Chapter 1

**Full Moon Encounter** (満 (**み**) 月 (**つき**) 、出会う, *Mitsuki, Deau*) is the first chapter of the *Moon Land* manga series.

## Overview

Six years after starting gymnastics, Mitsuki finally joins a competition. There, he meets Sakura Dogase, whose gymnastics is closer than his to what he aims for.

## Summary

   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, however, the gymnast lets go a bit late and falls as a result. A member, Shuichiro, calls him out and remarks that he's been coming every day before inviting him inside and asking if he doesn't get bored of watching. Mitsuki however answers that it's fun, which baffles Shu as he claims they do the same thing over again during practice. Mitsuki counters him and says that there's a slight difference. He wonders 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, promising to talk to the instructor for him. Mitsuki hesitates as he sees himself as weak but Shu quotes his instructor that some people can do it, and some can't, then adds that what matters is his determination. Shu further adds that the one who can move one's body is the owner himself. He states that he works hard since he wants to get better. Shu then asks Mitsu what he wants to do.

Fast forward to six years after, Shu, now in his third year of middle school exhibits his composition, to the instructor's and young club members' praises. He calls out to Mitsuki to switch, but the latter 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, causing Shu's irritation who retorts it wasn't out of nowhere. 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. Sumida calls out the two's bickering and tells them to focus on training. Shu angrily walks away but not before hearing Sumida ask Mitsu about his routine for an upcoming competition. This shocks Shu and 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 him 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. Shu retorts he knows this and clarifies he's talking about Mitsu's motivation as, normally, gymnasts set winning a competition as their goal. 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, to the latter's frantic denial. 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 grouped as them and that they are from the strongest club in the city, producing national-tier athletes. Shu is visibly frustrated being group with them. Mitsuki carelessly remarks that being a strong club does not necessarily mean every member of the club are good, to Shu's panicked disbelief.

   A member of said club, Sakura, passed 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. Sakura adds that they don't know the grueling process their representatives underwent. He further adds that since the two are in the same group as their club, they have the perfect chance to show them off. A member, Yoshino, calls them members of a puny club which irritates Shu who angrily calls out to him. Yoshino further adds that Sakura need not worry as they don't stand a chance against him who aims for nationals. Mitsu notes that it is the same goal as Shu who, embarrassed, tells Mitsu to not tell them that. Yoshino only laughs at him. Sakura, however, states that it's natural for an athlete to aim for victory, baffling Shu. He further angrily adds that people not taking pride on their goals are trash and tells Shu to be serious before going away. 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 while Shu wonders to himself that while Sakura is strong, he himself is, too.

    At the first event, Floor Exercises, Yoshino takes his turn. Shu notes that he really is good, having a solid routine composed of high-difficulty skills, earning a high score. Shu mentally states that he is taking the competition seriously before taking his turn at the event. In his routine, Shu performs a double twist, surprising Yoshino, and later lands cleanly. Sakura muses how Shu has improved from the past year, being able to perform a high-difficulty routine. He wonders about Mitsu's ability. Before taking a turn, Mitsu is wished good luck by Shu, sending him into a jolt. He wonders what competitions are to him when they are really special to Shu.

    While performing, Mitsu notes that his body moves as usual and through the vast floor space, he does a high jump, impressing the audience. Yoshino remarks that his routine was simple and concludes he won't be beaten by it. Sakura, on the other hand, notes how the difficulty was low but Mitsu's execution can compete. He remarks that Mitsu's gymnastics is an eyesore and angrily questions why he won't turn when he is able to jump so high.

3 events after, Shu leads by a few decimal points ahead of Yoshino. Shu notes of Yoshino's panic and muses that he just has to keep his performance up for the remaining events. In his desire to win, Shu slips, losing himself points, to his frustration. 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, confounding Shu. 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. Shu remembers how he thought he's got victory then. 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. Shu earns a low score of 7.85 as a result.

Mitsuki 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.

Before the start of the final event, Yoshino calls out Sakura and proudly tells him he hasn't made any mistake. Sakura's companion berates Yoshino, reminding him that he's in the middle of a competition. Sakura walks toward Yoshino, who confidently claims he's already got the competition. Sakura, however, reprimands him and tells him to try falling at the horizontal bar and see for himself how rankings easily change. He asks whether Yoshino would like to end up like Shu, who is visibly highly frustrated. Mitsu and Shu hear the conversation. Sakura adds 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 get 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.

Yoshino, who is currently in the lead, wonders how Mitsu will be able to win with only one event left. He notices thought that Mitsu can take the lead if Mitsu were to earn a 9.7 score. He muses that since he earned extra points from difficult skills, the gap should have been bigger. Shu, however, asks him if he paid any attention to Mitsu's performance. He explains that even thought he didn't add any points, he barely lost any. Yoshino counters that it isn't a big deal with the score Mitsu needs to take the lead. But Shu states he's never seen Mitsu at full-strength yet. 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 and Yoshino notes how he suddenly upped the difficulty but not making any mistakes in the execution.

In the middle of his performance, Mitsuki commits a small timing mistake and realizes that the gymnastics that Shu and the others do was 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. Shu, however, confidently claims he can stick his landing just as he did in all other events.

    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. Shu states that watching Sakura kills one's confidence and remarks that so long as they do gymnastics, they will forever be watching Sakura from behind. 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. Shu answers he'll be but cuts himself off after noticing Mitsu's focus. 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.

## Characters

* Mitsuki Amahara
* Shuichiro Shibata
* Kazuo Sumida
* Sakura Dogase
* Yoshino

## Trivia

* The Japanese chapter title could translate to "Meet Mitsuki".