Lovely Days: Usagi/Mamoru Drabbles

100 Themes Challenge

Sweet 16 & Ice Cream

The morning sky was already a brilliant blue and the sun shone clear and bright when the blonde teenager stepped outside, exuberance and excitement flowing through her body because today was her birthday and a Saturday. To celebrate, Usagi's friends were planning a karaoke party at Makoto's, but since that wasn't until later Usagi now skipped happily in the direction of the Crown Game Center.

The automatic doors opened to expose all the noisy chatter of adolescent boys and the beeps and whirrings of the arcade machines--music to Usagi's ears. Even more of a delight was the newest Sailor V game. The girl's fingers itched to play as dazzling hues of pink and orange flashed across the machine's screen, but a thorough search of wallet and pockets that produced nothing resigned Usagi to the counter in the back. Not that she really minded since she could talk with Motoki and possibly persuade a free sundae out of him.

"Good morning, Motoki!" Usagi greeted cheerfully. "Do you happen to know what day it is today?"

The arcade attendant paused wiping down the counter to return the salutation and smile cutely which prompted a fluttering in the girl's chest, "I know it's a Saturday, but I suspect today might have some other significance. Maybe a...birthday?"

Usagi nodded with delight, "You're so smart, Motoki! Today I'm finally 16 years old!"

"And yet still only a six year old in mental capability and eating habits," Mamoru interjected as he took the seat next to Usagi who scowled heavily in his direction. She wanted to stick her tongue out at him, but it probably just would have proved the jerk's point. Instead, she took a calming breath and turned back to Motoki with a dazzling smile, "So what's the Arcade's policy on free birthday sundaes?"

Motoki chuckled and thoughtfully glanced out of the corner of his eye. "Well, I'm not entirely sure, but I can make a special arrangement for you, Usagi," he replied with a wink and disappeared into the back room.

Usagi twiddled her thumbs and swung her legs to-and-fro in anticipation for the delicious treat, but the sound of someone clearing his throat made her pause. She cursorily glanced to Mamoru who was studying her rather intently. "Did you want something?" she asked snidely. The scrutiny of his gaze was unsettling and Usagi didn't like it. Their was something almost angry in his look.

Finally he spoke, "You'd do anything for free ice cream." It wasn't a question.

Usagi expected a clarifier to this statement, but a minute passed with no other word from Mamoru. "Are you sure you aren't the one with stunted mental capabilities?" the girl asked and quickly looked away to see if Motoki had returned with the sundae. Even though she was sitting in the middle of a busy arcade filled with people she felt like the only person in the world with Mamoru watching her.

His dissatisfied stare was burning holes into her side until she felt her teeth gritting, as if that would ward the dark-haired man off. Instead he broke their private silence with an uncharacteristically gruff voice, "I've come in this noisy, crowded place and ordered the lousiest tasting coffee every single day just so I might get the chance to see your smile, and all he has to do is ask if you want a milkshake! Don't you know I'd get you ten milkshakes if I could see the wonderful smile that always makes me completely, irrationally happy? And that I don't want you to share with anyone else? But I've deluded myself long enough with hopeless dreams and I'm tired of that gritty coffee... So, I'll be going, and I hope you have a very merry birthday."

Mamoru stood up to head for the exit but the petite hand catching his wrist froze him to the spot. Usagi's hand cautiously slid down to grasp his own and he ventured a glance back over his shoulder. Her face was obscured by her bangs as she stared down at her lap; then all at once she pulled her head up and smiled the most breathtaking smile Mamoru could ever imagine in his life.

"For you, I don't need ice cream. You're sweet enough to make me smile."

End.

It isn't considered cheating if I keep combining themes, right? Hope this was an enjoyable chapter for everyone. Feel free to comment and review.