A few hours later at the Hikawa Temple, Rei turned on the lamp in her room. It was already dark and she was exhausted from the full day she spent with the senshi, especially when Minako dragged her along to go shopping for Usagi. After dressing into her pajamas, Rei collapsed on her futon and placed a pillow on top of her face.
“Exhausted, eh?” asked Minako as she entered the room and sat beside the miko.
Rei peeked from the pillow and said, “How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Shopping.”
Minako laughed, “Don’t tell me that Hino Rei is not used to shopping!”
“It’s not easy you know. My chores are easier than that,” replied Rei as she threw the pillow at Minako. She frowned as it smothered her face.
“Rei-chan. I’ve had a little share of your chores and they are not easy,” Minako threw the pillow back. Rei laughed at the comment, perhaps because she has done those chores since her childhood.
“I guess we really come from different planets.”
“Literally. Mars Reiko-san.”
Rei winced when she heard the name. It reminded her of singing, and she hated karaoke. Minako settled beside Rei and the miko looked at her.
“There is an extra futon you know.”
“I’m much too lazy to get up. Already comfortable where I am.” In truth, Minako loved to annoy Rei. She thought it was cute whenever the miko would frown
He walked into his small apartment and sat on the couch, wondering whether or not Usagi was even awake. Finally after just sitting and staring at his phone, he began to dial the numbers.
“Mushi mushi?”
“Usagi?”
““Hmm? ... Ah. Mamo-chan…what’s wrong?”
“I miss you.” He heard her yawn, and then there was a slight moment of silence, “I guess you were asleep?”
“Gomen. The girls were here all day.”
“Ah I see. I’m sure you enjoyed yourself. Well, I’ll let you go then. You sound exhausted.”
Usagi yawned again. “No, don’t go. I like hearing your voice. Just stay on the phone with me until I fall asleep, okay?”
“Hai. Usagi?”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too Mamoru.”
He stayed on the phone, glad to hear her voice. Once he heard Usagi snoring, he smiled and said, “Bye then. Good night.”
“Ready?” he asked.
Ami smiled at him, “Hai.” He took hold of her hand and started to head out. Motoki and Makoto followed behind them.
“So how’s Usagi-chan?” asked Motoki.
“She’s doing fine, although she tires easily now. It worries me.”
“Ah, I’m sure she’ll pull through,” reassured Motoki as he held Makoto closer.
Ami heard the light conversation and joined in, “Of course she will make it Mako-chan. She’s Usagi.” Nephrite looked at her then back at the couple and nodded.
Makoto looked at him and nodded back. Nephrite changed a lot ever since he and Ami started seeing each other. Other than the fact that they went from allies to enemies to friends made Makoto try to get used to the idea of Ami even being with him. However, she knew that he was good to her, despite his hot-temperedness when he was with the other Shitennou. Ami reassured her friends that inside his exterior, Nephrite is actually a little softy. I guess this is alright. I remember in the past life how Nephrite showed a rather strong interest for Mercury. Ha. I guess parts of our past tend to repeat itself. Take Usagi and Mamoru as living proof of that.
“I still do not understand how you do not tire from this Rei,” said Makoto. Rei shrugged as she was trying to complete her tasks, “I guess I was raised that way.” She looked at Minako, who sighed as she was struggling with her own task. Rei giggled as she observed the idol getting more and more frustrated.
“Ah, well. When are we going to get Usagi-chan?” asked Makoto. She was very eager to finish her assigned job. Last time she had done this, she was too preoccupied with yelling at Usagi on the phone that she caused a rather chaotic mess in the end.
“Oh, she’s excited to go out. Already dressed and everything. She told us to call as soon as we are finished,” answered Ami. Her mother had given them permission to take Usagi out, since she was to have the surgery the next day. They had also planned a surprise for her.
“Then let’s get a move on!” exclaimed Minako.
Once they were finished, all four senshi dressed out of their miko robes and headed towards the car.
“Ja ne. We’ll meet you at Crown Karaoke then?” said Rei as she began to walk with Minako.
“Hai. Ami-chan and I are going to airport to pick up Mamoru. He was so excited to come home,” said Makoto.
“Usagi-chan will be so happy,” finished Ami as both groups went their separate ways.
On the way towards Narita Airport, Makoto spotted Motoki walking past them towards a small shop. She was a bit puzzled by this little discovery, but drove on.
“Mako-chan, should we have an Welcome Back Party for Usagi-chan? Perhaps after she recovers from the surgery.”
Makoto was silenced by this idea. She still had pained memories for when they tried to throw an Iterashai Party for Minako. Ami noticed her reaction and said, “Well, I know it is a bit scary. But we should celebrate when Usagi gets through this.”
“IF Usagi-chan gets through it Ami-chan”
“No. WHEN. Usagi will survive this. I know it. Why are you so pessimistic about it?”
“It’s not pessimism, I’m just…scared. I don’t want things repeating itself,” finished Makoto as they pulled over the curb. Mamoru waved at them and they got out of the car.
“How’s Usagi? I can’t wait to see her,” said Mamoru. He was merely gone for five days, and came back to Tokyo. Apparently, his worry got the best of him and he wanted to be there when Usagi would wake up from her surgery.
“Minako-chan and Rei-chan are picking her up. Oh I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees you!” said Ami. They helped him with his bags and began to drive towards their beloved Crown Karaoke.
Usagi was restless inside Minako’s car. She always seemed to have the same reaction no matter how many times she’s been in it. Minako could simply giggle whenever she saw this.
Rei sighed, “Usagi. Keep still, we’re almost there.”
“I can’t help it Rei-chan. It has been a while since I’ve been able to see the outdoors,” Usagi started to look outside the window when she bumped her head.
“Ow ow ow ow!” she exclaimed.
“See what I mean,” said Rei as she looked worriedly at her friend.
“Ah, here we are,” said Minako as she parked the car. They both got out and helped Usagi inside the building. “Mako-chan and Ami-chan are already waiting for us.”
As they walked inside, Motoki and Makoto greeted them. It seemed like they were talking for a while, because they each were sipping on a glass of hot chocolate. Makoto smiled.
“You go on, Ami-chan is waiting inside.”
Usagi walked towards the hidden door and opened it when Ami greeted her at the entrance. Usagi walked down the staircase with the help of her friends and they helped her settle on the couch. Just then the lights suddenly turned off, and Usagi looked around confused. Finally, the lights went back on and everyone in the room was gone.
“Eh? Rei-chan? Mako-chan? Ami-chan? Minako-chan? We’re did everyone go? Don’t tell me you’re leaving me alone here!” Music began to play and she heard a familiar voice singing in the background. She turned towards where the voice came and found that it was Mamoru, making his way down the staircase with the microphone in his hand. He sang rather smoothly and never left his eyes on Usagi. She was rather surprised and he was finally in front of her.
Usagi smiled as Mamoru bent down to her eye level. She wrapped her arms around him and began to cry. She was so happy to see him and to even inhale his very scent made her smile even more. “Mamo-chan. Aren’t you supposed to be in London?”
He looked at her and said, “I asked if I could go back to Tokyo. I couldn’t stand being away from you, especially at this time. I love you Usagi-chan, and I want to always be here for you.”
Their faces were so close to each other now, that Usagi felt the warmth of his breath. She looked into his eyes that gave her so much courage and comfort. He could kiss her any moment now. Their lips were getting closer and Usagi closed her eyes.
“Ahhh! Mako-chan!” yelled someone. Usagi and Mamoru stopped and turned towards the closet door. All four girls came tumbling into the floor. Rei was in the bottom with Minako, while Ami was trying her best to get up. Makoto was rubbing her head and knew that a bump would form. Usagi and Mamoru sighed as they saw the sight.
“Gomen Mamoru. The lights went off too fast and we just hid in the closest available spot.”
“Unfortunately, it was too small for all of us to fit,” said Rei as she frowned at Makoto.
“My fault? It’s not my fault that I’m tall!”
“Well, if my calculations were correct we should have been able to fit,” said Ami.
“Gomen. That was my fault. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. That feather duster was tickling me,” said Minako.
“Feather duster, eh? Are you sure it wasn’t Rei-chan?” said Makoto smugly.
“MAKO-CHAN!” yelled Minako as she began to blush. She turned towards the miko and found her blushing as well. Usagi shook her head, No matter how old we get, I have a feeling that our goofiness will never change. It’s actually comforting to know that, but at the same time, a very scary thought.
“I told you that closet was too small,” said Rei finally.
“Aw. You know you liked it Rei. Having Minako soooo close to you,” said Makoto with a mischievous smile. Minako blushed even more, because she recalled that once the lights went off, her and Rei were the first ones to run in. However, in no means were they doing anything other than trying squeeze in more so that Makoto could fit.
“Mako-chan. Stop bullying the them,” said Ami.
“I’m just teasing. It’s cute when they’re like this,” she answered, “Oh alright. Gomen Rei-chan, Minako-chan.”
Rei glared at her with arms crossed and Makoto gulped. Finally, Rei sighed and softened a bit. “Whatever. It’s over and done with. Shall we go then?”
“Going? To where?” asked Usagi as she entered the room once more.
“It’s New Year’s Eve Usagi-chan. I’m sure you would like to see the festivals, eh?”
She looked at all her friends and then shook her head.
“No. Actually I just want to see the fireworks and spend time with you guys.”
“Is that what you really want?”
“Hai,” answered Usagi, “I never wanted a big event, just a simple one with you guys.”
“Well, my penthouse is just around the corner. How about we go there instead. You can see a clear view of the fireworks from the balcony.”
Everyone decided to go to Minako’s place and spend time there until the countdown was to being. As she opened the door to her place, everyone was in awe. The place was extremely nice and spacey. Mamoru and Usagi settled in the couch, as Ami and Makoto started to explore the place. Motoki sat in the couch nearby Mamoru and Usagi.
“Ah, Usagi-chan. Happy to see Mamoru-kun eh?”
“Hai. Just spending time with the people I love is enough for me.”
She smiled as she placed her head on Mamoru’s shoulder. This is nice. I don’t need things to be fancy, just being able to see them before the surgery is enough. To see them carefree and happy, I want to keep this memory for tomorrow as I go in for the surgery.
The countdown began and everyone was listening intently to the radio station. Finally, after the ten anticipated seconds, it was the New Year. Usagi smiled, as her friends began to cause a lot of noise. Fireworks started to shower the sky from Minako’s window and everyone rushed outside to see them. Mamoru held Usagi, who was wrapped with a blanket and they sat down together. The view was breathtaking. Usagi smiled, as she looked at everyone before her. They were jumping up and down in excitement, Motoki holding Makoto in his arms. I want to keep this memory with me forever, thought Usagi. She felt the warmth of Mamoru’s body pressed against hers and closed her eyes.
Rei felt a familiar tension in her gut and her eyes widened. Minako sensed something was wrong the moment she saw the miko’s expression. Something is not right…fading rapidly. No. Rei slowly turned around and saw Usagi’s eyes closed. Her body looked limp and lifeless. Rei and Minako slowly walked up to their friend and bent down to her eye level.
“Usagi-chan?” asked Rei softly as she held the girl’s hand. Usagi was barely breathing. Mamoru was now trying to wake her up, but she wouldn’t open her eyes. Everyone started to notice the situation and stood frozen in their places from dread.
“Usagi?” asked Rei once more, but this time her voice sounded desperate. Minako tried to shake the girl to wake up, but Usagi’s eyes would not open.
Please. Wake up. Please…
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