Earth--Day

Usagi stares out the window blankly, head resting on a balled fist and mind wandering elsewhere. It is the last class of the day and Seiya has yet to arrive. She sighs, long and hard.

Where is he? she thinks for the thousandth time. It isn't like him to go back on a promise, and he did promise he would be here.

The door to the classroom opens, and the teacher walks in carrying a briefcase and looking peevish. "Sorry I'm late, class," he says loudly, "but I had some business to attend to. It appears we have three news students--"

At this Usagi looks up, eyes wide and smiling hopefully.

"--all of whom I'm sure many of you recognize." Now Usagi rises half out of her chair, gazing at the door intently. "Seiya, Taiki and Yaten Kou!" Usagi sits back down, sighing in relief and watching the three boys stroll in. She smiles at Seiya, who winks back at her. She blushes and looks away. "Gentlemen, please find an empty seat. I'm sure the students will be more than happy to escort you around campus. Now, to begin today's lesson..."

Seiya sits in his old spot behind Usagi, grinning. He leans forward, snatching, very gently, a few strands of her hair and letting them fall through his fingers.

Ah, Odango...how I've missed you!

Then he taps her on the shoulder to get her attention. "Hey, Odango, would you mind showing me around school today?"

She blinks, then rolls her eyes. "Seiya, you know your way around by now. The only thing that's changed since you left is the auditorium--the old one burned down, so they built a new one."

"Still...would you?" She sighs in defeat.

"Okay, okay...later today I'll show you around."

"Looking forward to it," he says, and she can hear the triumph in his voice.

Seiya holds the side door to the auditorium open for Usagi. She looks at him for a long moment, then steps inside, and he follows. They both look around; it's dark, the seats all empty.

"Wow...hey Odango, want to go backstage?"

"And do what?" she asks suspiciously. He shrugs.

"Oh, just walk around, look at the scenery...haven't you ever done this before?" She blushes and stutters when she responds.

"Ah, no, I haven't, and I don't want to start now. We should leave..."

"Hot date with Mamoru-san?" he asks bitterly. She sighs and looks down.

"No. Mamo-chan went back to America to continue his studies. We write to each other, but..."

"But...?" Usagi shakes her head.

"Nevermind."

"No, tell me. I thought we wouldn't keep secrets from each other, that we were...friends," he whispers, cringing at the term. She looks up at him with sad eyes.

"He doesn't write to me very often. When he does he seems...distracted, almost. Like..."

"...His studies are more important than you?" he finishes in monotone. "What kind of man puts love second to study?"

"No, it's not like that..."

"Isn't it? He leaves Japan for his studies. He forsakes writing to you because of his studies." Seiya's voice rises in anger. "He's not strong enough to protect the Earth from--anyone! Doesn't he know what he has?" he asks quietly. "Doesn't he know that some men would kill to have someone like you--to see you smile at him, look at him lovingly?"

"Seiya..."

"I asked you, Odango, if I wasn't good enough. Do you remember that day?" When she nods, he continues, "You never answered me. It isn't fair to leave that question hanging. Does your silence mean that I'm not good enough, or...that you're just not sure?"

"Seiya, I..." A tear falls from her eye. Seiya looks stricken.

"Odango, I...I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. I shouldn't have. I'm such a fool, aren't I?" he asks emotionally, wiping the tears away from her eyes. "I'm so jealous of him, Usagi. Forgive me."

Usagi lies face-down on her bed, grabbing a pillow and hugging it. She sniffs, tears staining the pillow cover. Why? Why do they both have to be so wonderful? It isn't fair to have to choose. I...I can't hurt either of them. I want them both! Seiya...Mamo-chan...why?

Thanks for the review, Chibi-Yaten. It's nice of you to defend my story, but...there's no one to defend it against. You're the first reviewer! So, thank you so much for that. This chapter isn't much but, hey, it's dedicated to you!