AN: My eternal thanks to FloraOne for continuing to beta and continually encouraging me during some of the busiest days of her life. You da real MVP, gurl. And thanks to Antigone2 for indulging me with a read through as well.
Hope you enjoy, and let me know what you think!
oOo
How the hell she had ever ended up here, she'd never know.
She'd tried to make herself as small as she could in her seat on the very back row of the large lecture hall in the graduate school building of Keio University, hoping against all hope that Mamoru simultaneously would and wouldn't notice her.
The room was full of students, and he was going on about brain structures (she thought, at least, having heard the words, 'brain' and 'structure' a few times) and Usagi was mesmerized by him.
He was confident in what he was talking about, and he moved as he spoke, not stiff or still like so many bad public speakers would have been. But after the time she'd spent with him that morning, she could sense there was some nervousness to him, his hands clutching the projector remote a little too hard, his eyes darting around, never really settled.
But to the casual observer, he was calm and sexy as hell.
Well, maybe that was just her, but god, he was gorgeous.
When she'd finally made up her mind to try and track him down at his lecture, Usagi had frantically called Ami to help, knowing full well, if anyone could find out about the when and where of a lecture on neurology anywhere in the city, it would be her genius friend.
And Ami hadn't disappointed, not only finding her the exact building, room number and time, but she'd also apparently met Mamoru before in different study circles, and she patiently answered as many of Usagi's questions as she could before finally having to return to her rounds.
Usagi had battled with herself the entire subway ride there about how ridiculous she was being. That there was no way this was going to lead to anything. They lived in different cities. Worked in completely different worlds.
But she just couldn't forget that earth-shaking feeling she'd experienced when their eyes met, and she'd grabbed his hand, feeling his skin against hers.
She owed it to herself to explore this. No matter how stalkerish it might be.
Of course, her resolve came and went fluidly, especially seeing as she didn't understand a word of what he was saying, a near constant reminder of how totally unmatched they were.
Usagi thought about getting up and leaving, but then he would know she was there for sure, her stalker ways exposed for all the world to see, so instead, she continued to try and make herself as small as she possibly could in her seat.
The person next to her sneezed loudly, causing Mamoru to look up and their gazes clashed.
He froze, and so did she, her cheeks flushing from having been caught and from the intensity of his gaze.
Mamoru's mouth hung open, his eyes wide with an emotion she couldn't read from this far away, but it was clear he was shocked at her presence, and Usagi wasn't sure at all if it was a good thing.
She saw dozens of heads turning towards her, trying to figure out what exactly was making the distinguished doctor in front of them act like he was having a major stroke.
Would it be possible to just drop to the floor and crawl her way out of the room?
"Dr. Chiba?" she heard the professor hosting the lecture ask. "Is everything alright?"
Mamoru's head whipped towards the sound. She saw his eyes clear, and without skipping a beat, he nodded his head, and went on as if nothing had happened.
Usagi let out a breath of relief, still seriously considering her escape plan, but the thought of getting to watch Mamoru uninhibited for another half an hour kept her rooted to her chair.
But it wasn't enough to chase the lingering doubts away. He had seen her, was shocked speechless, and now she'd certainly have to talk to him afterwards, since both doors to the room were down front. She would have to walk right by him in order to exit.
She was fucked. And it was her own doing.
He was so hot, though, her muddled brain kept reminding her.
She could always just confront him and apologize, and maybe save face that way? Their parting that morning had been weird, surely he could buy that she just wanted to make amends for walking off like that?
Or, she could go with the truth. What did she have to lose after all? If it went well, maybe something could happen, and if it didn't, she never had to see him again.
That thought made her stomach hurt and turn into knots.
She suddenly realized he had stopped talking, the professor thanking him for being there as the students clapped in appreciation, as they began to gather their computers and belongings.
Usagi jumped up from her chair, weaving her way through much taller college students, trying her best not to trip on the carpet in her haste to get down.
Her eyes flicked to the door. She could technically rush out, and avoid him forever, but Usagi had never been one to run away from her feelings, and she didn't really want to start now, no matter how awkward of a situation she'd managed to create for herself.
So instead of bolting, she took in a deep breath, and began to walk towards Mamoru.
He was speaking with the professor, but his eyes made contact with hers, and to Usagi's surprise he held up a finger to her, indicating he wanted her to wait.
She began to fret a bit. Was he about ready to let her have it? Call the police and have her arrested for invading his personal space?
It was then she noticed a not so small group of girls hovering by the door closest to Mamoru, whispering amongst themselves with sly smiles that indicated they'd very much appreciate knowing what he looked like underneath the impeccable suit he wore.
Jealousy she knew she had no right to feel bubbled up in her to the point of bursting. Who did these women with mediocre hair think they were coming after him like that? Did they not realize the great lengths she'd had to go to to get here?
But she wasn't able to spare them another thought, because her vision was suddenly filled with a very solid, gray-suited form.
"Odango Atama." His voice filled her with excitement and dread. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Take a sudden interest in neurology?"
He was standing so close to her, she had to crane her neck back to look into his face. "H-hi, there," she stumbled out. "It's uh...well, I...I just needed to…"
Mamoru's face was amused. "Are you having a stroke? Do I need to go get my medical kit?"
So, this was how it was going to be, then? Snark and games. Well, he was about to learn that she could certainly give as good as she got.
"Funny," she said, her voice finally finding its footing. "I was thinking the same thing about you earlier."
He had the courtesy to blush and look away, clearing his throat.
The feeling that this had been a monumental mistake began to take over, and she Usagi looked past him towards the group of women still lingering near the door, the thought of running all the way home came back stronger than ever.
Be brave, Usagi! her inner voice cried, and she sucked in a shuddering breath, forcing herself to meet his eyes while the words rushed out of her.
"Listen, I know this is weird, and I just met you randomly on a train, but I can't get you out of my head," she said, delighting in the way his eyes widened and darkened at her words. At least she was having some kind of affect on him.
"And I know that you're so far out of my league it's not even funny. I mean, you just gave a lecture on brain stuff and didn't understand a word of it, not that I didn't try, mind you," she was babbling, and his face was now amused.
"You're probably heading back to your life in Osaka, and that's fine. I get it, you don't owe me anything, Mamoru, but there was something between us. Something I can't even explain," she said, panic starting to rise up in her that this could all be over in a matter of seconds. "I would have regretted not finding you for the rest of my life and least trying to see if maybe you...might have possibly felt something too?"
She finished, and finally tore her eyes away from his when his expression turned unreadable, certain he was going to reject her straight away.
But there was mostly silence around them, only the sounds of a few lingering students in the room making plans to go to the local izakaya for drinks could be heard.
Usagi finally braved looking up at Mamoru again, and when she saw his face was blank, frustration boiled up in her.
"Well?!" she asked annoyed. "Aren't you going to say something?"
He took in a deep breath. "How do you feel about food, Odango Atama?"
Her eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Food?"
"Yeah, you know, that thing that keeps us going? Gives us sustenance? Dinner and the like. Usually consumed in a social type setting. How do you feel about it?"
"Well, I…I mean, I do really love food-"
"Good," he said shrugging on his jacket. "Let's go then."
She couldn't resist a satisfied look over her shoulder towards the other door as they walked out, enjoying the disappointed looks on the faces of Mamoru's Fan Club much more than she ever should have.
oOo
Usagi breathed in the steam coming off her ramen, and let out a pleasure-filled, 'ahhh.'
"Come here often?" she heard from beside her.
She turned to give Mamoru a glare. "To 7-Eleven?" she responded, glancing around the tiny store from where they sat at the counter. "Oh, yeah. Hottest date spot in town."
He was sitting next to her on a stool, his head resting in his hand as he gazed at her lazily, the picture of coolness and beautiful masculinity. A smart grey suit that hugged him in all the right places, crisp white shirt and black skinny tie that set off his dark blue eyes, leading up to that silky mop of hair.
She had nearly forgotten how yummy he was in the eight hours since she'd seen him last.
Nearly.
"Oh, so this a date, then?"
Usagi blushed and looked down at her noodles. "Well, no, I just…" she stuttered before giving way to annoyance. "You're kind of a jerk, you know that?"
He smiled, and she was back to loving him again. "So I've been told."
They had tried her favorite izakaya next to Keio, a place he had apparently frequented in college, as well, but it was full to the brim. And the sushi belt place next door had a line longer than a shrine at New Years, and the grumbling of her stomach had lead Mamoru to awkwardly suggest they grab something at the conbini instead.
"You did really well, today, by the way," she said after slurping up a few noodles, the new silence bothering her.
"But you didn't understand a word of what I said," he replied, that growingly familiar amusement back in his voice.
"You don't have to remind me of my incompetence, you know," she snapped back without thinking, used to people like Rei teasing her about such things, completely forgetting for a moment that it was her own admission that had led him to say this.
"Usagi, I didn't mean-" he said, his face suddenly stricken.
She shook her head and bit her lip, embarrassed at her outburst, and angry that she'd ruined the light mood. So, she stuck more food in her mouth. That usually made everything better.
The warm broth gave her a bit of liquid courage to keep talking. "You could just tell you knew what you were talking about. And that you loved what you were talking about."
"Love might be a strong word, Odango," he said, appearing to think, "but it is something I'm passionate about." He shrugged like admitting his feelings felt about as comfortable as getting a tooth pulled.
She noticed then he hadn't taken a single bit of his measly onigiri, when half of her ramen was gone, and two meat buns were waiting to be devoured, next. "Would you eat, please?" she asked in a huff. "You're making me feel self-conscious."
It wasn't really true, but it still felt weird with him just sitting there.
He took one of the rice balls in front of him and shoved the entire thing in his mouth, which caused her eyes to widen in shock.
"Better?" he asked a moment later after managing to swallow.
She covered her mouth to hide her giggle at the ridiculous spectacle he made. "No, you weirdo," she replied, reaching out to playfully swat his arm.
Usagi took a moment to take in his appearance again. Praying he didn't notice just how much her eyes lingered on his arms, the curve of his shoulder into his neck or the way his lips pulled slightly at the corners.
"You should really stop looking like you just stepped out of a shoujo manga. It's not fair," she pouted.
He snorted into a long sip of canned coffee. "Yeah, well, at least I'm not one of those saps who actually likes shoujo manga."
"Hey!" Usagi cried, outraged. She reached over and punched his arm this time, causing him to wince.
"Geeze, Odango Atama," he said, rubbing his arm at the impact site. "You have freakish strength for such a tiny person."
"Keep making fun of my mangas and I won't be so nice next time."
"Nice?!" he asked incredulously. "You call that nice?"
She stood up off the stool, grabbing her purse, fully prepared to walk away from him, just like she had that morning at the train station. "Yes. I. Do. Mamoru-baka."
Stomping past him, she was surprised when she felt his hand on her arm, his fingers gently curling around her skin. "Wait, Usagi, don't, I'm sorry, ok?"
She stopped and turned towards him, hands her hips in an annoyed stance. "Sorry for what?" she asked, trying to ignore the thrilling sensation of him touching her.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Breathing?"
Usagi let out a huff of air herself, slightly less peeved at him, but only slightly. "That's a good start."
"I'm sorry I said something about shoujo manga," he said next, eyes staring straight into hers. "I'm a cynical asshole, who reads engineering articles for fun."
Usagi bit the inside of her cheek to keep from outright laughing at his confession. "You'll be nicer to me if I stay?"
He reached out and grabbed both of her hands in his, pulled them towards his chest, saying, "Cross my heart; hope to die," with such sincerity that she'd never have known he was teasing her, if his smirk wasn't a mile wide.
She rolled her eyes, reluctantly removed her hands from his hold and moved back to her stool. "Maybe you should have been an actor," she muttered, enjoying the small chuckle that left him.
"So, tell me, Usagi," he said, unwrapping another onigiri. "What are some other things you love?"
Besides you? Let's see…
"Naps, eating, video games," she rattled off. "Long walks, puppies, parties, hugs."
"Hugs?"
"Absolutely!" she said, enthusiastically nodding her head. "Hugs are the best! See?"
And for some reason, she found herself moving forward and wrapping Mamoru in one of her signature hugs, not a thought to how weird she was being crossed her mind until it was far too late, and her senses were overwhelmed with him.
He was tense and stiff to her touch, like clinging to big, muscly rock, but for some reason Usagi held on tightly, awkwardly hugging his middle section, while he sat on his stool.
She nuzzled into the crook of his neck in spite of herself, being the perfect height since he was seated, sighing in contentment for finally having the courage to do what she'd been longing to do since she'd first laid eyes on him that morning.
It took what felt like ages, but she felt Mamoru's arms tentatively wrap around her, patting her back awkwardly.
Usagi slowly, and achingly, pulled away, and looked at him expectantly.
He looked rattled, his face paler than it had been a few moments before when she'd practically thrown herself into his arms.
Mamoru cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the remaining rice he'd yet to eat, avoiding eye contact with her altogether.
She clamored back onto her seat, silently cursing herself for the obvious discomfort she'd caused him.
This was turning out to be a disastrous 'date' if there ever was one.
Long stretches of silence sat between them as they both continued to eat for lack of anything better to do.
"What are some things you love?" she found herself asking, both out of desperation to fill the quiet and genuine curiosity.
He took another long drink from his coffee before answering. "Productivity, reading, long runs, kittens, being alone and…" he paused and glanced at her out of the side of his eye, "not hugs."
Usagi recoiled a bit. "You just named the opposite of everything I said."
Mamoru reached out and tweaked her nose. "Ever the astute one, aren't you, Odango."
She let out an annoyed huff of air for probably the tenth time since they'd sat down to eat. "What do you really love though? Besides this newfound love of pestering me?"
That comment earned her a smile. "I do love some of those things. Reading especially."
She found herself wondering what kind of books interested this complete enigma of a man, but he went on before she could ask.
"I also really enjoy gardening, Rachmaninoff and a good documentary," he finished with a noncommittal shrug.
It was as if the universe wasn't going to be content until she was able to understand just how ridiculously out-matched she was. Mamoru was brilliant, gorgeous, cool the teenager still very present in her brain screamed.
And she was...well, her. Loud, klutzy crybaby Usagi.
Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes. But a beeping noise coming from his watch made her look up in surprise.
He looked at her almost sadly. "I've got to go make my reservation for the return trip in Shibuya."
For some inexplicable reason, Usagi jumped up, exclaiming, "I'll go with you!"
Mamoru looked at her like she'd grown a second head, pausing for too long of a second before nonchalantly replying, "Ok."
oOo
They barely spoke a word to each other on the nearly half hour trek to Shibuya.
The walk to the station was pleasant enough, the crisp October air helping to clear her head a little.
He sighed once while they were waiting to cross the street, wistfully looking up towards Tokyo Tower, just now lighting up for the evening.
"I'm boring you aren't I?" she'd braved to ask, breaking their silent truce.
He shook his head without breaking his gaze on the tower. "No, I just...miss Tokyo sometimes."
Another crack in her heart with his name on it appeared. He was homesick, and having recently spent the past two weeks in Osaka, she totally understood that.
She couldn't imagine being so brave like Makoto, picking up and moving away from everything you knew to a new city, new people, new life.
But Usagi had never done well with change. She'd cried for an hour when her favorite Taiko no Tatsujin game broke down at the arcade and had to be replaced with some new, shiny thing. It had taken her two years to even give the new game a chance…
It was a Saturday evening, so the trains weren't all that crowded, though there were rarely any empty seats. So, she found herself standing right next to Mamoru, her nose practically right in the crook of his armpit.
Normally, in an instance such as this with a stranger, she would maneuver her body away from that kind of encounter. But something about being so close to him made her lose all sense of personal space. Not that she'd ever had much to begin with.
And to make matters worse, he smelled good. Like really good. Like something warm and spicy and masculine without being seeming as if he'd just emptied out an entire can of body spray on himself like so many guys thought was necessary.
She could even just imagine how it might be to kiss him as she stared up at his face while he stared blankly in front of him. He probably tasted lightly of coffee and the piece of chocolate she'd offered him from her purse while they were walking together. Like sweet, melt in your mouth-
"Ahh!" she cried, tumbling into Mamoru's solid form for the second time that day when the train jolted unexpectedly.
To his credit, he managed to stay upright from their collision, his face barely even registering any shock. It was as if he'd been catching her for lifetimes now.
"Odango Atama, where is your head?" he asked quietly, so very close to her ear, and she blushed, looking around at the numerous glares she'd received for her outburst.
"S-sorry," she replied. She wasn't used to feeling this out of sorts all the time, and it was really starting to mess with her head.
And when they finally made their way into the JR offices at Shibuya Station, Usagi wanted to crawl into a hole when the station employee assumed that Mamoru would be making two reservations back to Osaka.
Mamoru held out his hands, and let out a quick, flustered, "Oh, no, no, no."
It was quite possible she'd never been more mortified in her entire life.
Until she remembered the picture she'd taken of him on the train that morning. This strange, beautiful man who had so captured her like no one else ever had in such a short span of time. And now, he was set to leave early Monday morning?
The universe was most definitely against her.
They exited the station in silence, without having any clear plan as to what would happen next. It was eating Usagi up inside to the point where she felt ready to burst.
She closed her eyes when the cool, outside air hit her face, trying her best to calm her nerves and failing miserably. Looking up at the sky she sighed. At least the moon was full and beautiful tonight. She did love looking at the moon.
Looking over at Mamoru, she noticed him typing furiously on his phone with a furrowed brow.
"Did something happen?" she asked, concerned.
He startled at her voice. "N-no, just checking in with my cat sitter."
"Oh, right," she responded lamely.
He continued typing away for a moment, and Usagi stood next to him awkwardly.
She didn't want to leave him. Even though this would probably go down as the weirdest not-date she'd ever been on. But he wasn't making any moves to keep going, and she began to resign herself to the fact that maybe she had been the only one to feel that crazy spark.
"Well-"
"Do you live close by here?"
They talked at the same time, and she noticed his eyes were wide, reflecting the bright neon colors of Shibuya Crossing.
Usagi smiled in relief. "Not too far, just over in Roppongi."
"Roppongi, huh? Not too shabby, Odango," he said, smiling back at her.
"Well, it's a tiny apartment that I share with a friend, and I eat a lot of instant ramen, so…" she trailed off with a sigh.
"But it's home, right?"
He was definitely right about that. "That it is."
Mamoru stuck his hands in his pockets, and let out a heaving breath. It was almost as if he was nervous about something, though what she couldn't put her finger on.
"Well, you said you like long walks, so," he said looking off in the general direction she would need to go. "Want to walk with me?"
She smiled even more brightly. "I do. But you have to talk to me," she admonished, playfully slapping his arm again.
"And you have to stop hitting me," he said back, reaching out to tug one of her long streamers of hair.
She stuck her tongue out at him, and giggled in delight when he returned the gesture. "Truce?"
"Truce."
They began their walk and Usagi had to admit she felt much lighter.
They made fun of the tourists snapping endless pictures of Hachiko, and Usagi enjoyed pressing her face into the window of the giant Starbucks across the square, gawking at some of the same tourists who were no doubt fawning over the dog statue before.
Talking came easier now, while they walked on into some of the less crowded areas of Shibuya, and Usagi found herself asking him about his practice and his daily life in Osaka.
He answered her freely, but she sensed it was still guarded somehow. His hands remained stuffed in his pockets, his lanky legs taking long, effortless strides. Mamoru was every bit the eligible bachelor doctor stereotype she'd seen in movies, and it made her ache in places that hadn't in a long time.
When they passed a brightly lit arcade, something caught her eye.
"Oh. My. God." she cried, stopping dead in her tracks.
"What?!" Mamoru asked, his voice sounding worried.
"It's perfect," Usagi said wistfully, pressing her nose against a window for the second time in less than twenty minutes.
Mamoru moved to stand by her, a confused expression marring his near perfect features. "What exactly am I looking at, here?"
Usagi rolled her eyes, pointing now. "There!" she said, willing him to understand.
It was his turn to roll his eyes. "Usagi, you could be pointing at any number of things-"
"The rabbit, baka!" she interrupted, and smiled when his eyes finally fell on what had gotten her so excited.
It was the absolute perfect, soft, stuffed, fluffy bunny, sitting inside one of the main crane games inside the arcade. It reminded her of the tiny rabbits that adorned her comforter at home, and she had to have it.
"I need it," she announced with a tone that would lead any stranger who happened to overhear her believe this was a life or death situation. "Come on," she said, grabbing Mamoru's hand and dragging him inside.
He followed with a bewildered look on his face that made her giggle. "Seriously?" he asked.
"Listen, pal," Usagi said, noticing a flash in his eyes at the casualness of her word choice. "You're in this deep, ok? You had dinner with me. You asked to walk me home. You signed up for me, and I am NOT," her voice raised dangerously in an instant, "going home without that bunny!"
"I don't really recall signing up for anything..." he said, trailing off at the withering look she gave him, hands on her hips, foot tapping impatiently, and he surrendered quickly with a sigh.
With another roll of his eyes, he opened the door to the arcade, and gestured with his arm. "After you."
She beamed and practically skipped inside, beelining straight for the machine with the prize she wanted.
Rubbing her hands together in glee, she began to plan her strategy. The bunny wasn't that close to the front, and was surrounded by numerous other stuffed creatures, but if she could knock it with the claw enough to loosen it, she could probably use the brute force of her hips to make sure it fell into a place where it could be easily grabbed.
She didn't realize she was frozen in thought until she heard Mamoru's voice from behind her.
"Uh...do you want me to...try and get it for you?"
Usagi whipped around, her long streamers of hair slapping him in the chest as she turned, not realizing he was so close to her.
"What?!" she scoffed. "No!"
He took a step back from the force of her response.
She flinched at her own ridiculousness, forgetting just how brash she could be sometimes, when to people who knew her well.
She let a soft smile play on her lips. "Did I not mention I'm an arcade game master?"
Relief spread through her when he smiled back. "No, I don't believe you did."
"Then watch the master at work," she said, turning back, and reaching into her purse to dig out some coins.
Her first pass with the claw went just as she'd hoped, and she let out a whoop when the claw gently knocked the rabbit, jiggling it loose just a bit.
"I thought you said you were good at this?"
She whipped around again. "Strategy, Chiba!"
He held his hands up in surrender, and she rolled her eyes at him before turning back to her work.
Grabbing the corner of the machine, she spread her arms out on either side, her fingers digging into the glass, gripping them as hard as she could.
"Usagi, what are you doing?" he asked incredulously, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Shhhh!" she hissed. "I need concentration!"
"You need concentration or you need to concentrate? Those are very different things, Odango," he drawled while she braced herself for the first impact of her hip bone against the machine, grateful that she'd decided to wear a romper today instead of a skirt, so she could straddle her new-found nemesis with ease.
Well, that and it made her ass look amazing. Or so Minako had told her.
She collided with the claw machine, once, twice, three times, grunting every time her hip came into contact with the hard metal. She knew she was making a spectacle of herself, but dammit, she really wanted that bunny.
It was then that she heard him laugh.
A deep, genuine, beautiful laugh that made her entire body feel warm and smooth, and the sound made every awkward moment of the day completely worth it.
Usagi turned her head towards Mamoru and smiled. He was laughing so freely it made her feel strangely free herself, and the light in his eyes made her breath catch. They were practically sparkling with happiness and...affection? She couldn't really tell, but she hoped she could find out as soon as she managed to get this stuffed bunny in her grasp.
He was still laughing at her as she hit the machine a fourth time with such force, Usagi managed to knock her prize down from it's perch, where it landed perfectly inside the bin.
Feeling very pleased with herself at only having to use one set of coins, she reached in and pulled out the bunny, sighing as her fingers connected with the softness of its fur.
She spun around with a smug look at her face. "I'm waiting," she said, clutching the rabbit to her chest, placing her chin on the crown of its head between the overly large ears.
Mamoru raised an eyebrow at her, but the mirth didn't leave his eyes one bit. "For?"
"You to admit that I am the master, of course," she said matter of factly.
He laughed heartily again for a few long moments. "Alright, you win. You are the master."
Usagi beamed up at him, his good mood infectious. "Ready to go?" he asked, and she nodded.
She sighed in contentment when the cool night air hit her face, and as they started to walk along again, she heard him ask from beside her, "So, what's its name?"
"Huh?" she responded, confused.
He pointed towards the large rabbit she was carrying. "Your new friend there."
"What makes you think I name my stuffed animals?"
The left side of his mouth quirked up. "You just strike me as someone who would."
Her eyes widened. "You mean, you didn't?"
Mamoru stiffened a bit. "I didn't have many stuffed animals growing up. The one I had was a dog named, 'dog.'"
"Oh, my god," she said, horrified. "What sad, deprived childhood did you have?"
He kept his eyes straight ahead, his jawline set and rigid. "You don't even want to know."
Of course, she did, but Usagi could tell this wasn't an overwhelming awkward not first date kind of subject, so she let it go.
"Well, we're changing that now," she said, running up ahead of him walking backwards to face him so he'd be forced to look at her. "You have to help me name her."
"Usagi!" he cried suddenly, reaching out to grab her arm and wrench her out of the way.
"What?!" she responded, looking around frantically. She'd apparently been ready to collide with a lamppost. "Oh, sorry."
He let out a breath of air. "Just stop trying to get yourself hurt, ok?" he said, continuing to walk on.
"If I do, will you help me name her?" she asked, jogging to catch back up with him.
She noticed he didn't roll his eyes, only smiled. "Sure, Odango. What are your thoughts?"
Usagi looked down at the soft bundle in her arms. "Hmm, maybe Chibi-Usa?"
He laughed. "Named after you, I suppose?"
She blushed, trying to rack her brain for the perfect response. She finally came up with, "Technically every rabbit is named after me."
Mamoru was still laughing at her, and she couldn't bring herself to be mad at the sound. "I think it's much more likely that you're named after the rabbits, but we'll go with yours."
"I knew you'd see it my way," she said. "What do you think her name should be."
He reached out and tenderly rubbed his long fingers on one of the bunny's ears, and she found herself wishing he'd do the same to her skin. "Chibi-Usa is fitting, but I think her name should be something softer. More like the feel of the fur."
His voice was so soft and velvety, Usagi felt that growingly familiar warmth pooling in her. "Like what?" she whispered.
She swallowed hard when his eyes met hers. They were still walking, but she had no idea if they were still on the right path, or getting ready to walk into the river, and she didn't care either way.
"Usako," he said after a long moment, his gaze never wavering. It didn't sound like a name for the stuffed rabbit. It sounded like he was addressing her. Like it was a name for her.
She could feel her cheeks burning, and she broke her eyes away from his. At least she knew now that they were still walking in the right direction.
The quiet between them was so charged, Usagi wasn't sure what to do. She had been attracted to people before, but this was...another level entirely. If she listened to what her body was telling her to do, she'd be tackling him in the street.
And she found herself imagining all the things she would do to him if her fantasy was real, with her mouth on his as she pressed him against the little flower shop window for all to see. He'd squeeze his hands around her waist, fingers trailing over her ribcage, as she raked her tongue across his teeth, causing him to moan her name, "Usako," into her mouth, and she'd sigh, "Mamo-chan," at the feel of his hands brushing against the sides of her breasts.
"Earth to Usagi," Mamoru's voice filtered in through her thoughts.
"Sorry, what?"
"I asked what you were doing in Osaka, before?" he repeated, eyes soft and almost concerned.
She had to look away from him again as the dirty, enticing thoughts returned. "Oh, my friend Makoto just opened up her own bakery there, and I went to help her out for a couple of weeks while she got started."
"Oh, really? What's the name of her place?"
"The Rosebud Cafe," she replied, suddenly missing her warm, motherly Mako-chan so much her heart ached. She would know what to do in this weird situation. She would make sure Usagi was taken care of.
"I'll have to check it out," he said, and Usagi nodded her head vigorously.
"Oh, absolutely! Mako-chan is the best cook ever. She makes these sugar cookies that I swear are better than sex," she babbled without thinking.
Mamoru sputtered next to her, coughing. "That's...specific," he said, and she could see how bright red his cheeks were, even in the dim light around them.
She felt her heart skip a beat at the sight. "You'll just have to go find out for yourself."
He looked back towards her, eyes open and clear, but the pink on his skin still lingered. "I guess I will."
Usagi looked around her and startled a bit. They had arrived outside her apartment building, and her heart began to race, trying to think of ways she could extend this, make it keep going, make him want to stay.
"This is me," she said quietly, her tone deflated despite her best efforts to keep it light.
"Oh," was all he said, and she could tell he was nervous about something, though what she couldn't say.
They were at an impasse again, a long silence threatening to drown out all her favorite moments from her time with him.
Be brave, Usagi!
She'd listened to her inner voice more than once that day, and it had led her here, after all. She decided to listen one more time.
"Do you want to come up?"
"Could I maybe come see your place?"
They spoke at the same time in a rush.
A sly smile lit Usagi's face. "You want to come up to my apartment?"
He blushed and shook his head, flustered. "No, I'm sorry, I just-"
Usagi walked closer to him, setting her stuffed rabbit gently on the tops of her shoes. She reached up and grabbed him by the lapels of his suit jacket, bringing his face down so their noses touched.
"I want you to come up to my apartment."
His eyes were huge at her words. She could barely tell where his pupils ended and his irises began. He nodded in agreement, and Usagi released him for a brief moment, bending down to pick up her newest toy, before she grabbed his hand, and led him inside.