HALF I NEVER KNEW
CHAPTER 12
Usagi entered the Crown Game Center with a huge
grin on her face. She survived the arcade, looking
for a particular someone. After not spotting them,
a little disappointment settled in. Why wasn't he
here? He was usually there at this time of day. He
would sit at a stool and sip a cup of steaming
coffee, while having a chat with Motoki.
She walked over to Motoki, who was sweeping the
floor. "Hey," she greeted.
He smiled at her. "Hello, Usagi, it is nice to see
you."
"Have you seen Mamoru around? He comes here
after class, right?" She tried to make it sound like
she was only curious. The truth was she longed
to see him. She wanted to find out what their kiss
meant to him.
Motoki shook his head. "He may have a huge test coming
up. He spends a lot of his time studying then."
"Oh." Her heart sunk. She would have to wait a whole
day to talk with him.
Then her eyes lit up. "Does he like to go to the library
to study?"
"Um, sometimes."
Usagi perked up. "Thanks, Motoki." She hurried out of
the building in a rush.
Motoki watched in puzzlement. Strange girl, he thought.
Thenhe continued to sweep.
***********************************************
Usagi slowly walked into the library. It was so quiet.
Shesort of felt out of place.
She glanced around the place, trying to spot a dark head.
Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Usagi gasped and spun
around.
Minako stood there. She was holding a stack of books in her
arms. "Usagi, what are you doing here? This isn't your
type of thing."
Panic filled Usagi. She quickly grabbed a book off the
nearest shelf. "Researching for school. Need to get my
grades up," she stuttered.
Minako looked unconvinced. She lifted an eyebrow. She
pointed to the hardback in Usagi's grasp. "On The Spark
of Love?"
"Well, uh. . . you know teachers. They run out
of ideas for projects." Usagi sweat-dropped.
A smile spread on Minako's mouth. "Come on, tell
me why you're really here," she instructed.
Usagi gave up. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"
Now we're getting somewhere, Minako thought. She
laid her books on World War 1 for History class
down on a table. Then turned back to her friend.
"Senshi's honor," she replied.
"OKay." Usagi leaned toward Minako. "I came here
looking for Mamoru."
Minako let out a sqeal. "I knew it! I knew you
liked him!"
A librarian passing by glared at Minako. She
pointed to a sign that said "Quiet Please."
Minako shut up.
"All right, I like him. We kissed yesterday and
I. . ."
"You kissed!?" Minako seemed so excited. It was
as if it had happened to her and not Usagi.
Usagi rolled her eyes. "Ssh. Yeah. I want to know
what it was all about."
"I can tell you what it was about," said Minako.
"True love."
Usagi shook her head. Love? This was the guy who
called her Odango Atama. But Usagi couldn't deny
the pang in her chest whenever she thought about
him. She desperately hoped he felt the same way.
She placed The Spark of Love back in its place.
"I'm going to go now. Apparently Mamoru isn't
here," she said.
"Okay. See ya! Good luck on finding him," Minako
said.
Usagi nodded and headed for the library exit.
**************************************
Mamoru was having trouble concentratin. He kept
thinking about the night before. What was it all
about?
He was very confused. Why had he kissed Usagi?
A fourteen year-old.
Oh don't fool yourself, he thought. He knew why.
Because she was the most kindest girl he had
ever met. Because she brought a smile to his
face. Because she was beautiful. And, because
she did something miraculous to him whenever she
came near. His insides seemed to twist and turn.
Mamoru closed his textbook. Somehow the pancreas
didn't seem interesting anymore.
He sighed. Then he gathered his things and began
to leave. He was heading out the door, when
someone bumped into him.
"Ooops, sorry," an angelic voice muttered.
His heart skipped a beat. Usagi was in front of
him. He smiled, not knowing what to say,
Usagi grinned back. She seemed relieved. "Mamoru,
I've been wanting to talk to you," she informed.
He didn't even ask why she was in the library of
all places. He was too happy to see her. "We can
talk on the way to my motorcycle," he said.
They headed outside. "About yesterday. . ." she
began.
Fear filled him. Oh no! Was she going to tell
him that the kiss meant nothing? That it was
a joke? A dare? For a thrill?
Mamoru came to a stop before his motorcycle. He
zipped up his bookbag and then swung it onto
his back.
"What. . . what was it exactly?" Usagi went on.
Mamoru couldn't make eye-contact. "Uh, what
did it mean to you?"
Usagi's eyes fell to the ground. "Well. . ."
Her face became slightly red.
He couldn't resist any longer. Mamoru pulled
her close. He crushed his lips to hers. She
was shocked. Her eyes widened.
Both of them were breathless afterward. They
gazed at each other.
"Mamo-chan," Usagi muttered.
The name sounded so right. He decided to try
his own out. "Usako," he whispered.
Then they were kissing again. Things felt
perfect. This was the way it was supposed
to be. Before was meaningless. Now was
everything.
