Runaway Date
Sora Kazeno
Prompt 2 for Rare Pair Week "Hugs/Kisses". Today's prompt features a mini story for Minako and Yaten. In "Act 65: A Bond that cannot be Broken" of Chaos Theory, Minako teased Yaten for his poor use of the English language while they were on tour in New York. This is what happened.
Minako pushes a few strands of jet black hair to the side. Her long hair is tied in a messy bun. She is thankful her compact she used as Sailor V still allows her to transform into different disguises so she won't be recognized with Yaten. Each time they go out it will be a new appearance so no one will make the connection.
This afternoon they have several hours of freedom before the final event on Broadway at the PlayStation Theater. She plans on spending as many of them as she can with her boyfriend. She pauses. Girlfriend? Yaten will be in a female form today to prevent anyone from recognizing one of the singers of the Three Lights. After a long debate, they decided to try to go out in public together but in disguise. She bought some new clothes yesterday with Rei and Usagi, one of which Yaten is wearing. Who knew there would be such a size difference between the two forms?
She waits outside the hotel a block away, searching for the silvery white haired girl in a dark green button down blouse with black pants. The girls were shocked Minako bought a blouse in that color since it usually isn't a color she goes for. She grins. She's still able to fool her friends into thinking nothing is going on. She examines her outfit of a bright orange tank top and a black mini skirt. She checks her watch realizing Yaten is now five minutes late. What is taking so long? Then she spots the Three Lights member approaching.
Yaten has her hands across her chest. There was one thing she forgot about during this entire part of walking around as a female. She needs a bra. She can't wear the one she uses as Healer; there is no way it is going to fit under her shirt. She glares at Minako. "We need to go shopping."
Minako looks at her puzzled. "I got everything you needed." What did she miss? They had planned this out perfectly. It was their first time going out like this. New York City has so many people and it would be easy to be lost in the crowd.
Yaten's eyes shift around. "I... need an… um…." She feels funny telling this to Minako. If it was years ago before Galaxia, when she always lived as woman this wouldn't be an issue to bring up such a topic. "A… um… bra." She finally spits it out.
Minako eyes widen before she teardrops. "Yeah…. there are a few stores up ahead." They walk in awkward silence until they reach the destination. Minako finds the store she went to yesterday. She is about to accompany Yaten when stops her from entering the store.
"Wait here." Yaten tells before entering the store. She's embarrassed enough. How was this over looked? She walks up to the bra section but doesn't understand the sizes. Nowhere does it list centimeters.
A brunette worker approaches her, "Do you need help Miss?"
Yaten turns to look at her like a deer in stuck in head lights. "Help...yes," She stutters in broken English pointing to the bras.
The woman nods. "Do you know your size? Any particular brand you like? We have a lot of varieties."
Yaten doesn't understand some of the words. This is not a sentence they ever would have learned in English class at school. "Um…" She glances out the store window and sees Minako. She is going to have to ask her for help. She sighs. "Get friend…" she is able to slowly state to the worker.
She nods her head and smiles at her.
Dejectedly Yaten walks outside to approach Minako.
"That was fast!" Minako looks puzzles when she doesn't see a shopping bag. "Did you find one?"
"… I need help. I can't talk to the sales person to ask what my size would be here." Yaten grumbles as she speaks. She is thankful it is just the two of them. Taiki and Seiya would never let her live this down.
Minako teardrops. "Come on," she grabs her hand leading them back into the store.
The brunette smiles and greets both of them. "Is this your friend?"
Yaten nods her head.
"Do you know her size?" She asks Minako, hoping the process will be smoother.
Minako bites her lip before translating to Yaten.
Yaten immediately mentions her size.
Minako explains the size to the worker and she nods her head. The brunette picks up a few bras to hand to Minako to give to Yaten and instructions where the dressing room is located. Minako quickly thanks her and then passes them to Yaten while translating.
"Thank you," Yaten mumbles in English before darting into the changing stall.
Twenty minutes later both girls leave the store. Yaten is thankful she had the foresight to bring extra cash. Pulling out a credit card for Yaten Kou would be a red flag.
Yaten is a lot more comfortable now. She looks at her watch. They have three hours left at most. "We should get something to eat really quick." She suggests seeing an empty looking pizzeria next door.
They walk through the door and freeze. Usagi and Seiya are at the counter with their backs facing them. They don't exchange a word to each other as they bolt out the door and run down the block. Minako might not be recognized but Seiya would immediately recognize Yaten as soon as he turned around.
Gasping for air, they look at each other with a smile. Minako bursts into laughter first.
"That was really close." Yaten shakes her head. They are a few blocks away from Central Park now. "Well… we were planning on going to the park."
Minako nods her head. "We can stroll through the park, just like in the movies!" They move closer to the park taking in the sights before them. They stop at a hotdog vender for a quick snack.
Minako watches with joy as a horse drawn carriage passes by Seventh Avenue near the entrance. "Can we go on that? I've always wanted to!"
Yaten doesn't look too thrilled but agrees after realizing how much it would mean to Minako. "Sure... that shouldn't be too bad." She is a few steps behind the blonde as they move to the line for the carriage rides.
With little hearts in her eyes, Minako rushes to get in line but Yaten firmly grabs her arm, preventing her moving forward.
Minako shoots Yaten a questioning look.
Yaten wordlessly gestures with her head to look at the people in the line. They were about to stand directly behind Rei.
Minako teardrops. "They're just everywhere, aren't they?" Minako pouts as she recalls Rei saying she wanted to go on a horse ride in the park, probably where Minako had originally gotten the idea from.
They walk past the horse carriages heading deeper in the park. Minako pauses at the ice rink, remembering the last time she ice skated with the girls. Queen Beryl and her minions were trying to discover Princess Serenity's identity and steal the Ginzuishou. "There is an iconic fountain up ahead I really want to see."
Yaten nods her head, following Minako where she wants to go today. For a moment she finds herself enjoying this. Out with Minako and no one is bothering them because they are able to move around unnoticed.
They walk down a long stretch full of benches and statues of famous writers and poets. "Oh come on…" Minako grumbles when she spots Taiki sitting on a bench with a book.
Yaten moves to the other side of Minako to be further away from Taiki and grabs her hand. They walk quickly past Taiki. He is so focused on his book he doesn't look up. Even after they put a significant distance between them and Taiki, Yaten doesn't let go of Minako's hand.
Minako can feel her cheeks flush a little. To be able to hold hands like this in public was unthinkable. She snaps out of her daze when she sees the giant fountain up ahead, Bethesda.
She rushes to the fountain, dragging Yaten with her. "It is so much prettier in person!"
Hearing someone speaking in Japanese, a dark haired man approached them with a camera. "Excuse me Miss, can you take a picture of me at the fountain?"
Minako inhales sharply. It is their manager. Her heart is slamming into her chest, faster than any of her encounters with their friends. "…sure…" Minako smiles slightly.
Yaten suddenly appears interested in a few squirrels running by. She could never explain this to her manager.
Kazuki stands in front of the fountain with a smile. Minako takes a few pictures and passes his camera back. After the camera was returned, he bows to thank them before he walks off.
Once he leaves Yaten returns to Minako's side. She shakes her head side to side. "Well… at least we know it works?" She grins at Minako.
"Yeah… but this is a lot of work to do all of this. What if we keep running into everyone?" Minako counters back. She wasn't sure if her heart could keep handling so many close calls.
"Are you ready to tell everyone?" Yaten looks at her with skepticism.
Minako laughs nervously. "Nope! I'm not ready for that."
Yaten nods her head in agreement. "I don't want them to complicate anything." Yaten appears thoughtful for a moment before she hugs Minako tightly. "We'll figure it out. We have plenty of time." She reassures the Senshi of Love. She kisses her on the cheek for a quick moment before walking closer to the fountain in front them.
Minako beams as she watches Yaten. The Starlight is willing to do whatever it takes for them to spend time together in public. She smiles.
PlayStation Theater is where Sera Myu Super Live was held in New York in 2019. At some point I will post the few pictures I took from that event on Tumblr. I'm currently working on the posts comparing the shows/movies/manga to real life Japan at the moment. Many of which are already up! Search for the tag #real life sailor moon.
I had a lot of fun writing this short piece. I can only imagine some of the other crazy adventures Minako and Yaten had in the other cities. Part of it was my own journey in Central Park the morning before the Super Live event. Saw so much in the city that weekend and still so much more to see in future trips!
See you tomorrow for a story featuring Rei and Yuichiro!