A Sailor Moon Fanfiction: The Pledge of the Sun.

Chapter 17

It was another day in school at Juuban Public Middle School. However, things could have been better in Home Economics. Usagi, Naru, and most of the other female students were sitting through a lecture by the Home Economics teacher, Ms. Akiyama. She was teaching the class how to make darts in fabric. However, the course was so dull that everyone grew bored. Everyone that was except for Usagi, who had fallen asleep.

Not only that, but during the lecture, Ms. Akiyama didn't notice she was boring her students. Instead, she was off in her little world feeling excited and embarrassed about something. So much so that her cheeks were flushing pink with embarrassment.

After class, Usagi, Naru, and Harusuke all went out for ice cream. Usagi couldn't help but let out a huge yawn as she ate her ice cream.

"You certainly seem tired today, Usagi," said Harusuke. "What happened? You stay up late or something?"

"Not really," said Naru. "She just slept through Home Ec class, that's all. But then again, I can't blame her. But, say Harusuke, have you noticed something?"

"Noticed what, Naru?" puzzled Harusuke.

"It's Ms. Akiyama," explained Naru. "She was acting distracted today."

"You're telling me," yawned Usagi. "That Home Economics class was boring. It made me tired and sleepy."

"I think just about any form of school will make you sleepy, Usagi," said Harusuke flatly. "Anyway, what do you mean by distracted Naru?"

"Well... she was teaching us how to make darts in fabric which we already learned," explained Naru. "And as she was going on about the lesson, she would sigh for some unknown reason and then look out the window embarrassed."

"That does seem a bit unusual," said Harusuke.

"Right? And she used to be passionate about sewing too!" said Naru. "I don't know what could be wrong with her. I wonder what could be wrong."

Then suddenly, Umino popped up from beside the table. "Well, I can answer that for you!"

Usagi, Naru, and Harusuke were so surprised that they almost dropped their ice cream cones. "Why are you always popping out of weird places and scaring us all the time?!" they yelled.

"Sorry about that," apologized Umino as he pulled his memo book, flipping through its pages. "Anyway, I believe the reason for Ms. Akiyama's strange behavior is because of her recent engagement."

"Her engagement?!" asked Usagi and Naru, surprised.

"You mean... as in she's getting married?" puzzled Harusuke.

"Correct. Ms. Higure Akiyama is also thirty-four years old and still unmarried, but she has a strong desire to change that status," continued Umino. "Her greatest dream is to marry her beloved in a beautiful wedding ceremony while wearing a beautiful wedding gown she had sewn herself."

"Seriously? That sounds pretty nice," said Harusuke. "Although it sounds like some kind of fairy tale."

"Well... it is pretty far from an ideal situation," said Umino thoughtfully. "but as long as they love each other..."

"Oh, please, Umino," scoffed Usagi. "Give me the ideal or nothing at all." She then stood up, holding the ice cream cone like the Statue of Liberty over her head. "I believe in impossibly high standards! If the guy's handsome, go for it and take a chance! My goal is to be married by the age of twenty-five!"

"Well, that's nothing short of being shallow," muttered Harusuke as he and Naru ate their cones pretending not to hear her.

"Oh no! Usagi wants a handsome guy!" cried Umino, who was in tears. "I'm doomed!"