As Demande made his way through the café doors, he spied the golden beauty starting to sit inside the passenger's side of a car. He could scarcely overhear her words to the guy she was with. "I've got to check with Motoki when my shift starts today at the Crown. I think we're getting a new game in and it'll take more time to set it up." The man shut the car door and made his way around to the driver's side. When the driver's side door opened, he could hear her laughter leak through into the morning air and his heart caught within his chest. He instinctively clutched his chest with his right hand and watched them drive off.
Demande was heartbroken that he hadn't gotten the opportunity to speak to the enchanting woman or even learn her name, but he did learn something that held some potential. She works somewhere named Crown and it involves games… Turning back into the café, Demande made up his mind that he would scour the city for the place once his shift was over. I will find her.
Demande had called every person he knew to learn where the girl from the café had worked. He had just moved into town and didn't know the area that well. Fortunately, his coworker frequented the place he thought to be the one he was looking for. He said it was called the Crown Arcade and it was near the Juuban High School. Demande had mentally cursed himself knowing that he could have found it if he had paid attention when he enrolled into that high school just the day before. He had to finish out the last few months of his senior year which he thought was ridiculous, but it wasn't in his control that his father had gotten the new job in his company. Demande was just thankful that it didn't change anything to do with his college applications. He didn't want to work at a waiter for his entire life…
Demande was a 18 year old who grew up on the outskirts of Kyoto. He had strong bone structure that amplified his facial features and matched his arrogant demeanor. His white and gray hair framed his face and paired well with his ice blue eyes. Although he knew that he would have to obtain specific degrees to get to where he wanted to be in life, he relied heavily on his looks. He was aware at how many swooned from his smolder, but was always bored by the way women seemed similar in their looks and mannerisms. There was something different, though, with the one he saw at the café that morning. He knew that she had been who he was looking for and someone who he could see pleasing him in various ways through his desired life plan.
Once he got off shift at 4pm, Demande went home, showered, and rushed to the arcade he had learned about earlier that afternoon. Walking in, he knew that this could be a place he could make his new hang out. It was full of people his age who most likely went to his school, judging by the distance. His ego was flattered as every girl his age stopped and stared at him as he made his way to an empty booth. He smirked lightly and tossed his hair back as he took a seat. Nothing could stop his cool and collected persona, that was, until Usagi came into his line of sight.
She had her hair in a messy bun that made her look just as breath-taking as she did earlier that day. The black apron she wore just brought out all of her pale features and she glided about the arcade as if she owned the floor she walked on. After she passed him, he had gasped so quickly out of shock and confirmation that he started choking on his own spit. Tears filled his eyes as his body fought to breathe. While he hacked his way back to a clear airway, he took deep breaths and silently prayed that no one had seen it.
Unfortunately for him, the ruckus had caught Usagi's attention and she took it upon herself to bring him a glass of water. Just as he was regaining his composure, Usagi approached his booth with her usual customer service smile and the tray with the glass of water. "I thought you might need this. You ok? It sounded like quite a fit you had there." For the first time in his life, Demande blushed because of a girl. Great. She saw.
"Yeah, uhm. Thanks." Was all he could think of to say while her angelic hand placed the glass in front of him. Desperately trying to think of some way to keep her attention, he blurted, "So, you work here?"
Usagi chuckled in a light and breathy manner. "Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Can I get you anything?"
God she's unbelievably gorgeous. I can't believe she's real. Aware that he was gawking, he quickly looked down and picked up the water to take a sip to have time to gather his thoughts. "This is actually my first time here. Could you tell me anything about what's good here?" Usagi quickly rattled off the best dishes and shakes that the arcade offered as well as a novice intro on the popular games they provided. Once she finished, he continued to look at her both expectantly and questioningly which caused her to ask her next question. "Are you from around here?"
Demande smiled. Finally, my chance to turn the conversation to something in my favor.
"Actually, yes. I just moved here a few days ago. I start at this new high school on Monday and I'm fairly nervous. I figured I could come here to see if I could meet anyone so it wouldn't be so lonely on the first day."
Usagi's eyes brightened at the chance to become someone's guide to the city as well as a friend to someone new. Now that Usagi was out of her step-mother's home, she had the freedom to widen the amount of people in her life without fear of retaliation in any form. "I'd love to help you. Which high school will you be attending?"
Demande's skin tingled at her expressive reaction to his chosen vulnerability. He figured that a girl with her type of personality would jump at the opportunity to help someone in need. Honestly, Demande had never had problem making friends and he knew it, but he was willing to say anything to keep her talking to him.
"I'm starting at Juuban High School on Monday. Do you know of anyone here that goes there as well that I could introduce myself to?" He desperately hoped that Usagi was attending his high school. She didn't look old enough to be in college and her mannerisms were much too mature for middle school.
"I do." She put the tray underneath her arm and put out her other hand to shake his. "I'm Usagi."
Demande smiled at his fortune and put his hand out to meet hers. "I'm Demande." He opened his mouth to say something when the chime of the Crown's doors went off and pulled Usagi's attention. "I'm sorry Demande, I've gotta get back to work." She gave him an apologetic smile and went off to tend to her other duties. He decided to stay there to check out the menu and the rest of the games and about 20 minutes later she came back over to him with a few more girls. "Demande, these are my best friends. They go to your new school. Guys, this is Demande. Demande, this is Rei, Makoto, Minako, and Ami."
Demande shook each of their hands and motioned for them to join him in his booth. "You all look very young. Are you seniors?"
Minako, who was the most comfortable around strangers decided to respond. "No we're sophomores although we take extra classes. Not as much as Usagi here though. She's going to graduate at the end of the summer and hit college early." She leaned forward and whispered to him jokingly. "She's a genius."
Usagi laughed at her friend's silliness. "I'm sorry Demande. I forgot to mention our grade differences. I do know people that would be in your classes though." As Usagi was talking to him, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind and her facial features softened. Demande immediately tensed up at someone touching her. He had already felt possessive of her and didn't like the idea of people affectionately touching his soon to be girlfriend.
Usagi turned her head and met Mamoru's eyes. She gave him a quick peck and continued to speak to Demande. "Here's one now! Demande, this is my boyfriend Mamoru. Mamoru, this is Demande. He's new to town and will be new at our school on Monday. I've decided to introduce him to our clan." Usagi giggled and Mamoru unwrapped his arms from around Usagi and leaned over to shake hands with Demande. Mamoru didn't know why, but he felt like he should be cautious of the newcomer. He saw a glimmer of anger towards him when he first walked in, but quickly assumed that it was that he was another male walking in on him being surrounded by five other women. I'd want to stand my ground too, especially if I was new.
Mamoru pulled up a chair to sit at the end of the booth and started to introduce himself to the new addition to their group. "We may have a lot of the same classes and I'll introduce you to Motoki too. He owns his place. Oi! Motoki!" Motoki came over after giving a table an order of chocolate shakes. Mamoru motioned towards Demande and explained the situation while introducing his best friend. Motoki shook hands with Demande and felt a twinge of distrust. Hmm. Not so sure about this guy. I think I'll talk to Mamoru about it later though. Usagi seems to like him.
Usagi left the table to take a few more orders and came back 15 minutes later with her friends' and boyfriend's usual orders; four chocolate shakes, four burgers, four fries, and one black coffee. "Are you sure you don't want anything Demande? The shakes here are really good." Usagi added her trademark smile at the end of her suggestion and Demande felt that if he was standing, he would've fallen over. How can a girl that age have so much power over me with a simple gesture? Willing to do anything to please her, he succumbed and ordered a chocolate shake. As Usagi walked away Demande casually said, "I'm not a big fan of chocolate, but I'm pretty sure Usagi would make me agree to anything with that smile." Motoki gave him a double take at his boldness. Does he know that Usagi is Mamoru's girlfriend? Does he care? Mamoru kept calm and simply raised an eyebrow while he drank his coffee. I may have to keep an eye on this one and let him know who Usagi's heart belongs to.
All four of the girls were frozen. Sure they knew that Usagi easily received male attention when she waitressed, but they'd never heard anyone be as open about it as he was. Especially when it was his first time there and in front of her friends. Minako was in mid-bite, Makoto had paused while drinking her shake, and both Rei and Ami had fried in their mouths mid-chew.
Usagi broke the silence made from Demande's comment when she came over with his shake. "Here you go, Demande. THE best. I promise." Usagi set the shake down in front of Demande and placed the straw next to it. She took the tray to her chest and hugged it against her body, like she always did. Noticing this, Demande looked at her and smiled. "You look gorgeous when you do that, Usagi."
Usagi's smile dropped and her face flushed. What did he just say? Why would he say that? Mamoru's here! She dropped the tray from her chest and held it to her side.
Mamoru's eyes flashed a form of irritation when Demande dared to be so bold, again, within just a few minutes and that both times it had been about Usagi. It had especially irritated him because he knew that was an unknowing habit of Usagi's that he had loved and had wanted to keep it one by not saying anything. Motoki decided that this would be a good time for him to get back to work and slowly walked away.
Thinking that he may be making himself quickly unwelcome among her friends with his bold advances towards Usagi, he decided to remedy the situation. "Oh I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable. I can't help but notice a beautiful woman when I see one. I apologize; I come from a very brazen household." Hmm. It seems that I'll have to sway her in a more subtle fashion.
Still feeling somewhat awkward, Usagi decided to get back to work. "Gomen, I- I'm gonna…" She turned and walked toward the kitchen to fix an order she had taken a few minutes ago.
A few silent minutes went by until Rei decided to get to know this stranger that may cause some drama. She took a sip from her chocolate shake and began. "So, where you from and why did you end up moving here?" Demande explained the situation about his dad's new job and how he had already found a job and would only need to attend high school a few more months before moving on to college. Mamoru's ears perked up when he heard that Demande had been working at the café that Usagi and he were at earlier that day and decided to chime in. "You know, Usagi and I were there earlier. Did you happen to work today?" Remaining stoic, Demande responded, "You did? That's an odd coincidence. I actually overheard someone talking about the Crown during my shift and it caused me to come and check it out today." Mamoru's eyes narrowed and became suspicious. Too much of a coincidence if you ask me. Mamoru had a feeling that Demande did know that they were there earlier and had a feeling that he should be on his guard.
Makoto raised one eyebrow in suspicion and looked at the girls. "Uhh. I think we should leave if we were going to finish that thing we had to do." On the same track as Makoto, Ami quickly agreed. "Yeah if we don't, it'll never get finished. Mamoru please tell Usagi our goodbyes and that we'll be at the apartment waiting for her when she gets off work." Each girl slid out of the booth and headed towards the door. Mamoru stood up respectively giving them goodbyes as they took their leave. Rei was the last to tell Mamoru goodbye and whispered to him, "Keep an eye on that weirdo, will ya? I wouldn't let Usagi leave your sight." Mamoru nodded and sat back down as Rei hurried to catch up with her friends.
Demande's eyes narrowed at Mamoru's back as Mamoru watched the girls leave the arcade. Just us now. Time to get some information, I suppose. Mamoru turned and sat across from Demande. I'm going to have to figure this guy out and what his angle is on Usagi. I can't have her going through any ridiculous drama right now. She just got out of all of that bullshit with her step-family. She doesn't need this guy making her uncomfortable when she was just trying to be welcoming.
Demande was the first to break the silence between the two. "So how long have you and Usagi been dating?" Ah. Here we go. Mamoru leaned back into a relaxed state. "About a week or so." He may think that this is in his favor, but he doesn't understand our bond.
Demande smiled inwardly. Just a week? This'll be easy. "You're a very lucky man. I'd keep her close. Someone may steal her away." Mamoru's eyes became confrontational. Continuing with the boldness. "Someone or you?" Demande smiled openly now and a devious look flashed across his features for a moment. "Well she's definitely nothing compared to any other woman I've seen before."
"No, she's not. Look, I understand your interest in Usagi, but I'm not going to pretend to be ok with it. She's mine and I'm not letting her go. Now you can remain friends with her because I'm not going to become someone who tells her who to spend her time with, but don't continue to make her feel uncomfortable with any unwanted advances from you or then you'll be answering to me."
Demande leaned back and shrugged his shoulders with an uncaring expression. "We'll see."
Usagi walked over to where Mamoru sat with Demande. She wasn't too sure about how he was going to fit into their group. She may have jumped the gun on being so kind to him, but she hadn't really expected him to be so forward with her and with Mamoru sitting right there. She had introduced him as her boyfriend. Why was he not considerate of that? It really bothered her. She didn't want any issues to come between her and Mamoru. They'd just experienced something that would bond them to each other for the rest of their lives and that wasn't something that she took lightly. She told him that he was her soul mate and she meant it.
"I'm off shift, Mamoru, are you ready?" Looking over to Demande, she struggled to remain polite. "Demande I guess I'll see you on Monday at school." Mamoru stood, nodded a farewell to Demande and wrapped his arm protectively and possessively around Usagi's waist as he walked her to her car.
Demande glowered at his failed attempt to catch Usagi's attention. She is most definitely unlike any other girl I've ever met. She didn't even seem to be fazed by my looks or over-confidence. Most women I've met find that to be the most attractive quality about me. It just sent her running! I don't understand it. He stood to take his leave and started to devise another plan to woo Usagi. This may take some extra cunning maneuvers…
Mamoru had decided to follow Usagi to her apartment where he knew her friends were waiting for her and discuss with them their opinions about this Demande character. He wanted to know if their opinion was the same as his and if it would affect Usagi's decision to remain cautious of him. He knew he couldn't be with Usagi every waking moment. He didn't want to watch over her afraid that something might happen. That wasn't the kind of relationship he wanted with her.
Mamoru walked into Usagi's apartment and they were greeted by the smell of Makoto's cooking and the girls' laughter. As expected, Makoto, Minako, Rei, and Ami were waiting for Usagi to come home and had even prepared for Mamoru's arrival as well. Dinner had just finished being ready and they were all gathered around ready to eat.
They all started to dig in and the conversation started. "Ok, so was I the only one who was completely weirded out by that guy?" Minako waved her fork full of food around enthusiastically as she recalled the events that happened earlier. Ami looked up at Usagi with a concerned glance. "Yes, Usagi I was wondering how you felt about that boy's boldness towards you earlier." Usagi picked at her food with her fork and shook her head. "It caught me off guard. I never thought anyone would say something like that in front of my boyfriend. I even introduced him as such, you heard me." Usagi looked over at Mamoru who nodded at her.
"You don't need to explain yourself, Usa, but I do feel that you should be cautious around him. He said earlier that he works at the café that we went to earlier today. I can't help but shake the feeling that he went to the Crown looking for you." Usagi's eyes widened in disbelief. "There's no way. How could he know such a thing? It has to be a coincidence." Mamoru shook his head and furrowed his brow. "I don't know, Usa. This guy practically challenged me in your affections after the girls left the arcade. If I wasn't confident in our love for each other I would've felt threatened, but I do fear for the circumstances he may try to put you into."
Rei gasped when she heard about the coincidence with the café. "Do you think he'll start to stalk Usagi-chan?" Minako shrugged. "It'd be romantic if he wasn't so goddamn creepy." Everyone looked at Minako in confusion. "What? It would! A guy sees a girl at his work and believes she's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen in his life. Guy finds out where girl works, he goes to meet girl and strikes up conversation in hopes for a relationship. The only thing that made it gross was his complete disregard for Mamoru's existence."
Makoto nodded understandingly. "It makes sense. If Mamoru did it, Usagi would have fallen head over heels." Mamoru gave Makoto a disapproving look and Usagi rolled her eyes. Makoto raised her hands defensively. "Are we not discussing this realistically? I'm just being honest!"
Ami sighed and attempted to steer the conversation back on track. "The fact still remains. This guy seems to have an attraction for Usagi-chan and we may have to intervene when necessary. Usagi, are you still comfortable with him being our friend at school?" Usagi looked at Ami and then at Mamoru. "Well I did tell him that he was welcome. I don't want to be horrible to him on his first day." Mamoru smiled at Usagi and put his arm around her. "I know how you are Usa and I understand. We can maintain his friendship and be kind to him, but if he continues to make you uncomfortable when I'm not around, you need to tell me and the friendship should end. Are you ok with that?" Usagi nodded. "I agree with you completely. I was just simply being friendly. I don't want anyone to come between us."
Once they had that odd topic of Demande settled, the girls started talking about what to do the next day. It had been another day off for Usagi and they all were excited to be out with the blonde without worry from her step-sisters. Koan and Petz hadn't dared to look in Usagi's direction since the investigation of their mother's fraud was taking place. Ami had stayed true to her word and had people looking into the money that Usagi's father had left her and determining that it should rightfully go to Usagi especially under the circumstances that she was abused. There was still a few weeks left for it to be settled, but it was enough to keep them at arm's length from Usagi.
After dinner, Mamoru had started to leave. Usagi walked him down to his car and they held each other close for a long while. Mamoru knew what Usagi was thinking and attempted to soothe her thoughts. "I won't let anything happen to you Usako. I'm sure it's just an intense crush that'll pass. He's just abrasive and you're not used to that. Nothing bad will happen." He lifted her chin to look up at him. "I'll always look after you. Now go on inside." He kissed her lovingly and got into his car. She smiled, now relaxed by Mamoru's words and waved to him as he drove off.
Usagi turned around to walk back into her apartment complex, but was startled by movement in the corner of her eye.
"Usagi." Demande came out from the shadows and started to walk towards Usagi.
Author's Note: Leaving you guys in suspense. Obviously this guy is off his rocker. What do you guys think will happen next?
Let me know in the reviews!
