Starlight Apartment
Part 2: Choosing the Rooms
Boxes were scattered across the floor, and the faint scent of pizza lingered in the air as the Sailor Guardians sat in a circle, eyeing each other like contenders in an epic showdown. The moment had arrived for the most critical decision of their move-in day: choosing rooms.
"We should draw straws," Ami suggested, her voice as calm and reasoned as ever. "It's the fairest way."
"But what if I get the smallest room?" Usagi whined, flopping dramatically onto the couch. "I need space for my manga collection!"
"Collection?" Rei snorted. "It's more like a hoard."
Usagi shot up, pointing an accusing finger. "Says the girl who has enough incense to fumigate the entire apartment complex!"
"Okay, okay!" Minako clapped her hands, trying to quell the brewing storm. "Let's tour the rooms first and then decide. Maybe we'll naturally fall in love with certain spaces!"
They filed into the hallway, peeking into each room one by one.
Room 1* The largest room, featuring a bay window that overlooked the street and a tiny balcony.
"I call this one!" Usagi shouted, already spinning in circles.
"Not so fast, Odango," Rei said, yanking her back by the collar. "We should all agree on who gets the biggest room."
"I don't mind a smaller room," Ami offered kindly. "I don't have that much stuff."
Room 2* A cozy, medium-sized room with built-in shelves.
"This would be perfect for my plants," Makoto mused, running her fingers along the windowsill. "And maybe I could start an herb garden on the sill?"
Room 3* A smaller room, but with the best natural light.
"Oh, I love this one," Minako cooed, twirling in front of the window. "It's like a spotlight! Perfect for selfies."
Room 4* The smallest room, but the quietest, tucked away in the corner.
"This seems peaceful," Ami said thoughtfully, already visualizing her desk by the window.
The girls regrouped in the living room, with Luna and Artemis watching from atop a stack of boxes.
"So," Makoto started, crossing her arms, "how do we decide?"
Rei smirked. "Arm wrestling?"
"No!" the others exclaimed in unison.
Minako gasped, her eyes sparkling. "What if we each write our top choice on a piece of paper? If more than one person picks the same room, they'll have to complete a challenge to decide who gets it."
Usagi's eyes gleamed. "Like a karaoke showdown?"
Rei cracked her knuckles. "Or a sparring match?"
Ami sighed, already sensing the impending chaos. "Let's just try Minako's idea."
They quickly scribbled their choices and dropped the papers into a bowl. Artemis sifted through the slips like a tiny referee.
Usagi and Rei both wanted Room 1.
Makoto claimed Room 2.
Minako chose Room 3.
Ami happily settled for Room 4.
"Well," Luna purred, flicking her tail, "it looks like Usagi and Rei have to battle for the big room."
Rei smirked. "Prepare to lose."
Usagi clenched her fists. "Bring it on, fire priestess!"
Minako jumped up. "Challenge: Dance-off!"
Makoto plugged in the speakers, and within seconds, the living room transformed into an impromptu dance floor. Usagi flailed wildly, her moves chaotic and free-spirited, while Rei moved with sharp precision as if performing a martial arts routine.
By the end of the song, everyone was in fits of laughter.
"You can have the big room, Usagi," Rei conceded, wiping tears from her eyes. "Watching you dance is punishment enough."
Usagi beamed. "YES!"
With the rooms officially decided, the girls collapsed onto the couch, the apartment filled with their joyous laughter. They were tired, sore, and surrounded by boxes — but it already felt like home.
To Be Continued...
