"You two are still sure you aren't interested in being models? I'm telling you, you are both so splendide, you shouldn't have any trouble making a living off of that."

Once again, Shigekane Hirari had approached Haruka and Michiru at the studio to make them the same offer. At this point they weren't even surprised, it was almost part of their routine. And just like all the other times, they gave the same answer.

"Sorry, we aren't looking for a new job," Michiru replied politely.

Shigekane shrugged it off as usual.

"Peut-être another time then."

Without further insistence, the model agent waved at them.

"Au revoir then. You know where to find me if you ever change your mind."

The couple waved back at her as she walked away. Haruka sighed.

"She really is persistent, isn't she?" the car racer said.

"You'd think after the last photoshoot she'd want to take it easy," Michiru commented. "Good grief, this woman can't take a hint, and she keeps attracting these monsters to her events…"

"Some people are just that unlucky, huh," Haruka added. "And stubborn. I usually like that in a woman."

"Are you calling me stubborn?"

"Well, if the shoe fits…"

Michiru gently nudged her girlfriend. Haruka chuckled.

"Still, this woman, Shigekane-san… I can't help but feel odd whenever I interact with her," Michiru confessed.

"Hm? Why's that?"

"I don't know how quite to describe it… it feels like she's too nice. You know?"

Michiru had noticed Shigekane was someone who gave off a strong motherly aura. She was almost always smiling, never raised her voice, and her whole demeanour was warm and welcoming. She may be a bit pushy and stubborn, but she never crossed the line to harassment or being passive-aggressive. And yet…

"Too nice?" Haruka raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you know… like it's too nice to actually be genuine. Like it's just a facade."

"Speaking from experience?" Haruka teased.

"Please. You know I'm not one to put on a front. I like to think I'm a pretty honest person."

Haruka knew that many people viewed Michiru as aloof, and sometimes cold and distant; but those who knew her could attest that her kindness was deeper than the ocean.

"I just don't feel any warmth from her words, no matter how nice she acts. Her eyes just look so… empty. It's as if she's a void inside."

"Hmm, so she's warm on the outside, but cold on the inside? Sounds like the opposite of you."

"Quit teasing me so much, Haruka."

"Oh, I wasn't teasing this time. I'm quite serious."

Michiru chuckled at that. Haruka could be quite cheesy sometimes.

"Michiru mama, Haruka papa!"

They both looked surprised to see Hotaru walking towards them. It wasn't unusual for their adoptive daughter to come to visit them at the studio after school, but they usually knew in advance. And unlike usual, Hotaru was accompanied by another girl who seemed her age.

"Hotaru-chan! We weren't expecting you," Michiru said.

"Who's your little friend?" Haruka asked.

"That's Kaeru-chan, she's new in my class! Her sister is also working here! She needed to meet her here so I decided to join her and surprise you!" Hotaru said cheerfully.

Michiru was surprised to see Hotaru so happy. She had seemed pretty gloomy since Chibiusa left for the 30th century. She was glad to see her make a new friend.

"So these are your parents, Hotaru-chan? They look so young!" Kaeru let out.

"And there's also Setsuna mama, the nurse at our school," Hotaru added, almost bragging.

"Woah, three parents? Lucky!"

"Nice to meet you, Kaeru-chan! Please take care of Hotaru-chan," Haruka said with a soft smile.

"I will!" Kaeru replied enthusiastically before turning to Hotaru. "I have to go see my sister, let's meet later, okay?"

"Okay!"

Kaeru waved at her and promptly skipped away.

"She seems like a nice kid," Michiru said.

"Still, a transfer student at this time of the year, how unusual…" Haruka pondered.

"Kaeru-chan was also homeschooled! It's the first time she's gone to a regular school, just like me!" Hotaru said with a bright smile.

Haruka gently patted her head. "I'm so glad you made a new friend, Hotaru-chan."

Despite sharing Haruka's relief, Michiru was still curious about one thing.

Who was Kaeru's sister, working at the same studio as them? It suddenly came back to Michiru like a flash: she remembered seeing Kaeru at the studio, with a certain model…

"Could she be…her sister?"

The annoyance in Nyanko's heart stung more than her cheek- and getting punched in the cheek by Crow really hurt!

The cat girl had come to the studio today hoping to meet with the very same woman who caused her cheek to sting. She was dreading another reunion with Crow, but the latter might be the key to her missing memory- to her own death she had forgotten.

But she couldn't describe her surprise to see Mouse at the studio, talking with none other than Handa Mitsune.

"That woman…! Who does she think she is, speaking so casually with Mouse!?"

But what annoyed her the most was how smitten Mouse seemed by Mitsune's flirtatious demeanour. Why did Mouse enjoy her company so much? And more importantly, why would she never look at her the way she looked at Mitsune? What did she have more than her? Nyanko didn't know why it pissed her off so much…

"Spying on people, huh, Onee-san?"

Nyanko flinched. Did someone just sneak up on her? Impossible! She should have heard or smelled them, unless she was indeed too focused on spying on these two to care about her surroundings.

She quickly turned back, surprised by who was standing there.

"... A child…?"

A young girl with green hair was smiling up at her. Maybe that was why Nyanko didn't see her coming. A kid shouldn't be a threat worthy of triggering her survival instincts.

"I could tell you the same thing, kiddo. Who are you? And why did you call me that?"

"Hm? What do you mean?" The child cocked her head innocently.

"You called me 'onee-san'..."

"Oh! That's just because you seem older than me. It's quite the common practice here… or are you not from Japan?"

"Uh… I lived overseas for a while, I might have forgotten that."

"Oh, is that so?"

The child smirked. Someone, getting called that way reminded Nyanko of that encounter with those two Animamates who claimed to know her… but she must be imagining things. It was true that 'onee-san' and such were used for people older than you, either by respect or to express fondness.

But still, for this random kid to call her that out of nowhere… it felt weird. Nyanko didn't particularly dislike kids, but she didn't really enjoy their company either. She could never guess what they had in mind, and it made her feel uneasy. It was akin to how she felt around women like Haruka Mistune- not outright dislike, but uncomfortable.

"So, you still haven't told me your name and what you want with me," Nyanko said.

"I should be the one asking you that. After all, you're spying on my big sister."

"Huh, your sister… Handa-san!?"

The child was now grinning.

"Yep! I'm Handa Kaeru! Nice to meet you, onee-san!"

Before Nyanko could reply, Kaeru suddenly jumped on her and hugged her tightly.

"Eh… Eh!?" Nyanko exclaimed.

"Woah, what's going on over there?"

It seemed their interaction got loud enough that it attracted Mitsune's attention. Mouse followed behind her, glaring at Nyanko.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here, Suzu-san. Especially not getting this close to my little sister," Mitsune teased.

"That's… that's not what it looks like-" Nyanko tried to explain.

"I know you like cute girls, but going after a child… even for you it's…" Mouse began to say.

"Woah woah, imma stop you right there!" Nyanko suddenly exclaimed. "I don't know what you're thinking, but let me make one thing abundantly clear. I like girls my own age, okay!? Or older women."

Mouse still continued to look at her with suspicion, much to Nyanko's annoyance. She would not stand for this slander of her character.

"Well then, I'm pretty sure you and I are close in age," Mitsune said, trying to be slick.

She was not.

"Let me add this too: I like cute girly girls and feminine beautiful women. The cuter and girlier the better," Nyanko declared.

Mitsune smirked at that statement.

"We share the same taste then, Nyanko-san. We have so much in common, you and me," she said with a seductive smile.

Nyanko winced. She was really not getting the hint. Mouse on the other hand seemed particularly annoyed by Mitsune's interest in Nyanko Nyanko wished she could find a way to tell her she wasn't interested, but at the same time, she didn't want Mouse to keep pursuing Mitsune, either.

Kaeru, who was still clinging to Nyanko, gave her a beaming smile.

"I'm a cute girly girl! Are you interested in me, onee-san?"

"H-Hey, stop trying to make me look like a suspicious person! You're a kid…!"

"Hey, I'm not a kid! You should know that I am a teen, just like you!"

"... how old?"

"Uh… almost 13?"

"That's still way too young!? Are you trying to get me in trouble!?"

"Hehe, just kidding! Onee-san is interesting, but I'm not interested in you that way."

"Then why were you acting like that!?"

"Just teasing you."

Really, she couldn't deal with kids.

"Mitsu-nee, Miss Butterfly wants to see us," Kaeru suddenly said.

"Miss Butterfly*?" Nyanko wondered. "Is she talking about Shigekane Hirari*? Is that like a nickname?"

"I already told you to not call her that, especially if it's not in private," Mitsune scolded.

"Eh? But she said it's fine," Kaeru protested.

Mitsune sighed.

"What does she want from us?" she asked.

"It's for our work- I mean, your work. I'm just tagging along."

"Right."

Mitsune then turned towards Nyanko and Mouse.

"If you'll excuse me, work's calling. But I would love to continue our conversation later, Nezu-san," she said before turning to Nyanko with a cheeky smile. "My offer still stands, for that 'interview'."

Nyanko tried her damn best to not wince.

"S-sure…"

Mitsune gave a quick bow, followed by Kaeru, and they quickly were out of their sight.

"What's this interview she's talking about?" Mouse asked with a suspicious glare.

"I-I don't know, I never agreed to that!" Nyanko defended herself. "Anyway, it's not like I'm interested, you can have her all for yourself, I don't care!"

She did care.

"Eh!? Why are you being so passive-aggressive all of a sudden!?" Mouse reacted.

"I'm not. Do what you want!"

As they continued to argue, they barely noticed the two figures who had joined them.

"So she really was Handa Mitsune's sister," Michiru said.

"What an interesting coincidence, for Hotaru-chan and Kaeru-chan to meet. I should have remembered sooner Handa-san had a little sister. I never imagined she'd transfer to Hotaru's class," Haruka added.

They then turned to the two former Animamates.

"What are you two doing here?" Michiru asked.

"I had a meeting with Handa-san for a potential interview," Mouse replied.

"I was just hoping Crow- I mean, Karasuma-san would be here," Nyanko said.

"Huh!? Are you looking to get punched in the face again!?" Haruka suddenly exclaimed.

"Haruka!" Michiru suddenly scolded her.

Haruka realized her mistake. Neither Nyanko nor Mouse knew about their secret identities. As Haruka, she shouldn't know about the incident between Crow and Nyanko.

"... how did you know she punched me?" Nyanko asked, suspicious.

"W-well… it's not that hard to guess. I know what kind of person Karasuma-san is, and you clearly have the face of someone who got punched there. I just put two and two together."

Nyanko looked hesitant for a moment. Haruka really hoped she'd buy her explanation.

"Yeah, I guess Karasuma-san does have that kind of reputation, huh," Nyanko agreed. "But alas, I still have some things to settle with her. Trust me, I'd rather stay out of trouble, and I would avoid her if I didn't really need to see her."

"Why is she so mad at you? Did you hit on her girlfriend?" Haruka teased.

"A-are you insane!? I would never… Aya-san might be quite the catch, but I'd rather stay alive, thank you very much."

"I was just kidding," Haruka replied. "But still, whatever is going on between you two… take care of yourself. Don't put yourself at risk if you don't have too, okay?"

"Eh? Oh, sure…"

Nyanko was surprised that Haruka would act as if she cared about her well-being. She didn't take her for someone who could be this nice. Maybe she was more than just a womanizer after all.

"Oh, you guys are still here!"

They looked over in surprise at Minako, who was happily waving at them.

"Minako-san, fancy meeting you here. What brings you to this place?" Michiru asked.

"It's about the photo shoot I did the other day. Despite how it ended, we still managed to get some great pictures, and Shigekane-san said I'd get my own copy of the magazine once it's ready."

"You realized what kind of magazine it is, right?" Haruka asked. "You do know why Shigekane-san keeps asking me and Michiru to be model for that magazine?"

Minako blushed at the implication.

"A-a photoshoot is a photoshoot! My picture still features in a real magazine! I couldn't care less what the subject matter is. Anyway, it's not like it isn't something I approve of."

"Modeling can be a dangerous path, especially for a girl your age. Please be careful," Michiru advised.

"Yeah yeah, I know. I don't intend to become a model, mind you. This is just to build my brand."

"Build… your brand?" Haruka questioned.

"Yep! As a future idol!" Minako declared. "Anyway, gotta go see Shigekane-san now, seeya later!"

And as fast as she came, she left. The rest sighed in unison.

"Well, Hotaru-chan must be done with the bathroom. We should go pick her up and go home," Haruka said.

"She'll probably want to see her friend before leaving," Michiru said.

"Well, I guess we'll have to wait for Kaeru-chan to be done with whatever she's doing."

"Aghhhh!"

All four of them flinched when they heard a familiar voice screaming.

"Was that…?" Haruka began.

"Shigekane-san!" Michiru confirmed.

Haruka and Michiru exchanged glances, and so did Nyanko and Mouse. Neither pair wanted to transform in front of the others, the outer senshi trying to preserve their secret identities, while the ex-Animamates were still unaware these two were fellow senshi and already knew their true identities.

"We'll go look for security, go hide somewhere safe!" Haruka ordered as she ran away with Michiru. They knew damn well these two wouldn't go hide but would appreciate being left alone so they could transform.

"As if we'll do that! Those two civilians should be the ones to hide," Nyanko said. "Are you ready to play the hero for once, Mouse?"

Mouse pulled out her transformation tool and spoke:

"I was born for this!"

On her way to Shigekane's office, she was the first one to react when she heard her scream. Without losing a second, the leader of the inner senshi pulled her transformation tool.

"Venus Planet Power, Make Up!"

In an instant, Minako was dressed in her sailor suit. Venus ran towards the scream without thinking, too concerned for Shigekane's safety. She burst into her office, ready to face whatever threat was endangering the model agent.

All she saw once she stepped inside was Shigekane lying on the ground, seemingly unconscious.

"Shigekane-san!?"

Driven by her heroic instinct Venus rushed to her side to make sure she wasn't injured.

"Told you she would come if someone was in danger. Such a goodie two shoes 'guardian of peace and justice'."

Venus flinched when she heard that voice. It was filled with malice and condescension.

"You… you're that fox woman…!"

Sailor Pewter Fox came out from her hiding spot, grinning at her in a wolfish smile. Following her was Sailor Mitis Kerokko, giving off a smug expression.

"What did you do to Shigekane-san!?" Venus cried out.

"Oh, nothing too bad," Fox sneered. "It could be worse. But that depends on if you behave."

Venus clenched her fist.

"You… How despicable! Using an innocent woman as leverage against me!"

"Oh, you have no idea…" Fox said with an enigmatic smile. "Surrender yourself, or else, we can't guarantee the safety of this woman!"

Venus grew tense. She had no desire to surrender to the enemies, but as a guardian, she couldn't let a civilian get in harm's way.

"... Let's go fight somewhere else," Venus requested.

"Tsk-tsk, you are not in a position to make demands, little senshi," Fox taunted. "We are not going anywhere. So you either fight us here with that woman there, or you be a good girl and surrender!"

Venus clenched her jaw. This fox woman was seriously pissing her off. With reluctance, Venus stood up, keeping her body still.

"... Fine. I surrender. What do you want from me?"

Both Fox and Kerokko grinned.

"Isn't it obvious? We told you already what were after," Fox began as she raised her arms, clearly exposing her bracelets. "We want your Sailor Crystal!"

"Argghhhhh!"

There was a second scream, but not from Shigekane this time.

"Is that… Minako-san!?" Neptune exclaimed.

Uranus sprinted faster toward where the scream came from and stepped inside the room.

She was not expecting what she would witness.

Venus' body was slightly levitating with a blooming flower coming from the top of her head, with a yellow shining crystal above.

"I doubt this is the one we are looking for. It looks too… normal?" Kerokko said.

"So it's another failure huh," Fox added. "Oh well. Let's get rid of her then-"

"As if we'll let you do that!" Uranus exclaimed. "World Shaking!"

Fox and Kerokko quickly dodged the attack.

"Wow, this one doesn't care if a civilian is lying around. I like that," Fox grinned.

"H-hey, Fox nee-san, we're done here. There's no need to stick around any longer and fight them-"

"Shut up, you tadpole! If we are to waste our time on that useless Sailor Crystal, then the least we can get is beat these annoying Sailor Senshi to a bloody pulp!"

Suddenly, Fox grabbed the Venus Crystal and tossed it at Kerokko.

"But if you're too much of a baby to fight, at least be useful and run away with this!"

"Wait… we know it's not the right crystal, so why…?" Kerokko questioned.

"Just do as I say! Trust me, this is for our benefit," Fox said with a callous grin.

"If you say so…"

With a quick jump, the frog girl managed to slip past the two outer senshi and ran away through the corridor.

"What are you playing at!? You know a Sailor Senshi can't survive without her star seed…!" Uranus exclaimed.

"Why do you think I asked her to do that then?"

Fox's expression turned sadistic and Uranus understood what she was doing.

"Shit…! You want to kill her!? Neptune, go after that frog girl, I'll take care of this… monster…!"

"As if I'll let you leave! Galactica Mirage!"

Uranus and Neptune were ready to take on the attack, but much to their surprise, the beam of light didn't hit them, but the door behind them.

And more shockingly, when they turned back, the door had completely disappeared, trapping them inside the room with Pewter Fox. No, correction: multiple Pewter Foxes, who seemed to have spawned from the attack, were now surrounding them.

"I told you I wouldn't let you leave so easily," one of the Foxes said with a cruel grin. "You will stay here with me as you watch as your comrade slowly fades away!"

* Hirari means butterfly in Japanese