Notes: Episode 130, "Protect a Mother's Dream! The New Attack for Double Moon". Or, "The one where Ikuko is the victim of the week."
Episode 130
"Mama!"
Ikuko laughed as the little bundle of blonde and energy tackled her knees.
"Mama! Mama!"
"Hello to you too, Usagi," Ikuko said, stroking her daughter's head.
The little girl dissolved into tears, but having grown used to the many different types of crying Usagi had developed in her few years, Ikuko wasn't terribly concerned. She continued to run her hands over the girl's hair as Usagi's teacher approached.
"I see she found you," said the teacher with a chuckle.
"It would appear so!"
Usagi, hearing a new voice, increased her crying and circled around to hide behind her mother's leg.
Ikuko offered the other woman an apologetic smile. "I hope she wasn't like this all day."
"For a little while, perhaps," the teacher admitted. "It's to be expected."
A particularly shrill wail escaped, causing both women to wince. "Hush, Usagi!" chastised Ikuko, and the wail dipped to low whine. "How was she otherwise?"
The teacher considered for a moment. "Interesting!" she finally settled on.
Ikuko was about to ask for elaboration when Usagi released the death grip on her calf and was running across the room. "Miya-chan!"
A little girl Usagi's age immediately released the hand she'd been holding. "Usagi-chan!" she cried, and the two met with an enthusiastic embrace as though they were life-long friends who'd been separated for years.
The teacher took in all of this with a gentle smile. "Usagi-chan was upset at first. I couldn't seem to get her interested in her lessons. But it was arithmetic, so perhaps that's also to be expected."
Ikuko watched as Usagi grabbed Miya's hands and swung them back and forth, talking animated about some topic or another.
The teacher continued. "Miya-chan however was having a much more difficult time. She was very withdrawn and didn't want to join the class at all. When Usagi-chan saw this, she instantly stopped crying and went to her." There was a pause as the teacher studied the two little girls. "The change she was able to bring about in Miya-chan was remarkable. I've never seen anything quite like it."
With that, the teacher bowed and excused herself to speak to another parent who was just arriving. Ikuko remained, eyes fixed on the children. Usagi was pointing at something across the room and saying something. Whatever it was required very elaborate and enthusiastic hand gestures. Miya was giggling uncontrollably.
Her first day at school, and Usagi had set aside her own problems to help someone in need. Ikuko felt an intense and surprising surge of pride for her daughter.
Quickly followed by a frown. They'd have to do something about this math situation, though.