The Stardust Market and the Black Cat's Guidance

That night, Mio was walking under the night sky, having forgotten the important thing she had set out to find.

Before she knew it, she had wandered into a city of light she had never seen before. On the arch above her head, the words 'Stardust Market' were written in a script that felt strangely nostalgic.

Wow...

The sigh that escaped her lips seemed to melt into the starlight.

The air in the market was gentle and smelled faintly of sweet baked goods. On a wooden signpost, mysterious names like 'Shooting Star Cafe,' 'Fragments of Dreams,' and 'Wish Shop' were listed.

As Mio stood there, bewildered, a small 'meow' sounded at her feet.

Looking down, she saw a black cat with a star charm around its neck, staring intently at her. Its eyes shone deeply and intelligently, as if they were reflecting the night sky itself.

The black cat trotted away and stopped abruptly in front of a blackboard.

On it, the 'Today's Specials' were written in chalk.

• Twinkling Star Sand

• Glowing Acorns

• Star Fragments

• Moon Drops

• Fluffy Cloud Fragments

• In Stock☆

The black cat tapped its paw against a glass bottle on the blackboard labeled 'Star Fragment: 50 each.' Inside the bottle, a warm light flickered as if a group of tiny fireflies had gathered there.

Is this... for me?

As Mio reached out her hand, she felt the loneliness that had been stuck deep in her chest suddenly fade away, as if by magic. She finally remembered what it was she had wanted to find. It was a 'spark' to help her talk and smile with her mother, with whom she had been drifting apart lately.

Thank you. I'll take this home as a souvenir.

As Mio reached into her bag with the star charm to take out a coin, the black cat narrowed its eyes in satisfaction, gave its tail a flick, and disappeared into the back of the tent.

Before she knew it, the market lights were beginning to melt into the morning light.

Inside the pocket Mio was clutching tightly, a single fragment of a star, still faintly warm, was shining quietly.

#Imagination sparks for three themes
#Mikan Katagiri's project

Mikan-san, thank you for including this in your magazine. m(_ _)m

Satoshi Yamanaka-san, thank you for including this in your magazine. m(_ _)m

Mitsuteru Nishino-san, thank you for including this in your magazine. m(_ _)m