My Star in Night Sky

Chapter 2: Date Under The Night Sky

There is nothing to see high about. Nothing but pitch black night sky. The wind blows, making my short hair sway. And then, I took my glance at the man sitting right next to me.

Not exactly. There is about half a meter between us. Currently sitting on the bench chair at the park where we first met. Between us was a plastic bag containing the snacks we had just bought from the convenience store.

I’m being nice earlier.

But to think that things will escalate into this awkward mood is unexpected.

I should’ve expected this, since we’re total strangers to each other.

The most awkward part of this situation was the fact that the billboard attached to the building in front of us was a billboard of me. (My billboard advertising a certain energy drink.)

This is embarrassing.

Thinking in another way, he must be staying silent because he was sitting right next to a girl called a once-in-a-million beauty.

It appears to me that I didn’t realize it earlier. I am not blaming him. Our meeting was brief early this afternoon. Maybe he now realizes that he's a very lucky man.

He remained with his stern expression while sipping a juice box. Afterward, he took a riceball from the plastic bag and said:

“I can just take anything, right?”

“Yup, you can just take anything you want…”

I realized and slightly leaned my face forward to him so that he could see my face.

Hmmm… What’s happening? He doesn’t realize that I’m the actress on the billboard. He's not going to say anything to me. Am I not the pretty to be praised? It's not that I’m asking for attention. This situation is just weird to me.

He took a rice ball and started eating.

He doesn’t even look at my face.

I pull myself from my pathetic attempt to gain his attention. Probably, I’m just so frustrated about how my ex-boyfriend broke up with me and replaced me with a cuter and younger actress.

This man is the same as him. All guys think cuteness is for young girls, after all. I’m turning thirty in a few more months, so I should act more mature.

The cuteness and beauty that was once called in a million years is fading.

All people are cursed with an illness called aging. I’ll find it hard because I’ve always been praised ever since because of my pretty face. Maybe, there is nothing in me besides my pretty face.

I lifted my eyes back at the billboard that left me.

Maybe, nothing is interesting about me beside my face. That is why Ryo left me.

“Hey… ?”

The man beside me was about to say something and suddenly paused. He still had a stern expression and asked:

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

My vision got watery for a moment.

“Nothing…”

“There is no way it's anything. We have nothing to do with each other. You treat me to food. I’m very happy. In exchange for filling my stomach, you can tell me something that will make your heart feel lighter.”

“I treat you because you lend me the way to the convenience store.”

He took another riceball from the bag.

“If I take another one, that means I owe you a favor, right? Tell me what’s on your mind. Did your boyfriend break up with you?”

My eyes gushed out lots of tears.

“H-How’d you know?”

“It’s just a guess, but to think that you’ll cry this much. That means you really really love him.”

“That’s right! I really, really love him! I gave him my everything, but he replaced me with someone younger and cuter… Right now, we’re in the same workplace and he's talking to me like nothing happened between us. He even does some scandalous things with his new girlfriend at the back of the set. Well, we’ve done that before, but it's different because I’m there. Working with them is hard. I can’t breathe properly, but I need to make a face and smile back at them even if I feel the opposite! It's the longest one I have got. And I’m sure we’re going to get married one day… How come he suddenly broke up with me?! Without giving me a proper reason. That jerk! But I still love you!”

He had a drink.

“There is no alcohol with me right now. But this energy drink will do.”

He said.

“This drink… I’m the one who bought it.”

I said and wiped my tears.

“There is nothing I can do. You insisted on treating me so I didn’t buy anything to save money.”

I took the bottle from him and took off the cap. I then noticed that there was an ID hanging on his neck and the logo was something I could recognize.

“Kyushu University… You’re a student.”

“Yes… I’m still a student.”

“So young.”

“Not really. I’m turning thirty in a few months. Honestly, I always think I’m being left behind… My high school and college friends are all married and have a steady job. Compare to me.”

He downcast his head and took a big deep breath.

“Everyone has insecurity. Please don’t let it come into your head. My father said that everyone has shortcomings… The reality that you are still a student doing your best to graduate is an admirable thing. That means you're not giving up.”

“Thank you for your support,” he said, and took the bottle in my hand. He then took a sip.

“...”

Gosh, we just made an indirect kiss.

He's so dense he probably doesn’t think about it. Calm down, Kana, you’re a master of facade. Don’t say anything about it.

He continues.

“I’m not a romantic except because I didn’t participate in any relationship in the past. I apologize, I can’t give you proper advice.”

“It’s fine… Letting my thoughts out once in a while is nice. It feels like a thorn sticking in my heart has been plucked away… But it surprises me that we’re at the same age. In a few months, I’m turning thirty too.”

“You look so young though,” he commented.

“Thank you very much.”

That’s actress genes in my body. I have often been asked to present my ID in pubs and bars because I look young.

My phone rang afterward and I got a call from my manager. The van I’m in has already arrived. I stood up and got ready to leave.

“Goodbye.”

He said and turned around. He steadily walks away.

I stared at his back for a second and reached my hand onto his back. However, I put my hand down and turned away.

Maybe, the two of us should remain strangers. He didn’t even notice that I’m an actress. He's a strange man, but probably we’ll never see each other again.

“Hey.”

“Huh?”

He called out. I turned around with a puzzled expression. He looks reluctant and scratches his cheeks using his finger before asking his question.

“This is a bit odd… Are you the actress on the billboard?”

“...”

“This actress looks like you.”

“Many people say that I look like her. But I’m not here. Hahahahaha.”

I lied. It's better to lie about this situation. It's not that we’re going to meet again.

“Really?”

“Yup, there is no way it's me. The girl on the billboard is prettier than me.”

“I see. Well, I’m just wondering… Also, please don’t be sad. You’re plenty cute. Someone out there will definitely love you for who you truly are. Goodbye again.”

“Goodbye.”

This time we both turned away and walked on opposite paths.

A path that might not cross again.

…

“Who are you having a date with?” Manage asked. “I saw you two in that bench chair.”

“just a stranger… It's not a date… Technically, it was because I sat down and ate with him. But it's not a romantic date all right.”

She looks at me with suspicious eyes and places her hands on my shoulder.

“I know that you are desperate to move on. But please don’t just pick a random stranger you found in the street to date.”

“Like I said earlier… It’s not a romantic date.”

I retorted.