Forbidden Love
"Dear Diary,
It's been 3 years since we defeated Galaxia and restored peace to the world. It's been 3 years since we said goodbye to Princess Kakyuu and the Starlights. I often wonder how they are doing and if they have been able to restore their planet. I wonder how he is doing. I miss him. I miss his voice, his laugh, his warmth. I love Mamo-chan, but somehow there is something about Seiya that draws me in. I wonder if I will ever get to see him again…"
Tsukino Usagi peered out the window from the desk she sat at, quietly contemplating the words on the page she had just written. With a sigh, she closed the cover of her diary and slipped it into the desk drawer. Usagi looked out the window again, her long golden hair shining in the rays of spring sunshine, still in her trademark odango style. Suddenly she heard a knock on the front door, allowing her to snap back to reality. Usagi rose from the chair and made her way across the small apartment where she now lived to the front door.
Peering through the peep-hole, she saw several familiar faces smiling at her. Usagi immediately opened the door and beamed at her friends: Rei, Ami, Minako, and Makoto.
"Minna!" She exclaimed, looking at each of them.
"Usagi-san, may we come in?" Asked Ami, polite as ever.
"Of course!" Usagi replied, stepping aside to let them all in. "What are you guys doing here?" She asked as they all removed their shoes at the door.
"We came to see you, of course!" Minako answered.
"And to hang out for lunch." Makoto added.
"Lunch?" Usagi tilted her head, confused. As if on cue, each of the girls raised their arms to reveal packed lunches, each in colorful bags. Makoto had two – one for her and one for Usagi.
Usagi squealed happily and hugged Makoto. The girls giggled. As they all sat down around the living room Rei spoke up.
"We also wanted to catch up with you." Rei said. "How are you and Mamoru-san doing?"
Usagi bit her lip. "We're alright I suppose. He's pretty busy finishing up his undergraduate degree. After that he is going to med school."
"He's going to Tokyo U, right?" Minako asked. Usagi nodded.
"Yes."
"But by going through medical school, he will be able to get a very good job as a doctor in the future." Ami said.
"I know…" Usagi replied. The girls seemed to sense something was wrong and exchanged worried glances.
"Usagi-chan…are you sure everything is okay between you two?" Makoto said.
Usagi sniffed. "It's just… I hardly ever get to see him. It's like we're not even together anymore." Tears began to well up in her eyes.
Rei placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure Mamoru-san is doing his best to make time for you. He loves you, Usagi."
Usagi looked at her and sniffed again.
"That's right! You two will be King and Queen of Crystal Tokyo someday!" Minako said encouragingly. Usagi didn't respond. Instead, she rose silently, mumbling something about tea and snacks before heading to the kitchen.
"You guys, I'm starting to get really worried about her." Minako said, frowning. "Do you think there's a chance they will break up?"
"What would happen to Crystal Tokyo in the future?" Makoto mused, sadly.
"I'm sure they will get through this." Ami said. "This is temporary bump in the road for them. Mamoru-san is going to med school after all. It's a very trying time for him. Usagi should know that." The other girls didn't know what to say. They were still worried about their friend.
A few moments later, Usagi came back with a tray of tea cups and a plate of cookies for everyone and set it down in the middle of the table. After Usagi was seated again, they all unwrapped their lunches and began to chat about how things were going in each of their lives.
They all had continued on to college, all of them in their first year. Rei wants to be able to take over the shrine after her grandfather; Minako is studying theatre in order to become a better actress/idol; Makoto is studying cooking in order to be able to open up her own restaurant; and Ami is studying medicine to become a doctor like her mother. Usagi, on the other hand, had not decided on a field of interest, and decided to take general education classes.
Though the girls had not changed much from when they were in high school, they had noticed the gradual change in Usagi. She is slowly becoming more mature; more like the Queen she will become in the future. However, there were still moments where she behaved exactly as she had when they first met. Presently, it was only the four Guardian Senshi; the Outer Senshi – Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Saturn – had moved on to other things, having no particular reason to stay and no imminent threat on the horizon. However, they still made some form of contact every now and then to check in. Even ChibiUsa, who had gone back to the future long ago occasionally sent letters through LunaP.
It was nearly two o'clock by the time the girls realized they all had to go about their way. They waved goodbye to Usagi, who thanked them for stopping by and bringing her lunch. In the hallway outside of Usagi's apartment Minako quietly whispered.
"Don't you guys think she is looking a little thin? It seems like she has lost some weight."
"Yeah, I hope she is eating right…" Makato added.
"It's funny to think that the girl who used to pig out on snacks is no longer eating right." Rei commented. The girls nodded in agreement.
"I'm sure it's just because she is upset about not spending more time with Mamoru-san. She'll be her old, cheerful self in no time." Ami said, though with a hint of uncertainty. Even the logical, genius Senshi had her doubts.
"What she really needs is some fun in her life. She's just wasting away in that apartment." Minako said. Again, the girls nodded. After a few moments of trying to think of something to do for Usagi, Minako suddenly cried "I've got an idea!"
3 years after the battle with Galaxia, Usagi is trying to live a normal life as a college student. However, her relationship with Mamoru is suffering and she is often depressed. When the Inner Senshi become worried about their friend, they ask a familiar face to cheer her up. Will the plan succeed?