Sun and Moon, First Cycle

A Pre-ANRC Tale

Asakura sat comfortably in a cozy local coffee shop, her attention drawn to a familiar figure sprinting towards the window where she was seated. "KURA!" A resounding thud resonated as Maya collided headfirst with the grimy window pane, eagerly waving to get her friend's attention. Asakura stared in disbelief for a moment before beckoning Maya inside, hoping to avoid any further spectacle.

"I thought you were all the way in Michigan?" Asakura inquired, genuinely surprised.

"Well, Sunshine, I was," Maya replied with a mischievous grin. "But we've got a break thanks to some ridiculous strike the teachers are pulling. So, I hopped on a plane and flew down here to say hi."

Asakura regarded Maya with a perplexed expression, sensing that there might be an underlying motive behind her visit. "Cut the bullshit, Maya. What's your real reason for being here?"

A sly grin spread across Maya's face as she revealed a radiant golden necklace bearing Asakura's name, shaped like the sun. "Well, Sunshine, I brought you a little gift to make sure you don't completely forget about me while we're apart."

Asakura stared at the necklace in disbelief. "Where did you get the money for this? There's no way you could afford something like this."

Maya's mischievous smile widened. "Sharp as ever! I stumbled upon it in a hidden cellar beneath my dorm room. Some bizarre scientific stuff down there, but these pieces looked pretty, so I grabbed them."

Asakura looked up, a quizzical expression on her face. "They?" she asked, intrigued. Maya once again flashed her signature grin, producing a silver chain with a moon pendant.

Asakura burst into laughter. "So, Moonlight, you really are as charming as they say you are."

Maya gazed up at Asakura with a twinkle in her eyes. "People talk about me?! What do they say? Do they mention my irresistible good looks?"

Asakura laughed and said, "Well, you have formed quite a loud reputation in the scientific community. Not backing down to professors when having a debate with them, Almost exploding chemistry labs on multiple occasions, Accidentally causing one of the ethics teachers to have a moral dilemma. The list goes on."

Maya looked at Asakura with an annoyed expression, "Well, I’ve heard tons about you Kura. Well behaved, Straight A’s, Expected to change the world! From what I hear you are going places."

Asakura gazed at Maya with a mix of shame and regret, softly uttering under her breath, "Change the world... Yeah, right."

Maya's sudden action startled Asakura as she boldly climbed onto a table and shouted, "Does anyone here know what to say to those who claim they'll change the world?" A coffee shop patron raised his hand hesitantly. "Yes, you!" Maya exclaimed.

The patron, taken aback by Maya's forwardness, stammered, "I'm Mary! Mary Powers!" She took a deep breath before declaring, "I believe those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who will!" Impressed by Mary's audacity, Maya cheered, "Bingo, Mary! Let this be a lesson to all of you!"

Maya then pulled Asakura up onto the table with her. "Soon, you'll see these two faces on the front pages of science magazines everywhere! I'll bet my life on it!" The crowd erupted into applause, admiring the audacity of this public display.

After stepping down from the table, Maya approached Mary and handed her a hastily written note with a phone number and email address. "Personally, I'm pretty darn crazy. I think you should be crazy with us. Give it some thought, alright?" She returned to her own table and joined Asakura. "So, Sunshine, what do you say? Do you want to be crazy with me?"

Asakura glanced out the window, a smile forming on her lips, and replied, "I think I'll need one more round of coffee first."