Lift-Off

“Why is this… so far…”

She starts to drag her feet, making Sana start to push her.

“Kroniinii, if you keep complaining you’ll get left behind!”

Kronii groans, then goes back to her normal pace.

“…I knooooowww…”

“I can already see the top, guys. You can do it!”

Bae stares at the nephilim floating above them.

“Are ya kidding me you’re so far up! I can’t see anything with all these trees!” Bae yells at her. “That must be so far! Yer so lucky you can fly.”

“Yeah, can’t you carry me…?” Kronii asks. “Oh wait, your noodle arms…”

IRyS descends, landing right next to Kronii giving her a good stab with her horns.

“Did you already forget I’ve been walking with you guys?!”

Mumei laughs. She pulls IRyS back before she can stab the warden more.

“Maybe we should just leave them, IRyS.”

She extends her wings.

“Yeah! Let’s go, Sana!”

“What? No!” Fauna stops them. “This is a group effort!”

Mumei slumps her shoulders.

“But Faunaaaaaaa…”

“Come heeere.”

The owl listens to the kirin and walks beside her.

The complaints turn into normal chatter and banter. They take breaks every now and then, with Fauna making seats for them with the help of the plants. Mumei opens her bag to give out refreshments she made with Fauna. The sun slowly goes down as they keep moving. Everyone denies Kronii whenever she offers to stop time.

The stars and the Moon are shining brightly when they reach their destination, the peak of the mountain.

“Wow…”

Everyone watches in awe. All they can hear is the wind blowing. They almost feel like they can reach out to grab the stars above them.

“Do ya like it?” Sana giggles. “I told ya it’s a great view!”

“Yeah…” Kronii agrees. “It’s alright.”

Sana goes to the front of the group and starts to talk, teaching them once more about all the stars and constellations they’re able to see. Everyone else listens giving her their full attention. They sometimes ask questions like why certain constellations got their names, Boötes, Canes Venatici and others. Mumei happily tells them the story for each one. Meanwhile, Bae turns off gravity every now and then to “feel space”.

“…”

Once Sana’s done explaining, they look above together.

“…”

Mumei’s eyes start to water.

“…Sniffle.”

Sana smiles. She walks to her. The owl jumps into her arms.

“It’s alright.” She pats her head. “Let it all out.”

The others can’t keep up with the act anymore. As much as they try to hold back, tears fall.

“Do… do you really gotta go?” Bae goes to her, joining in on the hug. “…Really?”

Sana just nods. She keeps patting their heads. Bae’s throat tightens trying to stay strong while Mumei keeps sobbing.

“…Uuuuu… hic…sniffle” Fauna slowly goes to them and wraps her arms around them. “Take a lot of care, okay?” The kirin pats Sana’s head. “I’m going to be really upset if you don’t!”

“What?” Sana giggles, her voice trembling. “You’re gonna come over and scold me?”

“I’ll… sniffle… I’ll send someone over… to bring you back!”

IRyS jumps at the group, almost making them fall.

“I’m gonna go!” She squeezes as hard as she can. “Hope’s not leaving you, no matter what!”

“Hehehe.” Sana sniffles. “You’re right.”

“…I’ll... sob… I’ll take c-care of Bloom and Gloom…!”

“You better!” Sana tries to wipe IRyS’ tears. “I birthed them with all my heart!”

Kronii stares at them, sniffling and wiping her tears as fast as she can. Sana looks up at her. Kronii immediately lowers her head. She clenches her teeth as she tries to look back. Sana just smiles, with tears running down her face.

Kronii runs at them.

“You…” She tries to talk, catching a lump in her throat. “You better stay… in contact!”

Sana grows beeg so she can hug everyone.

“We’ll… sob we’ll always be here…” Kronii continues, her voice cracking. “So shoot for the stars.”

Sana quickly wipes her tears, so she doesn’t shower her friends.

“Will do, Kroniinii.”

All of them want this hug to last for just a little while longer. But they all know it has to end.

“If you guys… sob… if you ever feel lonely…” Sana squeezes them. “Just look at the stars!”

The girls squeeze her back, sobbing.

“I’ll be up there… watching over you!”

They eventually let Sana go, doing their best to muster a smile.

“We love you!” They all tell her.

Sana tries to smile too, wiping more tears off her face.

“Thank you!” She starts to float, slowly distancing herself from them. “I love you too!”

She gives them the biggest smile she can.

“Sananara!”

She turns around and flies away.

IRyS and Mumei quickly try to follow her, but the other girls stop them in their tracks. They watch as she slowly disappears into the night sky.

The tears start to fall again but they keep watching the stars with a smile.

They look at each other and nod. They all take a deep breath, hoping with all their hearts their voices will be heard.

“Sananara!”

t. Name