Chapter 3:

Usagi was, for once, not late for school; not because she got up at a different time, or because she didn't run into Mamoru, or because she'd gone the wrong way. No, it was none of these reasons at all, and the reason was –

"SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!" She screamed as she ran down the stairs at about midday (okay, so maybe she was up a liiiitle later than usual), "Freedom is MINE!"

"Yes, we know Usagi," said Ikuko wearily, "We know… You've only been telling us about them for the last week." Usagi grabbed some food from the fridge and began eating, talking between bites.

"So.. /chews/ Me and the girls /chews/ are going to go and do some shopping /chews/ near the arcade/chews/ so I'll see you later, 'kay Mama?" Usagi swallowed and grabbed her bag, looking back at her mother for confirmation, "Bye!"

This was her normal holiday act, but somehow today it felt somewhat forced, and very awkward, for an unknown reason. Continuing, Usagi walked out of her house, turning left towards the main road, her hair bouncing with each step, humming happily, Now we see if my advice did anything… It didn't take long for Usagi to reach the Arcade, but to her disappointment, Mamoru wasn't there.

Ah well.. Guess I'll just have to go for a milkshake instead. She ordered and stared off into space, drinking her chocolate milkshake. I hope he comes in soon, I want to know if my advice did anything… Luckily for Usagi, Mamoru was on his way to the Arcade, having made plans with Motoki the day before.

She was still staring off into space when he entered, unobtrusively for once, and made his way to the counter where Motoki was standing. Usagi barely noticed, too engrossed in her chocolate haze to have much of a reaction; it was, however, a cute picture to Mamoru, (who swore that he wasn't really looking), with her straw only just kept in her mount and her eyes gazing off into oblivion, anyone else could have been fooled into thinking she was deep in thought.

Though he did not look it, Mamoru was nervous, he had been given advice, from a mysterious girl, the night before on what to do about Usagi. He had known he would see her today, and had even thought up a mental dialogue as to what each of them would say, though he didn't hold much hope for it. After a moment on indecision, he resolved to at least say something to the blonde; he walked over slowly, unsurely, nervously.

"Um, Hi," he ventured, almost wanting to wave a hand in front of her glazed eyes and call her Odango Atama, but he controlled himself, "How's it going?"

"Huh, whaa.." Usagi muttered as she came out of her stupor, shaking the hand which had been supporting her chin for the past 10 minutes, "Oh, Mamoru. It's you."

All in all, Usagi was rather proud of that performance, it appeared as though nothing had changed, "What do you want?" she managed in a suspicious but curious tone. It was lucky she didn't need to say anymore, since a funny feeling had spread throughout her stomach, somewhat akin to butterflies. Butterflies? She thought, But I'm not nervous!

"I – I just wanted to enquire as to how you are, no ulterior motive, I swear," the dark haired man said honestly, watching Usagi's face intently.

"I'm fine, really," Usagi said with one of her trademarked bubbly smiles, "What about you?" she asked in a moment of spontaneity. She was surprised by an uncharacteristic, actually happy smile from Mamoru in response.

"I'm better than I have been in a while actually, thank you for asking," even through this new, tentative semi-friendship, Mamoru was still the soul of courtesy. There was a moment of silence and complete awkwardness, before Mamoru thought to relieve the tension, "well, err, I guess I'll talk to you later; Bye Usagi." He left quickly, not looking back towards what he thought would have been a confused Usagi; however he would have been surprised.

Usagi was smiling, a sly little conspiratorial smile, yet still one with a hint of innocence. It was working, however slowly, this was working; something in that fact gave the blonde a great feeling of satisfaction, in the knowledge that one way, or another, Mamoru would eventually get to the right page in her book.

There was something innately satisfying in such a thought, as though this was how it was always meant to be; she knew there would be bumps in getting him to skip a few pages and get to the right spot of the book, but she also knew that she could manipulate him there. Yet, the pleasure was not in the manipulation; she knew that he, Mamoru, the college guy, had a crush on her, middle school, klutzy Usagi. It was a warm feeling, one that brought great comfort and knowledge. So, yes, this would all work out.

Usagi arrived home, and hopped straight onto the computer, somewhat eager to find the next instalment of this saga, and also quite curious as to what Mamoru was writing in his blog for today's entry. She was in for a slight disappointment however, the only new thing written in his blog was "Serena. Add me to your MSN messenger list."

She sighed, figuring that he probably wasn't even online yet; she gazed around the study as she waited for the messenger to log her in, she added him and was astonished to find him online. He was enthusiastic in his greeting.

/Serena! Hey! So guess what? I took your advice! Well, some of it anyway. I stopped being so abrasive and actually did something nice (well, nice for my usual treatment of her anyway). Thank you so much./

/Hey, Mamoru. That's great to hear/ She replied/So, what did you do/

He launched into a detail recount of their 5 minute conversation, which she punctuated with things like: "Oh, really? And how did she take that?" or "Sounds like things are going better then!"

One sentence of his, however, stood out, something incredibly sweet/It feels like maybe this will work, like maybe, just maybe, its meant to be./

Usagi felt her heart melt a little more at that comment, she could almost hear him say it, in the voice he had used that afternoon. Her confidence was boosted greatly, and that warm feeling wasn't going away.

So, I know I said this would be updated quickly/soon etc, but then exams appeared and man, was I stuffed! This looks like its going to be 5 chapters, not 4, but thats all the better for you! I'll do review responses next chapter, I hope you enjoyed it.

xx Usa