Part 4: Cold feet

Mina Aino suppressed a sigh of relief as she lazily stretched her long athletic legs, feeling the oncoming waves of water splashing beneath her feet. The warm sunny afternoon was an ideal hangout at the beach to enjoy the summer weather. Her close pals tagged along with her, just relaxing and playing beach volleyball while she sat alone contemplating in her own thoughts.

It was a rare moment like this time to feel the need for privacy and the freedom to be away from her main responsibilities in life as a high school student and as Sailor Venus. Other normal 16 year old girls would spend their life having way too much fun to be serious at their age. But she was no different. Fate had other plans in store for her. From the day, she had crossed path with Artemis and bestowing her with undeniable powers changed her life dramatically since then. A decision alone that she must face her own burden to carry but found strength and solace in others whom she relied upon her friends.

What about my own life?

Do I have say in it?

Do I shut myself up and not a say word?

Just like the others, pretend it never happened?

Is life supposed to be this way?

Not turning the way I want to?

Her mouth lifted in a small smile, recalling those harsh bitter words. It was just another painful reminder of her past. She had no use for them. Her friends, hopes and dreams were all part of her life now. She was Mina Aino, the cheerful and bubbly girl that they all know and love.

But why does it still feel painful inside?

It's because I'm a fake.

I'm an actress. This isn't real.

Looking down into her hands, a wedding invitation from Allan and Katrina was a proof of lies…

A beach ball suddenly landed beside her, she quickly shoved the envelope inside her pocket away from the prying eyes of her friends. She fully trusted them completely but she wasn't ready to reveal her inner most feelings to them. Time was all she needed. She would tell them one day.

"Hey girl, what'd ya doing all by yourself? It isn't like you to sulk." Lita said as she sat down next to her. The other girls began to gather around Mina.

"Yeah, Mina. What's up with you? You're all too quiet." Raye asked her curiously.

"Okay, spill the beans. What's got on your mind this time? A secret crush? Hmmm…" Serena said jokingly.

"Oh Serena… Can't you think anything else but boys?" Amy shook her head in disbelief.

Casting aside her troubles away, Mina plastered a goofy smile on her face. "Oh nothing, I was bored. Who's winning so far?" She asked casually, changing the subject.

"5 to 0 as usual thanks to Ms. Klutzoid here making a goofball of herself again." Raye replied mischievously, stifling a giggle.

"Hey, I wasn't the one who was cheating, RAYE!" Serena glared, huffing in anger. "You TRIPPED me in purpose!" She said accusingly, pointing a shaky finger towards her.

"What's the matter meatball head? Can't handle the truth?" Raye teased her childishly, sticking her tongue out to Serena. She loved to ridicule Serena every now and then.

"Oh you two!" Amy moaned in frustration.

"Shut up!" Lita both yelled at them.

"Come on Mina!" Serena screeched furiously, grabbing Mina's hand. "You're in my team now, let's show Miss Snotty here a thing or two!" Mina couldn't help but laugh along as she was dragged away…

FOUR WEEKS PASSED…

Awayuki High School Gym

"Wow, look at all those people out there…" Yayoi remarked, peering outside from the door of their locker room.

"What are you talking about, Yayoi?" Himeno questioned her best friend, slipping into a t-shirt over her head. She was busy changing her school uniform to a volleyball outfit for an upcoming tournament. "Who are you spying this time?" There was an amused look on her face.

"Shh… Keep your voice down. We don't wanna alert them right?" Yayoi whispered, placing a finger unto her lips. "It's them!"

"Oh…." Himeno nodded in understanding. Her friend was referring to the other rival school team, Juuban High School from another part of district in Tokyo. A school rather well known for its competitive volleyball team and had been a declared undefeated victor for the past years. It was the semi-final rounds for high school teams to compete for the regional championships, only then if Himeno's school would survive such a tough competition.

"What's the matter Himeno? You don't look too good." Yayoi was looking quite alarmed, noticing the stricken expression on Himeno's face. "You're not feeling sick are you?"

"Arghh.. Don't know what's wrong with me!" Himeno grumbled, her hands caressing over her stomach. For a sudden strange reason, she began to feel nervous and nauseated not like the other times when she put her life at risk defeating those demon larvae as the Prétear. Her heart beat accelerated, both hands felt shaky and a stomach ache.

"You're just scared that's all." Yayoi said kindly. "I know how you feel, I was like that too when it was my first game. You'll be fine. I've seen you practiced and you've improved."

"Thanks, Yayoi." Himeno smiled gratefully, looking radiant as ever. The faith and trust from Yayoi had put an ease back into Himeno's mind and confidence in herself.

"Hey Awayuki, don't embarrass us out there!" One of her teammates called out to her and sneered as they passed by the two girls. The two best friends completely ignored their tirade of insults.

"You bitch," Himeno swore out loud once they were left alone inside the locker room.

"Yeah, I know." Yayoi agreed, shaking her head. "Tell me about it."

There was an annoying knock on the door. "Enough okay? We'll be right there!" Himeno yelled. She was in a foul mood now.

A blond girl suddenly poked her head inside the room. "Oh… Sorry. Didn't mean to intrude." She apologized. "I'm lost and I'm so bad at directions. I still don't know my way around here. Could you tell me where the nearest washroom might be?"

"If you go straight, passed the boys' locker room and turn on your right." Yayoi instructed.

"Thanks," The girl smiled. She was quite pretty with her long blond hair and wearing a red ribbon.

"Who are you?" Himeno couldn't resist but ask her. She was curious and felt somehow that she has seen this girl somewhere before. Her face looked so familiar…

"Oh, I'm just a visitor." The girl said. "I'm actually one of the players from Juuban High School. My name's Mina Aino." She came forward, extending her hand out to them in a friendly gesture.

"Hi, I'm Himeno and this is my best friend, Yayoi." Himeno said politely, exchanging a handshake in return. Yayoi smiled shyly at Mina and shook her hand as well.

"Wow, I'm so glad to bump into such nice people." Mina confessed. "Tough crowd. I had no idea asking for directions around here can be so difficult…" She said cautiously.

"PMS." Himeno answered her sympathetically.

"Himeno!" Yayoi was shocked by her friend's brazen answer. Mina burst out laughing at Himeno's crude humor.

"Good one." Mina commented. "Well, I gotta run and there's a game out there. It was nice meeting you both."

"You're the captain?" Yayoi noticed a visible "C" on Mina's shirt.

Mina nodded. "You're playing?"

"We both are." Himeno said, looking uneasily for a second.

"Great! I'll see you guys out there. May the best team win." Mina said sincerely. With a final wave of goodbye, she disappeared.

For a moment, Himeno and Yayoi looked at each other quietly.

"We're doomed."

Part 4 ends/to be continued