The Galaxy Within Me | Short Story (#ShirokumaLiteratureClub)

"Galaxy sellers, there used to be a lot of them back in the day."

Looking at the marbles inside a transparent small bottle, Grandpa muttered.

"Galaxy sellers... what are those?"
"They used to pack galaxies into these marbles and sell them. No two galaxy glows are the same, so everyone used to collect the galaxies they liked best."

I didn't quite understand what Grandpa was saying, so I gave a vague reply of "Hmm."Perhaps sensing that, Grandpa scratched his head and said, "Sorry, never mind. Just an old man's ramblings."

"Are they not around anymore? Those... galaxy sellers."
"Someone started saying, 'Galaxies aren't for sale, and they shouldn't be trapped in marbles like this. They should be free in the vast universe.'"
"Huh."
"Besides, the real galaxy is inside everyone."
"Is it inside me too?"
"Of course. Take good care of it."

Grandpa tapped my left chest lightly. To think there's a galaxy inside me—it makes me feel kind of proud.

"By any chance, are you an alien, Grandpa?"
"What are you talking about? You are one too. Hahaha!"

I still don't really understand what Grandpa is saying, but for now, I laughed along, "Hahaha!"

I felt like that was fine.

(End)

This is for participation in Kosuke Komaki's "Shirokuma Literature Club."

Please check this out as well.