Another ‘Beryl’ Is Coming! Princess Nicole, Stage On!
Usagi’s voice: Princess Nicole, is Princess Victoria’s sister, Queen Athena’s daughter, Seiya and Chiyoko’s cousin from past life, and…and she loves Seiya???
Usagi wakes up from a bed in Chiyoko’s guest room. When she notices the time, she quickly runs to the bathroom. She runs downstairs to the dining room after she finished dressing up. Mamoru, Chiyoko, and Seiya are already having breakfast there.
Usagi (smiling): Good morning, Chiyoko-chan and Mamoru-san!
Mamoru and Chiyoko (smiling): Good morning!
Usagi holds Seiya’s shoulders from his back and kisses his cheek.
Usagi (sweetly smiling and blushed): Good morning, Seiya-chan.
Seiya (smiling): Good morning.
Then Usagi and Seiya kiss.
[Title Screen]
They block the kiss and Usagi heads to her seat.
Seiya (teasingly): I just said I should go upstairs to check on the “sleeping beauty”.
Usagi (pouting): What do you mean “sleeping beauty”? I am happy with the word ‘beauty’ but not the word ‘sleeping’. I am not that sleepy, am I?
Chiyoko (giggles): Ok, you are not sleepy. You’d better have the breakfast first.
Usagi sits down and tastes the ham and eggs.
Usagi: Um! Woo! It’s delicious! Chiyoko, your cooking is improving day by day. I should keep my cooking lessons up with you.
Seiya: No! Do you remember last time? You almost destroyed the whole kitchen and got yourself killed!
Usagi: Hey! That was an accident! I’ll be more careful next time.
Seiya: No way!
Usagi gets up and holds Seiya from his back again.
Usagi (fawningly): I want to learn to cook something for you. You love hamburgers, right? Don’t you want to try the hamburgers I make?
Seiya shakes his head and turns around to pat on one of Usagi’s odangos.
Seiya (smiling): Ok, go ahead. But make sure you won’t destroy the kitchen and won’t hurt yourself.
Usagi (excitedly kiss Seiya): Yahoo! Seiya-chan is the best!
Mamoru (shakes his head): Seiya-kun, you cosset her too much. You’re spoiling her.
Chiyoko (giggling): Usagi-chan, stop acting like a spoilt child and stop boshing my brother. Quickly finish your breakfast. We need to go to school.
Usagi goes back to her seat. Everyone continues on his or her breakfast.
Usagi’s voice (narrating as they are having breakfast): It’s near Christmas. I’m 18 years old now. We have lived in Chiyoko’s house since the battle with Victoria, even the summer holiday, because Mamoru-san and Seiya-chan insisted. Don’t get us wrong! We have separate rooms. They said we needed to keep the Universal Crystals working. Also, they’d like to protect us, because Chiyoko’s workers, including her fostress resigned before the battle with Victoria, my parents moved to New York to work for Chiyoko’s parents, and my brother moved there to study in boarding school.
[Flashback]
Kenji, Ikuko, and Usagi are talking in the living room at their home.
Kenji: This is a great opportunity for my career. You have to learn how to take care of yourself anyway. Chiyoko is younger than you. If she can do it, you can do it.
Usagi: You don’t mind I’m moving in her house with Mamoru-san and Seiya-chan?
Ikuko: I talked with your father. We agreed you are a grown up girl now. It’s not so surprising that you have a boyfriend. When Seiya visited us last time, we saw the way you watching each other, and we noticed the two of you were serious. Seiya’s not bad. He has a good job and he is a university student with high grades. More importantly, we can see that he loves you very much. That’s good enough for us.
[End of Flashback]
The two couples finished their breakfast and are walking out the door to the car park. There are three cars waiting there. One is a Porsche in gold, not golden yellow but copper gold. One is a B.M.W. in dark blue, like Seiya’s eyes. Another one is a silver Ferrari. Seiya and Usagi get into the B.M.W. and Mamoru and Chiyoko get into the Porsche. Seiya and Mamoru start the engine and leave.
Usagi’s voice (narrating as they are driving to school): Seiya-chan and Mamoru-san drives us to school everyday. I’m a third year high school student now. Since Chiyoko got a very high grade in school, she made an exception to the same class of mine. Her smart brother, my dear lover, made an exception in the private school too. He is now a university student with majors in Multimedia and Computer Science. Mamoru-san is studying in the same university with Seiya-chan but in higher level of Medical School of course. He didn’t go to USA eventually because he would like to stay for Chiyoko.
[Flashback]
In Chiyoko’s house, two couples are sitting in the living room, having tea.
Usagi (surprised): What? You gave up going? Why? I thought it was your dream.
Mamoru: It was. But now I prefer to stay for my love and my friends.
Chiyoko is touched and has tears in her eyes. She holds Mamoru’s hand.
Chiyoko (whispering in Mamoru’s ear): Thank you, Mamoru-chan.
Seiya: I was worried that you might dump my sister like you did to Odango. (Usagi holds his hand.) Now I realize I misjudged you. I’m sorry.
Usagi: Seiya-chan, you know the reason why he “dumped” me, right?
Seiya taps Usagi’s nose with his finger smilingly and then kisses her.
Seiya: Ok, not a word anymore. After all, he protected you. (Turns to Mamoru.) Thanks for that, Mamoru-san, truly.
Mamoru (nods to Seiya smilingly): You’re welcome.
[End of Flashback]
The two couple reach somewhere near the Juuban High School. The two girls kiss their lovers, jump out from the cars, and walk to school. The two boys leave.
Usagi’s voice (narrating as they are walking towards the school): I understand now Seiya-chan was right about going different school with me. Even now they won’t drop us near the school. You can use the word ‘chaos’ to describe every time anywhere the Three Lights appear. By the way, Taiki-kun is studying English Literature major and Yaten-kun is studying in Art School in the same university with Seiya-chan. The press keeps saying that Seiya-chan and a girl is a pair. Although none knows that’s me and we are living together, Seiya-chan became the least famous one in the Three Lights.
[Flashback]
Seiya and Usagi are sitting on the floor in a room in Chiyoko’s house. They are listening to the songs of the Three Lights. Seiya is holding Usagi from her back.
Usagi: You don’t care about that? After all, you are not as famous as before, and not as famous as Yaten-kun and Taiki-kun.
Seiya: I told you a long time ago. I don’t mind that kind of stuff. After all, we don’t really enjoy being superstars. We just enjoy singing with all our heart at concerts. For me, the most important thing is you.
Usagi is blushed and they kiss.
[End of Flashback]
When the two girls get to the classroom, their friends are already there. Ami, Makoto, Minako, Yuko, Keiko, Akiko, even Naru and Umino are all there. (Naru and Umino Gurio were Usagi’s friends from the early series, still remember them?)
Ami: Usagi-chan, did you review during the weekend for the Math test today?
Chiyoko (with low voice so the others can’t hear): Don’t mention it! Seiya said he would be her tutor. But you all know he pampers her always. When Usagi-chan asked him not to push her, he really agreed! Finally, I had to do the job by myself.
Usagi (low voice too): Seiya-chan didn’t pamper me. I simply asked him not to push me too far, so he gave me a rest after I finished several questions. Chiyoko got us when we were taking a rest.
Chiyoko (whispering teasingly): Yeah, I got you when you were “resting”! You were kissing!
The others are blushed, especially Usagi of course.
Usagi (with red cheeks): This…this is a common thing between boyfriends and girlfriends. You swear you have never kissed Mamoru-san?
Chiyoko (a little blushed): I’ve never kissed Mamoru-chan when I was reviewing!
Naru (whispering): I still can’t believe you’re Seiya-san’s girlfriend.
Usagi (winks and whispering): That’s a secret. Don’t tell anyone.
The bell for beginning classes rings. So they go back to their seat. Meanwhile, there is a very beautiful girl flying in the space. She is wearing a long dark blue no shoulders dress, with brown long curving hair and blue eyes. She is thinking to herself.
Girl: He’s on Earth. I’m going to see him soon. But where is he exactly?
[Flashback]
A woman was sitting in a hall. She was wearing a long royal purple no shoulders dress, with black short hair and black eyes, holding a scepter like Victoria’s but with two aureoles crossing around the dark crystal ball. Cassandra was bowing to her.
Woman: What? You said both Prince Eric and Princess Irene are on Earth? They killed my child? Are you positive?
Cassandra: Yes, your majesty. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t protect Princess Victoria. But they’ve got Universal Crystals. I was unable to compete with that.
The woman was Queen Athena of course.
Athena: Universal Crystals? You mean not only one?
Cassandra (nods): Both the prince and the princess have Universal Crystals.
The beautiful girl was listening in the dark.
Girl (thinking): What? Prince Eric is on Earth? He’s not dead? What? He has Universal Crystal? That means he has a lover on Earth? How could he?
Athena (standing up): They killed my child! I’m going to Earth myself.
Girl (running from the dark): Please don’t go mother!
Athena: Nicole, my child, I know what you’re thinking. But Eric has Universal Crystal now. That means…
Nicole: There must be some mistakes. He possibly was using other people’s Universal Crystal. I’d like to go there and check it out myself. Please let me go.
Athena looks at Nicole and thinks for a moment.
Athena: Ok, you may go. But make sure you bring back the Universal Crystals.
Nicole (bows): Yes, mother.
[End of Flashback] [CM Break]
It’s a Saturday afternoon. All, including Mamoru and Victoria, are sitting around in the living room of Chiyoko’s house. They are watching the videotape of the movie “Titanic”. Haruka and Michiru are holding hands. Seiya and Mamoru are holding Usagi and Chiyoko, who sit besides them. And Victoria is sitting on Chiyoko’s thighs.
Usagi (whispering in Seiya’s ear): See? Jack falls in love with Rose at first sight. He is lying on the long seat when they first meet. Just like us.
Seiya (whispering in Usagi’s ear): But our endings will be different.
Usagi smiles and kisses his cheek. Then they turn back their attention to the movie.
Usagi’s voice (narrating as they are watching the movie): Victoria moved in with Haruka-san, Michiru-san, Setsuna-san, and Hotaru-chan. Since Hotaru-chan stopped growing strangely fast recently, they put her into Juuban Junior High School. And little Victoria, she is going to primary school at Juuban Elementary School.
After they finished watching the movie, they discover that Victoria has fallen asleep.
Chiyoko (smiling sweetly): Victoria is very lovely. Don’t you think?
Mamoru: Yes, she is. (To the outers,) does she have any strange act recently?
Michiru: Don’t worry. She’s just a little girl. We can take care of her.
Chiyoko: It’s getting late now. You may continue on watching other videos. I’ve got actions, horrors, comedies, dramas… all different kinds of movies. Pick one you like. I’m going to make dinner. Who would like to join me?
Usagi, Rei, Makoto, Minako, Yuko, Keiko, and Akiko stand up. Actually, Rei and Minako don’t really want to help. But all the videotapes in Chiyoko’s house are Hollywood movies. They don’t want to watch those. And Graces simply just feel uncomfortable to let their princess to make supper for them. They want to help. The seven girls follow Chiyoko to the kitchen to make dinner.
Makoto: Hey, Usagi-chan, you can’t put those noodles in the boiling water yet. You have to watering them with cold water first. Come on. Let me do it.
Ami: Usagi-chan, didn’t you ask Chiyoko-chan to teach you how to cook?
Chiyoko: Actually, Usagi is not a bad cook. She did make some delicious food. But she’d be nervous and forget some cooking steps sometimes. Please forgive her.
Rei: You’re spoiling her, just like Seiya-kun. She’s stupid but nothing else.
Usagi is embarrassed and angry.
Usagi: Hey! Don’t get him into stuff like this all the time. He and Chiyoko simply love me and treat me well. As long as it doesn’t hurt me, they won’t care…Ouch!
Usagi cuts herself while she is chopping the vegetables.
Rei: Why are you always so careless?
Chiyoko opens the emergency box in the kitchen and takes out the alcohol and adhesive bandages. Seiya runs into the kitchen in hurry with a worried face.
Seiya: What is it, Odango? Did you cut yourself again? You leave the work to the others and leave the kitchen right now.
Usagi looks at Seiya with twinkle in her eyes, using her eyes to ask if she can stay.
Seiya (shaking his head): No! No! No! You have to leave the kitchen this time. Otherwise, you may chop your finger next time.
Makoto: Seiya-kun is right. You should take a rest. The dinner is almost ready anyway. We can handle it from here.
Chiyoko: Ok, your wound is bandaged. You go to the living room and take a rest. Seiya, you come with me to arrange the table. Girls, please finish the job.
The six girls nod. Then Chiyoko, Seiya, and Usagi leave the kitchen. While Chiyoko and Seiya are arranging the table in the dining room, Chiyoko talks with Seiya.
Chiyoko: I have a terrible feeling recently. I dreamed that Nicole’s coming.
Chiyoko brings up the news so directly that Seiya is shocked and can’t say a word.
Chiyoko: You have forgotten her, haven’t you? Did I refresh your memory then? Do you remember her now? Nicole liked Eric. If she’s really coming, then Usagi will face another “Beryl,” a much stronger “Beryl” this time.
Seiya gets worried immediately.
Chiyoko: Are you going to tell her?
Seiya: I don’t know. You’re not sure that she’s definitely coming. Is that right?
Chiyoko nods.
Seiya: Then I think we should wait and see. Did you tell Mamoru-san?
Chiyoko (nods): Yes I did. I’m sorry but we share no secrets.
Seiya: That’s ok. What did he suggest?
Chiyoko: Just like you, he suggested that we should not tell the others until we make sure she’s coming. Seiya, I know it was just Nicole’s own wishful thinking. You or even Eric didn’t like her at all. But I’m worried if you don’t tell Usagi now, she’ll be angry with you when she finds out. Do you know what I mean?
Seiya: Yes, you’re right. She’ll think I had a thing with Nicole.
Chiyoko: Exactly!
Seiya: But I don’t want to worry her. She’s so happy now. And I think she’ll understand what I’m trying to do. Ok, let’s do this. If Nicole is really here, we’ll tell everyone everything. But now since we’re not sure, Let’s just keep it as a secret, ok?
Chiyoko: Have you thought it through? I understand you don’t want to tell her because you’re afraid of her getting upset. But it’ll upset her even more if you don’t tell her now. And she may think you keep the secret from her because you like Nicole.
Seiya (seriously and insistently): I trust her, and I believe she trusts me too.
Chiyoko (sighs): Ok, if you say so. Oh god, I really hope I’m wrong.
Seiya pats Chiyoko’s shoulder to comfort her. Chiyoko looks at Seiya’s smiling confident face and tries to smile. Later, everyone is sitting around a long table and having their dinner. When everyone is almost finished, Chiyoko stands up.
Chiyoko: Everyone, Mamoru-chan, Seiya, Usagi, and I are going to arrange a Christmas party on Christmas Eve. We’d like to invite all of you to come. It’ll start at five o’clock. It includes dancing, singing, playing games, and dinner of course, a buffet dinner. If you decide to come, please don’t bring anything. Since we are going to prepare the Christmas dinner for you guys, I’d like to know now how many of you are going to join the party, the exact number, ok?
All hands are up. Usagi is excited to see that.
Usagi: It’s gonna be great. I wish Naru-chan and Umino-san could join us too. But they said they’d like to enjoy their Christmas together.
Chiyoko (smiling): You may still have a great Christmas with us, right?
Rei (teasingly): Yeah, she’ll still have a great Christmas if she can past the exam!
Usagi (pouting): Hey!
Rei and Usagi get into a fight and everyone else has sweat-drops. Meanwhile, Nicole just landed on a dark planet not too far away from Earth.
Nicole: Here’s fine. I can see the Earth from here but won’t be discovered easily.
She then holds her scepter high. It is a scepter like Victoria’s, with one aureole around the crystal ball in the middle. She releases some energy and a castle appears. There are lots of different kinds of flowers around the castle. She walks into the castle and sits on a royal seat in a hall.
Nicole (thinking): Prince Eric, I have waited for you for such a long time. We’re the perfect match. Together we’re going to rule the universe. How could you be in love with someone else? No, it might be just Cassandra’s mistake. How he could find a better girl than me? I am so talented, beautiful, and powerful.
Just then, Cassandra walks in.
Nicole (frowning): Why are you here?
Cassandra: Her majesty sent me to help your highness.
Nicole: I don’t need your help. It was you who induced my sister to get the Universal Crystal and got her killed. You cannot wrest the Universal Crystal. It will have less power if you do so. Universal Crystal must be created by a couple in order to develop the highest power and quality. And that would be Eric and me.
Cassandra: Yes, your highness. So what are you going to do next?
Nicole: I would send someone to Earth to find out who is the real crown prince. Then…I will decide the next step later. Do you know Prince Eric is holding a Love Crystal or Hope Crystal?
Cassandra: I am not one hundred percent sure because I haven’t seen it myself. Nemesis once told me it was a Love Crystal. But I think your highness should be more careful to the sailor soldiers. I heard that Prince Eric’s lover is one of them.
Nicole becomes very unhappy.
Nicole: I don’t believe what you said about Prince Eric’s lover. Eric and I are the destined lovers. Even if a useless girl got his attention, I can destroy her easily. You just need to sit there to wait and see. I don’t need your help or suggestions.
Cassandra: Yes, your highness.
I made up the education system thing myself to suit the plot. It may not be the same in Japan. I mentioned cars because I love cars. That’s why I like Haruka very much, next to Seiya and Usagi. ^_^ Anyway, from now on, you will feel the mood of the anime version more. I’ll not only write about Seiya and Usagi in this part, but also the other people. I hope you’d like what I’m trying to do here: make a difference. All right, see you in episode 216, “Christmas Eve Is Fantastic! Please Don't Ruin It!” Although it’s not the right season, hope you’ll still enjoy my story.