A Chance for Romance in
America
Chapter Four:
"I Promise..."
A.N: Hiya you guys! Ish been a while eh? Gomen gomen! But I started high school now and yeah...I know I know! I'm just full of excuses -_-. I really am sorry though, I'm trying to post multiple stories at a time for while I'm writing this in February I might not post it until March or something. Um, like it says on my Username thing I will be changing my pen name pretty soon! Probably less than a week after I update this! Well thanks for listening to my rambling and thanks for reviewin; you guys are the best!
Usagi clutched her pillow to her chest and curled up into a tight ball on her back, rocking back and forth. "Should I, should I not...should I...should not?" She mumbled with her eyes closed. It had been a total of three days since her meeting with the charming Seiya Kou. When they had exchanged phone numbers Seiya told her that he would try his best to call her but that he was usually busy with writing songs and gigs that he couldn't promise that he would always call. So now here was Usagi, on a beautiful Saturday with nothing to do but think about calling boy.
"Okay, I'll do it!" Usagi said to no on in particular. She clutched the phone in one hand and the piece of scrap paper in the other. She dialed three digits before she dropped the phone with a horrid expression on her face.
"What am I thinking? What do I call him for? He'll probably think I'm crazy if I call just to say 'hi'! He's probably too busy to deal with me! Baka, Usagi, baka!" Usagi yelled at herself. That was when an idea struck her. "I know! I'll call him and ask if he would give me English lessons!" It would be like hitting two birds with one stone; she'd get to learn more about Seiya and learn English at the same time.
"Okay, I can do this! I just gotta casually ask if he would teach me the language. Kami-sama, why am I so freakin' nervous?" She asked herself noticing that her hands were slightly trembling. Closing her eyes she began to take slow deep breaths in and out until she got herself under control. "Alright, now I'll just calmly ask him if he would get me (free) English lessons. Here I go." She took a breath in a dialed the seven-digit number and waited as patiently as she could as the phone rang.
"Kou residence, this is Seiya." Came a masculine voice. Usagi felt her heart quicken and she forgot what to say.
'Crap! What did I call here for? What did I call for in the first place? Why was I born an idiot?' Her mind screamed.
"Hello?" Seiya asked once again.
"Anou..." Usagi began.
"Usagi?" Usagi asked sounding a little shocked. He knew automatically it was Usagi; who else would call speaking Japanese?
"Hai Seiya-kun." Usagi said softly.
"Ah, gomen I haven't been able to call-" Seiya started to apologize.
"It's okay Seiya-kun, I know you're busy...demo I have a favor to ask you..." Usagi trailed off.
"Sure, let's hear it. If I can lock my two evil brothers in a closet I'll be free today." Seiya said looking over to Yaten who rolled his eyes and glared at him. Usagi laughed over the other line then took a breath in.
"I was wondering if you would give me English lessons...I'm not so good at it and...it's kinda hard getting around." Usagi explained.
"I see. That's a rally good idea. Sure, I'll give you lessons, when do you want to start?"
"Anou...if you're not busy...today?" Usagi asked hopefully.
"Sure, that's no big deal. How about I come over at about noon?"
Usagi looked over towards her hotel room door with an uneasy look. She could just imagine Agatha's beady eyes watching her as she led Seiya up to her room, most likely making assumptions about her. That would by far not be a pretty picture.
"Um actually...could I come over to your place?" She asked biting down on her bottom lip.
"Sure, I'll pick you up, I don't want you getting lost in this huge city! Which hotel are you in?" Usagi asked grabbing a pen and small post-it note.
After giving him her hotel she found herself waiting patiently in front of her hotel. 'That was really nice of Seiya, I'm sure he probably had to much to do today but I guess that's what kind of guy he is! A kind man that puts those in need first-'
"Oi! Odango!" A voice called making Usagi's ears perk up. She looked up and saw Seiya-wearing his ultra cool sunglasses-waving at her from his black Saturn. Usagi jumped up with a bright smile on her face as she neared his care.
"Odango?" She asked him with a raised eyebrow.
Seiya shrugged. "I tried calling you by your name but you didn't answer, so I tried something else." Seiya started the car and grinned at her. "Yo don't mind if we make a quick pit stop do you? I owe a friend money and I'm afraid that if I don't get it to her she'll hire a hit man to get me!"
"Nani?!" Usagi asked, her eyes wide. Seya grinned and pulled off, laughing at Usagi's expression.
*~*~*~*~*~
(20 Minutes Later)
Seiya parked his car in front of an apartment complex and got out while Usagi stayed seated listening (well at least TRYING) to the radio. Seiya looked down at her and blinked behind his shades.
"Come on Odango."
"You want me to come with?" Usagi asked blinking.
"Yeah of course! I want you to meet them, I think you would all get along." Seiya said while opening the car door for her.
"Demo...I can't speak enough English." Usagi explained, but all the same she got out the car.
"No problem, they are all Japanese."
With Usagi trailing behind Seiya entered the complex and rode the elevator to the sixth floor. He then knocked on a door marked 186 E. Usagi listened closely to the other side of the door, she was curious to know who they were meeting, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous about meeting Seiya's friends. She was in a different country with different people.
"I got it! Maybe it's Seiya-san! A familiar child-like voice said on the other side. The next second the door swung open and a high pitched "SEIYA!" made Usagi's ears ring. She took a step back as she watched the girl who opened the door, fling herself on to Seiya, and hug him tightly while Usagi could only blink.
"SEIYA! I just knew you would come to see me today my love! How have you been dearest?" he girl asked with her head buried in Seiya's shirt. Before Seiya could answer two heads popped up in the doorway. One with silky, curly teal colored hair and the other with short sandy colored hair. Usagi thought it was amusing how much the girl with short hair resembled a boy.
"Oi! Hotaru-chan! Let Seiya breath!" The girl with short hair said. The girl who was holding onto Seiya as if he was her only means of survival, tucked a lock of her black hair behind her ear, sighed and let go of Seiya with great reluctance.
"Okay Haruka-papa." The girl-Hotaru-said sadly and took a step away from Seiya, but not before giving him a quick peck on the cheek. Hotaru looked over Usagi's shoulder to Usagi and let out a squeal of delight.
"Usagi-chan?! What are you doing here?" Hotaru asked hugging Usagi tightly.
"Hotaru-chan?" Usagi asked with round eyes. "You live here?"
Hotaru giggled. "Hai! Come on inside and have some tea so we ca have a little girl talk." Hotaru said smiling brightly as she led the bunny into the apartment.
"...Okay..." Seiya said blinking.
"Come in Seiya-kun. What do we owe the visit?" The woman with teal hair said politely.
"Yeah and how long are you gonna be staying?" The other woman asked in a gruff voice.
"Why thank you Michiru-san." Seiya said bowing to the woman with teal colored hair. "You know...you could learn some manners from Michiru-san, Haruka-san." Seiya said in a teasing voice to Haruka who just rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry we won't be long...I just wanted to give one of my best friends the money I owe them." Seiya said winking and handed Haruka a hundred-dollar bill.
"Well it's about time! Thanks." Haruka said taking the bill. "By the way...who is the girl?" She asked pointing to Usagi who was listening to Hotaru's lively chatter.
"Oh that's Usagi Tsukino, she's visiting America. I treated her to lunch a few days ago and I was just about to teach her some English after we left here. It seems Hotaru-chan knows her." Seiya commented watching Hotaru drag Usagi back to the group.
"Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama! This is Usagi-chan! She's my friend staying at the hotel I work at! Usagi-chan, meet my Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama-my guardians. I have another one but Setsuna-mama is at the lab!"
"Nice to meet you Usagi-san." Michiru said in Japanese bowing and Haruka followed in suit.
"Nice to meet you too." Usagi said bowing.
"Hey Usagi-chan, how do you know Seiya?" Hotaru asked looking from one to the other.
"Ah, Usagi will have to tell you another time, I think it's about time we left. Ja ne minna-san." Seiya said bowing.
"Oh, bye! It was nice meeting you all, and nice to see you again Hotaru-chan!" Usagi said politely bowing.
"Sayonara Usagi-cha! I'll be at our room number bright and early Monday morning! I wanna know what's going on so be prepared to answer a lot of questions!" Hotaru warned with a wink.
"Um...sure..." Usagi said unsure of how to answer her. They exchanged their farewells and Usagi climbed into Seiya's car.
"Haruka-san and Michiru-san seem really nice." Usagi commented as Seiya started the car.
"Yeah, I've known Haruka-tachi for about three years now. They moved here from Osaka." He paused and chuckled. "I remember when I first mer them. I had been walking to the store to find a better guitar when Setsuna, Hotaru, Haruka and Michiru came walking towards me. Michiru smiled at me so I smiled back. Haruka then grabbed my wrist and told me I had been staring long enough. She had tried to start a fight with me right then and there but Michiru and Setsuna calmed her down and apologized for Haruka's actions. I remember Hotaru was staring at me for the longest time, she was only 11 and I was 13 at the time, then she asked me if I would marry her! Ever since then she's had this I guess school girl crush on me, but Hotaru is really a sweet girl and she loves her guardians to death." Seiya said smiling at the memory.
"That had to be a funny sight. So Seiya...tell me, where are we going now?"
"Hm..well I was thinking about a late lunch before or after study time...which do you say?" Seiya asked.
Usagi thought the question over. "Um, could we go to lunch after the lesson? I want to try my English out."
"Anything ya want. Now here's a pre-warning, be very afraid on my brothers! The tall one, Taiki, is okay but he doesn't talk a lot. He's obsessed with studying and reading he's a perfectionist. The short one however...steer clear of him! All he does is whine and complain, after ten minutes of it you'll want to talk a knife to his throat!"
Usagi giggled. "Ah come on, he can't be that bad!"
Usagi just looked at her and laughed, hard. "Just wait 'til you meet him!" Seiya said shaking his head.
~*~*~*~
(Kou's Apartment)
Taiki sat on the couch with a book in hand while Yaten lay sprawled out on the other couch, flipping through all 521 channels on the T.V.
"Yaten, pick a damn channel and stick with it!" Taiki said slamming his book down and glared at Yaten who glared back, but all the same he put the remote down. When he saw what he was watching he let out a groan.
"Great! I get to watch the mating rituals of the Spider Monkey!"
At that time Seiya walked in followed by a nervous Usagi. Yaten gave him a knowing smirk.
"It seems I'll be able to watch the mating rituals of Seiya Kou also!"
Seiya glared at the evil one and threw the nearest object, a hard covered book, at Yaten but sadly he missed. "It's nothing like that! I'm just giving Tsukino-san English lessons. She's from Japan." Seiya explained as calmly as he could.
"Oh yes, of course. Whatever was I think when I saw Seiya walk in with a pretty blonde...of course all he wold do is study! What was I thinking?" Yaten asked flashing Seiya a smile. He turned around back to the television and murmured to himself, "He wouldn't have to guts to do anything else!"
"Anyway..." Seiya said loudly glaring at his white haired brother. "Usagi this is my brother Taiki."
Taiki stood up and bowed politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you Tsukino-san."
Usagi bowed. "Hai, Kou-san."
Seiya turned to Yaten ready to introduce him. "And that's Yaten, all you need to know about him is never come more that a yard near him without pepper spray!"
Yaten looked at Seiya with puppy dog eyes. "Ouch." He hopped over the couch, landed in front of Usagi and bowed. "Nice to meet ya Tsukino-san! I don't know what you're doing here with a loser like him though. I'm sure you could get a man ten times better than Seiya!"
"Gr...come on Usagi, we can study in my room." Seiya said taking Usagi's hand.
" Hai..." Usagi said softly not to sure of what was going on with Seiya and his short brother. As they walked down the only corridor Usagi could had sworn she heard catcalls from the living room. Seiya led her to a room and closed the door behind him.
"That evil little..." Seiya was muttering as he went to pull up two chairs form his desk. "Sorry about that...Yaten needs to work on his 'people skills'. Sorry if he er...made you uncomfortable..."
Usagi shook her head. "No, it's okay. My little brother is a little unusual too."
Seiya smiled. "Now tell me...how much English do you know?"
~*~*~*~*~
(2 Hours Later)
Seiya and Usagi left Seiya's room both looking exhausted and hungry. Usagi had learned two English sentences explaining that she was a Japanese tourist, she also learned how to order at a restaurant. Seiya looked around the living room and saw Yaten in the same position he had found him two hours ago-on the couch with the remote in hand.
"You haven't moved at all have you?" Seiya asked in Japanese.
"Nope."
"Where is Taiki?"
"Somewhere."
"What do you mean somewhere?"
"Well he told me he was going somewhere but I wasn't exactly listening. "Yaten said as if it were the most obvious answer.
"Ya know what, I'm not even going to try to figure you out right now. Tsukino-san and I are going to get something to eat."
"Yaten turned around, looked at his watch and smirked at his older fraternal brother. "So did you and uh...Tsukino-san have enough time? I expected for you to be in there for at least another two hours. Oh yeah, thanks for being so considerate and keeping the noise down. You have no idea much I would be scarred if I heard a certain...ahem...squeaking."
"Oh!" Usagi covered her blushing face with her hands and looked away from Seiya. Seiya glared at Yaten trying to hide the blush creeping across his nose.
"We'll be going now, oh and if I were you I'd sleep with one eye open tonight...tomorrow night too!"
Yaten didn't say anything but turned back to the T.V. With a triumphant grin Seiya opened apartment door and let Usagi out first. In the halls Seiya bowed catching Usagi off guard.
"Nani?" She asked blinking at him.
"Gomen. I know Yaten can be very blunt and I just wanted to apologize if he said anything to offend you. I guess you call him the 'problem child' even though he's not the middle child.
"Don't worry I understand. I have a friend back in Japan, Minako, who would say things like that so don't worry."
Seiya lifted his head and flashed Usagi a charming smile. "Just don't' judge me by his actions."
Usagi turned her head to hide her blush. "Um...of course not."
"Oh yeah sorry! I know you're probably starving to death right now."
"J-just a little." Usagi stuttered in English.
Seiya looked at her with a surprised expression, which soon turned into a gentle smile.
"Trés bien."
Usagi stared at him with wide eyes. "Nani?"
Seiya chuckled and patted her on one of her golden buns. "It was French for 'very good' Odango."
Usagi pouted cutely. "Let me at least learn English before you start throwing more language at me!"
"Oui, je regrette."
Usagi gently pushed Seiya who just laughed and grabbed her arm. "Come on! I know a great café and since it's such a beautiful day lets walk, plush I think Taiki may have stolen my car!"
"Usagi pumped her fist in the air. "Hai! To the closest café we go! And away we walk!" Usagi started to walk down the hall cheerfully and Seiya didn't remind her that she had no idea where she was going, instead he studied her.
'She's so cute and innocent.' He thought while watching her take wrong turns. Staring at her smiling face suddenly made him frown. 'He never deserved her. He made her cry and NO ONE should make her cry!' He thought angrily as he remembered when he first saw Usagi.
"Mou! Seiya-kun, why are you just standing there? You're hungry too aren't you?" Usagi asked noticing that Seiya was still standing by his apartment door.
"Hai."
"Then let's go!"
"Anou..."
"Nani?"
"You're going to wrong way Usagi-san."
Usagi blushed from embarrassment. "Oh...lead the way then Seiya-kun!"
Seiya gave her a wide grin. "Your wish is my command." Seiya said as he led her out of the apartment complex. During their walk to the café Usagi's eyes kept wandering to young couples who were holding hands or in the shadows sharing a kiss.
'And just think,' Usagi thought sadly. "I use to be just like them...'
"Oi Usagi's what's up? You're dragging behind." Seiya said watching Usagi with concern in his eyes.
Usagi shook her head and gave him a cheerful smile. "Gomen, gomen. I was just admiring the scenery. It's really beautiful out here." She lied hoping that her eyes wouldn't betray her. They did and Seiya noticed; but he thought not to question her any further.
They stopped in front of a small outdoor café where they have their late lunch. Usagi noticed as the waitress greeted Seiya in a familiar way and he responded just the same.
'He sure is popular with the girls.' Usagi thought while watching the exchange. She watched as the waitress kissed Seiya on both cheeks then directed both Seiya and Usagi to an outdoor table. After they got settled in the waitress winked at Seiya before walking off to tend to the other customers.
"It's a really beautiful place isn't it?" Seiya asked Usagi while picking up a menu.
"Yeah...so you know that girl?"
Seiya blinked. "What gi-oh you mean Cecile? Yeah i know her, she was one of the very first people to buy a copy of our album."
"Oh." Usagi said nodding. "Speaking of albums you still have to show me where I could buy your brothers' CD."
Seiya smiled. "All right, all right I will. First let's pick out something to eat. DO you remember how to read the menu?"
"Um...let's see...Cheeseburger, pasta, hamburger and fries. I think I want the pasta." Usagi said looking the menu over.
"Okay very good. Can you read the drinks?"
Usagi stared at the menu for a while trying to remember what Seiya taught her. "Um...coke, lemonade and iced tea!" Usagi said obviously proud of herself. "I want lemonade."
"Now do you know how to tell the waitress what you want?" Seiya asked. Usagi nodded and opened her mouth to answer but Cecile, the waitress, came to their table before Usagi could say anything. Seiya grinned at her. "I guess this is your first test, ya ready?"
Usagi nodded and looked Cecile in the eye. "I would like a pasta and lemonade Cecile-san." Cecile blinked at Usagi then scribbled down the order before turning to Seiya.
"And what can I get for you hot stuff?" She asked with a flirty wink.
"I'll have what she's having Cecile." Seiya said giving her a dazzling smile. Usagi looked annoyed.
'Is that all he knows how do? Flirt?!' She asked herself. Usagi turned her attention to the people passing by in an attempt to clock out Seiya and Cecile's conversation. It seemed like everyone who passed her was paired up with someone else.
'Two. Two. Two. Two. Four. Hmm...must be a double date. I hate this! Why does it seem like everyone has somebody but me?! I hate this feeling, I feel so...alone...'
"Usagi...Usagi-chan. Odango?" Seiya asked waving his hand in front of Usagi's face.
Usagi jumped a little when she noticed that Cecile was gone and that Usagi was talking to her. "Oh I'm sorry. I guess I just spaced out there for a little bit." Usagi said softly looking down at her cup of water.
Seiya frowned. "What's the matter? You seem sad; did something happen?" Usagi shook her head.
"No it's just that..."
"You can tell me, don't be afraid." Seiya said gently.
Usagi bit her bottom lip and tightly shut her eyes. "I'm sorry! I know it seems really selfish but..."
"But what?"
A tear slid down Usagi's cheek. "I just feel really lonely right now...like everyone here has someone else but me...I don't belong here."
"Don't think that Usagi!"
"But it's true! Even you Seiya...even you have someone...I'm alone." She looked up at Seiya with a sad smile as more tears side down her cheeks. "I had someone once and I was really in love with that someone. Although that love hurt me, love her me a lot and I don't want to be hurt anymore...but I don't want to be alone. I guess I'm really selfish..."
In a blink of an eye Seiya was at her side and pulled her into a hug.
"Seiya-"
"Shh. Don't cry Odango." Seiya said wiping her tears away. "You're not selfish Usagi! You're far from selfish and I don't want to see you sad. You shouldn't have to cry Usagi, you're a beautiful girl Odango and that jerk was an idiot for hurting you."
"You really think so?" Usagi asked sniffling.
"Hai. You deserve way better and you don't deserve to be sad. Usagi-chan, you shine your best when you're happy. How about this..." Seiya got on his knees and took both of Usagi's hands in his. "I, Kou Seiya, promise to do my bet to keep a smile on Tsukino Usagi's pretty face. As long as she is here in America I promise to protect her from pain and from those who want o hurt her. Also, I promise she will never feel lonely or vulnerable. On my family's name I promise that Tsukino Usagi will be safe and happy."
Usagi's vision was blurred with tears of appreciation and happiness. She rested her head on Seiya's chest, closed her eyes and gave a happy sigh. For the first time since she arrived in America Usagi felt secure.
"Arigatou Seiya-chan."