Lost in his thoughts, Mamoru sat on his couch in the living room.

Time was running out.

He needed to come up with a plan to defeat Zoisite and reclaim the Rainbow Crystals. At the moment, he and the Sailor Team had an advantage since Zoisite believed Mamoru had perished in the Starlight Tower. This situation allowed him to collaborate with the Sailor Soldiers to set a trap for Zoisite and turn the tables on him.

However, Mamoru doubted that Kunzite would remain in the background this time. The powerful, white-haired general was likely waiting in the Starlight Tower for his chance to strike against the Sailor Soldiers.

Additionally, the pressing issue of combining the Rainbow Crystals into the Holy Silver Crystal was still at the top of everyone's to-do list.

If only he knew what the key to the Silver Crystal might be! His dream princess had always begged him to bring it to her, so Mamoru hoped that it would automatically form once he possessed all the crystals.

Perhaps he himself was the key?

Or maybe the Sailor Soldiers, with their combined powers, could create the magical crystal.

Or perhaps Sailor Moon's Moon rod could trigger something in the Rainbow Crystals?

"Sailor Moon... this brave girl with magical powers. She has shown great courage and faced every danger. She has defended all the people of this world with the firm resolve to defeat evil. Sailor Moon... she is Usagi... but..."

"Who is this girl really?"

The knowledge of her superhero identity made Mamoru shake his head in disbelief once again. In such a short time, he had discovered so many new sides to this unique being. He had learned traits about her that he had not even experienced in his dreams. And then there was that special moment between them in the park today...

He had kissed Usagi. Mamoru Chiba had kissed Usagi Tsukino!

Even though the world was in great danger, that kiss and his feelings for Usagi occupied Mamoru's mind the most. Not only had he enjoyed every single spectacular, breathtaking millisecond of that wonderful, outstanding, hypnotizing, and sweet, perfect kiss. No. It had broken something open in his heart and had completely torn down his self-protection.

Mamoru had fallen in love with Usagi.

Completely.

Irrevocably and unconditionally.

Long ago.

Much more difficult than this realization, however, was how he should behave when he saw Sailor Moon again in the Starlight Tower.

Maybe it would have been better if he had visited Usagi again before this encounter with the evil forces. Who knew how the fight with Zoisite would turn out this time?

Feelings of uncertainty were about to take hold of Mamoru when something else caught his attention.

A soft, familiar, sad sound—neither from this time nor from this planet—quietly seeped through the door of his apartment and pulled Mamoru out of his deep thoughts.

"But... this melody..."

It was the melody he had known his whole life, at least as far back as he could remember.

"This can only be the star locket!"

Magically drawn by the sound, Mamoru rose from his couch and walked to the entrance in a trance. He reached for the handle of his apartment door to find the source of this beautiful and lovely, yet so sad music. When he opened the door, he found himself looking into eyes as radiant blue as the sky on a summer morning.

Mamoru almost collapsed at the sight.

'So beautiful, so... perfect.'

Usagi held the opened locket in her hand and began to speak softly while the mysterious melody continued to play, slowly and magically enveloping them both.

"Um... I thought I should give it back to you... Mamo-chan."

He was paralyzed by the sweetness of the blonde girl standing at his door. Unable to find words, Mamoru remained motionless in his position. Unperturbed by the two awkward protagonists, the music continued its sweet sound. Usagi, slightly embarrassed, tilted her head to the side and scratched the back of her head with her free hand, a bit uncertain.

"It's such a beautiful piece of jewelry. Where did you get it?"

Instead of answering her, Mamoru broke out of his trance, grabbed her arm, and quickly pulled her into his apartment. After closing the door behind him, he finally found his voice again. Usagi stood before him, unsure how to handle his reaction.

In her hand lay the golden locket, its melody now filling the apartment with its magic.

"I don't know. The music box has always been with me. At least as far as I can remember."

Mamoru smiled weakly, struggling with his feelings for Usagi.

'I should hold her. Hold her tight. I should never let her go. I should tell her that she is the one. The only one. I should tell her that I love her. With all my heart, forever.'

None of this made it out of his mouth, remaining deep in his heart as he awkwardly focused his gaze on the golden music box in Usagi's hand.

"I see."

Remembering Mamoru's stories about the car accident, Usagi looked sadly at the ground. Once again, the locket played its enchanting song, deeply embedded in the mysterious music box. Mamoru lifted his head to the ceiling of the living room, pondering with a melancholic smile on his lips.

"You know... I really like the melody. It always reminds me of something good, it tells me to pause and think again. I guess it's a kind of message hidden in every note, but... no matter what I try, I can't quite understand it. Something... deep inside me is missing."

When he looked back at Usagi, he saw her eyes filled with sadness. A single tear rolled silently down her rosy cheek. His eyes darkened as his fingers gently touched the golden star-shaped locket. With utmost determination, he declared,

"But... even if I haven't found the key to this message yet, it's okay because... no matter the time, place, or situation; I will always and forever remember this enchanting melody... because it touches my heart so deeply."

'Just as I will always remember you, my beloved Usako.'

Although he kept the last words of his confession to himself, his feelings still found their way directly into her heart. It seemed to unlock something that had been closed for more than an eternity.

This mysterious melody of the star-shaped locket had the power to heal, to calm, to make someone think. Although it could make one infinitely sad, it also contained something that promised a happy ending.

It carried a feeling of hope within it.

Somehow, in a magical way, connected by a centuries-old, strong bond of emotion, Usagi shared the same feelings as Mamoru while continuing to listen to the song. It was as if her feelings for Mamoru had not just arisen now, in this time.

But no matter what this music had to tell about the past, Usagi had to act in the here and now. She had to act.

And gather all her courage.

Stealthily, she wiped the tear from her face.

"Mamo-chan, what happened in the park today..."

Her heart pounded wildly, ready to burst at any moment. "I just wanted to tell you that -"

But before Usagi could continue pouring