Many Juban citizens might overlook the Crown Game Centre and Fruit Parlor Crown. But to a few people, they're all too special… Anime Canon. Written for the Reika, Unazuki, and the 30th Anniversary of Motoki.
Rated: T - Family/Friendship - Words: 6,890 - Motoki F./Andrew, Unazuki F./Elizibeth H., Reika N., OC
A/N: Many thanks to SinJazz for betaing this fic! You can find her on Ao3 and Instagram under the same name.
/users/SinJazz
sinjazz1327/
Miyako scuffed her foot on one of the steps leading up to the doorway. In a flash Yuki was by her side, worry etched across his face. She rolled her eyes, non-verbally communicating that she was fine and, as always, he was being overly anxious. Once they got inside her eyes widened, taking in the large empty space.
"I know it's not much to look at now, honey," said Yuki, a tentative tone in his voice. "But it won't take too much to fix it up. Most of the equipment was already installed. Really we just need to clean it up, do a little decorating and then advertise. Your Dad's already got us covered as far as stock's concerned. And you make a mean dessert of course."
Miyako's expression couldn't quite hide her frown. But, laying eyes on one of the booths, she recalled how she and Yuki had attended such places when they were first dating as teenagers. Maybe this place did have potential.
She locked eyes with her husband and gave him a small smile, accompanied by an affirming nod. Relief breaking across his face, Yuki crossed the floor and wrapped his arms around her.
"I suppose this place is in a good location too. We'd probably get lots of foot traffic from school kids."
"Good practice, eh?"
His hands lowered and he gently hugged her belly.
"We still need a name though."
"Well, since you're so intent on building our little business empire, maybe we should name it something, you know, regal? Royal Fruits? Throne Parlour?"
Her husband chuckled. "I wasn't talking about the business," he whispered into her ear.
As realization dawned, Miyako raised her own hands towards her belly, placing them on top of his.
"Well, I was thinking maybe…"
"Motoki! Slow down!"
Yuki's plea went unobserved by the sandy blonde haired boy, who was too exhilarated by the assortment of flashing game cabinets surrounding him.
Yuki shook his head. "He shouldn't be touching those. We don't even own the place yet."
Miyako caught up with him, hitching up the ginger baby she was carrying in her arms. "Relax, Yuki, it's practically ours already."
Yuki frowned, a spark of apprehension having ignited in his chest. "You say 'practically', but you know… it's still not too late to pull out of this."
Miyako shot him a withering look. "Not this again."
"I'm sorry Miyako, I still have one or two doubts."
"Why? Because I found this place?"
"No," Yuki replied, a little cautiously, "I just don't know if there is much of a future in this sort of place."
"We've been over this. These arcades make money and from everything I've read they're going to make even more in the future. Video games aren't going away. And besides, it's mostly kids who are into these sorts of things. We know that customer base from the parlour."
"Kids change their tastes pretty easily, Miyako," retorted Yuki.
"Then we'll update the games," said Miyako with a shrug, the sensation causing Unazuki to give a little giggle.
Whether from his wife's arguments or the distraction of his little girl, Yuki was finally pacified.
"Alright," he said, his voice a little softer. "No more complaining from me." He extended his hand and stroked his daughter's soft cheek. "One more acquisition for our little kingdom, eh?."
For the umpteenth time, Motoki walked into the arcade, albeit far more nervously than he ever had before. His father tossed him a red apron and gave his shoulder an encouraging squeeze once he'd put it on.
"It'll be alright, son. Just watch me for a little while, okay? I'm not going to throw you into the deep end on your first day."
"Sure, Dad." Despite his father's words, Motoki couldn't help the pang of concern in his voice.
He knew it was silly to be feeling like this. How many times had he seen his mother and father work here? How many times had he simply been in the arcade? And yet, somehow, being on the other side of it, having the burden of responsibility upon his shoulders, this place of so many fond memories suddenly felt frightening, confining even.
Moreover, from the 'other side of the counter' as it were, he began to spot patterns he'd never noticed before. Suddenly the business model of the place became far more clear and he almost felt guilty at how the games convinced kids to fork over their cash. Then again, unlike him, they went into this place intending to 'pay to play'. He'd always had the luxury of Dad simply opening up the machine and retrieving the coins he had deposited within them.
More importantly though as more and more kids walked through the doors, he started to piece together that however busy they were at the moment, it was nothing compared to the storm that was incoming. The arcade, he realised, wasn't situated where it was by accident. It would catch major foot traffic from people doing their shopping (especially on the weekends) but also was en route to and from many of the nearby schools. Motoki knew from first hand experience that many middle and high schoolers would grab a snack (probably from his family's parlour) and then head into the arcade to blow off some steam.
Sure enough, a veritable stampede of uniformed youngsters soon flooded the arcade. Swiftly his father became so occupied he couldn't even hear Motoki. It wasn't long before Motoki himself had lost his father in the crowds.
His chest began pounding. He was lost, unsure what to do. Eventually, a sense of humiliation, even uselessness, crept into him. He wasn't good enough to do this. He wasn't capable of helping. And as a result, right here, right now, he may well be the downfall of the entire family business!
How could he live with the-
His head turned towards a crying girl wailing by a crane game. Was she hurt? Did she need first aid! He rushed over, but slowed his pace when he saw the reality of the situation.
"Noooooooo! I can't believe it! I blew my entire allowance already!"
The corners of his mouth twitched, as if they were starting to remember how to smile again. He knew it was probably best if he returned to the counter as his father had told him, but something about the girl kept him in place. Maybe it was because she was about Unazuki's age.
Almost automatically he approached her and put on his kindest smile, the kind he used whenever he'd help Unazuki up after she tripped.
"Hi there. Would you like a milkshake?" He asked.
The girl sniffled slightly.
"Oh, no thanks. I ran out of money for today."
"It's on the house. A special offer because you are the one thousandth person to play this game."
The girl's face lit up. "Really?"
"Really," nodded Motoki. "So, what would you like, miss...?"
"Tsukino. Usagi Tsukino."
Suppressing a groan, Unazuki sprayed and wiped down a table.
Greet the customers. Take the orders. Fetch the food. Collect the cash. Smile. It was all pretty straight forward. Except it wasn't. Somehow, she had to juggle about four things at once and whichever one she was doing at that moment always seemed to be the wrong one.
Then there was her mother. She was stressed of course, but Unazuki somehow doubted she needed to be that short tempered with her. Especially given how she hadn't worked at the parlor very long. Less than three hours in fact.
Then there was the unforeseen element. The humiliation. Her mother's temper was bad enough, even the rude customers were something she'd expected. But the judging, condescending looks she got from some of the kids her own age? That was something she'd been wholly unprepared for. Every smirk, every uppity snort, every patronizing 'Oh waitress' and beckoning hand ate away at her spirit. Unazuki felt she was a pretty upbeat person most of the time, but after just three hours of this she felt drained, like her very soul was going to shatter and bring her to tears. Indeed, it almost did.
After a group of young boys had left without so much as a 'thank you' they were immediately followed by girls from her own T.A. Academy. The school in general attracted a wealthy clientele, so Unazuki had been confident no one from her school would come to the modestly priced parlour. Upon sighting the girls she practically froze on the spot. Movement only returned once she overheard the girls' mild derision of the establishment. Her embarrassment was potent, but her pride in her family was stronger.
Determined not to let the business down, she put on her best, albeit reserved, smile and approached the girls. They were nothing short of ruthless.
"Furuhata? Is that you?"
"What are you wearing?"
"How sad your family can't afford staff."
One blonde girl, who seemed to be the 'leader' of the gang gave a wicked little smirk. "Maybe you have to be family to be willing to work in a place like this?"
Unazuki wondered if Motoki had ever had to endure stuff like this. Desperately, she wished her big brother was here. He might not have been able to tell these girls off, but he'd at least have given her a kind word or a reassuring hug. But he wasn't here. All she could do is grit her teeth, take the order, and do her best not to cry upon returning to the counter.
"At least she works hard and doesn't get her parents to bribe the teachers into giving her good grades!"
Unazuki wheeled around and found another girl shooting a death glare at the group in the booth. Vaguely, Unazuki recognized her from school, her long, raven black hair and piercing purple eyes were difficult to forget.
The blonde girl's eyes were wide. "H-how did you… I mean..." she stuttered.
"She's that freaky psychic girl," whispered one of the other girls. "Hino something."
The blonde girl reordered her face into a scowl that swiftly evaporated when 'Hino something' took a single step closer.
The girls shut up after that and, in the months that followed, didn't even bother Unazuki at school. In fact nobody dared tease her about her job ever again.
Unazuki didn't see much of 'Hino something' during her consequent shifts. That was until one day when she happened to enter the parlour when Unazuki was ready to leave. Before exiting the establishment, she jotted something down on an order pad, sent it into the kitchen and put some cash into the register.
Five minutes later, 'Hino something' received an anonymous dessert whilst Unazuki made her way down the street; a decidedly genuine smile on her face.
Mamoru Chiba walked down the street, hands in pockets, eyes lowered, ruminating on the night before.
It was a mistake for him to have gone to that college dance. Maybe it had been the novelty of becoming a college student that had convinced him. New school, new faces, a 'fresh start' vibe upon the air of the campus, complete with a tradition to encourage people to meet up. Not that Mamoru had gone there to find love, as so many of his fellow students had been gossiping about (pointedly female students whenever he was within earshot) but he thought he might at least find someone to talk to.
An hour had been all he could stomach of the place though. Quite apart from the uncomfortable attention he was getting from those same gossiping girls, the place wasn't really his scene. He could barely hear his own thoughts, let alone really talk to anyone. Not that he was very good at that, but he was at least less bad at it than simply 'cutting loose' as so many of the other students were.
Maybe a dance like that hadn't been the best place to seek out a kindred spirit. He was admittedly not really the outgoing type and probably never really would be. Then again he hadn't really gone looking for that, had he? He hadn't been looking for a kindred spirit, just, maybe… someone he could occasionally chat to on campus. Someone who en route to classes he could say-
"Oh, hi!"
Mamoru looked up and found a young sandy blonde man about his age and height smiling at him, a key positioned in front of a door lock.
"Um…" There was something vaguely familiar about the man, but otherwise Mamoru was completely blanking on who he was.
"Sorry," apologised the blonde, "We haven't really met, I just recognized you from the dance last night."
A spark of relief went off in Mamoru's chest and he gave a small polite smile. "You a student there too?"
The blonde nodded. "Not much of a party animal myself, but everyone kept talking about that dance. I thought I'd give it a whirl."
"I was much the same," replied Mamoru. "I didn't stick around for much of it though."
"Me neither," the blonde shrugged, inserting the key and unlocking the door. "Although I was glad I hung around longer than you did. This is where I work by the way."
Mamoru raised an apologetic hand. "Sorry, I didn't mean to hold you up."
The blonde gave him a dismissive wave. "Not at all, come in why don't you, nobody is going to be here for a while anyway."
For an infinitesimal moment, Mamoru hesitated, then, as casually as he could muster, nodded and followed the blonde man inside the arcade.
"How come you were glad? Did something happen after I left?"
"Er… well," the blonde began, a note of jovial embarrassment in his voice, "It was more like something happened because you left." Mamoru's confusion was apparently evident on his face because the blonde's eyes widened slightly as he continued. "Not that it was your fault or anything, but…"
"But what?" Mamoru asked, his voice steady but an underlying nervousness building in his chest.
"Well, when you left… the ladies at the dance kind of became more interested in everyone else there," the blonde said with a small chuckle.
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, the blonde's laughter stirred something within Mamoru and suddenly he was chuckling along too. It was a sensation he wasn't overly familiar with and to laugh with someone, it felt… Mamoru didn't quite have the words for it beyond 'nice'.
"Hold on though, you said you still didn't stay for too long either?" he said after a second or two.
"Oh, right," replied the blonde, collecting himself. "No I didn't, but that was because me and one of the anthropology students, real beauty by the name of Reika, we got… you know…" His cheeks flushed light red.
To his surprise, Mamoru chuckled again, this time making the blonde follow suit. Then, with a wave of the same energy that'd coaxed him to the dance in the first place, Mamoru decided to be a little reckless; at least for him.
"Mamoru Chiba," he said, extending his hand.
The blonde took it and gave it a friendly shake. "Motoki Furuhata."
Mamoru didn't attend many of the other dances at college after that. He did, however, visit the arcade almost every day.
"Hi there, can I get you a table?" the ginger girl asked.
For an infinitesimal moment, Usagi hesitated, then curtly nodded.
With a smile, the girl led her to a booth and departed to wait more tables.
Usagi stared after her, following her movements through the restaurant.
Well… there she was.
Hard as it was to admit, Usagi conceded she was pretty cute, especially with those tendrils of red hair falling past her ears. She was also a hard worker Usagi observed and, from the way she balanced the trays of drinks, far from clumsy. Rei had also mentioned she went to her school, the T.A. Academy. Rei hadn't known much about her, apart from where she worked, but Usagi knew that most of the girls at the academy were pretty rich and/or gifted in some way.
Not like her. Not like her at all.
For a while, she made out like she was still deciding what to order, which sent the girl away from her table. Eventually, things were beginning to get too awkward so she ordered a drink but barely touched it; although it was rather tasty.
Finally, the restaurant quietened down and the girl seemed a lot less busy. Nevertheless, Usagi didn't gesture to her, instead waiting until the waitress came back to her table of her own volition.
"Have you had a look at our menu?" asked the girl with a smile.
Usagi nodded again.
"Great! So, what can I do for you?"
Usagi took a deep breath. "Well…" she began tentatively. "I was wondering if you could maybe sit down and tell me about… about yourself and Mamoru Chiba."
The girl's expression changed abruptly, she looked totally taken aback. "Mamoru Chiba?"
"Yeah, see he's…" Something caught in Usagi's throat. "... he was... my boyfriend…"
"... You're the girl I saw the other day. When I was riding Mamoru's motorcycle." The girl's face was strange. Part recognition, part sympathy, as though she had come across somebody injured. She gave a slow little nod of her own and called over her shoulder. "I'm going to take a break okay?" A disembodied voice replied 'Okay' from the kitchen.
The girl sat down opposite Usagi, holding her tray up to her chest and crossing her arms. Was she nervous too, Usagi wondered. Did she perhaps know she was guilty of… no. Whatever was going on, it was almost certainly not this girl's fault.
It wasn't her fault if Mamo-chan preferred-No!
Maybe this girl was her 'romantic rival', just as Reika and Makoto had been for Motoki. But like both of them, Usagi wasn't going to hold any resentment towards this girl. Fleetingly, she wondered if she might even wind up liking this girl; that had been the case with Reika after all.
But whether she would or wouldn't, she absolutely had to talk to her. Just to know. To understand. To make sure. She had to find out what was going on with them because maybe, just maybe, that would help her understand what was happening between her and Mamo-chan.
However, now that the girl was right in front of her, Usagi wasn't sure how to start; or what to say exactly. At a loss, she did the first thing that came to her mind.
"I'm Usagi by the way. Usagi Tsukino."
Usagi did not extend her hand. In response, the ginger girl gave a slow, polite nod.
"I'm Miss Unazuki Furuhata."
Suddenly, all thoughts of Mamo-chan, their tragic past, their lost future, everything in fact, was banished from Usagi's frequently scattered thoughts.
"What?! Miss Unazuki Furuhata?! You mean, you're Motoki's younger sister?!"
Abruptly both girls' demeanours changed as Usagi slammed her hands down on the table and stared open mouthed at her.
Unazuki proceeded to explain there was nothing going on between her and Mamoru, he'd simply given her a lift from her family business. More than that, she already had a boyfriend she was apparently in love with.
With the world now a whole lot brighter, Usagi thought her drink was just about the most delicious thing she'd ever tasted, this restaurant the most hospitable place she'd ever been and Unazuki the cutest, most wonderful waitress in the whole universe!
From the very next day, she insisted on visiting the Fruits Parlor Crown with Naru, Umino and the whole gang every day that week. And almost every week that followed. Something Unazuki seemed more than happy to accommodate.
"I'm surprised to find you here, Ami. I'd have thought you had cram school."
Makoto was leaning over Ami's shoulder as the blunette sat at the Sailor-V game, ratcheting up the highest score she'd ever seen in her life.
"It's important to give your brain a break every so often."
The corner of Makoto's mouth twitched. "So you thought you'd come down here."
"Well, this is where we all normally hang out."
"Here and the Fruits Parlour," Makoto said, leaning back up and stretching.
Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a long blonde trail of hair slink inside the arcade and make a beeline for them. Makoto couldn't help notice that the typically glamorous Minako seemed to be ever so slightly nervous as she approached, her eyes darting a little across the arcade.
"Hey Mina, what's up?"
"Um…" Minako's mouth formed into a thin line as she looked up, locking eyes with Makoto.
"I actually wanted to ask you something."
Several electronic beeps resounded from the game in front of Ami as Makoto shrugged.
"Shoot."
Minako tilted her head slightly, her blue orbs still locked with Makoto's green ones.
"Woooooould yoooooouuuu," she began, "haveareallybigproblemifIaskedMotokioutonadate!?"
Makoto stared at Minako in disbelief, the silence between them punctuated by more sound effects from the Sailor-V game.
"What?" said Makoto in confusion.
Minako's eyes widened and she grasped Makoto's shoulders. "Oh no, you're horrified at the idea aren't you!? You can't believe I'd betray a friend like that!? I'll leave him be, I swear! I'll even stop fantasizing about being Mrs. Furuhata!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Makoto held her hands up, somewhat frightened by Minako's frantic demeanor. "Mina… You like Motoki!? When did that happen?"
Minako seemed to calm down somewhat as she began to explain. "The day we met Haruka, I came into the arcade to blow off steam," Ami made a not-so-subtle offended noise, "And we got chatting and, I dunno…" Minako let go of Makoto and began twiddling her index fingers around one another, averting her eyes down as she did so. "I guess I never noticed before how good he looked in that shirt… Are you..."
"Oh, Mina," Makoto laid a gentle hand on Minako's shoulder, although there was a brief spark of static from her fingers.
"No, I don't have a problem with it… Exactly."
There was an electronic wail from Ami's game as Sailor-V took a hit from an enemy.
"How'd you mean?" inquired Minako.
"I mean… Look, Motoki is cute, funny, kind, and I do like him…"
Another, louder wail. Ami had just lost the game outright.
"But?"
"But… I mean… I fall for a lot of guys." She cocked an eyebrow at Mina. "Maybe you could relate a bit to that."
Minako snorted slightly.
"Anyway, as much as I liked Motoki, as much as I even think we could be good together…" she shrugged, a somewhat forlorn look upon her face, "I know how he feels about Reika. I know how Reika feels about him even. I think they're the real thing, maybe not like Usagi and Mamoru, but they could go the distance you know." Minako's expression changed, a mixture of acceptance and annoyance.
And after all…"
Ami was stock still and utterly curiously silent.
"...There're plenty of fish in the sea."
Ami smiled and motioned to feed the game another coin.
"Fish like her?" Minako said, a sly look upon her face
She gestured towards the arcade doors through which, accompanied by a gentle flurry of cherry blossoms, walked Haruka.
Makoto blushed profusely.
Ami's coin fell to the floor.
"If only," sighed Makoto. "Seems she's spoken for too." She gave a small upwards nod as a stunning and elegant woman with wavy green hair followed after Haruka, almost hanging off of the other woman's arm.
The couple seemed to be conversing with Motoki, though the three Senshi were too far away to hear exactly what they were saying. However, a moment later he gestured towards the racing game 'God Speed', blushing as he did so. Then again, so were the gaggle of school kids, music lovers and racing fans following the couple into the arcade.
Reika had spent many happy hours in the Fruits Parlor Crown, enjoying dates with Motoki or chats with Unazuki. She'd also spent even more time on her knees during one dig or another as part of her research in Africa. And yet she wasn't sure if she'd ever felt more uncomfortable, hiding here behind the parlour bar she'd so often gotten desserts from. Not because of the strain on her knees , rather because of the anxiety building in her chest. A huge part of her was screaming that she shouldn't really be here. And an even larger part was terrified about what she might hear.
She'd resisted this plan when Unazuki had suggested this. "I know Motoki. I know you make him happy. I know what you and my brother have is worth fighting for!"
Reika wasn't sure of anything she'd said aside from the last part. What she and Motoki had was worth fighting for. Or at least trying for. But that didn't staunch the fear within her. Nevertheless, she'd lowered herself behind the bar and waited, her heart skipping a beat when the door opened and she heard Motoki's voice.
Her mind raced with the sad smile he'd given her when she told him about working in Europe for maybe ten years. Her memory conjured the horrible long, unanswered ringing from the telephone whenever she called him. And her chest ached from the empty feeling within her when she'd gone to his place when she knew he was home, only to be left outside.
With effort, she stopped herself crying out or revealing herself at all. It was a feat made easier when Minako (less than tactfully) decided to get down to business
"At the least, can't you see Reika just once more?"
Reika stopped breathing for a moment.
"Well… that's…"
Motoki's half reply made her grip the edge of the bar.
"Motoki… tell them why you don't want to go see Reika. If you don't, they won't be satisfied with your decision, either."
The corner's of Reika's mouth twitched. Good old Mamoru. He'd always been rooting for her and Motoki. And to think, she had once hoped he would ask her to dance all those years ago at college.
Motoki: "I told you…! I made up my mind."
Reika let out a tiny, mercifully quiet, gasp.
"So that Reika won't give up her dream for someone like me…"
She raised her head up slightly.
"...that I won't see her until she can decide for herself what she wants to do…"
Reika's eyes widened.
"Because I can wait as long as it takes..."
Unazuki: "Hearing that relieves me!…"
How odd, thought Reika. Her mouth was closed but somehow she had voiced exactly what she'd been thinking in her otherwise blank mind.
"...or so she says."
It was only then that Reika realized her own voice sounded distant and distinctly not like it usually did. And yet it was pleasingly familiar all the same… Unazuki…
Almost trancelike, she got up and revealed herself from behind the bar.
A split second later, Motoki jumped up too, his body stiff and his face blushing.
"R-Reika."
In hearing him talk to her, in seeing his embarrassed demeanour, Reika suddenly felt unwound, relaxed. Nevertheless, she spoke slightly apprehensively.
"I had thought you didn't love me anymore… that you thought of me as a selfish, horrible woman…" Her eyes lowered a little and wavered as she said the last two words.
As a result, she didn't catch Motoki's own eyes wavering, and his expression change from concern to determination. She didn't even notice his face turn yet more crimson when he grabbed her shoulders, although that was because she had fallen into the forest green of his gaze.
"You're an idiot! I would never hate… someone as wonderful as you!"
She let out another tiny gasp as she stared back up at him, mouth slightly open. Motoki for his part gave her another small smile, this one however, filled with so much more warmth than his last one.
"Go!" he said. "Go, and do the best that you can do!"
"Motoki… !" she blushed.
"Well said, Big Brother!"
Unazuki's remark began a round of supportive chatter from Makoto and her friends that took Reika and Motoki aback for a moment. Soon though they were once again lost in one another. However, Reika did spare a glance at Unazuki.
She didn't say a word, but she somehow understood from the delighted expression on the young girl's face that she knew how deeply grateful she was. And how, when she returned to Japan, it wouldn't just be to see Motoki.
Sailor-V dropped down and fired!
At first her attack didn't seem to do much to her enemy, that was until she increased the frequency of her shots, slowly but surely chipping away at the demon.
Pushing deeper into the labyrinth she found an ally who aided her on her quest, that was until another, sinister enemy appeared and turned her dark haired ally against her. So swift was her ally's change of heart she almost killed Sailor-V. Somehow, she pulled through and managed to free her ally from demonic control.
Her next mission though was particularly tricky, demanding she mount a beast and traverse the skyways. Together, she and her steed made it through the clownish hordes of villains and, with a blast of gold, shattered the malevolent mirror that threatened everyone's lives.
Or so they thought. The mirror seemed to reform, spawning new, more powerful foes for her to contend with. Almost fading away, Sailor-V desperately fought on and on and on until…
"I did it!" Exclaimed the young pink haired girl.
She threw her hands in the air and cheered herself before hastily entering her name into the high scores of the 'Sailor-V' arcade game.
"Great job Chibi-Usa," said Hotaru, hugging her friend once she had finished.
"Thanks!" She replied. "I've been trying to beat that game since forever. Since before I even met you."
"You beat that game, Chibi-Usa?"
The young girls looked up to find Motoki carrying a cardboard box.
"Hi, Motoki. I haven't seen you here in a while."
"Well, I haven't been here quite as much. But Usagi and the gang haven't been coming much either, right?"
Chibi-Usa shrugged. "Their entrance exams took up a lot of their time, and now they're in high school I guess they're pretty busy."
"Haruka and Michiru are also pretty busy too," assured Hotaru. "Michiru is preparing for a concert she might have in a few months with some new idol trio."
"Ah, these things happen as people get older. They get busier and move on, right." At his last sentence, Motoki seemed to hoist his box up a little higher.
"Y-yeah," replied Chibi-Usa in a somewhat quiet voice, and she seemed to pointedly avoid Hotaru's eye. "What's in the box Motoki?"
Motoki got the impression the pink haired child was trying to change the subject. Nevertheless, he didn't push the matter. "Just collecting up my things."
"You're leaving!?" Chorused Chibi-Usa and Hotaru.
"Er… yeah. Didn't Mamoru tell you?"
Both girls shook their heads.
He shrugged. "I'm hoping the family business keeps going, but I can't work here forever. I mean, even Usagi and her friends have started to grow out of arcade games right?"
"What are you going to do though?" asked Hotaru.
"Mostly focus on my studies, like Mamoru is doing. And then, maybe go overseas. I was thinking of joining Reika in England actually."
Chibi-Usa and Hotaru exchanged a sad look with one another that Motoki didn't quite understand.
"... I'll be leaving soon too," Chibi-Usa said rather quietly.
Motoki didn't need his years of education to deduce why the young girls looked so sad.
"I'm sorry to see you go, Chibi-Usa. But I'm sure you'll see everyone again someday."
"Oh, I know. I'm just… I'm just scared that when I do… It won't be the same."
Chibi-Usa pointedly stared at the ground, even as Hotaru tried to catch her eye, her bottom lip trembling slightly.
"Well… Just because things might not be the same, doesn't mean they'll be bad. When people really care about each other, no matter what, there'll always be something there. Something precious to come back to."
Chibi-Usa looked up, staring into the sandy blonde's face.
"Really?"
Motoki smiled. "That's how it always is with me and Reika. And it'll be like that with me and Unazuki too if I go away."
Chibi-Usa and Hotaru shot small smiles first at Motoki, then at one another.
Motoki briefly said goodbye and then left the girls to enjoy their game, a sense of satisfaction within his chest.
Setsuna glided through the partygoers in the Fruit Parlour Crown.
The Prince and Princess were hanging on one another's arms. Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru were shooting her occasional, brave, yet sad, smiles. And the Inner Senshi were happily mingling amongst everyone else.
Finally, she arrived beneath the banner hanging above the bar.
GOODBYE SETSUNA!
It had been Minako's idea, of course. She insisted that Setsuna not simply bid everyone farewell and return to the future. No, there would have to be a party.
"Having fun?" Unazuki asked, offering Setsuna a tray of drinks.
"Yes thank you."
"Not that I'm complaining," began Unazuki, placing a hand on her hip, "but I am kind of surprised you went for a place like this for your going away party." She gestured around the restaurant.
Setsuna shrugged. "Michiru suggested a more opulent venue hardly anyone could afford, but Usagi talked her around." Setsuna turned away from Unazuki, gazing at the bar "I think I'm glad for that actually."
"Oh, how come?" the ginger girl asked.
"It is an honour to come to such a famous and cherished place."
Unazuki jerked her head back slightly. "I know we're relatively popular around Juban, but I think that's a little much, isn't it?"
Setsuna gave a small, knowing smile.
A teenaged girl with sandy blonde hair adjusted one of the glittering crystals. Immediately, the crystalline cabinet lit up, the screen displaying a holographic image of a masked woman with long blonde hair accompanied by the words:
SAILOR-V CHAMPION OF JUSTICE!
Nodding in satisfaction at her work, she sat behind the counter of the arcade and, with great care, picked up a very old book about anthropology.
An hour later, two teenagers rushed into the arcade. One sported short black hair and purple eyes. The other, red-eyed girl, had bubblegum pink locks, topped with two, almost rabbit-like, hair buns.
"Is it here, Miyako!?" The pink haired teen asked.
"Sure is," replied Miyako, directing the girls to the Sailor-V game.
More people poured into the arcade, including four teens with bizarre hair styles who seemed to know both girls rather well. Once the quartet had tried and failed to beat the third level of the game, Miyako took pity on them and gave them a demonstration on the house.
Meanwhile, not too far away, a handsome teenager with ginger hair bowed deeply as two Sailor suited figures strode inside the parlour.
"We are, as always, at your service, Sailor Senshi."
"Yuki," Sailor Mercury said, waving her hand, slightly embarrassed. "We've been over this, you really don't have to treat us any differently from other customers."
"But you are different from our other customers, Ms. Mizuno."
"This young man has a point," replied Sailor Venus, throwing the boy a wink that made him blush. "We are after all, long time customers..."
Over at the Crystal Palace, seven people chuckled together.
"And then, if you can believe it," Rei said, gasping for breath, "All four of them somehow hid behind this poor little waitress every time I looked around to catch them."
They laughed again.
"I remember I had to calm her down after her shift, she couldn't keep up with your guys' weirdness," said Unazuki between chuckles.
"We weren't that weird," Makoto said.
"Oh?" Motoki raised his eyebrow. "I seem to remember a certain someone offering to clean my place and cook for me out of the blue."
Makoto rolled her eyes, but blushed all the same.
"Hey, Makoto, you wouldn't be willing to do it again would you? It'd save me a whole lot of time."
Motoki shot Reika a look of mock-annoyance, which she repaid with a peck on his cheek. He in turn squeezed her left hand under the table, thumbing the diamond ring on her finger.
"I'm so glad the kids aren't here to hear all this gossip," muttered Endymion.
"If they found out that I thought you were Tuxedo Mask," Serenity nodded at Motoki, "I'd never hear the end of it."
They laughed again but grew more quiet when there was a beeping noise from Motoki and Unazuki's pockets. A moment later a holographic image of an elderly couple was displayed upon the table.
"Hi Mom," said Motoki.
"Hey Dad," added Unazuki.
"Hiya kids," the couple chorused.
"How's England?" Asked Reika.
"Lovely dear, your recommendations really paid off," replied Miyako.
"I never realized how badly we needed this break until we were on it," said Yuki.
Motoki rolled his eyes. "Dad, you've been 'on break' for years now, just admit you two have retired already."
"Yeah, Miyako and Yuki do a good job keeping your little kingdom running now they're old enough."
"I'm sure they do, honey, but it's just..." Miyako trailed off.
Without missing a beat, Yuki finished off her thought. "Sometimes hard to let go."
A look of understanding crossed Endymion's face. "I can understand how you feel Mr. and Mrs. Furuhata. But, speaking as someone who also has a kingdom to run-"
"Your Crowns are safe," cut in Serenity. "And they always will be."
A/N: I won't lie to you all… I am not satisfied with how this one turned out. There are certain vignettes I like, but I dunno how well it all hangs together (you can all let me know).
I properly struggled with this story let me tell you. It went through various iterations, one being at Motoki and Reika's wedding, revealing Unazuki was in charge of the family would have been nice, but it felt wrong to not incorporate Usagi, Mamoru and the gang, or more importantly the arcade and parlour.
Another version involved us bouncing between Motoki at his bachelor party and Unazuki at Reika's bachelorette party, before both talk about their feelings. Motoki was going to have jitters about growing up and Unazuki concerns about her big brother leaving the country to live with Reika. But it just felt super forced, not least of all because really 'the talk' should have been between Motoki and Reika, not his sister.
A third iteration involved tracking the ups and downs of the business. But I didn't get far with that one because I realised I was wedded to the idea of this fic being about Motoki, Reika, Unazuki AND their businesses… but those are only really relevant in the context of what they mean to Usagi and the gang. In some ways both locations are more relevant/iconic than the Furuhata family themselves.
So this fic was the compromise. A fic bouncing between both businesses and characters, tracking their history through the seasons/arcs.
I will also say that this was the first fic I wrote after a long and horribly enforced hiatus caused by having to work in my own family business (being brutally honest, Motoki and Unazuki's POV sections had a lot of my own feelings in them) so I was sort of just powering through this fic to get back in the swing of it.
If you like it at all, frankly I will take that as a win. Maybe someday I can do something better. *shrugs*
Also just to let you know I am involved in a discord called 'Moonlight Legends' which is dedicated to sharing all sorts of Sailor Moon fanworks, including other fanfics. If you would like to join so you can share your own work, get help with your current projects or just connect to other fan creators shoot me a PM and I'll send you an invite. All are welcome!