Little Pink Starfish

A white space.

A corner of Heaven, where not even the slightest murmur could be heard.

The sound of feathers brushing echoed.

Tap.

Finally, the sound of footsteps.

The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell arrived in Heaven.

Beside the Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell floated a glowing orb. It was none other than the soul of Jeong Hangyeol. Unlike the material-based human world, Heaven was formed of spiritual magic. Therefore, unless one like the Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell consciously maintained a form, the physical body was meaningless.

“So this is… Heaven.”

The orb shimmered as Jeong Hangyeol’s voice resonated. What was merely a faint murmur resounded clearly in the still silence of Heaven.

<Indeed. This is the territory of the Savior Who Is One and All. The oldest land in existence.>

Snap.

The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell flicked his finger.

Suddenly, a white-adorned chair appeared beside him. Sitting down and crossing his legs, he gently waved his right hand.

<There are a few procedures we must go through. So, allow me to reconstruct your body.>

As soon as he finished speaking, Jeong Hangyeol’s form was reconstructed from the orb. In such an empty space, having a physical body felt more unnatural. Thinking so, Jeong Hangyeol looked down at his body.

“…Hah.”

He let out a hollow laugh.

“How strange.”

His gaze turned to the Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell.

“I tried so hard to disappear… and yet my body is recreated so easily.”<What humans struggle desperately to achieve can be as simple as taking a step from the perspective of a Star.>

The Archangel spoke calmly.

<However, there are many things that Stars can never achieve but creatures can accomplish with ease. So don’t think of it too harshly.>

“Something Stars can never achieve…?”

Doubt crossed Jeong Hangyeol’s face.

“Does such a thing exist?”

Other than the Savior Who Is One and All, who embodies existence itself, Stars wielded powers far beyond humanity. So Jeong Hangyeol found it curious—what could creatures easily achieve that Stars never could?<There are more than you think. Only the Savior Who Is One and All is omnipotent. Even Stars who watch over this world have their limits.>

And furthermore…

The Archangel continued.

<Beyond that, Stars are made unable to achieve trivial things.>

They could not enjoy simple pleasures like a child rolling a small ball and laughing. To Stars, what corresponded to such a ball was none other than planets. They could not indulge in innocent amusement like humans, for once endowed with their powers, Stars governed countless lives. There could be no trivial matters for a Star.

<I was tasked with managing this world from the very moment the Savior Who Is One and All created me. The first thing I saw was the cycle of souls, and I heard their accompanying wails. I never saw a parent’s face hoping I would smile at their silly expressions, only a father’s face filled with a sense of duty.>

A bitter smile formed on the Archangel’s lips.

<At any rate, Jeong Hangyeol, I will now divide your soul once again.>

“…I understand.”

<But before that, there are things I wish to ask.>

The Archangel was curious why Jeong Hangyeol chose to erase himself.

He found it odd to feel curious about Jeong Hangyeol’s end. After all, he had served the Savior Who Is One and All for countless eons without once questioning these things.

About this world.

What was this world created for? If it existed for everything within it, then no one should wish to leave it. Animals do not leave their territory unless something is wrong—unless prey is scarce or the climate changes.

The Archangel remembered the fate of the creatures born in Eden. They all chose to be exiled from paradise. Even though it was a land where sustenance, love, and peace were guaranteed.

That was likely when his brother, The Star Hated by All, began to change. Every time creatures were exiled from paradise, his brother watched them leave. What conclusion did The Star Hated by All reach to revolt against the Savior Who Is One and All?

<…Only now do I find myself curious.>

The Archangel stared at Jeong Hangyeol.

<Were you satisfied with this world?>

Startled, Jeong Hangyeol faltered for a moment.

As if being asked whether today’s show was enjoyable. The Archangel’s question reached him simply and directly.

But there was no malice in it. The Archangel’s gaze was filled with genuine curiosity. From a Star’s perspective, human life was but a fleeting moment, and their support of humanity resembled orchestrating a performance. Jeong Hangyeol sighed and shook his head.

“I believe you’re misunderstanding something.”

<Misunderstanding…?>

“The world as seen by Stars and by creatures is vastly different.”

Precisely because of that…

Jeong Hangyeol continued.

“Even if I shared my impressions of the world, you would never understand.”

Whether one resents the world or finds it beautiful depends entirely on one’s personal life. Jeong Hangyeol knew this well.

Those who suffer have every right to resent the world, while only those who live in abundance can witness its beauty. Of course, one might find beauty in misfortune or tragedy in prosperity, but these feelings were ultimately tied to mortal life.

Stars who do not know mortal life cannot comprehend how humans perceive the world.

Jeong Hangyeol conveyed this to the Archangel.

<…That may be true.>

The Archangel sighed.

To him, the world was a concentration of powers—a testament to the omnipotence of the Savior Who Is One and All. Every aspect of existence appeared as power to him.

When seeing a forest, he thought of the power that manifested it; when seeing waves, the power that circulated them.

Humans, however, would not. The Archangel acknowledged this.

His questions… likely could not be answered by any means.

‘But why?’

The Archangel tilted his head.

He didn’t feel bad. Though these questions left an unfamiliar sensation in his mind, he felt no discomfort from holding them.

‘Could this be…’

Could this be the curiosity that led The Star Hated by All to fall?

<Then let me make a suggestion, not a question.>

The Archangel spoke to Jeong Hangyeol.<Tell me your story.>

Tell me what your life was like.

The Archangel whispered.

---

“It really burned down completely, huh…?”

I muttered blankly.

Our dorm, burned down by the Ever-Burning Mother.

Looking at it, I felt like my legs might give out.

“…The goddess said she could make it appear as if it wasn’t burned.”

Han Iro cleared his throat beside me.

“C-Can we do that, just for now? It’s a little too shocking.”

I pleaded desperately, and in the blink of an eye, the dorm appeared as it once did. But it was merely an illusion. Making the scorched and collapsed dorm appear intact was the power of Love Born with Bubbles—nothing but bubbles.

“…Truly a useless power.”

Jeong Noeul pouted.

The doorknob Jeong Noeul tried to grab was made of bubbles. As soon as he touched it, the bubble popped, revealing the charred ruins beneath.

<If divine magic were employed, it could be fully restored.>

Star said with arms crossed.

“My divine magic isn’t advanced enough to repair buildings.”

Madojin, standing beside Star, explained.

“…So no one here can actually restore this place right now?”

Min Heejae muttered with a rare scowl.

“Hey.”

I whispered to Star.

“…When is Mika coming back?”

Only Mika could restore the dorm. Star could no longer use divine magic after falling, and if Madojin wasn’t strong enough yet, then ultimately only the Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell could fully restore it.<Who knows.>

Star chuckled.

<He’s probably listening to Jeong Hangyeol’s story in Heaven right now. That meticulous guy would never finish his work quickly. He’s probably agonizing over what went wrong and what needs to be improved.>

And more importantly…

Star whispered.<He seems to have grown curious about this world too.>

“Hey, wait a minute.”

I scratched my neck.

“Stop getting sentimental about your little brother and think about what we should do.”

<What can we do?>

Star shrugged.

<For now, we’ll maintain the illusion and stay somewhere else. I doubt Mikael will return for at least a week… though time perception grows hazy in Heaven, since there are no clocks.>

Perhaps we should all go on vacation, whispered Star near my ear.

<Wouldn’t that be nice? You’ve all been through so much. And I happen to know a great guesthouse.>

A great guesthouse…?

“…I think I know where that is.”

I muttered, frowning.

The destination was so obvious it was almost absurd.