Hey guys, here is chapter 4 of Trading Places. Sorry it took so long to get this out. As always thanks to the best Beta Reader the world has ever known, Queen Risa. Please please show her some love. She makes this so much better. Okay okay okay, I know shuddup, and let us read it. (^-^)'
Trading Places Chapter 4
Usagi was polishing off a hamburger when she noticed someone watching her. The familiar priestess suddenly sprang forward, once she was noticed, and slipped into the bench across from Usagi.
"Hey Mamoru-san."
Usagi set the hamburger down, and wiped her hands with a napkin, trying to stay cool like Mamoru would. "Hino-san."
"I wanted to apologize for Usagi, she doesn't mean to irritate you." Usagi's face went slack, as Rei continued. "She secretly likes you."
"What?" Was all she could think to respond with.
Rei nodded, "Yeah I know, she puts on a good act, even with us. She would kill me if she thought I knew."
You are so dead! Usagi could only nod even as her thoughts whirled. The girls know? "Thanks for letting me know Hino-san, I'll keep that in mind," Usagi nodded, picking up the hamburger and beginning to eat again. Rei gave her a soft smile, before slipping out of the booth and leaving the arcade.
Usagi was almost safely out of the arcade when she turned around and a soft body smacked into her chest, much like she always did to Mamoru. She acted instinctively, hands flying up to steady the person. She glanced down to see Minako chuckling.
"Sorry Chibs, I wasn't paying attention." She smacked his arm. "Oh…and about last night, please forgive Usagi-chan." She leaned up close and lowered her voice. "She really, really likes you, that's why you get under her skin so easily."
Usagi heard herself hiss, but couldn't stop the surprise that overwhelmed her. "Really, you think so?" Usagi could see Minako's calculating look, and it frightened her when the bubbly blonde turned it on her. Awkwardness washed over her, and she quickly cleared her throat. "Yeah Aino-san, Hino-san said something similar, I am surprised. Thanks for the tip. Really gotta go now." She moved around Minako and hurried from the arcade. Once out in the street she sighed. What a situation, thank God I'm him at the moment, I wonder how crazy his day is?
In another part of Tokyo, Mamoru was crammed on the train, when he felt someone else's fingers gliding up the back of his thigh. He was almost violent as he whipped around with his small hand fisted. All the business men stood looking away, and no one seemed to be paying attention to his distress. How does Usagi deal with this? He'd heard of groping, who hadn't in Japan, but to experience it, even in Usagi's body, was a whole other thing. He let out an irritated breath, before deciding what to do.
"If any one of you perverts try anything like that again, you're gonna be really sorry." He shook his fist at the train in general. "And I'm telling security, they record on the trains now you know." He watched as a few faces paled. His stomach clenched, and he wanted to throw up. His feet began to hurt when he was almost to the shopping area he wanted. He knew of Usagi's love of all things sweet and the thought of surprising her was keeping him going.
The train slowed and came to a stop with the doors whooshing open. He looked for a security guard, but could find no one. Finally irritated, he gave up searching, and headed for the bakery.
It was a little-known place called Sweet-Sweet, but they had the most amazing little cakes. He could picture Usagi's gleeful smile, and surprise at the strawberry cake he was planning on picking up. The idea of her eyes lighting up, and her jaw gaping brought a smile. He eventually found the bakery and slipped inside. The rain had let off earlier and now there were low lying dark grey clouds. The shop with all of its little decorated cakes, and pastel macaroon cookies, displayed on white accents, brightened up the gloomy day. I need to remember to bring Usagi sometime -Wait what? He shook his head puzzled by the turn of his thoughts.
Somehow in learning more about Usagi, something inside him had shifted. He let out a chuckle, still surprised when it sounded like a giggle. He took a few minutes to process the feelings inside him, and just wandered through the aisles looking at the fruity cakes, green tea treats, and the myriad macaroon cookies they created. Once more centered, he made his way to the counter, and asked for one of the little strawberry cakes.
The lady behind the counter smiled, before wrapping it up. "Is this for your boyfriend?"
Mamoru stared puzzled for a moment. Oh yeah, I'm Usagi. He shook his head, but remained quiet.
"Well don't eat it all yourself, if you put on weight the men won't like you much."
Anger fueled by frustration held him captive for a second. I have never been told how much to eat. The clerk was waiting for him to pay. "Do I look like I need to watch what I eat?" The clerk's eyes widened at his impertinence. He handed her cash. She gave him his change, and wagged her finger. "Share that cake with someone special." Mamoru could only nod. He hurried from the shop and back towards the train.
Once on the train, he slid into a corner seat, and eyed all the people cramming in. When an old woman boarded the car, he stood signaling his seat.
The old lady smiled. "Thanks sweetie, these old bones are tired." She eyed the rest of the car, before her eyes jumped back to Mamoru. "Are you all alone? You shouldn't be, there are too many weirdos' out and about. Where's your boyfriend?"
Mamoru blinked. Really? He cleared his throat. "I'm um on my way to meet up with him right now."
The old lady nodded. "Well good hurry sweetie."
He smiled at her, even if he was frustrated. He never realized how many people lectured women. It must be crazy to always be getting advice, and told what to do. He barely held his temper when one of the business men jostled into him, and then shot him an irritated look.
The old lady stood for the next stop and the train stopped, she slipped past Mamoru and used her purse to smack the guy that had jostled her. "You stay safe." She winked at Mamoru and disappeared into the wall of people exiting. The businessman looked embarrassed and followed the wall of people leaving. Mamoru made it to his stop without any further trouble.
As he made his way back from the bakery his stomach rumbled. Damn no wonder she's always eating. He thought about going back to the arcade, but then he remembered how suspicious Motoki had been. Bad idea. Instead, he headed a few blocks away to a little ramen shop he was familiar with. He walked up to the counter and slid into a seat. The proprietor eyed him, waiting for his order.
"Tonkatsu Ramen please," Mamoru said.
The guy nodded, and proceeded to prepare a bowl for him. When the old guy set the steaming bowl in front of him, Mamoru bowed. It smelled divine, and he dug into the food slurping a chopstick full of hot noodles. He was just grabbing a second bite when Usagi's phone began to ring. The name on the screen stopped his heart. Mama? Can I manage this one? He touched the green button on the screen.
"Usagi-chan…Papa and I miss you, when are you coming to dinner?" The voice on the other end of the phone sounded like Usagi's voice, but older and warmer like only a mother's voice could. His heart tugged, even as he smiled.
"Yes, Mama I miss you and Papa too." He closed his eyes, overcome with sadness and regret, words he'd never thought to say affecting him deeply. He listened as Usagi's mother continued talking.
"Are you eating well, Usagi? You know how I worry? And how is that job search going? Papa and I are so proud of you graduating college."
"I'll come visit soon," I should tell Usagi to call them more. "Maybe I'll even bring a friend." Goofball Usagi is going to kill you!
"What, what kind of friend, I want details, mama deserves to know before anyone else."
He chuckled hearing the enthusiasm in her voice. "Well…I'm not sure, but maybe?"
Usagi's mom laughed in response. "Okay I love you Usagi, your papa sends love too!"
Mamoru felt his heart clench the tiniest bit. "I love you guys too." He heard Usagi's mom end the call. He attacked the ramen with fresh gusto and made a mental note to remind Usagi to call her parents more often.
Usagi walked along the street unsure how to kill time until she had to be back at Mamoru's apartment. What a day so far. She thought about how the girls all knew her secret. Who am I kidding? She let out a deep sigh, confused by so much education in such a short time. He doesn't have an easy life…
His phone had remained silent all day while she knew hers was going off with calls from her mom, and texts from her friends. She slid it out of her pocket, but there were no new notifications.
Is he lonely? She wandered along the street. I wouldn't have guessed it. She turned right without thinking. He's so poised and unflappable. He just seems cool, is that all an act? Sadness filled her heart.When tears threatened, she noticed people noticing. A couple of young guys waiting in an entryway shot her a dirty look.
And some old man on a park bench advised her to toughen up or no woman would want her. She pulled down one eye and blew a raspberry at him, much like an elementary student would. The look on the old man's face was priceless.
She hurried on by. Could his cold behavior be caused by his isolation? I would put up walls too… She was surprised by the idea, and it took a bit for her to work through the thought. She made her way to a local park where she and the girls often met up, and found an open swing. She noticed his size difference right away. The seat was much too small for his wider hips, and his longer legs left her feet on the ground. She was surprised when a security guard approached her.
"What do you think you are doing?" He was glaring at her with anger and suspicion.
"I was trying to clear my mind, it's been a rough day you know," Usagi tried to explain.
"Have you been drinking, young man?"
"Well…no-well last night I was and I might be a bit hungover…but why?" she asked, thoroughly confused.
The guard seemed even angrier. "You are a grown man hanging out in a child's park, that is hugely inappropriate." He emphasized his point with a finger in Usagi's chest. "I suggest you go home and stay there." He poked his finger in her face. "I don't want to see you around here again. I don't care what interests you have this is not the place."
With sudden dawning horror, Usagi realized what the man was implying. "I would never, that's just wrong, how rude, I'm leaving." With a last disgusted look, she turned away. Why do they assume I'm a pervert? She took a slow deep breath to calm down and regain some semblance of normal. No wonder he spends all his time at the library, books don't hit on him or assume awful things.
Her world tilted on its axis, as she understood his viewpoint a bit. She had a deeper appreciation of Mamoru, and how he held himself together most of the time. It must take strength and some crazy control to hold so much in. Shame filled her when she realized how awfully she'd treated him. What can I do to make it up to him?
She thought about the beef sukiyaki hot pot her mother had taught her to make. She decided a meal was in order. With renewed vigor she made her way to the market to pick up the stuff she'd need. She checked off the list on her fingers as she made a mental list.
Finally with three bags full of beef, soy sauce, saki, and vegetables, she made her way back to Mamoru's apartment. She let herself in, slipped off her shoes, hung his keys up, and wandered into his kitchen. She set the bags on the floor and began to search for his hot pot.