8. Kiss
'Wow! It's such a beautiful day!' Usagi said.
'Yes, it's lovely,' Mamoru agreed, applying a thick white liquid to Usagi's nose and gently rubbing it in, 'so you better not forget the sunscreen!'
Usagi and Mamoru had hired a rowboat, and were on the lake at the park around the corner from Usagi's house. The sun was out and shining on the water, and it looked as if they were rowing into the sun itself. The grass in the park was green and there was a slight breeze rustling the leaves of the old willow tree by the lake. It seemed as if all the parents in Tokyo had taken the opportunity to have a day at the park, and the sounds of children's yells and cries of delight could be heard bouncing across the lake to the boat where the couple were sitting. In the bottom of the boat was a picnic lunch, a bag that had contained sunscreen, hats and sunglasses, which was now empty, and two life jackets.
Usagi smiled and let Mamoru rub sunscreen on her face, and then turned around and held her hair up. Obligingly, Mamoru rubbed sunscreen into her exposed back, but first drew the shape of a heart in sunscreen.
'Now it's your turn!' Usagi said, grabbing the bottle of sunscreen. On one of Mamoru's cheeks she drew a heart, on the other a smiley face, and on his forehead she drew a crescent moon.
'There! Now you won't get sunburnt!' Usagi giggled with a smile that lit up her face more than the sun ever could. Mamoru couldn't resist. He leaned in, ready to place a kiss on Usagi's still-smiling mouth. Before he could, however, the movement caused the boat to rock, and then capsize.
After a few seconds, Mamoru surfaced, looking desperately around for Usagi. The lake wasn't very deep, but still…
The first parts of her he saw were two bobbing balls of hair, followed by a head.
'Usagi! Thank God you're alright!'
Mamoru swam over to her, grabbed her around the waist and, seeing the island they were going to have their picnic on, started kicking and paddling one-handed over to it.
When they reached the island, Mamoru picked Usagi up and placed her gently on the grass.
'Mamoru! There was no need for that! I can swim perfectly well on my own!'
'Sorry Usagi, I just panicked when I couldn't see you, and when I saw you come up I was so relieved. I just didn't want to lose you!' he said, almost crushing her in a hug. On her face was that bright smile, and just like before, he leaned in. She wrapped her arms around him, and both dripping water from head to toe, they kissed.