A/N: hello again min'na. sorry for the late update. This chapter is the longest so far but I think it's really necessary. I hope you wont get bored and you'll read this chap till the end. I promise you'll like it! But first special thanks again to the following:
kirei*snow*tenshi: thank you sooooo much! I read your profile & I'm so happy to know that you're a VC Andrews fan too! Anyways, I appreciate your guess. You didn't get it but I think it's my fault. Sorry if I had put it a little confusing what I meant was 4 old(original) SM characters. As in the true SM made by Naoko Takeuchi-sama. But you know what? Usagi's crush will be appearing in this chapter too! So I'll shut up now so you can read on. . .
Carolin Rocha: domo arigatou for reviewing. Hope you like this next chap.
Sakura: thank you 4 reviewing. here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy it.
Rei2: hi! Thank u again 4 reviewing. Here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is the property of the great Naoko Takeuchi.
"When a heart is true, there is no need for words. . . for even in silence love can be heard. Destiny determines who comes into our lives, but it is the heart that decides who stays inside."
Chapter Seven: Destined Lovers
"Well. . . he has to be as cute as Kou Yaten-san, as smart as Kou Taiki-san and as cool as Kou Seiya-san. . ."
Four girls giggled.
Usagi, Rei, Ami and Makoto were hanging out at Usagi's room, watching the premiere episode of Search for Your Love. Yes. It was true. The first line of the hit song by the Three Lights was made into a TV show. A dating program.
And for their first episode, the "searchers" are the Three Lights themselves.
Out of hundreds of girls who tried to enter the game, nine were chosen to be the "searchees." Out of the nine, three will be chosen by each Light to have a triple dinner-date.
The first question was from Seiya. He had asked the girls to describe what qualities they're looking for guy.
Searchee number one's answer made it obvious that she was a Seiya-fan. She said she liked a guy who is physically fit. Sports is definitely a plus point. And American football players are way "tooooo cool."
Searchee number two was a pro-Yaten. She said guys with green eyes are so irresistible. And who could resist silver hair?
The third searchee was pro-Taiki. She said she like a guy who she can have long conversations with. Someone who shares the same interest as her. And a guy who reads poetry would be perfect.
And all the other searchees said something that revealed just who of the Lights they liked best.
But searchee number nine's answer was too funny that the four girls couldn't stop giggling.
"Well a girl can dream," Makoto said after their laughter subsided.
Rei nodded in agreement. Usagi just smiled.
"Well every girl has her own dreams of finding Mr. Perfect. Usual types are the "Prince Charming" and "knight in a shining armor" kind of guy. But whatever it is it all comes down to the fact that girls romanticized finding a mate by dreaming of what they think is the perfect guy."
Three pairs of eyes stared at Ami, mouths agape.
Ami blushed and ducked her head.
"That's not from your physics book, ne?" Makoto asked.
"Ami-chan, you said "every girl" that means you too, ne?" This is from Usagi.
Ami blushed like a ripe tomato.
"Who is he?" Rei prompted.
"It's Taiki-san, isn't it?" Makoto asked in a strained voice and cheeks red.
"Well. . . not really. . . "
"What do you mean not really?" The girls said at the same time, leaning closer to interrogate Ami.
"Well I like Taiki-san for I've always thought the perfect guy would have to be smart, I mean really smart, someone who could even surpass me," Ami explained.
"Surpass you?" the three girls echoed in unison.
"Hai. You see, I've always been on the top of the class, I don't have much friends because others think I'm too weird." Ami's voice began to gain courage, "So I've always thought a guy who is as smart as me will be perfect. Taiki-san is um. . . okay but he doesn't surpass me and I guess I'm searching for something more. . ."
"That is?" the girls prompted.
Ami blushed. "You might think this is silly but since I was young. . . I had these strange dreams of a guy. . . "
"Dreams about a guy?" Rei interjected. "What kind of dreams? What does he looked like?"
"I don't really know, Rei-chan. You see, every time I wake up, I forget his features all I remember are brown hair and a pair of brown eyes. . ."
"But not Taiki-san?" Makoto asked.
Ami blushed again. "No. Not Taiki-san. The guy in my dream has short hair." Ami's eyes glazed over, "But Taiki-san kind of reminds me of him. . ."
"Ami-chan!" Rei shouted surprising Ami. "He could be your soul mate!"
Ami's eyes widened like saucers. "Soul mate?" she breathed.
Rei took a deep breath. "You're right Ami-chan, girls tend to dream about a guy that they think is perfect so they can't help but like guys who has those qualities."
Rei glanced at Usagi. "But one should always remember that Mr. Perfect isn't always Mr. Right."
Usagi's lips turned into a slight frown. Oh please don't start again, Rei-chan.
Usagi decided to divert her friend's attention. "Since when did you become a love doctor, Rei-chan? This doesn't suit your I'm-such-a-hothead image," she chided.
Rei's pretty features contorted into annoyance. "Well Odango for your information, I-"
"I think you're right, Rei-chan."
"Mako-chan?" Ami asked, confused.
"I think you've noticed it but I tend to like the same type of guys, someone who reminds me of sempai. . . "
Makoto turned to the TV. Taiki was asking the next question. "Since I met sempai I thought that he was the perfect guy that I had dreamed for so long so I liked guys who reminded me of him. But now I realized because of the many rejections, I decided I wanted a guy who understands and is sensitive of a girl's feeling. Because of that I liked Taiki-san. . . demo. . . demo. . . "
Makoto turned to Ami and smiled. "Something was missing. . . I thought Taiki-san was so perfect, reminding me of sempai and was so friendly with me and everything but I guess he doesn't feel right. A guy might not remind me of sempai but I know he's the right one if he is someone whose more than friendly, someone who knows me inside out. . . someone I don't need to explain myself for he already knows what I feel. . . someone who'll be there when no one else is." Makoto concluded.
"Like a best friend?" Usagi asked.
Makoto turned to Usagi and blinked at her. "I guess you could say that." She turned away her cheeks a little pink.
Does she already have someone in mind? Usagi asked herself. Her thoughts were interrupted as Rei spoke up.
"That's right, Mako-chan. Even if he's not your perfect dream guy, he can be perfect if he's right for you."
Makoto nodded then smiled.
Ami smiled too. "What about you, Rei-chan? Whose your dream guy?"
Rei's cheeks turned as red as her miko outfit.
"I. . . I don't have one. . . " Rei said lamely.
"Yeah right," Usagi said rolling her eyes.
"Really. . . " Rei insisted.
"Yare yare," Ami and Makoto said.
"Fine!" Rei snarled. "I'll tell you mine if Odango promises to tell hers!"
Usagi opened her mouth to protest but Ami and Makoto's voice drowned out hers.
"Of course! She'll do that later," Ami said quickly.
"So on with your story, Rei-chan," Makoto cajoled.
Rei shot Usagi a glance then took a deep breath. "Well I can say that I like guys who are mature-"
"Like Yaten," Usagi interjected.
Rei blushed then shook her head. She glanced at the TV where Yaten was speaking. She sighed then finally nodded.
"Fine. Like Yaten," Rei confessed.
Ami, Makoto and Usagi erupted into a fit of giggles.
Rei frowned. "What's so funny?"
"It's just that finally you admitted that you like Yaten," Usagi teased.
Rei flipped her lustrous mane. "Well do you guys want to hear more or would you rather continue on laughing?"
Immediately the three girls stopped laughing.
"There's more?" Ami asked.
Rei smirked then nodded. She breathed deeply before continuing on, "Actually the first quality my dream guy should have is sincerity."
Rei lowered her head. "I don't want to get into a relationship if there is a possibility that sooner or later it would end."
"Rei-chan," Usagi said softly.
"I knew that he wasn't for me from the start, but I had to go on and delude myself. I'm such a baka. . .oh my. . . I'm rambling aren't I?" Rei asked, smiling sheepishly.
"Gomen," Usagi said, tears forming in her cerulean eyes. "Gomen ne, Rei-chan," she whispered. Rei was right, she was rambling but somehow Usagi felt that she understand. She understand everything. And now she was so sorry, so sorry for her friend's sorrow.
Rei put a hand on top of her head. "Sorry for what Odango?"
Usagi wiped at her tears. "I don't know. . . I-"
"Silly Odango. It wasn't your fault. It isn't anyone's fault," Rei took her hand away and smiled. "It just wasn't meant to be. . ."
"But I-"
"No buts, Odango. Besides its your turn," Rei said smugly.
"My turn?" asked Usagi, blankly.
"Yep. Your turn, Usagi-chan," Makoto enthused.
Ami looked at Usagi expectantly, "So whose your dream guy."
Usagi blinked twice. She bit her lip, "Gomen demo I don't have one."
"No fair! You promised!" Rei protested.
"I didn't promise, Rei-chan," Usagi corrected. "Ami-chan and Mako-chan did."
"But still-"
"Usagi-chan," Ami interjected Rei. "Why don't you tell us? We've told you ours."
"Ami-chan, I would if have but I don't. Gomen."
Rei started protesting again while Ami sat silent.
"Let me handle this," Makoto said. She turned to Usagi and smiled. "Usagi-chan, tell us what you like about Seiya-san."
Usagi blushed.
"That would be biased," Rei muttered.
"Ssshhh," Makoto hissed. "Go on, Usagi-chan."
Usagi stared at the TV. Seiya was smiling at the camera.
"I. . . "
"For the first time since middle school, someone topped the national exams beside Kou Taiki and Mizuno Ami. Kou and Mizuno, tied at second place got 99 percent while Uruwa Ran placed first with a perfect score of one hundred percent."
Ami stopped at her tracks and turned to the large TV screen outside an electronics shop.
"We tried to contact Urawa-san but his mother said he went on vacation and will be gone for the next few days. His school. . . "
The reporter's voice was drowned out by Ami's inner voice.
Urawa Ran. . . Urawa. . . Ran. . . Ry-
"Mizuno Ami?"
Ami turned to the direction of the voice. A boy with short brown hair was standing next to her. His brown eyes stared back at her.
"Hai. How did you know you my name?" Ami asked.
He pointed back at the screen.
Ami blushed.
In the TV was Taiki with Ami was standing next to him. The reporter was asking them for any reaction of the results of the nationals.
Taiki was the one doing all the talking, Ami was just standing shyly at his side. ". . . well Mizuno-san and I congratulate Urawa-san," Taiki said.
"I see," Ami said, turning back to the boy. He was still watching the TV. Ami noticed that he was cute.
He caught Ami staring at him and he blushed.
Okay. He's really cute, Ami thought blushing too.
"Well. . . now you know my name. . . Can I know yours?"
His smile was soft. "Urawa. . . Urawa Ran."
Urawa?
He bowed at her. "Hajimemashita."
Ami bowed too. "Hajimemasita."
They were silent for a long while. They just stood there without speaking, stealing glances at the other once in a while.
Finally, Ami broke the silence. "So you're Urawa Ran, the one who topped the national exams. . . I. . . congratulations. . . "
"Arigatou," Urawa said.
Ami couldn't pull her eyes away from his profile. There's something about him. . . short brown hair and brown eyes. . . he reminds her of someone. . .
"Um. . . so what brings you here in Juuban? I'm sure reporters are looking all over for you just for an interview."
Finally he turned to Ami. He grinned at her, "Speaking from experience, ne?"
Ami blushed again. He has such a cute smile.
"Well they wouldn't want to interview me. The reporters will just think I'm crazy," Urawa explained.
"Naze?"
"Well. . . I remembered one interview. . . they asked you and Kou-san on what inspires you to study hard. I don't remember Kou-san's answer but I'm sure it was logical." He blushed, "Demo, I remembered your answer. You said you wanted to become a great doctor. . . "
A small smile lit Ami's face.
"Your reason makes sense, mine is just stupid. . . "
"If you don't mind me asking but why do you say so?"
Urawa blushed even more. "Its embarrassing. . . "
"I promise I wont laugh," Ami coaxed.
Urawa took a deep breath. "Well okay. I believe in you, Mizuno-san." He took another deep breath, "I have strived to be number one because of a promise."
"A promise?"
Urawa nodded. He stared intently at Ami's intelligent blue eyes. "Since I was young I've been having dreams of this girl. I promised her that one day when I can surpass her by my own abilities, I'll come back."
Ami knew that the healthy heart of a fourteen year old girl don't automatically stop completely after hearing secret. It was just not scientifically possible. But Ami felt that hers just did.
"You see, Mizuno-san, I'm here in Juuban to fulfill that promise," Urawa said softly.
Ami didn't say anything.
"Gomen. You must think me stupid for saying these things. . . "
Ami shook her head. "Iie. I think its. . . sweet. . . "
For the second time, silence befell on the two.
This time it was Urawa who broke it. "Mizuno-san, watashi wa koko wa hajimete desu. . . sono wa. . . "
"So can I me tour you around?" Ami finished for him.
"Hai. If you don't mind, Mizuno-san."
Ami smiled. "Okay, I'll tour you around Juuban in one condition."
"Nandato?"
"Call me Ami, okay Ran-kun?"
When Urawa smiled, his brown eyes smiled too. It was a nice sight, Ami thought.
"Okay, Ami-chan." Ami blushed. "So where do we go to first?"
"To the amusement park," Ami turned to Ran and smiled winningly. "Its my turn to fulfill a promise. . . "
Urawa.
Usagi knew she'd heard that name before. But where?
Oh well it must have been from Ami-chan. If he's all that smart then Ami must know him.
"Sumi masen."
Usagi turned from the article she was reading towards the direction of the voice.
A middle age woman was warmly smiling at her.
"Hai?"
"Kon'nichi wa," the woman said, her blue eyes warm and comforting.
"Kon'nichi wa," Usagi returned.
"I'm sorry to disturb you but have you noticed a weird looking pair of glasses anywhere around here?" she asked, the smile never leaving her face.
"It's not weird-looking," the man beside the woman, protested.
The pretty woman turned to her companion, her auburn locks falling over her shoulder.
"Yes, it is," she argued. She turned back to Usagi and smiled once more. "Don't mind him, he loves his glasses. He won't admit it but it does look weird," she joked.
Usagi smiled back. She turned to the man. He too was in his early forties with brown hair and brown eyes. "Just let me check for it," she said.
She searched around her booth and noticed something at the end of the seat. She reached for it quickly.
Well. It does kind of look weird. Usagi thought as she looked at the object. She shrugged the thought off and turned back to the man.
"I believe this is it," she pronounced.
"My glasses!" The man reached for his glasses gleefully.
His companion rolled her eyes. She smiled at Usagi and said. "He really doesn't need one, he already have his contacts but he insists on keeping his prized glasses."
She continued, "You see, he had it on since grade school up to high school. He thinks former classmates might not recognize him without his trademark." She shook her head and smiled once more. "Thank you, miss?"
"Tsukino. Watashi wa Tsukino Usagi desu."
A flicker of emotion passed in the woman's eyes but before Usagi could identify what it was it disappeared just as quickly.
"Nice to meet you, Usagi. Watashi wa Umino Naru desu," the woman turned to her companion. "This is my husband-"
Her husband had put on his weird-looking glasses. And he looked like a high school nerd.
He smiled enthusiastically. "Watashi wa Umino Gurio. Hajimemashita."
Usagi couldn't speak. Something about this couple felt vaguely familiar. It was like she have known them before.
Finally gathering her wits, Usagi stood up and bowed before them. "Hajimemashita."
"You look familiar, Usagi," Umino Gurio went on.
"I was going to say the exact thing," Umino Naru said. She smiled again, "You're such a lovely girl."
"Hai, indeed," her husband agreed. He continued to stare at Usagi, he blushed.
Usagi smiled a little. This felt weird.
Umino Naru didn't mind. She turned to her husband then back at Usagi, she smiled, "Well, we have to get going now, dear."
Usagi nodded. "It was very nice meeting you."
The couple smiled. They turned around and left.
Usagi followed them with her gaze until they were out of the café.
"Why do you
look so thoughtful, little one?"
"Minoru-oniisan!"
The blond guy sat in front of her. "Hi!" he greeted cheerfully. "So what were you thinking?"
Usagi blushed, sensing her crush's concern. "I was just thinking about this nice couple I've just met."
"Oh? Who are they?"
"Mr. And Mrs. Umino Gurio," Usagi replied.
Minoru flashed his boyish grin. "Oh I know them. They went here a lot."
"Hontou?"
Minoru nodded. "You see, this arcade and café dates back to the nineties. My dad and aunt used to work here in their teens. After otousan became a doctor, he bought this place. He says it holds a special place in his heart."
"Mr. And Mrs. Umino are old friends of my dad, that's why they're always here."
Usagi smiled. "Your dad sounds like a great guy," she commented.
"Well you're in luck, Usagi-chan," Minoru sais, smiling again. "Otousan and okaasan are here," he looked around the shop. "Well they've disappeared for quite some time now but they'll be back for sure."
Usagi stared back at Minoru, comfused.
"I'll introduce you them. They'll be thrilled to meet you," he enthused.
Usagi lowered her head, hiding the blush creeping into her face. Minoru-oniisan's going to introduce me to his parents!
A thought came to her mind and she blushed even more. Gomen ne, Mako-chan.
Where is that guy?
Makoto was sitting by the porch of her good friend's house. She had come to surprise him but his mom informed her that he still wasn't home yet.
So now, she was sitting by the porch, patiently waiting. But she have been waiting for twenty minutes or so and her patience was running thin.
Where is he?
"Makoto-chan?"
Makoto turned to the direction of the voice. It was not hard to picture what her friend would look like when he gets older. Shun looked so much like his dad. They both had the same brown hair, the same soft blue eyes and the same warm smile.
"Shinozaki-ojisan." Makoto greeted, "Ogenki desu ka?"
"Genki desu," he replied. "And you?"
Makoto
smiled. "Genki desu, ojisan."
Asigiri Shinozaki sat beside
Makoto. "That's nice to hear." He smiled warmly, "And it's nice to see you
again, Makoto-chan."
"Arigatou, ojisan," Makoto said. "I was just visiting for the day."
"Wakata," Asigiri replied. "And how are things in Juuban? Do you like it so far?"
"Hai!"
Asigiri smiled. "I lived in Juuban when I was younger."
"Oh? I didn't know, ojisan."
They sat in silence for a long while. Makoto checked her watch every few minutes.
"I'm sure Shun would be very glad to see you," Mr. Asigiri said.
Makoto smiled. "He should be. We promised to be best friends forever." She crossed her arms, "No girl could change that." She cracked her knuckles, "Or else. . . "
Mr. Asigiri laughed.
Makoto watched him puzzled. "What's so funny, ojisan?"
"Do you actually think Shun would even dare look at other girls?"
Makoto smiled sheepishly. "Well maybe not. He's afraid of me."
"Not really," Mr. Asigiri lowered his voice. "My son likes you."
Makoto's face flushed bright red. "Oji-san!"
"It's true," Mr. Asigiri said. "He's just too shy to express it. Well what can I say? He's just like his old man."
Makoto stared at him questioningly. She wanted to know what he meant, but it was impolite to ask.
But as if lost in the past, Mr. Asigiri went on, "When I was his age, there was this very special girl. She's my best friend and I really liked her."
"Isn't it ironic that every time something sad happens, it's always raining?" He smiled at the memory, "That's when I try to be there for her. For when she's sad, I'm sad. I want to show how much she means to me but then I can never tell her how much I really like her."
"Naze?"
"Why couldn't I tell her? Well maybe because she've been hurt more than once before and I was so afraid I'll hurt her if confess. I'm scared too that that I'll find out that I'm just a friend and nothing more."
"Iie. I know you're much more than that. She had been blind not to see how much you meant to her, maybe she was scared too," Makoto whispered. She looked up at Mr. Asigiri's shocked expression. "Gomen nasai, I don't know what's gotten into me."
"Daijobou."
Makoto turned to him, smiling. Her smile faded when she saw his expression. "Shinozaki. . . ojisan. . . ?"
He laughed merrily. "Got you."
"Nandato?"
He continued laughing.
"You weren't serious?!"
Mr. Asigiri smiled apologetically. "Gomen."
Makoto was dumbfounded. She had been so sure that he was telling the truth. She knew she was! She had even felt she knew what he was talking about.
Makoto was about to say something when Shun entered.
"Makoto?"
Makoto smiled happily. "Shun!" She ran up and threw her arms around him.
Shun pulled her to him as if in a dream. "You should have told me that you're going to visit. You surprised me."
Makoto pulled away. "That's the point, Asigiri Shun!"
The two laughed together just like the old times.
"I'll leave you young ones alone now," Mr. Asigiri said.
"Matte yo, ojisan!"
Asigiri Shinozaki looked back at Makoto. "Nani, Makoto-chan?"
Makoto bit her lip. "Ano. . . what you said. . . it was true. . . ne?" With her eyes, she pleaded for him to answer honestly.
Mr. Asigiri's eyes answered everything. His lonely eyes said it.
It was a long while before he finally said. "It doesn't matter now anyway, I made my point."
But it did matter. But then again, it was so long ago. A lifetime ago. But still, Makoto was happy to finally have the answer to her question.
With a final smile, he excused himself.
"What was that about with otousan?" Shun asked after Mr. Asigiri disappeared inside the house.
"Nothing," Makoto said, turning to Shun with a bright smile.
She hugged him, "I missed you so."
"I missed you too, Makoto."
"Ikuso!" Makoto said enthusiastically. "We have so much to catch up on."
Shun led him into the house. "Hai. Now, tell me all about Juuban."
"I love Juuban! You have to come some time, Shun!" She sat down the sofa as Shun sat beside her. "I'll introduce you to everyone, there's sweet and smart Ami-chan, then the fiery Hikawa Shrine no miko, Rei-chan and of course, beautiful Usagi-chan. . . "
Gomen Mako-chan. . . gomen. . . Usagi thought as Minoru continued chatting away.
"Minoru-san is kinda cute, ne Usagi-chan?" Makoto once said.
Usagi nodded enthusiastically. "Hai," she agreed dreamily. "Matte. Does that mean you lik Minoru-oniisan? Does he reminds you of your sempai?"
Makoto blushed. "No no."
Minoru greeted the customers who have just entered.
"But his voice reminds me of sempai. . . "
Usagi's reverie was interrupted by the chiming of bells. New customers.
Minoru looked over at the entrance and waved. He smiled at Usagi. "They're back Usagi-chan." He laughed, "So that's why they've disappeared so suddenly. They've been kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?"
"Kon'nichiwa Minoru," a voice greeted.
That voice.
Usagi turned to the surprised face of Chiba Mamoru. Standing next to him was man and a woman. The woman had long brown hair and striking blue eyes while the man had Minoru's blond hair and green eyes.
"Odango!" Mamoru greeted, grinning widely.
"Mamoru-san," Usagi returned.
"Oh so you the dashing Mr. Chiba, ne, Usagi-chan." He grinned, "Well did you know too that he's my parent's constant kidnapper."
Usagi stared back at Minoru blankly.
"Stop joking around, Minoru," Mamoru said.
Minoru's face turned serious. "Okay okay." He smiled at Usagi. "Usagi-chan this my otousan, Dr. Furuhata Motoki and okaasan, Furuhata Reika. Tousan, kaasan, this is Tsukino Usagi."
Usagi stood up and bowed before them. "Hajimemashita."
The couple bowed too. "Hajimemashita," they said at the same time.
Minoru turned to his dad, "Tousan, where did you go?"
The man smiled warmly at Usagi's way, "I'm sorry if we had to disappear. But Mamoru here is such a pleasant companion to be with, we had started talking and didn't realize the time."
"It's okay," Usagi reassured.
"You see Usagi-chan, my parents want me to hand over to them my title of "Chiba Mamoru's best friend."
Mamoru rolled his eyes.
Usagi smiled at him. "How have you been, Mamoru-san?"
"I'm fine, Odango," he said, smiling.
"Odango?"
All eyes turned to Furuhata Reika.
"I've never heard Chiba Mamoru call any girl with a nickname before," she commented.
Mamoru's cheeks turned pink.
"You must be very special," Mrs. Furuhata continued.
Usagi's heart started pounding and she could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks. After a while of silence, she decided to divert the topic.
"Furuhata-san, you look familiar," she said. It was true. She does look familiar. The long brown hair and blue eyes. Usagi was sure she've seen it before.
"Well okaasan was a famous archeologist before she married otousan." Minoru smiled, "Maybe you've heard about it before, the young lady who went to explore South Africa? Nishimura Reika?"
Usagi nodded but she felt it was something more. Furuhata Reika looked more than familiar now. . . and her husband. . . Furuhata Motoki. . . where have she seen him before?
"Your name's sounds familiar, Usagi," Mr. Furuhata said suddenly.
Usagi looked at him startled.
"Well Usagi's quite famous, dad. You see her boyfriend is the famous Kou Seiya," Minoru supplied.
"No that's not it," Furuhata Motoki agrued.
"Well I believe Minoru talked about her a few times before," Mrs. Furuhata supposed.
Minoru blushed beet red.
"Kaasan!"
"Or was it Mamoru?" Reika continued.
Usagi turned towards Mamoru. Both he and Minoru were hiding their faces.
"Maybe both?" Mr. Furuhata finally asked.
"Yes. I believe so too," his wife concluded.
An awkward silence befell on the five. Finally, Mr. Furuhata broke it.
"Well it was a pleasure to meet you, Usagi but I'm afraid we have to get going," he said.
Usagi nodded. "It was so nice meeting you too."
Furuhata Reika smiled while her husband just nodded.
They bid Mamoru and Minoru goodbye too before going out.
Minoru glanced at Usagi, "Um I have to get back to work now, Usagi-chan." He nodded towards Mamoru before dashing behind the counter.
"Um can I buy you a soda or something?" Mamoru asked after a while.
Usagi blushed. "Um I'm waiting for someone but okay," she answered.
They sat facing each other in the booth. Mamoru signaled for a waitress.
A waitress with short black hair took their orders. She smiled flirtatiously at Mamoru. "Yes?"
Mamoru turned to Usagi. "What do you want, Usagi?"
"A strawberry milkshake, please."
Mamoru nodded. "I'll have a cup of black coffee, please."
The waitress smiled again before leaving.
Mamoru smiled at Usagi. "So who are you waiting for?"
"Shimatta! Odango's going to kill me!"
Rei was running down the steps of Hikawa Shrine as fast as she can. She was supposed to meet Usagi twenty minutes ago at the Crown but she had been cleaning the temple and she never noticed the time.
Rei saw a young man at the end of the steps. He haven't seen Rei yet.
"Move!" Rei yelled at him but it was too late. They collided right into each other and fell on the hard ground, Rei on top of him.
Rei pulled herself up and combed her fingers through her disarrayed hair.
"Baka! Why didn't you move when I told you to?" she snarled.
The man stood up much slower. He dusted himself and looked at Rei. "Gomen nasai," he said.
Rein opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. It really wasn't his fault anyway. She watched him looking up the stairs of the Shrine.
"What is it?" Rei asked.
"Um I was just wondering who I can talk to so I can work for this temple," the young man replied.
Lines appeared in Rei's forehead. "You want to work in this shrine? Why?"
The young man smiled. "I have learned that my uncle used to worked here. He died serving this temple, almost twenty years ago."
Rei nodded. "Yes, I do believe I've heard about that story before." Rei frowned, "What is his name again?"
"Kumada Yuuichirou," the man said. He smiled, "And I am Kumada Yuu."
Rei watched him closely. "Hino Rei," she said, finally. "I'm the miko."
"Oh in that case, can I ask you, Hino-san that you let me work here. Onegai?" the young man begged, going down to his knees.
Rei blushed at his dorkiness. "Stand up! You're embarrassing me!" she hissed.
He quickly obeyed her command.
"I'll think about it," Rei said. "But first, tell me why you'd like to work in here. Your uncle working for here before isn't enough reason if you ask me."
Kumada Yuu nodded. "I understand." He breathed deeply, "You see, Hino-san, my dad talked about my ojisan a lot. He said ojisan ran away from home when he was about my age now. After a while, they received a letter from him, indicating that he decided to work in this shrine. He never came back even for a visit."
"My dad asked ojisan why he won't return, ojisan said he's waiting for some thing. He never said what it was though," Yuu said, smiling.
"So?" Rei prompted.
"Oh yes. I decided to work here so I can continue my ojisan's work. I admire my ojisan's dedication," Kumada explained.
Rei became thoughtful. "This thing your uncle was waiting for. What do you think it was?"
Kumada Yuu smiled sheepishly. "Well otousan always joked that it might be that he's waiting for a girl."
"Excuse me?" Rei coughed.
"Otousan said ojisan was never the serious type. He gets interested in girls real quick but it fades away just as soon too," the young man said. "But then otousan said maybe ojisan finally found the girl he loved for real. And that's why he won't return home, because he waited until the end. To show how sincere he was."
Rei paled like ghost. She thought she was going to faint.
"Hino-san!" Kumada Yuu quickly put an arm around Rei, supporting her. "Daijobou?"
Rei stared back at his concern brown eyes. How she had gotten used to it before. She felt his breath on her face, his face was so close.
"You look so much like him," Rei said, touching his face.
"You mean ojisan?"
"There's only a few differences. You've matured. Your hair isn't so messy anymore. You've tied it neatly in a ponytail. And you don't look so goofy either," Rei said, seemingly in a daze.
"Hino-san. . .?"
Rei smiled for the first time. It was a lovely sight. Kumada Yuu's face turned red. Rei could feel his heartbeats accelerating.
Rei watched him closely. "Tell me, onegai, you are as sincere as him, ne?"
His eyes answered for him.
"It's okay," Rei whispered.
Her eyelids began to close. "Hino-san! Hino-san!"
In her dream, she saw him too. She smiled back at him warmly, "Call me, Rei."
"Mars is sending out good vibes. She's feeling happy."
Usagi watched the other blonde in confusion. "Whose Mars?"
The blonde shook her head. "It doesn't matter." She smiled at Usagi, "So have you got an answer yet?"
Usagi shook her head. "I don't understand myself. Why can't I say what I like about Seiya? Isn't he my dream guy?"
The blond girl smiled sadly. "No one can answer that for you. Only you can
"I guess so," Usagi whispered.
"Don't look so sad, hime-sama."
Usagi raised an eyebrow. "Why do you keep on calling me that?"
"Because you are," she answered.
"No I'm not," Usagi argued.
"Yes you are."
Usagi shook her head.
"It's okay, really, hime-sama. If you want I'll help you figure out your dream guy."
"How?"
"First, let's borrow some of our friends' dream guy qualities," the blond become thoughtful. "Don't you like a guy who is sincere too?"
Usagi nodded slowly.
"I remember, the prince was so loyal to you," the blond sighed dreamily.
"For two millenniums, he was devoted to you and only you."
What she said didn't make sense to Usagi but she felt a tingling in her stomach.
"And he was your closest friend too," the blond continued.
Usagi nodded in agreement.
"And he fulfills all of his promises, ne, hime-sama?"
"Not all," Usagi said, a single tear coursing down her pale cheek. "He promised he'll come back. . . he promised he'll write. . . he never did. . . "
Usagi doubled over. The pain in her heart was so much to bear.
"Hime-sama!" The blond rushed to her side.
"Why didn't he come back? Why?"
"He. . . the prince. . . he. . . "
". . . died. . . "
"Odango, daijobou?"
Usagi opened her eyes to a pair of concern blue eyes.
She felt a stab in her heart, seeing those beautiful orbs.
"Mamoru-san?"
She looked around. She was still in the arcade. "What happened?"
"I think you're pretty stressed out. You fell asleep a little while ago," Mamoru explained.
"Oh? Where's Rei-chan?" she asked.
"I don't think she'll be showing up. You've been waiting for her for an hour already."
Usagi nodded and stood up. "Thank you for the treat, Mamoru-san."
Mamoru reached for her hand as she turned around.
"Matte," he said.
"Hai?"
"I can't let you go off alone. You're tired, if you don't mind I'll walked you home," he suggested.
"It's okay, I don't want to bother you."
"It's no bother at all," Mamoru said. "Tell you what, my apartment's near the park, we'll split there, deal?"
Usagi smiled then nodded.
They exited the Crown together. They walked in silence for some time.
Once in a while, a girl would come up to them and flirt with Mamoru.
Finally, young lady with brown hair came up to them.
"Seiko-san," Mamoru greeted.
The girl smiled happily.
Mamoru turned to Usagi, "Usagi this is Seiko-san. She's my classmate from the university." He turned to Seiko and nodded towards Usagi, "Seiko-san this is Tsukino Usagi."
Usagi bowed politely at the pretty brunette. "Hajimemashita."
The lady eyed Usagi carefully before bowing down. "Hajimemashita."
Watching them, Usagi thought how alike they were. They both look so smart and sophisticated. Usagi wondered if they were the "perfect couple" in their university that Minoru was talking about.
Mamoru and Seiko talked for a little while more before she finally excused herself.
Usagi watched her go.
"She's very pretty, Mamoru-san," Usagi commented.
"Maybe but brunettes aren't really my type," Mamoru whispered.
Usagi's heart began to pitter-patter. She smiled and turned away. "So I guess that means you prefer redheads." She stared directly at his eyes. "Or do you like blondes. . .?"
Mamoru smiled. He reached out and touched one of Usagi's long "pigtail". "I love blondes. . . "
He touched Usagi's cheek and leaned closer. "I love blondes with blue eyes. . . "
Time stood still as midnight blue eyes stared back at cerulean blue, their eyes communicating in silent language. When Mamoru spoke up, Usagi can feel his breath on her face.
"Usa . . .?"
"Hai?" she answered, breathlessly.
"Do you want to go with me to this art museum the day after tomorrow?" he asked as he released her. He smiled at her expectantly.
"Hai," Usagi agreed, smiling back radiantly.
Their eyes met and held again.
A few feet away a girl with brown hair tied back in a ponytail captured the lovely picture the couple made.
A/N: oh my! Mystery girl! Find out who she in the next chap. I'll be updating more frequently for I'm free! My second year is over! I passed Chemistry! I passed Physics! I passed Anatomy! Yehey!
Here are the translations:
miko outfit - a priestess's get-up(you know the white top with the red pants)
"Watashi wa koko wa hajimete desu. . . sono wa. . ." - "This is my fist time here. . . so. . ."
"Ogenki desu ka?" - "How are you?"
ojisan - uncle
otousan - father
okaasan - mother
hime - princess
I'll make you guess again, min'na. In the next chapter there would be a woman who once appeared in the original SM series, 1st season. She'll be hinting more about the love and destiny between Usa and Mamo so watch out for that chapter, Picture Perfect. Also in that chapter, Seiya will be hinting about what had happened after that last fight a lifetime ago. I'll give you a clue about the woman, min'na. Her name and surname in Japanese starts with the same letter. In the NA version, she had been using a penname with initials that start with the same letter. Anyway I think it's easy so go on and guess. To those who'll be able guess who the woman is, I'll answer any question about the story you might like to know NOW. I know some people hate to wait, I mean I do! It'll be in private of course^_^
If there's anything you want to clear up with this chap, just say so and I'll answer right away. Leave an e-mail so I can do so, OK? Don't forget to review, min'na. Love you all! Ja!