Usagi is running out of breath due to continuous running. She is in her Princess form, a shimmering embodiment of strength and grace. She keeps reaching for the light, a beacon that sends signals through the dark, foreboding surroundings, guiding her through the uncertainty that cloaks her path.
When she finally reaches the endless days of light, she is mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of the place. It is a garden she has never seen before, a vibrant paradise that seems to exist outside of time, untouched by the struggles of her past lifetime.
The air is thick with the sweet fragrance of colorful flowers, their petals glistening like jewels in the sunlight. The lush grass cushions her feet as she steps forward, and a gentle breeze dances through the trees, making them sway gracefully as if they are welcoming her. But what shocks Usagi the most is the view from afar.
"C-crystal Tokyo?!" she gasped in disbelief, her heart racing with a mix of awe and recognition. "Then this is the 30th Century?"
"Yes, you are correct. Neo Queen Serenity," a voice echoed from behind Usagi, smooth and ethereal. She turned around to face a striking woman who seemed to radiate an otherworldly aura.
The woman's long hair flowed like silk, a deep ebony that contrasted with her porcelain skin, which was as white as snow. Her lips were painted a vivid red, and her dark red eyes glimmered with an intensity that made Usagi's heart skip a beat. She wore a simple yet elegant white and gold dress that accentuated her demure beauty, making her appear both regal and mysterious.
"Who are you?" Usagi asked, her voice trembling slightly as curiosity battled with caution. Instead of answering, the woman let out a soft, melodic laugh that sent a shiver down Usagi's spine.
"You don't know me, but I know you and…" The woman's gaze shifted to Usagi's tummy, and her expression turned serious. "The child within you…"
A wave of shock washed over Usagi, confusion swirling in her mind like a tempest. Before she could respond, a sharp pang of pain surged through her abdomen, causing her to stumble slightly. Instinctively, she looked down to see a silver light pulsing and flickering around her midsection, as if it had a life of its own, breathing in harmony with her own heartbeat.
She glanced back at the strange woman, but the figure was quick, closing the distance with alarming speed. In an instant, she cupped Usagi's neck and tightened her grip, rendering her unable to escape. Panic surged through Usagi as she felt herself beginning to fall slowly, the world around her dimming. The woman's voice echoed in her mind, chilling and foreboding, as if it were the last thing she would ever hear before succumbing to darkness.
"Small Lady cannot be born."
Usagi jolted awake, gasping for air, her heart pounding in her chest as the remnants of the dream clung to her like a heavy fog. She instinctively touched her tummy, her fingers brushing against the fabric of her nightgown, even though she knew there was nothing inside.
"What a scary dream..." she murmured to herself, still reeling from the vivid images that had haunted her slumber.
"Ah! You're awake!" exclaimed Luna, who was just about to enter the room, clutching a telephone tightly in her hands. "I-is it Mamo-chan?"
"Yes, he keeps asking about you since he said that you fell asleep last night while talking to him," Luna teased, a playful glint in her eyes as she observed Usagi's flustered reaction.
Usagi felt her cheeks heat up, a wave of shyness washing over her at the thought of Mamoru worrying about her. Luna handed her the telephone and went back to preparing breakfast, leaving Usagi alone with her thoughts.
"Mamo-chan…" she whispered, feeling comforted by the familiar name.
"Good Morning, Usa! How's your sleep?" Mamoru's voice came through the receiver, warm and filled with concern.
Usagi took a deep breath, still trying to shake off the remnants of her unsettling dream. "It was… odd," she replied, her voice shaky. "I had this strange vision about the future, and there was someone who…"
As she spoke, the images of the garden and the dark woman flooded back, but she pushed them aside, focusing instead on the present moment with the boy she loved. She could feel the warmth of his presence even through the phone line, and for now, that was enough to chase away the shadows that lingered in her mind.
"Someone who?" he asked back, and she was pulled back from her senses, as if emerging from a dream. "Ahh, no, n-nothing. Don't worry," she assured him, her voice a soft whisper that barely masked the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind. "More importantly, how are you there? Is your internship over?"
"Yes, this is my last," he replied with a warmth that enveloped her like a comforting blanket. "I can finally be with you again." His words were laced with sincerity, and the way he pronounced her name, "Usagi…," sent a sweet shiver down her spine, making her heart skip a beat. "I missed you so much."
"I, too…" Usagi closed her eyes, allowing herself to bask in the moment they shared, a rare gem amidst the chaos of their lives. "I want to see you right now."
She heard his deep sigh, a sound that resonated with their mutual longing, as if he was echoing her emotions. But she knew deep down that this was his dream, a culmination of hard work and ambition. Their years apart, though painful, paled in comparison to the vision of a life they would share together in the future, filled with love and laughter.
As her gaze fell on her wedding ring, glinting softly in the light, a sense of peace washed over her. Being his wife was already enough for the meantime, she thought to herself, a quiet affirmation of their bond that transcended distance.
"Ah, I remember, I will go out today. I will visit Setsuna-san and Hotaru-chan in Juban Municipal Primary School."
"I see, who's with you?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. Usagi went silent momentarily, her mind racing back to the conversations they had about her safety. She remembered how much he worried about her going out alone. Some people might misinterpret his protective nature as overbearing, but for him, it was a manifestation of his love, especially now that he was not physically present for every moment of her life. "I am going alone…," she finally admitted, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
There was a brief silence on the line, and she could almost feel the weight of his sigh. "Alright, just be careful. Okay? And don't forget your communicator. If anything happens yo—" Usagi cut him off, her voice firm but playful.
"You're overreacting, Mamo-chan. I am fine, there are no enemies. I can defeat them! I am Eternal Sailor Moon, remember?" Usagi boasted, her spirit soaring as she channeled the confident warrior within her, and Mamoru on the line giggled, the sound light and carefree.
"Yes, yes, but that doesn't ease my worries, my love…" His tone was teasing yet earnest, showing that he cared deeply for her safety.
"Thank you, Mamo-chan," she replied, her heart swelling with affection.
"All for you, Usa," he said, his voice a gentle caress through the phone. "Now go and prepare yourself! I'll call you again later."
"Yes!" she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face as she imagined their reunion.
As Mamoru was about to cut off the call, he heard her soft voice call him sweetly, "Mamo-chan…"
"Hmm?" he hummed, leaning in closer to the phone as if he could bridge the distance between them with just his words.
"I love you." Her confession floated through the air, a delicate promise that filled the space between them with warmth. Then the call went off, leaving Mamoru with a heart full of joy.
On his end, Mamoru couldn't stop laughing, his cheeks flushed with a delightful embarrassment at her boldness, while the joy her words brought him was intoxicating. He felt a rush of affection for her, making his heart beat wildly as he took a moment to savor the sweetness of their exchange.
"I love you too," he said into the quiet air of his empty living room, the words hanging in the silence like a cherished secret. With a smile still lingering on his lips, he slipped on his white coat, the fabric brushing against his skin as he steeled himself for the day ahead.
Stepping out of his condominium, he took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill his lungs. The world outside was bustling, filled with the sounds of life, yet all he could think about was Usagi—her laughter, her spirit, and the promise of their future together. Each step he took felt lighter, invigorated by the thought of seeing her again soon, and he couldn't wait to wrap his arms around her and feel her warmth against him. As he walked, he mentally prepared himself for their upcoming reunion, envisioning the moment they would finally be together once more, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead hand in hand.