The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

DESPITE sleeping rather late, Astrid still managed to wake up early. It's because he was about to prepare a large meal for lunch that could feed a group of people.

Just barely after midnight, after the release of [Star List], his friends sent congratulatory messages to him. As if they were also waiting for the release of the list. His conversation with them led to the talk about doing some sort of celebration.

Since he had entered the top 100 the first time he became part of the [Star List], both Kiran and Snow thought that they should celebrate. Snow even volunteered to reserve a whole restaurant where they could hold the celebration.

Astrid declined. Although he's not averse to celebrating, reserving a whole restaurant for it would be just a bit too much. So, he told the two that they could just celebrate here, in his apartment building. He would like it more if he could cook for them.

Besides, he was also planning to invite Lauren. It would be better to do it in a more private setting.

The other had also congratulated him last night, just shortly after he finished talking to Snow and Kiran. Of course, he did the same. That's when he invited Lauren. The other readily agreed. It's just that he was only available for lunch. Which was not really a big problem. They could just do the celebration at lunch.

And that's why Astrid was here in the kitchen, doing some cooking. It would be a meal for six people - him, Reas, Lauren, Snow, Kiran, and Ellis. Since it would have to obviously be a large meal, he started doing prep three hours before lunch.

"Haa... I wish I extended my stay there," said a voice full of regret, and even a bit of annoyance and frustration.

Astrid raised his head and looked at the screen of his Terminal. There, Wulfric's handsome face was reflected. The other was very much pouting. The two of them were currently having a video call.

"Now, I couldn't even celebrate you debuting so high up on that list. Much less eat the food you're cooking," Wulfric continued.

Astrid chuckled. "Are you disappointed that you can't celebrate with me or that you can't eat my cooking?"

"Of course, it's because I can't celebrate with you! Especially on such a momentous occasion. And, well, not being able to eat your cooking is always a big loss."

"Don't worry, I'll cook you a big meal when we meet again," he said, assuring the other. "And even if you're not physically here, your presence can still be felt."

And he didn't just mean that metaphorically, but literally as well.

It's because he's cooking at Wulfric's suite. He's not only cooking here, the small celebration party would also be held here.

After he agreed to do a small celebration party, he worried where they could hold it. His apartment room, for one, was too small for all six people to have a comfortable luncheon. So, after pondering over it for a while, Wulfric's suite came to mind.

He then called the other and asked for permission if he could use his suite. Wulfric naturally agreed. That's why he had been here since morning after breakfast.

Under normal circumstance, it would be hard to access the suite with the owner not being physically here. But thankfully, Wulfric had already registered his biometrics in the suite. Something that he had only found out then. So, he had free access to the suite. One of the perks of having the building owner in love with him.

"Still, it would have been much better if I could be there," Wulfric said, obviously still sulking. "Haa... don't mind me, I just really want to be with you, especially on momentous occassions like this one."

"I don't mind. I think Wulf like this is also adorable. And besides, maybe you're not here in the literal sense of it, but emotionally..." Astrid looked at Wulfric on the virtual screen, then he smiled and put his hand on his chest before continuing, "Aren't you already here?"

Wulfric blinked and then said without embarrassment, "You mean I'm already in your heart?"

Astrid stopped what he's doing and just laughed out loud. "Well, maybe in a very small corner, you are."

Wulfric grinned. "As long as I'm there, I don't mind if I'm just in a small corner."

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Astrid put the last dish on the round glass table. He was just waiting for the others to arrive. Reas was waiting outside the building to meet them. Since it would just be faster to accompany them. He also didn't lock the door to the suite, so Reas and the others could just easily enter.

After a while, the door opened and Reas walked in. Behind him, Snow, Kiran, Lauren, and Ellis followed along. Astrid was a bit surprise because they all arrived at the same time. He thought they would arrive one after another. But it's probably better this way. At least Reas wouldn't have to go back and forth.

"Wow, Aster, did you move?" Lauren commented, while looking around the suite.

"No, this belonged to the building owner. I asked for permission if we can use it for today," Astrid said.

"What a nice building owner," Lauren reacted, obviously amazed.

"Right? Maybe I should also buy a unit here once I have enough money," Kiran followed.

"The security also seemed to be top-notch," Snow also gave his opinion.

Reas and Ellis, who knew the truth, decided to just stay silent.

"By the way, congratulations again on ranking 45th on the [Star List]," Astrid said to Lauren so they could move along from the topic of the suite.

Although he had already introduced Wulfric to Snow and Kiran, the two still didn't know that Wulfric didn't only own this suite, he also owned this whole building. And there's also Lauren, who didn't even know about Wulfric.

It's not like he planned to keep it a secret or that he's afraid the information would be leaked. The timing to tell them about it just hadn't come.