SAILOR MOON Z: Act 1, “Star Transition”

Scene1: {background music: “I Have a Dream”}

Usa stared at the date on the school board. It read, “History Class, April 8^th of 2903.” Usa remembered that it had been almost three years since she was in the 20^th Century, fighting Nepherenia with the Sailor Soldiers.

Someone covered Usa’s eyes, waiting for her to guess who it was. Usa could hear her friend, Tabemono Kazari, giggling behind her. Usa could recognize Kazari’s laugh well – it was very loud and deep.

“It’s Ramblin’ Rose!” Pollux, the boy who sat across from Usa blurted out.

Usa felt the hands come off over her eyes. She turned around, seeing that the person who had done it was her other friend, Ramos Roshiva. She was 5’5” tall, with olive skin, lavender eyes, and bright red hair styled like Ten’ou Haruka’s only parted on the other side.

Pollux was the class clown, and he had a nickname for almost everyone he knew. He called Ramos Roshiva “Ramblin’ Rose” because she rambled often, and it was the title of an ancient song form the late 1900s. Pollux always listened in on her conversations and never hesitated in commenting. That was the main reason why Roshiva disliked him. It wasn’t unusual for Roshiva to threaten to beat him up, however, it never happened; they would just always compete in everything.

Roshiva glared angrily at Pollux, about to say something, but Usa spoke before she could:

“Good morning, birthday girl. You’re finally twelve years old like Kazari-chan and I are.”

Kazari had turned twelve on February 29^th, and Usa had turned twelve on June 30^th of last year.

“Oh, so today is Ramblin’ Rose’s birthday!” Pollux mocked. “I should’ve stayed home! The birth date of Ramblin’ Rose! Noooo! It’s just an excuse for more ramblin’! She probably rambled when she was born!”

Roshiva and Usa ignored him, but Kazari grinned. She was 5’3” tall, having pale freckled skin, dark red eyes, and curly dark pink hair which she wore in downward pigtails that reached her low-back. Kazari was always kind to Pollux. She had had a crush on him ever since she came to Juuban Junior High. Since she went to an all-girl’s school all her life before, she wasn’t used to having boys around. On her first day at Juuban, Pollux was the first one to talk to Kazari, so she was sure he was in love with her, even though what he said to her was meant as an insult. As the year went on, Pollux made fun of everyone – Roshiva, because she was a tomboy, and Usa, because she was a royal princess. But he slowly stopped teasing Kazari. Hense, Kazari was even more convinced he liked her. Whenever Kazari was with her friends and Pollux wasn’t around, she would brag about how they were destined to be together. Usa tried to tell her that Pollux just ignored Kazari because she was ordinary and normal, so he didn’t have anything to say to her. Kazari protested that she was far from normal, and so she just went on believing in her pretend fantasy.

“Well, Usa-chan,” Roshiva replied, sitting in her desk. “You started Kindergarten late; you should be in eighth grade.” [In the future, kids start Kindergarten at age 4.]

“But then I would’ve started Kindergarten early,” Usa insisted, perplexed. “Wouldn’t I? Oh well, what’s done is done. Who cares.”

“What’s wrong?” Roshiva asked. You’re acting different today.”

“It’s nothing,” Usa assured. “I’m just sleepy because I woke up in the middle of the night crying, and I couldn’t get back to sleep.”

“Crying?” Kazari asked. “Why?”

“I must have had a nightmare or something,” Usa answered. “But I didn’t remember anything about any dream.”

“It’s obvious,” Pollux broke in. “Even though you were sleeping, your conscience knew today was Rose’s birthday, and . . . well, that’s a scary enough nightmare for me!”

Pollux was 5’4” tall, with clear blue eyes, fair skin, and short messy blond hair that stuck out at odd angles.

“Grow up,” Usa growled at him.

“Oh, and you’re the example I should follow?” he shot back. “You’re not very mature yourself! Besides, you’re one year older than I am, so gimme a break! If you all didn’t know, I’m turning twelve on June 20^th.”

“No one cares,” Roshiva replied, rolling her eyes.

“Anyway,” Kazari continued. “It’s good Usa-chan started Kindergarten late; if she was a grade above us, we wouldn’t have became friends.”

Kazari used to go to T*A Private Girls Academy with Roshiva, but they only went there for Elementry School, and then went to Juuban Junior High. However, Kazari and Roshiva hadn’t become friends until Kazari approached Usa the first day of seventh grade and they became friends. Not long afterwards, Usa made friends with Roshiva, and so Kazari became friends with her too, although Usa had a feeling Kazari only hung out with Roshiva because she was Usa’s friend.

“That was a mistake,” Pollux mumbled. “But hey! If you didn’t come to this school, you wouldn’t have met me!”

“Unfortunately, he went to Juuban Elementry with me,” Usa told her friends.

“Oh yeah,” Pollux agreed. “Princess and I go way back.”

Usa remembered that when she was eight or nine years old, Pollux made fun of Usa by saying she wasn’t really Neo-Queen Serenity’s child, and that if she was, she would be able to use the Ginzuishou Crystal. That was before the Dark Moon froze Crystal Tokyo; after Usa came back from the past with news that she had saved Earth, Usa was famous throughout the world, and no one made fun of her anymore . . . except Pollux. It wasn’t unusual though, because he made fun of everyone, even his own friends. His nick-name for Usa was “Princess.”

“I don’t see how you could stand him,” Roshiva told Usa.

“Aren’t y’all glad April Break is coming?” Kazari asked, changing the subject and giving Usa a suspicious look.

Usa wanted to ask Kazari, “What’s that look for?” but instead all she said was, “Yeah, I’m tired of getting up early. It seems so long ago since March Break.”

Each month, they had a week off from school. Their summer vacation only lasted about one month, beginning August 22^nd and ending September 20^th. When school resumed, that was when the next grade started.

“Aw, poor bunny!” Pollux remarked chuckling to himself.

“It’s not that bad,” Roshiva replied to Usa, ignoring Pollux. “It’s an adventure. I can’t wait for eighth grade to start . . . wow. . . .”

“She has no life!” Pollux said with glee.

Roshiva stood up, ready to lunge at Pollux, but the bell rang, so she sat back down. “You’re saved by the bell. One day I’ll get you.”

“Sure. . . .” Pollux murmered sarcastically.

Usa watched all her classmates get into their assigned seats. Soon everyone was sitting down except a strange tall girl who was standing next to their teacher. Usa didn’t recall ever seeing that girl before. If she had, she would have noticed; she was quite conspicuous, being 5’6” tall, with an uneven tan, soft yellow eyes, and messy straight hair which went to her butt.

Mr. Sensei [“sensei” means “teacher” in Japanese, but I’m not going to give a name to each teacher, so I’m just going to use “sensei” for all of them] took no hesitation speaking: “Good morning, everyone. We have a new student today. Please be courteous and maybe help her out around school . . . you know, showing her where things are and everything. Or if you don’t want to do that, at least be polite by being quiet while she gives us her introduction.”

He glanced at Pollux, who snickered.

“My name is Sasori Masago,” she began, her voice deep. “I turned twelve on November 18^th. My favorite stone is topaz. My least favorite stone is the diamond. My favorite flower is the scorpion orchid. My favorite day is Tuesday; least favorite is Sunday. Favorite numbers are three and five; least favorite is nine. Favorite color – maroon; least favorite – white.”

She paused and fixed her gaze on Usa. Masago’s eyes flashed pink. Usa blinked, thinking she imagined it. Masago’s eyes were still soft yellow.

“I used to live in Hawaii before I came to Japan,” Masago continued. “I went to Mugen Academy when I first came here. The reason I transferred to Juuban is because. . . . Well, anyway, I loved Hawaii, but I had my reasons for moving. My favorite place is Hawaii, because I like the rainforest-type weather. No offense to you, Mr. Sensei, but my least favorite place is school. Favorite food – escargot; least favorite – any cold, dry foods. Favorite subject – English, although I do best in Woodshop, which I pick as my elective class in every school I have attended. My least favorite subject is Science; it’s also the subject I am worst at. My dream job is to be a soldier. I don’t have a wish, because my opinion is that things are the way they are for reasons; people shouldn’t waste time dreaming. My strong points are extra sensory perception, determination, reflexes, and maturity. My weak points are compassion and holding my temper.”

Masago was still staring at Usa. Usa was staring back, startled and perplexed. Masago smiled quickly. Her eyes flashed blue. She turned to Mr. Sensei.

“That’s all I have to say,” Masago told him.

“Are you sure?” Mr. Sensei asked.

“Yes,” she answered firmly.

The introduction she just did was the traditional one that everyone was expected to do the first day of school. Since everyone had to do it once a year (or more, if they switched schools), it was quite an important thing to learn; therefore, every student was expected to have their full profile memorized in Kindergarten. The odd thing was, Masago had left out talking about her religion, hobbies, and marital and family status.

“Okay. . . .” Mr. Sensei said slowly. “Then you may take your seat over there.” He pointed to an empty seat across the room, on the other side of where Usa and her friends were seated. “I’ll give everyone a few minutes to get their supplies out.”

“That Sasori-san is almost taller than I am,” Roshiva whispered to Usa and Kazari.

“She’s a strange one,” Kazari whispered back. “My parents warned me about types like her. They’re bad news. Plus she lies! She said she was psychic!”

“She was probably just trying to impress everyone,” Roshiva replied. “Who knows? Maybe she really is psychic. I sometimes think I have special intuition about things.”

“She was staring at me the whole time. . . .” Usa said softly, mostly just to herself.

“She practically concealed her whole profile,” Kazari whispered thoughtfully. “Now what’s up with that?”

“Maybe I’m the reason she came here?” Usa wondered aloud, ignoring Kazari’s comment, and gazing at Masago taking out her school supplies. “She started staring at me when she was talking about transferring out of Mugen.”

“She probably caused trouble there,” Kazari continued, finally taking notice of Usa. “That school is for the gifted kids only, and Sasori-san is definitely not gifted. . . .”

“Both of you are talking foolishly,” Roshiva snapped. “Sasori-san probably--”

“Today is Ramos-san’s birthday!” Mr. Sensei announced.

Masago looked at Roshiva.

“She’s turning twelve today!” Mr. Sensei went on. “Let’s all sing Happy Birthday to her!”

{background music: “Ramblin’ Rose”}

“Happy birthday to you,” the class sang.

“Ramblin’ Rose, Ramblin’ Rose,” Pollux sang in unison.

“Happy birthday to you. . .”

“Why you ramble, no one knows. . . .”

“Happy birthday dear Ramos-san. . .”

“Wild and wind blown, that’s how you’ve grown. Who can cling to a ramblin’ rose?”

“Happy birthday to you.”

“Ramblin’ Rose, Ramblin’ Rose, why I want you, heaven knows. Though I love you, with a love true, who can cling to a ramblin’ rose?”

The class stared at Pollux, as he banged on his desk with his fists, laughing.

“Pollux,” Mr. Sensei cautioned, having no respect for him. “If you do something like that again, you’ll get detention. Now today in History, we will learn about the twentieth century. Japan and California weren’t connected back then. . . .”

“Roshiva-chan,” Usa grumbled. “I’m not being foolish. Did you see that?”

“What Pollux did?” Roshiva asked.

“No, before that. When Sensei announced your birthday, Sasori-san looked directly at you! How would she know you were Ramos-san? She must have been speaking the truth when she said she was psychic.”

“That’s absurd,” Kazari whispered. “It was just a coincidence. She’s a liar and a murderer. It doesn’t matter anyway; we can’t do anything about Sasori-san, and we can’t convince Roshiva-san of the truth; they’re both stubborn.”

Roshiva eyes narrowed. “You know nothing about Sasori-san to be judging her like that! And I’m not stubborn! You’re the only stubborn one, always making Usa-chan and me do only what you want us to do!”

“Excuse me,” Mr. Sensei interrupted. “You can argue later. Right now let’s focus on the twentieth century.”

{background music: “Super Trouper”}

Usa smiled thinly, remembering the times she had when she traveled back in time. First, it had been to get the legendary Sailor Moon to save Usa’s mother, Neo-Queen Serenity. Then later, Usa went back to the twentieth century to train to be Sailor Chibi-Moon.

Usa wondered if she would ever have to morph into Chibi-Moon again. Of course, if she would, she would be referred to as Sailor Moon because she wasn’t chibi (small) anymore. Plus the old Sailor Moon who was now Neo-Queen Serenity, had retired. Usa was only 4’10” tall, definitely chibi compared to Roshiva. But Usa was older than she was when she had traveled to the Twentieth Century last as Chibi-Moon; then she was ten, almost eleven. Coming June 30^th, 2903, Usa would be thirteen, probably the oldest student in the seventh grade.

Wow, Usa thought, In June, I’ll be a teenager . . . I’ll become a lady, just like I’ve always dreamed.

Usa wasn’t sure if she wanted to morph again or not. Morphing would mean evil would arise again, threatening Earth’s happiness . . . just like old times. But Usa longed to morph again. Although it was a dangerous situation and not a game, Usa thought life was boring without having any evil to fight “in the name of the moon.” However, on the other hand, she would have to do it alone because all her Sailor Soldier comrades were grown up, and probably wouldn’t morph again. Usa wished Roshiva and Kazari were Sailor Soldiers; they would all fight together . . . Usa and her two best friends.

Mr. Sensei was still discussing the differences between the Twentieth and Thirtieth Centuries. Usa wasn’t listening to him. Usa knew all she needed to know about the Twentieth Century because she had been there. So Usa layed her head down on her desk and went to sleep.

The bell rang, waking Usa. She opened her eyes. Someone tugged on her long pink pigtails that reached her knees. Usa lifted her head around to see who it was. Pollux.

“You’re drooling on your desk, Princess,” he said.

Usa ignored him, picking up her backpack. Kazari was putting hers on, smiling. Roshiva stepped over to Pollux and grabbed his shirt colar.

“Leave Usa-chan alone,” Roshiva warned Pollux.

“Now now Rose,” Pollux said, a sweat drop on his blonde hair. “There’s no need to get physical. You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of your friends, do you?”

“I wouldn’t be embarrassing myself,” she replied, roughly letting him go. “I’d only be embarrassing you by beating you up.”

“If we had a fight,” Pollux said, trying to hide his smile. “I will hurt you very badly, if I don’t end up killing you. Not only would your friends feel bad, I will too; it’s against my morals to beat up a girl. But . . . it’s against my pride to decline from a challenge. I’ll have no choice but to accept. . . .”

Roshiva gritted her teeth angrily. “Race me on the track in P.E.”

“You’re on!” Pollux yelled with excitement, going into a staring contest with her.

They all had P.E. together.

“Oh, I can’t wait to see that race,” Kazari said, grinning at Pollux’s and Roshiva’s serious expressions.

Pollux’s straight face turned into a smirk, and then a much-failed-hidden-smile. He spit in Roshiva’s face and burst out laughing, hitting his desk with his fist again.

“Damn you!” Roshiva shouted, slapping him with one hand and wiping the saliva off her face with her other hand.

“See you in seventh period,” Pollux called complacently to Roshiva, as she put her backpack on and walked out the door.

Since Kazari shared every class with Usa, Kazari waited for Usa to put her backpack on. But Usa just put her backpack on her desk, and touched Pollux’s shoulder, stopping him from leaving the classroom, as he was about to do. He turned around and looked down at her.

“Please stop bothering Roshiva-chan,” Usa pleaded, her red colored eyes in sorrow.

Pollux stared at her, smirking. He stroked her cheek. “You’re pretty when you’re sad, Princess. The damsel in distress asked so nicely, so . . . I’ll go easy on Rose at the race. See ya around, Princess.”

He left. Usa looked around the classroom. She and Kazari were the only people left; even Mr. Sensei wasn’t there.

“We better get to class,” Usa told Kazari, putting her backpack on.

Kazari stared at her, no longer smiling.

“What’s wrong?” Usa asked.

“Nothing. . . .” Kazari answered, and quickly led the way out the door.

Usa sensed Kazari was upset about something, so she made an attempt to cheer her up: “I’ll race you to class.”

Kazari seemed to agree because she didn’t speak. They ran side by side for a few seconds, but soon Kazari fell behind, even though Usa had only been jogging.

“Come on!” Usa called behind her shoulder. “I’ve seen you run faster! We’re gonna be late if you don’t hurry!”

“And who’s fault is that?!” Kazari yelled back, slowing her pace even more.

Usa ran backwards, facing Kazari. “What? What’s with your attitude?”

Kazari rolled her eyes. “Nevermind!”

“I’m gonna start running forward again!” Usa called, turning around. “I’ll trust you’ll put whatever attitude you have behind you for now until we get to class!” She ran as fast as she could to her second period classroom. She swung open the door and tried to walk calmly in, although her rapid breathing couldn’t be helped. Most of the students in the class stared at Usa, surprised that she – the perfect princess – would be almost late for class. Luckily, the bell hadn’t rung yet.

Usa plopped down in her seat and signed heavily. She looked behind her, expecting to see Kazari, but that seat was empty. “I didn’t think she was that far behind me.”

The bell rang. She turned to the front of the classroom to see the door opening, and Kazari coming in. She walked slowly across the classroom to her seat.

Wow, she looks really relaxed. She’s a good actress.

“Don’t you have a pass?” Ms. Sensei asked Kazari.

Kazari didn’t turn to look at her, but just answered behind her shoulder, “It’s not my fault.”

“Oh really,” Ms. Sensei replied sarcastically. “Then whose fault is it?”

“Usa-chan’s,” she said as she sat in her seat behind Usa.

“What?!” Usa demanded as she turned around to face Kazari.

“How is it her fault?” Ms. Sensei asked, getting all the students’ attention. They looked at Kazari with interest.

Kazari rolled her eyes, sighed, and explained in an annoyed tone, “At the end of first period, she held me up; she told me I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t walk with her. So I waited. But she was awfully slow. However, I guess that was because she was still half asleep. She did, after all, sleep the whole class away.”

Some of the class laughed. A sweat drop formed on Usa’s head. “That’s not entirely true and you know it! What’s up with you?”

“But she certainly wasn’t too sleepy to flirt with Pollux,” Kazari continued as some students made “ooh” sounds and giggled. “She practically wouldn’t let him leave until she got to say how sexy he looked. When he finally left, I was still waiting patiently for Usa-chan to put her backpack on so we could leave. Usa-chan told me my shoes were untied, so I tied them. When I looked up, she wasn’t there. It turned out she ran ahead of me. I called for her to slow down, but she just laughed and ran faster. I guess that’s graditude for ya.”

“Well Tabemono-san,” Ms. Sensei said, clearing his throat. “That will do. I’m almost sorry I asked. Maybe next time you shouldn’t wait for her.”

“Ya know, that’s a good idea.”

“But I’m still marking you tardy,” Ms. Sensei reminded, turning around and walking to her desk.

“Good goin’,” Kazari grumbled sarcastically to Usa, slapping the side of her head.

“What’s wrong with you?” Usa demanded, rubbing her head.

“Don’t deny it, Usa-chan,” Kazari replied, turning to her side to face Kino Jovanna, Kazari’s friend only because Jovanna had been Usa’s only friend in elementary school, and Usa had introduced them when Kazari and Usa first became friends. Usa hdad been more like acquaintances with Jovanna; she only hung out with her because she was Kino Makoto’s daughter. (Usa’s mother was friends with Makoto.) Kazari became a closer friend to Jovanna than Usa would ever be to Jovanna.

“Usa-chan acts so blonde,” Kazari told Jovanna. “She probably was too sleepy to remember anything. Maybe she really is blonde, but she dyed it pink because pink is her favorite color. Her mom is blonde, after all.”

“No,” Jovanna objected with a smile. “Usa-chan wouldn’t dye her hair. She’s too mature for that.” Jovanna was 5’6” tall, with teal eyes and wavy purple hair in an upward ponytail held by a green ball barret. Her bangs looked just like Makoto’s.

“If anyone dyed their hair, it’d be you,” Usa accused Kazari. “I saw your baby photos when I went to your house; your hair was pure brick red.”

Kazari scowled at Usa. “The camera makes my hair look red.”

“When I took a photo of you, your hair turned out pink,” Usa insisted.

“It was the angle,” Kazari argued. “Or maybe the sun made it look lighter.”

“We were indoors.”

“Whatever! I didn’t dye my hair.”

“Well I didn’t dye mine either.”

“What’s with you two today?” Jovanna asked. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Usa-chan’s always stubborn,” Kazari explained.

“I am not!”

“See? She’s so stubborn she won’t accept the truth.”

“Turn your books to page 89,” Ms. Sensei told the class.

Usa sighed, but it was hardly heard because Kazari’s sigh was much more loud and obviously a sign of annoyance. Usa heard whispers coming from them.

 

Scene2: Usa was working on her math, doing pretty well. Kazari was sitting behind her, having trouble.

“This is so hard,” Kazari murmured.

Usa heard her, and turned around. “I’ll help you if you like.”

Kazari looked at her. “Okay, just as long as you don’t brag about being so smart. I would ask Jovanna-chan, but she’s not in this class with us.”

Usa looked at Kazari, confused. “I wouldn’t; I never brag.”

“Yes you do; you do it all the time.”

“Kazari-chan, I don’t know what’s wrong with you today. You’re lying about me, and I don’t know why. Please, if there’s something bothering you, just tell me, and we can work it out.”

“I don’t lie,” she replied calmly. “Lying is when you hurt someone. You’re my best friend; I’d never hurt you. And there’s nothing wrong with me.”

Usa wanted to object but didn’t.

Maybe if I just go along for awhile, she’ll stop being so immature, Usa thought, and started helping Kazari with her math.

Scene 3: Usa groaned as she sat down in her desk. She was in her fourth period class, Science, which happened to be Usa’s worst subject next to Language. To make things worse, Pollux had this class with her too. Usa didn’t need him annoying her when her day was going bad enough as it was. However, Kazari was acting normally again, so that was one good thing.

Today we’re going to do the lab project I talked about with you yesterday,” Ms. Sensei announced. “So everyone get into groups of three. No more.”

The classroom got noisy as everyone got into groups. Usa stood up to ask Kazari and Jovanna (who was also in this class with them) to be in a group with her. But before Usa opened her mouth to speak, Kazari said:

“Pollux, would you like to be in a group with Jovanna-chan and me?”

Pollux had been serious, but then he smiled. “Sure I will.”

“Kazari-chan,” Usa protested in confusion. “Don’t you want to be in a group with me?”

“No thanks.”

“But we’re always together.”

“It’s getting a little boring with you. Besides, you always distract me from doing my work . . . talking about how depressed you are, and how much you wanna kill yourself. I’m tired of dealing with you; you talk about the same stuff every day . . . all that stuff you think you see but isn’t really there . . . what’s that called?”

“I don’t hallucinate!” Usa said.

“Yeah, that’s it. Your psychiatrist told you that word, huh? Oh, by the way, I told my parents about what you talk about all the time, and they said I can’t hang out with you anymore.”

“That stuff isn’t even true!” Usa yelled in rage. “It sounds more like you!”

“I don’t hallucinate,” Kazari replied.

“Besides that.”

“Poor Princess is trying to cover up!” Pollux commented, chuckling.

“You!” Usa said, whirling around. “Stay out of it!”

“Don’t talk to him like that!” Kazari scolded. “And stop spreading untrue rumors about me. I thought we could go our separate ways gently, but I should have known better; you never agree to anything unless it’s your idea. Wouldn’t you rather break up quick and easy than bitch about it and make it long and hard?”

It was a good thing Usa had her back turned to them now, because Usa was starting to cry in frustration. Pollux was still chuckling. Usa turned away from him and sat back in her desk.

Jovanna cleared her throat. “Should we begin the lab experiment now, Pollux, Kazari-chan?”

“Yeah, let’s get started,” Kazari agreed.

Usa turned her head slightly to see them in the corner of her eye. They went to the only lab station left, which was the one closest to where Usa was sitting.

Ms. Sensei walked over to Usa’s desk. “Why aren’t you working?”

Usa swallowed thickly and tried to hold back her tears. “I don’t have a group.”

“Pollux’s friends don’t have a third person yet.”

Usa glanced over at them. Ms. Sensei was talking about these two boys who were Pollux’s sidekicks; they always backed him up on his insults. They looked quite angry and confused about why Pollux joined a group with Kazari and Jovanna. Usa felt the same way.

“I’d prefer not to be in their group.”

“Then I have no choice but to give you a zero on this assignment.”

She walked away.

Usa had never failed an assignment before. She wished Roshiva was there; Usa had no one to talk to about her problems. Usa was sure this day was the worst day of her life.

When I get home, I can’t confide in Mama or Papa because they have world-government business, so they don’t get home until late. And Diana went with them.

“Maybe I shouldn’t be in your group,” Usa could hear Pollux say. “My friends need me, ya know, to be a leader to them; they look up to me. Plus . . . Princess will never forgive me for joining your group and leaving her without one.”

“Don’t be influenced by her,” Kazari said, holding his eye. “If you’re afraid she’ll do something to you when she’s queen, don’t’ worry about it; she isn’t really the daughter of Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion anyway. She can’t do anything to you with the Ginzouishou Crystal because she’s an imposter princess.”

“In your dreams maybe,” Pollux replied. “I use dto accuse her of that too, but she used its power to save Crystal Tokyo several years ago.”

“That’s what she had everyone believe. Ya see, she really is an evil witch, and she uses her witchcraft to make the world believe whatever she wants it to. She gets good grades in class when she doesn’t do anything to credit her grades. In First Period this morning, she fell asleep, remember? But Mr. Sensei didn’t care. In Second Period, she made me late for class, but the teacher didn’t do anything about it, except mark me tardy. And right now, she’s sitting there doing nothing, ubt the teacher didn’t make her work with your friends, Pollux-san.”

“Well, I don’t think--” Pollux began.

“Usa-chan doesn’t even like people,” Kazari continued, her voice soft and casual. “I think everyone would be better off killing themselves than to be one of the poor, helpless people ruled by her. She told me that she kills people. She probably will kill us all once she becomes queen.”

Usa turned more towards them, seeing Jovanna putting her hand to her mouth in fright.

“Then why do you hang out with her?” Pollux asked.

“Usa-chan forces me to be with her.”

“You take that kind of abuse?”

Kazari laughed. “It’s fun though. I’m not sure but I think she does that because I’m the real princess.”

“You? You look less like the king and queen than Princess does.”

Kazari’s smile thinned out. “I said I’m not sure. I think she put a spell on me so I would forget. But royalty never forgets. It’s funny how naïve evil can be. . . . Anyway, I do look like the king and queen; my eyes sometimes change to the same shade the king’s eyes are. And my hair is actually golden blonde. My parent adopted me, so I sure my real parents are the king and queen.”

Usa couldn’t stay clam any longer. She stood up, strode to Kazari, and grabbed her arm, careful to not hurt her too much. “You liar!”

Usa pounded her against the science lab table, making Kazari topple backwards a bit.

“Get-off-me!” Kazari yelled, her voice deep again. She grabbed Usa’s arm tightly, slinging her away. Kazari then straightened her clothes.

“Settle down now children,” Pollux said, trying not to laugh.

“Shut-up!” Usa said, trying to be stern without raising her voice.

Kazari slapped Usa on the back of her head. “Look what you did with your nine-inch nails!”

Kazari showed Usa her arm, which was red from Usa squeezing it so hard, but there was no broken skin.

“I don’t have nine-inch nails!” Usa argued, pushing Kazari’s arm away. “I cut my nails a few days ago! Your nails are longer than mine! Besides, I didn’t even dig into your arm! Even if I did, you deserve it!”

Kazari rolled her eyes and called in and called in an irritated voice, “Sensei . . . Serenity-san just attacked me and dug into my arm with her nine-inch nails. . . .”

Usa gritted her teeth as Ms. Sensei looked up from her desk and gestured for Usa to sit down. Usa plopped down in her seat, hot with anger. She started to rest her head on her hands, but quickly stopped when her elbow hurt when it touched her desk. Usa looked at her elbow. There was blood.

“Usa-chan has psychotic problems,” Kazari told Pollux and Jovanna, her voice soft and casual again. “She has a bad attitude. However, she’s only violent because she was abused as a child. Maybe that explains why she turned out so evil.”

SCENE 4: {background music: “Mamma Mia”}

It was Lunch Period now.

Usa left the classroom, wondering if Roshiva would eat lunch with her.

“Usa-chan!” Kazari called.

Usa turned around, her eyes narrowed.

“Wait up!”

Kazari ran up to her. Usa noticed Kazari was running at least twice as fast as she had between first and second period.

“What do you want?” Usa asked.

“God,” Kazari said, offended. “What’s your problem? We usually eat lunch together. If you don’t want to, I guess I could go catch up with Jovanna-chan.”

Usa glared at her. “You said I forced you to be with me, which isn’t true at all. But if that’s what you thought, then I’ll tell you now that if you don’t want to be my friend, then you don’t have to.”

“Come on, let’s sit down and eat.”

They went to a tape and sat down.

“I was mad,” Kazari answered.

About what? Usa wanted to ask, but didn’t. Instead she said, “Whatever.”

Kazari started sobbing. “Usa-chan, I’m so sorry. Jovanna-chan wanted me to break up with you. . . . I guess she was jealous or something. . . . I’m so sorry. . . . Please forgive me. . . . But I’ll understand if you don’t want to. . . . I made a friendship bracelet for you last night.”

Usa was silent. She started eating her lunch. Usa took a bite of sushi, chewed slowly, then said unevenly, “I forgive you.”

Kazari wiped away her tears and handed Usa her friendship bracelet. “Thank you.”

“Did Jovanna-san also tell you to be in a group with Pollux instead of me?”

Kazari nodded, sniffling. Usa wasn’t sure she believed Kazari, but she decided to think about it later.

Kazari took a bite of food, then said, “I don’t think I like Pollux-san anymore . . . as a crush, anyway. I only like him as a friend. He told me once that he sucks blood.” She paused, looking at Usa for a reaction.

Usa continued to chew her food slowly. He’s far from being your friend, she thought.

“But an old fortune teller friend of mine who still goes to T*A Private Girls Academy told me I would marry someone named Pollux. I can’t change the future like you have the luxury of doing, so I guess I’ll have to marry Pollux-san whether I like it or not. I hope he won’t suck my blood. I had a dream about marrying him, and I saw his friends kill you in the background. I hate to say it, but my dreams always come true. I didn’t see it in my dream, but maybe he’ll suck your blood.”

SCENE 5: {background music: “One of Us”}

Sixth period had gone smoothly, and now Usa was in her seventh period P.E. class. It was almost the end of school. She and everyone else had finished running the mile, and had changed into their regular clothes. Now most of them were talking with friends or lying on wooden benches, enjoying the fresh, spring air. Jovanna and Kazari were going got a nine meter track to watch Roshiva and Pollux race. Usa followed them. She noticed Pollux’s friends were coming to watch also.

“Hey!” Usa called out to Kazari and Jovanna. They didn’t turn their heads. Usa jogged, catching up with them, and waved her hand in front of their eyes, saying, “Hel-lo. . . .”

Jovanna blinked uncomfortably, but Kazari didn’t even flinch.

“On your mark!” Kazari yelled to Roshiva and Pollux.

Usa turned and saw Roshiva and Pollux kneeling down, keeping their eyes peeled to the finish line. Roshiva looked determined, maybe even a little angry. Pollux was wearing his usual smirk. Usa could see him saying something to Roshiva (a smart-aleck remark no doubt) but Usa couldn’t hear it.

“Get set! Go!”

They started running, both very fast, but neither one of them in the lead yet.

Jovanna started cheering (she loved games and tournaments), and then Kazari joined in, her loud, booming voice blocking out Jovanna’s softer voice. Usa wanted to cheer too, but she thought if she tried to, instead of joyous shouts and laughter would come sobs of sorrow and frustration.

“Why are you doing this?” Usa choked out, her tear filled eyes looking at Kazari. “What did I do to deserve what you’re doing to me?”

Kazari and Jovanna kept their eyes on the race. Kazari was still cheering, louder than before. Jovanna had stopped, and she was swallowing thickly, seeming nervous about something. Usa felt her tears roll down her cheeks, and turned away so Kazari wouldn’t see. Roshiva and Pollux were almost near the finish line, and still no one was in the lead.

“Come on!” Kazari urged through clenched teeth.

Usa wondered who Kazari was rooting for; she claimed not to be infatuated with Pollux anymore, but Kazari was hardly good friends with Roshiva; they had arguments almost everyday.

Kazari laughed as they tied. Pollux’s friends greeted him, and Jovanna jogged to Roshiva, Kazari and Usa following quickly. Usa wanted to call to Roshiva, but Kazari and Jovanna reached her first. Usa stood in the background, silently crying, waiting to see if Roshiva would notice her.

“You did great, Roshiva-san,” Jovanna complimented.

Roshiva nodded, though she looked disappointed. She spotted Usa. “What’s wrong with Usa-chan?”

“She’s just upset because she failed an assignment,” Kazari answered hastily, not bothering to turn around and look at Usa.

“Aw. . . .” Roshiva said sympathetically. “That’s Usa-chan for you – depressed over failure.”

“Following in her mother’s footsteps,” Kazari murmered.

“I was sort of surprised when you didn’t win the race,” Jovanna told Roshiva, changing the subject.

“Yeah, so was I,” Roshiva agreed grimly. “I probably would have won if we hadn’t run the damn mile before we raced. Running the mile tired me out.”

Usa concluded that Roshiva wasn’t going to talk to her, so she walked away. More tears were falling down her cheeks. She wanted to get as far away from Kazari as possible. On the way, she passed Pollux and his friends.

“I would have won,” Pollux was saying loudly to his friends. “But Princess over there begged me to go easy on Rose. I bet you’re happy about that, aren’t you Miss Evil Imposter Princess! I lit up your day, actually listening to you after I made you so angry in Science! You should thank me! Then apologize for telling me to shut-up!”

Usa wasn’t angry anymore; she was just terribly sad; Kazari had ruined her life and Usa didn’t know why or even how to fix it. Usa walked faster so she could get away from Pollux. She tried to muffle her sounds of crying.

“Hey,” Usa could hear Pollux say faintly. “I’ll be right back.”

Usa heard Pollux coming to her, the grass making smooshy noises as he walked. It was wet from the April rain that had fallen earlier. Usa broke into a sprint. But the grass was too slick; she slipped and fell. Pollux caught up. Usa didn’t bother getting up. She was crying too hard now to do anything. She covered her face with her hands and curled up in the muddy grass. She was going to be so dirty when she got home, but she quickly disregarded the thought. Pollux was still standing there. Usa was surprised he wasn’t making any jokes yet, or even laughing.

She stared at his feet, not wanting to see the cruel expression he most likely had on his face. She cleared her throat and tried to speak evenly: “Go away.”

Pollux didn’t leave. Usa sniffled angrily, and looked up at his face. He wasn’t wearing a cruel expression; it was more like a look of concern.

“What do you want?” Usa asked quietly, tasting her tears.

“It’s your fault Tabemono-san isn’t your friend anymore,” he said carefully.

Usa turned her head back to the ground, shouting, “You don’t know anything!”

Pollux knelt down to face her, raising her chin so their eyes would meet. “Maybe I don’t. What Tabemono-san said was pretty far-fetched, but you have to give her a little credit – why would she lie?”

“Why don’t you ask her?” Usa suggested scornfully, glaring contemptuously into his blue eyes, trying to make him leave. But he stayed where he was.

“She has already told me her story. Why don’t you tell yours?”

Usa didn’t want to tell him, but she wanted him to leave her alone. She just felt she had to vent her feelings to someone, and he was the only one who would listen.

“Kazari-chan and I have been friends since the beginning of seventh grade,” Usa began. “We got into little arguments about once a week. Sometimes if we were lucky it’d be once a month. . . . But usually we would make up within an hour . . . nothing like this has ever happened before . . . she’s telling lies about me, and then expecting me to be her friend again. And I do – I forgive her . . . but then I turn around and she’s spreading rumors about me again. . . .

“This whole thing started when I told you to go easy on Roshiva-chan at the race. Kazari-chan stopped smiling, and she started giving me sarcastic attitude. . . . I asked her what was bothering her, and all she did was ignore me. All she ways is lies, Pollux. It makes me wonder if anything she told me when we used to be friends was true. In second period, Kazari-chan told Jovanna-san I was flirting with you in History Class. That wasn’t true, was it?”

Pollux stood up. “No, that’s not true.”

Usa stood up too, still sobbing. “You believe me, don’t you?”

“Everything is hearsay,” Pollux answered.

Usa wept louder, kicking the muddy grass in frustration. She lost her balance and felt herself fall. But she didn’t land on the grass. She looked up. Pollux had caught her. Usa stopped crying and straightened herself.

“Who do you believe?” Usa asked softly.

He hesitated. “You.”

Usa hugged him. “Thank you,” she replied through tears of joy. “Thank you so much.”

“Tabemono-san is watching us,” Pollux whispered. “She looks angry.”

Usa turned around and looked at her. Kazari waved quickly. “Which one of us was she waving at?”

“I don’t know. She was angry just before you looked at her . . . it looked as if she had fire in her eyes.”

“I don’t know what her problem is,” Usa said, sniffling and shivering as sprinkles of rain began to fall. “I think she’s the one with psychotic issues.”

“If she affects you like this, just ignore her,” he said softly, wrapping his arms around her.

“I keep trying but the things she say make me so angry!”

“She’s not worth crying over. Don’t give her attention by fighting back. Be strong in your mind and she’ll stop.”

“You’re so kind,” she complimented with a smile. “I never would have thought you would ever give me helpful advice, Pollux. No offense. You really made me feel better. Thanks again.”

The bell rang. It was the end of school.

“Call me Pollux-kun,” he replied, returning her smile. “We’re more like friends now, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes,” Usa agreed gratefully. “You may call me Usa-chan. Will you call me sometime tonight? I want to talk to you more, if it isn’t too much trouble. My number is 636-5239. Do you think you will remember?”

He ran off towards the school exit. “Yeah, I’ll remember!” he called. “Take care!”

Usa smiled contently. The day hadn’t turned out so bad, but she definitely didn’t want to go through it again. She turned around to walk home.

Kazari was standing in front of her. Her expression was serious. Usa jumped when she saw her. Something about Kazari made Usa nervous.

{background music: “Ring Ring”}

“What did you and Pollux-san talk about?” Kazari asked her, her voice on edge.

Usa remembered Pollux’s words: “. . . Be strong in your mind, and she’ll stop.”

Usa sucked in a breath and walked away from her. Kazari wasn’t following, so Usa made her way home to the Crystal Palace. She passed Roshiva and Jovanna. Roshiva looked at Usa, trying to read her expression. Usa felt her lip quiver. She ran home. She didn’t want to start crying again, especially in front of Roshiva, who had probably been fed lies too.

 

SCENE 6:

Usa was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about the day’s events. She wondered if Pollux would call her soon. She heard the door bell ring. Usa got up off her bed and went into the foyer to where the front door was. She wondered who would come to the palace.

[time passes] Roshiva walked up to the Crystal Palace. She wanted to know if Usa was all right; Usa had looked upset during P.E. When Roshiva reached the door, she rang the door bell. No one answered.

“Usa-chan!” Roshiva yelled, ringing the door bell more. “It’s Roshiva-chan! Answer the door! I just wanna talk!”

Still no one answered. Maybe their doorbell was broken. Roshiva decided to try to knock gently (because the palace was made out of hard crystal quartz). She knocked, and when she did, the door opened. Evidently, the door hadn’t even been locked. She found this very strange since the royal family was famous; they needed security.

Roshiva stepped inside. Usa was lying on the marble foyer.

“Usa-chan?” Roshiva asked tensely, kneeling down.

She shook her. Usa didn’t move. She grabbed Usa’s wrist and felt for her pulse. Roshiva felt nothing more than the coldness of her snow white skin. She stood up and backed away.

“She’s dead. . . .”

Roshiva stared down at her with wide eyes. How could Usa be dead? How had it happened? There wasn’t even any blood anywhere. Usa looked so peaceful there, her delicate little body still perfect as always, as if she was only sleeping.

Just then, the phone rang. Roshiva stared at it, startled. It rang again.