Author's Notes: Thanks so much for the few reviews I've gotten so far. It's been so rewarding to know that there are people who enjoy my story. To clear up any confusion, the words in italics are thoughts. I've tried to ensure that it's made clear whose thoughts they are, but let me know if there's any confusion. Please leave a review if you like the direction this chapter went! 3

After Lunch

"Hey Motoki", Mamoru exclaimed as he ran down the hall towards his best friend. Motoki turned and slowed down his pace for his friend. "Hey Mamoru, what's up?" Slowing his trot to a walk, Mamoru started to walk alongside Motoki. "Hey man, do you know that girl's name with the weird bun hairstyle?" Motoki raised his eyebrow and looked at Mamoru like he was insane. "You mean Odango Atama?", Motoki said while laughing. "Yeah I know her. She works at the Crown with me. You see her all the time. Why?" Mamoru paused for a moment and felt his stomach drop. He vaguely remembered a blonde waitress that worked with Motoki and his little sister. The way his friends talked about her, though, he never bothered to examine her. He wasn't that fond of making fun of girls. "Wait. That's her?"

"Yeah…? Look if you don't believe me just stop by after school. She's got a shift from 2 to 8 today." Mamoru smiled slightly and agreed.

I've already screwed up in getting to know her. No wonder she looked at me like I was crazy when I asked her if I'd see her around. Chiba, you idiot! He left Motoki and went to his next class that unfortunately had Koan as his lab partner. He mentally groaned. I hate odd days because I always have to put up with her ridiculous flirting. He remembered the day that the teacher paired them up in his Advanced Chemistry class. Luckily it was his last class of the day and he could go and see if the girl he saw at lunch was really the Arcade girl he always dismissed after he received his coffee.

Walking into the class he spied Koan's purple hair tied up into a fashion knot on the back of her head. She wore clothes that she had specifically chosen to get his attention and waited each time they had class for him to say something about them. Koan had been determined since freshman year to nab Chiba Mamoru and she wasn't going to let up anytime soon; especially now since they had been paired up as lab partners for the last semester of their high school careers. She had her heart set on being his date to prom and then getting deemed the title of his girlfriend before she got famous from being a model. He'd follow her to exotic countries and marvel at her beauty. Then he would see how gorgeous and glamorous she was and ask her to marry him. They'd be the perfect couple and everyone would be jealous of them. Her life was planned out perfectly in her head and all she needed was his cooperation.

"Hi Mamoru", she almost yelled as he sat down next to her with his backpack slung over his left shoulder. "Hey Koan. You do the lab outline?" Koan's eyes went wide for a moment and she darted her head into her bag and pulled out the purple folder Usagi had given to her that morning. That dweeb better have finished it and put it in here or she's going to be pulling my high heel out of her ass. She searched frantically for the paper and let out a sigh of relief when she pulled it out and placed it in front of Mamoru. "YUP! Here it is!" Mamoru winced at Koan's decibel level. "Geez. Ok. You don't have to yell ya know…" A blush rose slightly to Koan's cheeks.

She looked over and tried to read Mamoru's face as he looked through the outline she had placed in front of him. In an attempt to ignore her embarrassing moment from before, she decided to change the subject. "So what are you doing this weekend? Any plans?" Ugh. Here we go. "Uhh. Just studying and football practice. Pretty busy." Mamoru was hoping that his quick response was enough to deter her and tried his best to look busy while reading over their combined work for the class. "Well you and I should have a study session. You know, for our assignment as partners?" Aaannd my hope is gone. Mamoru sighed mentally and frowned. His brow furrowed and he thought that they should focus on their assignment since it was 45% of their grade, but he really did dread being alone with her. Maybe I should just say ok and get over it, he thought. "Actually, Koan, that's a very good idea. I think I can make time for a 2 hour study session to try to get this assignment finished. Where should we study? The library?"

Koan's eyes lit up with glee when she heard Mamoru actually agree with her suggestion of them studying together. His suggestion of studying at the library, though, made her heart sink. They couldn't really be alone there and her shot of seducing him wouldn't be able to work. "What about my house?", she asked hopefully. Mamoru sighed. He was trying to avoid being alone with her, but he was determined to strictly focus on the work. After some hesitation, Mamoru responded, "Sure. I'll come over on Saturday at 4 after football practice. That ok?" Koan nearly jumped out of her seat with excitement. "THAT'S PERFECT!" Mamoru winced and saw that everyone in the class turned to look at them when Koan yelled. He looked at her annoyingly. "Ow Koan. Shouting again." Koan smiled meekly at Mamoru and spent the rest of class mentally planning how to go about making Mamoru ask her out.

The last class of the day ended and Usagi said goodbye to her friends as she walked to her car. "Make sure you come by during my lunch hour at 5!" Rei turned and yelled, "We'll be there, Usagi!"

Usagi walked into the Crown Arcade and straight into the back room before she started her shift. She took out her hair and twisted, scrunched, fussed, and tied her long hair into a messy bun that would keep it out of the way while she worked. While she was cleaning a booth, she heard someone walk up behind her and clear their throat. *Ahem* Usagi stood up off her knee that was resting on the seat of the booth and looked over her shoulder with the dirty rag still in her left hand. She saw Chiba Mamoru looking at her curiously with his hands in his pockets and a smirk that angled towards the right side of his face. Usagi turned to face him fully. "Can I help you sir? Would you like your regular black coffee?" Usagi asked in her sweet customer service voice partnered with a smile. "I'll go get it for you. I'll be right back," she said as she walked away towards the bar while throwing the rag over her shoulder and wiping her hands against each other.

I can't believe it. It actually is her. Motoki was right, Mamoru thought as he sunk down into the nearest booth and watched her with interested eyes. How could I have missed a girl like that?

Motoki walked over to greet Mamoru. "So, see Odango Atama yet?" Mamoru kept his dreamy eyed expression as he sighed, "Yeah." Motoki shot an odd glance at his best friend and then followed his gaze to the bar. "You hungry or something? What's wrong with you?" His friend's concern snapped Mamoru out of his trance and quickly covered up his vulnerable situation. "Nothing. Just waiting for my coffee. I'm pretty tired today." Motoki nodded his head knowingly and leaned his hand on the back of the booth Mamoru sat at. "Oh. I feel ya man. These exams are killing me." Motoki clapped his hands loudly and yelled, "Odango! Where's this man's coffee?!" Motoki sat down in the booth across from Mamoru and sighed. It had been hard running the arcade and he took his breaks whenever Mamoru came in.

Usagi sighed at her boss's need to feel superior to her by using that odd nickname. She wasn't even wearing her hair like that right now. She just rolled her eyes and turned the corner with Mamoru's coffee on a serving tray. Using her customer service voice she said, "Here it is", and placed it in front of Mamoru. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Mamoru had watched as her hand grabbed his coffee from the tray and placed it on the counter. His eyes followed her hand as it came back to her body and her arms hugged the tray against her chest while she asked him her required customer service questions. He had never seen such beautiful slender hands before. Her pale skin contrasted greatly with the black tray and the black apron that she wore. The golden words "Crown Arcade" that were across the chest of the apron almost matched her hair, but didn't quite shine the same way. He moved his gaze onto her face as he once again took in her beauty. Her blue eyes looked at him expectantly waiting for his response to her question. She raised her eyebrows and smiled unsurely as he looked at her. I probably look like an idiot right now, he thought, but he couldn't help but stare at her. I can't believe I was ignorant enough to not look at her face whenever she served me. He was sure she'd served him numerous times before too. He was finally able to utter, "I'm fine, thanks."

Finally hearing his response, Usagi let out a sigh of relief and walked away to tend to customers at the next booth. Ami's right, he really is an odd guy. You can't help but notice, though, how sexy it is when his black hair falls into his eyes like that. When he was staring at me after I gave him his coffee, I almost felt mesmerized when his eyes met mine. His eyes are a blue that I've never seen before. Usagi glanced back over to him as he spoke to Motoki and stared at his coffee mug. Like a deep ocean blue; full of mystery and feeling. Usagi pulled herself out of the trance, smiled as she took down orders, and went to the kitchen to make the customer's food.

Mamoru continued looking at her as she took an order from the high school students that were in the next booth. He couldn't help but notice how her bangs and short hairs around her neck framed her small face. He wondered how her hair looked completely loose.

"HELLOOOooo?"

Mamoru was jolted out of his daydreaming and looked over at Motoki. "Hmmm?"

"Okay. Something is definitely wrong with you. Drink your coffee." Motoki pushed Mamoru's coffee further in front of him and gave a frustrated sigh. He can't think she's attractive, can he? Motoki shook his head in disbelief. No way. Mamoru can have any girl he wants. He wouldn't be satisfied with that Odango. He decided to change the subject. "So we hitting practice hard this Saturday? We've got that big game in two weeks." After drinking half of his black coffee, Mamoru looked over at his friend and sighed. "Not too hard. I've gotta finish up an assignment with Koan at 4 on Saturday." "Koan? Man. She is hot! You gonna take her out afterwards? I know she's got a thing for you!" Ugh. Him too? Why am I the only one that does not find Koan even the slightest bit attractive? Is something wrong with me? "Uh. No. It's gonna be strictly schoolwork. I am going to her house for it though."

"Maybe you can get somewhere with her then," Motoki said with a sly smile and nudging Mamoru in the side with his elbow. "Nah man. She's not my type," Mamoru said as he brought his eyes down to his coffee cup. "Not your type? What? Beautiful isn't your type? Smart isn't your type?"

"I guess she's generally attractive, but not really someone who catches my eye. And about the smart thing; I don't know. It's weird. She's able to keep her grades up and ace assignments, but when it comes to exams and explaining herself, she makes no sense. I'm starting to feel like she's not all she seems."

"Pshhhh!" Motoki waved his hand dismissively. "Even if she's not all that smart; who cares? She's so hot and I think she has a thing for you!" Motoki play punched Mamoru in the shoulder and laughed. "Well I've gotta get back to work. I'll see you later Chiba!"

Mamoru sighed and stared into his empty coffee cup. Why can't I just tell Motoki how I honestly feel? Why do I feel trapped among friends? That's not how it should be, should it? He was pleasantly surprised when Usagi came over and started pouring him a refill. He looked up at her serene face and finally found the courage to speak to her directly. "What's your name?"

She finished filling up his cup and looked at him. "Usagi." She pointed to her nametag. "See?" Mamoru got a little red in the face from his obliviousness and Usagi giggled. Okay, so he's kind of adorable…

Mamoru couldn't help, but lose himself in her eyes and the way she carried herself. It was like he saw in her what he wanted to see in himself. He couldn't tell his friends that he wished that he could stay in the library most weekends instead of playing football. He couldn't tell Motoki that he had no interest in dating every beautiful girl he came across just because he was popular. He wanted to be with his soul mate. Someone who made his heart beat slower and faster at the same time and who brought out the true Chiba Mamoru instead of desiring the popular façade. I've been Motoki's best friend for 7 years. What does it mean if I can't be honest with him about myself?

Mamoru was pulled out of his thoughts when Usagi turned to walk away and just as she did, Unazuki, Motoki's younger sister, rounded the corner with a tray full of chocolate shakes. The two girls yelped, collided, screamed, and then crashed onto the floor covered in the chocolate mess that they had created.

Mamoru almost laughed at the spectacle they made, but remembered how sensitive girls are when it came to those things. Then he heard Motoki yell from the front, "What was that?!"

As he approached, Motoki gaped at the mess. "Odango!" Mamoru got a little upset that his best friend immediately blamed Usagi when it wasn't her to blame and let out an irritated sigh.

Mamoru turned happy, though, when Unazuki immediately attempted to correct her brother. "This isn't her fault Motoki. I rounded the corner too fast!" Unazuki hated the way her brother treated Usagi. She was good friends with Usagi and when her brother wasn't at the Arcade while they were on shift, they had a lot of fun together. Even though Unazuki was two years younger than Usagi, she felt that they could be great friends. She wanted to hang out with Usagi outside of work, but they were never free at the same time. Usagi had even tried to arrange plans with her one Friday evening, but since Motoki only employed himself, her, and Usagi at the Crown, it was hard for them to both get the day off.

Frustrated, Motoki angrily yelled, "Just go and get yourself cleaned up, Unazuki, while the Odango cleans this mess up!" He walked away to put up the wet floor signs and then tended to other customers.

Unazuki stayed sitting in the mess with Usagi and watched her brother walk away. They were lucky that the chocolate shakes were served in metal cups to keep the drinks cold. Otherwise there would've been glass everywhere and it would've been dangerous for them and for customers. "I'm so sorry," Unazuki cried as the cold goo started to drip down her nose and onto her lap. Una looks so ridiculous. I bet I look just as bad. I hate that this happened in front of Mamoru; and, of course, it's just when I started noticing how attractive he is, but he was going to realize that I was a dork eventually. What was I thinking? He'd never be interested in a geek like me.

The cold liquid was beginning to set into Usagi's clothes and it snapped her back to reality and Una's hilarious appearance. Usagi looked at her and just couldn't hold it in anymore. She started chuckling. Unazuki looked at her like she had gone crazy and then realized how they must have looked. She started laughing with her hands on her knees and her head between her legs. She leaned forward towards the floor and looked up at Usagi who was leaning back on her hands and taking in the situation without shame. Unazuki laughed even harder when Usagi started in on her adorable belly laugh.

Usagi's belly laugh was like a child's. It emitted pure joy that radiated to everyone that surrounded her. It was one of the things that Unazuki loved best about Usagi. She was so intelligent and collected when it mattered, but when most would freak out; she took the situation with a child-like delight and enjoyed every second of it. She wasn't afraid to be viewed as goofy or lame. It was that freedom in her personality that Unazuki wished she had in herself because if Usagi hadn't of been in that mess with her, it would have been guaranteed that Unazuki would have turned red and ran into the back room out of embarrassment. They continued to laugh until they had tears in their eyes and fell back; covering themselves in more of the mess.

Mamoru couldn't believe what an incredible girl Usagi was. Most women he knew would be horrified that they were covered in that sticky goop in public, but she was just lying on the floor marinating in the mess and laughing at herself and the situation. He started loving her in that moment.

Author's Note: Eeeeee! I wanted to leave it here to have you guys marinate in Mamoru's newfound adoration for Usagi. Things are gonna get mushy. I'm warning you now.

Please leave a review and let me know what you think. You are even welcome to let me know what you would like to happen and I'll try to incorporate it in the story.

I'll probably have the next chapter up within 24 hours. :)