#75 My Soul's
Shelter
768 words
"Hey, minna! I just heard about the sweetest thing!" Usagi bounced into the arcade, a bright smile on her face and pigtails soaring behind her and a small wooden box clutched in her hands.
Many of the arcade's patrons grinned upon sighting her, enjoying the presence of one of the bubbliest and sweetest girls in the neighborhood, including a certain dark-haired man whose ears visibly perked up at the sound of her voice. Slowly as to not attract attention, he turned in his stool until he was facing the row of booths along the left side of the arcade, watching as the aforementioned blonde skipped along until she arrived at her friends' booth, sliding in next to tall Makoto.
"What is it, Usa-chan? Does it have anything to do with what you're holding?" Quiet Ami spoke up.
"As a matter of fact, this," she said, holding the box out for the girls to see, "is it. This is a Keepsake Box and you're supposed to put in stuff that's extremely important to you, things that you cherish whole-heartedly. Naru-chan told me about it. She said you could consider it a place where you can keep your soul and then, when you find the person you know you'll love forever, you give them the box, so that they're keeping and 'protecting' your soul! Isn't that romantic?" Usagi sighed dreamily and cradled the box to her heart, Minako and Makoto joining in as well. A small smile even made its way onto Ami's face and Rei looked as though she was fighting herself on whether to join in or not.
"Where can we get one?" Minako asked eagerly.
Usagi grinned at her friend and said, "They're selling them everywhere! It's a real hit!
"Who are you giving yours too, Usagi-chan?" Makoto asked.
The tiniest hint of a blush made its way across Usagi's face. "Well…I don't know yet. I think I'll wait and see…" Her eyes scanned the counter of the arcade in an attempt to avoid having to look at her friends, who were looking at her with raised eyebrows, and made contact with dark blue ones, staring at her intensely. Usagi's gaze dropped hurriedly and she kept her gaze on the table, not listening to the lively chatter that had started up again and not seeing the aforementioned dark-haired man get up from his stool and walk out of the arcade with one last wistful look at her.
Usagi waved goodbye to Rei and began her walk up the driveway to her house, the Keepsake Box still held close to her chest. She hadn't dared name who she wanted to give her box to in front of the girls, but now that she was alone, she allowed herself to tentatively reach out and dream of the navy eyes that had met her own gaze earlier in the arcade. Unfortunately, with most of her mind focused on the daydream, she didn't see that she had reached her door already and bumped her head.
"Ow!" Rubbing her throbbing head gingerly, Usagi bent her head down and her eyes, still seeing stars, focused on a familiar looking box set on the doorstep. She blinked her eyes a few times, sure that she was simply seeing things, because that box lying innocently on her porch could not be another Keepsake Box. It couldn't be. Who in the world would give her one, after all?
After a few minutes of staring aimlessly at the box, she finally picked it up gingerly and set her own down in its place. Almost afraid to find out what was inside, she carefully lifted the golden clasp and pulled the top half of the box up. Upon sighting what was inside, Usagi gasped audibly.
The only object inside was a 4 x 6 photograph of her, dressed in a pink sundress and making a peace sign. It had been taken that summer in the park by Makoto. She lifted it from its resting place in shock and a small slip of paper fluttered down to the porch. Usagi picked it up and read, unbelieving:
Some people use this box to keep their souls safe. But I don't…for I know you'll keep it safe for me, just as I will shelter yours…if you'll let me.
Always,
C.M.
An bright smile, brighter than any could ever say they'd ever seen, painted its way onto Usagi's face and she skipped down her driveway once more, fully intending to seek him out. A trust like this couldn't be kept hanging. She had to tell him his soul was safe with her.
