Chapter 3 (Saturday Part 2)

"Momma, we're here!" Usagi called as she led Mamoru into the house.

"In the kitchen, darling," Ikuko called back. "Did you get your calculus homework figured out?" she asked as Usagi and Mamoru entered the kitchen.

"Yeah, Mamoru was a huge help. I think I'm ready for my final now," Usagi told her.

"Wonderful!" her mom commented while motioning for the two to take a seat at the island. "Shingo ended up going to Ryu's house to spend the night, and since I took the boys over there I'm running a little behind on supper. Now, how are you doing today, darling?"

"I'm fine, Momma," Usagi murmured, turning bright red.

"Well, Minako called several times today to see if you were home yet. Apparently, she talked to you earlier and Rei was a problem again? Anyway, she mentioned something about stopping by when I told her you'd be home later this evening. I hope that's okay."

"Of course, Momma! Minako's done nothing wrong! The only reason I didn't see her or Ami or Makoto today was because I'm not ready to see Rei again yet; well, that and I had more important plans," she added, smiling at Mamoru.

"That calculus homework just couldn't wait, huh?" he teased her in reply.

Sticking her tongue out at him, Usagi turned back to her mom. "It's fine if Mi-chan comes over. Can I just call and invite her to spend the night?"

"Certainly, darling. Go ahead and call before you miss her," Ikuko suggested, shooing Usagi from the kitchen. Turning back to Mamoru, she planned to take full advantage of her daughter's absence.

"Hi, Mamoru. I'm Ikuko. It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Tsukino."

"Please, Ikuko will do. Mrs. Tsukino is my husband's mother."

"Alright, if you insist."

"Mamoru, I just want to thank you for being there for Usa. I know all of this just seems to have fallen into your lap, but you're already a wonderful friend to her. She would be hurting so much more without you and your friend at the arcade cheering her up."

"Well, she definitely doesn't deserve the way her friend is treating her from what I can tell. How can she treat Usagi like that? Beyond her small problem with a section of calculus, she at least seems to be the level of a college freshman. And, she's bright and mature way beyond her age."

"I'm afraid that is partly our fault. Usa should be in college, or at least a high school senior, but we didn't want to separate her from her age group when it was recommended she skip some grades. She was very bored in most of junior high, so she quit trying and came off as not very smart. And that's about the time she met those three girls," Ikuko explained.

"I thought there were four other girls," Mamoru said, confused.

"Oh, Minako has been friends with Usa much longer than the others. Her parents are friends of ours. She and Usa have been friends since they were very young. And, Minako is much the same as Usa. Her family moved to England for a few years and in that time she got very far ahead of the girls her age here. When they moved back, she was as bored as Usa and showed no interest in school besides playing volleyball and boys. Neither of them wanted to make a big deal of things, so they let the other girls think what they wanted."

"I'm not as surprised as I probably should be. But, with what I know of Usagi, it makes sense."

"Momma!" called Usagi, interrupting their conversation. "Auntie wants to know if you want to go out tonight. Go see a movie or something since Uncle is out of town as well."

"Tell her I'll call her after dinner to make plans. Is Minako coming over?"

"Auntie said she'll just drop her off and pick you up after supper and you can make plans then."

"Tell her I said that sounds wonderful. We'll see her then."

"Alright!" Usagi called back.

Turning her attention back to Mamoru, Ikuko noticed his confused look and smiled. "We're not actually related to Minako's family, but her mother and I were friends growing up and have always been very close. Minako calls me 'Auntie' as Usa calls her mother 'Auntie'."

"Makes sense to me. I see Motoki's parents the same way," Mamoru explained.

"What?" Usagi questioned, rejoining them.

"I was explaining to Mamoru about you calling Minako's mom 'Auntie', darling." Beckoning her daughter over, she said, "Why don't you prepare a salad? I'm sure Mamoru won't mind helping you."

"Alright, Momma," Usagi agreed, opening the refrigerator and handing ingredients for the salad to Mamoru who placed them on the island. "Mamoru, would you get that bowl for me?" Usagi asked once he turned back to her, pointing to the top shelf of an open cabinet.

Working together, Mamoru and Usagi created a salad for dinner as Ikuko worked to get everything served and on the table. As they worked, Ikuko observed the two, smiling to herself. Then sighing, knowing that she would eventually have to talk her husband into being okay with his little girl dating a college boy.

*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*

Supper went quickly as Usagi told her mom all about her day at the arcade and filled her in about the phone call from Minako while Ikuko got to find out more about Mamoru. By the end of supper, she was quite happy to let this relationship develop, but knew she had time yet before they realized their feelings and that the other person shared those feelings.

"Alright, darlings," Ikuko said as she rejoined Usagi and Mamoru in the living room after getting ready. The two turned their attention from the movie on television to her as she continued. "Miyako and I are going out for coffee. I'll be back, probably around ten o'clock. Mamoru are you staying here with the girls for a while?"

"No. I probably need to go ahead and leave. I'm meeting up with Motoki," he answered her.

"Alright. Well, dear, it was nice to meet you. Please, come back any time. You're always welcome to join us for supper, or any other time."

"Thank you, Ikuko," he replied, smiling at her.

"Well, I'll leave you two to say goodbye then. And, darling, Miyako and Minako will be here in about ten minutes," she added, leaving the room.

Standing, Usagi turned back to Mamoru who was still sitting on the couch. She glanced at the floor, unable to meet Mamoru's eyes. "Thank you so much, Mamoru," Usagi murmured.

"Usagi. Look at me. Please?" he requested.

Glancing up, she met his eyes and suddenly couldn't look away. Standing, Mamoru moved closer to Usagi so she had to look up to meet his eyes. "You realize I'm not going to ever think of you the same way your friend does, right?"

Breaking eye contact briefly, Usagi looked down before meeting his eyes again. "I keep telling myself that, but it's just hard to believe that someone may like me for me any more besides Mi-chan."

"I know. And, we'll work on it," he told her with a smile. "You and Minako have fun, alright, Usagi?"

"Okay, Mamoru. But, when will I see you again?" Usagi asked, blushing.

"Monday school gets out at noon, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'm already done with this semester, so I'll be at the arcade in the afternoon. Come by there and I'll see you then," Mamoru suggested.

"I'll see you Monday, then."

"Good. Bye, Usagi," Mamoru said, opening his arms to give her a friendly hug.

"Goodbye, Mamoru. Thanks again for the help," she said, eagerly hugging him back.

With a slight wave over his shoulder, Mamoru exited the room just as Ikuko returned. Smiling, she watched her daughter stare after the young man as he let himself out of the house. A few moments later, she drew Usagi's attention, asking, "You and Minako will behave, won't you darling?"

"Of course, Momma," Usagi answered as the doorbell rang. Collapsing back on the couch, Usagi slid across the couch to sit where Mamoru had just been, a small smile on her face. Relaxing, she waited on Minako to come join her.

"Usa!" Minako exclaimed. "I am so sorry about Rei today. She was over talking to someone else when I called and I didn't see her come back over!" she explained in a hurry.

Laughing, Usagi wrapped her arms around Minako's neck, giving her a quick squeeze. "I know you wouldn't do that to me."

"Are you okay though?" Minako questioned.

"Yeah. I'm gonna be okay, Mi-chan. Don't worry."

"Are you sure, Usa?"

"Yeah. I just need some distance, okay? It's not because of you though."

"I understand," Minako told her, pulling back to see her face. "Just don't cut me out completely because of her, alright?"

"You bet. So, what do you want to do first?" Usagi questioned, motioning to the variety of movie, games, and magazines spread out on the coffee table in front of them.


Thoughts?