Chapter One
The next morning, Usagi threw on her school uniform and sleepily headed for school. She reallllly did not want to go to school this morning. Because of that stupid dream, she lost almost an hour of sleep! She excitedly checked her watch and let out a dramatic gasp. "Ohhh nooooo! I'm gonna have detention for sure!"
Meanwhile...
Chiba Mamoru was briskly walking down the sidewalk praying that nothing, or more accurately no one, would make him later than he already was. He was defiantly not in the mood to see HER today. He had slept horribly and now he was going to be late for homeroom. He was never late! It was just unheard of. He had gone all through high school thus far with no tardies or absences. He was not planning to get any now, in his senior year! So what did he do? Why, he rounded the corner and ran straight into the girl he was praying not to see, of course!
"Oh my goodness! Sorry! Sorry! I wasn't paying attention, and, and-"
"Geez, calm down Odango Atama! It's not like you don't run into me everyday!"
Usagi glared up at her nemesis and anger wasn't beginning to describe what she was feeling. "Do you always have to be such a jerk?"
"Do you always have to be such a klutz?"
Usagi clenched her fists then spat out, "I don't have time for this, ya know! I'm late!"
Mamoru was too becoming a little more than irritated, "Yeah, well so am I...so MOVE!" He angrily plowed past her and Usagi stared at his back as he walked away. "What an ass," she mumbled as she brushed herself off. Then she resumed her dash for school.
Usagi sat in her desk silently during Algebra class making a futile attempt to stay awake. Sure, she didn't really care about math, but sleeping during classes is a definite basis for detention. Usagi certainly did not want to be stuck in detention again. 'Come on, Usagi, just keep your eyes open a little longer,' she thought to herself. She had lost interest in what was on the board ages ago, and now she was absently looking around the room. 'Hmmm, how is Ami-chan able to look so interested in this junk? I wonder if she has some kind of brain disorder that makes her actually WANT to be tortured like this. God, when is this class OVER. My eyes feel so heavy...' That was the last thought she had before drifting to sleep.
About fifteen minutes later Makoto noticed that Usagi was passed out on her desk. She rose an eyebrow, 'How can Usagi-chan sleep so deeply in a place like this?' Makoto found herself trying to hold back a giggle when she noticed that her friend started to twitch in her sleep. She looked at Usagi oddly, 'what the...' She suddenly realized that, not only was Usagi twitching, she was crying. 'I guess she's having a bad dream.' Then, out of the blue, Usagi jumped from her seat and began to scream desperately. Miss Haruna whipped around and stared at her student in shock, as did everyone else in class.
"Usagi! That was completely uncalled for!" Haruna screamed at her.
Usagi, finally realizing where she was, began to fiercely wipe the tears from her eyes. "Miss Haruna, I-I don't, I mean, I'm not sure..." she stammered.
"Usagi, are you O.K.?" her teacher asked.
"I-I, um, I..." She just couldn't collect herself, and now the embarrassment from the situation was beginning to set in.
Ami looked worriedly at her friend, "Usagi-chan?"
Miss Haruna cut in, "Usagi, why don't you go and see the school nurse."
Usagi nodded and headed out the door. 'What in the world just happen?' she thought to herself. She was completely humiliated. How could she do something like that to herself? As she approached the office she contemplated on what she should tell the nurse. 'What am I supposed to say? That I freaked out for no apparent reason in the middle of class?' She opted for, 'I threw up,' instead. That way maybe the nurse would just send her home.
After a quick stop in the nurse's office, Usagi was immediately excused from her remaining classes. The nurse had tried to contact Usagi's mother, but could not get a hold of her. Usagi told the nurse that she was okay to walk and that the fresh air would do her some good. The nurse agreed and Usagi promptly left school.
On her way home she glanced at her watch and noticed that it was already 2:30. School would be out in a half an hour, and she was sure her friends would make a stop at the arcade-so that's where she went. As she approached the glass doors leading into the arcade, she stopped and studied her reflection. She gently lifted her bangs from her forehead and looked at herself closely. It was like she was expecting to see something there, but she didn't know what. She quickly dismissed the strange thought and walked through the doors. Upon her entrance, Motoki looked up from the counter and smiled warmly.
"Hey Usagi-chan! You sure are early today. What's up?" he asked.
"Oh, not much. I was just feeling a little under the weather, so the school nurse let me go."
Motoki frowned, "Geez, that sure stinks. It's nothing serious, I hope."
Usagi smiled at him, "No. Actually, I feel much better now. Do you mind if I play a few games while I wait for Rei and the others?"
"Of course not. Knock yourself out."
Usagi walked over to the Sailor V game and deposited a quarter. Once the game started, she was so engrossed in it that she didn't notice a certain ebony haired high school student enter the arcade.
"Hey, Motoki!" Mamoru called.
"Hey! What's up Mamoru-kun?"
"Not much. I had a lousy day, though, all because a certain odango-headed fifteen year old almost made me late for homeroom this morning. I tell ya, I can't walk ten feet without her running into me," Mamoru huffed.
"You mean Usagi? Yeah, I have to admit that she is pretty clumsy. She's been here for twenty minutes or so. She said she got sent home sick," Motoki informed him.
Mamoru glanced over at the girl screaming at the Sailor V game, then turned back to his friend, "Then why isn't she HOME?"
Motoki chuckled as Mamoru got up to give Usagi her daily teasing.
"Hey, Odango-Atama! Heard you got sent home sick. What happened? D'you hurl all over your class room or something?" Mamoru taunted.
Usagi looked up from her game and was about to bite back, when she suddenly stood and faced Mamoru. She looked at him carefully for a moment, and Mamoru looked back at Usagi like she had gone mad. 'What on earth is she doing,' he thought, 'and why is she looking at me like that? She's starting to scare me.' Suddenly, Usagi lifted her hand to Mamoru's face and gently stroked his left cheek. Mamoru's eyes widened. He was totally confused. Then, slowly, Usagi brought her fingers together, and she pinched his cheek-hard.
"Owww! Odango, what the hell are you doing?" Mamoru yelped.
"Don't call me that stupid name, you big JERK!" she screamed, releasing his face from her hand. "And for your information, NO, I did not 'hurl all over my class room!' "
Mamoru rubbed his cheek tenderly, "Then why did you get sent home? Did you go nuts and start pinching people?"
Usagi's face saddened, "No, you baka. I, well, I don't know exactly what happened." Then she yelled defensively, "And I am not nuts!" not completely believing herself. After all, she did scream bloody murder in the middle of class. And just a few moments ago, when she was touching Mamoru's face, she felt like she had touched him that way before. Thank God she thought of that pinch to cover up her impulsive act! 'He deserved a good, hard pinch anyways,' she thought to herself with a giggle. Usagi and Mamoru began to bicker once again when Rei, Makoto, and Ami entered the arcade.
"Mako-chan, I thought you said Usagi wasn't feeling well?" Rei said angrily.
"Well, she wasn't. The nurse even let her leave." Makoto informed her.
"So she came here? Oooooh! That Odango-Atama!" Rei screeched.
"Maybe she was suddenly feeling better," Ami said quietly as she watched Usagi and Mamoru verbally attack one another on the other side of the arcade.
As the three girls watched the scene in awe, a tall, sandy haired boy entered the arcade behind them. He had never been there before, but for some reason he felt drawn inside. He was casually looking around to see what the three teenage girls in front of him were gawking at, when he saw her. He couldn't believe it. He'd been searching for her for over a year, and now here she was, right in front of him. 'Can it really be her!' he thought. 'It sure as hell looks like her...' With that thought, he walked smoothly over to where the two teens were arguing.
"Why don't you just go take a long walk off a short bridge, Mamoru," Usagi sniffed.
"Only if it will keep from seeing your Odango face everyday!" Mamoru yelled back.
"Excuse me," the guy started, "but you must stupid to insult such a beautiful young woman."
Mamoru's head whipped around and Usagi stared at the stranger in shock. "Who are you?" they said simultaneously.
"I could ask you the same question," he said to Mamoru with a hint of recognition in his eyes. 'Do I know him?' the stranger thought as Mamoru stared at him angrily.
Mamoru straightened, "Do you have a problem, or something?"
"Well as a matter of fact I do. I have a problem with arrogant guys who treat beautiful girls like yesterday's trash," he bit back. "Now, Miss, can I treat you to a milkshake?" he said to Usagi.
"Uh, I, um, sure..." she stuttered.
"By the way, my name is Thanatos," he said sweetly to Usagi.
"I'm Usagi. Hmm, Thanatos. That sure a strange name."
He chuckled, "Yes, I suppose it is. Then why don't you just call me Nate."
Mamoru watched with his jaw hanging open as the two sat in a booth together and ordered their milkshakes. 'Who the hell was that guy!' he questioned silently.
"Who the hell was that guy?" Rei hollered as she came to stand beside Mamoru.
"I have no idea," Mamoru answered dumbly. He didn't know who that guy was with Usagi, but boy did Mamoru hate him.
While she sipped her milkshake, Usagi stared at Nate in wonder. She had to admit that he sure was a handsome one. He had light sandy hair that fell softly over his forehead and bright green eyes. He looked to be about seventeen or so.
"So," Usagi started, "why did you stick up for me like that?"
"Well, it's like I said. No pretty girl deserves to be talked to like that."
Usagi blushed, "Oh. Thank you."
"Who did that guy think he was, anyway?" Nate asked.
"Oh, that was just Mamoru. He's really not a bad guy, fighting is just the way we communicate. It's always been that way," Usagi replied before turning to glance at Mamoru. She nearly fell out of her seat when she saw Mamoru staring in their direction heatedly. But he was not staring angrily at her, like she would have expected. He was staring at Nate, and he was scaring her. 'What the heck...' she thought nervously. Mamoru looked thoroughly pissed. Usagi's eyes wondered from his face to his sides, where his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white. A look of confusion crossed her face and Usagi turned her attention back to Nate.
"So, where do you go to school?" she asked him.
"I just enrolled in the twelfth grade at Juuban High School."
"No way! That's where I go, but I'm only in the ninth grade," she informed him, thinking he would snub her once he found out she was only fifteen.
He smiled widely, "Well then, maybe we could eat lunch together or something."
"Uh, sure," Usagi said, surprised.
"Well, I should be going now," Nate said as he stood, "I don't think I can take much more of that Mamoru's staring. I hope to see you in school tomorrow." He gave her a wink and left the arcade.
'Darn that Mamoru for driving him away,' Usagi thought bitterly. 'I should give him a piece of my mind,' she added. But before she even finished her thoughts, Mamoru was sitting across from her looking rather peeved.
"What do you want, you big creep."
Mamoru's mouth fell open, "Me? If anyone is a creep it's that, that Thanatos. What kind of a name is that anyway!"
"I thinks it's Greek or something," Usagi said absently. "What do you care anyway, Mamoru?"
Mamoru stiffened. Why did he care? "Well, uh, uh...Well that guy was obviously a jerk. I just don't want to see you get yourself into trouble."
"I don't think he would do anything to hurt me! Plus, he's more of a gentleman than you'll ever be!" Usagi scowled.
"I know how to be a gentlemen to those who deserve it! If you were any bit of a lady, or even had the potential to be a lady, then I might treat you like one!"
Usagi felt her eyes starting to tear up, "Well thank you for that boost in self-esteem." Tears began to slide down her cheeks and she swiftly turned and ran out the door leaving Mamoru with a huge foot stuck in his mouth.
Usagi's dash soon slowed to a somber walk. The warm tears that were trickling down her cheeks began to cease and dry. She came to stand by a small lake that was about a quarter mile from the arcade. As she stared out over its glittering surface, she listened to the shallowness of her breath and closed her eyes. She wasn't sure why she felt so upset. She and Mamoru fought everyday and she always brushed it off. Maybe the fact that she seemed to be going crazy had something to do with it. It was not so much that she felt insane, but...different. She wasn't herself.
Usagi looked down at her shaking hands and clenched her fists in anger. 'What is wrong with me?' she thought. 'Maybe my being Sailor Moon is finally getting to me.' She looked up and away from her fists and began to focus on the rippling water before her. She soon felt another tear slide down her face, and she quickly wiped it away. A light wind blew and gently rustled her hair. She brushed the stray strands out of her face and looked down at her reflection, and-
That's when she saw it. The thing she'd been expecting to see all day had finally appeared. She gazed at the reflection in awe, as if it were not her own. She slowly leaned down to touch her fingers to the water. Perhaps she was just seeing things. Perhaps she had wanted so badly to prove that she was still sane that her mind had willed it there. Perhaps... However, as she was bending down she realized that she had leaned over too far, and she was going to fall into the lake. As she was about to hit the water, Usagi thought, 'This is just how I wanted to end my day,' but she never made an attempt to save herself. Her fingers hit the water first and she expected the rest of her body to follow, but it never did.
Mamoru had swiftly wrapped his hands around her waste and pulled her away from the shallow lake.
"Geez, Usagi! Be more careful. You almost fell in!"
Usagi's brow furrowed in anger and she turned around to face him. However, as she looked into his eyes her anger faded and she felt her face soften. "What are you doing here?" she almost whispered.
Mamoru stared back at her with a sad look in his eyes. "I don't know," he replied quietly.
"Oh," Usagi said as she turned around to face the water once again.
"Usagi... Listen, I-what I mean is...I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
Usagi let out a slight laugh and turned toward Mamoru. "You don't have to apologize. I over reacted. Besides, it's not like I shouldn't be used to your teasing."
"I never meant to hurt your feelings, though. It's not like I really believe any of the things I say to you. You know that. Right?"
When she didn't respond, Mamoru became worried. "At least tell me you forgive me."
Usagi looked deep into Mamoru's eyes, and she felt herself float away. She brought her hand to Mamoru's cheek, letting gently rest on his face. Mamoru stared at her sadly, and he placed his hand over hers and held it gently. Her eyes began to water once again as she spoke, "I could lose everything surrendering to you..." Suddenly aware of what she had just said, Usagi pulled her hand back and started blushing furiously. "I, I um, I'm sorry. I don't really know where that came from."
Mamoru shook his head to clear it and stopped when he looked at the girl in front of him. "Usagi you look-different. Are you feeling alright?"
Usagi tried to wipe away the sweat that was forming on her forehead. "Oh yeah. I'm fine," she replied as her vision began to blur. "I, I just feel a little dizzy."
"Why don't I walk you home then-just in case you feel faint or something."
Usagi nodded and let Mamoru walk her home.
After Mamoru had dropped her off, Usagi walked unsteadily up the stairs and into her bedroom. Once she had closed her bedroom door, she collapsed to the floor. She tried to push herself up and found she could not move. She tried to yell for help and found she couldn't speak. Usagi just lay there helplessly praying that the strange dizziness that had taken her over would disappear.
She began to experience a number of emotions. They were not emotions that she was foreign to, but the intensity of the emotions was unlike anything she had ever felt. It was almost frightening. She felt fear, dread, sorrow, grief, anger, rage, agony, pain, guilt. She felt despair.
In the midst of this flood of emotions, Usagi began to see things-images. They were too hard to make out, though. Everything was clouded over. Finally, she closed her eyes tightly, hoping that the episode would end, and it did. It just stopped.
She pushed herself up off the floor and ran into the bathroom where she began to vomit uncontrollably. When she stopped, Usagi wiped off her mouth and turned to the sink to splash some water on her face. She glanced up at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and found she could not stop staring at herself; not because of how she looked, but because of how she felt. She had never felt so much self-loathing. It was her fault. What "it" was she did not know, but "it" was her fault, and she began to sob.
Later that night, Usagi sat silently by her window staring longingly at the moon. She shivered slightly as a cool breeze blew in. She watched her curtains as they seemingly floated with the wind. They appeared to dance around her. She felt warm as they wrapped around her and she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
She awoke several hours later, still sitting beside her window. Usagi stood and started toward her bed, but just as she turned her back she heard a voice from outside.
"Princess," it said, "hurry! They've found out about us!"
Usagi spun on her heal and ran to her window, but when she looked to the ground below, she found it was deserted. She brushed it off as being tired and went to bed. After Usagi had tucked herself underneath her warm covers, she was soon fast asleep.
To her own surprise, Usagi had found herself waking at 7:30 the next morning. She took her time getting dressed, and then she headed for school.
Because of her being so early, Usagi never ran into Mamoru, and she had time to socialize before classes started. As she walked the school grounds, Usagi saw Ami studying diligently under a tree, but decided not to disturb her. As she continued to look around, a hand tapped Usagi on the soldier, and she turned around to see who it was.
"Nate! What's up?" she asked.
"Oh nothing," he responded, "I just saw you standing here and I thought I'd say 'hi.'"
"Well, hi," Usagi giggled.
The first bell rung and Nate said, "Maybe I'll see you later. Perhaps at lunch?"
"Sure."
With her response, both Usagi and Nate went to their classes.
Usagi cautiously strode into her classroom, weary about yesterday's embarrassing experience. She quickly found her desk and plopped down in it. Naru looked at her friend with wide eyes. She didn't really expect Usagi to come to school today, not after what had happened the day before.
"Usagi?" she whispered.
Usagi turned toward Naru cautiously. She knew what was coming. "Yes, Naru?"
"Um, are you feeling better? I mean, what happened yesterday?"
"Oh, um, that...well, it turns out that I had a really high fever, and I was a little delirious..." Usagi lied. She really did feel bad for lying to her friend, but she really wasn't sure what happened herself. Plus, maybe her explanation will help prove that she was still sane.
"You had that high of a fever and you still came to school?" Naru said, astonished.
"Yeah, well, my fever broke shortly after I left school. I really am feeling much better."
"Thank goodness. You had me really worried." Naru said.
Usagi smiled affectionately at her friend, "Thanks, Naru."
By lunchtime, the story of Usagi's high fever causing her "episode" had been spread around her class and was accepted easily. With that behind her, Usagi could enjoy the rest of her day.
She walked through the cafeteria and looked for Ami, Makoto, and Naru, but before she had a chance to find them, someone reached out and grabbed her hand. Usagi looked down at the table she was standing next to and met Nate's gaze.
"Hey, Usagi. Want to sit with me?"
Usagi blushed lightly, "Sure." She sat down and began to inhale her lunch. She heard Nate giggle and looked up. "What?" she questioned.
"Nothing, Usagi. You are just very cute when you eat," he said, causing Usagi to blush again.
Usagi decided to slow her eating pace so that she could have a conversation with Nate. "So, Nate, how has your first day been so far?"
"Rather good, actually. I've met a lot of nice people and I get to eat lunch with the prettiest girl in school," he replied smoothly.
"Me? I'm not the prettiest girl in school!" she yelled, embarrassed.
"Oh yeah?" Nate questioned, "then who is?"
Usagi looked around the cafeteria until she found who she was looking for. "Her," Usagi pointed. "Akiko Yamazaki." She was a fairly tall girl at 5'7" and she had long brown hair and deep brown eyes.
"Really, you think so?" Nate asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"No reason. I met her this morning. She was a little too flirty for my taste, and she wears entirely too much make-up. She really isn't much of a natural beauty. Take away her make-up, and you don't have much. You, Usagi, on the other hand, don't wear any make-up and you still outshine her," Nate argued.
Usagi was speechless. She had never received such a compliment.
"Her comes Akiko now," Nate said.
"Hi, Nate," Akiko said sweetly. Then she glanced over at Usagi. "Oh, hi Usapa."
"Usagi," she corrected.
Akiko glanced at over at Usagi again, "Whatever. Do you mind if I sit at your table?" she said turning back to Nate.
"No, I don't mind," he responded and Akiko sat at the end of the table. Nate turned to Usagi to continue their conversation. "So anyway, I haven't seen that guy from the arcade. He looks to be in my grade," Nate enquired about Mamoru.
"Oh, well, he doesn't go here. That baka goes to Azabu high school," Usagi informed him.
This caught Akiko's attention, "Did you say Azabu high? My prom date goes there and he's totally hot," she boasted.
"Oh yeah," Nate said, "I forgot about the prom."
Akiko looked at him seductively, "If only you had transferred sooner, then we could have gone together."
"That's okay, Akiko, I'm sure I'll find a date. Besides, I'm sure you'll have a great time with your date."
"Definitely! Mamoru and I will have the best time!"
Usagi choked on her lunch. "CHIBA Mamoru?" she asked excitedly.
Akiko looked at her wearily, "YOU know Mamoru?"
"Damn right I do," she responded angrily. "That baka! Why would you want to go with HIM?"
"Is he the same Mamoru from yesterday?" Nate asked.
"Yep, that's him!" Usagi hostilely replied.
Akiko was getting annoyed. "Wait a minute, how do you know Mamoru?" she asked Usagi.
"Apparently they fight on a daily basis," Nate told Akiko. "Not only that, but he also stares daggers at any other guy who attempts to talk to Usagi," Nate said angrily, remember yesterday's incident.
Akiko tensed, but then suddenly relaxed. "Oh, so you two must be related in some way," she said to Usagi.
"ME, related to MAMORU! Like even!" Usagi laughed. "He just likes to tick me off, and I'm sure I can expect more of his abuse at the arcade later."
Akiko straightened. "He's going to be at the arcade? Well then I'll probably meet him there after school. There are still some things we need to discuss before prom. Besides, I'm sure he's itching to see me," she said, more to Usagi than Nate.
Usagi felt a twinge of jealousy, but pushed the feeling aside.
"Usagi?" Nate asked as a thought occurred to him. "I know we haven't known each other very long, but would you like to be MY prom date?"
Usagi's eyes widened, "ME? Of course!"
Akiko rolled her eyes, "You're asking a freshman to the senior prom?"
Usagi sank back in her seat with embarrassment. Nate looked coolly at Akiko. "Why not," he said, "she's a beautiful freshman, and I KNOW I'll have a lot of fun with Usagi. More than with anyone else I can think of."
Insulted, Akiko stood and stomped away from the table leaving Usagi to giggle at her defeat.
After school, Usagi met Nate and they went to the arcade together. During the walk over, Nate slipped his hand into Usagi's and she accepted it, blushing. As they neared the arcade, Usagi saw Akiko walk in.
Inside, Mamoru sat in a booth drinking a Coke while he waited to see if Usagi was okay. He knew she'd be here soon and he wanted to know if she was all right after he had dropped her off last night, but a slim hand snaking over top of his interrupted Mamoru's thoughts.
"Hi, Mamoru-kun," Akiko said flirtingly.
"Hey, Akiko-chan. How are you?" Mamoru asked the attractive girl.
"I'm great," she said as she slid next to him into the booth. "We're still on for the prom, right?"
"Yeah, definitely. Hey, do you want something to drink?" he asked.
"Okay. I'll have a vanilla milkshake."
"I'll be right back," he said as he walked to the counter to place the order. Motoki returned to Mamoru with the shake in a matter of seconds and Mamoru turned to return to his booth-that is until the doors slid open and a couple walked in. Mamoru couldn't believe it. There was Usagi with that guy from yesterday, and his arm was around her waist. Mamoru looked where Nate's hand rested on Usagi's hip possessively and he dropped the milkshake he was holding. Usagi's head whipped up as she heard the glass break on the floor. Akiko had also walked over to see if Mamoru was all right.
"ODANGO!" he screamed angrily. "I can't believe you are with HIM again!"
"So what if I am!" she yelled back.
"Why is he touching you like that?" Mamoru ordered pointing to Nate's hand on her hip.
"That's none of your business, Mamoru," Nate responded for Usagi. "Besides, isn't obvious? I like Usagi and she seems to like me."
Mamoru was about to respond when Akiko snuggled up next to him. "Mamoru, why do you waist your time talking to HER," Akiko asked referring to Usagi.
Usagi's face turned red with anger, "EXCUSE ME?" she screamed.
"You heard me!" Akiko said snobbishly.
"I've known that baka longer than you have, so if he's wasting his time with anyone it's YOU!"
Mamoru stared at the two girls dumbfounded. They were arguing over him. Sure, girls have fought over him before, but this was Odango. She hated him, didn't she?
"Usagi! Calm down," Nate interjected. "Forget about them."
Akiko gave Nate an icy look and grabbed Mamoru's arm. "Come on, Mamoru. We have to talk about the prom."
"So do we," Usagi said grabbing Nate's arm.
Mamoru looked at Usagi angrily. "You're going to the prom with him?"
"YES!" Usagi said as she pushed passed Mamoru.
"She's such a baby," Akiko muttered as Usagi and Nate walked away.
Usagi caught her comment and turned around and stuck her tongue out at Akiko, giving her a raspberry.
Mamoru tried to hold in a giggle, but failed miserably and a laugh escaped his lips-which was followed by Akiko's elbow jabbing him in the ribs.
"Ow!" Mamoru cried as he continued to laugh. "Now look what you've gotten me into, Odango!" he chuckled.
Usagi watched Mamoru laugh helplessly and she rolled her eyes as a smile cracked her lips.
"Serves you right, Mamoru-BAKA," she said as Nate pulled her into a booth.
Usagi slid into the booth and Nate slid in after her, blocking her from Mamoru's vision. He threw Mamoru a cold look, and Mamoru stopped laughing. Mamoru grabbed Akiko's hand and returned to his booth.