June 14, 1999 After School/Location Unknown

[loveandwillpower]

The work of an agent of love is never done! You'd think that someone with Minako's grades wouldn't even be a Watson, much less the guy with the deerstalker cap, but what she lacks in academics she's always been able to compensate with drive and raw cunning. And now that drive has a little something extra.

The determination to protect a dear friend against a dangerous foe.

Comments

[happyhalloween]

Maria can't stand it anymore. So she hops out from her secret hiding place and runs into the room!

"Space Witch Venus was very brave!" she cries out. "Maria was too scared to move when the black witch attacked, but Venus used her Love-Me Chain and saved the day! Now Maria's going to be her helper: Apprentice Witch Chibi-Venus!"

[all_onis_are_true]

For a brief moment, Hiroshi feels a wash of relief. Maria is alive; Minako hadn't killed her. But the rest of her words sink in: Minako had convinced Maria to be on her side. And even if Maria herself is alive, somebody else is dead, in some sort of insane, farcical viewpoint that sounds more out of a bad anime than anything.

"The black witch?" he asks, dreading the answer.

[loveandwillpower]

That's Maria, dramatic timing and poise fit for a true witch.

"Yeah! The terrible and sinister black witch who's been making Maria suffer for years! The one you never saved her from, because you never believed in witches for real!"

Venus would be smug about this even if she weren't really Minako.

[happyhalloween]

"Mhm!" Maria nods eagerly. "She possesses Mama and does awful things to Maria. Venus stopped her forever. She says that when we find the Moon Princess she'll be able to use her magic to bring the nice Mama back without the black witch."

[all_onis_are_true]

"Maria's... mother?" His head spins. On the one hand, he'd been aware on some level that her mother had been neglectful. But she didn't deserve to die for it, did she? What did Minako mean, "making Maria suffer for years?" Exactly what DIDN'T he know about Maria's home life?

"I-is that so," he mutters, trying to regain some control over himself. "My apologies, Maria, I had no idea how bad..." Play along for now. Act like they're right. He needs to find a way to get Maria away from Minako, though. Make her realize how insane she's become. "So that would mean five more 'witches' you need to kill, then?"

He places some emphasis on "kill." Come on, Maria, pick up on his hints.

[loveandwillpower]

"Yep! Five more before the world's safe and the Princess revives! You remember the princess, right, Hiroshi?"

He doesn't remember anything, but surely true love...?

[happyhalloween]

"Don't worry," Maria adds. "Venus explained everything. Even if the bad guys are possessing nice people, the nice people will still come back when the Moon Princess revives. That's part of her power. And Hiroshi and the Princess can get married!"

[all_onis_are_true]

Hiroshi bites his tongue. People don't come back from the dead. Minako is insane. Can't you see that? But he doesn't say it. Not in front of Minako. Because if he does, he might be seen as an "evil witch" as well...

"I... see. May I ask who it is you suspect next?"