Earth Calendar, year 2556.
"Professor, the Tailed-Off Plan has been successfully carried out."
Zero's voice rang in Lü Yongchang's ears, stabbing deep into his heart.
He opened his eyes as wide as he could and looked toward the Proxima Centauri System.
"Professor, according to our calculations, the light emitted by Proxima b's two-dimensionalization will not reach the Human Federation fleet for another thirty years."
Zero gently reminded him.
"Of course I know..." Lü Yongchang still held his sore, stinging eyes wide open. Two streams of hot tears slid uncontrollably down his cheeks. "I just wanted to see them one last time."
"Professor, I don't understand. Proxima Centauri's brightness has already decreased significantly. You cannot observe it with the naked eye in its current state."
"...Of course you don't understand."
Lü Yongchang sighed and shook his head. He said nothing more, only gazing silently at the distant stars.
After an unknown stretch of time, soft footsteps sounded behind him.
"Yongchang."
The familiar voice made Lü Yongchang's heart tremble slightly. "Why are you awake?"
"Before the interstellar voyage began, I gave Zero an instruction." Su Yutong walked over to Lü Yongchang and looked up at the stars stretching into infinity. "Has the Tailed-Off Plan been carried out?"
"Yes."
Lü Yongchang struggled to force the response from deep in his throat.
A moment later, he felt warmth against his fingertips.
"This isn't your fault," Su Yutong whispered breathily.
"But I gave the order," Lü Yongchang murmured, his body trembling slightly.
Su Yutong said nothing more. She merely tilted her head and gently rested it on his shoulder.
Feeling the softness and warmth drawing closer against his side, Lü Yongchang instinctively tensed.
"Back then, you promised to watch the stars with me on Dawn Star."
Her tender voice drifted into his ears.
"I..." Lü