"I'm going to do it."
"S-sorry?" I stuttered, a little scared, actually. His face was contorted into a frightfully cheerful face. Somehow, it was just too cheery for Mamoru-kun.
"You're so right Motoki-kun. All this time I've been denying my feelings for Oda- Usagi, and I've decided that enough is enough. It'll be the perfect start to 2009. I'm going to ask her to dinner."

A few silent moments passed while I registered this. Beneath the counter, so he wouldn't see, I pinched my wrist to see if- owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

No. I wasn't dreaming. And Mamoru wasn't blind.
"Why are you flinching?"
"I… accidentally touched the kettle."
"Oh," he said, satisfied with this, "Okay then."

More silence.
"So do you think I should ask her?"
I laughed, "Mamoru-kun, I've been waiting for this for almost 18 months. I definitely advise it. What do you have to lose anyway?"
He grimaced, "My pride. My dignity. Her? I don't know."
I smiled comfortingly, "Look, it's a new year, like you said. I know, if she turns you down, it'll suck. But she could always say yes? And I'm pretty sure she will. Full steam ahead I say!"

Full steam ahead? Really?

Mamoru didn't answer, but just smiled at me, then into his coffee cup. I returned the expression; I'd never seen him look so content. So young, like his real age was showing through.

At the moment, the lady in question bounced into the arcade, in a flurry of gold and blue and white. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold outside and she'd never looked so happy.
"Happy New Year! A double chocolate for me please Motoki-Onii-san! And a strong black coffee for Mamoru-san too please," she smiled at me. I nodded at her and turned around to prepare the drinks, but didn't miss the sideways glance Mamoru gave her, a small smile on his lips.
"You're even bouncier than usual Odango, what's made you even sugary than usual?" I heard Mamoru ask.
Usagi harrumphed, but replied, "Well Baka, if you must know, I met the most wonderful guy last night at Minako-chan's New Year's Eve party. His name was Ryoku, and he's tall and handsome with dark hair and the most beautiful midnight blue eyes in the entire world. He's taking me out to dinner tonight!" she gushed, ending her speech with a small, girlish giggle.

I didn't turn around. I didn't dare. As the ice-cold air from outside bit at my neck and back, the grip on Usagi's glass tightened. I stared down at the brown liquid for a long time.

"Mamoru-san? What did I say?"