Your Average Day
Usagi-chan
Usagi@lunap.com
http://hop.to/minako_usagi
Special thanks to: MK who helped me with my big plot decision,
Minako-chan for her unending encouragement, Lina for her support
and everyone who is part of SMRFF for their never ending
willingness to read anything I write. ^_^ And to everyone who
joined muul just for joining!
I don't own Sailormoon or anything pertaining to
The one flaw to this story, is that everyday is a
school day. Live with it. ^_^
E-mail me!
***
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm clock.
The red digits read 6:43. Yes, six fourty THREE. Mamoru
had how long his morning rituals took timed down to nearly
the second. Climbing out of bed he jumped in the shower,
stepped out, dressed and was in the kitchen by 7:12. 29
minutes as usual.
The kettle whistled, alerting Mamoru that his water was
boiling, and he poured it into the black mug and added the
instant coffee grinds that really got him going in the
morning. The only problem was that there were no instant
coffee grinds. He had used them all up the previous morning
and had forgotten to buy more.
"Damn." Mamoru muttered. Sighing, he dumped the hot water
down the drain and set the mug in the sink. "I'll just
have to buy more after my classes." He decided.
Grabbing his books that were sitting on the kitchen counter,
Mamoru headed towards his front door. Slipping on his shoes,
he was on his way to school. He walked swiftly towards his
lecture hall, knowing the class was going to have a pop quiz
first thing. He didn't want to be late.
As he rounded the corner, Mamoru braced himself for 98 pounds
f Odango to slam into him, but nothing. Mamoru was still
standing and no Odango anywhere. Puzzled, Mamoru shrugged his
shoulders, consoling himself with thoughts of seeing her after
school at the arcade and continued on his way. Mamoru sank into
his seat with three minutes to spare. He stuck his books under
his seat in the metal book holder and began to twirl his pen
between his thumb and forefinger.
"Hi Chiba-san." A pretty red head smiled at him, leaning
flirtatiously on his desk. Mamoru sighed before glancing
up at her.
"Hi." He replied shortly.
"I was wondering if you were free tonight?" She tilted her
head to the side, letting her hair tumble down.
"Actually, I have a date tonight." Mamoru told her. The
girl sighed.
"Maybe another time?" She asked. Mamoru shrugged before
turning his attention to the lecturer. True enough, there
was a pop quiz and as soon as Mamoru saw the questions he
knew he was going to bomb it.
**
Mamoru was in an extremely bad mood as he headed towards
the arcade. One week until Valentines, but he thrust the
thought from his mind. Running one hand through his hair,
Mamoru let his eyes scan the crowds for a certain odango
atama. As his intense blue gaze fell on the familiar blonde
girl, he smiled.
"Hey! Odango!" He called out. Usagi looked up at him and
frowned.
"It was such a good day until you had to come along and
ruin it, Mamoru- baka." She sighed and averted her eyes,
missing the look of pain that flashed across his face.
"Gee Odango, I know what you mean. It was so novel not to
be crashed into on my way to classes in the morning." He
replied.
"Eh." Usagi shrugged and stepped around Mamoru, heading
towards the arcade. Mamoru whirled around and followed her.
"So, Odango, fail any tests today?" He asked, shoving his
hands in his pockets.
"Not that it's any of your business, but no." She replied.
"I got a b plus on my test."
"Oh really? That's one for the books." Mamoru laughed.
Usagi glared up at him.
"Why are you following me, Mamoru-baka?" Usagi asked,
pulling open the door to the arcade.
"Following you?" Mamoru repeated. "Not exactly, Odango.
I happen to be coming here for the same reason you are."
"And what exactly would that be?" Usagi asked.
"To see Motoki. The difference being I'm not madly in
love with him." Mamoru replied. Usagi huffed and stormed
into the arcade.
"Neither am I, Mamoru-baka." She called over her shoulder
as she collapsed in front of the Sailor V game.
"Sure, Odango." Mamoru called as he sat down to talk to
Motoki.
"Another fight with our little Odango?" Motoki asked,
leaning on the counter in front of Mamoru.
"Yeah. Annoying kid, huh?" Mamoru asked.
"Nah. I think she's sweet, and really pretty if your
into blonde hair and blue eyes." Motoki replied.
"She's fourteen!?" Mamoru exclaimed.
"Is she? I never knew that." Motoki shrugged and handed
Mamoru his usual cup of black coffee.
"Thanks."
"No problem. So how did you do on the test today?"
Motoki asked. Mamoru groaned.
"Why did you have to remind me about it?"
"That bad, huh?" Motoki asked, and Mamoru nodded. "Well,
maybe you'll be able to retake it, or something."
"I dunno." Mamoru shrugged. "I guess I'd better go home
and study." Mamoru quickly gulped his coffee before
standing up and leaving the arcade. He headed towards
his apartment, stopping at the local grocery store long
enough to pick up some coffee. He certainly didn't want
a repeat of the hideous experience of not having
his morning coffee again.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm
clock. The red digits read 6:43. Climbing out of bed
he jumped in the shower, stepped out, dressed and was
in the kitchen by 7:12. 29 minutes as usual.
The kettle whistled, alerting Mamoru that his water
was boiling, and he poured it into the black mug and
added the instant coffee grinds that really got him
going in the morning. The only problem was that there
were no instant coffee grinds. Mamoru stared at the
empty place in his cupboard in disbelief. He was sure
he had bought coffee the previous night before. He had
gone to the arcade, made fun of Odango, picked up
coffee grinds, come home, studied, slept.
Mamoru glanced at the clock and swore. He was going to
be late if he didn't hurry. Grabbing his books, he was
out the door and on his way to class. Mamoru turned the
corner fully expecting to meet Odango, up close and
personal, especially since he had missed her the previous
morning. Again, she wasn't there. Mamoru was puzzled
beyond belief.
"Two days in a row? I'm impressed." Mamoru spoke
out loud, then shrugged and continued on his way
to his class. As usual, Mamoru was three minutes
early. He set his books under his chair and began
fidgeting with a pen.
"Hi Chiba-san." A pretty red head smiled at him,
leaning flirtatiously on his desk. Mamoru sighed
before glancing up at her.
"Hi." He replied, curiousity filling his voice.
He wondered why she was talking to him again.
"I was wondering if you were free tonight?" She
tilted her head to the side, letting her hair tumble
down. Mamoru looked at her incredulously. Hadn't he
told her yesterday that he had a date, and hadn't that
implied that he wasn't interested?
"Uhmm, not really." Mamoru told her, not quite sure
what was going on. The girl sighed, and before she
had a chance to say anything else, the lecturer entered
and announced that there was going to be a quiz.
Mamoru's eye brows shot up as he thought 'Again?!'
then he sighed and looked up at the questions. They
looked awfully familiar.
'Is this some kind of joke?' He glanced around to
find everyone scribbling down answers as fast as
they could. Sighing, Mamoru did the same, glad he
had studied the previous night.
**
Mamoru had a huge headache by the time he had
left school and was heading towards the arcade.
Everything had been exactly the same, and had
no clue why. His lectures were all the same as
the day before, the same people spoke to him
and he had received the same assignments.
"It's like the day is in repeat." He mumbled,
then saw Usagi. He smiled.
"Hey! Odango!" He called out. Usagi looked
up at him and frowned.
"It was such a good day until you had to come
along and ruin it, Mamoru- baka." She sighed
and looked away. Mamoru's jaw fell. That was
*exactly* what she had said the day before.
Mamoru was sure.
"Doesn't look like you had a good day." Mamoru
commented once he had regained his composure.
"What would you care, Mamoru-baka?" She asked
before continuing on her way to the arcade.
Mamoru followed her. He glanced at her sideways
before venturing out on a limb.
"Well, since you got a b plus on your math test,
I don't know what is so wrong with today, Odango.
Besides me." Usagi looked up at him with huge blue
eyes.
"How did you know what I got on my test?" She
exclaimed. Mamoru looked as shocked as she was.
"What's today, Usagi?" He asked, gripping her
shoulders.
"February seventh, exactly one week until
Valentine's Day." She replied. "Why?"
"I don't get it." Mamoru mumbled.
"What's not to get?" Usagi asked, pulling away
from Mamoru.
"Yesterday was..." He sighed. "Never mind."
"What's up with you, Mamoru-baka?" Usagi asked,
peering up at him in concern.
"Nothing. Come on, Odango. Let's go to the
arcade." Mamoru gently propelled Usagi forward
before walking himself. As soon as the two were
in the arcade, Usagi headed straight to the Sailor
V game, and Mamoru sank into a seat in front of Motoki.
"Another fight with our little Odango?" Motoki asked,
leaning on the counter in front of Mamoru.
"Just like every other day." Mamoru replied.
"I don't know why you two always fight, Mamoru.
She's really very sweet, and really pretty if
your into blonde hair and blue eyes." Motoki replied.
"Yeah well." Mamoru shrugged. 'Either this
is a *huge* joke and someone's gonna pay, or
somehow I'm in the past repeating this day.'
Motoki handed Mamoru his usual cup of black coffee.
"Thanks."
"No problem. So how did you do on the test today?"
Motoki asked.
"Piece of cake. I studied that last night."
"How on Earth did you know that was going to be on
the test?" Motoki asked.
"Lucky guess?" Mamoru grinned.
"Sure, whatever." Motoki smiled before glancing
over at Usagi. The pretty blonde was yelling at
the game.
"I guess I'd better go over and help her."
"Don't bother. Deal with the paying customers.
I'll go make sure Odango doesn't break the game."
Mamoru told him. Motoki raised an eyebrow at Mamoru
before shrugging. Mamoru gulped is coffee and stood
up to go tease Usagi some more.
"Gee, Odango. I don't think it's the machine's fault."
"What do you want Mamoru-baka?" Usagi asked, standing
from the stool in front of the game.
"Just to make sure you don't break the game." He
replied, smirking at her.
"Ooh! You make me so mad Chiba-baka!" Usagi glared
at him before stomping out of the arcade. Mamoru
chuckled before following her out. He turned in the
opposite direction that Usagi had gone, and headed home.
On his way, he stopped at the grocery store to pick
up some more coffee. He still hadn't a clue what was
going on, but he was sure he needed coffee.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm
clock. The red digits read 6:43.Climbing out of bed
he jumped in the shower, stepped out, dressed and
was in the kitchen by 7:12. 29 minutes as usual.
The kettle whistled, alerting Mamoru that his water
was boiling, and he poured it into the black mug
and opened the cupboard expecting to find coffee.
Well, not really. The bare space in the cupboard
didn't startle him nearly as much. Mamoru sighed,
taking it in stride this time. Running one hand
through his hair in misery, Mamoru reached over for
the hot chocolate he kept for any guests who didn't
want coffee. He dumped in some hot chocolate powder
and stirred it into the hot water. Mamoru sat down
at his kitchen table and drank the liquid slowly.
sense, and logic was something Mamoru relied on.
Mamoru looked up at the clock and groaned. He was
going to be late, again, if he didn't hurry.
Grabbing his books, he was out the door and on
his way to class. Mamoru rounded the corner, not
expecting to meet Odango face to face, and he was
correct. No Odango anywhere. Not surprised at all,
Mamoru continued on his way to class, knowing
full well that he would see Usagi later that
night at the arcade. Mamoru spent his three
minutes before class trying to think of something
creative to tell that red head who was about
to ask him out. He still didn't know her name.
"Hi Chiba-san." Right on cue. Mamoru smiled.
"Hi."
"I was wondering if you were free tonight?" She
tilted her head to the side, letting her hair tumble
down. Mamoru's grin widened.
"Actually, I'm not. Tonight I have my monthly
ritual to worship the aliens."
"Al.. Aliens?" She repeated.
"Yes." Mamoru paused. "Your welcome to join me."
'This is crazy!' Mamoru thought, then shrugged
mentally. 'Sounds like something Usagi would do.'
He told himself.
"Uhm... No thanks." The red head turned, shoulders
slightly slumped as she sank into her seat a few rows
away from Mamoru. The lecturer entered, and Mamoru
found himself writing the same quiz for the third day in
a row.
**
Mamoru was nearly skipping towards the arcade, knowing
Usagi was going to be there. Not that he cared. Why
would he care?
"Hello Usagi-chan." He greeted with a smile. The
petite blonde looked up at him, confusion clearly
written across her features.
"Hello Mamoru-san." She replied before ducking into
the arcade, away from him. Mamoru followed her, walking
up behind her as she played the Sailor V game. Waiting
patiently for her to loose, Mamoru sat down on the
stool next to her.
Finally the words 'Game Over' flashed on the screen and
Usagi looked at him.
"Yes?" She asked.
"I uhmm.." Mamoru hesitated, not exactly sure why
he was sitting there. "I just wanted to congratulate
you on your test score. A b plus is excellent, Usagi-chan."
"How... How did you know I got a b plus?" She asked, her
eyes wide blue saucers. Mamoru chuckled.
"Lucky guess?" Usagi shook her head in disbelief. "
What's wrong with you, Mamoru-san? You certainly aren't
acting like yourself. Maybe you should go home and rest."
Usagi told him before getting up and heading towards the
arcade doors. "I hope you feel better tomorrow!"
Mamoru stood as well, deciding that sleep probably would
do him some good. This repeating the day was certainly not
very healthy for him.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow Motoki-kun." Mamoru waved at
his friend before heading out of the arcade. Mamoru walked
home quickly, not bothering to buy coffee.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm clock.
The red digits read 6:43. Climbing out of bed he jumped
in the shower, stepped out, dressed and was in the kitchen
by 7:12. 29 minutes as usual.
The kettle whistled, alerting Mamoru that his water was
oiling, and he poured it into the black mug and added
instant coffee grinds. Sipping the hot black liquid,
Mamoru almost screamed.
He threw the mug into the sink and it shattered, splashing
coffee everywhere. Mamoru looked at the brand new jar of
coffee grinds and nearly fainted. He ran back into his
bedroom and turned on the radio, listening for the date.
"And out countdown to Valentine's continues. Today is
February 8th..." He shut it off and sighed in relief.
"Who knows what was up with the past few days, but I'm
glad that's over with." Mamoru glanced at his watch and
found that he was almost late. Turning around the corner,
Mamoru was greeted with 98 pounds of Odango, something
he had really grown to miss.
"Morning Usagi-chan!" He greeted cheerfully.
"Morning." She echoed. "Are you feeling better
Mamoru-san?" She asked, before glancing at her watch.
"Aieee! I'm so late."
Before giving Mamoru time to answer, Usagi ran down
the street towards her school.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm
clock. The red digits read 6:43. Climbing out of bed
he jumped in the shower, stepped out, dressed and was
in the kitchen by 7:12. 29 minutes as usual.
Mamoru put the kettle on, and opened the kitchen cupboard.
He paused, seeing both coffee and hot chocolate. Hesitating
slightly, he grabbed the hot chocolate and quickly made a
mug for breakfast.
After finishing the sweet brown liquid, Mamoru set the mug
in his sink and was on his way to school. Mamoru whistled
cheerfully. He had heard on the radio that it was February
ninth. Although closer to Valentine's, it meant that his
days weren't repeating anymore. For that, he was certainly glad.
Books in hand, Mamoru exited his apartment and began
the brief walk to hislecture hall. Turning the corner,
Mamoru braced himself for the collision he knew was coming,
and he wasn't disappointed.
"Oof!" Usagi flew backwards after slamming into Mamoru's
chest. "
Odango! What a way to greet the morning." He smirked
at her. Usagi glared up at him.
"Ooh Mamoru-baka!" Usagi leapt to her feet. "I guess
your feeling better." She muttered before dashing off
down the street again. Mamoru laughed as he watched
her run towards her school before continuing on his
way to his own class.
"Hi Chiba-san." It was the infamous red head again. Mamoru
sighed. He'd hoped she had remembered the Alien story and
had decided to leave him alone. No such luck. He nodded his
head slightly in acknowledgement, but turned away before any
other communication could occur.
"I'd like to hand back your quizzes before we get started
today." The professor stood in the front of the room and
spoke into the microphone. "I'd like to say I'm disappointed
in almost all of the results. Only one person passed, and
he did with 100%. Congratulations Chiba Mamoru."
**
Mamoru headed to the arcade with a smile plastered
across his face. Not only had he been praised in
class, but now he was on his way to see his Odango.
Mamoru paused.
'Where did that come from?' He asked himself, before
shacking his head and continuing on his way. He walked
into the arcade, the bells chiming cheerfully above
his head.
"Hi Mamoru-kun!" Motoki greeted. Mamoru nodded in
his friend's direction while his eyes scanned the
arcade for the blonde Odango haired girl. She was
sitting in front of her Sailor V game, playing as
visciously as one can play a video game.
"Hi Odango." Mamoru called across the arcade before
sitting in front of Motoki and ordering a cup of
coffee. Usagi continued to sit there, completely
ignoring Mamoru and the nick name.
"So what's with you and Usagi?" Motoki asked,
grinning at Mamoru.
"What do you mean?" Mamoru asked, sipping the bitter
liquid.
"You two seemed pretty chummy yesterday, and now
your seem awfully cheerful." Motoki shrugged. Mamoru
pulled out the quiz, and handed it to Motoki without a
word.
"Amazing Mamoru-kun. I don't even remember this stuff."
"Yeah well." Mamoru shrugged.
"But since you seem so nochalant about this, something
else must have you so.... cheerful." Motoki glanced over
at Usagi. "Wonder what it could be..."
"I dunno." Mamoru shrugged again.
"Maybe a certain golden haired teen?"
"Not likely." Mamoru replied, scoffing.
"Are you sure?" Motoki asked. "
Quite." Mamoru stood up. "I have to get home. I need
to study more."
"Sure Mamoru-kun." Motoki laughed. "See you tomorrow."
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm clock. The red
digits read 6:43. Climbing out of bed he jumped in the shower,
stepped out, dressed and was in the kitchen by 7:12. 29 minutes
as usual.
After putting the kettle on, Mamoru grabbed the hot chocolate and
made himself a mug.
'This stuff really reminds me of Usa.' He thought, sipping the
chocolatey drink. He glanced at the calendar and paused, wondering
if it was still the ninth, or if time had decided to move on to the
tenth.
Shrugging, he grabbed his books and was on his way. He would
know soon enough, from Usa's behaviour.
Turning the corner, Mamoru crashed into the little blonde teen.
She flew backwards to the ground with a loud 'oof!'. She glared
up at Mamoru.
"Why don't you watch where your going, Mamoru-baka?" She asked,
gathering up her books.
"Here, let me help you." Mamoru knelt down, picked up her books then
hauled Usagi to her feet. Carefully he handed her the books she had
dropped. Usagi accepted them cautiously, staring intently at Mamoru.
"Okay... Aren't you feeling better?" She asked finally.
"What do you mean, Usagi-chan?" He asked. She shook her head.
"If I weren't going to be so late I'd be worried." She told him,
before realizing that she was, in fact, very late. "Aiee!" She
cried, dashing off in the direction she had originally been heading.
Mamoru shook his head before continuing on his own.
Once seated in the lecture hall, Mamoru escaped any contact
with the red head by pretending to be very busy reading his
text book.
"I'd like to hand back your quizzes before we get started today."
The professor stood in the front of the room and spoke into the
microphone. "I'd like to say I'm disappointed in almost all of the
results. Only one person passed, and he did with 100%. Congratulations
Chiba Mamoru."
The praise was something Mamoru could get used to.
**
Heading towards the arcade, Mamoru's mind wandered over
what had been almost a week for him, and three days for everyone
else. He was sure no one else was experiencing this. He had
repeated the seventh several times, the eighth only once, but this
was the third ninth. It didn't make any sense.
"Why would I only go through the eighth once? What was
different?" He wondered aloud, before his mind began to
take a different route. 'Why would the seventh suddenly
change?'
The only connection he could make was Usagi, and that
was certainly not the connection he was hoping for.
With a sigh, Mamoru looked up to see Usagi standing on
the street corner where they usually collided, tapping her feet
and checking her watch.
"Hey Odango!" He called out, waving to her.
"Mamoru-baka! Where have you been?" She asked,
marching over to him. "I've been worried sick about
you all day, and then you decide to be late. Hmph!"
She snatched his hand in hers and began pulling him towards
the arcade.
"What are you doing, Odango?" He asked, but she didn't
say anything until she had him seated in a booth at the back
of the arcade.
"Okay, do you feel nauseated?" She asked, resting one hand
on his forehead. "Dizzy? Faint?"
"No, I feel fine. What is this all about?" He asked. Usagi
looked at him suspiciously.
"Is this some sort of joke?" She asked.
"Joke?' He echoed.
"Why are you acting so funny?!" Usagi collapsed into the seat
across from him.
"What do you mean?"
"For the past two days, you've been nice to me." She was
watching him suspiciously.
Suddenly Mamoru clued in. It was like a giant lightbulb
had been turned on above his head.
The past two days that she was talking about he had been at least
marginally nice to Usagi. In his warped terms, the past two days
she referred to were the ones that time had actually moved forward
in.
Being nice to Usagi meant moving on in life.
It lacked sense, but it was a place to start, and for Mamoru he
couldn't ask for more.
"Well, Mamoru? What's the deal?" Usagi asked.
"Nothing, Usagi-chan. Nothing at all." Mamoru was trying
to figure it out. His being nice to Usagi let him move on, but
why? Why did someone want him to be nice to her? What
difference could it make? And who was doing it?
"Listen, Usagi-chan, I have to go, but I'll talk to you tomorrow,
okay?" Without waiting for an answer, Mamoru stood up and
quickly left the arcade, leaving a confused Usagi in his wake.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm clock. The
red digits read 6:43. Mamoru had how long his morning rituals
took timed down to nearly the second. Climbing out of bed he
jumped in the shower, stepped out, dressed and was in the
kitchen by 7:12. 29 minutes as usual.
The kettle whistled, and Mamoru made the hot chocolate he had become
dependent on, rather than the coffee. Sitting down to drink it, Mamoru
let his mind wander over what he had discovered the previous day.
Usagi was key, central, but he didn't know why.
With a sigh, Mamoru set the mug in the sink and picked up his books.
He was out the door, and on his way to school still trying to figure
everything out.
When Mamoru rounded the corner, he was more than ready to crash
into Usagi. Rather than letting her fall to the ground as he usually did,
Mamoru caught her and held her upright, though close to him as he did
so.
"Ari... arigato Mamoru-san." Usagi blushed furiously at their rather
compromising position. Mamoru smiled faintly and released her.
"No problem Usagi-chan." He smiled more as she looked up at him
in puzzlement.
"I'd... I'd better get going." Usagi dashed down the street without looking
back.
Mamoru watched as she dashed towards her school.
'That was certainly an interesting turn of events.' Mamoru thought before
heading towards his lecture hall, eager to learn something new after so
many days of the same lecture.
**
Mamoru entered the arcade, slightly confused at not having met Usagi
on the way. His cobalt blue eyes scanned the arcade for the blonde
haired teen. He saw her seated at the counter talking to Motoki and
sipping a chocolate milkshake.
Mamoru headed over, trying to hear what Usagi was saying.
"He's been acting so strange. I'm worried." Usagi sighed.
"I've noticed that as well, Usagi-chan, but don't worry. I'm
sure he'll be fine in a few days." Motoki smiled reassuringly.
"Hi Mamoru-kun."
Usagi whirled around on her stool, a look of surprise
flitting across her features.
"Hi Motoki-kun, Usagi-chan." He smiled at the pair before
sitting next to Usagi. "February tenth, four days until Valentine's
Day."
"Yes. Reika and I are going on a cruise." Motoki replied.
"How romantic!" Usagi exclaimed.
"If you like that sort of thing." Mamoru shrugged.
"Don't you?" Usagi turned on her seat to face him, a
dreamy smile on her face. "I think it would be wonderful."
"Well, I hope Reika things so." Motoki replied. He was
washing the counter with his always present red cloth.
"I'm sure she will." Usagi smiled sincerely at her friend.
"As it is, I have to jet. Mom will be furious if I'm
not home on time. Bye!"
"Wait Usagi-chan! It's getting late. Let me walk you."
Mamoru jumped up after the blonde, shocking himself,
Usagi and Motoki.
"Uhmm.. That's okay, Mamoru-san." Usagi felt herself
blushing slightly.
"No, I insist. Let's go." Mamoru grabbed her hand
and led her out of the arcade. He turned the direction
he always saw her leave and began walking.
The pair walked in silence, and it wasn't for some time
that Usagi realized Mamoru was still holding her hand.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm clock.
The red digits read 6:43. Yes, six fourty THREE. Mamoru
had how long his morning rituals took timed down to nearly
the second. Climbing out of bed he jumped in the shower,
stepped out, dressed and was in the kitchen by 7:12. 29
minutes as usual.
It was February eleventh, he was sure of it. Three days
until Valentines Day. Somehow, Mamoru knew that was
key as well.
He contemplated his situation as he sipped his hot
chocolate.
'Okay, so someone out there wants me to be nicer to
Usagi, but I wonder why? I mean, who cares if I'm
nice to Odango? What difference can it make?' Mamoru
bit his lip. 'And how are they messing with my life
like this?'
Mamoru swallowed the last gulp of hot chocolate before
setting the cup in the sink and heading off towards school.
When he rounded the corner, Usagi was no where in sight.
Mamoru wondered where she was, but continued on his way,
sure that he would see her after school.
**
When Mamoru reached the arcade after his classes, he
was extremely worried. Usagi wasn't at the arcade,
as he had expected her to be.
"Hey Motoki-kun." Mamoru greeted his friend.
"Hey." Motoki smiled. "So what's the deal with you?
Are you finally ready to admit your feelings for our
Odango?"
"Feelings?" Mamoru scoffed, but even as the words left
his mouth, he began to doubt them. "I don't care about
her!"
"Oh? Then you won't care that she's couped up at home
with the flu?" Motoki smiled deviously.
"Look Motoki-kun, I've got to go study." Mamoru
stood up abruptly.
"Right.. Study..." Motoki laughed as Mamoru left the
arcade.
'Okay, now Usagi's sick and I'm in love with her.'
Mamoru thought. '.... In love with... Oh boy. I'm
in love with Tsukino Usagi. I love her!'
The realization hit him hard. A goofy smile spread
itself across his face as he repeated the words over
and over in his head.
'I love Tsukino Usagi.' Mamoru practically laughed out
loud. 'So what do I do now?'
'Then you won't care that she's couped up at home
with the flu?'
Motoki's words replayed themselves in Mamoru's head
and suddenly he knew what to do.
**
Raising his hand to knock, Mamoru took a deep breath
to calm his nerves. He knocked three times and waited
as patiently as he could for someone to answer the door.
It didn't take long for a tall, blue haired woman
to open the door and smile at him.
"Hello. Can I help you?"
"I'm here to see Usagi-chan." He told her. "I heard
she wasn't feeling well."
"Oh! I'm sure seeing a friend will make her feel
better. That was very kind of you. Please, come
in! I'm Usagi's mother, Ikuko."
"Thank you." Mamoru smiled. "I brought her some soup."
Mamoru offered Ikuko the container full of soup with
a tentative smile.
"How sweet! Why don't you go straight up to her room
and I'll bring her the soup in a few minutes?" Ikuko
suggested before gently shoving Mamoru towards the
stairs and making her way into the kitchen.
Mamoru climbed the stairs and turned down the hallway,
not sure which room was Usagi's. He smiled when his
eyes fell on the door with the little bunny sign, the
letters USAGI printed across it.
After knocking gently, Mamoru opened the door to see
Usagi sprawled across her bed, staring at the ceiling.
She was obviously bored, manga spread around her.
"Hello Usagi-chan." Mamoru held his breath waiting for
Usagi to reply. She looked at him and nearly fell off
her bed. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened.
"Mam... Mamoru-baka!" She exclaimed.
"It's nice to see you too." He smiled wryle before
clearing a place off on her bed and sitting down
next to her. "How are you feeling?"
"What are you doing here?" She sputtered. Mamoru
smiled.
"Motoki told me you weren't feeling very good. I
decided to visit you." He explained.
"Oh."
"I brought you soup."
At the mention of food, Usagi's eyes lit up.
"What kind of soup?"
"Chicken noodle. It's traditional, you know."
Usagi laughed, a beautiful smile lighting up her
face. Mamoru smiled at this, and was about to
comment when Ikuko walked in with a bowl of soup
for Usagi.
"Here you go darling. Your friend was kind enough
to bring you some soup. And it's chicken noodle,
your favourite." Ikuko set a tray up in front of
Usagi before setting the bowl of hot soup on it.
"I guess I'll leave you two alone now."
Ikuko winked at Usagi before exiting the room
without looking back.
"So, uh.. How are you feeling?" Mamoru asked,
nervously fidgeting with the blankets Usagi had
tossed down around her waist.
"Better, I guess." Usagi was nervously playing
with the spoon resting in the soup.
'This is so weird! Chiba Mamoru sitting in *my*
room, asking me how *I* am?'
"That's good." Mamoru bit his lip. He could
_feel_ the awkward silence setting in.
"Yeah..." Usagi nodded slightly before taking
a mouthful of the soup. Her eyes lit up as she
looked up at him. "This is amazing! Did you make
it yourself?"
"Yeah..." Mamoru chuckled. "It's an old receipe."
"Family secret, huh?" She asked smiling at him.
"Something like that." Mamoru glanced out the
window. The sun was shining brightly and he wished
he could see Usagi outside spinning around and
around, rather than cooped up inside. He could hear
her laughter ringing in his ears. A smile spread
itself across his face.
"What?" Usagi asked, catching the look on his face.
"Nothing." Mamoru smiled warmly at her, and Usagi
could feel herself melting.
'Baka! This is Mamoru! Don't get all mushy.' She
scolded herself. Usagi forced herself to focus on
the soup in front of her and and took another spoonful.
It really was the best soup she had ever had before.
"So, Usagi-chan, do you think you'll be up and at 'em
tomorrow?" Mamoru asked, watching Usagi carefully.
"I dunno. I hope so. I mean, I don't like school,
but sitting cooped up in here is even worse." She
replied. 'Besides, I don't get to see you.'
"That's good." Mamoru smiled at her. Usagi finished
the soup, and set the spoon in the bowl. Mamoru
lifted the tray up and set it on the floor next to
Usagi's bed.
"Thanks." Usagi started to smile shyly at him, when
she was overcome with a yawn. Mamoru chuckled.
"Feeling tired little one?" He asked. Usagi blushed.
"How 'bout I leave you to rest now?"
"No, that's *yawn* okay." Usagi tried to protest, but
Mamoru shook his head.
"If I don't see you tomorrow after school, then I'll
stop by with more soup, alright?" He promised. Usagi
nodded as she snuggled down in her bed. Mamoru
stood up and gently tucked the blankets around Usagi's
neck.
"Sleep well." With a gentle kiss on her forhead, Mamoru
made a hasty exit.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm clock.
The red digits read 6:43. Yes, six fourty THREE. Mamoru
had how long his morning rituals took timed down to nearly
the second. Climbing out of bed he jumped in the shower,
stepped out, dressed and was in the kitchen by 7:12. 29
minutes as usual.
Mamoru decided to forgo coffee or hot chocolate in
favour of waiting at the corner to be sure he didn't
miss Usa if she was on her way to school. He had been
extra nice to her, because he didn't want her to have
to repeat her day home sick, and because he had wanted
to.
These days he found himself really wanting to see a smile
light up her face, or to hear her laughter.It seemed to
make his day to see the glow on her cheeks and the sparkle
in her eyes. It seemed to make life worth living.
Mamoru stood at the street corner, his eyes scanning in
the direction he knew Usa took every morning. After
glancing at his watch, Mamoru sighed. She was usually
here by now, even on the days she was extremely late.
Mamoru turned to head towards his classes when an
high pitched wail caused him to freeze.
"Aieeeeee!!!!!!!" He knew that sound. It was the
sound of a _very_ late Usa. "I'm so totally beyond
late!"
Mamoru smiled as whirlwind Usagi whipped passed him on
her way to school. Mamoru shook his head and headed towards
his lecture.
**
The smile was still on his face as Mamoru headed towards
the arcade. His lessons had been relatively easy, and he
had managed to finish the assignment at the library
earlier in the day.
"Hello Motoki-kun!" Mamoru greeted as he stepped into
the arcade.
"Hi Mamoru-kun. Well, your certainly in a good mood."
Motoki smiled at his friends cheerfulness.
"Yeah, well..." Mamoru shrugged.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain
odango haired girl about to step into the arcade,
would it?" Motoki asked as the bells above the door
jingled.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Mamoru asked before
turning around. "Hey Usagi-chan! Feeling better?"
"Definately Mamoru-san! Thank you." She beamed at
him, and Mamoru almost melted into a puddle. That
was the first time she had used that smile on him,
the first time it had been sent in his direction,
to him, for him. Yes, Tsukino Usagi certainly made
life worth living.
"How about a shake to celebrate?" Mamoru asked as
soon as he was able to pull himself together.
"Uhmm... I'd like to, but mom wants me home soon.
I just stopped in 'cause we agreed to meet here."
Usagi told him, sadness filling her blue eyes.
"That's okay. How about I walk you home?" Mamoru
offered.
"Sure, I'd like that." Usagi blushed slightly as
Mamoru held the arcade door open for her. The pair
headed towards Usagi's home talking quietly, about
anything and everything.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Usagi asked, unable
to look Mamoru in the eye.
"Sure thing. Sleep well Usa." Mamoru leaned forward
to gently kiss her cheek before he was gone with a
hop, skip and a jump.
Usagi stood there, shocked. Mamoru just kissed her.
Chiba Mamoru just kissed *her*. Granted, it was on
the cheek, but it was a kiss none the less.
Usagi fumbled for the door handle and managed to
open the door and step inside. She floated up to
her room, happily seated on cloud nine.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm clock.
The red digits read 6:43. Yes, six fourty THREE. Mamoru
had how long his morning rituals took timed down to nearly
the second. Climbing out of bed he jumped in the shower,
stepped out, dressed and was in the kitchen by 7:12. 29
minutes as usual.
Except that today was the day before Valentine's Day, and
although Mamoru normal hated it with a passion, this year
was different. This year was an Usa year.
Instead of hating the day and stressing over it because
Mamoru had no one to share it with, Mamoru stressed over
it because he wasn't sure how to tell ther person he
wanted to share it with how he felt.
"Well Usako, you certainly make life interesting." Mamoru
muttered as he headed out the door towards his job.
He was walking along the street where he usually ran
into Usagi when a thought occurred to him. He wasn't
going to see her past this brief meeting today. He was
going to end up spending a long night in the lab. He
wouldn't see her again until it was Valentine's Day,
and that might be too late.
"Usa!" Mamoru cried as he saw the blond headed in his
direction.
"Mamoru-san!" She screeched to a halt, nearly knocking
Mamoru over.
"Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I won't be
seeing you after school today." He told her.
"Oh? Why?" Was it just Mamoru or did she seem disappointed?
"I have to work late. Sorry Usa..." Mamoru smiled
slightly. "How we hang out tomorrow?"
"But it's Valentine's Day. Don't you want to spend it
with your girlfriend?" Usagi asked.
"I don't have a girlfriend. Why don't we meet at the
arcade when you get out of schjool?" Mamoru bit his lip
as he waited for her to reply. He couldn't believe
he just asked her out. What is she said no, what if..
Before he came up with any more 'what if's', Usagi
squealed with delight.
"Yes! It'll be so much fun. See you tomorrow Mamoru-san!"
With that, Usagi took off at her unnatrually high speeds.
Mamoru smiled at the retreating form of the woman he loved.
**
Mamoru quickly reached over and shut off his alarm clock.
The red digits read 6:43. Yes, six fourty THREE. Mamoru
had how long his morning rituals took timed down to nearly
the second. Climbing out of bed he jumped in the shower,
stepped out, dressed and was in the kitchen by 7:12. 29
minutes as usual.
Except that that isn't how it went. Mamoru couldn't figure
out what to wear. He had to look good for Usagi, he needed
to look extra good.
Mamoru tore through all the clothes in his closet trying to
find the perfect outfit. Finally he settled on a a pair of
black khakis and a blue shirt that brought out his eyes.
After spending twenty minutes on his hair, Mamoru dashed out
the door, late himself for the first time ever.
**
"Motoki-kun! What do I do?!" Mamoru had Motoki by the top
of his shirt, holding the poor poor over the counter at the
arcade.
"Let.. go.. Can't.. breathe..." Motoki gasped out, clawing at
Mamoru's hand.
Mamoru sighed and released Motoki's shirt. Motoki slowly slid
off the counter, gasping for breath.
"So what do I do?" Mamoru asked, a lot calmer than before.
"First of all, tell me again why you need my help." Motoki
smiled maliciously.
"Because I, Chiba Mamoru, am in love with Tsukino Usagi."
Mamoru mumbled. "Now help."
"It's simple, Mamoru-kun. All you need to do is give
her flowers, be romantic, woo her and tell her you love
her. You know, the usual."
"Ths usual? With me there is no usual." Mamoru sank into
a stool and buried his face in his hands. "It's hopeless."
"It is not hopeless. Shape up man! Haven't you seen the way
she looks at you? You have nothing to lose tonight, Mamoru-san.
Nothing." Motoki smiled at Mamoru before turning his attention
to other customers.
**
Mamoru sat nervously in one of the boothes as he glanced
from his watch, to the door, to his watch, to the door and
back to his watch. Usagi was late. What if that meant
she didn't really want to meet him? Or she got a better
offer? Or.. Or.. Or what if...?
The little bells jingled annoouncing the arrival of a
certain blond angel.
"Sorry I'm late, I got a detention." Usagi blushed.
"It's okay." Mamoru smiled. "So what do you want to do?"
Usagi shrugged.
"What do you want to do?" She asked back.
"Maybe take a walk?" He suggested.
"Sure." The pair stood up and left the arcade together.
Without a word passed between them, the two headed in the
direction of the park.
"So..." Usagi shrugged gently, trying to start a conversation.
"Yeah..." Mamoru stuck his hands in his pockets as they
continued to walk.
"Mamoru-san? Why did you all of a sudden decide to be nice to me?
I mean, you've really changed recently, and I like it, but I want
to know why." Usagi glanced up at him as she spoke.
"I... I guess it has to do with a few things. I mean, there
was no real reason I was ever mean to you in the first place.
I guess I just realized what I really wanted."
"And what's that, Mamoru-san?" Usagi asked softly. Mamoru took
a moment before replying.
"You." His answer was so soft that Usagi wasn't quite sure she
had heard him correctly.
"Me?" She echoed.
"Yeah. Over the past few weeks, I've realized how much I love
you. How much I've come to rely on you for the joy you bring
to my life. I wanted to spend Valentine's Day with you."
Mamoru was watching her reaction carefully.
"I.. Mamoru-san... I'm speechless.. I mean, I..." Usagi stuttered.
For the first time in her life, someone told her something that
utterly shocked her. "Mamo-chan! I love you too!"
Mamoru smiled, and gently leaned forward to kiss the petite
blond.
Somewhere in the distance, a tall woman stood watching the pair.
A smile spread itself across her face as tears welled up in her
magenta eyes.
***
The End. Feed back is VERY nice. ^_^
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