So Mako just decides to camp out at the dance all night waiting for Tigers Eye to come see her, because he said he would. As soon as Usagi hears about this, she freaks out, calls Mamoru to drive her over to Mako (he is like her personal valet I guess) which he does and dramatically screeches the car in front of her because HE IS A ETERNAL DRAMA QUEEN so Usagi can SWOOP TO MAKO’S RESCUE WITH HER FRIENDSHIP AND HANDHOLDING

And all the other girls come to get Mako outta there too, but she won’t be moved,because she feels if Tiger’s Eye comes back for her and she’s not there, she will feel really terrible about having missed an oppurtunity. She wants to relive the experience of actually being able to weari a frilly dress and have fun dancing with a “prince”.

At this point I just want to shake her and tell her to LOVE HERSELF and she shouldn’t put herself out in anyway for any guy who would keep her waiting, and I’m sure that’s what Usagi wants to do too- but my heart mostly breaks for her, because I’ve been in the situation where I can’t bring myself to leave something or someone even if it’s hurting me because I’m so afraid it will turn out I miss something good that I’ll regret and what-if for the rest of my life. And Mako is trying so hard to move on from being rejected (she doesn’t mention the “sempai that broke her heart” in this episode even- or any episode after this, we’ll get to that, she’s finally trying really hard to see this as a fresh start) and she just can’t take the idea of being rejected again, or have her experience at the dance ruined by this sour ending, of losing that feeling of comfort and security in the idea there might be a guy who would genuinely dance wth her and make her feel special. Mako’s devoted to a fault, and she overdoes it.

Of course, Usagi and the other girls know this is ridiculous (Usagi simply asks “Why?” and can only reply with “Mako-chan…” and a sad expression when she gives her reasons) but they also see what this is for Mako and that this is something she has to work through herself. But even if they can’t budge her, they are all determined to be there for her and make sure she doesn’t “lose her health”, and so every single one of the girls comes and they all gather around her and keep her company and talk with her through the night and let her know she has support. It’s just a truly heartwarming show of friendship. Again the theme is repeated that even if guys can’t acknowledge how wonderful she is, Mako’s friends are going to be there for her unconditionally, and that’s ultimately what’s most valuable.