???: Hypotheses have been made regarding the quasars as follows ...
The hall was packed with audience members.
*exhales*
The darkness below the podium is boiling. The eyes with questions and inspection, some behind glasses, are cast out of the darkness.
Just like the signals beamed from several light years away and received at the top of the observatory.
???: Good.
???: Based on the data of its redshift, Dr. Schmidt deduced that it is moving away from us at a recessional velocity of 1/6 of light speed.
Page 3, mmm, I did put it in ...
???: In most cases, we would consider a stellar black hole as what is left from the gravitational collapse of a star.
The red chalk left a jaggy circle in one stroke on the blackboard.
???: They fight, attract each other, and merge into a supermassive black hole to which the stars in the nearby galaxies will be eventually pulled by gravity ...
Page 3, oh, here it is. Did Kumar put it here for me?
"Then there was neither existence nor non-existence; there was neither the realm of space nor the sky beyond."
???: "Then there was neither death nor immortality; there was neither day nor night."
???: Inside the quasars, there is a violent activity occurring that is close to a supernova.
???: It devours stars ...
???: And the gas cloud turns into stars out of gravitational driving.
???: Thus, a new star is born.
???: It is a graveyard filled with corpses.
???: As well as a cradle for new stars.
The evening breeze, the meadow, and the fresh air. Despite its lack of privacy, this was as good a place to chill as it could be.
It was a clear night. Stars twinkled in the sky like golden sprinkles on a dark cloth.
???: That was a successful lecture, Kaalaa Baunaa.
Kaalaa Baunaa heard a familiar voice and recognized the footsteps. Without looking back, she already knew who was behind her.
Kaalaa Baunaa: Thanks for your rare compliment.
She extended her arm, reaching out for the stars.
Kaalaa Baunaa: I can't believe the first thing you do after the long absence is listening to my embarrassing speech.
Kaalaa Baunaa: You see, this is not my thing. I'm still struggling with a word I should use in Part 3.
???: Oh, but you know I won't pass up a good chance to sit in the audience ...
The grass rustled. She lay down next to Kaalaa Baunaa.
???: ... to be someone who can smile knowingly at the argument made by the lecturer, knowing full well the thinking process behind, while staying close to other whispering opinions.
???: This is the perfect spot for observations, like a perfect observatory from which we witness the events in the universe!
Kaalaa Baunaa: I'd rather not give a comment on your personal taste. Kumar, I think we should make some adjustments to the details of the following observation.
Kumar: Here's an idea. How about we put away the work for the moment? Forget those things. Just look at the stars. Simply fix your eyes on them. Ah, move over. The grass beneath me feels like pine needles.
Kaalaa Baunaa: When you were away, Daane from the institution had paid a visit here. Based on his attitude, I may tell he was doubting my identity as a human.
Kumar: ...
Kaalaa Baunaa: If it goes on like this, we are likely to be kicked out of our own project.
Kaalaa Baunaa: I've destroyed all the observation data of that special celestial body. At least through this, we can keep the observation method between you and me.
Kaalaa Baunaa: ...
Her words were only met with a lasting silence. Kaalaa Baunaa turned to the person next to her.
Kaalaa Baunaa: You seem ... Have I done anything wrong?
Kumar: No. As a research student, you did an excellent job, though no more than I'd expect from a student of mine.
Her voice was incredibly calm.
Kumar: That's just what we've been doing, isn't it? Hiding in the corners, doing research that completely has nothing to do with others.
Kumar: You know what? I'm a bit tired, seriously, tired of the pointless power struggles between these specks of "stardust." We all know none of us could avoid the fate of being restored to the basic elements of the universe after we die.
She sighed deeply at the thought.
Kumar: Never mind. It's not the first time it's happened. I've never been welcomed on either side.
Kaalaa Baunaa: ...
Kumar: Ah, speaking of which ...
Hooked by the conversation, unpleasant memories swam up again.
Kumar: My parents, yeah, I told you about them. They abandoned me because I had little so-called talent for arcanum.
Kumar: And now, they are showing remorse for what they have done!
Kumar: There's more—my stupid younger brother knew nothing about what happened to me. He didn't even recognize me, his own sister!
Kaalaa Baunaa: You paid them a visit this time back in your hometown?
Kumar: Visit them? No, sweetheart, I went home to ... to do many things except to hear some old people's apology! I've never cared about those things.
Kumar: I went there to deal with a little business, and it was done smoothly.
She seemed to be in a state of ease.
Kumar: So smoothly that I've taken care of everything there is to be done.
Kaalaa Baunaa: ...?
Kumar: Kaalaa Baunaa, if ...
A gust of wind blew by the meadow. The subtle sound of plant fibers rubbing against each other could be heard clearly.
Kumar: If one day, we can see that celestial body with our own eyes, or even touch it with our own hands, I will definitely ...
Kaalaa Baunaa: Kumar?
Kaalaa Baunaa: What are you talking ab- ...
Kaalaa Baunaa propped herself up on both of her elbows, trying to see the one beside her clearly.
But that person's face was indistinguishable, as if hidden in a thick black fog.
Kumar: I WILL DEFINITELY ...!
Kaalaa Baunaa: KUMAR!
Kaalaa Baunaa: ...!
