19. Liar
Words: 663

"This is for you." Motoki handed a bemused Mamoru a pink envelope.

"What's that?" Mamoru's arm stayed firmly by his side as he looked at the envelope curiously.

"How am I supposed to know?" Motoki responded, annoyed. "I found it on the counter this morning a little after I started my shift. I figured it was intended for you." He looked pointedly at the front off the envelope, where "Mamoru" was carefully written in flowing script.

Slowly, Mamoru reached over to accept it. Sliding a finger underneath the envelope flap, he pulled out the letter and began to read. He stopped, glanced hurriedly at the name signed at the bottom, and began to read again with renewed interest.

Dear Mamoru,
I've waited so long to tell you that I love you. An abrupt way to begin a letter, I know, but I'm so very tired of keeping it all inside. It's been so frustrating! As much as I've loved our arguments (And at this point, Mamoru quickly skipped to the writer of the letter), I want more. I know that I'm young and you must think me childish, while you are so very sophisticated, but I know how I feel. If you would just give me a chance! I love you. I wish that I could hear you say those words to me.
 With all my heart,
Usagi

Mamoru's face paled for a moment, and then, without warning, broke into the most beautiful grin to ever grace it.

"What's it say? Who's it from?" Motoki asked, leaning over the counter to get a better look.

Mamoru snapped out of his stupor in time to jerk the letter out of sight. "It's none of your business! I…have somewhere I have to be. I'll see you later."

"But…" Motoki began. He didn't have a chance. Mamoru was already gone.

Mamoru slammed through the arcade doors and was half way down the street before he realized he didn't know where he was going. 'She loves me!' he thought, and laughed out loud. For once, the ever-composed Mamoru did not take note of the odd glances that passers-by were throwing in his direction. Men looked at him with amused expressions, but women sighed. They knew a man in love when they saw one.

He took another turn and found himself in the park. 'Of course,' he thought. 'She'll be where the roses are.' He did not stop to question this knowledge. Who has time to question the heart?

No longer running, but walking with a purposeful stride, Mamoru found Usagi with her nose pressed to a deep red rose. She had her eyes closed and a dreamy expression that made Mamoru slightly dizzy.

"I love you," he blurted out. Usagi's head jerked away from the rose so fast that Mamoru was almost disappointed that he had broken her out of her reverie. Almost. He watched as Usagi stood frozen before him. Patiently, he waited for her to overcome her shock.

"I…" Usagi began slowly, her face taking on a deep red color that Mamoru adored, "I love you, too!"

Without warning, Usagi hurtled herself into Mamoru's arms. Right where she belonged. She giggled and looked up at him.

"I loved your letter, Usako," Mamoru told her honestly.

Usagi beamed at him, and then scrunched up her tiny nose in confusion. "What letter?"

Back in the arcade, Motoki was wiping the counter while whistling a tune. Catching sight of something pink sticking out from behind the counter, he quickly glanced around to see if any of the other employees had seen it. Assured that they hadn't, he discretely pushed it out of view. Minako had thought it odd when he had asked her for some of the pink stationary she had brought in to show him yesterday afternoon, but Motoki merely shrugged and said that his little sister had been wanting some. 'So what if I'm a liar?' Motoki thought. 'Those two belong together.'

Mamoru and Usagi, both a little confused, decided to ignore it. They smiled.