A Lonely Heart
Chapter 3: Budding Friendship
Usagi's feet gently touched the ground as she propelled herself higher in the air, swinging slowly back and forth on a swing at the playground just off the school grounds. Her gaze was focused on Mizuno Ami. Ami practically glowed with happiness. Her blue hair blew lightly in the wind as she walked along the sidewalk with her friends.
Usagi was close enough to hear parts of their conversation. One of Ami's friends moved in a little closer and gave her a smirk as she commented, "Ami! I have noticed your eye on the new guy at school!"
Ami blushed as she replied, "Have I been THAT obvious? Do you think that he noticed? I just hope he isn't dating Usagi. They seem to be so close!"
"There is no way that Usagi can be dating him! He's so cool! Usagi is only a brain and he could do better than that…by being with you! Hmm ...I've got it! The reason that Mamoru spends so much time with Usagi is because she is helping him with his homework." Another of Ami's friends proposed.
"Sara! That is so mean of you! Usagi seems really nice; she's just …quiet! I'm sure that Mamoru wouldn't spend time with anyone he didn't think was worthy of his time. And remember…they HAVE been spending a lot of time together. The only way to find out is to ask Usagi."
* She…she defended me… * Usagi smiled slightly as she slid off the swing. She stood up and began to walk towards home when two warm hands covered her eyes. Warm breath blew on her ear lightly as a voice teasingly asked, "Guess who?"
"Hmm…I don't know! A strange old man, perhaps?" Usagi replied with a smile, her eyes still covered.
"Guess again! Think tall, dark and handsome!"
"Now I definitely don't have any idea!"
The hands were removed quickly and Usagi turned around to see Mamoru clutching his chest and leaning against a tall tree. Sunlight filtered through the branches and glinted off Mamoru's dark hair. "Ouch! That hurts, Usagi!"
She laughed in response, her mirth causing her shoulders to shake. "I…I…knew. Knew it was…you…" She struggled to say between her laughter.
While Usagi controlled her laughter, Mamoru straightened up against the tree and looked around for where he had placed his book bag when he had decided to sneak up on Usagi.
"Calm now, Usagi?"
"Yes, thank you." She replied cheekily.
"I'm sorry to make you wait. Some members of the student council held me up. Then, the soccer team asked me to try out."
"Are you going to?"
"Yeah, I used to play when I was in the States."
"Well…I guess I'll forgive you! Plus, I found out a secret about you!" Usagi said teasingly as she walked away.
"What did you hear?"
"Nothing!"
Mamoru hurried to catch up with her, curious. "Come on! Tell me."
Usagi sighed, "Oh fine! Someone has a crush on you! But, she can't make a move because she thinks that we are dating or something. I think that you should get to know her and ask her out. I hear she is pretty nice."
"Who is it? Wait…she thinks that we are dating? No way!"
"It's Mizuno Ami, and yeah, I guess so. She says that since we spend a lot of time together, we are dating! Silly, huh?
"Yeah, I wonder why she would think that. Hmm…wait a second! Did you just tell me you expect me to date her?"
"Yes, Mamoru! You need to get to know more people besides me. I know you are going to be in sports now, but you really need to do stuff with other people. I know I'm not the only one that thinks you are a great guy! Get out and make more friends."
Mamoru sighed, "Usagi, I LIKE doing stuff with you…"
Usagi held up her hand, effectively stopping Mamoru from continuing. "Mamoru! You know that isn't what I mean. You can't do EVERYTHING with me. I didn't say that I wanted to end our friendship; I just want you to get to know more people. If you spend too much time with me, you will never get to know ANYONE! I want you to be happy and around more people. You can't hide behind your parent's death any longer. You need to get out and do more things with your life. You said yourself that your parents wouldn't be happy if you moped around all your life. Yes, you may get hurt it you do things with other people, but where is the fun? Promise me, Mamoru. Promise me you will go out and meet new people." * You deserve better, Mamoru…better than what I can give you. Far better. *
"Ok, ok!" Mamoru said with a laugh, holding his hands up in defeat, "You win! I'll talk to Ami tomorrow, ok? My, you are a great persuader."
"Yes, I know!" Usagi replied breezily.
"Hey, I gotta head home. I promised Megumi I would help her with her homework. I'll talk to you later, ok?"
"Ok! Don't forget your promise!" Usagi called after him.
Usagi tightened her hold on her schoolbag and began to walk towards her home. She was halfway home when she decided to take a small detour. * I need to let him go. He can't hang on to me forever. I doubt I will ever see him again, but last week was great… * A tear left a trail as it slowly made its way down her cheek. * I know I can let him go. * Usagi straightened her shoulders, and continued down the sidewalk. * I am going to let him go. * She continued down the sidewalk, her gait purposeful. A loud squawk was heard above her and Usagi looked up to see two crows flying overhead.
"Phoebos! Demos! Come down here!" A feminine voice called out.
Usagi's curiosity was piqued and she walked forward until she saw the entrance to a shrine, "Hikawa Shrine" she read off a small piece of wood near the entrance. She walked up several stairs to see a girl kneeling by two crows, her long black hair pooling behind her. Her attention was focused on the crows, one of which turned in Usagi's direction and squawked. The girl's head whipped up and her intense gaze was focused on Usagi.
Her step faltered and she began to walk away, feeling that she was entering an area where she was prohibited.
"No! Wait!" The girl called out. "I'm sorry! I was just surprised to see someone standing there. I'm Hino Rei and I work at this shrine. You're welcome to enter. Is there anything I can help you with?" While she was talking, she moved closer to Usagi.
Usagi looked into Rei's eyes, and relaxed, seeing her violet eyes were kind and contained no cruelty. "I'm sorry, too! I heard you call out to your crows and was curious. I'm Tsukino Usagi."
"Oh! Well, free to come in, you look like you need someone to talk to." Rei spoke softly as she led Usagi into her home; the doors already open in welcome. She led Usagi to a small table, its cherry wood surface polished and reflecting the glints of the sunlight.
Usagi sat down at the table as Rei left to go get some tea. She stared down at her reflection in the table, and its distorted features stared back at her. * This is me… * A lone tear trickled down her cheek at the thought and she angrily brushed it away. At that moment Rei returned with the tea.
"So, what is bothering you?" Rei asked calmly as she poured her and Usagi's tea. As soon as she sat down, Usagi began to tell her about what had been bothering her recently. The finished the pot of tea, and it was over an hour later when Usagi finished speaking.
"Well…" Rei began only to be interrupted by Usagi.
"Before you say anything, I want to thank you for listening to me and would like to invite you to dinner at my house! My mother is a fabulous cook, and she should be expecting me home at any time, so……if it's not too much trouble, please come over!"
Rei looked slightly shocked by the invite, and only nodded her head to let Usagi know she wanted to come over. Usagi jumped up from her seat and grabbed Rei by the arm. "Ok! Let's go then! I'm sure that my mom is waiting for me!" Usagi said excitedly.
"Whoa!!! Let me at least change my clothes, ok!?" Rei asked with a laugh. Usagi reluctantly let go of her arm and as Rei walked away to change, she went outside to sit in the sun. She sat down near a tree and idly tore a piece of grass from the ground and spun it around in her fingers, she then let go of the piece of grass and watched it blow away with the wind. Rei stepped out of the door and walked to where Usagi was, her hair was left flowing and it rested against her red shirt and flowered skirt, her feet were covered by a pair of sandals and she gracefully walked over to Usagi and helped her to stand up.
As Usagi led Rei to her house, the 15-minute walk went by quickly as Rei told amusing stories about all her trips to different countries. Usagi walked ahead of Rei to the entrance of her house. As soon as she entered, she called out to her mother, "I'm home! And I brought a guest over for dinner. Her name is Hino Rei!!"
Her mother walked out from the kitchen, absently wiping her hands off on a towel. "Another guest? How many people do you expect me to feed?" She asked with a smile.
"What? Another guest? Mom what are you talking about?" Usagi asked, confused.
"Me. That's the other guest. Did you forget you invited me over to dinner, then to study?" Mamoru's deep voice came from behind her, near the entrance to the living room.
"Oh my gosh!" Rei's voice was hushed, "I never thought I would ever see you again." She said, staring at Mamoru in surprise.
Mamoru's back straightened with the tension he was feeling. *Oh god…please don't remember what I was like on the plane… * He looked at Rei warily as if she were a hunter and he was her prey. "Yes, it is nice to see you again…was it Rei?"
"Yes. It's Rei…Hino Rei. I don't think that you ever introduced yourself, though. What is your name?" she asked with her calmest voice, her hand outstretched in an attempt to get a handshake.
Mamoru smiled tentatively at her and shook her hand, some tension leaving his shoulders. Usagi looked back and forth between them, thoroughly confused. She raised her right hand a bit in a bid to get some attention turned her way. "Uh…hello? What is going on here?? Can someone tell me what is going on?!"
"I happen to be Chiba Mamoru and this happens to be a slightly annoyed Usagi!" Mamoru said with a small laugh.
"Mamoru and I met on the plane. He was napping and hit me in his sleep! That is one passenger that I don't want to be next to ever again. After I got off the plane, I thought to myself that I would never see him again, but here he is! What a fabulous surprise." Rei explained to Usagi.
Usagi smiled to cover the slight regret she felt at reuniting them. * Oh what have I done? Will I lose them both? Well…I guess it's a chance that I am willing to take. *
"Dinner is ready!" Usagi's mom called out to them, and there was a mad dash to the dinner table. That was one race that Usagi was more than happy to win.
During dinner, the heavens opened and a downpour began with an occasional flash of lightening. Usagi looked at Rei after they finished off the last piece of cherry pie and shrugged. "Rei, since my father isn't here, there isn't a car here…" she began only to be cut off by Mamoru.
"Usagi! Did you forget the car my uncle loaned me? I can drive her back home and then come back to study for the test tomorrow. Does that work out?"
"Sure! I can go with and show you where it is, then I can formally say goodbye to Rei." Usagi replied enthusiastically.
"Sorry to disappoint, Usagi, but my car is a two-seater. They need the sedan for when they all go out and do stuff, so I get to borrow the Miata."
Usagi's shoulders drooped in disappointment. Rei piped up and agreed to take the ride to her home. Usagi led Rei and Mamoru to the door reluctantly, her eyes believing that they made a cute couple, and "knowing" that if Mamoru began to date someone, she would become just some rung he stepped on as he rose to the top of the ladder. She waved them off and slowly closed the door. Once it was shut, she leaned against it, her eyes clouding with tears.
She picked up her schoolbag and walked to her room to begin her homework, certain she wouldn't see Mamoru again that night.