The western sky over Amencho Town was melting from burning orange into deep indigo. April 4th. Tonight, the townsfolk were abuzz — “Comet Maps,” making its closest approach to the sun and beginning to break apart from the heat, was expected to be visible just above the horizon .
Setting up a huge telescope on the observation deck, the engineer Spice spoke to a fidgeting Kopo beside him. “…Kopo, they say a comet shines brightest right when it starts to break apart. It shaves off its own ice and rock, and the fragments , driven by solar wind, form that long tail.”
“Shining while breaking apart… huh. Sounds kind of cool, but kind of sad.” Kopo was gripping a specially prepared “anpan” bun. Today was Anpan Day. His plan was to impress the girls as “the clever frog who proposes the perfect pairing of stargazing and anpan.” But hearing Spice’s explanation, his shallow little plan suddenly felt embarrassing.
Just then, Tacchi arrived in a suave pose. “Hmph. Kopo, if the star is going to shatter , we should be ready to catch it. Watch — even a fragment of the comet, I’ll trap it elegantly with these long legs of mine.” Tacchi stretched his legs toward the sky, but his body twisted unnaturally as he tried to hide the part of his head his hand couldn’t quite reach.
“Feh-feh. Tacchi, rather than trying to grasp a star, savoring the anpan at your feet might bring you closer to happiness.” Sonchō laughed, removing his top hat to feel the night breeze. “In my adventuring days, I saw countless shooting stars. But what stays with me most is the warmth of a single round bun, shared with a companion on a bitterly cold night. Today is April 4th — also ‘Happiness Matched’ Day. If a star is going to break apart and cast its light, why don’t we simply watch it together, and share a round happiness of our own?”
Just then, just above the horizon, a streak of light trailed its tail. Comet Maps. Exactly as Spice had predicted, it scattered fine particles of light, unable to withstand the sun’s heat, giving off one brief but intense burst of brilliance .
“…Beautiful.” Keromi and Bipiku, who had gathered without anyone noticing, gasped in admiration. Kopo mustered his courage and split the anpan he was holding in two.
“…Um, Bipiku. Want to share this with me? It doesn’t sparkle like the comet, but it’s actually pretty sweet.”
At Kopo’s offered half, Bipiku smiled softly. “Thank you, Kopo. A perfect star is lovely, but right now, this warm bun suits me just fine.”
Far off in the sky, Hasshi flapped after the comet, muttering to himself. (A star breaking apart and shining, huh. If only my hunger could turn to light with a single anpan.)
Comet Maps eventually vanished, swallowed into the darkness of night — whether destroyed, or simply due to reappear tomorrow, no one could say. But on the observation deck of Amencho Town, the sweet smell of anpan lingered, along with the quiet, certain warmth of those who had shared their happiness with someone else.
【Today’s Motif: April 4, 2026】
- Comet Maps’ Perihelion Passage: A comet approaching the sun, reaching peak brightness even as it risks breaking apart.
- Anpan Day: A day commemorating the presentation of anpan to Emperor Meiji.
- “Shiawase” (4/4) Day: A pun on the date — 4-4 sounds like “shiawase,” happiness. A symbol of shared joy.
This is an English translation of “崩れゆく星と、丸い幸せ”, part of Tales of Amencho Town (蛙鳴町奇譚).