Honey Love - Part 7

Peach could not believe her luck. Just half a day ago she had been close to death, now she was walking down the sunny streets of Tokyo between two of the greatest people in history! On her left was Usagi Tsukino, the future queen of Crystal Tokyo, and on her right, Minako Aino, the future idol of the world! With each of the girls’ hand clasped tightly in her own, she took the opportunity to study the girls more closely, as they were chatting animatedly among themselves about the newest video game at the arcade. Both girls looked a lot younger than the ladies whose portraits were hanging in the royal gallery, but at the same time they had that indefinable air about them that marked them for future greatness. She also had to marvel at just how much alike they looked as well, with the blue eyes and blond hair you could almost mistake the two for sisters. But Minako was definitely the prettiest. So engrossed in her studies were Peach, that she nearly tripped and fell on her face when her two protégés suddenly came to a halt in front of a large building.

Minako beamed: “Ah, here we are! My home away from home!”

The tall building was, not at all surprising, a large mall. The size was naturally nothing compared to the malls you found in Crystal Tokyo, but since Peach was rarely, if at all, allowed to go there (and never without bodyguards), she was enjoying the experience immensely. The summer holidays had just started, and due to the heat outside a lot of people had retreated inside the cool walls of the tall building. Minako seemed a bit annoyed by the mass of people, and she used her sharp elbows to quickly manoeuvre them through the crowd. Usagi kept a step behind, Peach in tow, letting the energetic girl guide them towards their destination; the clothing store.

It was much less crowded inside the store, it seemed most people were either too hot, or too tired, to do any serious shopping. Peach followed the two older girls around, looking at the different types of clothing, not listening to their discussions. She noticed that style was a bit different in her time, and definitely more varied, but she also spotted a lot of the same type o outfits as back home. Suddenly she realised that Usagi and Minako had stopped, and turned towards them to find out what the hold-up was. Usagi was clutching a pink dress in her hands, looking annoyed at Minako.

“It’s adorable, how can you say otherwise?”

“Pink? With her colouring? No way! The girl is clearly Spring, she needs yellow and greens!” Minako turned towards her, her face intent. “What do you think?”

Faced with the two pairs of eyes staring her down Peach said the very first thing that fell into her mind: “I hate pink.”

The minute the words had slipped past her lips she knew she’d made a mistake; Minako looked utterly triumphant, but the look on Usagi’s face almost broke her heart. She started to open her mouth, to retract her statement somehow, but was whisked away by a humming Minako, leaving Usagi standing alone behind, looking forlorn. Second later she was gone from sight, and Minako had filled her arms with a variety of different outfits for her to try on. Peach went to the changing-room, the sinking feeling in her stomach not quite willing to subside.

12 outfit-changes later, and Peach was starting to feel much better. Spending time with Minako was even better than her wildest dreams. The idol-to-be was just as fun and kind as she had always imagined, if not more. She almost felt like she already knew the older girl, and considering her huge collection back home, she sort of did. Peach spun around in the dark green dress she was trying out, watching it twirl around her in the mirror. But knowing someone through books, picture and videos were not the same as knowing them in person. At that moment Minako stuck her head into the tiny alcove.

“Are you dressed?”

“You should ask that before you peek, silly!”

Minako rolled her eyes jokingly. “Oooh, right, I forgot.” She glanced up and down the dress Peach was currently wearing, nodding approvingly. “That one is just perfect for you. Put it in with the other items, and I’ll go talk to the store clerk. He’s a good friend of mine.” Minako winked slyly before exiting. Peach started unbuttoning the dress, feeling her cheeks flush with colour. Something about the last comment, and the wink, gave her a fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach. Minako was so grown up and gorgeous, and she was just a little girl. Why should she really care about someone small like her? And how could she even dream about being like her? With a frustrated tug she pulled the dress over her head, discarding it together with the other “perfect” outfits. She pulled on the clothes she came in, determined to find Usagi again. Hopefully she was still somewhere in the store.

It didn’t take very long before she found her. Usagi was seated on a small stool between to racks of clothing, still holding the pink dress from earlier. Her eyes were red, and Peach could tell she had been crying. She scooted closer to the girl, carefully not to try to startle her.

“Usagi?” Peach whispered in what she hoped was a soothing voice; the same her mother used when Peach was upset about something (which was often). The blonde looked up, her eyes softening when she saw who it was.

“Oh, hey there Peach. Are the two of you done yet?”

Peach nodded her head. “Minako is talking to the clerk now.” The following silence felt awkward and never-ending, and finally she couldn’t stand it any more: “I’m sorry!” she blurted out. Not at all the eloquent excuse she had planned, but it was better than the endless silence. “I didn’t mean to make you sad…”

Usagi looked momentarily confused, before finally putting away the pink dress. She rubbed her eyes, smiling sadly. “No, it’s not your fault. I’m being silly; I just miss her so much…”

“Who?” Peach asked, sitting down on the floor beside Usagi.

“Chibi-Usa. She’s… Oh, never mind. It’s a long story.”

Peach looked up. “Oh yeah, Lady Serenity. Your daughter who travelled through time and made giant mess for Pluto. She’s not here right now?”

Usagi’s mouth fell open, making Peach smile at her comical expression. “You know about that?”

She shrugged. “Of course, it’s common knowledge in Crystal Tokyo. They tutor us lots and lots about time-travelling, warning us about the dangers of giving away information and possibly changing the past and yak-yak-yak…” Peach made little talking motions with her hand, clearly showing her feelings regarding her lectures. “Usually it gives me a headache, so I think about something else instead.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. I often fall asleep in class, and then the teacher yells at me, and makes me stand in the hall…”

Peach giggled. “Really? The teachers don’t dare give me detention or anything, because I am the princess. Then mother yells at them because they’re not doing their job properly. I wonder how it feels to go back in time and meet your parents?”

Usagi blinked, confused at the rapid change of subject. “I… don’t know. You probably know more about that than me.”

“Yeah, but I’m not your daughter. I am your…” Peach started to count on her fingers: “great-great -grand-daughter. That’s completely different.”

Usagi stretched her arms over her head, a tiny smile on her face. “Well, if we’re done here, great-great-grand-daughter, how about some milkshakes?”

Peach was, for the second time that day, sure that she was in heaven. She’d been allowed to change into her new clothing immediately, and was now sipping her third milkshake wearing a light summer dress. On her head balanced the cutest little hat, hiding away her forehead mark from the prying eyes of the world. Even brushing her bangs in front of it hadn’t hidden it completely, and both she and the older girls had been given weird stares from passer-bys. She took another sip of her drink. This time the flavour was chocolate, which she felt was way better than vanilla (her first one), but not quite as good a strawberry (the second one). She was starting to feel slightly dizzy from all the sugar, and keeping still was getting more difficult by the minute. But not quite ready for the wonderful moment to end, she forced herself to sit calmly between the two older girls, trying to drink her shake as quietly as possible, listening to them squabble.

“But I paid for the last milkshake!” Usagi insisted, raising her index finger as it to make a point. Minako shook her head, sending tiny bits of cake flying.

“I paid for both the cookies, and the chocolate, it’s definitely your turn now!” She crossed her arms over her chest, seeming pleased with herself. Usagi grumbled, knowing the battle was lost, and stood up taking her wallet with her.

“Hey, Peach, do you want another milkshake?”

Peach looked up, her eyes as large as saucers. “N-No thank you.” She stuttered, still trying to keep her sugar-overloaded body under control. Usagi smiled, and went to the registry to wait in line.

In the meanwhile Minako had picked up a pamphlet on a nearby table. Peach leaned closer, reading over her shoulder. ‘Grand singing contest; Saturday at noon.’ She remembered that event. It was the starting point of Minako’s career as an idol. Granted, she hadn’t become a success until much later in life, after the big showdown with Chaos and all that, but there was no doubt that this was the place where Minako’s star had been lit. Peach leaned even closer, trying her best to sound casual. “Oh, wow, how cool. Are you going to go?”

Minako huffed; giving the paper an once-over, then curled it in her hand. “Nah, I don’t think so. There’s no reason, I’m never going to be an idol any way.”

Peach reeled backwards, nearly knocking her half-empty glass over in the process. Her voice was near breathless as she gasped out: “You’re not going?” Minako looked up, confused by the intensity in the girl’s voice. “But you have to go! If you don’t, you… you… You’re supposed to be there! That’s where your whole career started!”

Minako’s eyes narrowed, giving the impression of a cat that had just gotten both the cream and the canary. “What did you just say?”

Peach eeped, and clamped her hand in front of her mouth. In the back of her head she could her Pluto’s stern voice, telling her how revealing the future was a ‘very bad thing’. She blinked her eyes, trying to put on the most innocent expression she could muster. “Uhm, nothing?”

Leaning back against the couch, Minako unravelled the crumpled pamphlet, taking another look at it. “So I do become an idol after all?” Figuring the damage was already done, Peach simply nodded. Minako turned to her, her face grave. “But not right now, right? I… I couldn’t leave the others behind like that.” For a moment she looked frightened. “Could I?”

Shaking her head violently, Peach grabbed the other girl’s hand. “No! You’d never abandoned your friends, Minako! You’re not like that!” The other girl seemed relieved at her answer, and the intensity of it. She tossed the pamphlet back on the table.

“But some day…” She smiled. “Well, that means I am definitely going this Saturday.” She winked at the younger girl, putting a finger in front of her lips. “And don’t worry; this will be our little secret.”