Chance Meetings
Usagi Tsukino stepped out into the gleaming sunlight and basked in its radiance. She seldom had the chance to just enjoy beautiful days such as this. Saving the world took its toll, and even Sailor Moon – Usagi's alter ego – needed days to just relax.
"I wonder where Mamo-chan is taking me today. OooOOoohhh I'm so excited! I love love loo--" In her typical fashion, Usagi had tripped over a crack in the sidewalk and was on a crash course for the ground. She shut her eyes and braced for the impact, but none came. Feeling a pair of strong arms wrap around her, she slowly opened her eyes to find that she was resting against a sturdy looking chest. He smelled good, like fresh laundry. His shirt felt soft and the feeling made her lean even closer against him. Mamoru? Moving her eyes upwards, she looked to see a man with striking features, deep blue eyes and long ebony hair that was pulled back into a pony tail. And he was staring at her. Oh it's not Mamoru, how embarrassing.
"Who me? That's what all the girls say." The man laughed and a sparkle of mischief danced in his eyes.
"Sorry?" Usagi was still a bit woozy from that close call. Even she had to admit she was a klutz. She probably should've been used to it by now, but those falls hurt just the same every time.
"The one you love. It's me right?" He winked. Something stirred inside of her, but she couldn't place the feeling. Well well, not many guys can pull off that move, she chuckled to herself. No wonder he's so arrogant. He'd be better off using his moves on other girls though because her destiny was Mamoru, and everyone knew it.
"Don't be ridiculous. Mamo-chan is the most handsome man on earth. And he loves me, and we'll get married and have an adorable – if not annoying – little girl," Usagi declared, thinking fondly of Chibi-usa.
"Is that so?" Good thing I'm not from Earth then, he laughed to himself.
"It is."
"Then tell me, Dumpling, why is it that we're in this – lets just say, more than a little bit comfortable – embrace, while your Mamo-chan is nowhere to be seen, mm?" Usagi, realizing the situation, blushed and stepped away.
"Because I had a moment of clumsiness – which occurs rarely, I assure you – and you just so happened to get in the way of my fall."
The man blinked and stared at this absurd creature for a second before throwing his head back and laughing in pure amusement.
"Oh Dumpling, you're strange. Most girls are happy when I bump into them, much less catch them."
"How come?" He sure is confident. I suppose he is slightly good-looking, she thought haughtily.
"You really don't recognize me?" The man pointed to his face incredulously.
"Oh! Have we met? I'm sorry. What's your name again?" Strange, I think I would have remembered such an obnoxious character, she mused.
"Oh forget it Dumpling Head, nothing to worry about." Guess I'm not as famous as I imagined, he thought dryly.
"… You're weird… And stop calling me Dumpling, only Mamoru can call me that."
"Sorry Dumpling"
"I said STOP."
"Dumpling"
"Stop it, stop it, stop it!"
"Dumpling, Dumpling, Dumpling," he said in a sing-song voice.
"Fine… weirdo!"
"Dumpling"
"WEIRDO"
"Dump--"
"--Oh no! I'm late! Now look what you've done!" Usagi wailed accusingly.
"Sorry Dumpling, go to your Mamoru then. But don't think about me too much or he'll get jealous."
"I – you… I… what? OooOOooohh never mind I'm so late! Poor Mamo-chan is waiting. Goodbye weirdo! "
"See you later Dumpling!"
The man watched as the girl clumsily dashed away, her long blonde dumpling-styled hair swirling freely behind her. Then as he continued his leisurely walk he wondered just who exactly this delightful Usagi Tsukino was – and had every intention of finding out.
---
"Usa-ko!" Her face was flushed and her breathing was erratic. Mamoru knew she'd been running and gave her an affectionate smile.
"Mamo-chan! So sorry I'm late!" The tall handsome man, with midnight hair and sapphire eyes leaned down and placed a light kiss on her lips. He was used to her tardiness.
"Don't worry about it. Let's go get some shakes okay?"
"Okay," Usagi replied cheerfully as her hand automatically slipped into his.
When the couple arrived at the restaurant, they were greeted by Motoki's – a good looking blonde who worked at the arcade, and who Usagi used to have a crush on, pre-Mamoru of course – little sister Unazuki. She seated them and took their orders.
"So how was your day Mamo-chan?" Usagi asked as she sipped on her milkshake.
"It's been alright; I received a letter from the American university I told you about."
"And?" She held her breath for the answer. On one hand she didn't want to hold him back, but a strong part of her just wanted to cling to him forever and never let go.
"I wanted you to be with me when I opened it." He pulled a sealed envelope from his pocket and moved to the seat beside her.
Usagi opened the envelope and together they slowly unfolded the letter.
Chiba Mamoru,
We are pleased to confirm your acceptance to our institution…
"I knew you could do it!" Usagi exclaimed with genuine happiness.
"This means… it means I'd be going away. For months – maybe a whole year. Is that okay? If you ask me, I'll stay." He looked her straight in the eyes, a piercing gaze filled with emotion. Looking at him now she knew that he would stay for her. And that was enough.
"Oh Mamo-chan, I could never do that to you. I'm happy that you can have your dream, even though I'll miss you." Usagi smiled sadly, the impending loneliness already beginning to creep up on her.
"I'll miss you too, Dumpling." Usagi abruptly remembered the boy she'd so unceremoniously fallen into that morning and felt her cheeks heat up. She silently scolded herself for blushing at the memory of such a ridiculous meeting, and at the thought of being held so cozily in that charmingly egotistical man's arms. Charming? Where had that come from? No, he definitely wasn't charming, she assured herself. Mamo-chan on the other hand… now he was a dream!
Mamoru took Usagi's hand and they sat there enjoying the companionable silence they often shared.
---
Seiya Kou was on his way home from his photo shoot for Three Lights – the band he and his brothers, Yaten and Taiki, formed. He was completely exhausted by the whole day. First the enchanting Usagi Tsukino completely ignores his advances, then some crazy fans attack him on his way to the photo shoot, and then the photographer arrives half an hour late, which resulted in them having to stay much longer than scheduled. The only reason he decided to walk home instead of taking the limo was the hopes that he could bump into his Dumpling again.
I've met her once, briefly, and I've already begun to think of her as my Dumpling. What's happening to me? I need to focus on our mission. We have to find our princess.
Glancing in through the window of a restaurant he saw her. It was Dumpling! With a man. So this must be the so called most-handsome-man-on-earth, Mamoru-san. I think I'll go say hi, he thought with a grin.
---
"Dumpling! Fancy meeting you here!" Seiya Flashed his signature smile, knowing full well that he was intruding and was probably unwanted.
"Oh. It's you again. Mamo-chan, this is Weirdo. Weirdo, this is my boyfriend, Mamo-chan." Usagi lazily made introductions.
"Actually my name is Seiya."
"So how do you two know each other?" Mamoru inquired politely.
"She fell into my arms like an angel," Seiya joked, a twinkle of playfulness shining in his eyes.
"You flatter me, but there's no use hiding it. Mamo-chan knows that when I trip I never fall as gracefully as you made it sound," Usagi laughed.
"She has a point. It's okay though. Usa-ko may be a klutz, but she's my klutz," Mamoru teased, giving her hand a squeeze.
"Hey what's this?" Seiya picked up the acceptance letter and began to read.
"Seiya! That's none of your business," protested Usagi as she reached for the letter.
"You're going to America? For how long? Why?" Seiya stared at the man quizzically, at a loss as to why anyone would want to leave Dumpling to go to America.
"Not that it's your business, but studying in this American University is his dream, and you just happened to interrupt our celebrations," snapped Usagi.
"Which is it then?" asked Seiya, ignoring Dumpling's complaints.
"Which is what?" replied the couple simultaneously.
"Your relationship. Is it the kind that's strong enough to survive the distance, or the kind that gives up in times of loneliness? Believe me, loneliness is not a happy thing, and this will make both of you very lonely."
"Don't you think that's kind of a rude question?" Mamoru responded wryly.
"I see. It must be the latter if you're acting so defensive. I was just asking the obvious question you know."
"You want an answer? Fine. Usa-ko and I are destined to be together, so yes; our love can pass any test and overcome any obstacles that come our way." He said it as if it were a simple stone cold fact.
"It's true," agreed Usagi in that same matter-of-fact tone.
That's when Seiya saw it. A glimmer of hope. He had a chance. While he believed that this couple had feelings of love for each other, and had some sort of strange bond connecting them, he also noticed that they had no real passion for each other. A million thoughts ran through his mind.
Where is the emotion, the raw conviction? It seems as if they simply cling to the idea that they will end up together no matter what. But do they know what they really want anymore? Do they love each other, the way real lovers do, or do they just like the idea that they should be in love? Do they even put work into their relationship? She loves him enough to set him free, because she has this ridiculous notion that her future is set. She thinks that she already knows he will come back to her so they can have their perfect little family. Same with this Mamoru, he is not even slightly concerned that other men will try to win Usagi's heart while he's away. What makes them think they can know their fate? I don't know if their faith in destiny – or is it each other – is admirable or foolish.
"I see… You know, I think I like your faith." Seiya paused and gave them a sincere smile, "I'd love to talk some more, but I've had a long day. I hope I didn't completely ruin your celebrations. See you later Dumpling." Then he walked away in that swagger of his as the pair stared after him in bafflement.
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