DISCLAIMER

The following is a fan-based

FICTION

Bishoujo Sailor Moon + Other series in this story are not owned by me.

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Chapter 24: Masks and Laps

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c

Yui had been a rather interesting addition to the group.

While I wouldn't go as far as to say that she was a trustworthy individual just yet, I felt like she was in a position where her value as a person may be redefined by her ensuing actions. The story she gave me could have been genuine, but that didn't mean it couldn't also be a 'sob story' to get in my good graces.

The girl was smart, and she seemed to have heart but... she was still the one that got her 'potential future husband' into the shady business her family was part to. Some would believe Gendo was to blame, but he had been yanked into the role he ended up in NGE because of the love and then sorrow he had for Yui.

Yui was born into SEELE, which is why I had been so reluctant to approach her, but if she was genuinely trying to do good and 'break free', then this was an opportunity to get her to not become part of that group. Likewise, the ideas she offered about an 'improved battle suit' intrigued me, even more when I got a particular notification from the Game.

Warning: Character 'Ikari Yui' is a viable shop-keeper/equipment-improver. By fulfilling some missions and finding some resources, you may have her improve your 'Moon Knight' form and unlock new passive abilities for that form.

That made this partnership convenient, but the Game was also cheeky with the wording by saying that she is 'viable' and not that she is 'a proper' one. This meant that Yui could also be a traitor in the long-run but... I decided to treat it with the right kind of distance.

Still, that wasn't my worst worry at the moment. Not when it was time to finally have the long-dreaded training session with-

"You are late."

These three words were used within an apt circumstance as to both annoy me and also remind me of the recent events. Sure, some would disagree in going as far as thinking that deeply of this 'simple greeting', but when I arrived at the usual training area within the park, it was right as Seishu was standing atop one of the trees and looking over a side of the still-rebuilding Tokyo.

One can either go too limitedly or extensively in-depth with the woman, and as she jumped down to stand in front of me, she rewarded me with an empty grin.

"How was it?"

I frowned, my scowl deepening. "Horrible."

"Curt," She rebuked, but not in a condescending or a disappointed tone. Rather, she appeared amused by the keyword I used. "But truthful. It was a horrible event, both personally and objectively. Tokyo bleed... why?"

I blinked, offering a surprised look but... Seishu didn't like it.

"And be blunt."

"The group that my sister is facing, they-"

"Made a grander mess than usual, at least when compared to their previous antics," The old Taimanin interrupted, causing me to sigh. "Yet, what really matters to me right now is... how did you handle it?"

Horribly. I wanted to say this, but self-loathing could really go as far and I had a feeling that Seishu was preying on that response. Did she expect me to bow my head to her? To just confess I felt shame for not doing better? It's been long enough that any grieving was somewhat under control for now, so I gave her a fairly honest response.

"As good as I could handle it."

Her smile was vicious but also happy. "Then you did your best."

...A compliment? No. It didn't feel like one.

"And I suppose you think I am just 'disappointed' that you didn't say 'I could do more' or 'it was not enough'- but let me cut you down on those thoughts with a fairly simple question: why would I think you could do better than anyone in your position and with your current skill set?"

...

"Surprised?" Seishu inquired, then beaming as she reached to pat my cheek. "Boy, I will have you know I am not one of those 'power-hungry' idiots that you think I am. I do appreciate the respect that is owed to me, but I can pragmatically judge people."

"You think your son is weak," I argued, and she sneered at this.

"He is weak, but that's because he allows himself to be."

"To care is-"

"To be as powerful as you can be," The woman retreated her hand as I tried to rebuke her point, her voice sharply reframing her response. "Alas, care is just as good as a personal fuel as it can be the very gasoline that burns you up for nothing."

"...What?"

"Care this, care that. Everyone thinks that we should all keep this in mind. Maybe even care for those that are known to be monster- to give them 'a chance'," Seishu ranted a little bit, walking along in circle before returning to her position. "But you see, Shingo. That's the issue. To care is also to not treat those worthy of it as scapegoats for your failures. Tell me, how did it end? Did you stick around to save lives or did you focus on killing the source of the damage?"

My lips twitched, the woman's point growing more clear within my perspective as I knew the truth favored her.

"I killed the second-in-command."

"But you didn't certainly do so while protecting your sister, right? You saw the cause, you saw they were exposed and then you killed it before it could kill you or your family, yes?"

"...Yes."

"Don't be so upset, Shingo, this is... the very core of my training," Seishu gestured to me to follow her to the 'fighting spot'. "The nature of my teachings is... you are meant to be resolute in combat. To be vigilant, ruthless and take care of your opponents as earnestly and early as possible."

"That makes me a weapon."

"For yourself!" The woman growled, facepalming at my rebuttal. "Only fools surrender their ideals to become tools for others, but you are being taught how to 'be a weapon for yourself'. Wouldn't you call your fists a weapon? Your legs? Your mind?"

She rushed towards me, starting the spar without waiting for my prompt and causing me to rapidly block to avoid getting decked on the face.

"But then, you would wonder," The taimanin hummed, ducking under a retaliatory kick and punching me in the guts. "What is truly yours?"

-178!

HP: 6592/6640

BP: 0/100

I got pushed back. And she continued with her attack, keeping me in the defensive despite my attempt to push back against her. She was far greater than Shiranui, and while her body should be old and rotting, the renewing nature of her Taima Arts made her as young as she was at her prime.

"The feelings, the soul! That is your most precious thing!" Seishu snarled, bruising over my elbows in what was a ferocious barrage of punches to try and break my defense. I didn't suffer much damage but-

-54!
-62!
-49!
-64!
-44!
-49!

HP: 6240/6640

She was hitting very fast and hard.

"Shingo, that's what makes people like us worthy of power. Not the body, not the mind, not being a prodigy, or being part of a prestigious family: it's the SOUL!"

I got pushed away once more, but she paused her attacks for a moment.

"To care is to be human, but to care too much is to be a fool. You are a warrior, emotions are strength and never weakness. So, don't turn those into weakness like my foolish children," Seishu relaxed her body as she had indirectly called for a pause. "My son thinks that emotions and care are needed all the time, while my parrot of a daughter believes that an emotionless tool is the true result of my ideas. And no, it is not."

I narrowed my eyes at those words, confused at why Seishu was so... 'not a bitch'.

"You are not a Taimanin, you will never be one, but I see you as the one apprentice that can fully embrace my ideals. Why? Because of power? I could have just picked my daughter, whipped her to shape and avoid any embarrassment is that was the case," The woman confessed flatly. "When I first found you, you just followed instructions not for respect, but for curiosity. You didn't do it to challenge me, to show me off, to prove your point. You did so because you recognized the worth of the attempt and you made it."

"I am a hero," I reminded her and she nodded. "I have rules."

She rolled her eyes at that last bit. "Self-imposed rules are good for discipline. But realistically so, what makes you a hero? Saving a few, or making the grand sacrifice of free humanity within your soul to protect everyone?"

...

"I will be honest, Shingo. You are not a hero- you are a good person, and that's a luxury in the world we live in. But a hero? You are not a fool. A mask is fine, but don't become it or you will be even worse of a fool than someone that cares and one that doesn't."

The displeasure in her voice was easy to spot, but she wasn't making a point to hide it.

"I am a Taimanin, but that doesn't mean that's my 'only template of personality' to have. To blend your true self with a mask is akin to lose what you may have over a confusing reality. Do you wish for that? Go ahead, but you will not be worthy of my attention or any sort of power. Maybe not even of a family."

I flinched at that harsh comment, but, before I even had the chance to fully digest what she had said, she walked up to me with a mirthful smile.

"By the way, speaking of family...~" Seishu giddily remarked right before suddenly pinching my cheeks. "Sakura's birthday is in two weeks and you two definitely need to get things going so I can adopt you in my family!"

"I-I told you that's not happening, you hag!"

Ah yes, some things never change...

Speaking of things that never change, right as I got back home, I was stopped by Usagi who promptly picked me up, carried me to my room and... made me join her study group session.

"Here's my smart otouto!"

Minako was smirking, the blonde devil happily 'greeting me for the first time', while Makoto was... a surprise.

"Usa-chan, how is it possible that a tiny cute version of yourself exist?!"

I was besieged by tits and abs. "I am a boy!"

"And a boy at that!" The girl squealed as she further drowned me in that hug. "Gah, I want to just live here from now on."

"C-Can I hug him too?" Ami asked, fidgeting and breathing heavily much to my concern. Luckily, I was saved by such hurdle.

"Makoto-chan, don't put him in such a spot," Rei huffed as she fished me out of that sea of booba. "Here, he will sit with me."

I had a feeling Rei wasn't any better than the rest of the cast, but at least she just had me sit on her lap. Demeaning for sure, but I was a kid by all means so... anything that doesn't creepily molest me was fine.

It was a good session, but I have a feeling this was just the very beginning of my own personal troubles since the Dark Kingdom was supposedly out of business and the girls had a lot of free time to invest in...

Me.

AN

Last moral talk over the Tokyo Massacre and a tiny taste of how screwed Shingo is if he lingers around too long around the Scouts. Next time, however... the new foes cometh!