That Special Magic 70

That Special Magic
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com
-or- http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"

> Chapter 70 - Gift <
       The huge ball room of Tokyo's Metropolitan Hotel was sparsely decorated for Christmas, and was filled with people. Each year, Kobayashi Shinichiro sponsored a Christmas Party for the Chiba companies. The guest list was quite diverse, not being limited solely to the executives of the various companies.
       Mamoru and Usagi entered the room together. He wore a dark suit, while she wore a loose fitting pale red dress with white trim.
       "Wow!" she exclaimed, looking around. "There are so many people here."
       He nodded. "Kobayashi-san has done this every year for as long as I can remember."
       As they moved down the steps from the entry level, a man with thinning grey hair turned toward them. He wore a dark suit, and walked with a cane.
       "Good evening, Chiba-san," the man called with a wave. "A happy Christmas to you."
       "And to you, Morita-san," Mamoru said. "Please, allow me to introduce my fiancee, Tsukino Usagi."
       "A pleasure to meet you, Tsukino-san," Morita said.
       "Thank you, Morita-san," Usagi replied.
       "Morita-san is the head of Chiba Financial," Mamoru explained.
       "Not for much longer, Chiba-san," Morita said. "I expect to retire after New Year's."
       Mamoru nodded with a faint smile. "Have you given your notice to Kobayashi-san or the board?"
       Morita frowned. "Not yet," he said slowly. "I... thought the holiday season would not be an appropriate time."
       Mamoru nodded again. "Well, I wish you the best, Morita-san. We've been privileged to have you with us."
       "Thank you," Morita said. He bowed to Usagi. "Tsukino-san." Turning, he walked away.
       Usagi turned to Mamoru. "You didn't seem very concerned that he was leaving."
       Mamoru led her in the opposite direction from which Morita had gone. "He said pretty much the same thing last year, Usako. And Kobayashi-san has told me Morita-san has been talking about retiring for nearly ten years. So long as he hasn't actually given his formal notice to the board, I'm not going to take it very seriously."
       "What if he really did retire?"
       "That would be a great loss," Mamoru admitted. "Morita-san was one of the first people in the banking industry to warn that Japan's economy was riding on a real estate bubble that was about to burst. He was widely derided as a crackpot and an alarmist, but events proved him right. Fortunately, Kobayashi-san and the board took him seriously because a number of the Chiba companies were carrying a high proportion of real estate debt."
       She shook her head, not understanding.
       "We had mortgaged properties to finance new developments," he explained. "With real estate values high and going higher, that made good sense, but when the bubble burst, real estate values plunged, meaning the properties were no longer worth the amount of the mortgage. That's one of the major causes of the current banking crisis. Kobayashi-san was able to restructure our debt load just in time, so that we came through it much better than most. After that, Morita-san was suddenly hailed as a genius instead of crackpot. He's been repeatedly offered positions at the finance ministry, but has refused."
       "How come?" she asked.
       "I'm not sure," Mamoru said. "But I suspect he just prefers the business world to that of government. And maybe he really is at least considering retirement, and doesn't want to start something new."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Kenji and Ikuko sat at a small table with Tokyo Morning News managing editor Kuromi Yutaro and his wife, Rika.
       "This is quite a gathering, Tsukino-san," Yutaro said, looking around. "I must confess, I still feel a bit out of place."
       Kenji nodded. "Yes. I know what you mean," he said. "Going from being a junior city editor to a managing editor is quite a promotion, and at Gota, even being a managing editor would not have earned one an invitation to a party like this."
       Yutaro laughed softly. "There are still times when I think it's all a dream, and that I'll wake up to find myself back in my old cramped cubicle in Azabu."
       "There is no danger of that, Kuromi-san," a voice said from behind them.
       They all turned in surprise to see Go Yoshiteru, the vice-president for news operations of Chiba Media. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man who looked more like a professional athlete than a newsman.
       "You and Tsukino-san are both far too valuable to our operations," Go added with a smile.
       They all rose to their feet. Kenji and Yutaro bowed.
       "Good evening, Go-san," Yutaro said. "Thank you for saying so."
       "Good evening, Go-san," Kenji said. "Best wishes for the New Year, sir."
       Go nodded. "Thank you, Tsukino-san. And the same to both of you, and your wives."
       "Please allow me to introduce my wife, Rika," Yutaro said.
       "A privilege to meet you, Kuromi-san," Go said with a bow.
       "I am pleased to me you, Go-san," Rika said.
       "This is my wife, Ikuko," Kenji said.
       "A pleasure, Tsukino-san," Go said.
       "Thank you, Go-san," Ikuko said.
       Go looked at both men. "I can assure you, you are both very important to Chiba Media. At this time last year, we were seriously contemplating closing down the The Rising Sun, while the Tokyo Morning News was in its fourth straight year of declining circulation," he explained. "Thanks to the new leadership teams, both publications are already well on the way to recovery, and I'm told that employee morale has greatly improved as well. I think that makes for an excellent Christmas present all the way around."
       "Well, I have greatly enjoyed it, Go-san," Kenji said. "I have an excellent team to work with."
       "As do I," Yutaro added.
       "I'm glad to hear it," Go said. "A happy Christmas to all of you."
       "And to you," Kenji replied as they all bowed.
       Go turned and walked away, already waving to someone else, while Kenji, Yutaro, and their wives sat back down.
       Kenji noticed something out of the corner of his eye, turning to see Mamoru and Usagi across the room in conversation with another couple.
       "Ah, there's Chiba Mamoru-san," Yutaro said.
       "And that must be his fiancee," Rika observed. "She's quite lovely."
       Yutaro turned back to Kenji. "Say, I heard somewhere that the family name of Chiba-san's fiancee was also Tsukino. Any relation?"
       Kenji frowned slightly, then nodded. "Yes, actually. She's my daughter."
       "Congratulations," Rika said happily. "You both must be so proud."
       Yutaro studied Kenji thoughtfully. "So that's how you knew Chiba-san's home number."
       Kenji clenched his jaw for a moment, then turned to face Yutaro. "It's an awkward situation, Kuromi-san," he said. "I didn't meet Chiba-san until well after Chiba Media made their first offer to me, and I didn't learn my daughter was dating him until after I had accepted the offer. That one situation was the only time I have discussed business with him in any way."
       Yutaro nodded. "And no one could possibly fault you for that, Tsukino-san. Tagawara-san put us in a position where you had no choice. Anyone who was serious about our profession would have done the same."
       "When are they going to be married?" Rika asked.
       "Well, they haven't announced a date yet," Ikuko said hastily.
       "Chiba-san won't be of age until the New Year," Yutaro said. "So January would the earliest."
       "I see..." Rika said, again studying Mamoru and Usagi closely. "But what about your daughter, Tsukino-san? I would guess she's... oh, maybe sixteen or seventeen? That means they will need your consent to get married before she's twenty."
       "Yes," Ikuko confirmed. "My husband and I have been discussing that."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Just off the university campus was a small dance club. The entertainment was limited to dj's and karaoke, but it was convenient for the students. For the Christmas season, tinsel ropes of every possible color hung from the ceiling, and blinking lights were strung over the bar. An artificial Christmas tree stood on the small stage, behind the dj's equipment. Just inside the entrance stood the customary lucky fat cat, standing upright, with its right paw raised up next to its ear in a gesture of greeting. This cat was carved of wood and stood over a meter and a half in height, greeting all patrons with a Buddha-like stare. Now a red-and-white Christmas hat was perched atop its head, and a large sign proclaiming 'Merry Christmas, Happy New Year' hung next to it.
       The club was quite crowded. Minako and Geoff sat at a table, joined by Keiko. In just a moment, Tetsuro made his way across the room, carrying drinks. He and Geoff were drinking beer, while Keiko and Minako had chosen soft drinks.
       "Geoff-san, I thought you might have gone home to New Zealand for the holiday," Keiko said, having to speak up over the noise.
       Geoff shook his head. "It's quite expensive, and taking Minako with me could get rather awkward. It's easier just to stay here. My mother understands."
       Keiko nodded in understanding.
       "So, when are you two going to make it official?" Tetsuro asked with a grin.
       "Are you joking?" Minako asked. "Being engaged is the most we can do for quite some time."
       "But you can get married if Minako's parents agree," Tetsuro pointed out.
       "That doesn't apply because I'm not Japanese," Geoff said. "I don't think New Zealand law would even recognize it, which would mean I couldn't take Minako there until she reached the eighteenth anniversary of her birth. That's the age of adulthood there."
       "Anniversary of birth?" Keiko asked.
       "That's how westerners calculate age," Tetsuro said. "So, you just stay here, Geoff-san. Seems simple enough."
       Geoff shook his head. "My student visa is good for four years, so long as I'm enrolled in a university here. I'll graduate before Minako's eighteenth birthday, and it's virtually impossible for a foreigner to become a Japanese citizen."
       "That is true," Keiko conceded. "It does seem a shame."
       Tetsuro nodded. "Yeah. If it was me, I still think I'd chance it," he said.
       "Oh, really?" Keiko challenged. "You don't have to worry about your legal status. So, just what's holding you back?"
       Minako giggled as Tetsuro shifted position uncomfortably.
       "Uhm, well, I, ah, I wouldn't say I'm holding back," Tetsuro stammered.
       "You're just happier trying to set up friends than taking that step yourself, is that it?" Keiko asked.
       "You're not twenty yet," Tetsuro pointed out.
       "But you could ask her parents for their permission, Tetsuro-san," Minako said, smiling sweetly.
       "I'm not twenty either," Tetsuro said, shaking his head. "Not until the New Year."
       "Does that mean we should be planning a party for January?" Minako asked.
       "Well?" Keiko asked.
       "Uhm... well..." Tetsuro again shift position awkwardly, looking around the table. "I, uhm, I thought we were talking about Geoff-san and Minako-san's situation." He puased for a moment. "Say... does New Zealand law have any provision for someone under 18 marrying with parental consent?"
       "I'm not sure, but I think so," Geoff said.
       "Then there's your answer," Tetsuro said. "Find out what that age is. Once Minako-san reaches that age, the New Zealand authorities shouldn't have any grounds to object."
       Minako glanced over at Geoff, feeling a wave of excitement at the suggestion even as she knew her parents were nowhere near being ready to consent to her getting married yet.
       "Well... I guess I could look into that," Geoff admitted.
       "And I don't think it's that hard to get foreign residency status," Keiko said. "Of the four English teachers at my high school, two were American, and one was Canadian. They all lived here permanently."
       "So, it sounds like you're running out of excuses, Geoff-san," Tetsuro laughed. "Right, Mrs. Kelley?"
       Minako giggled. "I certainly wouldn't object, Tetsuro-san," she said. "But there's still the minor detail that my parents would have to agree to it. My mother's still not entirely happy that I'm living with Geoff, and I really doubt my father would push her any farther than that."
       "That is a good point," Keiko said. "Besides, I don't think Geoff is the only one running out of excuses."
       Tetsuro glanced over at her.
       Minako nodded with a grin. "I think January would be perfect for you two. You'll both be old enough, so you won't need permission. You could just elope."
       "I think that sounds perfect," Keiko said, squeezing Tetsuro's arm.
       Tetsuro shook his head. "How did we even get on the subject of the two of us?"
       Geoff smiled and raised his glass. "Tetsuro-san, my friend, I think you've reached the point where you're going to have to decide just how serious you are about your relationship." He set his glass down and took Minako's hand. "Would you like to dance?" he asked her.
       "I'd love to," she said.
       They stood up and Geoff led her onto the dance floor, where a slow dance was just beginning. As they glanced back, they could see Keiko and Tetsuro still sitting there, talking.
       "Do you think they'll work things out?" Minako asked, as he held her close and they moved together to the music.
       "Probably. I suspect he was just caught off guard by this," Geoff said.
       "It didn't occur to him that talking about marriage would get Keiko thinking about that as well?"
       "I don't know. Since they'll both be of age with the New Year, maybe he thought that question couldn't really come up until then," he said.
       "He was only thinking about his ideas for us," she suggested. "Is his idea even possible?"
       "Probably," he said. "I would guess the age requirement would be sixteen, but that's only a guess."
       "So Tetsuro was suggesting we only have to wait until my sixteenth birthday," she said.
       He shook his head. "I think his idea was that we get married now, and that once you reach your sixteenth birthday, assuming that is the age, the New Zealand authorities would no longer have any reason to object so we could go there together if we wanted to."
       Minako grinned and kissed him. "I do like that idea..."
       "So do I, my lovely Venus," he said.
       "But I wouldn't dare suggest it to Daddy," she added. "I don't even want to think about what Mom's reaction to that would be."
       Geoff nodded in understanding. Only a few days earlier, they had finally managed to have dinner with her parents. Minako's father had taken a quick liking to him, but her mother had been decidely cool, to say the least. "I wasn't seriously suggesting it," he said softly. "Like I've said before, I'm perfectly willing to wait."
       "I know," she said.
       He enfolded her in his arms and kissed her. "I love you," he whispered.
       "I love you... so very much," she sighed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Kobayashi Natsumi turned to see Mamoru and Usagi, raising her hand to wave. "Mamoru-san. Good evening."
       "Good evening, Natsumi-san," he greeted her.
       "Merry Christmas to you both," Natsumi said. She leaned closer to Usagi. "How is the baby doing, Usagi-san?"
       "Actually, it's twins," Usagi said.
       "Twins?" Natsumi asked, surprised. "Really?"
       Usagi nodded. "A girl and a boy. And they're doing fine."
       "That's wonderful," Natsumi said. "I'm happy for you both."
       "Thank you, Natsumi-san," Mamoru said.
       Natsumi led them to a table. "It's probably a delicate subject, but has there been any development concerning you two possibly getting married?"
       "Uhm, no... not really," Usagi said.
       "Nothing has been mentioned," Mamoru said. "And we haven't really been expecting it."
       Usagi nodded. "I'm just grateful that my parents agreed to us living together. I certainly don't want to push my luck by asking for anything more."
       "Well, I guess I can understand that," Natsumi said. "But there are some practical considerations, particularly when you have to go to hospital. If you're married, Mamoru-san would automatically have the right to consent for any treatment you need. If you're not married, he would need to produce documentation from your parents, Usagi-san."
       "We are aware of that, Natsumi-san," Mamoru said. "But we have to confine ourselves to what is realistically possible."
       "Yes," Usagi agreed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Kenji took a sip from his drink as he stood alone, waiting for Ikuko to finish in the restroom. Setting his drink down, he withdrew an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket. He sighed as he looked at it, quickly slipping the envelope back into his pocket as he saw Ikuko returning.
       She smiled as she walked toward him, seeing the slight frown on his face. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
       "Ah, no," Kenji answered. "Everything's fine."
       "Are you sure? You look much too serious for a holiday party, dear."
       "Do I?" he asked, still with a frown.
       Ikuko nodded. "Very much so."
       He sighed and shook his head.
       She slipped her hand into his. "You're still not entirely comfortable with our 'gift' to Usagi and Mamoru."
       He stood there, not answering.
       "It was your idea," she reminded him.
       "I know," he said softly.
       Kobayashi Shinichiro walked toward them. "Ah, Tsukino-san. Good evening."
       "Good evening, Kobayashi-san," Kenji replied, bowing.
       "It is a lovely party," Ikuko said.
       "I'm glad you're enjoying it," Kobayashi said. "I've always valued our Christmas party."
       "Thank you for inviting us," Kenji said.
       "You are most welcome, Tsukino-san," Kobayashi said. "But you have definitely earned it."
       "It's still very different from the Gota Group," Kenji said. "A managing editor in their organization did not rate such a special honor."
       Kobayashi nodded. "That's probably because they do see it as an honor, something to be given only to those who have both given loyal service and who have a high enough rank. Chiba Hiroyuki-san, Mamoru-san's grandfather, always said that his employees were his most valuable asset, and he believed that to be truly successful in business, he had to continually protect that asset through reinvestment. It meant that for his first fifteen years in business nearly all his profits were rolled back into his companies, but after that he began to truly make enough money to increase his own personal fortune. His approach has clearly worked, as the Chiba companies enjoy a much higher employee satisfaction than most of our competitors, and in many cases at least as high a productivity level."
       "What about the collapse of the real estate bubble?" Kenji asked.
       "It did create some challenges," Kobayashi confirmed. "We were fortunate to have restructured our debt load just in time to avoid the crippling burdens some other major companies now struggle with. But the downside was that for several years we could not compete in attracting new talent while we were devoted to protecting those we already employed. That was one of the reasons why The Rising Sun fell into such poor condition. But the patient approach has paid off, and we are again able to invest in new talent, like yourself."
       Kenji shook his head slightly, still unused to receiving such compliments. "Well, I have the advantage of having a very good staff of editors and reporters, Kobayashi-san."
       "That's the key to any successful enterprise, Tsukino-san," Kobayashi said. "It doesn't matter how good the manager is if he doesn't have a good team to work with."
       Ikuko glanced across the room, spotting Mamoru and Usagi sitting with Kobayashi's wife. She gently nudged Kenji's arm. "There's Usagi."
       Kobayashi turned as well. "Your daughter is a very lovely young woman," he said. "And I am more certain than ever that she is absolutely the best thing to ever happen for Mamoru-san. He had been so very withdrawn after the deaths of his parents that my wife and I were quite concerned for him. But in the last few months, he has been almost a new man."
       "Being with Mamoru has brought about a similar change in Usagi," Ikuko said. She glanced over at Kenji. "It's like she has grown up in just a few months."
       Kobayashi nodded with a wry smile. "A bit faster than you might have liked?"
       "It is a bit difficult to get used to," Kenji admitted.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       "Are you planning anything special for the holiday, Mamoru-san?" Natsumi asked.
       "Not really," Mamoru answered, holding Usagi's hand in his own as they sat there. "All our friends are here, so we didn't really want to go anywhere..."
       "And my parents are staying at home, Natsumi-san," Usagi added. "They've said they would like to see us."
       "Well, it is nice to hear that they are that accepting of your relationship," Natsumi said.
       "Well, they know we have to be together," Usagi said.
       "Ah, here comes Shinichiro with your parents, Usagi-san," Natsumi said.
       They all stood as the others approached.
       "Hi, honey," Ikuko said, giving Usagi a hug.
       "Good evening, Kobayashi-san," Kenji greeted Natsumi, bowing.
       "Good evening, Tsukino-san," Natsumi replied. "I've been having a very nice conversation with your daughter and Mamoru-san."
       "We've been having a nice conversation, ourselves," Kobayashi said. He turned to Mamoru. "It is very good to see you, Mamoru-san. A happy Christmas to you and your lovely fiancee."
       "Thank you," Mamoru said. "A happy Christmas to you and Natsumi-san, and to both of you, Kenji-san, Ikuko-san."
       "Thank you, Mamoru-san," Ikuko said.
       Natsumi took hold of Shinichiro's hand. "Usagi-san told me she's having twins. A boy and a girl."
       "Congratulations," Kobayashi said. "I'm very happy for both of you... Have you given any thought to names yet?"
       "Uhm, not yet," Usagi said. "We only just learned we're having twins a few days ago."
       "Yes," Mamoru agreed. "We haven't really had a chance to discuss it."
       "They still have time for that," Ikuko observed.
       "Certainly," Kobayashi agreed.
       "But now you will need two of everything," Natsumi pointed out.
       Mamoru nodded. "That's true."
       "But it is kind of nice having one of each," Usagi said.
       "One infant requires full-time attention," Natsumi said. "I expect having two will keep you both very busy."
       "Yes. You will definitely have your hands full," Ikuko said.
       "But they're both our children," Usagi said, squeezing Mamoru's hand. "We have to provide them a loving home."
       "I never meant to suggest otherwise," Natsumi said.
       "Of course not," Kobayashi said. "Raising children is hard work, but tremendously rewarding."
       "That's very true," Ikuko agreed.
       Kenji moved slowly around alongside Mamoru. "Exuse me, Mamoru-san," he said softly. "May I... uhm, may I have a word?"
       Mamoru hesitated, then nodded, following as Kenji stepped away from the table.
       Kenji reached into his pocket, taking hold of the envelope. As he slowly drew it out, he struggled to find his voice. "Uhm, my wife and I... ah, well, we wanted to give you and Usagi a... uhm, a special gift for Christmas."
       "That's not necessary, Kenji-san..." Mamoru said, sensing the older man's discomfort.
       "Please," Kenji interrupted.
       Mamoru stiffened, realizing he may have just offended Kenji. It was very rude and disrepectful to refuse a gift. "Forgive me, Kenji-san," he said with a bow. "I meant no disrespect. It is only that being able to share my life with Usagi is the greatest blessing I could have ever imagined."
       Kenji held still, struggling to maintain his resolve. Finally, he held the envelope out for Mamoru.
       Mamoru looked at it uncertainly, then took hold of the envelope. "This is for both of us?"
       "Yes," Kenji confirmed.
       "We should wait until Christmas to open this?"
       "Ah... that's not really necessary," Kenji said. "You, uhm... you will need to make some arrangements before you can really use it."
       Mamoru studied Kenji closely as he turned the envelope over in his hand. It contained a thick sheaf of papers, but he couldn't tell anything more about it. "Well then... I guess Usagi and I will open it together."
       Kenji nodded, then turned back toward the table.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       "How was it?" Ikuko asked Kenji as they walked away.
       Kenji sighed. "I got through it," he said softly.
       "And Mamoru's reaction?"
       "He didn't open the envelope," Kenji said. "He said he and Usagi would open it together."
       Ikuko smiled. "I do like that idea." She looked over at him. "And I'm very proud of you, dear."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

       Mamoru and Usagi returned to their apartment.
       "So, what was this envelope Daddy gave you, Mamo-chan?" she asked as she slipped off her shoes.
       "He just said it was a gift for both of us," he said. "And that we'd have to make some 'arrangements' before we can use it."
       "What does that mean?"
       "I'm not sure," he said.
       They sat down on the sofa, and Mamoru retrieved the envelope from the pocket of his jacket. He quickly unsealed it.
       "A lot of papers," Usagi observed.
       Mamoru nodded, not trusting himself to speak as he saw that the envelope contained a number of legal documents.
       "What is it?" Usagi asked, looking at the first page. "It almost looks like some of those papers Kobayashi-san sends you from the lawyers."
       "Yes," he agreed softly. His heart pounded in his chest. "I... I can't believe it."
       "What?" she asked.
       He pointed to the final paragraph of the first page.
       She read through it slowly, not entirely familiar with the language of legal documents. Her eyes widened and she gasped. "They're... letting us get married?"
       He nodded, relieved that she had drawn the same conclusion he had.
       "Mamo-chan!" she cried, throwing her arms around him, tears of joy flowing from her eyes.
       "Usako," he whispered, holding her close. Now he really did have everything he could possibly wish for.

< To be continued >

* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: More to come.

Hopeless Romantic and I now have a message group to notify our readers when we post new stories/chapters. Those who are interested can sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/strands_of_moonlight/ .

Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.

-07.20.2005