Notes: Okay so I'm prefacing this by saying, I attended college both in Japan and America and this AU resembles neither of them, equally, tbh. Just play along, okay? It's fiction. :-/
ALSO this isn't my best work. It's just... I've had writers block for a really long time (like I wanted to write a Halloween prompt and I just... can't...) and this finally broke it so I'm just going with it. Maybe it'll break the dam for something better?
Also thanks to midnightdrops for helping me tweak it just right (well, as best I could).
I think we are looking at about 3 chapters.

Chapter One:

Well, This is Awkward

"You sure are loving the food, huh, odango atama?"

Whirling around, Usagi put her hands on her hips and swallowed her food in one gulp so her mouth was clear to exclaim, "What'd you just call me?"

He laughed, and she glared. The man leaned against the counter, nodding his head slightly at her. "It's the hair."

She scowled.

"So, how do you know Motoki?" This guy might be very good-looking, Usagi noted, with those sharply blue eyes, if only his lips wasn't locked in that obnoxious smirk.

She shook herself a little. "Motoki?"

"Yeah, the person whose house this is?" he raised his eyebrows, mouth pulling into an amused line - like he was holding back a laugh, at her expense.

"I haven't actually met him yet," Usagi said, nervously. She should just say she heard about the party and thought it sounded fun. Plus, ya know, free food. But something about this guy's expression and those totally unfair blue eyes made her flustered.

"I'm uh…" her mind ran a mile a minute: friends with? taking a class with? roommates of? dating? "dating!" SHIT. That's the worst lie to give! "his, uh.." brother? cousin? classmate? best friend? roommate? "roommate!"

"You're dating Mamoru?"

Ugh, what the heck, Usagi? Of course people at this party are going to know the people who live here. Crap crap crap.

"Uh... yeah!" Usagi reached for some more chips, glad the conversation was concluded.

"That's funny, because I didn't know he was seeing anyone," the guy mused, putting his hand to his chin and regarding her thoughtfully.

Usagi shrugged, tossing a pigtail behind one shoulder as she reached around him for some dip. "We've only been together a little while," she said absentmindedly. "Anyway, I should find my friends so…" She glanced around for a paper plate to fill and bring back to her dorm. Her plan had only been just to grab some food and bail.

And honestly, it shouldn't have been too difficult. The party was pretty big, music and guests and loud conversations at every turn. Not wall to wall bodies like some could be, but this was a fairly happening event. Why did he have to single her out like this?

Now somehow she'd gotten caught in a very specific lie thanks to her stupid mouth. Or, rather, thanks to that guy's stupid mouth - which had distracted her too much at that critical quick-thinking moment.

"Wait, wait, but I want to hear about this," he said, "if you are Mamoru's girlfriend. How'd you met?"

Blinking in surprise, Usagi looked up to find him looking at her with sincere interest, one hand still resting on the countertop, his mouth still pulled in that half-smile and his eyes still sparkling with amusement for some reason.

"Uh.. the… supermarket," Usagi supplied, trying not to notice how slim his waist was, and how broad his shoulders. Focus, she told herself, sternly. "We both reached for the same ear of corn, and well, the rest is history!" She was kind of getting into this now, actually.

"Of course," she continued, filling up her plate with cheesecake bites, "with classes keeping us so busy we don't get a lot of time together, so we have to make it count." She smiled at him cheekily, feeling more comfortable now that her story was readily believed. It was a big school, she'd probably never see this guy, or even Mamoru or Motoki, ever again. It made her bold.

"Makes sense," he said, taking a carrot stick, "Mamoru does take a lot of classes. Honestly, I'm surprised he even knows how to act on a date."

Usagi bristled, suddenly feeling defensive of her fictional relationship with Motoki's roommate. Or else maybe something in this guy's half smile was making her feel argumentative. He seemed to be enjoying this far too much. "He's very romantic," she said, firmly. "The perfect boyfriend. But that's none of your business."

He laughed then, a real laugh, and Usagi blushed. "Touche," he said, with a slight nod.

"Well-" she turned and made to go, his voice following her with a contemplative tone.

"At first I didn't think you were his type, but I think I get it now."

She'd just opened her mouth to retort when a call came from across the room, over the din of the party-goers, "Hey, Mamoru! Can you grab more ice from the garage cooler?"

"Sure thing, Motoki," he called back, then turned back to Usagi whose face was burning with embarrassment.

"You asshole!" she cried, wishing she had a drink to throw in his face. Especially because he was laughing again.

"Me? How come I'm the asshole here?"

At that Usagi whirled around in a huff.

"Wait, don't go," he took a step after her. "Please-" Usagi thought his words weren't very convincing when he could barely get them out through his chuckles. But he did reach out and grab her hand, and despite herself Usagi didn't yank it back.

"I'm mortified! You jerk!" she yelled, turning to face him once more, "I'm going back to my dorm and hoping I ever see you ever again!"

"Are you going to throw away our whirlwind romance over a little embarrassment?" He was still grinning at her, but his eyes looked softer now. Like maybe he wanted to laugh with her, instead of at her. "C'mon, odango atama, stay. If you are my girlfriend, I should at least know your name."

Usagi pouted, but still didn't pull her hand back. "It's Usagi," she mumbled.

And, damn, he really was good looking when the sardonic smirk gave way to a boyish smile.

"Hey, Mamoru, less talk-y more ice-y- oh hi there," a sandy-haired and very handsome man entered the kitchen, the sight of Usagi pulling him up short. He looked at her, then at her hand, still linked with Mamoru's, who dropped her hand suddenly, clearing his throat.

"I'm Motoki."

"Usagi," she said, shaking his hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mamoru tense at his roommate's questioning look.

"She's, uh-, 'apparently' my girlfriend," Mamoru said, eyebrows raised at Usagi.

Oh, seriously? He was going to try to embarrass her further, and in front of his hot roommate?

"That's right," Usagi answered, with wide-eyed innocence. She reached back and curled her fingers around Mamoru's elbow, pulling him forward slightly. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, with slight surprise. He obviously hadn't been expecting her to play along.

"Right, honey?" she smiled up at him, putting her cheek on his arm. Well, why not? She'd already thoroughly embarrassed herself, might as well go all the way. It'd be worth it for a little revenge. "I mean, Mamo-chan." He sputtered at the nickname and Motoki's rich laughter filled the kitchen.

"Wow, Mamoru, I didn't even realize you were seeing anyone!" His smile grew bigger as he looked at Usagi anew.

"Me neither," Mamoru muttered under his breath.

"What's that?"

"She's not- she's-" he opened his mouth and closed it again, Usagi looked at him with an expression that was suddenly hurt and shocked - for Motoki's benefit.

"Mamo-chan?" Usagi asked. How'd she get her eyes to get so wide like that?

"Oh, come on," Motoki said to his friend, shaking his head with a laugh. "Don't get all 'Mamoru' about this now, buddy. She's your girlfriend, she's here, and I can't wait for her to meet everyone!" Motoki cheerfully beckoned Usagi along.

"I get to meet everyone?" she said, her mouth opening in a giant grin, her eyebrows wagging at Mamoru from behind Motoki's back. "That will be so fun, won't it, Mamo-chan?" She gave him a very exaggerated wink, before whirling to follow Motoki with a skip in her step.

Mamoru watched her go with an expression that was somehow halfway between horrified and amused.

Usagi was happily being introduced to Motoki's girlfriend, a stunning brunette named Reika, when Mamoru came up behind her. "Mamoru!" Reika said, with a grin, "Does this mean we can start to double date, finally?"

Usagi grinned at Mamoru, her tongue between her teeth slightly. He quirked a brow and wound his arm tightly around her waist, tugging her against him. She tried not to gasp in surprise, as that would totally blow her cover. Mamoru, for his part, looked at Reika with a bland expression, studiously not glancing at the girl he'd tucked tightly against his side.

"He never brings dates around," Reika said, lowering her voice slightly in a conspiratorial tone, "or anyone, really. Honestly, I've known this nerd since high school and he's never romantically interested in anyone for more than a couple days at most."

"Reika-"

She laughed, waving her hand, "Not that they haven't tried, of course, I mean look at him, he catches the eye of girls and guys alike all the time!"

"Reika!"

"Sorry, sorry! I've had a few too many beers I think. I'm just so excited for you two!" She walked away with a wink as Motoki called her to help bring the cooler inside, leaving Usagi and Mamoru alone in the corner for a moment.

"You do realize, this means war," he murmured into Usagi's ear, and she fought with all her might the shiver that went up her spine. This was just a joke, this was all in jest. So, why did his fingers linger against her waist just for a bit, before he pulled away. Why did his eyes dart slightly away while he cleared his throat?

Usagi didn't have much time to ruminate on that, before a pretty girl with a red ponytail bounced up. "Usagi?!" She grabbed the blonde's arm and tugged her away from Mamoru and toward the sofa with a giggle. "My brother Motoki told me you are dating Mamoru?! Oh my gosh! You have to spill everything!"

"I uh..." she found herself settled on the sofa with Unazuki perched on the arm, legs tucked under her.

"How'd you meet? How long have you been dating? How come you've never been over before?"

Usagi struggled to keep up with the never-ending barrage of questions, her mind whirling overtime to keep up with the stories she'd already told and new ones she's had have to make up. Man, maybe even the cheesecake bites weren't worth this.

"So, is Mamoru a good kisser?" Unazuki leaned forward eagerly, eyes alight.

"What?" Usagi sputtered.

'This means war' Mamoru had said. This was her chance to tell his roommate's sister he used too much tongue, or drooled, or coin him the nickname 'fish-lips' for the rest of the semester. "Well-" A flurry of movement near the kitchen area caught her eye, as her fake 'boyfriend' walked up to help Motoki with the cooler. Usagi found herself staring at Mamoru's mouth, the way the edge quirked up and how his lips moved when he talked, smiled. He looked up and caught her eye and she looked away quickly.

"Yes," she answered, before she could stop herself. "He's... really good. Perfect, actually." And she was answering like she already knew, somehow, what it'd be like to kiss him. Like melting chocolate. Oh yes. He'd be a good kisser.

Her answer was met with delighted giggles and Unazuki clapped her hands in glee while Usagi blinked and tried to bring herself back to the present. Focus, she told herself again, knowing she was blushing.

"You are quite red, odango atama," Mamoru said, settling next to her on the sofa, slinging his arm around her shoulders like he'd done it a million times before. It felt more familiar than it should, for some reason. "Is Unazuki torturing you, darling Usako?" The nickname shouldn't have made her insides twist the way it did. Damn him.

"Just asking about your kissing skills, bro," Unazuki said, with a wicked smile.

Usagi told herself she imagined the slight twitch of his muscles as he glanced in her direction, his eyes falling onto her lips for only split second. Then he laughed.

"Then you've been spared, Usako," he said, "usually Unazuki goes way more personal than that." He raised an eyebrow at Usagi, just for a second.

"Not with your girlfriend, baka," she said, "you are like my brother. The details end at kissing, got that?" she wiggled her finger between Usagi and Mamoru with a mock-disapproving expression.

Usagi felt a heat in her face she knew she had no hope of hiding. She was suddenly way too aware of Mamoru's body next to hers, the weight of his arm around her shoulders, his leg brushing hers as they sat next to each other. She avoided his gaze, ignoring his slight intake of breath when Unazuki had teased them.

"So, what's your major?" Unazuki asked, obviously taking pity on Usagi and changing the subject.

"Oh, I don't know yet. I don't need to declare until later this year so..."

She felt Mamoru start a little and Unazuki blinked.

"Wait... are you... an underclassman?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at Mamoru while giggling.

"Sophomore." Usagi glanced between Unazuki and Mamoru with large eyes.

"I'm a senior," Unazuki said, nodding a little.

Usagi twisted to face Mamoru, brows knitting. "Are you a super senior?" she asked, Unazuki laughed out loud at the expression on Mamoru's face.

He scoffed. "Grad student, odango atama. The term is grad student."

"Right," she said, quickly remembering she was already supposed to know all this.

They talked for a bit longer, Usagi found out Mamoru was a first year graduate student, physics major. And, apparently, an amazing student. I should set him up with Ami, she thought briefly, before something sharp seemed to claw its way into her throat at the very thought.

She told Unazuki - and by proxy, Mamoru, but he was supposed to already be aware of it all - about her family and her interests. Mamoru laughed (genuinely? or is he just really a good actor? Usagi wondered) more than once at her stories. She was hyper aware of his eyes on her, almost never looking away. Wonder if he thinks I'll steal more food if he turns away for even a moment? she thought, internally rolling her eyes.

"Welp, I'm gonna go get some chips," Unazuki said finally, standing and putting a hand on Mamoru's shoulder for a second before an evil grin fluttered across her features. "She says you are a good kisser, by the way. 'Perfect' I think was her exact wording." Mamoru made a strangled sound - something between a cough and clearing his throat. She winked and left them, alone in a sea of people.

"You're welcome, by the way," Usagi said sarcastically, to mask her embarrassment. She faced him and he blinked for a second, seemed to mentally shake himself.

"For what exactly?" he said, the smirk settling back across his face. Now that she thought about it, it wasn't that bad. Kinda cute, actually. His arm was still curled around her shoulders, tightening almost imperceptibly as she looked at him.

"Now you can rest easy, your friends can't tease you about never having a girls over, and I'm sure by the end of the night everyone will know I praised your kissing ability. You have to admit, it's worth a few plates of food, right?" She put her fingers against his chest, pulling at the fabric of his shirt just slightly, curled her body just a bit closer. Anyone watching would assume it was an intimate moment, and leave them alone while they hashed this out. Mamoru seemed content to play along, his eyes dipping down to her, face slightly slack for a moment.

"So what you want me to thank you?" the snark was lost in how breathy his voice was all of a sudden.

I want you to kiss me, she thought, afraid to open her mouth in case she betrayed herself by saying it out loud. "I'm not that good a liar," she said instead, tongue darting out to moisten her lips, "I know it seems like I am but..." it was really easy to pretend with you.

"I probably can't keep this up much longer," she continued, making no move to pull away from him. "So, I should just... go..."

He'd dipped his head slightly, his forehead barely brushing against hers. "Sure, right," he said, "Of course." He didn't move, either.

"Mamo-chan-" she was using the stupid nickname without even thinking about it, even with no else to overhear. He hadn't stopped looking at her, eyes darkening in a way that made breathing difficult all of a sudden.

Whatever words she was going to say died in her throat as his eyes moved to her lips. Oh crap.

"I-," her lips moved slightly, with no sound. Was she breathing faster? or was that him? And wasn't she supposed to be leaving, and not leaning ever-so-slightly toward his intoxicating warmth?

We're in public! her mind screamed as she lifted her face toward his. He seemed to catch himself at exactly the same time.

"You know... I do live here..." he said, and Usagi nodded at his unasked question.

"Yeah, let's go," she murmured.

There was a blurry few moments of being quickly lead through the dense crowd of party goers - all involved in their own conversations drowned out by the music - and down a narrow hallway. Then his door closed behind them and in one fluid movement he pulled her up into his arms, stumbling back against the door as he did so, and pressed his mouth - that obnoxious, smirking, gorgeous mouth - down against hers. It was pitch black in his room after the well-light living room, the bass of the music and din of the party was muffled. But Usagi barely registered it, hands too busy threading through his hair, body stretching up along his to keep herself steady, opening her lips under his.

She had been right in her guess - he was a good kisser. For a moment, the thought slipped through her mind that she was glad, so glad, she hadn't told Unazuki otherwise, but then his tongue sliding along hers sent her mind into a blurry spiral of desire.

Usagi managed to say his name, when he shifted his body off the door, keeping one arm tightly wound around her waist.

"Hmm?" he answered, his mouth against her neck, her ear. Her hands were already sliding off his leather jacket, his skin jumping at her cool fingers along his arms.

"I never do this-" she said, and he shook off his jacket and pulled her back against him, kissing her deeply, hungrily.

"Never do what?" he murmured, hands on her waist, stepping them both further into the room. "Crash parties for the free food?" She felt the edge of something - his desk? - press into her back, before she was completely lost in another passionate kiss.

"Mmmmnno, I do that all the time," she said, when she could, and she felt him laugh, in his throat and chest. His hands curled around her waist, hoisting her up until she was half sitting on the desk and he was leaning her back, hands in her hair, sliding along her back. "I meant- um-"

"I know what you meant," he said, with a soft exhale of air, halfway between a laugh and a sigh. "I don't either, Usako, I swear-" She shut her eyes as he kissed her again and pondered how much it felt like she knew this already. This heat, this scent, the taste of his lips. She knew, somehow, just how to pull him forward with her legs, just how to run her fingertips across the nape of his neck to make him groan, softly.

"There is just something about you," he said, pulling back in the dim light and looking at her face. Usagi swallowed, licked her lips. I know, she thought. I know. She made herself grin wickedly, put her hands on his shoulders and doing her best to mimic his eyebrow quirk.

"You're just so turned on by girls who lie about dating you," she teased.

"That must be it," he breathed, and leaned forward to kiss her again, nearly toppling her backward onto what had to be a giant pile of textbooks. Squealing a little, she pressed her palms against the desk and shimmied off until her feet hit the carpet. She was still in the circle of Mamoru's arms, his head bent to brush hers. "I don't know what you did to me, Usako," he said, that half-smile tugging at his mouth again, until Usagi stood on tip toes and pulled his face down to press her mouth right against the corner of his - that hitch on his mouth that had her distracted all night long.

"I don't know what you did to me," she countered, breathlessly. "Just don't stop."

The next morning, Usagi stood listening at the door, eyes intent and tongue resting between her teeth. It was the day after a party, so some crashers and stragglers may have been passed out on various surfaces in the house, but Usagi was listening for movement. It was mid-morning - she'd woken in the unfamiliar room and stretched from the uncomfortable position in which she'd fallen asleep a few hours earlier.

"Aren't you being a bit dramatic?" a sleepy voice behind her mumbled and Usagi startled a bit before turning around.

Mamoru was rubbing his palm over his eyes, and looking at her blearily. He was cute, all messed up and sleepy - Usagi blushed a little. Last night, they'd stayed up until almost morning, kissing, sure, but also talking, sharing stories and Usagi was pretty sure he pulled out a book of sonnets when she admitted she was failing her Shakespeare class - some of it was fuzzy. But now, in the light of day, she felt strangely nervous.

"I dunno," she wrung her hands a little, "I'm not sure I'm up for running into anyone right now... even though I guess they think we are dating..."

He exhaled a little laugh, leaning back. "I'm not sure you actually fooled anyone."

She blinked. "Wh- what do you mean? You think they knew we were faking?"

"Uh, I'm pretty sure it was all kinds of obvious, odango atama," his voice sounded thick, as he shut his eyes again.

"But-," she'd sputtered, "I was so convincing! I even convinced you!"

"Extremely convincing," he murmured, looking at her with half-lidded eyes. "Completely immersed in your role. Worthy of an Oscar."

Her face on fire, she turned around and slowly cracked the door open, peering through. Then she shut it again.

"Usako...," yes, that was definitely a groan. Almost a whine. "Coffee is out there, I'm in here - you see the problem?"

Her heart shuttered a little at the nickname he was still using - even though his voice had a decidedly annoyed edge to it.

"Okay, okay," she murmured, and slipped through the door and down the hallway toward the front door.

Sure enough, the house was in a certain state, but no one appeared to be around so-

"Usagi?"

She froze at the door, eyes wide before turning, slowly, around. So close.

"Ami?" Of all the people to be standing the kitchen, looking at her curiously - then Usagi's eyes widened further. You've got to be freaking kidding me. "Minako?! What- what are you-"

"Doing here?" Minako said, cheerfully. "I think it's better if we ask you that."

Ami gave Minako a reproachful look and then looked at Usagi kindly.

"I'm here for the same reason you are," Usagi said, quickly. "Ya know. Just got here. Bright and early."

"You are also here to return a workbook you borrowed from your study group leader?" Ami asked with a smile, pulling a very intimating-looking workbook from her bag. Minako snickered.

"Uh..."

"I didn't know you took theoretical physics," Ami said, still smiling sweetly.

Minako looked like she was about to die, and die happy. "Oh man, I'm so glad I tagged along on this."

Minako then turned to Usagi, "After this, we are going shopping. You want to come with? You must need new clothes, since you wore all that yesterday," she said, wiggling her finger in the air in front of Usagi's outfit. "And maybe a hairbrush, Ms. Bedhead?"

Usagi had just taken a breath to retort when she heard the creak of the bedroom door and some footsteps down the hallway, and they were presently joined by a rather disheveled looking Mamoru who blinked at the girls in surprise.

Minako's mouth fell open in unrestrained joy as she glanced between Mamoru and Usagi with growing realization and delight.

"Good morning, Chiba-san," Ami said, with that same sweet smile. "I just stopped by to return this. Thank you so much for lending it to me. You are right, it certainly did help."

"I'm ... glad," he took the book from her slowly, a flush staining his cheeks as he ran his hand through his hair awkwardly.

"I'm sorry," Ami said, putting her fingers to her mouth, "I didn't realize you had a party here last night. Your roommate let us in before he left to take his girlfriend home. I hope I didn't wake you?"

"I was up," he said, glancing at Usagi who half-shrugged at him, wishing she'd sink into the floor.

"I see," Ami said, her fingers still pressing to her mouth, as if she was trying to force herself not to laugh. Usagi put head in her hands and groaned a little.

Minako raised her eyes up to the ceiling, "Thank you, God, for this moment and all this moment has given us today. Amen."

"Well," Ami said, curling her arm around Minako and steering her toward the door, "We were just on our way out. Bye-bye Usagi! Think about joining us later, okay? And thanks again, Chiba-san, for the book. See you at study group!"

Minako stuck her head through the door as Ami attempted to close it. "Bye, you twooooo!"

The door closed and Usagi gave Mamoru a sheepish shrug. "My oldest friend, Ami and my roommate Minako?" she said, by way of explanation.

Mamoru poured himself a mug of coffee from the machine Motoki must have left on from that morning.

"Coffee?"

She wrinkled her nose and shook her head, which seemed to amuse him a bit.

He gestured to the workbook on the counter with his mug. "Mizuno is my one of my study group students."

"Ah." Usagi said. "So you know her already. At the party, I thought for a minute of setting you up with her."

"How awkward," he said dryly, taking a sip from his mug.

"I should go," Usagi said. "Motoki'll be back soon and... you don't wanna explain how your fake-girlfriend ended up in your room overnight I'm sure." She laughed nervously. "I mean, heh, considering you... " she glanced at the workbook Ami had returned, now sitting on the countertop among empty cups and juice containers. "Probably don't..." Jeeze, just how far out of my league is this guy?

"I guess I better go before some of my other friends decide to show up here randomly," she kept going, unable to stop herself from talking. "Honestly, what were the odds? Ami would know probably...The odds, I mean. She's good at statistics. Well, actually she's good at everything, ya know? Still, imagine if Rei just came by? She doesn't even go to this school. Or Makoto, from culinary school? Maybe to get the recipe for those cheesecake bites because I gotta tell you they were really good -"

He was regarding her silently while she babbled. It annoyed her.

"Anyway, I guess you were a fun pretend boyfriend," Usagi said. "Considering."

"Gee, thanks."

She was aware this was a strange, awkward place to leave it with him but she had to go before she did something stupid - like confess her undying love or beg him to kiss her again or something ridiculous like that. Whatever this pull was he had on her - whatever that unexplained attraction was - it sure had her acting strangely.

The sound of a car in driveway made her jump. Motoki must be back. Usagi really wanted to leave before she had to make small-talk with him.

"I'll see you around," she mumbled.

"We'll always have the supermarket," he said, as the door closed behind her.

This does require the suspension of belief that Mamoru and Usagi attend the same college. I can handwave it by saying the grad program is much more prestigious than the undergrad, although that doesn't explain Ami. Then again, the anime never tried to explain 'Ami-at-Juuban' either so.