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It was October 31st, a very happy time of the year for me. It was Halloween, the one time of year where I could be someone completely different and not end up confined in a lunatic asylum! Joy coursed through my body as I pulled out the elements of my costume: black steel-toed boots, gray-green cargo pants, black weightlifting gloves, a long-sleeved black t-shirt, black elbow pads, black kneepads, a black helmet, and my pride and joy, a black tactical vest with pockets for ammunition or whatever else I wanted. This was joyous in itself, but there was one more item to my costume: a black gas mask with red lenses! My plan was to dress as the Resident Evil 4 version of Agent HUNK, an Umbrella special forces agent who ran high-risk missions at the behest of the company.
"What on Earth are you doing, mortal?" the delightful rasping voice of Shinigami asked.
"Preparing my costume for Halloween, something us mortals celebrate every October 31st." I replied.
"A costume? What for? Sounds like mortal foolishness to me..." Shinigami muttered.
"Perhaps it is, but I can dress like and be someone else for a day, and that is what's important!" I fired back.
"If you say so... you could have been ME for Halloween. I find terrorizing your ilk much more fun than dressing up and begging for candy!" he almost shouted.
"A couple of things. One, I'm not going trick-or-treating. Two, I already have enough people who think me insane. Why confirm their suspicions any more than need be?" I retorted.
"Hahahahaha! Mortal, sanity is a relative thing! What one man thinks insane is normal to another!" Shinigami choked out in between spasms of laughter.
"Suuuuuure... if I went out in a crowded street with a microphone and started singing opera in French, the happy farm people would be all over me..." I muttered.
All I heard in response was insane laughter. I wondered what the voice in my head found so funny about people in white swarming me like Zerglings. Maybe he was as insane as he was homicidal. Or maybe I was too tame for his liking. My thought process was interrupted as I heard a knock on the door!
"What in Virgo?" I asked myself as I jumped behind my couch.
The pounding on the door resumed for a few seconds more, then ceased as I heard something sliding under the door, then footsteps wandering off. Slowly crawling over to a folded white card, I grabbed a pencil and poked it to see if it was anything like those dreadfully annoying singing cards I had seen in Wal-Mart. When it remained silent after prolonged prodding, I crawled over to it and sat down to open it. It was an invitation!
It read:
"Dear Jordan, I hope you'll come to the Halloween party at my temple tonight. You should show up by 9:00 p.m., so do try and put down Armored Core before then! Also, everyone will be there, so SHOW UP!
Your Friend,
Rei Hino"
"Awwww... how sweet! She invited you to her little sleepover!" Shinigami teased.
"Can it Shinny!" I barked.
"You call ME Shinny? How dare you!" He said in a flustered tone.
"Yeah... you wanna piece of me, boy?" I asked in the same tone as the Terran Marine from StarCraft.
"I shall not suffer this outrage in silence! I will...AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Shinigami screamed as I played Numa Numa on my stereo.
"MAKE IT STOP! I BEG YOU, CEASE THIS DEPLORABLE... MUSIC!" he screamed as he begged me.
"Will you mind your own business tonight? Will you stay out of my affairs?" I asked with my finger on the stop button.
"YESSSSS! CEASE THIS MUSIC!" He said in as pleading a voice as he could rasp.
"Alright..." I said as I stopped the music.
"Very well, mortal. I will not intervene unless you will it. However, I reserve the right to make commentary as I see fit!" Shinigami said.
"Fair enough." I answered back.
With the homicidal voice quelled, I went to putting on my costume. Long socks, shirt, pants, boots, gloves... I equipped all of it in an elaborate ceremony in front of my bathroom mirror as I played Iron Maiden's Man On The Edge from my stereo. After putting on most of my gear, I strapped on the kneepads and elbow pads, then put on my helmet for looks.
"Dr. Birkin, hand over the research sample!" I said as I pointed my "gun" (my right thumb, index and middle fingers in a pistol shape) at the mirror and quoted the agent in the best HUNK impersonation that I could muster. My costume was almost complete... now came the gas mask, the most important part of it all. Placing the mask on my face, I could almost feel transformed into him... Mr. Death, the sole survivor of many a hazardous mission. With Shinigami residing in my mind and the acts of violence he spurred me to do, I found that nickname appropriate. "I am Mr. Death..." I said with a lopsided grin.
With the mask in place, my breathing took on a darker, more sinister tone. Respiration sounded mechanical and labored, sort of like a more grating Darth Vader style of breathing. I then placed the black helmet over my head, put on my tactical vest, and taped the red-and-white Umbrella Corporation logo to the right side of my vest, near my shoulder. I looked at myself in the mirror, beholding the transformation from average Joe into Agent HUNK, Umbrella agent extraordinaire.
I felt compelled to laugh at myself as my mind flashed back to the "Mr. Death" nickname. I laughed loudly, the mask distorting my laughter in the same manner as it did my breathing. Halloween was truly a time where a good costume could make a world of difference on self-perception. Satisfied with the authenticity of my costume, I looked at the digital clock above my TV. It read 4:30 p.m.
Having some time to kill, I put my glasses into a pouch on my tactical vest and locked my apartment door. Stepping out onto the sidewalk of Tokyo, I saw countless others dressed for Halloween. I saw someone dressed as Goku from DragonBall Z, another person dressed as Edward Eldrich from Full Metal Alchemist, a girl dressed as Sango from Inuyasha, and another girl dressed as Asuka Soryu Langhley from Neon Genesis Evangelion. I laughed at the sea of costumes, drawing a few adults to stare at me in wonder. Caught up in the moment, I said "Join Umbrella Corporation! We have great health benefits and excellent job security!" A good deal of them laughed, but one elderly man called me a "jobless loser."
Waiting until he turned his back to make the L for loser on my forehead, I laughed to myself as I walked off. That puritanical jerk was not going to ruin my holiday! Rubbing shoulders with Japan's businessmen and fellow costume-wearing folk, I made my way to the Crown Arcade, that utopia for bored teenagers looking for amusement. As I stepped in, I found a small boy dressed as Naruto playing Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, a small boy dressed as Sasuke playing a claw machine game, and a girl dressed as Sakura watching the Sasuke try to win a Sailor V plushie, presumably for her. Finding a Tea Gardner in a yellow and black short shirt, red skirt and black tennis shoes playing Dance Dance Revolution Extreme, I watched her dance and waited my turn while watching her moves.
After five minutes, she turned around and found me watching her.
"Want to challenge me?" she asked with a smile.
"Why not?" I answered.
"Nice costume you've got. What are you?" she asked.
"Special Agent HUNK at your service!" I said with a smile on my voice.
"You sure sound like a hunk. What's your level?" she inquired.
"I do Standard. And you?" I said as I extended my hand in a "your turn" gesture.
"Same here. Ready to go?" she said.
"Very well. Let's dance!" I said joyfully.
The first song was Hyper Eurobeat. She had the advantage of tennis shoes over my steel-toed boots, but I managed to hold my own, pulling a B ranking to her A. The second one she selected was Pink Rose, a song from Gundam Seed. That one I was more familiar with, scoring an A to match her A. The final song was mine to select.
"Your choice, honey!" she chirped as she extended her hand.
Taking advantage of this boon, I selected a song called Love Love Sugar. The squirrely high-pitched voice made me laugh, but I had also played it solo time and time again, so I selected that one. She nodded her head and we started. As the squirrely female voice began singing and the two nurses eating lollipops in the background began to move, we engaged in an epic dance battle. Her agility and timing was pitted against my knowledge and experience... who would win?
"AAAGH!" she shouted as she missed a jump step to the left and right arrows. Clearly she was a perfectionist, much like myself. As the song wore on, I missed a few jump steps due to my boots, but my experience allowed me to compensate with the rapid steps needed near the middle. Her agility game me a run for it near the end, especially as the comical voices chanted something about candy in Japanese.
"Blast!" I muttered audibly as I missed the last jump step.
"Well sweetie, this is where it ends. How did you think you did?" she asked casually.
"I'd say my performance merited a B. How about you?" I replied.
"I think I got an A, as always... I've been playing this game for months now!" she crowed.
The mask concealed my expression of surprise. She had even greater experience than I did in addition to her agility and timing! Hopefully I did well enough on Pink Rose and Love Love Sugar to at least match her A on Hyper Eurobeat and her B on Pink Rose. As I calculated the possibilities, the scores came up.
Her face had an expression of confidence as her score of A came up. The mask hid my grimace but not the groan of anxiety I choked out.
"Hah! I win again!" she said as she thrust the V for victory sign towards the machine.
Then her expression changed to consternation as my score came up. I had scored an A as well!
"What?! We tied overall?! This hasn't happened before!" she gasped.
"This was unexpected but not unwelcome. It seems our abilities are more or less matched." I said with my arms crossed.
Using one hand to brush her sweat-soaked hair back into shape, the exhausted Tea said "You're an awfully academic guy, but you said it! Congratulations sweetie!" as she hugged me.
Returning her embrace, I wondered what costume Makoto wore.
"I'm tired... I've got some friends to catch up with. Later, you hunk!" she said with a wink as she faced me before running out of the door.
I was sweating and blushing underneath my gas mask. My face was burning bright red... good thing no one could see it! Looking at the clock, the time read 5:15 p.m. With nothing better to do, I danced on my own for another three games until my throbbing feet finally forced me to halt. As I stepped off the machine, the Naruto from earlier walked over to me.
"How did you score with her?" he asked with a jealous tone.
"I tied her in Dance Dance Revolution..." I answered nervously.
"Really? She beat me badly! I don't play that game enough... I get tired too easily. And you tied her on Standard!" he admitted while kicking the ground.
"I'm tired from that match plus the three full games I played afterwards..." I said.
"WHAT? You played three games AFTER playing that girl? You've got stamina, man! Maybe that's why you scored with her!" he said with a gaping mouth.
"What can I say? The ladies like me..." I said with a hand behind my head.
"I wanna be like you! I WANNA! What's your secret?" the Naruto asked with his hands clasped in pleading.
"well, it's a matter of..." I started as I saw him being dragged off by the Sakura.
"Don't mind him... he's a little pervert!" she said to me as she grabbed him by the ear.
"WAIT! HE WAS GONNA TELL ME HOW TO GET GIRLS! LEMME GO!" he screamed and waved his arms as the door closed.
"This day keeps getting better and better..." I thought as I watched him be dragged off. Another glance at the clock informed me that it was now 6:00 p.m.
Taking my leave of the arcade and walking back towards my home to eat a sandwich and chips, I watched as children equipped with buckets and dressed in various costumes ran ahead of their parents. They were on a mission: to get as much saccharine sweetness as possible! That reminded me of my own youth and the memories associated with Halloween flooded back. When I reached my front door and unlocked it, I thought of the Halloween party at Rei's temple at 9:00.
"Blast! I nearly forgot about her party! But I have three hours..." I said as I shut the door, took off my mask and helmet, and ate my spartan meal of a peanut butter sandwich and chips. I drank a few cups of Pibb Xtra and turned on my PlayStation 2, which had Armored Core 3 loaded in the tray. Earlier I had resolved to destroy the AC Cypress in the Arena, but my AC Venator was not quite up to the task.
"I'm gonna fight fire with fire!" I said to the screen as I built a new Armored Core and called it Aries, after the Mobile Suit from Gundam Wing. Equipping it with hover legs and an 800-round machine gun arm part, I took it to the Arena against Cypress. Matching its tactics with hit-and-run raids of my own, I managed to knock down its Armor Points and drive up its heat gauge, which would shave additional AP. With this new suit I almost defeated my nemesis four times but narrowly lost. On a fifth try, I finally succeeded!
"YEEEEEEEAH!" I shouted joyfully as the hated Cypress exploded in defeat. I had finally accomplished my goal and thus moved up in Arena ranking. I also got more money to spend on parts, which I used to buy a new booster and a lightweight but strong laser weapon. Deciding to run a few missions with my new AC, I took heavy damage with my reckless approach but used my newfound laser weapon to destroy the opposition and complete the mission. I danced with joy at each successful mission and saved my game.
Anticipating time for more missions, I turned to my clock to look at the time. It read 8:15. Saving my game again, quitting it and allowing it to return to the title screen before turning my PS2 off and grabbing my orange-tipped toy H&K MP-5, I equipped my mask and helmet once more. Transitioning from my normal self to HUNK once more, I locked my apartment door and walked towards Rei's temple. Wondering what adventure would await me there, I fell into a rhythmic stride that was similar to a trotting horse. On the way I thought about what everyone would be wearing.
"I bet Rei is wearing a Kagome costume and poor Chad was dragooned into being Inuyasha!" I thought with a chuckle.
As I neared the gates, I looked at my cell phone clock. It read 8:45.
Deciding not to show too soon, I ducked into some nearby bushes and watched as people passed by.
"Usagi in a nurse costume... Ami in a doctor costume complete with stethoscope... Chibi-Usa as a sugar cube... Hotaru as the Tooth Fairy..." I thought as I checked people off.
"Darien in... a farmer costume? With a cabbage in his hand? AND a straw hat on his head?! Hahaha!" I muttered and nearly laughed out loud.
"Now what... Minako as a French maid? Niiiiice!" I thought with a slight sense of guilt.
"Officer Setsuna is on the case!" I thought as she strode by in a military outfit resembling Victoria's from Hellsing.
"Tuxedo Melvin and Sailor Molly... how original..." I whispered as I put my hand over my face in disappointment.
"Now who else...? Haruka as Link and Michiru as Princess Zelda? THAT was unanticipated!" I muttered in surprise. Haruka was wearing the blue Zora Tunic, brown Kokiri Boots, and white tights of Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Michiru was wearing the pink and blue dress of Princess Zelda, complete with blonde wig, golden Triforce earrings, and arm-length white gloves. I heard Rei's voice greet each and every guest in turn, but she would not step outside.
"AAAAH! Step outside already so I can see you!" I willed as if that would compel her to do my bidding.
I was chanting "Come out-side, come out-side!" when I looked to my cell phone and looked at the time. It was 8:55. I put it away and resumed my watch. The only person missing was Makoto... where was she?
A blinding light caught the corner of my eye. Someone carried what looked to be a torch in their hand, but it was far too bright to be an open flame. It must have been a battery-powered light of some sort. I could not see their face or costume as they opened the door. Waiting a few more minutes to see if anyone else was going to appear, I readied my foam-bullet firing MP-5 and walked to the entrance to the courtyard.
"I sent the invitation specifically stating that he be here BY 9:00!" Rei screamed.
"It's only 8:58... he'll be here." Ami said calmly.
"I sure hope so... I don't want him to miss my wonderful costume!" I heard Minako squeal.
Hiding around a corner and checking my cell phone one last time, the clock read 8:59.
"Showtime!" I said to myself.
Walking slowly into the lantern-lit courtyard with my MP-5 drawn, I began breathing into my mask. Smiling as I went, I wondered when anyone would notice me. They were absorbed in conversations that mingled to produce a barely audible jumble of words.
"What... what is that?!" I heard Melvin ask as he pointed towards my shadow. At first only he noticed, but then Haruka and Michiru looked also. Then Setsuna, Minako and Ami. Finally everyone looked in my direction just as I emerged from the last of the shadows.
Feeling fully in-character and "armed", I presented my weapon and said "Everyone, remain where you are!"
There were startled gasps and murmurs, then cold silence. I let it fill the courtyard before noticing Haruka try to reach for something on her back.
"Don't be a hero!" I sternly said as I pointed my weapon at her head. She lowered a plastic Master Sword to the ground and stepped away from it slowly.
"Now I've got something to say to you people..." I said with my gun pointed at Rei. She DID have a Kagome costume on, much to my amusement!
I was in the process of lowering my gun when I heard a sliding door and footsteps. Swinging the barrel to rest on the doorway, Makoto jumped with a start. She was dressed as the Statue of Liberty in a flowing green gown and even had the crown, torch and book!
"Get over with the others and keep your hands up!" I warned as my gun followed her over to the others. A part of me was enjoying the situation... I never thought Halloween could be this fun! I was smiling when I noticed Usagi beginning to cry. Feeling a little twinge of guilt, I decided to end my charade as quickly as possible.
"Alright everyone, I have something to say." I advised as I lowered my weapon.
"PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!" Minako screamed as she hugged Rei.
"I DON'T WANNA DIE!" Usagi cried as she clung to Darien.
"NO! DON'T SHOOT ME! I WANNA LIVE!" Melvin cried as he clutched Molly and whimpered.
Saying nothing, I slung the weapon on my right shoulder, undid my gas mask and helmet, and put on my glasses.
"WHAT?! JORDAN!" Rei screamed as she jabbed a finger at me.
"Oui, c'est moi, Mademoiselle Kagome..." I said as I saluted.
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief as they visibly relaxed. But Usagi was still about to cry.
"It's OK Usagi..." I said.
"YOU JERK! EAT THIS!" She screamed as she took Darien's cabbage and hurled it at my head, missing by feet. I looked at her and laughed as she cried and drooled on herself.
"That's not very nice, Jordan..." Ami admonished.
"Je sais, je sais... but I HAD to do it. It was in the spirit of Umbrella Corporation's Agent HUNK!" I said as I pointed to my Umbrella emblem.
Rei got mad and started waving her arms at me while Haruka restrained her.
"Hey Kagome, where's Inuyasha? Wanna sic Doggy Boy on me?" I said as I danced about and laughed. Almost everyone else laughed with me, but Setsuna looked miffed.
All of a sudden an Inuyasha indeed appeared. He said "Uhhh... prepare to die, man..." as he struggled to hold aloft a plastic Tetsusaiga.
"Chad? Is that you under the white hair?!" I asked.
"Yeah... Rei forced me to wear this outfit... I didn't want to, but she hit me with a broom until I did." Chad said as he scratched his false dog ears buried in long white hair.
"Hahahahaha!" I laughed as Chad fell backwards with the plastic blade still in his hands. He grunted and strained to pick himself up, obviously forgetting to simply let go of the sword. I motioned for him to release it, and he did. I helped him up and the two of us laughed at the restrained Rei still screaming and threatening me.
"Someone needs to tell HER to sit, eh Inuyasha?" I asked as I faced Chad.
"Yeah man. She's all stressed out for some reason. She really needs to chill, man." Chad replied in a monotone.
I laughed even more until I felt a bone-crunching hug nearly crush my chest and arms. I groaned as the air was forced out of my body and I thought I was hearing popping noises.
"Hey Jordan! Nice costume!" Makoto said as she slowly crushed me.
Somehow this was amusing to the others, who all began to laugh, but Setsuna still looked miffed. I figured a bear hug was the least I could do after making poor Usagi cry and the others nearly urinate themselves. I wondered why Setsuna was so serious... what could warrant her stern, focused look?
After my feet hit firm ground, Minako ran over to me and said "Nice outfit Jordan! ...But what are you?" she asked.
"Special Agent HUNK at your service!" I said like I did to the Tea Gardner from earlier.
"You ARE a hunk! SQUEEEEEE!" Minako chirped as she hugged me.
"Yeeeeaaaah... anyway, what's Setsuna preoccupied with?" I asked.
"What? Her? Who cares! All that matters is uSSSSS!" she cried out as Rei dragged her away.
"This day keeps getting better and better..." I said out loud.
Picking up his cabbage and dusting it off, Darien walked over and shook my hand while saying "Nice costume. You really had me and Mr. Happyleaf going..."
"Who is Mr. Happyleaf...?" I asked. I had a sneaking suspicion that it was his cabbage, but I was not certain. Something told me I didn't want to know the answer.
"Mr. Happyleaf is this here cabbage!" He said proudly as he held it out.
"What... the...?!" I said as I struggled for words. Had Darien taken leave of his senses?
Chibi-Usa walked over to me in what appeared to be a white box labeled SUGAR. I couldn't help but to laugh as she waddled over followed by Hotaru. She noticed and frowned a bit but brightened when she noticed my MP-5.
"Nice costume. Does that gun work?" Chibi-Usa asked while pointing to it.
"Let me show you..." I said as I whipped it up and shot the cabbage out of Darien's hand with a three-round burst before anyone could react.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO! Mr. Happyleaf!" Darien screamed as he chased it down and dusted it off.
Chibi-Usa and Hotaru erupted into laughter as Darien ran over to Usagi and frantically shouted "Help him! HE MUST LIVE!"
Usagi laughed and said "Darien, it's just a cabbage. It's fine."
He dashed over to Ami and screamed "HELP HIM!"
"Darien, Usagi's right... it's just a cabbage." Ami admonished.
"He is Mr. Happyleaf! He WILL LIVE!" Darien screamed as he ran inside Rei's temple and disappeared. We all laughed at him... everyone but Setsuna.
"Chaos, disorder, and confusion. My work here is done!" I said as I blew on the end of my toy submachine gun.
Setsuna began striding towards me with the same stern and focused look that she held after I took off my mask. It was unnerving as she stopped and looked me in the face. Her eyes met my eyes and never flinched. However, I did. It was like she was peering into my mind!
"What... is she? Why am I so frightened of her?" I asked myself. My right hand began to tremble as I pondered the question.
"Makoto, back off." Setsuna laconically said.
"OK..." Makoto said with a concerned look as she walked over to the others, who were observing curiously. I felt like I was facing an executioner as my right hand trembled even worse.
"If it's about earlier... I'm sorry." I said as I bowed in apology.
"Actually, I was fairly amused. You certainly know how to play a role!" Setsuna replied with a slight smile.
I was surprised at her reaction. Ami had once told me that Setsuna was a grim and mysterious person. Now I saw why. Setsuna was an enigma!
"I know that you want something more. What do you require of me?" I asked as my hand slowly stopped its nervous trembling.
"Straight to the point. I like that... I wanted to ask you what Shinigami does when you're not in battle." she countered.
"To be honest, he makes commentary about my activities." I said.
"Strange. You seem to have some mastery over him. Normally he induces his victims to kill and destroy everything around them." Setsuna replied with a puzzled look.
"How did you know about him? You are the fabled Guardian of Time, if I am not mistaken." I said with a questioning voice.
"Indeed I am. I learned what I know of him from my duty at the Time Gate." she answered as if in thought.
"I would venture to say that we are two of a kind, you and I." I boldly declared.
"And why is that?" she retorted in her usual laconic style.
"We are but guardians on the fringe of the Senshi group. I was not originally part of the Senshi. And we are both mysteries to the others. Only..." I trailed off.
"Only..." Setsuna repeated.
"Only that you have been accepted for who you are, but I still feel a trace of reservation, perhaps even distrust, especially from Rei. I feel barely concealed hostility from Haruka. I wonder why this is..." I trailed off again.
"Perhaps it has to do with Shinigami. He was present before the time of the Moon Kingdom. He was present during its fall. In short, his influence was felt everywhere, even on the home planets of the Sailor Senshi." she answered.
"And let me guess. He worked his mischief on Mars and Uranus..." I said, implying Setsuna to furnish the answer.
"Perhaps you are right. It certainly makes sense." came the laconic reply.
"Also... is there any way you can explain my liking for Makoto? I myself do not understand it. Shinigami can offer no explanation." I asked.
"That I do not know. All I can say is that love works in mysterious ways..." she said as she looked me in the eyes with that same penetrating glare from earlier.
"It feels like I am chasing fragments of my past. I want some semblance of logic as to why I like Makoto so much. Perhaps to always have some pieces of the puzzle missing is the fate of a human weapon like myself." I muttered bitterly.
Setsuna looked somewhat alarmed when I said that. Though she did not say it, I felt a gesture of sympathy as she laid a hand on my shoulder.
"Thank you Setsuna-sama. Though this seems like our first meeting, it feels like you have always offered me sage advice. I feel that I can rely on you. And that is a valuable feeling... knowing that you can trust someone ." I almost whispered.
Setsuna appeared touched, then said "This conversation will be kept strictly between you and me. May you find all that you seek." as she walked towards the others. For a minute I felt that I had solved the enigma. The meeting of two lonely guardians had produced a mutual understanding that was at first unexpected, but then became of immense comfort to me. As I watched her back I felt the presence of a kindred spirit: one that understood what I felt and one that would keep the trust placed in her. The onus was on me to maintain my end of the unwritten pact.
Minako, Ami and Makoto walked over towards me and began to ask simultaneously what we spoke of.
"What did she say? I wanna know!" Minako asked.
"Yes. What DID she say?" Ami asked, ever the scientist.
"Yeah... say, are you trying to get with Setsuna?" Makoto asked with a frown.
"Not at all, Makoto." I said. Her facial expression relaxed and became a smile.
"Ah well. As long as that isn't the case, it doesn't really matter to me as long as I have you." Makoto said in a content tone of voice as she hugged me. I glanced over to Setsuna, who was fending off questions from the others. She caught my gaze and winked. I knew what she meant: her word was going to be kept. At last, I had found a worthy friend. As I saw the happy couples of Usagi and Darien, Rei and Chad and Molly and Melvin, I wondered what would become of Makoto and me.
Would we become a full-fledged couple, or was it a star-crossed relationship? As I looked into Makoto's sparkling eyes, I could not divine the future. All that I knew was that I had a circle of friends that was growing with each successive meeting. In the end, that was probably all I could ask for.
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