PRETTY SOLDIER SAILOR MOON: FUTURE

Chapter 21: Flaws in Character

Sailor Venus had separated from her comrades and found a safe spot to de-transform into her civilian identity Aino Minako. She kept her long blonde hair tied up with a red bow, but now she wore a tied crop top and hat dotted with flecks of blue and pink paint specks, and torn jean shorts with tennis shoes. Once she was ready, she emerged from her hiding spot and hurried down the streets of Azabu-Juuban, darting her head back and forth while looking for someone.

Minako finally found a tall white-haired man in a grey casual suit leaning his back against his black Ferrari waiting patiently for her. She waved to get his attention and ran at lightning speed. Suddenly, her toe stubbed against a portion of the sidewalk and she went hurtling face-first onto the ground with a painful crash.

"Owww… Owie owie owie…" Minako groaned.

"Hey, are you okay?" the man asked, kneeling to help her get up. He inspected her face and remarked, "You're bleeding a little!"

"It's nothing," she assured and gave him a puppy-eyed smile while hugging his arm. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting, Kun-Kun."

"No, but… Really, could you please not call me that in public?" he blushed upon noticing some female bystanders giggling at the nickname. "I would prefer you to call me by my proper name."

She pouted. "Oh, okay, Mr. Toudou Kunihiko."

Kunihiko nodded, and then told the crowd, "Everything is fine now. Thank you for your concerns."

Once the small group dissipated, the couple got into the car and drove for the department store. Minako sat back in her seat and sighed, "Geez… What a rough day this has turned out to be."

"King Endymion told me what happened," Kunihiko said, his eyes completely focused on the road. "One of Eris' subordinates has fallen upon Tokyo, and he requested us to detain her."

"What a pain. I would enjoy my afternoon with you more if I didn't have to look for that badmouthing harpy."

"Who was the one that knocked her down here in the first place?"

"Ah…" Minako giggled and bonked her head. "Well, stuff happens, you know."

"Trying to be cute about it won't work. Shouldn't you take the most responsibility for this mission?" Kunihiko raised his eyebrow.

"I'll definitely be serious about it! But I'm not going to forget about the competition either! Just because some crazy villain is lurking around doesn't mean my dream should be snuffed out! I put 100% into everything that I do, whether it's being an idol or beating up a bad guy!"

"That's reassuring," Kunihiko smiled, "although I do wish you'd save your enthusiasm for when it really matters."

"Oh, I will…" Minako smirked coyly as she stared at her lover.

Chibi-Usa, CereCere and Midori chatted amongst each other while walking toward a popular department store. CereCere happily told Midori that the winner of the competition would receive a large scholarship to a college or university of their choice, and CereCere clearly wanted to go into fashion design and become a name within the dressmaking world.

After explaining that, CereCere added, "There's another reason why I must win."

"What would that be?" Midori asked.

"Every beauty queen has a rival, and mine will be participating too. So far we're tied at 16 pageants, 13 idol shows, 14 runways, and 15 Miss Tokyo contests each!"

"Huh…" the green-haired girl sighed, feeling exhausted from listening to these boggling numbers. "So this is more about upstaging a fellow contestant than about winning."

"Even so, they're still good friends," Chibi-Usa said. "Minako introduced CereCere to the fashion and idol industry, and they like to read magazines and talk about the latest trends. You could say it's a friendly rivalry."

"An amicable friendship maintained through competitive spirit? I'm having a hard time visualizing something so abstract."

"It's better if you see it for yourself. Trying to understand it logically might be too difficult for you."

"Perhaps I shall."

The trio went to the handbags and accessories section of the store, and CereCere and Chibi-Usa browsed around while Midori patiently waited for them. After a few minutes, CereCere found an inexpensive handbag to go with her outfit, obviously delighted from the bargain price. Chibi-Usa looked at herself in the mirror while holding a few frilly white bags and crooned, "Ah, if a bride could carry a bag, this is the one I would use."

"Who says you can't do that? I can always design your wedding to be a runway styled one," CereCere offered.

"You think so? Hmm, but I want my wedding to be absolutely perfect. I want to be a princess, a smiling bride, and a fashion model type of lady. I just can't decide how to bring all of those together…"

"I would prefer a fusion of the circus and a lovely garden. The big top would have rows upon rows of guests, the ringmaster would double as the priest, and then colorful spotlights would dazzle upon me as I make my walk down the aisle, flower petals raining upon me from trapeze artists swinging above…"

"That sounds like a lot of fun!"

"I know, right!? I would get married right now if I could!"

Midori bluntly piped in, "First you need to be legal adults."

The other two sourly glared at her, and Chibi-Usa grumbled, "Geez, don't derail our fantasies like that. There's no age limit to planning your special day, is there?"

"No, there isn't. Just don't let your imaginations get the better of your real life situations."

"I know that."

"Say, Midori," CereCere grinned, "what would you do for your wedding?"

The reticent girl raised an eyebrow at the unprovoked question. "It's not something I have considered, so I can't say for sure."

"Okay… So if you were to pick a handbag for your wedding, which one would it be?"

"Let me see," Midori stood up to take a look at the shelves of designer bags.

Chibi-Usa added, "Pick one that would make you and your husband smile."

Behind her, CereCere suddenly widened her eyes and frowned, as if she had realized something.

"You make it sound so simple that I am utterly perplexed…" Midori muttered. "Well, since I'm here, I may as well purchase one for daily use."

"Oh, come on. Do you have to be so pragmatic all the time? Unleash your creative side for a change!"

"If you insist. Give me a few minutes."

Chibi-Usa nodded and watched Midori guide her finger across the shelves and hooks. Just then, CereCere clutched her shoulder and beckoned her to take a few steps away so they could talk in private.

"What's the matter?" Chibi-Usa asked, noticing how worried her normally upbeat friend looked.

"Something was bothering me for the last while. Every time we saw Midori, I always felt uneasy for some reason, but I couldn't figure out what it was. I tried over and over again to pinpoint the reason without bringing it up, lest I sounded like I would be accusing her."

"Did she do something to make you upset?"

"No, that's not it. It's just that…" CereCere frowned and stared at Midori for a moment. "Chibi-Usa, have you ever seen her smile?"

Chibi-Usa widened her eyes in surprise at such a question. She tried to think back to all of the times she and the Yoeda sisters met with Midori during the last month. She came to the realization that not once did she ever witness Midori's stoic lips crack any sort of smile, grin, or laughter. It greatly bothered Chibi-Usa that she found it odd just to imagine the vapid girl acting happy, as if the image was some kind of poorly done doctored photo. Midori was always calm and even-keeled, her eyes level and clear, rarely ever demonstrating emotions beyond her usual professional, academic attitude.

"Now that you mention it, I don't think I have."

"I thought it wasn't just me," CereCere said. "You had to have seen it as well. I don't know if something is wrong with her family or if she's not happy for some other reason, but she doesn't show any sort of joy even during fun times."

Chibi-Usa forlornly murmured, "Yet another mystery to solve…"

"What was that?"

"No, it's nothing."

Midori found a dark green purse she liked and slipped it over her shoulder, then inspected herself with the full body mirror to see how it would look on her. That was when she noticed something odd going on behind her that was reflected. It looked like someone with short red hair wearing a large black poncho-styled outfit was browsing a tall rack of clothes, but had actually been staring at her through a slit between two shirts. She turned around to see who it was, but apparently they caught on to her and turned a corner to get out of sight. She narrowed her eyes, as if having a bad premonition.

Midori returned to the others showing no hint that she was bothered, saying, "Pardon me for the wait. This one will do nicely."

"Say, do you want me to buy that for you?" CereCere asked, inspecting the price tag before she could respond. "Hey, that's not too bad. You have a good eye for balancing quality and value. I still have lots left over from my budget if you want me to get it as a gift for you."

"What's with the unexpected gesture of charity?"

"'Unexpected'!? I can be magnanimous once in a while!"

Midori paused, then murmured, "I see. So you're willing to sacrifice some of your competition money to bargain with me for the ring."

"Ah, no, I-"

"Indeed, you are the type of person who acts with ulterior motives in mind. That would sound more in character for you."

"Now just a darn minute!" CereCere snapped, aghast at the blunt characterization, but Midori continued, "If that is how determined you are to use it for your little competition, then I suppose I will briefly surrender it in deference to your unshakeable resolve."

"Midori, that's not what I-!"

"I'll leave the purchase to you. I will accompany you to the competition and let you borrow it for the short while that you are on stage."

Midori headed over to the check-out counter, and Chibi-Usa patted CereCere's back. The flabbergasted girl groaned, "That wasn't supposed to happen…"

"Well, it worked out for you, didn't it? Midori's finally allowing you to use her ring."

"Yeah, but it sounded more like a business transaction than a trade between friends. Why does she always have to act so distant even when we're hanging out together?"

Chibi-Usa sighed, thinking the same thing. She couldn't resist comparing Midori to Sailor Arsenic Hyena with the way they kept their friends at arm's length even though they were together for the same reason. Granted she had made a deal with Hyena, but this was Midori. She didn't need any reason to repress her joyful side and be so taciturn with Chibi-Usa and the Yoeda sisters… Did she?

CereCere folded her arms and grumpily muttered, "Honestly. She has a lot of gall calling me out on my 'character' when she doesn't realize her own flaws."

In her civilian form, Gyps retreated to a secluded corner and sat down on a bench. She sighed in relief, then thought, That was definitely Hyena. No one's eyes were as sharp as hers when it came to noticing things. Man, it's been ages since I last saw her… She doesn't look any different than she did when she left Kadmas that day.

Gyps looked back and saw the three girls heading for the counter in the distance. She couldn't get any closer without risking being detected, so she decided to follow Midori for a while and find an opportunity to take her back to Upala Acropolis. She didn't forget about Chibi-Usa and the Silver Crystal, but her top priority was definitely Midori.