Ami turned
around and stared at Lord Takeuchi, “I didn’t know that you played.”
“Many
arts have been lost to me, but this is one of the few that I have managed
to retain over the years.”
“Retain?”
“We
have a ban on most earthly arts, it was lifted during the last year, and
when I discovered chess, I found myself amazingly able to understand the
game, I can only suppose that it was a retaining of knowledge.” He smiled
at her, noticing that she was about to speak once again, he shook his head,
“let us not talk about that anymore, come, I believe that a worthy opponent
is before me.
She
slowly approached the set and felt her jaw drop, self-consciously, she
placed her hands to her mouth to cover her shock. It was an exact
copy of her own chess-set, of the Gods and Goddess of the Roman legends,
and their servants as pawns, except hers were made from aquamarine stones,
his were made from tanzanite, but the sapphire pieces were exactly the
same. “You made a replica of my chess-set, with different stones, but…
it is illegal to do that, it is considered a work of art.”
“No,
this is my own set, presented to me by my parents, the right ruler
of the Kuriverse, I received it this year.”
Ami walked towards the
set and gently picked up one of the pieces, turning it over, she saw the
signature of the craftsman carved into the stone. She was about to speak
when she heard his deep voice once again, “are they so similar?”
“Yes,
but mine are not made from tanzanite, aquamarine was used for my white pieces.
It was my birthday present, from my friend.”
“Which
set do you play with?”
“The
sapphire ones.”
“Then,”
he stepped behind her and pulled her chair back for her, “you will play
with the sapphire pieces, shall we begin?”
After
Ryo-san had left, the six continued to sit in the booth, with the two cats
sitting on the table between them. “Well, what shall we do about
Ami’s mum?” Usagi asked, “Ami did make a point for us to tell her that
her daughter was safe.”
“Odango-dama
(dumpling head)! What do we tell her? That her daughter was kidnapped by
monsters and we are SailorMoon? She’ll think that we are nuts, and before
you can say ‘hey-presto!’ she’ll be checking us into the closest mental
hospital with her authority, if not jail because of suspected kidnapping.”
Rei said, thumping her hands on the table angrily.
Minako
nodded, “Rei definitely has a point there, she doesn’t think that highly
of us as it is, I always thought that she didn’t like us very much.”
“Not
to mention it doesn’t fit, scientifically anyway.” Makoto added.
“You’re
talking about Dr. Mizuno here right?” Andrew joined in, “she seems like
a pretty nice lady to me, she’s come in a few times to grab some takeaway
coffee on the run, but she’s polite.”
“TOO
polite.” Minako said.
“But
we can’t just not tell her, she’ll be devastated if she finds out by the
police.” Usagi said.
Luna
sighed, “Ami wants her to know, so we’ll tell her from the beginning, the
whole business. When the time comes, no doubt we will have to reveal your
identities to your closest family as well, this is a test of strength,
but we have to do it.”
“Then
YOU tell her!” yelled an exasperated Rei.
“I can’t,
I am a cat.” Luna snickered , looking at her owner.
“I can’t
she doesn’t like me.” Yelped Usagi, trying to escape the spotlight.
“Like
she likes any of us more.” Minako said, then an idea occurred to all of
them suddenly, and they turned to Mamoru.
“No!
This is your business, I mean, you people are the senshi, I am only your
helper.” Mamoru immediately backed away.
“I don’t
see why all of you are so afraid of her, she might be, as you call it,
too polite, but she’s a warm person, and if she is anything like Ami, I’m
sure that she will be very reasonable.” Andrew said, trying to be helpful.
“YOU
TELL HER!” they all yelled in conjunction.
“Hey,
not like I am any more clear on this whole thing than you are. You can’t
run away, all of you should go.” Andrew stood up, “and you had better go
now, I have to clean up this place for business tomorrow morning.”
“Checkmate.”
“You won.”
Ami replied in a surprised tone.
“Only
after our fifth game, shall we? Again?”
He was
rewarded by a heavenly smile, “yes, but this time, I might try with your
pieces…” as she stood up from her seat to stand next to him.
Mewagi
Mizuno opened to door, surprised to find the four girls and Mamoru standing
at the doorway, without Ami beside them. “Can I help you?”
“Um…
we have something to speak to you about, can we please come in?” Usagi
stammered, seeing her the look of stern wonder.
“Well
of course, you have to excuse me, I just got home from the hospital, I
am making some tea, perhaps I may offer you some?”
They
all replied politely, as she disappeared into the kitchen. Taking
off their shoes, the approached the couches in the living room and sat
down, arranging themselves in ladylike (gentlemanly for Mamoru’s sake)
fashion. She appeared in a moment, holding a tray of tea and some
cakes, Mamoru immediately stood up to help her…