Usagi then shifted her pale blue orbs to the street through the glass panes. "It must be late. I failed to notice how dark it is already." She fumbled for the communicator in her bag to glance at the time, knowing she can't bring it to the open. "I left my wristwatch at home."
Motoki simply looked way past her head to the round opal clock on the wall. "It's not even four yet. 'Sure is going to rain. Not my weather. My cue to close up early." He grinned sheepishly.
"True. You need rest," Usagi remarked. It's a Sunday and there were only a few customers.
"From waht? Missing Reika?"
"I'm not sure she would like that." She stood up, wishing she could forget that Mamoru was just a table away, watching her like a hawk.
Motoki laughed at the comment and she found his gaiety infectious. She never thought she'd ever miss her bubbly self. This just isn't normal, she silently cried.
Usagi was about to open the famous glass doors when the blonde behind the counter called her attention. "I would love to hear your story some day, Usagi-chan. Come back soon, okay?"
She smiled, and was going to reply and say she'll think about it when she found herself smiling up to a face that seemed to have been etched on her eyelids. The scent of his expensive cologne sent a painful lurch to her stomach.
Breathe, her brain reminded.
He held the door ajar for her, his eyes on the space between them.
She was thankful and regretful that he was not even looking.
"Thank you," she murmured. Was her pitch too low? She had taken a step forward when he held her wrist.
"It's raining. Let me take you home." He still wasn't looking. Did she only imagine the pleading, almost breathless tone of his? She must have...
"It's okay, Mamoru-san, you don't have to—" her heart almost stopped when she felt his jacket on her shoulders. How could she refuse him now? And why does he have to be so... wonderful? Not now, please...
"My car is in the basement."
SHE AWOKE TO THE SCENT OF HOT CREAMY CHOCOLATE teasing her lethargic state. She has fallen asleep! She hastily got up, noting the faint smirk on Mamoru's handsome face. He was holding a mug in his right hand, and must have been leaning over her sleeping form while...
"I'm so sorry," she dramatically said, touching the soft pillow that suffered her hazy condition for the past couple of minutes. She noticed the checkered cream and brown blanket on her thighs and can't help coloring a bit; his things.
"So you should be," he remarked, as if meaningfully.
Not knowing what to make of his comment, she reached for the mug of chocolate on the center table. "I thought you would offer me tea." She smiled to her mud, very pleased. She missed this; terribly. She missed him.
"What kind of boyfriend would that make me?"
She felt the creamy substance scorch the tip of her tongue and a portion of her lower lip in her attempt to keeping the hot liquid spilled all over her white dress. Didn't she just wake up? Why did it seem like she was dreaming?
"When... um, what—er..."
"I WANT YOU BACK."
So he knew. Luna said he would. Mina assured her it would not take a lifetime. Did it still matter how?
"You never lost me," she whispered.
His retort was an icy glare that could freeze the lake surrounding Mt. Fuji.
"I live in hope that you would just fall in love with me all over again." She put down the mug, uncaring whether she'd spoil the lovely chocolate. She tried to smile. It turned out bitter sweet when tears glinted in her eyes.
How could he argue with that? Mamoru blew up his bangs in exasperation. She drives him crazy all the time.
Usagi stood up and turned to leave. She didn't want to break down in front of him.
"I said I will take you home," he said, stading up to keep in pace with her 'flight'. "There was a time when I hoped that you would come to regard my apartment as that," he added in low a soft tone. He would build her a castle reminiscent of the silver millennium if it would make her happy.
"Don't hate me, Mamo-chan," the endearment slipped.
And it thawed Mamoru's heart. But he cannot yield. She could not continue this running, not away from him anyway.
It had stopped raining. The sky was clear and the refreshed surrounding was beginning to show the real hour of the day. It was only a minute past five. They drove in silence. He turned the stereo on. It must be destiny.
So here we are again
I guess it must be fate...
Mamoru stopped before Usagi's house.
He brushed a tear that flowed down her soft flawless cheek. He was most tempted to kiss her right that moment more than anytime he had known.
"Tears don't befit you, Princess," he softly told her.
"I've shed so many for you, my Prince. I'm surprised there is still any left."
"And it's always my fault?"
"More or less." She smiled through her tears effortlessly.
He kissed her then, soft, slow and utterly sweet. How could she think that he would want to give up on her, on them, ever?