Starlight
"Malalone, artemether-benfluorol, antibiotics, mosquito repellent, water disinfectant tablets... Hmm, that's about it, right?"
He Zou's phone was on speakerphone and placed on the low table. During the call, Lin Tang checked the list of medicines she was carrying and made a final confirmation with her.
The two are setting off the day after tomorrow, and they have already started packing their luggage, just in case they forget something.
He Zou was spreading his suitcase out in the living room, giving a final check on the luggage that had already been sorted and neatly packed.
As she listened to Lin Tang's list, she added, "You have a history of allergies, so remember to bring a few extra adrenaline pens. Did you take your Malarone beforehand?"
"We've already started eating a week in advance," Lin Tang sighed. "We're supposed to be doing an internship, but it's like going to war."
He Zou smiled and said, "It's always good to be more prepared."
Although Kenya is located in Africa, it is a modern country with a well-developed tourism industry, receiving tourists from all over the world year-round. If they were visiting Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, they wouldn't be so meticulous about the game.
However, the hospital that Heidelberg University collaborates with in Kenya is located in the remote Masabit region—a place that retains traditional tribal customs and has scarce educational and medical resources.
She has witnessed the devastation of disease in areas without medical care, and the malice born of extreme poverty and despair. She doesn't have any illusions about the upcoming month-long overseas internship, but she can still face it positively and do what she can.
Upon hearing her words, Lin Tang exclaimed, "Oh! You know the dangers yet still hold onto good intentions. You're quite enlightened, Liu Sheng!"
Lin Tang himself came from a poor background and was aware of the situation he was about to face. However, it was quite rare for someone like Melodia, who came from a similar background, to be able to set aside his sympathy and think rationally in advance.
After all, many people hold unexamined sympathy, or even a condescending attitude, towards people from places like Massabit. It was precisely because Lin Tang had witnessed so much of this disrespectful savior mentality in the past that he found his friend's attitude so rare.
Melodia comes from a wealthy family but is a very peaceful person. She is not arrogant or condescending because of her own excellence; on the contrary, she is gentle and humble.
Lin Tang is not a passionate person, but he was still moved by this aspect of her.
By the time the two finished checking the packing list, it was almost 8 p.m.
Lin Tang, zipping up her luggage, asked curiously, "It's this late, and your Tezuka hasn't come back yet?" In the two weeks before their departure, she rarely called after class to disturb their time together.
"He's still at the club, and he resumed training yesterday."
As the two were talking, the sound of a door opening came from the entrance hall.
As soon as Kazusa looked up, his gaze met Tezuka's, who had just entered the room.
He was dressed in simple black sportswear, as if he hadn't had time to shower and had just returned from training. There was still a bead of sweat on his forehead, but his eyes softened naturally when he saw her.
"I'm back," his deep, pleasant voice rang out.
Lin Tang, who was on the other end of the phone, had already caught the noise and immediately laughed, "Then I won't bother you! Oh, and remember to bring your international driver's license. In case we have time, we can take a road trip to see the lions!"
After saying that, he quickly hung up the phone.
Kanade looked at Tezuka with a hint of helplessness in her eyes: "Why did it end early again? We've only just started recovering, and this kind of concentrated training will increase the burden on your body."
"The training plan is complete." Tezuka walked over, his gaze falling on the two suitcases she had placed on the ground. "All packed?"
Amused by his attempt to change the subject, and knowing she couldn't persuade him otherwise, Kazusa stopped talking, got up, touched his still sweaty hair, and pushed him toward the bathroom: "You're all sweaty, go take a shower first."
Tezuka took two steps forward following her lead, then looked back at her with a smile in his eyes.
That look made Kanade bristle, and she shook her head firmly: "...No way!"
Someone responded with a calm "hmm," as if he wasn't the one extending the invitation with his eyes.
Really… Kazusa couldn’t help but pinch his sensitive side, and his body trembled slightly under her hand.
Tezuka smiled, turned around, took Kazuna's hands that were pushing against his back, bent down and kissed her cheek. He wanted to hug her more, but didn't want his sweat to get on her.
The touch was light and fleeting, barely touching the skin of lips that were still hot and dry from exercise, showing great restraint.
Kazusa felt a little itchy, and before she could hug him, she decisively pushed him into the bathroom. Hearing the sound of water coming from the bathroom, Kazusa turned around and rummaged through the drawer where the documents were kept to find her driver's license.
I've barely driven since getting my driver's license, so a road trip would be a bit risky, but I'll bring it just in case.
but……
She looked at her brand-new driver's license and international driver's license in her hands, then glanced at the night outside the window, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes.
When Tezuka came out drying his hair, he saw Kanade running towards him with a cute smile, asking, "Kunimitsu, shall we go see the stars?"
Tezuka's gaze swept over her expectant face, and he raised an eyebrow, saying, "Okay."
—
After driving to a deserted section of road, Tezuka switched to the passenger seat. Once his seatbelt was fastened, he looked at his girlfriend, who was starting to feel guilty, with amusement.
"Hehe, it feels a bit unfamiliar..." He Zou gripped the steering wheel and whispered to her boyfriend, "Guoguang, you don't need to get in yet, just stay here and watch me."
Tezuka didn't answer her, but reached out to adjust her seatbelt and said simply, "When starting, release the clutch slowly and give it a gentle push on the gas."
The SUV moved slowly forward, and He Zou's back straightened involuntarily.
“Melodia, it’s okay, I’m here.” Tezuka calmly reassured her from the side, “Look ahead, look at the end of the road.”
Relying on her memory, Hezou quickly got the hang of it. She gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands, smoothly accelerating, decelerating, and turning.
Tezuka's gaze remained fixed on her and the road conditions until he saw the surrounding environment with fewer and fewer buildings. He chuckled softly, "So, you really did come to see the stars."
“Of course it’s true.” He Zou’s eyes didn’t leave the road ahead, but he still replied, “The starry sky in Kenya is beautiful, but the thought of not being able to see it with Guoguang makes me feel a little regretful, so I’m satisfying myself in advance.”
Tezuka paused for a moment, then reached out and touched her long hair.
The car body drew an awkward S-shape on the empty road—
"Ah! Guoguang, don't move!"
Amidst the chaos inside the car, there were a few muffled laughs.
Twenty minutes later, the car came to a smooth stop at a rest area with a wide view halfway up Wangzuo Mountain.
Wakana leaned back in her chair, let out a soft sigh, and happily turned to look at Tezuka.
It was rare to see her flustered and clumsy. Tezuka looked at her adorable appearance, ruffled her hair, and praised, "You did a great job."
He raised his chin with a reserved smile, opened the car door, and got out.
A gentle spring breeze caressed my face, carrying the scent of fresh grass. The hillside, far from the city lights, was quite dark, which made the stars appear even brighter.
Tezuka took a blanket from the trunk, laid it on the roof of the car, and then easily lifted her up onto it.
"Haha~" He Zou sat on the roof of the car, looking down at him, and patted his head while laughing.
Tezuka rolled over and sat down next to her, putting his arm around her swaying body. "Sit still."
He Zou sat quietly in his lap and looked at the night sky happily, saying, "How lucky, all the stars are here tonight."
Every time I look at the stars, I feel a sense of peace. Life is placed in the boundless universe, as if all the trivialities become insignificant, and only exploration remains.
The starry sky represents her yearning for the unknown, her relentless pursuit of progress, and the romance she wants to express to him.
Guoguang will understand.
In the darkness, Kazusa looked at him with a gentle smile, as if she wanted to give him the starry sky that filled her eyes.
Tezuka couldn't resist touching her forehead with his lips.
Time slowly passed under the tranquil night sky.
After a while, Tezuka hesitated for a moment, which was unusual for him, and took out a small velvet box from his pocket.
“Melodia,” his voice sounded particularly solemn in the night, “this is for you.”
He Zou looked at the box with its overly distinctive features, then turned to look at her boyfriend, who was pursing his lips and had lost his composure.
Seeing the expected surprise on Kazusa's face, he explained softly, "It's not... a proposal. Open it and take a look."
He Zou took the box, opened it, and inside was indeed a ring—a platinum ring with an extremely simple and elegant design. Next to the ring was a necklace.
She picked up the ring, sat in his lap, and looked up at him with raised eyebrows.
“It has a GPS tracking function.” Tezuka tried to say it calmly, but a hint of unease crept in as he explained to Kanade, “The signal is unstable and the environment is complex in the Massabit region. Wearing it… will make me feel more at ease.”
Seeing his nervous explanation, afraid that she might misunderstand, He Zou's lips were slightly parted, but she couldn't make a sound.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Tezuka lowered his eyes and said softly, "If you don't like it, then don't—"
"Wear it!" Kazusa had already come to her senses. She cut him off, grabbed his arm, and told him with unwavering determination, "Of course I'll wear it!"
As she spoke, He Zou handed him the ring: "Guoguang, please put it on for me."
Those expressive eyes stared at him intently, and the hand gripping his arm was very strong, as if afraid he would take the ring back.
Tezuka laughed, picked up the necklace and threaded it into the ring, forming a unique necklace. After warming it in his palm, he leaned over and wrapped it around her neck, his warm breath brushing against her skin: "It's not convenient to wear this for work, so wear it like this for now."
Making it into the shape of a ring might be his only selfish desire, but he even considered that.
He Zou looked at the ring beneath her collarbone, still warm from his touch, and turned to look at him. He was tidying her hair, his gaze fixed on the ring, tender and content.
She smiled broadly and opened her arms to wait for him.
Tezuka smiled, bent down and hugged her tightly, then used his arms to lift her up and place her on his lap, completely enveloping her. He gently pressed his chin against her ear and whispered, "Come back safe and sound, Melodia."
"good."
—
On the way back, Hezou gripped the steering wheel, watching the city lights gradually appear ahead.
Sometimes, you have to actively venture into the darkness to see the light.
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