Prompt #17: Ice Cream

Usagi made her way home after a trying day at school. She had been trying so hard to be a better student but no matter what she did, she failed. Her mother was going to be disappointed when she saw the fifty on her test. Sure, it was a step up from a thirty but not that great of a step up. She hesitated outside the door of her home and steeled herself for the dressing down she was about to get.

As soon as she stepped inside, she heard her mother's voice. "Usagi is that you, sweetheart."

"Yes, mama, I'm home."

"I thought you would be at the arcade today."

"No…"

Ikuko Tsukino stepped out of her throne room, the kitchen, with a spatula in hand and into the living room and looked at her daughter. "What's wrong Usagi?" Her blue eyes narrowed in on her daughter, her own golden hair shimmering in the afternoon light.

"Nothing is wrong."

"Don't give me that. You arrive home instead of going to the Arcade and then walk in here looking mopey. What's wrong, honey?" Her blue eyes widened as her mind clicked on what could have happened, "Usagi, how did your test go today?" She had seen her daughter studying for that test and she was proud that she was finally maturing.

"Here." Usagi said simply as she handed her mother the much-despised test.

Ikuko saw the bright red fifty and felt sympathy stir inside her heart. "Follow me." She made her way back into the kitchen where she had been baking cookies. "Sit down and have a cookie."

Usagi did as she was told. "You're not mad at me?" She was curious; usually her mother yelled at her for her horrible grades and never allowed her to have sweets when she brought home a bad grade. Then she would be kicked out of the house screaming until her mother relented and allowed her back in.

"I am not mad. I saw how hard you studied for this test." Ikuko stated as she went back to rolling out the dough and cutting shapes into them. "Have you ever wondered if maybe a tutor would be best?"

"You think I'm that helpless."

"No, I think that your sensei's approach at teaching may not appeal to you."

"Ami-chan has tried to tutor me, but she…"

"Tends to speak and it goes right over your head."

"Yeah, it's something like that. How is a tutor going to help where even one of my best friends can't?"

"People learn differently, sweetie, and it would benefit you if we found someone who could instruct you the way that you need." Ikuko turned to smile at her daughter. "Take some cookies to your room and there is something there that should cheer you up."

"What?"

"A young man came by earlier bearing a gift for you. He said it was from a secret admirer and he was the delivery boy."

"What did this delivery boy look like?"

"Blond hair, blue gray eyes, taller than you and quite young. He said his senpai was insistent that it was delivered today."

"That's the same boy who delivered the other gift. I wonder who his senpai is."

"Why didn't you tell me you had a secret admirer?"

"Daddy." That one word was enough to convey her message.

Her mother's smile was knowing, "Of course. I will be up later before your dad comes home and you can tell me all about this secret admirer."

"Yes, Mama." Usagi made her way up the stairs; a plate of cookies and a small glass of milk her companions. She put her items on the small table that was in the center of her room where she did her studying and saw the white box with gold and blue ribbons decorating it. "I wonder what you got me this time."

She sat down to admire the box and felt a thump as a black cat landed. "What is that Usagi-chan?" Luna asked as she made her way onto her mistress' lap.

"It's another gift from him."

"Well open it silly girl." Usagi giggled, it seemed even Luna was excited to see what gift she had gotten this time. "Usagi-chan, is that a…" Luna was dumbfounded when Usagi had opened the lid to reveal what was underneath Sitting atop a letter was a smiling face ice cream charm.

"I think it is Luna. Does he know me or what?"

"I think he might. Are we sure he isn't some kind of stalker?"

"I think I would have gotten some creepy phone calls and some even stranger gifts than this Luna. Besides if he was a stalker he would know who I really was wouldn't he?"

"You have a point, Usagi, he would have given away that he knew you were Sailor Moon by now." Luna was proud of her young ward for having figured that out by herself. She watched as Usagi clipped on her newest charm and began to read the letter.

My lovely Usako,

I couldn't help but be reminded of you when I saw this particular charm and I knew that it was needed for the charm bracelet I've noticed you now wear on wrist. It warms my heart to know that you like my gift enough to allow it to grace your wrist. I hope that someday soon I will be able to tell you how much I truly love you without fear of rejection. May you love this charm as much as you love the actual treat.

Forever Yours,

Secret Admirer

Luna looked at blushing face of her young charge. Whomever this man is he has managed to make Usagi fall in love with him without knowing who he is. I doubt that she would ever reject his love. I just hope he gathers the courage to finally confess his love in person.