A/N: Somehow I found writing about Ryou-jii easier than writing about the Cures in Star Twinkle after the seconds of flashback in episode 45, so here we are. And yes, I am keeping up my angst streak.

Cure Narrative 44: Eternally Burning

Season: Star Twinkle

Characters: Ryoutarou Sorami, Harukichi Hoshina, Youko Hoshina

Summary: Some things never change. Some stars never burn out.

Children are blissfully oblivious, even in horribly hard times.

The three of them were born in such times, met in such times, and grew up together in such times.

The nation wept in humiliation and sorrow and affliction, but children were children.

Stars in the sky did not stop shining in these times, nor did the smiles of children making the most of what they had, running through the weeping streets with hope practically painting a trail after them as shooting stars would in a dark night.

Three best friends did everything together. They hung out at their secret base at the local observatory. They shared what little food they could get. They laid beneath the starlit sky, softly whispering words of affection, and dreams, and occasionally, words of solace.

And then, they grew up.

Feelings changed.

For better or worse.

Two lovers had shared vows of love beneath the same starlit sky. And one lonesome young man remained.

Ryoutarou had believed in 'eternity'. He had believed that things between them would never change.

Yet at some point, he realised that he had only been dawdling at the starting point, while his best friend had already completed the race.

"Congratulations, Haru-chan!" he said, a hand on the shoulder of his flustered friend. "And to you too, Youko-chan."

The young woman grinned and threw her arms around Ryoutarou's shoulders, "Thanks, Ryo-chan! Congratulations to you for being hired by the observatory as well!"

He inwardly berated himself for being so greedy.

Yes, they were standing in the observatory, somewhere he had dreamed to work in since even before they met. And now, he had achieved that.

He already had all that he wanted, so why...? Why did he desire that warmth of hers to never leave?

How could he desire such a thing? As a friend, he must offer them his wholehearted blessing.

And yet, he had to resist his urge to rip that ring off her finger.

He waved goodbye to the lovebirds as they left the observatory while he retreated inside. He slumped down on a chair under the star-filled ceiling.

Sighing, he moved his gaze upwards. The Milky Way caught his eyes first, then the two bright stars on either side of it.

Altair and Vega.

His sight then shifted to the remaining vertice of the Summer Triangle — Deneb.

Harukichi was Altair, a part of Aquila, an unswayable eagle. Youko was Vega, a part of Lyra, the charming harp.

If so, then Ryoutarou was Deneb, he was a piece of the triangle that connected the two of them, but just a puny swan, he could do nothing except continuing to watch over them with his bright light.

It was meant to be.

And he knew that.

So he fought the tears threatening to escape.

He had once believed in eternities.

He had once believed that things between them would never change.

And he was wrong.

But it was okay.

He was plenty delighted just by witnessing Vega crossing the Milky Way elegantly to join Altair on the altar.

He was plenty delighted to be able to hear them exchange vows of eternally burning love, for as long as the stars shine in the sky, their love would shine right next to him.

And he had quietly let his own eternal flame burn out.

End of Chapter 44