Sons and Lovers
By dee1600
Disclaimer: All Sailor moon characters are created by Naoko Takeuchi/ Kondansha and Toei Animation. Some scenes that will transpire in this story come from the first two volumes of the manga BODY by Mimori Ao.
Chapter 4: Infatuation
Eyes wide, Chiba Mamoru was surprised by watery droplets falling from Tsukino-san's eyes. Tears. Tsukino-san's tears. Chiba didn't know how to handle it.
"Tsukino-san…"
Seeing her crouched and unhappy, I wanted to comfort her. I had seen tears before. Tears shed when my clients became clingy and needy and I had to dump them after a few dates. I know what to do with them. I'd send them flowers and write a note of apology, saying everything was over; never planning to see them again.
But these were women who I never liked at all. Women who I have no attraction whatsoever. But now, Tsukino-san's tears are painfully tugging my heart.
Hesitantly, bending forward, I awkwardly stoop behind Tsukino and place my right hand on top of her head. Her golden hair is so soft, as my fingers glide through it. As I was about to utter a word of apology, someone came at the scene disturbing us. What lousy timing!
"Excuse me. Sorry for interrupting. But --- are you , Chiba Mamoru?"
My left eyebrow started to twitch. What's he doing here? Was he feigning that he didn't know his own cousin?
"Yeah." My response sounded clearly annoyed.
Just then, Tsukino-san looked up, and her eyes turned to my cousin. I could tell from, the way her face was scrunched up tightly that she was trying to guess who he was. From the way her eyes lit up…
"Still running? Makoto-sensei asked me to look for you. If it's too much for you, you can always withdraw…"
Yeah, I almost forgot… I was supposed to be trying to finish the race. But since I got to make Tsukino give me a chance …
Displaying my dramatic flair, I pretended to cry and shouted "Due to a sprained ankle, I withdraw!" This made Tsukino-san sweat drop. Besides, she can't stay mad at me forever.
But then I notice Tsukino looking at my cousin, as he listed my name on the injured list. Was she checking my bro out? When my cousin looked up and saw her staring at him, he put on his killer smile. My stomach tightened. What was Malachite pulling this time?
"It's just as well, your girlfriend's worried about you." My cousin teased.
She'd be my girlfriend in a heartbeat --- if you would stop smiling at her like that.
Yanking Tskunio's arm to get her closer, I clutched Tsukino-san's waist and answered hurriedly. "Yeah, she was so worried, she came all the way here to check up on me. Isn't she cute?"
SMACK! Tsukino-san, blushing madly, hit me hard on the head, and retorted, "WAIT A SEC! Stop talking garbage! I wasn't worried or anything."
Then she gazed at my cousin, her eyes looking at up at him pleadingly, " And…and I'm not this guy's girlfriend!"
A secret smirk tugged on Malachite's lips. I could tell from Tsukino's expression that she missed it completely.
"Well then, I have to go ahead. I still have to report to Makoto-sensei." And so making a quick exit, he bowed and left me to handle the ruined situation. Argh! As I grinded my teeth, I could see Tsukino-san gazing fixedly at my cousin's profile as he disappeared into the distance, a pink hue tinting her cheeks, her eyes turning starry.
I shook her immediately to get out of her reverie "HELLO? HEY, TSUKINO! WHAT THE---!"
She had deliberately blanked out on me! And now all her affections are turned towards my cousin! Great! Now she's practically drooling over her thoughts of Malachite! I stormed out, stomping heavily as she continued to stand there in her stupor.
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The next morning, I caught her mooning in front of the vending machine. Was she thinking about me?
Sipping my cola, I walked up to her and cried,
"Yo!"
She half-turned, her eyes expectant to see someone. When she glanced at me however, she turned away and ignored me with an audible "Hmph!" I guess not.
With hands in my pockets, I quickly took this chance to make small talk before she escapes me.
"So, why have you been avoiding me?"
"Are you serious? Do you really have to ask why? For your information," jabbing her finger against my chest for emphasis, "you resorted to cowardice yesterday and right now, your face pisses me off!"
As Tsukino ranted, I looked into Tsukino's eyes and stared long and hard. YEAH, RIGHT! As if! Finally, pressed by my silent stare, she asked indignantly. "WHAT?"
"That boy from yesterday… you've developed some feelings for that guy haven't you?"
When I saw her eyes widen, I instantly caught her! BULLSEYE!
"What—what are you talking about? Since when did you suddenly become an expert on female psychology?" Tsukino-san replied skittishly.
"Well, I know how you feel. He's sort of fit your ideal, huh? Serious, cool, a bit distant yet sincere looking…"
Fuming, Tsukino asked me crossly. "So what if I do like that other guy? It has nothing to do with you!"
"You know, you should just give it up!"
"Huh?"
"Guys like him… they could be perverts you know."
Her eyes looked at me critically, her eyebrows knit in suspicion.
"You're just jealous! Besides," she glared at me pointedly, "why should I listen to you when you've deceived me countless times! I'm not listening to you anymore, moron!" And with that, she turned towards the classroom.
As it turned out, the next thing she did was to bump into someone's back. What a klutz! An expressive "Ow!" came out of her, and it was only when the guy turned that I realized it was my cousin. Again! Curiously, I felt my blood boil.
I inched my way to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Hey, aren't you that girl from yesterday…with Chiba Mamoru?"
All she could do was nod speedily.
"So…are you two going out?"
"NONONONO! He just sits next to me in class. There's nothing between us!"
"I see. That's good."
That's good? Is he planning to…!
"I think we've never formally introduced. My name's Inaba Malchite. So, what's you're name by the way?"
"Um…my name's Usagi…Tsukino Usagi. "
"Tsukino-san, I'll see you later after school at the library. Promise me you won't go anywhere."
"I promise."
After class, huh?
And with that, my cousin waved goodbye and Tsukino-san waved back to him, still holding that dreamy smile. Ugh! The sight was sickening, I wanted to barf.
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"Is that lip gloss you're wearing?'
Catching up to her in the locker room, I endured the oncoming silence as she continued to stain her lips. I had to stop her from meeting Malachite so I stated the obvious.
"You're meeting that boy today, aren't you?"
Her eyes glowered at me, bristling. "You! Were you listening in to our conversation?"
"…Don't you find him suspicious?"
"Just because you don't have a chance in hell with me so you try to break other people's chances…" Tsukino retorted sarcastically.
"I'm just expressing my worries…"
"WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN!"
And with that she sprinted her way to the library. So much for Plan A. Now's it's time for Plan B. Making sure that my cousin doesn't do anything with Tsukino-san. That pervert was always obsessed with women twice his age. I remembered when he announced the news to me in 6th grade …
"Wh-AT? I knew there was something fishy when you joined the Math Club…"
"Well, what can I say, I'm in love with her. Aside from the fact that her voice is like an angel, her boobs are pretty big. Do you think if I date her, she'll show off those boobies to me?"
"Mal, give it up. She's our teacher for god's sake. Besides, I think there are rules about teachers dating their students…"
" I don't care! As long as I can get a peek at those boobies…"
Now that I think about it, I shiver in disgust. If his hand strays anywhere near Tsukino-san's breasts…
Sneakily entering the library, I spotted the two of them right away. Across the library entrance, their table was facing me. I could see that they were deep in their conversation, their heads close as Tsukino was drinking her milk. Unable to catch anything, I slid in and out of the endless rows of shelves until I reached the aisle closest to them. And there, I grabbed a book and sat down, my head resting on the shelf, as I tried to pry into their conversation.
"You two are pretty close, huh?"
"What are you saying? Chiba and I don't get along at all. And he's a freak, you know…"
"Hahaha. Freak? That's really funny…"
"So… how about you?" Shyly brushing her hair with her fingers, her voice above a whisper, Tsukino asked shyly. "Are you seeing anyone right now?"
"Nope... But there is someone I started to recently like though."
I could tell from the pause that followed that Tsukino was actually blushing at this moment.
"I was wondering…"
"Yes?"
Splash! Someone must have tipped the cup of milk and I could surmise it had to Tsukino-san. Stupid fool!
"Your skirt, it's wet!"
"Yeah. I should probably go home and wash it."
"Why don't you wash it now?"
"Eh?"
"You'll be fine. Just take it off and wash it."
"But…but…"
"There's a water fountain right over there," then I heard Malachite unzipping something. It sounded like his bag. "Here, I have a towel so you can cover yourself."
"You know… I'm actually fine… really… I have a spare skirt at home…" Tsukino squeaked.
"What's wrong? Besides, there's nobody else here. Ah! Look, you see? It's already soaking through!"
Unable to stand it any longer, still holding a book, I walked out of my hiding place and caught them in their scuffle. Trying to act indifferent, I stated nonchalantly, "That is why I tried to tell you….Idiot."
Both were surprised to see me and separated quickly. It was Tsukino-san who spoke first.
"Wha – why are you here?"
Closing the book for emphasis, I looked straight at her exclaiming incredulously, "This is a library. I can read a book here, can't I?"
Then I stared at Malachite who took a step backward. He could tell I was pretty ticked off.
Suddenly Tsukino-san uttered, "You…disgusting peeping tom!"
Peeping tom? Me? If I hadn't been here…
"Is that right?" My right eyebrow twitched slightly and I turned around and pretended that I couldn't care less. "Well, sorry to interrupt. Do carry on…" …My ass!
I started to walk away when I felt Tsukino-san grab my left arm.
"H-hey. Aren't you supposed to save me? Do you always leave a girl in this type of situation?
"Wasn't it none of my business?"
I glanced at Tsukino and she looked at me guiltily.
"And after calling me a peeping tom…"
She looked like she was on the verge of tears. Ah! I couldn't pretend that I didn't care anymore.
Smiling softly, I looked at her and patted her head and whispered, "Just kidding!"
I grinned even wider when I noticed Tsukino-san's surprised expression.
Directing my attention now on my cousin, I went over to him and demanded angrily, "What the hell do you think you were doing back there?"
"Nothing…really… I was just trying to take off her skirt and wash it."
"Knowing you, I'd think those were not your true intentions…"
Shoving him forcefully back a bookcase, I continued, "You were obviously thinking of doing something perverted were you not, cousin!" Oops! I had just slipped that he was a relative of mine, but I couldn't stop my argument.
Nervously, Malachite replied, "You're wrong! It wasn't anything like that."
"Do you think you can fool me with that stupid excuse!"
The pressure from my push toppled several books on Malachite and I couldn't contain my anger. Had it not for Tsukino-san's impulsive clutch on my right arm, I would have socked that bastard! "Trying to act like a nice guy around Tsukino-san…"
"You are clearly mistaken, Mamoru! The one I like is… you!"
WHAT! Both Tsukino-san and my mouths must have stayed open in shock!
"I'm not. Yesterday, during the intramurals, when I saw you running, I thought you actually glowed and I thought you were so cute. Seeing that you and Tsukino-san were so close, I decided to become friendly with her…"
Recovering quickly, I asked astonished, "Cousin, since when did you become gay?"
"Since sixth grade. I tried bragging to you that I was in love with older girls. Actually cousin, I was just doing that to get close to you. The truth is… I have no interested in girls..."
At hearing this, Tsukino-san swooned. Hey! I'm supposed to the one who's fainting… he's in love with me after all!