The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 710: A SUDDEN IDEA

”SAMUEL, could you explain why Iʼm just now hearing about Aster attending a fan club viewing party?” Wulfric asked in a measured tone. ”As I mentioned when you became president, Iʼd appreciate being kept informed about matters involving Aster—particularly when they relate to fan club activities.”

Samuel nervously pinched the hem of his shirt, the gesture looking almost comical coming from someone his size. Wulfric raised his brow. Itʼs not like heʼs particularly angry. Heʼs just a bit disappointed. He felt blindsided. It kind of felt like all the effort he put into pushing Samuel to be fan club president had gone to waste.

”Sorry, General,” he said in a tense voice. ”Aster asked for the list of private viewing parties so suddenly that telling you about it completely slipped my mind. Iʼm not trying to make excuses, but—well, actually seeing and talking to Aster was so overwhelming that I havenʼt been able to think straight since yesterday.”

Wulfric gave a slow nod. He understood completely. This was Aster they were talking about. Even through a video call, Aster had that effect on people—that same charming presence that left you forgetting everything else.

”...Aster will actually visit two other viewing parties. He said--”

”Wait- back up,” Wulfric cut off what Samuel was saying. Because he was too busy internally agreeing with Samuel being charmed by Aster, he didnʼt hear what the other said in full. He just heard the part about Aster visiting two more viewing parties. ”Two more? Where?”

”Itʼs in Myrran and Auralis.”

Myrran and Auralis?

Myrran was close to the capital, just an hour away by space flight. Auralis was a bit farther, needing a space warp to make the trip faster. But it was only two space warps away from Alluna. If he used his authority as a general, then he could...

The idea popped into his mind and refused to leave.

”When will Aster go to Auralis?” he asked Samuel.

***

The second viewing party Astrid attended had around the same number of people. It was also held in a small theater. But since this one was on a different planet, the whole thing felt a little new and different. Maybe itʼs because heʼd unknowingly gotten used to how things were in the capital.

The set-up was just like the last viewing party Astrid had been to. The crowd was just as relaxed during the movie, too. But everything changed the moment he stepped out and revealed himself in front of the fans.

Thereʼs only one word to describe it - total chaos.

The people in the theater did not just stand up—they lunged forward, some of them stumbling over their own feet in their hurry, others shouting his name so loudly that the sound of it filled the theater. A few of them reached toward the stage with both hands, their eyes so wide it was like they were high on adrenaline. They kept calling to him, their voices overlapping.

The security team moved fast, but it wasnʼt fast enough—the first wave of fans had already gotten too close, their hands nearly brushing Astridʼs sleeves before the staff could wedge themselves between him and the crowd. They pushed people back firmly, their arms forming a wall, but it didnʼt stop the shouting. The fans still called out, still strained against the barrier, their excitement so palpable that the air itself felt charged with it.

But Astrid had known better than to shout over them. Instead, he stepped forward, just enough to be fully seen, and let his posture soften. He showed no tension and no resistance. He smiled, not the polished grin of an actor meeting fans, but something more genuine. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his hands, palms open. Like a silent request for calm.

The change hadnʼt been instant, but it had its intended effect. The crowdʼs frantic energy began to mirror his, the screams fading into murmurs, the pushing stilling into something closer to anticipation. Then, with a finger pressed gently to his lips, he asked for silence. And they listened.

By the time he lowered his hands, the chaos had finally settled. The fans still buzzed with excitement, but now it was tempered, like theyʼd all remembered how to breathe again.

And Astrid? He used that moment of calm to announce an autograph session, a way to properly thank everyone for their support. If he hadnʼt settled the crowd first, those words alone might have sparked another wave of chaos.

Despite the chaotic start, the autograph session ended up going smoothly. Once it was over, Astrid, Ellis, and the rest of the Polaris staff and security team who had accompanied them headed to the restaurant inside the hotel where they were staying for the night. They were all ready for a well-earned dinner after the long day.

The third and final viewing party was set to take place on a planet farther away than this one. Because of the distance, they had decided to spend the night here and leave for their next destination early the next morning.

After dinner, Astrid finally got to rest in his hotel room. But before settling in, he decided to take a long, hot bath to ease the dayʼs tiredness from his body. As he sank into the steaming water, he opened his Terminal and checked [Cyberspace], curious to see what was being said about the movie.

Most of the posts about [Serendipitous Summer] that he came across were talking about his surprise appearance at the private viewing party and the impromptu autograph session. There were plenty of positive reviews, too.

When he saw posts praising Snowʼs performance, his fingers itched to like and repost them—just to show how proud he was of his friend. But he held back. Some people might twist it into something negative, and he didnʼt want that. So he resisted, no matter how much he wanted to.

Then he came across a post from One Leaf, the author of the novel [Serendipitous Summer] was based on.

One Leaf v: [To the director, cast, and crew of —thank you for bringing my novel to life. Itʼs perfect. Watching Astrid and Charlotte on screen, all I could think was: Thatʼs my Jace and Abby. I love it so much. (..◜ᴗ◝..)]