Mamoru
The two teams are tied. Until Natsumi steps out of the fighting room with a big grin and comes prancing happily over to Rei and me.
"That was really a piece of cake. Usagi is really the biggest klutz I know."
I have to agree with her about the klutz, but Usagi is MY klutz and I'm more than sure Natsumi was tricking! There must have been a reason why Usagi had no chance against her. My moon princess did nothing but save the whole damn world a few days ago and now she can't even stand up to such a back-stabber? Impossible!
Minako must be of the same opinion as I am, because she rushes straight to her teammate with a worried expression on her face and comes out of the room only a few moments later with a completely devastated Usagi. She looks like she has just been confronted with her own past. Did Usagi possibly have other opponents besides the well-known Youmas, or did these monsters alone confuse her mind so much?
I just want to rush to Usagi to embrace her, comfort her and just stand by her, when this idiot of an instructor clears his throat again and pushes us to the last station. He notes a few things on his writing pad, then lifts his gaze and states with some recognition in his voice
"Okay...Team A has actually done an excellent job and is now leading quite clearly. You are also in the lead in the overall comparison at the moment."
With a pitying look at Usagi, Minako, and Seijuro, who is still acting like a prima donna, he continues.
"But it's not over yet...because there's one last discipline...and you'll be competing in a team of five!"
We now all look at each other in slight amazement. What does the guy mean by that? Instead of talking further, he leads us into a kind of huge, dark cave. I feel a bit like I'm back in the Dark Kingdom. However, there are hiding places everywhere, high walls, stacks of wood and piles of stones. Thank goodness there is no evidence of an evil queen or something like that.
"So, from now on, it's everyone for himself as far as the overall high score is concerned. In the teams of three, you have previously earned a certain number of points. You now start with this score and have to shoot each other down. Until one of you is left at the end. This person will then receive the highest score. The second to last person left gets the second highest number, and so on. However, you may only shoot down the people from the opposing teams! There are a total of six teams of five in this cave, so 30 people. The division into the groups will be done by me again...are there any questions?"
From the corner of my eye I see Minako raise her hand.
"What if more than one of a team is left...or even all of them?"
"Trust me, that's never happened before, Ninato."
"I'M MINAKO!!!" echoes through the cave, and some people have to cover their ears at the noise. The strange instructor doesn't even bat an eyelash, but looks briefly at his wristwatch and then continues to explain.
"There are still a few participants missing...Ahh, there you are!"
As I turn around, to my great astonishment, I look at more than familiar faces; Makoto and Ami have obviously been drawn to the VR Theater today as well, as are Usagi's school friends Naru and Umino. I still know those two well. As Sailor Moon, Usagi has protected both of them countless times against the evil forces of the Dark Kingdom.
When I look at Jupiter and Mercury in their civilian forms, as they exchange glances with the other two warriors, then something is very wrong here...could it be...?
The instructor snaps me out of my thoughts once again and now starts dividing the groups.
"You two from team A, the guy with the huge glasses, his red-haired girlfriend and the grim guy from team B...you make up fight squad #5 and you..."
He looks at Usagi and the Sailor warriors.
"...Then you are the last team...number 6."
Again, I'm not on a team with Usagi and even have to consider her as an opponent in this game. That doesn't fit in my stuff! Usagi, on the other hand, looks like she's heavily lost in thought again. None other than HER Sailor Team is standing and surrounding her there, of which she herself is the leader. The other girls look over at me as if they know exactly what I am thinking about...namely, whether or not I can remember my past life!
I'm almost sure that everyone else can remember too. But...why is Luna completely clueless then? Artemis also seemed to me to have no clue that the Senshi can remember. He lives with Minako, as far as I know! It's more than strange, this whole situation...but I'm determined to find out the truth as soon as possible.
Now the last game is about to begin. Never I will hit even one of the warriors. Highscore or not! I am not their enemy!
Obviously, Seijuro and Natsumi are of a completely different opinion. They are discussing the best tactics together with Naru and Umino. They, in turn, seem to me to be completely averse, almost disgusted with the whole concept of the game.
To be honest, I'm not surprised. As often as the two have been the target of evil forces, even if they have no memory of it, they certainly prefer games that are about love or friendship. In such a lovers' contest, I could imagine Naru and Umino much better!
Team six has gathered around Ami, who has pulled out a small computer and is looking highly concentrated at the display through her blue VR glasses. I'm really anxious about the upcoming battle...because somehow all of this hasn't been a game for a long time. Rather, I feel reminded of times long past...and no matter what is about to happen...I will protect Usagi!
Usagi
What is that strange device that Ami is holding in her hand? I've seen her walking around with it during the breaks and I think she had it with her in the library the other day. Is it like a mini computer? There's a weird symbol on the lid. I don't know the brand at all.
What I find even more amazing is that the three other girls don't seem to be impressed at all by Ami's little miraculous machine. Rather, they watch spellbound to see what information this bluish thing might spit out for them, while Ami blithely types on the little keypad.
I honestly have no idea at all how to operate a computer and would probably be just as talented at using it as this laser tag weapon I have in my hands right now. Something in me is deeply reluctant to continue fighting. Another part of my brain tells me that I must face the next task no matter what, and when I look into Mamoru's ocean-blue eyes, I feel as if he will turn the weapon on anything but me.
That duel with Natsumi just now almost threw me completely off emotionally. Fortunately, Minako was quick to get to me and the other girls are also absolutely lovely and seem to have realized that I'm the weak link in their team that needs to be protected at all costs. At least they are talking about it quite openly now that Ami seems to be done with her evaluation and has now put on an unreadable face.
"We have to prevent Usagi from being attacked and hit by the enemy at all costs," Rei is the first to say in a firm voice.
"Exactly, they will try to target her right at the beginning." agrees Makoto with a serious face.
"According to my calculations, the probability of Usagi being hit is less than one percent, provided we pretend exactly according to plan." Ami now adds as a further comment.
"We will definitely emerge victorious from this battle!" Minako finishes and the four of them look at each other with determined glances as they place their hands on each other in turn.
It's all Greek to me... this can't be happening! Am I really that bad or why do they want to avoid me getting hit at all costs? And so what! Then I would finally have my peace and could go home! I don't feel like playing this stupid game anymore anyway.
"No I don't...I just don't want to fight anymore!"
Oh, did I just say that out loud?
The girls stare at me in amazement...almost like I just said something like "I don't know the boy band Three Lights". I notice myself turning bright red, but before I can explain myself, that stupid bell from the previous station is already sounding, this time as the start signal.
Here we go! And I'm just right in the middle of it!!!
The girls have taken up fighting positions all around me and are firing their laser tag guns at anyone who dares to approach them. Man are they skilled! It's like they do nothing else all day but be my personal bodyguards.
I turn my gaze to the jumble in front of me and keep an eye out for Team 5, where Mamoru is a member of. At the moment, I can only make out Naru and Umino, who is bravely defending his girlfriend against any attack. A real hero and I have to smile a little when I see Naru admiring him for his braveness.
Umino really deserves this scarf! Tomorrow Naru comes with me after school and stays until late evening. Then I can finally dedicate myself to this needlework project. My "scarf" is just about five centimeters long, so I have to work hard until next week, otherwise it will never work!
However, my thoughts are abruptly interrupted when someone grabs me from behind and throws me to the ground.
"Watch out!" Makoto is half on top of me and another girl starts tugging at me to get me to a safe hiding place. We crawl unnoticed a bit away from the fighting and I realize that Ami is the second girl, who is now shouting instructions to Makoto.
"We're going over to plan B." she speaks calmly while looking at her mini computer again. "There are already 15 people eliminated, our team is still complete...but with our strongest competition from team five, it's already one less."
My heart stops for a moment.
Even though this is a game, all of a sudden I'm very afraid for my two best friends...and for Mamoru. When I suddenly hear Naru scream loudly, absolutely nothing holds me in my hiding place. I jump out and search for my best friend in a panic.
"No Usagi don't!"
I hear Ami shout. Umino has been hit -standing in front of his girlfriend- and a bold "Game Over" now appears on his chest protector. Theatrically he slumps down. Just as Naru is about to support him, she is hit from behind.
Although I know that this is nothing but a very, very stupid and unnecessary shooting game, it grabs me all at once. I urgently have to do something here! So I do what seems most logical to me in my head. Something that I have already done countless times in my life...I raise my hand in the air and call out loudly
"Moon Prism Power...Make..."
I don't get any further with my admittedly more than unusual action, because at that very moment Seijuro fires his gun at me. Before I get hit, however, Makoto has thrown herself between the two of us and intercepted the shot intended for me. Kevin Costner and the movie "Bodyguard" send their regards.
I don't know if I should laugh out loud or cry because of the huge insanity we are going through with this completely senseless game. On Makoto's chest protectors, it now flashes "Game over" in green neon letters and she snorts in pure anger.
I can't think much about what happened in front of me within a fraction of a second, though, because danger is approaching once again. This time from behind. This time it's some guy from another team and this time it's Rei protecting me...and getting hit.
Minako now pulls me to the ground and again we are able to save ourselves into a hiding place consisting of a large pile of wood. I look at her and realize how tears slowly come to my eyes. Even if it is more than unrealistic, but I have the unmistakable feeling as if I had already lived through a similar situation before...and not in a game. Around us, there is an immense volume of noise, and little by little, more Game Over signals are sounding. Almost like in a war.
"Don't worry, Usagi. We'll get through this. The main thing is, you'll be left at the end."
Minako tells me, with an infinite gentleness in her gaze. I just don't get it. Four girls I barely know are protecting me, worrying about me, and putting everything on the line just so I can get out of here unscathed and get the highest score? Geez, has the whole world gone crazy that they care about me, an absolutely average girl, lately?!
"Why?" I finally bring out.
"Because you are important to us and we would do anything for you. That's what we're here for," I get as an immediate explanation.
Why do I suddenly have this deep feeling of longing and sadness inside me again? Why?
Mamoru
Usagi has disappeared from the face of the earth again. The Sailor warriors really do a great job and if it continues like this, Usagi might actually make it in the end to be the last one left. Only the Ginga siblings I see as serious contenders for the top spots.
Seijuro just shot down Makoto, which I highly resent him for. Actually, he wanted to hit Usagi, for which he is now even more down with me, this absolute moron! It was probably Umino's overly dramatic exit from the stage that lured Usagi out of her safe hiding place and thus completely disrupted the Sailor Team's well thought out strategy.
In the form of Rei and Makoto, they have bitterly paid the bill for this, but obviously they still have a contingency plan up their sleeves to protect their leader. In any case, they have successfully made Usagi disappear from the scene once again.
Only a few players are left, all of whom are now in a kind of lurking position in various hiding places. It has become all at once completely quiet after the whole deafening noise... almost ghostly. Suddenly, however, Seijuro takes the initiative and has come up with a particularly stupid plan; the idiot attacks me!
"Hey!"
I can only bring out, but understand in the next moment why he does that. He wants to lure Usagi out. How cunning! Of course, his plan works out perfectly and in the next moment Usagi stands in his field of vision like a deer in the headlights.
However, before he can fire his gun at her in victory, he is hit by Ami, who obviously has a reaction ten times faster than the lame flute-playing toot in front of Usagi.
His Game Over icon lit up poison green, Seijuro is out of the game...and so is Ami, unfortunately, as Natsumi avenged her brother immediately after he was shot down. Now she looks at Usagi cynically, wanting to finish what her brother had originally planned, but is interrupted by Minako, who accosts her from behind, ready to fight.
"You'll have me to deal with if you intend to harm a single hair on Usagi's head!"
"Fine, you're welcome to it!"
Natsumi hisses, and the moment she turns to Minako, I run as fast as my legs will carry me over to my moon princess and stand protectively in front of her. I counted. Besides Natsumi, Minako, Usagi and me, there is no one left. I will protect the dearest thing I have with all my power. No matter what it costs!
The two girls in front of me both pull out their weapons and shoot almost simultaneously. However, Natsumi deftly dodges Minako's laser beam at the last moment. Minako, on the other hand, is hit and puckers her lips in a defiant pout as the terminal sign shines in yellow letters on her chest.
Now we're down to three, and Natsumi knows she'll be disqualified if she hits me. But she won't get to Usagi. Only over my dead game body!
"Mamoru, what kind of nonsense are you doing?! Step aside or shoot her down yourself for all I care!"
"Nothing would be further from my mind than to harm Usagi in whatever form!" I return slightly snotty. The bitch can't get past me.
"But you're hindering the game with your hero talk...if you keep blocking the way, nobody's going to win here!" I promptly get back as an enraged reply.
"Oh, yes, there is a way," I say calmly and turn to Usagi, who looks at me with very big eyes. In a firm voice I declare "if Usagi hits me...it can go on."
Immediately her astonished face gives way to a disbelieving expression, followed by vehement head shaking including waving odangos. Usagi looks at me sincerely and all at once it is the Moon Princess speaking to me again.
"Never in my life do I ever want to fight you again...Endymion...never again!"
She defended herself against me with her moon tiara back then and almost managed to kill me with her magic weapon. Her eyes now reflect this absolute remorse, but it was the only way to stop me.
All the black power with which my entire body was filled at that moment would have murdered her in cold blood. I still tremble at these cruel scenes. Even though it was not my fault, I allowed it to happen and did not resist enough.
But Usagi is an angel, ready to forgive and to kindle the light of hope! The star locket finally made all my memories come back in me...and I have kept all this until today. No matter what power the Iperial Silver Crystal has, my memory of Usagi and our unique love remains.
The ringing bell brings us all back to reality and all at once the light comes on. After a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the brightness, I see the idiot instructor standing in the middle of the large cave, and I notice all of the previously eliminated players standing up again.
"Chapeau...so many players haven't made it to the end of the third station yet!" he clears his throat briefly before continuing. "So tied for first place are the black-haired guy here and the redhead with the grim face. Congratulations! That concludes your visit to our virtual reality theater. But don't forget to stop by our souvenir store. Farewell, salut and see you next time!"
Dumbass...for real!
"Well, it could have been worse. Mamoru and I more than deserved to win, and I think we should celebrate our victory properly!"
Natsumi has returned to flirting mode, but before she can get another chance to grab my arm, I take a step back and cross my arms.
"I don't think there's any reason to celebrate and honestly, I'm way too tired from this whole stupid game. I'm going home now...and you better do the same!"
Natsumi looks at me like I personally insulted her with my statement, but I so don't care right now. I've really had enough for today, and when I look into Usagi's sky-blue eyes, I know that just like me, she'd prefer to be alone to process everything that's happened in peace.
Usagi
Mamoru seems to me to be just as exhausted by this whole stupid game as I am. Again, it's as if he communicates only through his eyes. As if no one but the two of us were in this cave. It just doesn't make any sense anymore today to talk about what all happened in the theater. I am absolutely finished.
This boy has just proven to me with his action that he would do anything for me. I know it. That determination in his eyes was unmistakable. He would sacrifice himself for me. Any time. But I don't want that at all! I don't want anyone to die for me! None of the girls and please, please never Mamoru!
Natsumi and Seijuro left in a huff after Mamoru's rather rude remark without saying goodbye. Mamoru gave me a short, apologetic look and then said goodbye to my team without comment and with a short nod to the girls.
I urgendtly need some fresh air. This stuffy theater hardly leaves me the chance to think straight! Minako, Makoto, Ami and Rei start moving at the same time as me, as if on command, and head for the exit together with me.
As soon as we arrive outside, I have to take a deep breath. What a crazy day! Actually, since a few days nothing seems to fit into my previous world; I have gained four new friends in one fell swoop, who have protected me until the end. Actually, this sounds weird, but I really feel connected to these girls in a very short time in just this way.
I hope we get another chance to do something together. Within such a short time, I've grown kind of fond of each of them, even though they all seem so different. I wonder what they have in common that they have become friends. A feeling arises in me that I would like to be a part of their...team, too. I'm sure it would be crazy fun to throw a slumber party with them...an idea suddenly strikes me.
"Say," I direct my gaze to the four girls who are now standing with me at the exit. Cleverly they have separated me again from the rest of the participants. How do they do that?
"Would you like to come by my house after school this week? My parents are out of town so we would have the house for us."
At first there is silence. No one says anything and I start to wonder if it was all just more of my imagination, when Minako blurts out
"We could throw a karaoke party! I'll bring my stereo and mics."
"I can contribute finger food!"
Makoto euphorically agrees. Thinking about the contents of her bento boxes during school breaks makes my mouth water.
"I have a huge manga collection and I could bring some magazines that I'm sure you haven't seen yet!"
Rei speaks to me with a twinkle in her eye, like she's been waiting for this opportunity for a while. What a funny coincidence! I loveeeeeeee manga!
"I overheard at the library yesterday that you have to do a paper for school. I know a great documentary that fits your topic. We could watch it together and then all help Usagi."
At Ami's words, we all look at her wide-eyed for a brief moment until we simultaneously burst out into laughter
"That's going to be a pretty fancy party... it sounds like a lot of fun! I'm in!"
Says Minako with a big grin on her face.
"How about the day after tomorrow?"
"Yaaaa!"
We all shout enthusiastically and I suddenly feel as if I am now also an equal part of their group and no longer the complete loser who needs to be protected.
The girls say goodbye to me and are streaming off in different directions. I'm already thinking about the planning for the party - besides the location, I'll provide drinks and do the decoration - when I see Naru and Umino coming out of the VR Theater. I had totally forgotten about those two!
"Hey you two!"
I cheerfully call out to both of them. One of my special abilities, if you can call it that, is that I can be in a good mood again in a flash. Being sad or in a bad mood for a long time is something I just can't do. That doesn't suit me at all. Deep inside me there is always something positive, a hope that everything will be all right.
When they see me, Umino and Naru immediately come rushing over and my best friend, as usual, doesn't beat around the bush, but calls the child directly by name.
"My goodness, Usagi...what was that adorable boy with you? He's really totally handsome!"
Umino is obviously gripped by jealousy, since Naru is gushing quite enthusiastically about Mamoru - though she usually does that as exaggeratedly as I do when it comes to boys - because he immediately puts Mamoru's looks into perspective
"What, THE? Naru...I don't think he looks that great...unlike me!"
"Oh don't talk such nonsense!" Naru drives at her boyfriend and with a wink at me she continues "the way he defended you was absolutely insane...I have a slight feeling that you are meant for each other!"
I don't know what Naru would say if I told her the complete truth of what has been going on between me and Mamoru for the past few days, so I just smile as I head towards home
"So, do you think...mhmm?"
"Yes of course Usagi...this boy is just like you always describe your dream man."
Naru is now walking beside me, Umino has chosen my other side. He makes an astonished face and finally asks me.
"Your dream man?"
"That's correct" I reply, my gaze turning dreamily to the sky and noticing a slight blush come to my face at my next words
"He must be a really nice boy...he must be good looking and most of all he must always be sweet to me...and shall treat me like a real princess."
My world seems back in place at that moment. Forgotten is all the emotional chaos and all those inexplicable emotions inside me. I am in control again.
"Very well...and so that you can impress Mamoru with your outstanding needlework skills, we'll continue working on our scarves right after school tomorrow, okay?"
Naru looks at me as if she knows very well for whom I have already crocheted five inches of wool.
"You also owe me a slumber party at least once...I'm sure Mom won't mind if I stay with you overnight tomorrow...that will be soooo great!"
I honestly also really feel like finally doing something with my best friend again. We used to be inseparable. We've known each other for ages too. Both of our mothers went to school together, just like we did.
Since Naru has been with Umino, however, she has had to cancel on me more and more often...I can understand it, but at the same time I am also a little envious that the two of them have each other.
At the sight of this somewhat mismatched pair of lovers now walking side by side and holding hands so sweetly, a strong feeling comes up in me that I want to have that too.
'I love you.'
Mamoru's confession is immediately back in my mind.
"My dream man."
I mutter under my breath and Naru pokes me in the side all at once.
"Well you got it pretty bad!"
She smirks and gives Umino a meaningful look.
I throw my head back and watch two ravens fly by just above us.
"Maybe," I reply to the sky, as if looking for answers to all my questions there.