Coffeehouse Conversations
By Alternative Girl
Chapter two: First Cup: Black

Her alarm clock blared in her ears at 6:10. She sat up in bed and turned the device off before stretching. She smiled. The memories of the day before flooded her mind and she remembered what a wonderful time she had had with Mamoru. She stood up and walked over to her closet to pick out her outfit for the day. It was Thursday, meaning she had to work from eight to five as a museum guide. She worked at the museum every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday and then also whenever they needed another guide and she didn't have class.
She prepared for her day quickly and was out of the house earlier than she would've thought. She hummed cheerily while walking down the street to her coffeehouse. It took just a couple of minutes and she walked in and practically floated to the counter. "Hello," she said cheerily as the worker handed her coffee and a muffin. Sitting at her table, she couldn't concentrate on her homework. The task was even harder when someone sat across from her and proceeded to yell at her.
"Usagi! What happened yesterday?" the blonde asked. "We were waiting and you didn't show and we all promised that was the one thing we'd all stick with and you were supposed to be there and the hostess said she saw you pass by the place and not walk in and we were worried and we tried calling you and you didn't answer and you weren't in your classes yesterday-"
Usagi continued to smile as Minako ranted on and on about her missing the lunch on the prior day. Finally, Minko turned to her and said, "Well? What do you have to say for yourself? And why do you keep on smiling?"
"I met a guy yesterday, Minako-chan," Usagi replied dreamily.
Minako squealed. "A guy! I want details! Name! Age! What did you guys do? I want to hear everything!"
"Well, his name is Mamoru and he is 24. He is going to medical school. I ran into him yesterday morning here and then again when I was on my way to lunch and he kind of dragged me off and we went to lunch at this cute little cafe and then to a fair and it was so wonderful! He is such a great guy!" Usagi exclaimed.
"Glad you think so, Usako," a voice said from behind her. One of the cutest guys Minako had ever seen kissed Usagi on her cheek and then sat down next to her. Usagi blushed and Minako couldn't help but smile at the cute scene that progressed before her. Mamoru took a look at Usagi's breakfast and made a face. "You drink your coffee black? You're a strong woman." He smiled and Usagi wanted to melt.
Minako coughed. Usagi turned to her and exclaimed, "Oh! Mamo-chan, this is one of my best friends, Aino Minako. Minako, this is Chiba Mamoru."
Minako extended her hand and Mamoru shook it. "Pleased to meet you," she said.
"Same to you."
Minako turned back to Usagi. "Don't skip out on tonight, please? You can invite Mamoru-san if you want, but actually make it there this time." She winked and then excused herself from the table.
Usagi turned to Mamoru. "Would you like to join me tonight for a dinner with some of my friends? It's kind of an engagement party for my friend Ami-chan and her fiance Zoicite-san."
Mamoru laughed. "Actually, I was already invited to that. I'm friends with Zoicite."
Usagi smiled. "What a small world it is."
"So, what do you say I pick you up early and we can do something before dinner?" Mamoru asked. Usagi looked at him questioningly. "Maybe a movie? Or miniature golf?"
"Miniature golf sounds fun! I've never played miniature golf before," Usagi said. Mamoru looked absolutely horrified at her statement. Usagi blushed. "Uhm, yeah. So, I will probably suck at it."
Mamoru winked. "I'll be happy to help you." She took a sip of her coffee. "So what else are you doing today?"
"I have to be at work in an hour," she replied. "I'm a tour guide at the museum downtown."
"Well, I still have you for an hour this wonderful morning then," he said. "So, favorite band?"

The hour flew by filled with talk of their favorite books, songs, colors and flowers. They playfully argued when they had different answers and tried to get the other to consent to a "better" top choice in the category of the moment. Usagi regretfully had to leave after - in her opinion - way too short of a conversation. She stood to leave as Mamoru took her hand and kissed it. "I'll see you tonight at six?" he asked.
"That sounds great," Usagi replied. She pretty much skipped to the museum and continued to be in the best of moods for the rest of the day.

The moment she entered her apartment after work, she looked at the clock and almost screamed. "Five thirty?! How can it be five thirty?!" she exclaimed. "He's going to be here in a half hour! I'm never going to be ready in time!" She ran to the phone and dialed Rei's number. As soon as the woman answered, Usagi started wailing about her problem. "Rei-chan! I need help! He's going to be here in a half hour and I don't have anything to wear and I'm not going to be able to get ready in a half hour! Can you help? I need something to wear and I don't know what to do with my hair or what about make-up? Should I wear make-up?"
Throughout the blonde's tirade about her problem, Rei had been trying to get her to calm down with no luck. Finally, she yelled into the phone, "Usagi, you baka, shut up!" That approach effectively silenced the dumbstruck woman. "Good. Now, what are you talking about. Who is going to be there at six?"
"Mamo-chan."
"And why is this man picking you up when you are supposed to be at the engagement party at seven?"
"We're going to play miniature golf and then go to the engagement party together," Usagi replied. "And I have nothing to wear! You've got to help me, please Rei-chan!"
Rei sighed. "Alright. You take a shower and start to get ready; I'll be over in five minutes with something for you to wear."
"Oh, thank you! You're the best, Rei-chan!" Hanging up the phone, Usagi obediently went to take a quick shower. When she emerged, Rei was already in her apartment with a bag.
"Okay, I'm going to help you, but you have to tell me who this 'Mamo-chan' is and why I've never heard of him til today," Rei said, taking a few outfits out of the bag. Usagi agreed and grabbed the clothes while entering her room to try them on.

Fifteen minutes later, Usagi emerged from her room in the last outfit Rei had brought. Up to that one, none had looked quite perfect on her. But as soon as she came out in the final outfit, Rei gasped. "That's it, Usa-chan! That's the outfit you should wear!" Usagi twirled a little and laughed. She was wearing a jean skirt that went to just below her knees and had a slit up the front to her mid-thigh and also a sparkly pink belt with stars cut out in it. For a top she wore a pink tank top. She simple white backless shoes on.
"Yay! Now for hair!" Usagi exclaimed. "How about odongos?"
"Seeing as how he's going to be here in less than ten minutes and that's quick and easy, I'll agree," Rei replied. Usagi went to her mirror and started to brush and part her hair for the styling. "So, let me get this straight. You were getting hit on and Mamoru walked up and pretended to be your boyfriend?"
"Yup," came Usagi's reply, although it didn't look like she was really listening.
"And you spent all day yesterday with him, skipping out on our lunch might I add?"
"Yup."
"And you're totally head over heals in love with the guy after two days?"
"Yup." She finished putting her odongos up as she realized what Rei had asked. She turned to Rei and stared. "I mean no."
Rei looked unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Right."
"I just met the guy; you can't fall in love with someone you just met," Usagi insisted.
"That's the way it happened with me and Jaedite, if you remember." Rei was not going to back down on the issue of Usagi loving Mamoru and Usagi realized that.
Usagi sighed. "You two fought like World War Three was about to start and only were quiet when he finally kissed you and that's why you fell in love," she said. "Because he's the only guy to shut you up like that when you start yelling."
Rei laughed. She sat down on the couch. "Usagi-chan, listen. You're twenty one and you have never had a serious relationship. If you want to get married before you're thirty, then now's a great time to start. And from what I can tell, you ARE in love with this Mamoru guy. And he sounds like a sweet guy so I don't blame you." The doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Rei shot up and ran to the door before Usagi could say anything else. Opening the door, she said, "Hello, you must be Mamoru-san. Usagi will be out in a moment. Please come in."
Usagi slipped into her room quickly and sat on her bed for a moment. "Two days," she whispered. "You can't fall in love with someone in two days." She placed Rei's discarded clothes back into the bag they were brought in. "Rei-chan's crazy. That's it. She's just crazy."

Mamoru sat on the couch while the woman who had answered the door stared at him, as if measuring him up, seeing if he was good enough. If he had known he was going to be judged, he might have dressed nicer. 'Although you did spend quite some time anyways trying to find the perfect outfit for your Usako.' After careful deliberation, he had worn some khaki dress pants and a light blue shirt. Apparently she figured he was fine in the end because she gave a slight nod of her head and then extended her hand. "I'm Rei, by the way."
He shook her hand. "Pleased to meet you. Aren't you Jaedite's fiancee?"
Rei's face lit up. "That's how I know you! You're one of the poker boys!" Rei laughed. "I thought you looked familiar!"
Usagi walked out of her room and smiled. "Kon wa, Mamo-chan. I hope Rei-chan hasn't been too mean to you."
Mamoru stood up and turned to her. "You look beautiful, Usako," he said as he smiled at her, all of his thoughts now on how lovely she was. He stared at her and she blushed whispering a "Thank you." Rei slipped out the door without either noticing. He coughed. "You ready?" She nodded and they left the apartment.

They entered the restaurant where the congratulatory dinner was to take place bantering like children. As soon as they entered a voice called out, "Usagi! Mamoru!" and waved them over to a table. They walked over to the table still engrossed in their playful argument. As they sat, the already present group listened in on their conversation.
"You cheated. And that's that," Mamoru said.
"How can I cheat?" Usagi asked. "I didn't even know what I was doing!" He chuckled. "And besides, if I cheated it's your fault because you taught me what to do."
Mamoru held up his arms in defense. "Nope, not my fault. I just showed you how to putt. You cheated all on your own."
Usagi sighed. "You are insufferable."
He looked hurt. "How could you say that about your savior?" She laughed. "In fact, I don't believe you ever repaid me for saving you yesterday morning from that horrible man…" He trailed off. Usagi kissed him on the cheek really quickly, blushing. "That'll do." He smiled at her and that's when the pair noticed that they were the only ones talking.
They turned to the group and Usagi's blush deepened. "Uhm, Mako-chan, Ami-chan, this is Mamoru. Mamo-chan, my friends Kino Makoto and Mizuno Ami."
Mamoru smiled at them. "Nice to meet you."
Makoto and Ami smiled and responded with similar phrases before Makoto said, "Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom. Usa-chan, will you come with me?" Usagi agreed and left with Makoto. Ami tried to keep her curiosity at bay, but excused herself after a moment.
Makoto and Usagi entered the bathroom, Ami following shortly after. Makoto and Ami turned towards the love-struck blonde and said simultaneously, "Spill," which resulted in another retelling of Usagi's meeting with her Mamo-chan.

A few minutes after the three had entered the bathroom, they returned to their seats. Usagi sat next to Mamoru again and was pleased when he held her hand. "I hope you don't mind, but I ordered for you since you were in the bathroom and everyone else knew what they wanted," he whispered to her. "If I remember correctly - which I'm sure I do - you're favorite meal is pork?" She nodded. "Good. That's what I ordered for you."
She smiled. "Thanks."
"Anything for you, Usako," he replied. She blushed and knew Rei had been right. She was in love.

As it turned out, not only did Mamoru know Zoicite and Jaedite, but all of her friends' boyfriends. It struck Usagi as humorous that that all of her best friends were paired with all of Mamoru's best friends. When she shared her thought with him, he found it just as humorous and whispered in her ear, "I suppose we shouldn't break the pattern, hmm?" She agreed and then the dinner was served.
The conversation throughout most of the dinner had been Ami and Zoicite's upcoming wedding. The couple shared what they had come up with for the wedding up to that point and the rest of the group offered suggestions as to how the rest of it should go, ending with playful arguments on whether or not something should actually be done a certain way. The only couple that didn't participate much in the conversation were Usagi and Mamoru. They offered a few comments, but mostly just tried to stare at each other without the other noticing. They weren't successful very much.
Mamoru held her hand throughout the entire dinner. Rei, who had been seated next to Usagi, gave her knowing glances every once in awhile causing Usagi to remember Rei's adamant stand on her love for Mamoru. And it also caused her to remember the fact that she had already figured out Rei was right. But she wasn't about to let Rei know that. She turned to Mamoru one last time and noticed he was staring at her and smiling. She blushed and he leaned his head in towards hers, whispering, "You're absolutely adorable when you blush." The statement caused her blush to deepen. Mamoru stood up and turned to Zoicite. "Thank you so much for the invite to dinner. I enjoyed it, but I'm afraid I have to go. I need to wake up early tomorrow." He hadn't let go of Usagi's hand and it didn't seem he was planning to. "Would you like me to drive you home?" She nodded and then said good-bye to her friends, standing and letting Mamoru lead her out.

He walked her to her apartment door and she took her key out of her purse. She unlocked the door and then turned to Mamoru. "Thanks for tonight. Miniature golf was fun and the company at dinner was great."
"I agree," he replied. "The company at dinner was exceptionally wonderful tonight. As well as exceptionally beautiful."
She blushed again and looked down. 'Dammit! Why do I have to keep on blushing tonight?' Her thoughts were interrupted when he lifted her face towards his and then kissed her, gently and quickly.
He smiled at her yet again. "I better go. I wasn't kidding when I said I have to get up early. I wouldn't want to miss meeting you at the coffeehouse."
He was gone before she could even begin to start thinking again. She entered her apartment and collapsed on the couch. She was snapped out of her dreamy state by the phone ringing a moment later. Picking it up she said, "Yes?"
"So, what happened?" the voice of Minako came over the telephone wire.
She smiled. "He kissed me!" She and Minako both squealed. "Oh, Minako-chan, that was one of the sweetest kisses. He was so gentle and it was quick, but still. That was the best kiss." She sighed dreamily once more.