Hi Everyone! Thank you for supporting "At The Beginning With You". I am so thrilled to read your reviews/feedback about my story, I hope you all are enjoying the story so far! I appreciate all the comments as these will help me improve in the long run, hope you all will read until the very end. Again, I do not own Sailor Moon Sailor Stars (I Wish!) and I apologize for any grammatical errors as English is not my first language.
Chapter 4
as always, your fragrance would ever so faintly
tug at my heart-strings.
People in Juuban enjoyed the spring season while it lasted, in about 2 to 3 weeks rainy season will finally kick-in, thus, limiting sports and extra-curricular activities in general. It was already mid May when Hiro finally called the band for a meeting, he was half expecting that Seiya, Taiki and Yaten have started to brainstorm about their new album, though the remaining half of his expectations would fall on a complete blank page. His second thought was confirmed as the Three Lights came empty handed.
"I knew it. Though I wasn't really expecting that you three will have a full idea on what to work on your next album, I was at least hoping that you have started on some details" Hiro sighed, he scratched his head and leaned back to his chair.
"If you ask me, the whole 'attending school' idea was a complete distraction. School work and activities kept us busy for the last 6 weeks." Yaten stated, trying to defend their side.
"Oh come now Yaten, I've heard stories about this.. this girl.. Aino?" Hiro cocked an eyebrow at Yaten, Yaten blushed a bit and turned his head away. Hiro averted his eyes to Seiya who seemed to be quiet these days.
"Well that's new" Hiro was talking in Seiya's direction. Seiya noticed Hiro's gesture.
"What is?" Seiya asked.
"You're not loud, not noisy, not arrogant and most importantly not cocky. I'm not sure if I'll get accustomed to that new behavior of yours, you are just too hard to handle sometimes" Hiro held both of his hands up and smiled. Seiya momentarily blushed and looked down.
"What's gotten into you guys? You all act like some love-sick puppies!" Hiro inquired. Both Seiya and Yaten shook their heads.
"You know that's not possible" Seiya laughed.
"What's not? Love?" Hiro leaned his elbows to his knees.
"Love is impossible for celebrities, for people like us." Seiya flatly said.
"Alright, can we talk about something more productive now? I think I've had enough love stories" Taiki finally spoke, he crossed his arms and sighed heavily.
"Any bright plans, Taiki?" Hiro asked.
"Yes actually. I think the idea of school as our vacation is not really working. As for me, I would like to stay in a quiet place and write poetry." Taiki said.
"So? What are you trying to say?" Seiya looked at Taiki.
"We need to go to a place where we can really relax and find serenity. For example, the beach." Taiki said. Seiya brightened up and smiled, "That's a great idea, Taiki! Haven't been to the beach for a while"
Hiro rolled his eyes, "Oh please, I doubt that you'll even try to write a single sentence Seiya."
Being celebrities, the three had limited options to spend their holidays into. Since they've begun in the music industry, the three have become incredibly popular that they could not step foot in any beach during the summer without being drowned by fans instead of the salty water. Luckily for them, the company who holds their contract owns a private beach that allows contract artists to enjoy. Unfortunately, since the Three Lights have to go through a series of concerts, promotions, TV shows and various gigs, they never had the time to visit the said beach. This time for sure, they will be able to enjoy it to their heart's content.
"Alright, I will call the management and book your stay. When do you intend to go by the way?" Hiro asked as he took out his smart phone to record the details.
"The last week of May. May 28 to 31 will be good." Taiki said as he also took out a small memo pad and a pen.
"Alright then, you guys better come up with something. Seiya, you do know that writing the lyrics is your job, right?" Hiro said as he pointed his phone pen to Seiya.
"Of course. Piece of cake!" Seiya smiled.
. . . . . . . . .
It was another Monday morning and everyone was rushing to school. Usagi met up with Minako, Makoto and Ami along the way. They have always waited for each other before heading to school, unless one of them (usually Usagi) was extremely late.
"Minako, you punctured my heart" Usagi pouted to her best friend.
"Eh? Why? What did I do?" Minako widened her eyes. Both Makoto and Ami seemed curios.
"Are you and Yaten going out?" Usagi asked, she remembered what Seiya told her a week ago. She constantly reminded herself to ask Minako about it but she tends to forget things a lot too.
Minako blushed, "Who told you that?"
This time Usagi blushed too, especially when she had to tell who the source of her gossip was. "Um, well.. it's Seiya."
Minako, Makoto and Ami automatically smiled, "well, well, look who's trying to be friendly now!" Minako elbowed her best friend while Makoto and Ami grinned.
"He told me even if I wasn't asking, Mina! Well? Is it true?" Usagi pushed on.
"No we're not. I can't say that it's ridiculous because I DO want to be with Yaten, but, nope. We're taking things slowly." Minako laughed as her eyes turned into pink beating hearts.
"But Se-Seiya told me, you were at their apartment.. and.." Usagi stopped.
"yes I was, but I don't think there was something wrong with that. I mean.. I had to.." Minako looked up.
"So you're saying it's true? You did IT with Yaten?" Usagi stopped on her tracks, Ami who was walking behind her bumped into her and blushed on Usagi's statement.
"Really, Mina?" Ami asked as Makoto stared at Minako, "Whoa, whoa, what?" Makoto added.
"Of course! Wait, what are you talking about? It's about the cake right?" Minako placed one of her hands on her waist. She finally understood what Usagi meant, she laughed her heart out before she could reply, "girls, you do remember about the home economics assignment right? You do know that Yaten was my partner, correct?" Minako smiled.
Usagi blushed, "So that's why you were at the Three Light's apartment?"
"Of course! Why else would I be there? Mom won't allow me to be left alone with a guy in our house when they're out so we decided to do the cake in the Three Light's apartment." Minako said as she continued to giggle, "on second thought, I do hope that something else happened" she clasped both of her hands and drifted to her own little world.
"Damn that Seiya! He tricked me again! I'm gonna get his ass kicked!" Usagi stomped her way to the school leaving Makoto and Ami with a huge sweat drop on their faces.
Little did Usagi know that the three members of the popular group were walking right behind her. "Ne, Seiya, what exactly did you tell Usagi this time?" Yaten brushed his hair with his fingers, Taiki looked at Seiya waiting for his reply.
Seiya snickered, he tried to keep it down to avoid catching Usagi's attention. "Nothing, just fed her with a couple of lies".
"Great. How dare you use me." Yaten growled
"Part of it was true, I simply exaggerated it to mess up with her tiny and naïve mind" Seiya laughed.
"Seiya, I think she has taken a big chunk of your consciousness" Taiki flatly said as he patted on Seiya's right shoulder.
"Oh come now, I just like teasing her, it's not like I want her or something" Seiya rolled his eyes on his taller companion. "She's a virgin and she acts clearly as one" Seiya laughed.
"You know, your words may bite you back someday Seiya" Taiki retorted, he glanced on Usagi's group who were already near the entrance to the school's hall.
"Yeah, and please don't drag me into your mess. I have had enough of those in the past you dumba.." Yaten stopped as soon as they heard a raging voice calling out Seiya's name.
"YOU'RE A HUGE DUMBASS SEIYA!" Usagi yelled, she was grasping both of her pigtails in irritation. Apparently she still has not noticed that the Three Lights were behind them. She continued walking to get inside the school. Her comment left the three idols startled, Seiya finally choked and turned his head towards Yaten and Taiki, "Did she just call me huge dumbass?" he widened his eyes.
"Glad she did, I was about to call you the same thing." Yaten snickered as he started to walk back on his tracks.
Taiki laughed and started to walk too, he waived to Seiya who was still struck and frozen by Usagi's words.
. . . . . . . . . .
Everyone in the room composed themselves as first period was about to start. Ms Shiido came in and to everyone's surprise the school nurse known as Ms. Setsuna Meiou came inside with her. "Alright class, as requested by the school principal, Ms. Meiou our new school nurse will conduct a short lecture on how to avoid diseases related to the incoming rainy season. Please pay full attention and raise your right hand should you have any question."
As Setsuna started her lecture all of the students listened intently except for Seiya. He just couldn't see her as the new school nurse, his mind still shifts to the scene he saw between her and Mamoru many weeks ago. Up to this day, he never mentioned anything to Usagi, he considered their friendship as 'slowly building' with a 'fragile' foundation. Even as her 'friend' he was afraid of telling Usagi anything bad against Mamoru, he figured that Usagi will take Mamoru's side no matter if he was lying through his teeth. Seiya's friendship with Usagi was new, and he didn't want to take any risks that might shatter their friendship into pieces.
As Setsuna finished her lecture, she began taking questions from the students. Little by little each student raised their hands and asked questions related to the topic she had just discussed. Seiya smiled to himself, he raised his right hand and waited to be called by Setsuna.
"Yes, Kou-san?" Setsuna smiled.
Seiya stood from his seat, "Ms. Meiou, I think we have had enough serious questions thrown by my classmates, don't you think?" he smiled.
Setsuna returned the gesture, "Not really. I just want to ensure that each one of you understand the risks of obtaining these diseases."
"Can we ask a few more questions, to know our school nurse better?" Seiya pushed on.
'Here we go' Taiki smiled in his thought. 'Run away now Ms. Meiou' Usagi thought as she rolled her eyes. Yaten simply giggled and waited for Seiya's question.
"Of course! I would love to learn more about this school's students as well" Setsuna said.
Seiya smiled, "I can't help but ask because that tiny glimmer on your finger caught my attention."
All of Seiya's classmates leaned in closer to check what was on Setsuna's finger. Setsuna smiled and raised her hand for everyone to see, it was a ring, a diamond ring slipped on the fourth finger of her right hand. "Are you engaged or something?" Seiya added.
Ms. Shiido was about to walk in and stop Seiya but Setsuna looked at her and smiled, mentally telling Ms. Shiido that it was fine.
"I can't say that I am nor am I not. It's not an engagement ring, it's more of a simple promise" Setsuna smiled at Seiya. As Setsuna talked, Ms. Shiido continued to walk in and gestured Seiya to take his seat. All of the students in the room said "aww…" in chorus as if someone cued them all to say it at the same time. Most of the girls looked dreamy and wondered if 'someone' will give them a 'promise ring' as well, Usagi simply shook her head and looked back at Seiya.
"Thought you were going to ask her something like 'will you go out with me?' or 'do you think I'm cool?'"
"Sorry to disappoint you Odango, I have nothing against older women but I prefer someone who's at the same age as I am or younger" Seiya smiled at Usagi and moved in a little closer to her, "I guess she's the same age as your unrequited love Mamoru, right?" he added.
Usagi blushed, 'unrequited?' she thought. "Yeah, now that you mention it, I envy her so much. She seems like a good match to Mamo-chan" Usagi frowned.
"Mamo-chan? Calling nicknames now, are we?" Seiya gave Usagi a grin as he crossed his arms.
Usagi giggled, "Can't help it."
. . . . . . . . . . .
It was lunch time and Usagi's gang were seated at their favorite spot in the school's garden. They've started to unpack their lunch boxes until Minako noticed that Seiya was walking towards them, she elbowed Makoto and Ami as both girls stared in the direction where Minako was looking at. Usagi noticed them and tilted her head to check on what the three were staring at, she rolled her eyes and faced back to her lunch box.
Seiya seated beside Usagi, he was enjoying a smoked salmon bagel while holding a carton of orange juice on his left hand. "What are you doing here?" Usagi shot him a look.
"I came here to receive your gratitude" Seiya looked at Usagi as she cocked her eyebrows, "excuse me?" she asked.
Seiya simply smiled and faced the other girls, "Yaten, Taiki and I are going on a beach vacation, wanted to ask you girls if you wanted to come."
Minako scooted towards Seiya, "Oh God! Of course we'd love to! Right girls?" Minako said as she looked back at her girl friends waiting for their reply. Makoto and Ami nodded.
"Which beach are we going to?" Makoto asked, "I'll be glad to prepare the food of course!" she added.
"It's a private beach our recording company owns. We've invited few people including the four of you." Seiya said as Minako bounced on her seat.
"Oh My God! I can't wait! When are we going?" Minako beamed.
" Taiki wanted us to go on the 28th of May to the 31st." Seiya took another bite on his bagel.
"wait, May 28 to 31?" Ami asked.
"yes, why?" Seiya answered.
"Well, Taiki's birthday falls on the 30th, right?" Ami blushed, she was so flustered to let out her familiarity with Taiki's birthday. Seiya widened his eyes at his sudden discovery, how could he forget? He's known Taiki for many years yet he forgot that it was almost Taiki's birthday.
"Come to think of it, it IS Taiki's birthday on the 30th." Seiya finally muttered. Usagi snorted, "And you call yourself his friend, huh?"
Seiya blushed, "Well, I was preoccupied. You are coming too right? Odango?" Seiya asked.
"Of course she's coming! So tell me Seiya…" Minako said before Usagi could even answer. Minako kept interrogating Seiya about the trip for the rest of the afternoon.
School was finally over and the students went to the locker room to obtain their shoes. Minako was still all giddy about the upcoming trip, she insisted that all four of them should shop for new swimsuits to attract the boys.
"I'll just tag along Mina, I told you I don't have money to buy a swimsuit right now" Usagi said as she closed her locker.
They all felt bad for Usagi but really couldn't do anything about it, as much as they wanted to help her all three of them have limited allowance as well. Usagi sighed, she knew she have to wait for June to get her next allowance, which means she would have to settle for her old swimsuits neatly stored at the farthest end of her closet.
As soon as Usagi got home, she fumbled through her closet to obtain that piece of garment she had been keeping for God knows how long. She hastily picked up her pink one piece suit only to see that there were tiny holes in it. She frowned at the sight, she took out her sewing kit and placed tiny yellow ribbons where the holes were. "This will do" she raised her newly constructed swimsuit and smiled.
A week has rolled by, Minako, Ami, Makoto and Usagi were waiting patiently for the Three Lights. Seiya told them that they will pick them up at Makoto's house by 9:00 am. Soon, a black van parked outside of Makoto's house, all girls went out and greeted Yaten as he slid the van's door open.
"Hey, get in" Yaten said. All four girls seated at the back seat while Yaten, Seiya and Taiki were seated at the seat in front of girls. Makoto took out her homemade sandwiches and passed it to each one of them.
. . . . . . . . .
After two hours, the van finally halted. Taiki looked back at the girls and smiled, "We're here!". Yaten opened the door and each of them went out to admire the hot and salty breeze.
There were a couple of cottages lined up a few yards away from the shore, there was also a line of white beach benches and a small spot where people could set up a bonfire. Yaten led the girls to their cottage, it was really spacious and clean, the girls admired the beauty of their room while they each chose their own beds.
A few minutes more, the girls heard a knock on the door. Ami opened it to see Seiya smiling outside, he was already dressed in his black swimming trunks though he was still wearing a white shirt on top. She sticked his head through the door opening, "Hey, you girls better get ready, it's a good hour to swim" he smiled. "Alright! We'll be ready in a few minutes" Minako beamed as she opened her bag to obtain her swimsuit.
Minako went inside the bathroom to change first, she soon went out and her friends admired her cute orange bikini with tiny white dots. Ami went next and wore her powder blue bikini with cute ruffles on the edge of her bra and at the lining of bikini. Makoto soon went out and showed off her emerald green one piece with cut outs to reveal her flat stomach.
Usagi winced, her swimsuit was no good at all. She told the girls to go ahead of her telling them that she felt a bit nauseated from the 2-hour trip. All three girls felt bad of leaving her behind but Usagi insisted that she only needed a 10-minute nap.
As soon as the three girls went out, Usagi closed her eyes and decided to DO take a short nap. She dreamt of spending the beach vacation with none other else, Mamoru. Oh how she wished that she could see him right now. She promised herself that she will build enough courage to tell Mamoru how she felt about him on their next meeting. Hopefully.. hopefully Mamoru will answer back with the desire Usagi has been longing for.
She shot her eyes open and placed her elbows on her side to push herself out of the bed. She then noticed that there was a gold box lying beside her with her name on it. She looked at it curiously and decided to open the box.
Her eyes widened at the sight, she quickly grabbed the contents of the box and ran inside the bathroom.
. . . . . . . . . .
"What's taking her so long?" Minako said, she was so worried about Usagi, She felt a tad guilty for leaving her best friend behind, she stood up abruptly to be held back by Makoto. "Don't worry, it's almost lunch time so I'm sure she'll be out in a few" Makoto said as she continued to arrange the food.
Ami, Makoto, Minako, Seiya and Yaten were seated around a beach table where shade was generously offered by the surrounding trees, they were all starving and waited for Makoto to arrange the grilled meat in their table. A few minutes more, they all heard Usagi closing the cottage door and walked towards them.
She was wearing a light pink robe to cover up her swimsuit. She sat next to Minako who was finally released off her worrying. "What took you so long?" Minako raised an eyebrow to Usagi.
"Sorry, I dozed off a little" Usagi blushed.
Makoto finally sat and told everyone to start eating, they all ate and shared a couple of jokes as they passed the food to one another. Ami felt a little bad that Taiki was somewhere else, he had to attend to some of his friends for a while.
"Hey, we should plan something for Taiki's birthday" Seiya said, all attention was towards him now.
"Alright, got any plans?" Yaten asked.
Seiya did not have a full idea on what to do on Taiki's birthday, but all of them started to brainstorm on what they could do to make Taiki's day extra special. They had all shared a couple of ideas until they finally decided on a plan. All of them stopped as soon as they saw Taiki coming out of the cottage, he was still chatting with his friend until Minako waived her hands to call Taiki out. As soon as Taiki noticed the group, he walked towards them and asked his friend to go along with him.
As soon as Taiki got near, Seiya, Ami, Makoto and Minako widened their eyes, Usagi's heartbeat increased. "Hey guys, this is my friend, Mamoru Chiba. Hope you don't mind if he ate with us" Taiki smiled, Mamoru instantly recognized the group and smiled at Usagi.
"Hey!" Mamoru said.
"Hey.." Usagi blushed.
"You know each other?" Taiki looked puzzled. He met Mamoru a year ago, Taiki had always wanted to be a doctor and he had always admired Mamoru's work when he learned about him through another friend. Being born in an older generation, Mamoru was never a fan of the Three Lights. He only heard about them through Taiki, though Taiki talked about it with him a few times. Mamoru only became aware of all the members when he heard that they were transferring to Usagi's school, he never met Yaten nor Seiya before the school started, until he accidentally saw Usagi and her friends with Seiya more than a month ago. Taiki never mentioned about Mamoru to Seiya and Yaten before or anything related to his desire of becoming a doctor. Yaten and Seiya viewed Taiki's dream as 'complicated' which is why they never asked or chat with Taiki about it.
"yes, we go way back" Mamoru smiled and sat beside Usagi. Seiya followed Mamoru's movements and silently watched as the flashbacks came back to his mind.
Minako rolled her eyes, she resumed consuming her mango.
As soon as Taiki and Mamoru were done eating, both stood up and left the group. Usagi was once again in a daze as she stared on Mamoru's walking figure.
"Hey, earth to Usagi?" Makoto waived her hand at Usagi's face.
"I really like him." Usagi simply said, still starring at Mamoru's back.
"Yeah we know" Minako snorted. "And it's been like that for the past four years." She added.
"Not anymore." Usagi said as she looked at Minako.
"Huh?" Minako answered back.
"I'll tell him. I'll definitely tell him about my feelings. I've been thinking about it for some time now, since he's here and I'm here, I'll tell him… I'm sure.. I'm sure he feels the same." Usagi looked down as she blushed. She looked back at Mamoru's back and bit her lip.
As Usagi confessed her feelings to the group, for some reason, Seiya felt a tiny prick drilling a hole in his heart.
-End of Chapter 4-
