Chapter 2

**New Moon Salto** (新月面宙返り, *Shin Getsumen Chūgaeri*) is the second chapter of the *Moon Land* manga series.

## Overview

Mitsuki Amahara is now in high school and attends Toda High School. There, he joins its gymnastics club. Sakura Dogase appears to have done the same.

## Summary

Mitsuki recounts Sakura's gymnastics that he witnessed in the previous competition. He muses that in his imagined world, he can do anything but notes that Sakura is already in that kind of world. He ponders what Sakura's world must be like.

The next day, at the Amahara household, Mitsu greets his sister, Hina, good morning, who, instead of finishing her greeting back, scolds her brother for his sloppy appearance. Mitsu turns out to now be in high school and so Hina tells Mitsu to make himself presentable.

   At his high school class, 1-3, the students acquaint and chatter with each other. All of a sudden, Mitsu's classmate who sits next to him, asks him if he has decided on a club already. Caught off guard, Mitsu is unable to answer right away. The classmate introduces himself as Omi Kudo and asks again what club Mitsu plans to join. Mitsu tells him he's not the best person to ask but before he finishes, Omi remarks sports club makes one cooler but he doesn't like the tough training while cultural clubs are like a fast track to geekdom. Thinking he has offended Mitsu, Omi asks whether Mitsu is the cultural club type but Mitsu only tells him he didn't join any club in middle school. Omi tells him he understands but Mitsu wonders to himself if Omi really does. Mitsu tells Omi he thinks it'd be best to do what he wants. Looking unconvinced, Omi aks Mitsu if he has something he wants to do. Before Mitsu is able to answer, a girl suddenly butts in on the conversation and claims Mitsu plans on joining the gymnastics club. Mitsu asks her how she knew. The girl asks the two if they want to know how she knew and Omi enthusiastically says yes. The girl reveals what made her think Mitsu plans to join the gymnastics club are the blisters on Mitsu's hands, traces of magnesite, and most importantly the grips sticking out of Mitsu's bag. Mitsu praises her on her keen observation while Omi thinks to himself that there wasn't any deducing involved at all but also thinks she's cute and blushes. The girl then invites Mitsu to come with before stating she's also joining the gymnastics club. The girl finally introduces herself as Akari Hida. Omi enthusiastically declares he'll also join the gymnastics club. Mitsu points out he just said he hates the training but Omi says it's in the past now.

The three go their way to the club together. Omi asks if the school's gymnastics club is national-level strong. Mitsu answers he doesn't know but Akari says the girls are pretty good while the guys aren't that bad, albeit with a short pause for the guys'. Omi takes notices of this but says it's all right. Akari asks Mitsu if he came to their school without knowing about its gymnastic club. Mitsu tells her it's because he knows someone who's joining the club. Mitsu states that while gymnastics is a solo sport, he thinks it's important who one practices with. Akari muses that it must be nice to have such a friend and adds that her childhood friend is also in the club but they don't get along.

At the gym, the other club members are already present. Akari is the first to get inside and greets the members. One of the members suddenly starts an argument with Akari but stops after seeing Mitsu. The member is revealed to be Sakura Dogase. Mitsu tells Sakura he looks forward to the next three years with him.

The boy members gather and the President of the boys' gymnastic club, Tatsuya Asanuma, together with the other members: 2nd year Bunta Hasegawa, 3rd year Ukyo Benimura, and 3rd year and Vice-President Kento Aso, introduces himself to the new members. Omi notes the few number of members, but Sakura says that it is the norm but adds that it's the skill that matters, not the number if the members suck. This irks Ukyo and Bunta, the former telling Tatsu to say something. Tatsu however says he can't refute Sakura as he's really good. Tatsu cues their supervisor to introduce himself. The supervisor introduces himself as Haruma Uryu and states he respects student autonomy so he tells the students to not expect much from him. Omi notes that he seems lax and sighs in relief.

Omi turns to Sakura and states he's counting on him to teach him, as he's new. Sakura promptly refuses and when Omi claims he's friends with Mitsu, Sakura adamantly counters him. Confused, Omi states Mitsu went to their school because of him. Sakura retorts Mitsu followed him on his own, to Omi's shock.

Sakura boasts of the benefits one will get with him as a teammate, though Mitsu quickly states he doesn't want to be his teammate but rather he wants to learn about his gymnastics. Sakura then tells him he'll soon learn how much stronger he is than him.

Mitsu struggles doing the basic training required before he is allowed to join the actual gymnastics training while Omi doesn't try at all. Akari scolds Omi over this. Omi notes that to him, the other members are already amazing. Akari explains of the difficulty levels in gymnastics and how Sakura can do higher ones. Omi wonders why Sakura is Mitsu's goal but Mitsu says since their gymnastics were different since the start, he doesn't think he can do the same gymnastics.

After practice, Sakura and Akari go together, prompting Omi to wonder whether the two are going out, despite the two's claims they are just friends. Shu checks up on Mitsu. Shu turns out to have attended Kanaudai High School, the top high school in gymnastics, and have joined its gymnastics club.

   Early next day, Akari goes to the gym and finds Mitsu already starting his basic training. Akari watches Mitsu training in deep concentration and recalls of a training advice she and Sakura received when they were young about gymnastics being like building blocks, the higher the gymnastics, the larger foundation needed. Akari notes that Mitsu is someone who stacks the blocks to reach his own world of gymnastics. Sakura arrives at the gym and finds the two, who are already on a first name basis, irking Sakura.

An argument ensues among the three when Sakura belittles Mitsu's efforts and he claims Mitsu won't reach Sakura's gymnastics. Mitsu retorts that he doesn't aim for Sakura's gymnastics as he has his own. But Sakura only further belittles his style of gymnastics. Sakura tells Mitsu he's only limiting himself unlike him who tries to exceed his yesterday self.

    Later that day, the other members do the basic training while Mitsu has already finished, having done half the quota early in the morning. Tatsuya helps Mitsu train and suggests Mitsu to level up his C-level skill to a D-level one. However, Mitsu declares he'll level it up to an E-level one. His first attempt fails. Sakura tries to get Haruma to stop Mitsu but Haruma reiterates he lets the students train on their own. As Mitsu prepares to try once more, Akari tries to dissuade him but Mitsu is adamant. Akari muses that Sakura's ability to do the skill has to with his spatial sense. Mitsu makes numerous attempts and Ukyo notes he progresses better. Haruma finally tells Mitsu to try one last time. Mitsu then finally lands properly.

While Akari and Sakura are on their way home, Akari praises Mitsu's accomplishment but Sakura only downplays it. Sakura's attitude prompts Akari to get mad at him again. Akari tells Sakura that he then should've just gone to Kanaudai.

    Mitsu reflects on his performance and Omi notes his expression is scary. Tatsu tells him that's just the way it is and adds Omi will understand one day. Omi however only expresses his doubt. Mitsu further muses what lies on the world he imagines that is beyond his limits.

## Characters

* Mitsuki Amahara
* Hina Amahara
* Omi Kudo
* Akari Hida
* Sakura Dogase
* Bunta Hasegawa
* Tatsuya Asanuma
* Ukyo Benimura
* Kento Aso
* Haruma Uryu
* Shuichiro Shibata