but for the young Assil as well. It was then that he was admitted at the Imperial Military Academy under a scholarship. He topped the exam of the Strategy and Command Department, which was why they offered him the highest level of scholarship.

Leland wasn't really interested in joining the military. But the Imperial Military Academy was the only school that had a very generous scholarship program. If he wanted to study and at the same time keep a roof above his brother's head, they were his only choice.

One of the bonus of the scholarship he got was free housing. He could stay in an apartment for the duration of his study, rent free. A plus was that this apartment was inside the academy grounds. Another plus was he could leave his brother at the nursery which was mostly for academy instructors who had kids that they couldn't leave at home.

With that combined, Leland's problems were solved all at once.

It was at the military academy that he met the prince and the others. His meeting with them was the start of how his life veered from what he had originally planned. Not that he regretted it. Despite all the troubles that came thereinafter, meeting all of them was a blessing. Even if it might look like a curse from an outsider's point of view.

When they graduated and form a special military squad under the prince's command, he worried about where he could leave his brother. But the prince solved that by letting him rent a house on his planet – Alluna.

After solidifying the position of Fenris Squad within the military ranks, the prince began the earnest development of Alluna which included opening the planet to visitors. It was also at that time that Snow and his father travelled to Alluna. Soon after, he met Assil. And the rest, as they said, was history.

Leland thought that it just a one time Summer thing. But the next year, Snow and his father returned. And the year after that, and the year next.

That was how the friendship between the two formed. It also how Assil developed feelings for the other.

He thought it was just a phase. A puppy love that most teenagers would experience at least once in their lives. That was until a year ago when Snow did not arrive at Alluna as per usual. Assil received a letter instead.

Leland could still remember how devastated his brother was after reading that letter. He didn't leave his room for the whole Summer. If the other didn't take the food he prepared for him every meal, Leland would have already broken through the room.

But after the Summer was over, Assil left his room as if nothing had happened. It seemed that he had already gotten over his heartbreak. But hearing his brother say that he had already given his heart to Snow, it was definitely, definitely not the case.

Now, he didn't know how he should respond. He hadn't felt that kind of feeling after all. And since he didn't have any experience on that particular field, he would be useless in giving advice. Trying to give one might just confuse his brother.

Assil, as he had already proven time and time again, was a very strong young man. Not only physically, but also emotionally. If the other ever needed his help, then he would be there.

But right now, it would be better to just end the call.

"I understand," he said. "I'll go ahead. Just... forget about what we talked about."

When his brother suddenly ended the call, Ash had a big question mark on his face. He could only shake his head and close his Terminal. Really, sometimes his brother could be so confusing.

Anyway, since all of that was over, he could now concentrate on his meeting with Reas. He was already thinking of a lot of fun places they could go to. He's determined to make sure that the other would have fun today. After all, it's not everyday that guy would agree to hang out with him like this. Better make sure that Reas would be the one to invite him next time.

"We've arrived," the driver said as he stopped the taxi.

Ash paid the fare and walked out. The place they were supposed to meet up was a cafe. He walked towards the cafe and walked inside. He immediately found Reas. But surprisingly enough, he was with two other people. The two had their backs towards him so he couldn't see their face.

He stopped on his tracks. Wait- Reas didn't agree to hang out with him to set him up on a double date, right?