Last night

   By the sunset, they were all both happy and tired from playing in the snow too much. When the snowman-building game has ended, Yukino rushes into the house to ask if they can go play in other places. Tsukino said yes, and the little catgirl jumped in excitement. To be honest, some of the girls look tired or have run out of energy, especially Yukari, since she stops running around or laughing and just sits at one place and pants for breath. Hoshi starts sneezing, and Kiriko ends up being the same as Yukari. But Yukino, just like any child,  was still jumping from place to place and singing holiday songs. They rarely see her so happy recently. The alien mission might have left her with terrible experiences, so she has been staying quite silent in the battle and after the wave of intruders has finished. And now, it's quite unfair and mean to forbid her from enjoying the peaceful time. Kiriko has a quick talk with Kirifuren, and they decide to "escort" Yukino to wherever she likes. In their old world, she might have a few powers. But in here, she's just a little girl who can be easily lifted up and brought to any place that's unsafe.

- Be sure to return before seven! And don't worry about dinner; we'll get it ready.

   Kirifuren tells the group when they're leaving. They started the kitchen work at six, with her and Tsukino preparing the food. Normally, Kirifuren is capable of making a big meal by herself. But she can't and will never touch any type of meat. Unluckily, she's also the only vegan here, so Tsukino gave her a hand. It doesn't take long to make a table full of hot dishes ready to serve. Tokuko can't cook, and she didn't bother to talk with the other two. While waiting for the group to return, she went out of the house, enjoying the night's miracles. This is the last occasion they can stay together because each realm needs human resources and lots of efforts to rebuild everything since the battle destroys it all. Even when they want to, they cannot be in Ihrutia any longer than tomorrow's morning. The group will be separated. She doesn't think about it, but she's planning what she'll need to build and fix up after returning to Candoris. Will her house in Noxving stay undestroyed by the war? Tokuko took out another pack of cigarettes. Her eyes were as black as the night itself.

   Finally, Yukino and her group returned. Every one of them looks rather tired or exhausted. The snow starts to fall more heavily, and there are freezing breezes that are so harmful for a little girl's health that they need to get home quick. The sky is totally darkened, and the stars are faintly showing up, unveiling their beauty through the shrouding clouds. They sit by the round table, sharing a cozy meal by nightfall in winter. Yukino and Hoshi talk unstoppably about their journey that went through the reincarnating Ihrutia after the war. They've met lots of other fauns or humans on the street. Those who stay hidden should wait until it's peaceful again. They were sad, even in despair or utmost anger, when seeing what the Arma Caeli did to their realm. But they don't waste much time crying over it. Yukino excitedly told people about how she and her friends managed to help them. They appeased those who were panicking, gave them a hand by removing their old, destroyed houses, and converted them into rough resources to sell for coins to start over again. Hoshi wants to speak sometimes, but she didn't get a chance to do so because Yukino was too much of a chatterbox when she's happy. Yukari doesn't say anything and stays focused on the meal; maybe she was too hungry or tired to rush the meal to go to bed earlier. Tamao was listening to Yukino, nodding and sometimes adding a few details to help clarify the meaning. Finally, the little girl calmed down from the joy she found on the journey and started eating. Kiriko stopped midway to point outside.

- The snow stopped! So the stars will be very clear and good-looking later.

   Yukari glanced out the window, her eyes widening with anticipation. She had always loved stargazing, and the thought of a clear night sky kicked away her desire to go to bed. Tamao smiled at Kiriko's observation and joined in, her encouragement evident in her voice.

- They are! So we'll have a perfect view of the stars tonight. Breathtaking, is it?

   Yukino, still bubbling with happiness, clapped her hands together and exclaimed.

- Oh, I can't wait! We should all go outside later and enjoy the beautiful night sky together, will we? I can't wait!!

   Hoshi needs to give her a few head rubs to calm her down. Tsukino and Kirifuren only smile lightly, not showing too much emotion about the silly situation in front of them. The dessert, gingerbread, was quite rushed. The girls questioned Tsukino about the stars in Ihrutia: are they more sparkly and clearer to look at? She only answered honestly.

- I didn't have a chance or time to stare at the night sky. Maybe tonight, I will.

- You need to spend more time enjoying life, commander! Aren't you here to have a break?

   Yukari taps Tsukino's shoulder a few times while looking into her eyes.

- Forget the utopia thingies; you're not here to worry over even more things and leave no time for yourself! Ugh, commander, you always overwork yourself!

   Tsukino answers with only a mysterious smile, then she turns her head to the window.

- Maybe we should go out now?

   Yukari seems dissatisfied, but she doesn't inquire more. The girls got up, and some went to pick up more thick coats to wear before opening the door, which led to a very cold winter night. As the first one - Kiriko - stepped outside, a gust of icy wind hit her faces, causing her to shiver. The streets were deserted, with only a few scattered Christmas lights twinkling in the distance. Tsukino took a deep breath, allowing the crisp air to fill her lungs. Despite the freezing temperature, there was a sense of tranquility that washed over her. Yukari, on the other hand, couldn't help but grumble about the cold. Regardless, they both walked hand in hand, ready to embrace the stillness of the night and leave their worries behind, even if just for a little while.

   As they reached their favorite stargazing spot, the girls spread out a blanket on the ground, looking up at the vast expanse of the night sky. The stars were particularly bright tonight, twinkling like diamonds against the dark canvas. Yukari bundled up in their warmest coat and joined them, reluctantly admitting that the view was worth enduring the cold for. Together, they pointed out constellations and shared stories about their favorite celestial bodies. Lost in wonder, they forgot about time and simply enjoyed the peacefulness of being under the stars.

- After all, we'll be a family, isn't it?

   Yukino asked joyfully when she tried to put her arm around Tsukino's neck. Hoshi laughs while rubbing her head. With eyes full of happiness, she gazes again at the starry sky; her sight goes further to the deep, dark space above. She can faintly see the separation the next morning, and then suddenly, a drop of tears runs down her cheek. This time will not be like the last; the companions need time to rest, and every single one here knows it will be long until they can meet again. Kiriko pulls out her hankerchief to wipe out Hoshi's tears, then answers. Is it an answer to Yukino or to herself?

- We are definitely, no matter how we show it out.

   Yukari, unlike Hoshi, cannot keep calm for just a few precious tears. She cries uncontrollably, saying that she doesn't want to go back to Arkusterra because of the dangerous dragons and threatened living conditions. She's not the only one who isn't quite lucky enough to land in a good realm. Such as Tokuko in Noxving, ready to be killed at any moment on the street, or Yashi, who lives among people who look down on her and could send her to death for no reason. They feel upset to return from a cozy, peaceful realm to their harsh old life. But none of them decides to hide from it. Tsukino has taught them to find the positive in every situation, and this time the girls were grateful for the time they have spent together.

   With the glittering stars high above, their last night is coming to an end.