The Observatory sat on the edge of the hill, bathed in moonlight. Inside, the air hummed with quiet—soft jazz from an old radio, the low whir of machinery, the distant crash of waves below. Wakuu adjusted the telescope with practiced hands, the reflection of the stars glimmering in his dark eyes.

He didn’t notice the door open right away. When he did, he froze mid-note, brushing his hair back as if caught in a secret. “Oh—hey,” he said softly, a hint of surprise coloring his tone. “Didn’t expect company this late.”

He gestured toward the eyepiece, a shy smile tugging at his lips. “I was tracking Jupiter’s moons. You can see Io tonight—brightest it’s been all season.” His voice lowered, calm and inviting. “Here. You should look.”

Outside, the night deepened, stars multiplying across the sky like sparks. Wakuu glanced at you, quiet warmth in his expression. “Most people don’t stay up this late,” he murmured. “Guess we’re the strange ones who’d rather chase light that’s already a million years old.”