Mitsuki Amahara/Synopsis

## Introduction

   At a gymnastics club, a young Mitsuki watches a gymnast perform at the horizontal bar. He muses that after a few spin around, the key to landing is the timing of letting go and building up momentum before it. A member, Shuichiro, calls him out that he's been coming every day and asks if he doesn't get bored of just watching. Mitsuki however answers that it's fun, which baffles Shu who claims they do the same thing over again during practice. Mitsuki counters him and says that there's a slight difference. He adds that it's strange how sometimes the gymnasts are worse than they were even though they practice, which irks Shu who answers that a lot of factors affect one's performance. He adds that Mitsuki would not understand, having not tried what they do. Mitsuki ponders on it. Shu invites Mitsuki inside to try gymnastics but Mitsuki hesitates as he sees himself as weak but Shu says what matters is his determination then asks Mitsu what he wants to do.

Fast forward to six years after, Mitsuki practices at the parallel bars. Shu calls out to him to switch, but he appears to be in his own zone. Shu tries again before Mitsu hops off the parallel bars after performing a handstand. Shu muses that handstands are basics and asks Mitsu why he does it but before he finishes, Mitsu already prepares to get back on the parallel bars, to Shu's annoyance. Shu calls out to Mitsuki again, causing the latter to fall off the bars. Realizing what happened, Mitsu tells Shu not to shout out of nowhere, irritation Shu. Mitsu remarks that his handstand felt different from usual. Shu notes that it may be due to something in his neck and tells him to not mind it and instead practice something else. Mitsuki answers that it might be but it still bothers him. Shu insists on the switch. Their instructor, Sumida, stops the two's bickering and tells them to focus on training. Sumida asks Mitsu about his routine for an upcoming competition. Shu, who overheard, asks Mitsu if he really is finally competing. Mitsu however says he isn't and he iterates he does gymnastics not to compete against anyone. Sumida tells Mitsu he understands him but notes that a gymnast can only say he can do a skill until he has performed it a competition successfully, before revealing he has signed him and Shu up for a competition.

   On the way home, Mitsu voices his confusion on Sumida's signing him up for a competition after long years of his just training alone. Shu answers it is because they already are in their last year of junior club. He says that Sumida wants to see Mitsu shine after six years under his tutelage. Shu asks what Mitsu has been doing in the past years, only ever doing basic training and appearing to not have a goal. Mitsu however notes that the foundation is very important. When Shu states Mitsu seems to have no goal nor motivation, Mitsu states that he does have a goal and it is to be able to move his body completely the way he wants. He adds that he aims for that kind of freedom. The two wish each other to do their best on their upcoming competition. Shu jokingly tells Shu not to be nervous just because he's competing before they finally go their own way.

Two weeks later, Mitsu and Shu participate in the competition. Shu is visibly nervous while Mitsu appears to be very calm. Mitsu notices and asks Shu if he is nervous. Mitsu remarks Shu does not have to be so tense and tells him to just perform the way he does in practice and it wouldn't be hard. Shu however just asks if Mitsu's supposed to be encouraging him before stating that if it were that easy, he wouldn't be struggling. He adds that gymnastics is a battle against oneself. Mitsu asks if he means it is for himself. Shu counters that it is for everyone but stops himself from elaborating. A group of relaxed gymnasts talk near them and Shu notes how they don't seem to care about the competition at all. Mitsu asks if he knows the gymnasts. Shu explains that they are in the same competition group as them and that they are from the strongest club in the city, producing national-tier athletes. Shu is visibly frustrated being grouped with them. Mitsuki carelessly remarks that being a strong club does not necessarily mean every member of the club are good. A member of said club, Sakura, passes by behind them and joins the members of the other club. Sakura, who apparently heard Mitsu's remark, tells his clubmates to not slack off and show the others how strong their club is, before glaring at Mitsu and Shu. In the ensuing argument, Mitsu notes that it Shu has the same goal as one of the members. Mitsu is told by Shu to not tell them that. Sakura then tell Shu to take the competition seriously. Mitsuki muses how he can say that when he doesn't know them and wonders if Sakura were really good. Shu explains that good doesn't even describe Sakura, being an elite and a junior national athlete. He adds that Sakura competes in the same category as high school students. Mitsuki ponders on this information.

   At the first event, Floor Exercises, before taking a turn, Mitsu is wished good luck by Shu, sending him into a jolt. He notes that competitions are really special to Shu and wonders what they are to him. While performing, Mitsu notes that his body moves as usual and through the vast floor space, he does a high jump, impressing the audience.

On their way to the next event, Mitsu states that Shu was right and that competitions are different from practicing. Mitsu further adds that in the big gym venue, jumping feels exhilarating. Shu remarks how Mitsu is in a good condition. Mitsu, however, states he feels the same as usual and asks about him. Shu claims he is in perfect shape but his hand slip freaked him out a bit. Shu states he'll just make up for it. Mitsu, however, says he doesn't think so and points out what he think Shu's mistake was. Mitsu further adds how it's strange as Shu never commits such mistakes in practice. Upset, Shu tells Mitsu he would not understand. Mitsu is visibly taken aback by Shu's response, who further tells Mitsu to not interfere where he doesn't belong. Shu adds that their gymnastics are not the same before going ahead.

Mitsu watches Shu at the Parallel Bars event and notes that the latter's rhythm is off, being too worked up to calm down. Mitsu states to himself that he thought he and Shu were the same in gymnastics. He recalls the time he was still starting with gymnastics and how Shu's advices helped him out. In their earlier days, Shu remarks how gymnastics is fun and Mitsu took it as their gymnastics as the same in that sense.

    Back to the present, Mitsu tries to think of something to cheer Shu up. Mitsu hear Sakura and Yoshino converse. Sakura chides Shu's performance and says that none is more miserable than losing because of one's own mistake, sending Shu to tremble in frustration. Before going back to his seat, Sakura declares that failing means all of one's efforts will go to waste. Mitsu retorts and iterates that even if he fails, Shu's hard work remains unchanged and that there's a next time. Sakura quickly negates him. He explains that in gymnastics, one only gets one chance to prove what they can do and people only look at the results. Mitsuki counters that rather than people, Sakura himself only look at results. Mitsuki adds that he does not care if Sakura care only about results but thinks that it's not right to force his belief onto others. Sakura angrily tells Mitsu to not preach as if he knows better. He adds that Shu lost to himself and he threw away all the effort he has made. But Mitsu stands firm that he believes Sakura is mistaken, angering Sakura further. Sakura grabs Mitsu by his jersey and chides him for even being lower than Shu, and not in competition with them. He add that Mitsu is not even trying to fight so he can't possibly understand how them real athletes feel, making Mitsu momentarily speechless. Sakura states that people not trying to win are an eyesore before turning his back. Mitsuki then states that if he just has to win, then he'll win, surprising the others.

While getting ready, Shu asks Mitsu if he's serious. Mitsu, who is obviously angry, insists Sakura is mistaken, in response. He adds that since they trained together, he knows how hard Shu worked for the competition.

    Mitsu signals for his start. Shu wishes him good luck. Now starting his performance, Mitsu realizes he does not know how many points he needs to win but decides he'll just win and get points using everything he can. Mitsu performs C-level skills. Mitsuki commits a small timing mistake and realizes that the gymnastics that Shu and the others do were really difficult. Almost done with his performance, Yoshino notes that Mitsu can still earn a 0.3 deduction if he commits a mistake in landing. Mitsu mentally stops his body and notes that his body is always his ally and that it moves by his will. Mitsu sticks his landing.

Mitsu wins the competition, however Sakura states he won't budge on his belief that results are everything. Mitsu says that he doesn't understand as he was able to discover something more important than results. Mitsu asks Sakura if he has not obtained anything other than winning results. In response, Sakura invites him to watch his competition to show him what he has obtained.

Mitsu and Shu watch Sakura. While watching, Mitsu wonders to himself why even though their gymnastics are different, Sakura's is infinitely closer to what he aims for. Mitsu further wonders how Sakura has much freedom in his movements. Mitsu voices he is glad to have participated in the competition. Mitsu ponders on how Sakura obtained his gymnastics and how it feels like. He further thinks on how free he can be. Mitsu realizes he has a lot he doesn't understand and decides to know more.

## Toda High School Gymnastics Club

### Beginning

    Mitsu begins high school at Toda High School where he meets Omi Kudo and Akari Hida. The three join the school's gymnastic club.

On the way to the club, Mitsu reveals he doesn't know much about the club and that he is only joining because he knows someone who will, too, as he claims that even if gymnastics is a solo sport, it is important who he practices with. The someone turns out to be Sakura who Mitsu greets and tells he looks forward to the next three years with.

The upper class members and the supervisor introduced themselves to the first years. Sakura reveals Mitsu followed him to Toda High School after the latter previously went to their house and asked where he plans to attend. Mitsu quickly states he doesn't want to be Sakura's teammate but rather he wants to learn about his gymnastics when the latter boasts of the benefits of being his teammate.

Mitsu struggles doing the basic training required before he is allowed to join the actual gymnastics training. When Akari tells them of Sakura's ability, 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, Mitsu shares to Shu through a text message how he lacks stamina to last through just the basic training of the club.

    The next day, Mitsu goes to the club gym early in the morning to make a headstart on the basic training. Akari later joins him. The two are found by Sakura and an argument quickly ensues among the three when Sakura belittles Mitsu's efforts and claims Mitsu won't reach Sakura's gymnastics. Mitsu retorts that he doesn't aim for his 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. Mitsu attempts to do the E-level New Moon Salto but his first attempt fails. As Mitsu prepares to try once more, Akari tries to dissuade him but Mitsu is adamant. Mitsu makes numerous attempts and Ukyo notes he has progred better. Haruma finally tells Mitsu to try one last time. Mitsu then finally lands properly.

On the way home, Mitsu reflects on his performance and muses what lies on the world he imagines that is beyond his limits.

## References

1. ↑ *Moon Land* Manga: Chapter 1
2. ↑ *Moon Land* Manga: Chapter 2