Sailor Moon Chronicles II

Chapter XXVII

(The saga of Sailor V unfolds..)

The sun blazed overhead, casting a golden glow over the beach as waves gently lapped against the shore. Amidst the backdrop of laughter and chatter, Minako stood tall, her eyes fixed on the volleyball net ahead. With determination etched on her face, she knew that today's match was more than just a game-it was a chance to prove her skills once again.

"Alright, team, let's show them what we're made of!" Minako exclaimed, rallying her teammates with a confident grin.

Artemis silently rooted for his partner, Minako, with a supportive whisper: "You've got this, Mina!"

The referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match. Minako's focus sharpened as she positioned herself for the serve, bare feet digging into the warm sand.

"Here we go!" she called out, launching the ball over the net with a powerful serve.

The opposing team scrambled to return the serve, but Minako was ready. With a graceful leap, she soared into the air, her fingertips grazing the ball with expert precision. The crowd erupted into cheers as the ball sailed over the net, landing squarely within the bounds of the opposing team's court.

"Yes! Great start, Minako!" her teammate cheered, giving her a thumbs-up.

But Minako wasn't done yet. With each rally, she showcased her prowess, delivering powerful spikes and precise sets that left her opponents scrambling to keep up. Her teammates rallied around her, their teamwork seamless as they moved in perfect harmony across the sand.

"Nice set!" Minako called out, applauding her teammate's skill as they scored another point.

As the match reached its climax, Minako found herself facing off against the opposing team's star player. With a steely gaze, she locked eyes with her rival, determination burning brightly within her heart.

"Bring it on!" Minako declared, her voice ringing out across the court.

With a mighty roar, she launched herself into the air, her spike a blur of motion as it hurtled towards the opposing team's court.

"Block her!" the opposing team's captain shouted, desperation evident in their voice.

Time seemed to stand still as the ball sailed through the air, each heartbeat echoing in Minako's ears. And then, with a resounding thud, it struck the sand, sending plumes of golden dust into the air. The crowd erupted into cheers as the referee signaled the point, declaring Minako's team the victors of the match.

"We did it!" Minako exclaimed, high-fiving her teammates as they celebrated their hard-earned victory.

Artemis watched as Minako was lifted up by her teammates, the pillar of their volleyball team, and couldn't help but think, "Mina has really improved." But as he glanced at her, he noticed her gaze fixed on the empty seat next to him, where her confidante and sister figure used to sit.

"Mina..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Minako stared at the vacant seat, imagining Katarina sitting there, cheering her on.

"Katarina-san," she murmured softly, her teammates lowering her back to the ground.

"Aino, let's have a celebration party at-"

"Pass," Minako interrupted, her face hidden behind a veil of tears. "I want to be alone."

"What an attitude," one of her teammates remarked. "Just because she's the volleyball team's ace."

"Hey," Artemis interjected, his tone firm.

Minako tightened her grip, her emotions welling up inside her.

"She thinks too highly of herself," another teammate chimed in. "Hitting balls is all she's good at anyway." They burst into laughter as Minako turned and fled, Artemis following close behind.

"Hey, Mina!" he called out, concern evident in his voice.

Tears streamed down Minako's cheeks as memories of Katarina flooded her mind.

"When she's with me," she thought, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she continued to run, ignoring Artemis's calls. "I don't feel any sadness."

"Mina!" Artemis's voice pierced through her thoughts, but Minako pressed on.

"I'm always like this," she reflected, her heart heavy with loneliness. Memories of countless solitary moments and being overlooked by others flashed before her eyes. "I always feel that... I'm unwanted."

Minako paused by the nearby bridge, where the sunset painted the sky with vibrant colors, and took a step towards it.

"MINA!!" Artemis cried out desperately, attempting to stop her but hindered by the sudden traffic. "What is she thinking???" Tears welled up in his eyes as he watched Minako step closer to the edge of the bridge.

"Mina," he thought, his heart heavy with worry as he noticed the bustling crowd around him. "Mina... are you just throwing away your ambition? All the hard work you've put in? Your pledge to protect the princess and the Queen's creations?"

Minako closed her eyes, the gentle breeze playing with her hair.

"Katarina-san," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps I was a burden in your life. That's why you left, right?"

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she prepared to let herself fall from the bridge.

"Goodbye," she whispered softly.

"MINA!!!!!!" Artemis's cry echoed through the air, filled with anguish and fear.

Just as Minako plunged into the depths below, a hand reached out and grasped hers. She looked up to see a guy around her age, with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes.

"Life is worth living," he said gently, his empathising gaze meeting Minako's teary eyes

Minako turned to face the young man, who regarded her with a compassionate gaze.

As he gently lifted her up, he spoke reassuringly, "Lady, share your thoughts."

Feeling the warmth of his hand and seeing the understanding in his eyes, Minako's tears flowed freely.

"Don't keep your emotions bottled up," he urged softly. "Let it all out, and I'll be here to listen."

Minako sobbed quietly as she embraced the stranger who had come to her rescue.

As the streets cleared of traffic, Artemis rushed towards Minako and the young man, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

"Your loneliness mirrors mine," the young man whispered softly, his words barely audible as Minako cried against his chest. "And I, too, was on the brink of ending my own life not long ago, until you came..."

As Minako ceased crying and released her grip on him, she whispered, "Thank you," a faint smile gracing her lips.

"There's someone as lonely as me, who has borne far greater struggles than I have," he mused to himself as he watched Minako and her cat walk away.

"And yet, I intervened... for reasons I couldn't fully comprehend myself," he reflected, his gaze lingering on Minako's retreating figure.

"And have you hear all the words I longed to hear from those around me," he thought, gratitude swelling in his heart as Minako disappeared from view

"May we meet again?"