The World of the Star-Reading Tree, Chapter 4: Morning at the Observatory

#Creative Awards2026 #Fantasy Novel Category

Chapter 4: Morning at the Observatory

Soft morning light streamed into the observatory.
Beyond the large window,
the Star-Reading Tree was
quietly wrapped in the white light of morning.

When Fiona slowly opened her eyes,
something fluttered
right beside her cheek.

“...Morning!”

It was Shiroru’s long ears.

“Eek...”

As Fiona was startled,
Shiroru flapped his ears and
laughed happily.

“You’re awake!
You look better than yesterday!”

At her feet, Miro was curled up.
He opened just one emerald-green eye,
and gave his tail a slow, lazy flick.

“You’re being loud so early in the morning.”

“But I’m just so happy!”

“If you tire her out again, it’ll be pointless, won’t it?”

Fiona watched the two of them,
blinking her eyes while still feeling a bit sleepy.
A morning like this,
with someone by her side,
had been a very long time.

As she stretched,
the blanket that had been over her shoulders slipped off.
It was a soft, pale-colored fabric.
She remembered that it was the blanket
Naviel had tucked her in with last night.

Just then, from the back of the room,
came the sound of dishes clinking together.

When she turned,
Naviel was standing in front of a shelf near the window.
With the sleeves of his white robe slightly rolled up,
he was gently lighting the blue stone
beneath a small pot.

He selected dried leaves, finely chopped roots,
and things that looked like translucent petals,
adding them without hesitation.

Seeing him in the morning light,
he looked so beautiful and radiant.

Shiroru flapped his ears and
scooted closer to Fiona.

“El is making morning recovery soup!
It might be a little easier to drink than yesterday’s!”

"Maybe," Milo said.

"Maybe?"

"Because sometimes, El's idea of 'easy to drink' favors effectiveness a little more than taste."

"I consider the taste, too."

Naviel said, stirring the pot. Shiroru's ears perked up.
"Th-that's right! El's soup is actually delicious! And it's good for you, too!"

"Th-that's right!
El's soup is actually delicious!
And it's good for you, too!"

Naviel didn't answer and continued the concoction.
Every now and then, she would move her fingertips,
and pale blue star-characters would float in the air,
then fade away softly.

It seemed she was recording observations
while cooking.

Before long, the aroma began to spread slowly.
A faintly sweet scent.
Along with it, a crisp, transparent quality,
like morning dew.

Fiona felt the depths of her chest
loosen just a little from that scent alone.

Naviel turned off the light under the pot and
opened a small box this time.
Inside, several thinly baked cookies
were lined up.
They were a pale golden-brown,
and were small, oval shapes that could fit
two or three in the palm of a hand.

Shiroru's eyes sparkled.

"It's here! Nutrient-condensed cookies!"

Fiona blinked.

"…Cookies?"

"Yeah!"

Shiroru wiggled her ears proudly.

"They're small, but
they're packed tight with nutrients!
El's special recipe!"

Milo wagged his tail.

"They're delicious and not too sweet."

Shiroru twitched her nose
and said proudly,

"They'll make you feel even more energetic!"

Naviel walked over carrying a bowl and a small plate.
The sleeves of his white robe glowed faintly in the morning light.
There was no wasted movement in his actions.

On the low table in front of the bench,
a steaming bowl of soup and
a small cookie were placed.

“Drink it.”

Fiona looked up at Naviel,
a little surprised.

“...Thank you.”

Naviel did not answer.
He simply moved the bowl just a little bit
closer to Fiona’s hands.

Shirol leaned forward suddenly.

“El, you’re kind!”

Naviel said nothing and looked away.
Milo said, while slowly wagging his tail,

“It’s always like that.”

Fiona wrapped her hands around the bowl.
She took a sip.
It had a softer flavor
than the one from last night.
It was rich, with almost no bitterness.
A very faint sweetness, like the nectar of white flowers,
lingered on her tongue.
It felt as if a light had been lit inside her body.

Next, she ate the cookie.
It crumbled easily.
The nuttiness and
a gentle sweetness spread in her mouth.

“...Delicious.”

At the voice that slipped out unintentionally,
Shirol’s ears perked up.

“Really? I’m glad!”

“Yes... it really is delicious.”

Fiona brought the small cookie to her mouth,
one after another.

Shirol said happily,

“Naviel’s homemade
Miracle Daifuku is also recommended!”

“Don’t give it a weird name. That’s just salted daifuku.”

Milo said that while wagging his tail.
Shirol’s ears perked up.

“Right!? El’s snacks are the best!”

“It’s not like Shiroru made it, though,”

Miro said.

Fiona’s mouth softened into a smile.
Shiroru and Miro both
froze in place.
How long had it been
since she had relaxed and smiled like this?

Shiroru’s ears perked up suddenly.

“You just smiled!”

Shiroru flapped his ears.

“You smiled, Fiona!”

Looking a bit embarrassed,
Fiona cast her eyes down at her bowl.

“...It’s just, it feels very warm.”

“Huh? Was the soup too hot?”

Shiroru asked, looking worried.

“Shiroru, I don’t think she meant that the soup was hot.”

Miro said, sounding exasperated.

“Oh, really? What did she mean?”

Shiroru tilted his head in confusion.

Watching the exchange,
Fiona suddenly thought.

There is soup and cookies here,
and Shiroru and Miro are here.
And, a little ways away,
Naviel is there.

Then Fiona
went over to Naviel.

Naviel was at the observation desk,
carving pale blue star-characters into the air.
Whether it was a record of the cooking or the Star-Reading Tree,
Fiona did not yet know.

“Um...”

Naviel stopped his hand.
His blue eyes caught Fiona’s gaze directly.

Fiona, still holding the bowl with both hands,
caught her breath for a moment.

“This... was very delicious.
Thank you.”

Naviel looked at Fiona’s bowl
for just a fleeting moment.
Then, he took out a small white parcel.

“Hold out your hand.”

When Fiona timidly held out her hand,
a cookie wrapped in thin cloth
was placed in her palm.

Eat it if you get hungry by noon.

...Are you sure?

It would be a problem if you collapsed.

The voice was curt.

However, the parcel was neatly tied,
so that it would fit perfectly
in Fiona's small hands.

Fiona adjusted her grip on the parcel with both hands.

Thank you, El.

Naviel looked away just a little.

No need for thanks. Just eat.

With that, he returned to his work
as if nothing had happened.

Fiona held the white parcel gently in both hands.
The sweetness of the cookie that had crumbled away
still lingered in the back of her mouth.

That sweetness, like the morning light,
glowed softly deep within her chest.

She felt as though something that had been frozen deep inside her body
had thawed, just a little.

Continues in Episode 5, "Time-Telling Grass".

♪Bonus♪
The World of the Star-Reading Tree: Bird's-eye view of the Observatory