Chapter 10: Epilogue Story:
2 Years Later…
"Great expression work on the face, Sensei," Jiro commented as he began inking the new page Usagi had handed him. "Really strikes a sense of fear when you look at it."
"Thanks, Jiro," Usagi replied as she went to work on another page. She was having a productive day and wanted to stick with the flow. "Akari, how are things going on your end?"
"I've got the formatting finished for the bonus chapter accompanying the new volume going to print and sent it to the publisher, Akari announced as she moved from her chair to the pile of dried ink pages Jiro had finished. "I'll start scanning in and lettering the pages you've done for the day."
"Excellent Akari," Usagi smiled as she switched pens to get a more fine detail element to the panel she was working on. "You're working out a lot better than Isami-san. They kept insisting I go to photoshop for everything."
"Well, I was told the most important aspect of working with a manga-ka is to neer interrupt or try to change their work," Akari replied as she scanned the first picture and made sure to save it properly before working on the second one.
The banter was interrupted by the sound of crying coming from a baby monitor. Usagi's eyes looked at the device and she sprang to her feet. "Break time!"
"Damn," Jiro exclaimed as he pulled out his phone and checked the time. "Noon exactly. You could set a watch for that kid. A perfect little alarm."
"Finally I can check social media," Akari squealed in joy. "There is supposed to be a big announcement from The Three Lights today…Oops. Sorry, Sensei. I know you're not a fan."
"It's okay, Akari-san," Usagi replied as she started to move to leave the room. She had made her distaste for The Three LIghts vocal when the playlist Akari had put on in the studio had featured four of their songs in a row. Since then Akari was mindful of what type of music Usagi would enjoy while working. "It's just that my days of chasing idols are over."
Usagi left the room designed as her studio and entered the one next to it. The room which had previously been Mamoru's study had been turned into a nursery for a very special child.
"Dai-chan! Are you hungies?" Usagi sang as she approached the crib. "How's Usagi-obachan's big boy?"
Kino Daichi smiled at Usagi as she picked him up. The 13-month-old was the spitting image of her mother, complete with shiny chestnut hair and joy-filled emerald eyes. His demeanor reminded her greatly of Mamoru. Daichi only seemed to cry with purpose. Whether he was hungry, teething, or had a dirty diaper, otherwise the child was very solitary.
It made Usagi's efforts to balance babysitting and keeping a steady pace with the creation of her manga much easier. Usagi had become the kind of person she used to be. One where she was active in her friends' lives and able to help them as much as possible.
"Come on my big boy, let's get you fed," Usagi announced as she picked up the toddler and made her way to the kitchen. After she placed Daichi into his high chair she began to throw various items from the fridge into the microwave. Makoto had sent applesauce and minced carrots for Daichi. Usagi fed the boy the applesauce as the carrots lost their chill in the microwave. As she left the carrots, Usagi put the fried chicken Jiro had bought into the microwave to warm them up. Akari had brought rice balls so this left Usagi to warm up the giant bowl of ingredients leftover from the yosenabe she and Mamoru had shared the previous night before. A devious smile formed on her face as she remembered what the pair did after eating dinner last night.
The ding of the microwave alerted her Jiro's chicken was done, waking Usagi from her daydream. She pulled out the chicken, put her own items in the microwave, and sat down to feed Daichi his carrots.
"Here you go, Dai-chan," Usagi began as she spooned some of the minced carrots into Daichi's mouth. The little boy chewed them and swallowed them without incident. "Good boy. Grow big and strong and eat all the carrots in the world so Usagi-obachan doesn't have to."
"Thanks, Sensei," Jiro commented as he entered the kitchen and saw Usagi had warmed up his food. "Heads up. Akari apparently is distraught over the news The Three Lights dropped."
"Really?" Usagi asked, a concerned tone in her voice. "Did something happen?"
"He's getting married!" Akari cried as she came into the kitchen clutching her phone to her chest. "Seiya-san is getting married! My heart…it hurts!"
"Oh," Usagi felt her stomach twist a bit with this news but shrugged it off as Daichi started to squirm indicating he wanted more carrots. "Who…who is he marrying?"
"Hime-sama," Akari whined, wiping her tears. "Kaguya-san, who goes by Hime-sama and runs the social media and outreach for the group. Apparently, they have been dating for the last two years."
"That's shocking," Usagi commented in a sarcastic tone Akari didn't recognize. A half-smile appeared on her face as this announcement confirmed what she already knew. She could have never been the one to make Seiya happy. "Still we deserve to have happiness in our lives."
"But," Akari sniffled loudly. "What if Seiya-sama forgets the fans and quits music."
"From what I know about them," Usagi added as she fed Daichi another mouthful of carrots. "They see performing as their mission and Hime-sama marrying one of them won't change a thing."
"Really?" Akari asked, after wiping her eyes. "Wow…you must really have been a big Three Lights fan back in the day."
"I supported a friend by following them around on a worldwide tour," Usagi stated flatly. She saw a gleam in Akari's eyes after she made her confession. "Ask any follow-up questions and you are fired."
Usagi tried to go back to feeding Daichi but saw Akari with a mixture of shock, joy, and anticipation. She began to squirm as if it was casting her physical discomfort not asking any questions.
"Fine," Usagi groaned but flashed Akari a reassuring smile. "One question at the end of every workday. No posting about it on social media."
"You're the best, Sensei," Akari squealed with delight as she grabbed a rice ball and began to eat it as she kept checking her phone for news posts.
"Well, you just made her day," Jiro chuckled, happily taking a bit of his check. "If you're offering answers to your past, can I ask one? Why does the doctor let you use his place as your studio?"
"I…he believes in me," Usagi stuttered. She stopped herself before admitting "I'm incredible in bed" but decided to keep the relationship with her assistants as professional as possible. The pair already asked enough questions about why she'd be willing to be such a dutiful babysitter when Daichi wasn't even her own kid.
After lunch, Usagi brought Daichi into the office in a bouncer as everyone went back to work on the manga. It surprised Usagi how well behaved the child was as he bounced up and down listening to the music and watching everyone work. She had been worried when she volunteered to babysit Daichi while everyone was at work she had overextended herself but the child made very few disruptions. Instead, the child was more a blessing and helped remind Usagi what was most important. To be a part of the lives of the people she cared about.
Before long it was 5 p.m. and the designated quitting time for the studio. Usagi thanked Jiro and Akari for their hard work as they left before she made sure Daichi was ready to be picked up. She wanted to read him the new kid's book Luna had created and sent as a gift for Diachi but she decided she'd do it when they had more time. Instead, Usagi walked with Daichi holding his small hand as he stepped around the yard as they waited for Makoto to pick him up.
"Good boy Daichi," Usagi cheered as the small boy took step after step while maintaining his balance. Daichi was walking so well Usagi didn't really need to offer support but she didn't dare let go of the child's hand. It made her heart soar as she helped the child with every step. "You are getting so good at walking. Soon you'll be able to go on runs with Mamoru-ojisan."
"Where's my little man?' A voice called out from behind. Usagi turned to see Makoto standing by the entrance to the yard with a large smile on his face. Just like most days when she came to pick him up, it looked as if Makoto hadn't even taken the time to wash up as she still had bits of flour in her hair. She made a beeline for Daichi, picked him up, and cradled the little child close before making small talk with Usagi. "So…are you ready for tonight?"
"I guess," Usagi admitted sheepishly. "I practiced what I'll say about a dozen times but still…I'm nervous."
"Don't be," Makoto insisted as she picked up the diaper bag near Usagi. "Just update them on what you've been doing and I'm sure they'll be happy to know your thriving."
"I suppose your right," Usagi agreed before leaning over and kissing Daichi on his cheek. "Bye-bye Daic-chan. Take care of him Mako-chan."
"We will. We wouldn't want to face the wrath of Usagi-obachan," Makoto chuckled as she carried her son out of the yard and placed him into the car waiting by the curb.
Usagi watched Makoto load Daichi in and drive off before she headed back into the house. She made sure everything was in order before she locked the place up and headed out. One quick train ride and she found herself back in her apartment.
The place she got upon returning to Tokyo was small and she intentionally made this choice something small. She only wanted to use it as a place to keep her clothes and for when she didn't sleep at Mamoru's. Otherwise, Usagi was constantly on the go visiting her friends and family in an effort to be as social as possible. She knew she was attempting to make up for the lost time she spent away from everyone in her unnecessary seclusion.
Once she was at her apartment, she went to work getting ready. With her make-up on, a white dress Minako insisted was Usagi's "secret weapon" and a pair of matching heels, she was ready for her date. She exited her building, hailed a cab, and made her way to the restaurant.
"This place is pricy," Usagi whispered to herself as she exited the cab and arrived at her destination. "Of course, they have money to burn so they can afford it."
Usagi went inside, told the host about the reservation, and was seated. Surprisingly, she had arrived first and had to wait for her date to arrive. As she sat in the restaurant she could feel the tension building again in her stomach and considered ordering some wine to help her relax. She shook off this suggestion as she composed herself. She knew she needed her wits about her for what was coming.
After what seemed like an hour (even though it was only ten minutes) Usagi saw her date walk into the restaurant. Instead of their usual smug, cocky smile, they wore a deadpanned expression as they navigated the sea of tables. Usagi waited for them to take a seat before offering a greeting.
"Hello, Haruka-san."
O.O.O
Mamoru sat in his office finishing his paperwork for the day. He had succeeded in securing the hospital position he interviewed with Mr. Fukada and found it was exactly what he needed. The hospital system cared about their patients and allowed Mamoru to practice medicine the way he wanted. It was a dream job and helped Mamoru to turn his luck around.
It wasn't just the job though and he knew it. He took a moment to stretch and look at the various photos on his desk. One was of him and Usagi taking a selfie on the beach. She had insisted they recreate the infamous picture Seiya had used to torture him, but Usagi made sure the bikini she wore was much skimpier. Another was of Makoto holding Daichi after he was born with Ami standing nearby. The last was an extended arm selfie with an extended family dinner featuring all five of the Senshi, their significant others, and Daichi sitting in a high chair. The support network he had achieved made everything else seem worthwhile.
He pulled out his phone and checked to see if he had any messages. He usually made sure to keep it on silent to make sure it didn't disturb his patients. What Mamoru saw when he pulled it out made his jaw drop. Ami had sent a message with a news clipping. The headline read: "Hospital Director Katagiri Arrested For Embezzlement." Mamoru couldn't help but chuckle seeing karma had caught up with his former boss.
Returning to his paperwork, Mamoru wanted to get home as soon as possible. He knew Usagi was meeting up with Haruka to reconnect so he would have the evening free. He intended to have a nice peaceful evening with a good book. It wasn't like he didn't get a chance to read, as one of his favorite pastimes was reading with Usagi. She with her manga and him with his novels. Unfortunately, he often found he was never able to get through what he was reading as Usagi usually finished reading, she would find ways to tear him from what he was doing. Usagi always knew how to be his favorite distraction.
O.O.O
"You look good Ko-neko chan," Haruka commented as she took a look at the menu.
It's almost like she was using the menu as a fence to prevent Usagi from looking at her. "Of course, you always look good."
"Please, put the menu down and just let's get this over with," Usagi commented as she grabbed the menu and pulled it down so she could look into Haruka's eyes. "So, are you going to guilt-trip me the entire time for going off with Seiya?":
"Guilt trip? No. I said my piece when we ran into each other at that concert," Haruka sighed, unable to keep up the gruff attitude as she looked at Usagi's smiling face. They had met each other completely by accident when it turned out Michiru and The Three Lights ended up part of the same music festival. Haruka and Usagi had ended up running into each other in the backstage area. The encounter had been less than pleasant. "I'll be the first to admit though. I was jealous. Frankly, I always thought if anyone could pull you away from Mamoru, it would be me."
"I 'wasn't pulled' away from Mamoru," Usagi shook her head, beginning to think maybe a glass of wine wouldn't be such a bad thing. "I got tricked, and now I'm working on making up for the lost time."
"Maybe but," Haruka's face fell as she look down at her hands. "I would have been incredibly nurturing and supportive in helping you discover the other side of your sexuality."
Usagi chuckled. "And how would Michiru have enjoyed you making such an offer?"
"Not very well, but still…," Haruka raised her head and a bit of her cocky self rose to the surface. "I was supposed to keep you safe from outside invaders and instead, I let you get stolen away by some stupid idol."
"Let it go. It's in the past and I'm home where I belong," Usagi insisted as she reached over, grabbed Haruka's hand, and gave it a supportive squeeze. "So, tell me. What have you been up to?"
"Michiru and I are married now," Haruka announced with pride.
"Congratulations," Usagi commented with a large smile.
"It was a long week, to say the least," Haruka added as she flagged down the waiter and ordered a glass of wine for both her and Usagi. "I won the Grand Prix de France, Michiru performed in a sold-out concert and we decided to end the week on a high note and get married."
"What about Setsuna?" Usagi wondered as she took one of the glasses of wine offered when the waiter returned. She took a sip. Haruka definitely knew how to pick a good wine.
"Setsuna is still in Tokyo," Haruka explained, noticing the look of surprise on Usagi's face. "Don't be surprised that she hasn't reached out to you since you came back. Frankly, she's a bit embarrassed."
"About what?' Usagi asked.
"Well, to be closer to Hotaru. Setsuna became Dr. Tomoe's assistant," Haruka replied as she took a sip of her wine. "And...she has started to have something of a relationship with him. She is a bit embarrassed by it, and isn't ready to tell everyone about what she has been up to."
Usagi nodded. She understood what it was like to not want to come to her friends because of being afraid of them being judgemental.
"So, tell me about this kid," Haruka commented, keeping the conversation going. "We get the occasional message from Ami. We saw the pictures of this baby but what he's like?"
"He's adorable!" Usagi squealed as he pulled out her phone and began to flip through pictures to show off pictures of her and Daichi together. "He is such a happy child and has Makoto's eyes. He's going to be a real heartbreaker in the future."
"Well, if he's anything like his father, he'll find one girl and that will be it," Haruka chuckled, enjoying seeing Usagi so energetic. "Is he really Mamoru's?"
"He helped them, yes," Usagi clarified, wanting to defuse any idea Mamoru and Mamoto actually had sex to create the baby. "Ami actually did the insemination part herself but Mamoru did give his um…seed. He's decided to be "Uncle Mamoru" instead of being "papa" or anything."
Haruka raised an eyebrow at this Usagi's behavior. "And you were okay with this?
"Well…I wasn't in the best headspace when I came back into everyone's life," Usagi confessed, reflecting on what brought her back to Tokyo. "I was suffering from so much anxiety, I started seeing Sailor Moon. She would appear and antagonize me about my failures."
"That sounds horrible," Haruka gasped as she leaned forward and gently took Usagi's hand for comfort. "Are you feeling any better?"
"I have been through a lot of therapy," Usagi admitted as she patted Haruka's hand affectionately. "We talked out a lot of things and I really think I'm in a better place. I actually was able to transform a month ago and…it felt good actually."
"I make sure to henshin at least once a month just to make sure I'm not getting rusty," Haruka commented as she used her free hand to grab her glass and take a sip of her wine. "Did you try flying?"
"Not only flying, Mamoru and I…," Usagi stopped herself, pulled her hand away from Haruka's friendly grasp, and took a large drunk of her own wine. She didn't want to confirm the rumors of Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask having sex on the top of Tokyo Tower. They were just lucky none of the visitors on the observation deck didn't have anything more powerful than a cellphone camera available at the moment to get accurate pictures. "We…enjoyed ourselves."
"I bet you did," Haruka chuckled, loving Usagi in her flustered condition. It was one of the reasons Haruka knew Mamoru was the man to make Usagi happy because only he had the ability to make her smile so often. "So…how is everyone else?"
"Rei got married," Usagi replied. "To Yuuichirouri."
"Poor guy," Haruka smiled. "But, I know he'd gladly walk to the ends of the Earth for her."
"You already know about Makoto and Ami," Usagi continued, stopping for a moment as the waiter brought their dinner. "I highly recommend you try something from Makoto's bakery before you leave town."
"I've had a few things but I'd love to try everything on the menu," Haruka confirmed as she took a bite of her food. "How about Minako? Is she still doing her YouTube channel? I watched a bit when I could but she kept on making so may it was hard to keep up and I kinda fell off."
"She was actually part of a major charity event for raising funds for research into childhood cancer," Usagi explained, taking a bit of the pasta primavera she had ordered. "Now, she is thinking of taking a break to have a kid with Artemis… or at least announce she and him are dating."
"Good for her," Haruka replied. "She deserves to be happy. I know you've experienced something similar when you dealt with…you know who, but you'd be surprised how established you have to be in the public eye before you make relationship announcements and not have to worry about it costing you everything you've built."
Usagi could only nod as her mouth was full of food. Again causing Haruka to chuckle.
"What about you and Mamoru?" Haruka continued, taking another sip of her wine. "I mean, you two seem to be in a good place but it couldn't have been easy."
"At times I can't believe he took me back," Usagi sighed, her eyes dropping down to her plate in shame. "But he has been very understanding and supportive. He really did save my life that night of the accident."
"And what's next for you two?" Haruka wondered as she finished eating her meal. "Any chance you two are going to tie the knot anytime soon?"
"Well, Mamo-chan pointed out he asked me to marry him already," Usagi clarified going back to eating her meal. "So, he said when I was ready I should propose to him instead."
"And when do you think that will be?" Haruka asked, very curious if Usagi had a plan in mind.
"Let's just say I'm working on it," Usagi confirmed as she finished off her dish. "Let's just say you may be getting an invitation before you know it."
"And I'll do my best to come," Haruka commented with a smile. She reached into her jacket pocket, pulled out a small wrapped package, and handed it to Usagi. "I have a gift for you."
"Really?" Usagi gasped as she took the package and unwrapped it to discover it was a book. She immediately recognize the art but couldn't tell what language it was in. "An international copy of Silver Moon Age."
"It's the Italian edition. They love your work in Europe," Haruka confirmed. Glad she had returned to find Usagi was happy and secure in her life.
O.O.O
Mamoru turned the page of his book as he sat on the sofa in his living room. He had come home, enjoyed a light dinner, and was finally able to relax and enjoy some reading. By Usagi's suggestion, Mamoru had tried reading more fiction instead of the medical journals and research papers he read near exclusively before Usagi had come back into his life. Though she insisted he had been the one to save her life so many years ago, Mamoru knew Usagi had helped him just as much to reclaim a part of himself he had buried.
A knock at the door got Mamoru's attention. He hadn't been expecting any visitors. He got up and opened the to find a smiling blond on the other side.
"Usako?" Mamoru commented as he motioned for Usagi to come in. "What are you doing here? Also, you have a key, why'd you knock?"
"I wanted you to be on the other side when I opened it," Usagi replied, as she walked in and kissed Mamoru on the cheek. Well, as Haruka and I caught up I realized there was something I needed to do. So I asked her to drop me off so I could pick up something I left in the studio."
Mamoru watched her run up the stairs, admiring how the dress hugged her heart-shaped ass with each step she took. He shook his head as he tried to focus himself, a smile forming as he thought of how much he enjoyed how Usagi enjoyed distracted him. She was in the studio for a full minute before she descended the stairs still looking intoxicating but now holding a manilla folder under her arm.
"Mamo-chan, I'd like your opinion on this" Usagi admitted as she handed Mamoru the folder. "It's something I've been working on for a while."
"Are you sure?" Mamoru wondered as he looked at the folder. Mamoru had been able to offer an opinion on what some of the work Usagi had shown him in the past, but he really questioned if it helped in her creative process.
"Absolutely," Usagi insisted, a serious look in her eyes.
Mamoru opened the folder and saw a one-page splash of a very familiar image. It was the image Mamoru had seen hundreds of times in his dreams of Princess Serenity, standing on a balcony looking down at him begging him to find the Silver Crystal. The image was regal, immaculate, and probably some of the best work Usagi had ever created.
There was dialog on running along both sides of the image of Princess Serenity. "Chiba Mamoru, Prince Endymion of Earth. I once asked you to find the Silver Crystal and promised it would hold all the answers. I was wrong. The answers came only when we are together. For when we are joined, we make each other complete. I once confessed my love to you, but then lost my way and had to find my way back to you. I once again make the pledge to you I made so long ago. You are my first love, my only love...Even if we're reborn in another life, we'll find each other, and then we'll fall in love again. For the rest of this life, I ask you would accompany me forever through sickness and health, through good times and bad, by becoming my husband. Please marry me, Mamo-chan."
By the time he got to the end of the text, Mamoru felt tears forming in the corners of his eyes. He turned to look at Usagi (only to see) she had found a way to get down on both knees-which seemed impossible in her dress- and was holding a ring box. When Mamoru looked down at her, Usagi opened the ring box and presented him with a golden ring. The ring had a circle with a cross through it, the symbol of Earth.
"I had this made. It comes in a set," Usagi explained, her voice breaking a bit with fear as if she was afraid Mamoru wouldn't accept her proposal. "The wedding ring will merge with this part of the ring and the symbol for Earth will be in the middle. So…will you marry me?"
"I will! Of course, I will," Mamoru answered, closing the folder and Usagi his left hand. She pulled the ring out and slipped it on Mamoru's left ring finger. Mamoru helped his fiancee to her feet and smiled as she looked up at him. "I have to say, I was wondering what took you so long to ask."
"I wanted to find just the right way of showing how much you mean to me. One more thing," Usagi whispered as she leaned forward, wrapped her arms around Mamorus' neck, and leaned close to his ear. "I took a bet you'd say yes, so when I was in the studio, I took off my panties."
Mamoru responded by throwing Usagi over his shoulder. He climbed the stairs to his bedroom and playfully tossed Usagi on the bed. Mamoru didn't return to his book the rest of the evening and he didn't care in the slightest.
O.O.O
3 years later…
"Can I hold Chibi-Usa while we watch the show?" Daichi asked as she sat on the couch with Mamoru. "I promise I won't drop her."
"I suppose you can, but Usagi-Obachan will be home soon and she'll probably want to hold her," Mamoru smiled, admiring his son's affection for his half-sister. Though they introduced Chibi-Usa as his "cousin" (as it would be too complicated to explain to a young child), Daichi protected the 1-year-old like a big brother. "First, I want her to have a sippy cup of milk first and then you can hold her."
"Mamo-chan, Chibi-Usa, I'm home," Usagi called as she entered the house.
"There she is now," Mamoru commented as he got up and headed towards his wife with his daughter in his arms. "You made it just in time for the latest episode for Silver Moon Age."
"I can't wait," Usagi sang before kissing Mamoru on the cheek and Chibi-Usa on the forehead. "It will be the cherry on top of an amazing day,"
"I take it Kobayashi liked your new manuscript?' Mamoru asked, knowing the answer to his question. "Does he think it will be a good follow-up to Silver Moon Age?"
"Well, it won't be as epic as my previous work," Usagi admitted as she took off her shoes and stole Chibi-Usa from Mamoru's arms. He didn't mind as Mamoru's heart melted every time he saw Usagi smile as she held their young daughter. "Still it's a story I wanted to tell. The story of a girl who left the man she loved with all her heart because of misunderstandings and had to find her way back to him."
"Hey, I personally love it," Mamoru confirmed, remembering the sample pages Usagi had let him read. "I just don't know about the title."
"What?" Usagi chuckled. "You don't like the title Love Odango?"
"Usagi-Obachan! Mamoru-Ojichan!" Daichi called the other room. "Come quick. The show is starting."
"Daichi is here?" Usagi wondered, but still smiling at watching the show with more company. "I didn't know we were babysitting."
"Makoto apparently wanted to try a new recipe with Ami," Mamoru explained, leading his wife towards the kitchen to get Chibi-Usa her sippy cup. "One where she apparently only wants to wear an apron as she prepares it."
"Well, if you play your cards right," Usagi whispered as she reached in to nip at Mamoru's ear. "And I'll wear only an apron for you later."
"What will you be cooking?" Mamoru asked, repressing a smug smile.
Usagi returned a devious grin. "Who said anything about cooking?"
O.O.O
A/N: Well, this is where I wanted everything to end the entire time. With these two back together and enjoying having their non-Crystal Tokyo future together after an unexpected detour in their lives. Took me a while to get them there but it was worth it.
This is only the first story completed of the year. I plan on writing something for the Rare-pairing weeks, the Dark Endyminion week, and a yet to be revealed project.
Thank again to my crew for Beta-ing. Reviews are love and they help me to keep writing.