Beta'd by AnxietyAvocado

"Let me be your girl" by Aiha Higurashi

"I'm here!"
"Coming up!"

Usagi dropped her cell phone in her dress pocket and pressed the elevator button while practically bouncing in place. She readjusted the straps of her large tote purse on her shoulder as it was weighed down with more items than normal—namely a bikini and a bottle of sunblock. There was obviously so much to talk about that couldn't be contained to just a meal, so she figured it wouldn't hurt to plan for morning brunch mimosas to turn into afternoon poolside daiquiris. The last real face-to-face conversation she and Seiya truly had was at the nightclub, and Usagi felt like they had more years to catch up on.

When she finally reached the door of their room, she checked the straps of her sky blue linen sundress to ensure they weren't twisted. Also, she gave one last check inside her purse to confirm she brought both the top and bottom of her bikini, then took a breath to calm and prepare herself.

Right after knocking, she heard the crescendo of footsteps, and then the door opened to reveal Taiki with a full face of makeup in a purple silky bra and underwear set beneath an open robe.

"Hello, Usagi. Come in." She smiled and stepped aside with the door.

Usagi's whole body blushed while being rendered frozen for a few seconds at the sight. Did Taiki know her robe was open? Though she remembered when Seiya mentioned they got naked all the time in front of each other, she was surprised such confidence extended to possible strangers.

She hurried inside to limit the chance of a passerby having a peek, even taking it upon herself to close the door. "Hi, Taiki! Good to see you!"

"Hey, Usagi!" Yaten called out from the kitchen, sitting on a stool at the island in a cami and her underwear with her face also completely made-up. A small glass of a red bubbly beverage sat in front of her.

"Hi, Yaten!" Usagi beamed as she waved.

"Did you want a drink?" Asked Taiki as she walked over to the kitchen, her own glass of red bubbly liquid sitting across from Yaten.

"Sure, what are you having?" Usagi removed her strappy wedge sandals by the door and placed her purse on the dining room table before walking up to the island. She also looked around as she heard the faint sounds of music, wondering where it was coming from.

"Cranberry and champagne. Mimi got us hooked." Yaten answered with a wink.

Usagi furrowed her brow. "Mimi?"

Taiki rolled her eyes while she grabbed the champagne and juice from the refrigerator and nudged the door shut with her bare foot. "She means Minako."

She nodded as she realized it was so obvious. "Oh! I never thought about that as a nickname."

"Don't worry, Minako hates it, too." Taiki shook her head as she grabbed a glass from the cabinet.

"Well, she's been talking about 'rebranding' herself or whatever, and Mimi is cute!" Yaten had some bitterness to her voice.

"For a dog, maybe."

She scoffed and flipped her hair before she lifted her glass to her lips. "Whatever. I just need to get Seiya on board with it and she'll like it. She always listens to Seiya." Then she took a substantial gulp of her drink.

Usagi's heart dropped at that statement, awakening the sleeping anxiety inside that told her she had some catching up to do. Once Taiki placed the fresh drink in front of her, she wrapped both sets of fingers around the glass, her eyes fixated on the bubbles floating to the top and aimlessly within, reminding her of her prison of depression and confusion.

"Um, so where is Seiya anyway?"

"She's in her room getting ready." Taiki cocked her head in the direction of Seiya's room. "She should be done by now if you want to go check on her."

Usagi looked over, noticing the door was wide open and blushed at the thought of Seiya dressing. Maybe she should wait, or… maybe… she could just be really, really careful when she approached the entrance…

With her beverage in hand, she strode toward the room, the music becoming louder and clearer for her to figure out it was an acoustic guitar playing. Usagi stopped once she reached the edge of the threshold and cautiously leaned over to have half an eye peeking into the room.

Though Seiya wasn't dressed, she was clothed in a black satin robe and her face glowed with a fresh layer of makeup. Her torso was covered by an acoustic guitar as she lay on her bed atop the covers, her black hair splayed in all directions over the pillow. Usagi's eyes then began tracing down her legs—while one was folded up and pushed the skirt of her short robe higher on her hip, the other laid straight down.

The moment was made ten times sexier when she realized Seiya was the one performing the music, strumming a slow, relaxing melody with flawlessness. Her long fingers moved with such precision and yet seemed so weightless on the strings while singing indiscernible lyrics at a whispering volume without a crack or rasp to her voice. Usagi's body had unconsciously moved to the middle of the doorway in order to absorb every note and chord.

And she was unable to look away, completely submerged and taken by this image of Seiya. It felt like she was viewing another side of her no one had ever seen. This was Seiya in her happy place—a place where she could hide and be free to release all the things she had to hide otherwise. Her emotions could be projected as a song to reach anyone in the universe who would listen. Or, maybe, even someone right in front of her whom she was yet to notice.

Breaking both women out of their reverie, Seiya felt her phone vibrate by her hip and paused her playing to check it. Usagi watched her thumb move around on the screen before her eyes focused on reading, her mouth then breaking out into a giggle. She then bit her lip and began to type out a reply with both thumbs.

Usagi recalled Seiya's laughter during their phone conversation from yesterday, noting how it for sure sounded different; it was cautious and friendly, and not so sensual. And she knew it was Motoki who sent the text… who else could make her react like that? Usagi felt that familiar jealous pull in her stomach rise to her chest.

The Starlight finished sending her reply and swiped a few more times, her eyes now focused on something for half a moment before widening in alarm. She released a gasp, followed by a curt "shit!" and grabbed the guitar neck to move the instrument to the other side of the bed. Swinging her legs over to stand up, she began to frantically type out a text until she looked up to meet Usagi's gaze with a jump.

"Odango!" Seiya sighed out her name as she put a hand to her chest, a relieved smile sneaking on her face. "I'm so sorry. I just saw your text."

Taking a few steps inside the room, Usagi mimicked Seiya's gesture. "It's okay! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"All good." Seiya chuckled as she tossed her phone on the bed and grabbed for her guitar. Her movements then happened to create a loose fold in her robe, revealing the edge of the inner cup of her light pink bra. Usagi couldn't help but stare, the unexpectedness of her wearing such a delicate color causing the warmth in her cheeks to extend to other places in her body. However, either feeling Usagi's eyes or the cold draft of the room, Seiya tugged her robe closed while she set the instrument down in a corner of the wall and dresser.

"Your playing was beautiful, by the way!" Usagi lifted her shoulders to emphasize her perkiness.

"Thank you! I'm a little rusty, though. Actually very rusty."

"Not at all! It was beautiful. And your singing was just…" Usagi held her breath, trying to find words, but the only option that came to mind was, 'pink bra' over and over. Seiya looked at her as if her confidence was riding on what she was going to say, her pale lips parting in anticipation.

"...Amazing… it was beautiful." Able to pull out some standard, albeit sincere, compliments from another part of her brain, Usagi's eyes twinkled in pure mesmerization.

Seiya smiled as she flipped her dark hair over her shoulder, which was taken halfway up in a truss of waves at the crown of her head. "You're too sweet, Odango."

"I promise that's not the cranberry juice talking." She winked.

Seiya laughed, adding another point on the scoreboard for Usagi in her mind. Still, it wasn't that kittenish giggle like earlier.

Seiya then walked over to the closet and picked out some items of clothing before heading toward the bathroom. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll be out in a minute." The door was then closed behind her.

Why did Usagi think it was weird that she went into the bathroom to change? Or at least, it felt unlike her. However, she decided to keep that question to herself as she took a sip of her drink and a seat at the edge of the bed. Yaten and Taiki had disappeared from the kitchen, leaving her to sit in silence and take out her cell phone in boredom.

However, Seiya's own cell phone took it upon itself to break her aimless distraction. Usagi looked over to it once she heard the vibration, noticing its screen was facing upward and displaying previews of received texts… and that they were from Motoki.

She heard the sound of hairspray, causing her to look over at the door for the potential of its knob twisting. When she continued to only hear more spraying, she pocketed her phone and leaned over while skimming the base of her palm over the comforter. Managing to get a hold of the lip of the case under the tip of her fingernail, she then dragged the phone slowly toward herself.

Tapping the screen on, she only got as far as to read, "Did you want me to—"

The doorknob clicked. Never in her life had she moved so fast, nearly projecting the device off the bed when she tried to slide it back to its original placement.

Seiya emerged from the bathroom dressed in a pink chiffon sleeveless top, half-tucked into the white trousers which were cuffed at the bottom. The curls on her head increased in size due to the hairspray as small silver hoops shimmered from behind her thick raven locks.

Usagi was starstruck. "Wow, you look so nice!"

"Thanks." Seiya smiled as she grabbed at her shirt. "I don't usually wear pink but I've been so drawn to it lately."

"It looks great on you." Usagi nodded with fervor as she took a couple of substantial gulps of her beverage to calm her racing heart from her failed spying attempt. "The style actually reminds me of something Haruka would wear."

Seiya cocked her head. "Haruka?"

"You know—Haruka. She's with Michiru, the violinist."

The memories hit her like a brick to the face, evident from her widening eyes and her mouth and head lowering in insulted realization.

"Oh my god, I'm changing."

"No!" Usagi bolted to her feet and toward Seiya, waving her free hand in protest. "Don't change! I meant it in a good way!"

Seiya twisted her pink lips, her blue eyes squinting in playfulness. "You're lucky it will take me too long to pick out a new outfit anyway."

"Good." Usagi wrinkled her nose as a victorious display. "But you look good, Seiya. Like it's an outfit you would see on Instagram or something."

"You think so? Should I post it?"

Usagi dropped her jaw to feign shock as she began to brush her fingers through her hair. "Oh? You… have a profile?"

"Yeah! Minako set it up for me."

"Oh! Well… I didn't know that. How fun." She did her best to come off nonchalant as she looked away and took a dainty sip of her drink.

"I'm still trying to get used to it. It's kind of crazy to think that people like looking at pictures of my food."

"Oh yeah! Mine is like, ninety-percent food."

"Really? We tried to look for you but Minako said you deleted yours—"

"No, no! Just deactivated!" Usagi perked up, correcting her with an unbending smile and finger. "It was advised by my therapist but I'm feeling better now! So now it's all reactivated and up again!" She grabbed her phone from her pocket and her thumb became unstoppable.

"That's good. I'm glad to hear you're better, Odango—"

"Followed! Now you follow me!"

Seiya was both charmed and confused by her eagerness, but nonetheless, she of course would oblige her. However, she wouldn't really be given the choice anyway when the bunhead took it upon herself to grab Seiya's phone from the bed and hand it to her.

But then a memory had hit Usagi as she looked at her pink shirt again. "I have a surprise for you! One second!" She placed her beverage on the dresser and ran out of the room.

"Okay…" While she raised an eyebrow in curious anticipation, Seiya continued in her assignment, and by the time she tapped 'Follow,' Usagi had returned with her arm behind her back.

"Go sit!" She commanded as she pointed with an empty hand at the bed.

Slipping her phone into her back pocket, Seiya obeyed without question. Usagi then joined her, keeping whatever was in her other hand behind her back strategically hidden.

Usagi gave her second command. "Close your eyes."

Seiya obeyed again, her mouth spreading into a smile.

She gave her third command. "Hold out your hand."

The anticipation at its peak, Seiya released a snort, wondering what else Usagi was going to make her do. Still, she humored the bunhead and held up her palm, not having to wait long to feel a small, soft, and weightless mass on her hand.

"Open!"

The Starlight parted her eyelids and gasped as she stared into the beady eyes of the pink teddy bear keychain from their date back in high school.

"Oh my god, you still have this?" The ends of her mouth tugged into a smile.

"Yes! I couldn't believe it either! I found him yesterday!" Usagi beamed and bounced up and down on the bed.

Seiya used her other hand to rub the bear, tracing the tiny crescent moon still glued down to its chest. "It's actually bigger than I remember."

"Yeah, I think I'm going to put him on my keychain." Usagi leaned close to get a better view of the trinket, her cheek grazing the front of Seiya's shoulder. While Seiya wasn't wearing any perfume, Usagi picked up on a mixture of floral soap and hairspray that was ever so intoxicating.

However, what she didn't pick up on was a response or any movement from Seiya, so she continued talking. "But on the other hand, he's so clean, and if I put him on my keychain, he'll get dirty. I'm kind of torn." She used a finger to poke and nudge the bear.

Seiya gulped before she shifted her body to create more distance between them and extended her arm to offer the keychain back to her.

"You should probably put it away."

Usagi grabbed the bear, her face falling into dejection. "Oh… really?"

"Yeah," Seiya scratched her head with her face in a grimace. "It's probably for the best."

"Why?"

"You know… 'cause people are nosy and they'll ask questions about it."

"What questions?"

"Questions… like… 'where did you get it?' or… 'who gave it to you?' or something." She released a titter. "I guess you can always just say Mamoru gave it to you."

Usagi peered at Seiya, genuinely unable to follow her logic. "Why would I do that?"

"So people don't think badly of you or anything… that you went out with some person other than Mamoru."

"Well, the people who matter will understand." She had no hesitancy in her voice. "You were just being a good friend."

Seiya looked down and tucked some hair behind her ear, taking a few moments to respond. "Do you really think I was a good friend?"

Usagi was literally taken aback by that question, her head jolting backward as if she just took a hit. "Of course. Why wouldn't you be?"

"I just… I know I was such a pushy little punk back then."

"Well… yeah," She shrugged her shoulders with a sideways smirk, trying to lighten the mood. But she immediately reeled it back in once she noticed Seiya's expression and shoulders still hung heavy. "But I wouldn't have gone out with you if I didn't want to."

"Well, maybe I made you feel like you had no choice—"

"No! Of course not!" Her brow creased as she shook her head. "You never made me do anything." Using both hands to squeeze the bear, she brought it up to her chest. "What's wrong, Seiya?"

She sighed, seemingly annoyed with herself. "It's nothing. I've just been kind of reminiscing lately and trying to see things from a different perspective…"

"Well, stop!" Usagi gave her fourth command, her eyes glistening. "It's a good memory for me. Nothing or no one will change that. Not even you."

Seiya was finally out of words and began to reach a hand out toward the bunhead. However, she immediately retracted it, putting it to work brushing her hair instead. "I'm sorry, Odango. I wasn't trying to argue or upset you."

In a move of impulsiveness and a response to her emotional overload, she threw her body at Seiya to take her in a hug, sniffling in the crook of her neck. "You were a good friend… and… are a good friend." She said the last part as if to convince herself of it as well.

Seiya's hands rested on top of Usagi's shoulders with the heaviest hesitancy and the lightest of squeezes and spoke with her head craned upward. "Odango… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset."

"It's not just you. I'm also really, really hungry." Usagi whimpered. And right on cue, her stomach growled.

Seiya giggled. "Well, I can definitely solve that problem." She pulled back to look into her glossy eyes. "Let's head down."

While nodding with enthusiasm, Usagi used the back of her finger to catch her immature tears before they fell and took her makeup with them. She then stood up to join Seiya who began walking toward the doorway.

"I'm going to see if Yaten and Taiki are ready."

Usagi sniffled. "For what?"

Seiya turned around, her mouth shaped into a confused smile. "For brunch."

Her stomach, heart, and jaw dropped. She didn't mention it being a group thing… right? Or at least, even if it wasn't explicitly said, it was explicitly implied... wasn't it? Usagi knew she had to act quickly before the disappointment was too apparent for Seiya to ignore and so she nodded and squeezed the hell out of the poor bear to maintain composure.

"Oh… oh yeah! I… didn't know they were coming—if they were coming."

"They wouldn't miss a chance at brunch." Seiya teased with a roll of her eyes before leaving the room.

A few moments went by when Usagi stayed in place, trying to stay positive by reminding herself that she still had her chance with poolside daiquiris.

As if finding out last-minute Yaten and Taiki were horning in on her quality time with Seiya wasn't enough, Usagi ascended to another plane of disbelief at the sight of Ami, Rei, Makoto, and Minako already sitting at a table in a private room. On the inside, she was screaming, waiting to explode. She had to wonder if Seiya was pulling a prank on her or maybe it was all a bad dream, but Seiya wasn't laughing, nor did the subtle act of pinching her arm result in her waking up.

While sounding off a series of screeches, they all shot up out of their chairs and circled around the blonde to shower her with excitement and hugs.

"We're so glad you made it!"

"Wow! Your dress makes your eyes look so pretty!"

"Oh my God, I love your shoes!"

Ami, the last in line on the greeting train, came through with her observant nature. "Are you okay, Usagi? You look surprised."

Usagi nodded, her eyes wide trying too hard to show enthusiasm. "Yes, well... I'm surprised... that... you all were able to make it!"

She smiled and grabbed her hands. "Yes, Minako mentioned you even reached out to Seiya yourself to plan this out."

"Did she?" Usagi squeezed Ami's hands with a smiling wince.

"We were all glad to hear it! It sounds like you're doing better! And you look better!"

Damn Ami for knowing what to say; while her words warmed Usagi's heart, it also ripped it apart.

Just be happy, Usagi. You can get through this. You still have daiquiris to look forward to.

"Oh yes. One day at a time..." Though, this day couldn't have been any longer, and it was still morning.

By the time they parted to find their places at the table, the Starlights were already seated with Seiya positioned at the head. Minako had shuffled over to claim her spot that just so happened to be right by her and patted the empty seat on her other side to coax Usagi to it. Of course, the bunhead couldn't help but shoot the red-bowed blonde a stink eye at the back of her head as she pulled the chair out with aggression.

It was a unanimous order of three carafes of mimosas to quench their thirst and a couple of baskets of muffins to whet their appetite. Usagi wanted to call on Seiya to see if she was still interested in splitting her burger, but everyone was so loud, and she didn't want to deal with possibly being unheard or having to repeat herself. Accepting her fate, Usagi resorted to ordering the French toast for herself.

Once the waiter walked off with their menus and orders, Seiya raised her flute toward the table.

"Ladies, thank you for coming today. We're so excited to have you here with us and we're so grateful that you have welcomed us back. You are all such wonderful friends."

Yaten and Taiki then raised their glasses as well, echoing Seiya's sentiments, and prompted an eruption of "aww"s from each of the Earth guardians. Five more flutes went up and all moved inward and to the sides to clink their glasses with a resounding "cheers!" Usagi raised herself slightly out of her chair to ensure she would be able to clink Seiya's.

"But… there's more we need to say," Seiya added as she cleared her throat. She rested her mimosa back down on the table and clasped her hands together, seemingly collecting the courage within to continue speaking. "We also brought you out to discuss why we're actually here."

All went quiet in worried curiosity, their full attention on Seiya.

"We… need help. Kinmoku is in trouble, and—"

"Of course!" Usagi piped up as if it was involuntary, causing all eyes to shift to her as Seiya's mouth was left hanging. While the stares were overwhelming, she met all of them, blushing at her boldness.

"I mean, it's no question. Of course we will help you."

There was still only silence in response from everyone while the Starlights all looked at each other with tentative excitement.

"Thank you, Usagi. We appreciate it, but," Yaten began. "You haven't heard the details yet."

Usagi shrugged. "I mean… I'm not exactly busy." Her head bobbed with a self-deprecating chuckle. "I know I can only speak for myself, but for whatever you need, I'm in." She looked over at Seiya, who was looking back in glowing appreciation. In Usagi's mind, it was indicative that she had won the ultimate prize of her approval.

Brunch continued on. The Starlights explained their situation, answered questions, and went on tangents. The carafes were deceivingly always filled and contributed to making conversation louder with laughter. The food was too delectable to keep to oneself as utensils, plates, and napkins were traded and extended across the table in every direction. Usagi allowed the alcohol to relax her mind and enjoy herself, but of course, anticipated when she was going to bring up her post-brunch pool plans to Seiya. She also couldn't help but notice that Seiya was on her phone texting half the time, as did the rest of the table.

"So... who do you keep texting, Seiya?" Makoto raised an eyebrow from the other head seat.

Seiya looked up from her phone, contending with the weight of the suspicious stares. Though not one to crack too easily under pressure, she placed her device facedown on the table and grabbed the stem of her flute with her nose in the air and her tongue smacking.

"My secret lover."

They all screeched in response, knowing exactly who had that codename. That is, all except Usagi.

"Whatever! Motoki isn't a secret!'" Waving her hands about, Rei almost smacked Ami in the face.

"And your sex isn't so secret, either," Taiki said with a shudder.

"Don't be ashamed, Seiya. Motoki is some good stock!" Minako gestured with a raised index finger to all the Earth guardians. "We all wanted to bang him at one point!"

With a hand on her cheek, Seiya blushed from all the attention. "It's not that I'm ashamed. We're just not serious."

"Yeah, you're so not serious that you see each other every other day." Rolling her eyes, Yaten popped a piece of fruit in her mouth.

Usagi downed the entirety of her full mimosa, wishing so hard for the conversation to end. What the hell was going on? How was everyone okay with this and knew all about it? For Seiya to have a crush on her, she was sure quick to call someone else her 'lover' and have loud sex. Usagi pinched herself again, which only reminded her again that this was all too real.

Daiquiris, daiquiris...

Once finished almost three hours later, everyone hugged out their goodbyes with each other until it was only Seiya, Taiki, Yaten, and Usagi left standing by the elevators.

"Usagi, we can't tell you how much we appreciate your willingness to do this." Taiki's violet hues were unwound and humble, on the verge of tears.

"Yes!" Yaten sniffled, completely descended into tears. She took Usagi in a tight hug that squeezed the air out of her. "Thank you for helping us."

Maybe it was due to her buzz, but Usagi wasn't the tiniest bit put off and wrapped her arms around the usually sassy Yaten. She knew this opportunity would take another twelve years to present itself again.

"Aww, Yaten. Don't cry! We will get through this together!"

"I know. But champagne always makes me cry." She let up on her hold to wipe her eyes.

Taiki then went in for a hug as well. "Thank you, Usagi."

Returning the embrace, her eyes closed to take in the moment with the usually serious Taiki as well. "You're welcome."

Once they parted, Usagi looked at Seiya expectantly, who made no gesture for her own hug. Her only movements consisted of slipping her fingers in her pants pockets.

"Thank you, Odango. There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said already, but we'll be in touch to plan everything."

Usagi nodded, her smile feeling more forced each second Seiya stayed in place. "Yes… anytime. You can get in touch anytime."

She winked and waved. "Perfect. Talk to you soon." She then began to walk away toward the elevator bank. Taiki and Yaten also said some parting words before following their leader.

Unnerved to an uncontainable level, Usagi reached out for Seiya's arm, grabbing it right above her elbow. While painless, the desperation in the pressure of her fingers was hard to ignore, and Seiya stopped and faced her with a confused expression.

"Seiya," Usagi wore a nervous smile as she lightly squeezed her arm. "Could I… ask you something?"

"Sure." Seiya tipped her chin toward Taiki and Yaten who were already waiting by the elevators. "Go ahead!" Her attention then returned to the bunhead. "Everything okay, Odango?"

Usagi didn't want to accept that this was the end of their day. The mimosas came through with some drawbacks, but what about daiquiris? There was still a chance to redeem the hangout in her mind, didn't Seiya feel the same? How could she be so quick to say goodbye, to get rid of her…? Nervous hands picked at the ends of her hair and she was suddenly too deep within her head to speak.

"Um…"

"Are you having second thoughts about Kinmoku?"

"No! Of course not. It's not that."

Seiya nodded, her eyes now especially curious. "Okay…"

A heavy sigh escaped her mouth before she smiled again to play her feelings off cool. "Are you busy this afternoon? I was thinking we could go to the pool. I brought my swimsuit with me!" She patted her purse. "We never got to talk about Motoki!"

Seiya furrowed her brow, her expression painted in painful apology. "Actually… I'm so sorry... I'm seeing Motoki in a little bit."

So that was really real—the teasing at the table wasn't just teasing, and Seiya really did prefer his company over hers. Now it makes sense why she wanted to get away so quickly, which Usagi felt like doing as well.

"Oh... wow... you both really are hitting it off."

"You're more than welcome to join us if you'd like—"

"Oh, no, no. We can't talk about Motoki if he's there… I don't want to impose." But she did want to impose—she wanted to intrude and bother and butt in and maybe even sidle Motoki into oncoming traffic. But only if Seiya insisted… only if she protested her weak refusal…

Instead, she just bit her lip and said, "Maybe next time our gathering can be at the pool."

Usagi smiled through the pain. How could she make it more obvious? Why isn't she getting it? "Yeah, okay, sounds good."

"Everything else okay?" Seiya couldn't help but pick up on something off in her energy.

"Yeah. It's just… the mimosas hitting me. I should probably go home anyway. Mamo is about to wake up."

"Alright. Be careful—"

"Yep. See you later. I'll text you." With a turn on her wedge heel and without a look back, Usagi darted for the exit.

She was home now.

She was home when she could be working on sunbathing and her buzz right now.

But no. Because of Motoki, she was here—home, alone, and drunk.

Maybe not alone, but Mamoru was still asleep, so it was the same thing.

As soon as the door clicked closed, she lost it—her composure, her confidence, the strength in her legs… She leaned against the door to slide down to the ground while tears also began to slide down her cheeks. Now that she was in the comfort of her home, she released the day's pent-up feelings of confusion, disappointment, and rejection as loud, sniveling sobs into the void. Her eyes burned as her body shook.

She felt like the biggest fool. It wasn't enough things simply didn't happen—things happened the exact opposite way she wanted them to. All her hopes and expectations weren't simply unmet but had completely crashed and burned, leaving no remnant of what once was or any survivors. Well, maybe Seiya and Motoki were the only ones left to walk away without a scratch, but with no regard for her lifeless remains. Minako by this point was filed away as a non-threat compared to the competition that was Motoki.

Why was trying to spend time with Seiya the hardest thing in the world? All Usagi wanted was to further reconnect. Seiya was the only person who understood her and whom she could rely on. Not only did Usagi need her during the panic attacks, but also for the fun times. And if she did give Seiya the impression she was only useful to calm her down, today was her trying to show that she thought there was more dimension to their friendship. But Seiya wasn't having it; she only saw Motoki as worthy of her alone time. And Usagi blamed herself for all of it, cursing herself for agreeing to set them up.

She hugged her knees to her chest in an attempt to muffle her cries—the tightness of her hold provided a level of comfort for the moment. Having already burned through the anxiety portion of the day's mental cycle, she was left with the exhausted emptiness of depression as her psyche slowly drowned in the familiar sea of hopelessness. If Seiya didn't want her, what was her purpose in life anymore? Her value as Usagi Tsukino would have no choice but to revert back to being tethered to her other identities. How sad was that?

"Usa?"

She jerked her head up, facing a sleepy, shirtless Mamoru standing before her in black boxer briefs. His eyes were squinty and stared at her through his thick eyelashes.

"Are you okay?"

It didn't matter that he was her husband, Usagi was mortified that he was seeing her like this and that she yelled into the void with someone sleeping in it. She began to wipe her face.

"Yes. I'm sorry, Mamo. Just… was drinking at brunch and… I got sad. I'm sorry I woke you up."

"It's fine. It's only thirty minutes until my alarm." He reached out to her. "I'll make us some coffee."

She accepted his hand as he pulled her up to her feet, though not without a small stumble. Usagi settled on the loveseat in the living room while Mamoru ambled into the kitchen to start the brewing process. Using every part of her fingers, she tried her best to clean up her face until Mamoru came over with two steaming cups in hand, offering her the one made with copious amounts of creamer and sugar.

He then took his place beside her, already sipping on his black coffee. "Was brunch fun?"

Usagi nodded, already deciding that she would avoid telling him any semblance of the truth. "Yeah. We had fun."

"Good. Did you settle things with Seiya?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Good." His nose disappeared into his cup again before he changed the subject. "Before I forget, I was thinking the other day that your birthday is coming up soon and we should do a beach trip. It's been a while since we've gone on vacation."

Usagi nodded to make up for her inexpressive face; she was too emotionally worn out to show any excitement. "Yeah, it has. That sounds like fun. We both really need it."

"I should be able to get a few days off. Since it falls on a Wednesday this year, we can go the weekend before. Leave on Thursday, come back Sunday."

"That works."

"Perfect. One of my coworkers has a house in Zushi. I'll ask him if it's available then."

At that moment, Usagi felt her phone vibrate from her dress pocket and she reached for it to check the notification; it was only Rei texting the mega-group chat. However, a different notification caught the bunhead's eye…

"_super_red liked your photo."

Usagi's heart rate spiked as the endorphins started working overtime in her brain. She tapped on the notification for several more banners of the same message to show. The joyous feeling was irrepressible to the point of tears—Seiya actually went on Instagram and proactively looked through her profile and liked seven photos… a couple of which took some scrolling to find. Seiya still liked her. She still wanted her. She was still thinking about her.

"Mamo… what do you think about inviting everyone on the trip?"

He raised an eyebrow, mostly directed at her sudden perkiness. "Everyone?"

"Well, just the girls and the Starlights." She pushed out her bottom lip in a pout. "Please, Mamo. They're not here for much longer."

A few seconds went by for him to think about it, which ended in a shrug. "I mean, it's your birthday. If that's what you want. I think Haruki's house has three bedrooms—"

"Thank you, Mamo! It is what I want!" Usagi laid her cup on the coffee table before pulling him into a hug, causing his coffee to almost spill. Though he was apprehensive of the potential pain of the hot beverage on his bare leg, he was glad to see her happy.

Her leg was folded up, her foot resting on the bed, and her cheek laid on her bare knee as she scrolled through a multi-year length photo feed on her phone. Even if it was a picture of cake or a flower, Seiya took her time to stare at them, like them, wondering what brought Usagi to take and upload the picture—was she with Mamoru at the time? Was she happy? Was she lonely? Did Seiya ever happen to cross her mind at that moment three years ago, or maybe that moment five years ago?

Their parting conversation left her heart and mind weighed down with regret and confusion. Usagi looked so hurt, she sounded so disappointed, but why would she be? Certainly, it wouldn't be because she was looking forward to being alone with her; because the last time they were alone, mistakes happened. Seiya didn't want to risk bringing up negative emotions for her again, nor did she want to risk losing control of herself emotionally and physically. Since they've been drinking all morning, the potential loss of her own inhibitions would be precarious at best, and only ruin everything. Usagi made her boundaries clear—Seiya was to keep her hands and words to herself, and they were better off to be chaperoned for their hangouts. The only explanation left for Usagi's behavior would be that maybe being champagne drunk made her act funny.

And at least Seiya had this newfound digital window into her life, filling the void in her heart for the time being.

Motoki then emerged from the bathroom, clad in a tee-shirt and colorful swim trunks. "Ready?"

She stood up from the bed, adjusting her black swimsuit coverup. "Ready!"