"How is this... possible?" (Y/N)'s lips were quivering as she stared at the old woman. "Why am I still alive?"

"I-"the woman sighed."-the truth is I don't know the reason at all. The woman confessed sadly.

(Y/N) clenched her hands, she had always thought that it's been 11 years since her mother passed away. Yet it has been centuries, and she never aged at all.

"That means... Haru is also like me, he didn't age too." She whispered.

The old woman knelt in front of her,
"But I do have something, my great grandmother left a letter. It is possible that the answer your looking for is in that letter. I was always told to never open the letter, only a girl named (Y/N) Koizumi, can."

"I-I have a l-letter?" (Y/N) stammered.

The woman nodded,
"I'll bring you to my cottage, it is not far from here." She stood up and began walking.

(Y/N) slowly stood up and followed her, a strong wind rustled by, and it blew the dead leaves beside Terra's grave. The (H/C)-haired female didn't notice before that another grave is beside her mother's grave.

XXX - XXX
Rest in Peace,
Endymion Koizumi.

----------------------------

"Thank you." (Y/N) said, she took a cup of tea from the old woman. She sipped a bit before asking, "I haven't got your name yet."

The woman chuckled, she was rummaging through her drawers.
"Dearie me, sorry about that-" she turned to (Y/N). "-My name is Athena Blanca, your caretaker's great granddaughter." She did a slight curtsy but her legs failed her to do so, fortunately there was a table beside her and she was able to grab it before she falls.

(Y/N) immediately put down her tea and rushed at her. "Are you okay?" She asked worriedly, helping Athena to stand up.

Athena straightened up her legs,
"It's okay dear, I'm fine. Perhaps my old age is holding me back from doing a simple curtsy-" she sighed. "-But let me ask you, how old do you think am, (Y/N)-sama?"

(Y/N) thought about it for a moment, Athena looks like in her late 60's, maybe she's like 68 years old? The life span these days are very low that senior citizens could even die at the age of 40, due to today's pollution and radiation.

"You look like around late 60's." Her answer caused Athena to chuckle,
"Are you trying to flatter me? I'm not that young!" She exclaimed, still chuckling at her answer.

(Y/N) laughed nervously not getting it, because being around late 60's is not considered young at all. "Then, how old are you Athena-san?"

"Will you believe me if I tell you?"

"Of course, I will." (Y/N) said, after all, Athena helped her out this far and it easily earned her trust.

Athena smiled at her, showing wrinkles around her cheeks.
"I am 152 years old, if you ask why I have lived this long, it's because I have always lived in the forest, it has provided me healthier oxygen than that ghastly city. It also provided me the best nutrients when it comes to fruits and vegetables."

"That's amazing." (Y/N) said, in awe. Even though it sound unbelievable, she believes in Athena's words.

"You could say that, but my grandmother lived for 250 years before she passed. As for my mother she passed at the age of 200 years old, I couldn't top neither of them because the environment today is different from before."

(Y/N) nodded, understanding what she meant in the last part. "How about Altaria-san?" She asked.

Athena frowned, she stood up and looked through her things once more. After a few minutes she sighed,
"Oh dear me, where in heavens did I put that letter?" She asked herself.

"Let me help you." (Y/N) stood up and began helping her look for the letter without hearing a reply from Athena.

"I found it!" Athena exclaimed, holding up the old-looking letter. For a 152 year old woman, she still has the energy in her.

(Y/N) smiled,"That's great." She helped Athena to sit down in her comfy seat. Before she could say anything else, Athena said,
"Before I could give you this letter, I want to tell you what had happened to my sousobo*."

The (H/C)-haired female nodded, waiting for her to begin the story.

"I never met my sousobo, but my grandmother, told me what had happened to her." Athena's eyes casted downwards, as if she didn't like the story she was about to tell to (Y/N).

(Y/N) noticed this and touched Athena's hand. "You don't need to push yourself if you don't want to tell what had happened to Altaria-san." She calmly reassured her.

Athena shook her head, "You must know the truth. Even though it's hard for me, I must tell it to you. So please bear with me and my state
(Y/N)-sama."

(Y/N)'s (E/C) orbs softened,
"Athena-san..." She smiled softly. "If that's what you wish, then I won't force you to stop."

Athena shot her a thankful smile and began the story.
"When you and Endymion-" (Y/N) slightly flinched, hearing the name of her father just brought her sweet and bitter memories of him. "-left the household, Altaria immediately went out to search for the two of you, she couldn't bear to see you two in a depressed state. It took time for her to find you two, and when she did-" Athena stopped for a second then continued,"-she was too late. My grandmother described to me how Altaria's eyes were wide as saucers when she saw Endymion's corpse. But what took the great toll on her the most is when she saw a bright figure, that figure carried you and a young boy. Altaria screamed for you but the figure didn't pay any attention to her, the figure disappeared with you and the boy without a trace."

When Athena finished, (Y/N) did a double-take on her memories. What Athena had said, it never occurred in her memories at all. What she knew is that she blacked out when her 'father' died and when she regained her consciousness, Haru took care of her and both of them continued living for years. Then this whole living for centuries came along and it confused her. She was sure her memories were real, but how Athena told Altaria's story, it sounded real too and Athena doesn't look like the type to lie about this. So which one is real and which one is fake? Which one should she trust, her memories or Athena's words?

"(Y/N)-sama, there's more." Athena said, then she continued once more.
"After what Altaria had witnessed, she began spreading the story, so she could find you again. But that time, people wouldn't believe her and thought of her as a lunatic in the streets since she doesn't hold any high position, just a mere nanny. In her time, she tried to convince everyone for years, that what she saw was real and that she was not crazy. But then, she bore a child, which was my grandmother. Altaria loves my grandmother so much that she stopped convincing everyone with her stories. But then, when my grandmother was only 13, Altaria was executed leaving my grandmother to fend herself."

(Y/N)'s (E/C) orbs widened when Athena said 'executed'. "It seems like Altaria has gotten infamous for her 'lunatic' stories. I was told that an aristocrat reported it till it has gotten to the point where Altaria has to be executed. But before her execution, Altaria left my grandmother a letter. She told her to give this letter to you, and if she wasn't able to do it, she must pass this letter to her kids and to their kids, and that letter is now in your hands (Y/N)-sama."

(Y/N) now stared at the letter in her hands, she carefully tore it open. She unfolded the paper carefully because it looks like it could easily tear off. As she read the letter, tears pricked her eyes. After she had read the letter, she hugged the paper to herself. She has always considered Altaria as her second mother, even though she's strict and looks intimidating, the kind woman has always looked out for her like Yuuka.

"Athena-san... Thank you for this letter. I can't believe you have waited this long, I'm sorry I couldn't have come sooner."

"It's fine my dear, it looks like I could finally rest in peace, knowing that sousobo's letter has finally reached you." Athena closed her eyes causing (Y/N)'s eyes to widen.

"Athena-san!" She rushed to her, frantically looking at her pulse. Then the next thing surprised her, Athena reopened her eyes and laughed loudly like there's no tomorrow.

"You should've seen the look on your face!"

(Y/N) sweat-drop, realizing that Athena used the 'I'm old and I could play dead anytime' card. "You worried me Athena-san, I thought you had really-"

Athena laughed once more,
"I apologize dearie, I couldn't let the opportunity to pass, and don't you have faith in me?" She slightly nudged her. "Even though I'm old, my heart is still-" She lightly hit her chest. "-strong as steel!" She grinned.

(Y/N) laughed, happy to see Athena still have it in her. Then she glanced at the cuckoo clock, her eyes widened slightly. She has to be at school before 9:00 and it's already 8:30! She has only 30 minutes to get ready for school.

"I'm sorry Athena-san, I have to leave. My class will be starting soon!" (Y/N) exclaimed, as she rushed through the door.

"Good-bye (Y/N)-sama! Don't forget to visit me again or else I'll haunt you in my ghost-form when I pass!" Athena jokingly waved.

"Hai!" (Y/N) said, she wouldn't want an Athena ghost to be haunting her anytime soon.

When (Y/N) was out of the door, a thought stayed in her mind. Her memories of what she know is different from Athena's story and the only thing she could do is confront Celestia, the goddess of space and time.

-------------------------------

"You look troubled."

(Y/N) looked up from her book to see Ruki. She was at the council room like usual, till the ebony-haired Mukami appeared out of nowhere. Now that she thought about it, she hasn't seen any of the Mukami's till now.

"What makes you think that I look troubled Ruki-san?" She asked, one of her brows were raised. Well Ruki was right, she was still thinking of Athena's story and she compared it with the memories she can recall.

"Well the fact that you're reading a book that's upside-down says that you have things going on in your head."

(Y/N) blinked then she realized the book she was holding was indeed upside-down. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, how embarrassing! She closed the book, her cheeks still flushed. "J-Just forget about it..."

Ruki didn't say anything but still stayed in place. (Y/N) unconsciously tapped the table with her fingers, not knowing how to continue this awkward conversation.

She was about to resume 'reading' the book she was holding till Ruki cleared his throat,
"So who are you planning to go with?"

His question caught her off guard, she has no idea what Ruki meant.
"What are you talking about Ruki-san?"

Ruki rolled his eyes,
"That man, Hisakawa announced another event during the Star Festival."

"Ohh... I think I spaced out that time(?)" (Y/N) smiled sheepishly at him.

The ebony-haired Mukami sighed, it was a bit surprising that no one noticed (Y/N) spacing out during the announcement even though she's sitting at the stage with Haru while Hisakawa announced the new event.

"Then let me repeat what that old man announced before. Hisakawa said that there will be a ball called Milky Way Dance*."

"Milky Way... dance?" (Y/N) blinked. "Who came up with that name?"

"It's probably that old man, he mentioned that we were having a ball to show that the partners during the dance were united even though the 'Milky Way' separates the two lovers, just like in the story of Orihime* and Hikoboshi*"

"And you were asking who am I going with?" (Y/N)'s question was answered of a simple nod from Ruki.

"Well... I'm not sure. I mean, no one has asked me yet." (Y/N) said, she don't mind a simple dance but she must finish her duty first, she must finish the lanterns before the night of Tanabata begins.

"I see..." Ruki said, he don't want to participate in the dance but his brothers were all participating, including Azusa, which surprised him. He decided to participate as well considering the fact that being alone in the household is quite... boring. He was about to ask Yui when he reminded himself how irritating she is, he doesn't know other girls in the school besides Yui and (Y/N), so he has no choice but to ask the (H/C)-haired female.

"If it's possible..." Ruki began, he felt a weird feeling in his un-beating heart. All of a sudden, he felt nervous of asking the girl. He don't even know where that feeling is coming from, and he hates it. His hands were bawled into fists without him realizing it.

(Y/N) could see how Ruki became tense, but before she could confront him she felt someone's weight on her.

"Chesha neko-chan!" Kou exclaimed, hugging her tightly.

"K-Kou-san... can't breathe."

Kou pulled away slightly then he did a pout, "I haven't seen you in like- forever Chesha neko-chan!"

(Y/N) sheepishly smiled at the blonde idol.

"Oi, you're hogging Hakucho to yourself Kou." Yuma said, appearing beside them.

Kou hugged (Y/N) once more,
"It's because I miss her Yuma! Don't you miss her too?~" The tall brunette blushed slightly, then he covered it with a scowl.
"Tch. Where have you been these days Hakucho?" He changed the subject, ignoring Kou's question.

"Yuma is... right. Where... have you been... (Y/N)-chan?" Azusa asked, appearing on the other side.

(Y/N) sighed, "First of all, Kou-san, please get off me." The blonde idol pouted but complied anyway. She stood up and faced the four of them,
"Second of all, shouldn't I be asking you four the same question? Your school record stated that all of you have been absent for days." She didn't want to answer them on where she has been, since it's quite complicated to explain to them about the First-Blood's case.

Kou chuckled,
"Well about that, we were out training!~"

"Training for what exactly?"

"We went out training to become stronger even though we already are." Yuma said.

"How... about you... (Y/N)-chan? What were you... up to these days?" Azusa asked.

"You know the usual student council duties for me. I've become more busier than usual since the Star Festival is coming up."

Kou pouted again,
"Does that mean I can't hang out with you Chesha neko-chan?"

"I'll try to make some time so we can hang out." (Y/N) smiled kindly at him.

The blonde hugged her once more,
"I can't wait!" Kou pulled away with a grin on his face.

(Y/N) stared at Ruki, then she recalled that the male was about to say something to her.
"By the way Ruki-san, what were you about to say?"

All eyes turned to Ruki, who stood casually. He turned away and calmly walked to the door.
"Nevermind... Just forget what I said." Then he went out.

After a few minutes of Ruki's departure, the three Mukami's have to leave since they have classes to attend.

(Y/N) was organizing her paperworks when her surroundings turned still. As if time stopped, a smile crawled up to her as the goddess Celestia appeared before her.

"You have some explaining to do, goddess of Space and Time."

Keys:
Sousobo - It means great grandmother, it is used if you're speaking about your great grandmother.

Milky Way Dance - I named it because in the story, the Milky Way galaxy separated the two lovers and it became a dance because it's like uniting the two partners again in a dance.

Orihime - It means Weaving Princess, she's the female character in the traditional story of the Star Festival.
(Source: Wikipedia)

Hikoboshi - It means Cow Herder Star, he's the male character in the traditional story of the Star Festival.
(Source Wikipedia)

I haven't forgotten about the Special Chapter! But I was wondering, should I publish the special chapter next? Or the next chapter the story? And it's still not too late to ask the brothers for the special chapter, because I haven't written it yet.