Chapter Text
We begin this fic in Mamoru's apartment on a summer afternoon where the Inner Senshi were holding their usual study session.
“An afternoon in the late summer heat,” Usagi began. “In your nicely air-conditioned room. The happiness as I'm having a romantic daydream.”
“USAGI!” Minako shouted in the other blond's ear. “It's not time to be daydreaming.”
“Sheesh, Usagi, you're so...” Rei moaned.
“You have o keep yourself together.” Makoto chided.
“You said you wanted me to tutor you.” Mamoru reminded. “Let me guess, the air conditioning is what you were after?”
“Ami, what are you doing?” Minako spotted the team genius over at Mamoru's bookshelf.
“Did you find an interesting book?” Mamoru asked.
“Yes, all academic books are very high caliber.” Ami nodded. “Basic Dictionary of Ancient Babylonian Language, Fluid Mechanics and Wave Mechanics, Computer Programming Languages and Symbolic Logic, You Can Make Your Own Curry Dishes From All Over The World; but these subjects don't seem very consistent.”
“All of them are really interesting.” Mamoru replied. “I just can't bring myself to specifying any one field as my major.”
“That's amazing.” Makoto gushed. “Wouldn't that mean you're a jack of all trades but a master of none?”
“Just for reference, that's not really a compliment.” Mamoru sweatdropped. “You guys really do need to study more. We'll start with English.”
“I'm terrible with English.” Usagi whined. “Someone's here.” she heard the doorbell ring.
At the door...
“Good afternoon, young lady.” Edwards greeted Usagi who had answered the door with English. “I see, you cannot speak English.” he realized, hearing Usagi's fumbling. “Young lady, is Mamoru around?” he switched to Japanese.
“Edwards.” Mamoru came to the door.
“Hello, Mamoru.” Edwards greeted. “Long time no see. Hello, young ladies.” he spotted the four Inner Senshi peering from behind the wall.
“If you'd like you can have some tea.” Mamoru suggested.
“No, don't mind me.” Edwards assured. “Actually, a group of youngsters are coming over to my place again today. They told me to invite you to the gathering. If they would like to come, the young ladies are also invited. It's a very fun party.”
“Edwards is an English gentleman who lives in an European mansion at the outskirts of town.” Mamoru informed the girls.
“So, he's the much rumored English gentleman who lives in that European mansion.” Usagi realized.
“Yeah.” Mamoru nodded. “Edwards often invites young exchanges students to his mansion and hold parties for them.”
“The mansion on the top of the hill, the graceful melodies of a waltz...” Rei daydreamed.
“It's wonderful that you can communicate between cultures from various countries.” Ami noted.
“In a wonderful mansion... a party with Mamo-chan!” Usagi gushed. “Starting today, I, too, am a global person!”
“But the fact that it's a party for exchange students...” Ami trailed.
“Yes, most of the conversations are in English.” Mamoru confirmed. “So, in order for you not be to embarrassed at the party, let's brush up your English skills.”
Meanwhile, in the Aldini twins' new apartment...
The half-Italian brothers were also preparing for the same party, the twins completely unaware that they would cross paths with an old friend later that evening.
That evening, at Edwards' mansion...
“Lots of handsome guys.” Minako gushed as the couples on the dance floor.
“Lots of tall people.” Makoto peered.
“They really are talking in English.” Usagi muttered nervously.
“Usagi, love know no boundaries.” Rei encouraged.
“Usagi, this is a chance to really use English.” Ami added. “Try your best.”
“I haven't studied enough to think that this is a chance.” Usagi wailed.
“Nii-chan, over there.” the slimmed-down Isami nudged his older brother, pointing to Mamoru's group.
“Why is she...” Takumi's eyes widened in recognition.
“Hey, Mamoru!” George called out in English.
“Hi, George.” Mamoru returned.
“I haven't seen you in a long time.” Ned remarked, the two approaching Mamoru and the girls with Edwards in tow.
“Everybody, welcome to my home party.” Edwards beamed.
“Mamoru, please hurry up and introduce us to these lovely young ladies.” George prodded.
“They are really good at Japanese.” Minako was surprised.
“We do attend a Japanese university.” Ned pointed out.
“We lucked out, Usagi.” Rei smiled. “Where's Usagi?” she blinked, seeing the pig-tailed blond was missing.
“Maybe in the bathroom.” Makoto suggested.
Hiding behind a nearby curtain, Usagi was referring to her translating notebook for often-used phases.
“Mamoru, you should pursue theoretical physics.” George suggested. “It's a wonderful field.”
“George, you shouldn't push your interests on others.” Ned chided.
“They all study very advanced subjects.” Ami noted.
“They are all reliable young individuals.” Edwards responded. “It's my pleasure to provide this mansion as a place for them to socialize. A beautiful waltz, and young individuals who are full of possibilities. Life is rosy when you have those two things; that is what I believe.”
“All too amazing.” Makoto gawked.
“The conversation level is too high.” even Rei admitted defeat. “I can't keep up.”
“Mamo-chan!” a drunk Usagi stumbled in. “The pudding of relatively?” she latched onto Mamoru.
“She's drunk.” Ami sighed.
“Lady, if you could come over here.” Edwards intervened. “Mamoru, escort the young lady over to the balcony. Everyone, we have invited two new guests tonight.” he informed his party guests. “Please direct your attention to the stage. Tenou Haruka and Kaioh Michiru.”
“Just as expected from Edwards.” Takumi whistled. “To know such famous celebrities.”
“Hello, you girls.” Haruka greeted the returning group after her and Michiru's performance.
“This is a wonderful party.” Michiru noted. “A waltz just started.” she heard the music band playing. “Mamoru, would you like to join me for a dance?”
“No, Mamo-chan is dancing with me!” Usagi retorted.
“Then, odango can dance with me.” Haruka stepped forward.
“Yes, gladly.” Usagi changed her tune.
“You do have some rather interesting friends.” a bemused voice sounded beside Ami.
The blue-haired girl blinked when a single purple gloxinia was presented in front of her and she turned to the speaker, only to be met by a pair of very familiar blue eyes.
“Yo.” Takumi greeted.
“Takumi Aldini...” Ami breathed in disbelief.” Isami...” she then spotted the younger twin. “How...”
“It's a long story.” Takumi bowed. “Do I have the honor of this dance?”
“Good luck, nii-chan.” Isami grinned widely as Takumi led Ami to the dance floor.
“Ami never mentioned her knowing any foreigners.” Makoto was amazed at the fluidity the two teens were displaying on the dance floor. “Kino Makoto.” she introduced herself to the younger Aldini twin.
“Isami Aldini.” Isami returned. “As nii-chan says, it's a long story.”
“The gloxinia...” Makoto started. “'Love at first sight'?”
“You know your flowers.” Isami was impressed. “May I?” he offered Makoto a hand.
“Edwards-san apparently helps young people, and he never holds out.” Takumi explained, after securing the gloxinia into Ami's hair. “From what I heard from Uncle, when he was young, he gained his wealth by stomping on other people he had believed that money was what was needed to build a brighter future. But then, he realized something one day; with no family nor friends, he was all alone.”
“A rosy future, huh?” Ami used, recalling Edwards' words. “He's a romantic. Wait, is that....” she looked over Takumi's shoulder and spotted Isami with Makoto.
“Isami?” Takumi was surprised to find his usually introverted brother dancing.
“I see he and Mako hit it off just fine.” Ami giggled.
“Shall we take a break?” Takumi suggested, after the dance number petered out. “We have over nine years of catching up to do.”
On the balcony...
“Divorced?” Takumi echoed after Ami told him what had happened shortly after the Mizuno visit to Italy. “I'm sorry; I have no idea.”
“It's okay.” Ami shook her head. “I'm used to it, over the years. Tōtsuki Culinary Academy?” she gawked. “That's amazing.”
“I suppose...” Takumi flushed.
“But to make such beautiful roses bloom,” Ami took a closer look at the rose bush. “Edwards-san must be a kind-hearted person.”
“Ami, I...” Takumi started.
“What?” Ami turned to the blond and was stunned to find herself pulled inches before him. Since when.. is he going to... she realized what Takumi had intended to do as he closed the distance.
Back in the dance hall...
“Is your brother going to...” Makoto gaped at the pair on the balcony.
“Looks like he is.” even Isami was flabbergasted.
Aside, Mamoru spotted dark blue smoke billowing from the door that separated the kitchen from the main hall. “Don't open the door!” he warned the waiter. “Oh no!” he used a handkerchief to cover his mouth as the smoke roared in.
On the balcony...
Hearing the commotion in the main hall, Ami broke out of Takumi's hold and the pair hurried back into the dance hall.
“What in the world...” Takumi was stunned to find the passed out guests. “Isami!” he found his brother on the floor, knocked out. “Sleeping gas...” he realized, before he too, was knocked unconscious.
“Captured!” Eudial fired her Capture Gun at the unsuspecting Edwards and extracted his Heart Crystal. “This one looks very likely.”
“Neptune Planet Power, Make Up!” outside the mansion, Michiru transformed.
“Uranus Planet Power, Make Up!” Haruka followed suit.
“Deep Submerge!” Sailor Neptune wasted no time in firing off her attack, knocking the Heart Crystal from Eudial's hand.
“We can't let you take this.” Sailor Uranus claimed the Heart Crystal.
“Daimon!” Eudial summoned the Daimon.
“Not so fast!” Sailor Moon declared on the second floor. “The bell for midnight hasn't struck yet.”
“An intruder, an uninvited one!” Sailor Mars barked.
“Villains who disrupt parties are always defeated.” Sailor Jupiter posed.
“In the name of all others, I will punish you!” Sailor Moon struck her usual pose.
“This isn't a talisman.” Sailor Neptune stated.
“There you have it.” Sailor Uranus smirked. “It was a wasted trip, Eudial.”
“Chikuon!” Eudial sent the Daimon out. “I'm leaving the rest to you.” she retreated.
“Un, deux, trois!” Chikuon tossed her glowing rose ornament at the Senshi.
“Water Prison!” Sailor Mercury cast a variant of her 'Sabão Spray ' fog, trapping the explosive rose in a water bubble and letting it explode within the bubble.
“I can't stand to watch this.” Sailor Uranus sighed, Chikuon's next attack hit Sailor Moon straight in the stomach. “World Shaking!” the attack struck the Daimon in the back, shattering its mask.
“Hell's Waltz!” turning its crank, Chikuon let loose a series of musical notes at the Senshi after the tow Outer Senshi left the battle.
“What is this?” Sailor Moon demanded. “Even if you throw musical notes... this is totally unfair!” she snapped, barely dodging the musical notes. “If you're a record player, why can't you fight using music like a record player?”
“You have a good point there.” Chikuon smirked. “The Devil's Yodel!” inserting a record in its player, the Daimon churned out music from its horn.
“It hurts!” Sailor Mars covered her ears.
“This sound simulates and destroys the nervous system of people.” Chikuon bragged.
A thrown rose from Tuxedo Kamen destroyed the record.
“Moon Spiral Heart Attack!” using the distraction, Sailor Moon took out the Daimon.
“Oh man, they look so happy.” Rei pouted, as Mamoru, Usagi, Takumi, Ami, Isami and Makoto resumed dancing.