“...I feel like I've lost”
Yurika compared the price, quality and the girlishness of her present to Shizuka’s and Maki’s present and dropped her shoulders.
“That's not true, Nijino-san. Theiamillis-san was happy for your present”
“Yes. It's like Harumi said. That's fine in its own way. There is no need to feel shame”
“I'm glad you said that”
“And Nijino-san, if you're that embarrassed over your present, I feel even more embarrassed than you... Here, Theiamillis-san”
“This is?”
“It's the manuscript from the play. I had everyone from the drama club sign it”
“Oh!”
Next up, Harumi presented Theia with the manuscript from January. The cover had been signed by the members of the drama club. Harumi had done her best to prepare it.
“It must have been hard”
“No. When I called them, they all came on their own... They told me to give you their regards”
“I see... If I had more time, I would have liked to visit the drama club as well...”
Theia stroked the cover of the manuscript for a while before eventually looking out through the window and in the direction of Kitsushouharukaze high school. The play that had taken place there was a memorable event that had helped Theia grow immensely.
“Thanks to Theiamillis-san's manuscript I was able to make a lot of friends... that's why I'm very sad right now”
“Harumi... I am too. I wanted to talk with you someday”
Theia and Harumi shook hands. They both admired one another. Theia admired Harumi's behavior as a princess during the plays, and Harumi admired Theia's sun-like presence. Because they both had something the other didn't, there was a lot they could learn from each other. And they both regretted parting ways.
“Theia, Ruth-san”
Waiting for the girls to finish saying their farewells, Koutarou stepped forward as the last person.
“Koutarou”
“Satomi-sama, thank you for everything up until today...”
Theia and Ruth stood in front of Koutarou and looked at his face. They had met a lot of friends on the edge of the universe, and they had met their beloved as if through a miracle. Keeping themselves from crying was the best they could do before their parting.
“Theia, you did good. You can go home proud and go meet with your mother after such a long time”
“Yes... I'll do just that...”
“You too, Ruth-san. Meet your family and spend some time with them. And then come visit us again some day. We'll always be waiting”
“Satomi-sama... yes... Yes!”
Unable to bear it, tears began flowing from Ruth's eyes. Their relationship wasn't shallow enough for her to be able to hold herself back.
“Koutarou. I will leave this room to you. Even though your territory might be small, don't let your guard down. Defend it as the lord of this land until my return”
“Don't worry. I'm the man who defended this room against the Holy Forthorthe Galactic Empire's princess Theiamillis without backing down so much as one step”
“...So you were”
As expected, tears started forming in Theia's eyes. Her eyes were moist, but she didn't shed any tears. That was because of her pride as a princess, and a symbol of her strong will to return to Earth.
“I think it's about time to go”
“You're leaving already?”
“Yes. The longer I stay here, the more I wish to take everyone with me... Ruth”
“Yes. Everyone, thank you so very much... Good bye”
“Farewell”
Theia and Ruth said their farewells one last time before turning around and headed for the passage leading to the Blue Knight.
“Theia, send letters from time to time! I'll send some too!”
“Farewell, Theia-dono. I'm looking forward to the day we meet again”
“Theia-chan! I'll keep the continuation of the manga here!”
The remaining seven girls called out to Theia's and Ruth's backs. Hearing how many and how loud those voices were made Theia and Ruth realize once more just how blessed they had been.
Sensing their approach, the passage to the Blue Knight opened. As it did, Koutarou felt a sudden urge to stop the two.
Wait, don't go!
However, in the end, Koutarou was unable to say those words. He knew they would only cause trouble for the two. The words simply echoed inside of Koutarou. He was the only one who didn't say anything.
But just as Theia and Ruth were about to disappear, they nonchalantly looked back behind them. As if the voice inside of Koutarou had reached them. They simply stared at Koutarou, as if trying to burn his appearance into their minds.
Theia, Ruth-san...
The next moment, the two disappeared in the light.
The remaining eight didn't say anything, and a silence fell on the room. It wasn't until quite a while later that sound would return to this room. And just before that, a blue shooting star shot through the vivid, starry sky.