After leaving the store that Usagi was in, Mamoru's hope faded. He wanted to casually bump into Usagi and hoped that their conversation would lead to him tagging along with her and her friends for the day so that he could learn more about her. Koan took it upon herself to shove her bag into Mamoru's hands and put on a fashion show for him as she tried on various clothes that accentuated or revealed parts of her.
How fucking cliché. I am now the guy who holds the purse. Mamoru rolled his eyes and couldn't help but know for a fact that Usagi was not a girl who did these kinds of things. He knew because he felt her confidence and adamant tone in her earlier statement to Ami. She didn't value looks, she valued her mind. And that was a very attractive quality in a girl. Not saying that looks aren't important, but they definitely shouldn't be the top priority in a girl. Vanity, for Mamoru, was the biggest turn off.
Usagi's day ended with her and her friends getting boba drinks and seeing a romantic comedy. As Usagi drove home, she took the back roads, drove slow, and sang along to her favorite songs; one of them being "A Case of You" by Joni Mitchell which she placed on repeat for a good 20 minutes.
Singing always made her feel better. It was a way that she could express herself with no grade or judgement and it was a talent she liked to keep to herself. It also acted as a great stress reliever and helped her get into a happy demeanor no matter what was happening in her life.
Usagi pulled up to her tortuous home and took a deep breath. She knew this was going to be ugly and she had resolved at a young age that she was above stooping to their level in insults and abuse. Her friends didn't understand why she didn't stick up for herself, but that didn't matter. Usagi knew that if she let herself become like them, she'd never be able to forgive herself. The only time she would ever fight back would be to defend herself and that was only if necessary.
With a heavy yet hopeful heart, Usagi walked into the house. She walked towards the dining room where she had heard voices and her expectations of the night drastically changed when she turned the corner. Mamoru was sitting there having dinner with them. Usagi averted her eyes from his and looked down. Koan gave her a snide look while Beryl and Petz ignored the fact that she had just walked in. Usagi normally ate in the kitchen away from the family anyway, so she left without a word and walked into the kitchen to search for something to eat.
He's here. Does that mean that he actually likes Koan? Are they dating? Why does this hurt so much? Usagi felt like she couldn't breathe. I never cared about dating before. I never cared about who Koan decided to be with. Ugh, but he's such a sweet and genuine guy. He shouldn't want to be with Koan. He should want to be with me! Usagi's eyes widened in response to her thoughts and a small smile tugged at her lips. Yes. He should be with me. Usagi smiled and bit her lip. Her head quickly turned towards the sudden laughter that came from the dining room and she overheard Koan say, "I know! Isn't he amazing?" Jealousy rose inside Usagi and the reality that he would never choose her over Koan set in.
Usagi slumped and sighed. I have to accept this. It's ridiculous to be this upset about someone I barely know. Deciding she wasn't hungry and eager to focus on anything other than Mamoru, Usagi went upstairs to her room and made sure to gather all of her finished homework. She put it inside her backpack along with her work uniform and took it outside to put it safely into the trunk of her car. After what happened the other night, she wanted to be cautious.
Mamoru had agreed to come home with Koan for dinner simply because he feared for his Usako's safety. Yes. His Usako. He had crossed into a realm that he could not and did not want to find his way out of. He was falling for the intriguing young girl and he wasn't going to give up his pursuit of her so easily, so if he had to bear Koan's insipid droning for a few hours, so be it. His hope faltered when he saw Usagi walk out of the room and into the kitchen, but he quickly reminded himself that as long as he was there, she was safe. He didn't even want to entertain the idea of what would happen if Koan was as abusive as he suspected her to be.
Beryl had been determined to make Koan's new boyfriend feel special by making the conversation all about him. "So, Mamoru, you're the top in your class and the star quarterback?" Mamoru felt uncomfortable with all of the focus on him. Before Mamoru could respond, Koan giggled girlishly and beamed exclaiming, "I know! Isn't he amazing?" Mamoru sighed and turned his head when he heard footsteps running up the stairs. "Don't mind her, Mamoru", Beryl said casually, "She's a nuisance. Nothing compared to my oldest here." Beryl nudged her head in the direction of Koan and Koan nodded knowingly at her mother's comment. Mamoru raised his eyebrows at their selfishness. This family is so full of themselves I'm surprised they're able to remain seated.
Mamoru's hope rekindled when he heard footsteps that came down the stairs, but dropped when he heard the front door open and close. Maybe for her own safety, she had decided to stay at a friend's house. I would bring her home with me if I didn't think she'd think I was completely insane. I wouldn't mind living with someone after being alone for so long. His suspected plan for Usagi was shattered when she came back inside and went back upstairs. He mentally groaned that dinner had ended and silently cursed to himself after he had walked out of their front door towards his car. I really hope nothing bad happens.
The moment Koan saw Mamoru drive off, all hell broke loose.
Petz had informed Koan before dinner about what she overheard after she left the store with Mamoru. Not only did Koan not like the fact that her step-sister had plans to graduate early, but she really didn't like that Usagi had hidden that she had friends from them; and good friends from the sound of it. Neither sister thought that Usagi should have the makings of a happy life. What wonderful fuel for manipulation we have, thought Koan. She smiled at her sister and they began their scheming. "First, we have to teach her a lesson for calling me stupid in public and in front of Mamoru. After he leaves, she'll know her place." Just reliving the events that occurred earlier that day made her simmer all through dinner even though she had successfully hidden her mood from Mamoru while he was there.
Koan turned from the window after seeing Mamoru's car lights disappear around the corner. Petz looked at her knowingly and nodded her head. Koan rushed to Usagi's room determined to make another bruise on that ugly face of hers.
Monday 8:15am
The minute Usagi stepped into her first class, her friends' once smiling faces dropped into a state of shock. Usagi had another black eye, a fat lip, and a bruise on her left thigh that she attempted to hide under her school uniform's skirt, but the bottom of it showed from under the fabric. Even though Usagi had hidden the bruises with makeup, the swelling and discoloration was visible. "Usa…" Ami exclaimed with tears brimming her eyes. Rei's hand was to her mouth to hide her quivering lip. Makoto was fuming and Minako was in disbelief. Their beautiful, always positive friend was breaking right before their eyes. It wasn't just the physical damage. Her friends could see the visible hurt in Usagi's eyes and her manner. Koan was going to put out the fire that Usagi had kept burning rebelliously during her many plights.
Usagi held back a pained face when she walked. She had been sore from fending off her step-sisters the night before. She hated it, but Makoto was right. It had been time to get out of there and she did just that. Usagi had managed to escape Petz's grip on her when she elbowed her in the stomach. She tackled Koan into the wall before making her way out of her room, down the stairs, and out the front door.
Usagi's teacher kept her after class for obvious reasons. Usagi was at a loss of what to say except to deny the abuse and blame it on a klutz attack like falling down the stairs. Of course her teacher had expected this kind of response and accepted it in order to keep Usagi from being uncomfortable, but he was going to keep a close eye on her and how others interacted with her as well as filing the report that he was required to as a teacher when he suspected an abusive household.
Lunch
Sitting underneath their favorite cherry tree, the girls tried to ignore the obvious issue by distracting Usagi with silly stories and conversation that she'd find interesting. All of their efforts led to silence on Usagi's part until she stifled a sob, stared down to her lap, and quietly started to talk. "They know. They know…" Her voice cracked into a whisper, "everything." "They know about us?" Rei asked. "And about you graduating early?" Minako added.
"Yes. Fortunately the only thing they don't know is how I feel about Mamoru. The minute Koan changed the subject of her rant to him, I left; unable to take it anymore." Ami looked at Usagi quizzically. "What do you mean you left?" Usagi looked up to her friends and cried. "I left the house. I spent the night in my car. I'm just glad I had the sense to leave my homework and work clothes in the trunk before this all happened. I can't go back there guys. I just can't." Usagi dropped her head to her hands as her sobbing shook her body.
As Ami and Minako consoled Usagi, Makoto spoke up. "Good for you, Usagi. I'm glad you finally decided to leave that place." Usagi looked up at her friend with a lost expression. "You don't understand Mako-chan. I have nowhere to go!" Makoto shook her head. "That's not true, Usagi-chan." Usagi paused; confused. "You can come and live with me," Makoto said proudly. "I've already made all of the arrangements with my landlord. I told you that if you weren't going to do something about it soon, I was going to. This was what I meant. A girl can only live alone for so long, you know." Makoto smiled widely. Usagi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Had Makoto really just solved her problem so simply?
Ignoring the soreness in her body, Usagi jumped into Makoto's arms. "Thank you, Mako-chan! Thank you!" Makoto kissed Usagi's head and hugged her gently. "There's no need to thank me. You're my sister and I needed to protect you." Makoto handed Usagi the key to her place. Usagi took it gratefully and suddenly their friend was back to normal again and free of the horrible step-family.
Mamoru couldn't believe his eyes when he saw her in the hallway earlier that day. Her once flawless pale skin was discolored and swollen. He also saw that the light that normally shone from her so brilliantly was snuffed a little. It brought up a type of anger inside of him that he never knew existed. He wasn't able to talk to her when he first saw her because the bell rang, but when lunch came around, he looked for that cherry blossom tree, and stormed up to her and her friends. "Usagi, I need to speak with you." Usagi looked up to him, tears dried to her cheeks and eyes red from crying.
Usagi knew that she couldn't be seen speaking to him. It was because of him that this had started. Koan's jealousy overran her emotions and sparked a tirade within her. One thing Usagi knew, though, was that it wasn't his fault; and as much as she wanted to turn him away and continue to live her life without him, she couldn't. "Hai." Usagi used Ami and Minako's shoulders to help herself up. Halfway through her struggle, Mamoru offered her his hand and she hesitantly took it.
The minute their fingers touched, warmth traveled through her body giving her the courage to look him in the eye as she walked towards him. Mamoru walked her behind the bleachers so that they could speak privately and looked at her injured face with regret. I shouldn't have left her there last night. I shouldn't have worried about if she would have thought I was crazy or not. I should've taken her from there and back to the safety of my apartment; even if it would have involved dragging her kicking and screaming.
Mamoru sighed and locked eyes with Usagi. She became anxious at the amount of compassion he had in them for her. "Usagi, I can't stand idly by and watch this happen anymore. You need to turn Koan in or at least get out of there." Mamoru lightly caressed the bruises on Usagi's face as she closed her eyes to the softness of his touch.
Usagi struggled to breathe; she struggled to speak. She didn't understand why his touch and concern was affecting her so much when she had actively tried to make herself be indifferent to him. She managed to hold back a sob and squeak, "You could make it stop, you know." Usagi opened her eyes to look into his. "All you have to do is be her boyfriend. That's all she wants." Usagi fought back a tear because she knew that there was no way that Mamoru wouldn't like Koan. She was gorgeous and appeared to be the smartest girl in their school. Why wouldn't he like her? She was the complete opposite of her. She had the popularity, the looks, the glamour, the future in modeling, the favor of others, and Usagi had none of that. She had never cared before about how she compared to Koan. She had always prided herself on their differences in hopes that she would have a better life; one of value and purpose, but standing in front of Mamoru; in front of something that Koan was going to have that she would never have the chance at nearly tore her in two.
"This is all because of me?" Mamoru looked down shamefully. "I was afraid of that. Koan's misconceptions have gone too far." Mamoru huffed angrily and Usagi looked at him with searching eyes.
"Misconceptions? You mean you don't like her?" She furrowed her brow at the impossibility of it. She couldn't believe that a popular, attractive guy like Mamoru would find Koan unattractive.
Everyone found Koan attractive.
Mamoru shook his head. "No, I don't. Koan is vain and manipulative. She's rude, abrasive…" Mamoru gently touched Usagi's swollen lip. "Violent." A tear rolled down Usagi's cheek. Mamoru wiped it away with his thumb before continuing. "The girl I like is extremely intelligent, beautiful, passionate, and light hearted. She would never hurt anyone and her smile emits a type of joy that affects those around her. She is nothing like Koan." Usagi felt jealousy rise in her chest. She sounds amazing. I can't compete with that. Then again, I couldn't compete with Koan either.
Usagi struggled to ask a question that gave her chills of anticipation the moment she asked it, "What's her name?" Usagi closed her eyes, closed her lips tightly, and prepared herself to hear a name of someone that she would be envious of for the rest of her life.
Mamoru chuckled at her obliviousness. "It's you, Usagi." Usagi gasped lightly and opened her eyes to look into his. Me? Mamoru looked into Usagi's eyes with more love than she'd ever seen before. His ocean blue eyes glinted hope and held onto hers as if she were his lifeline. "You caught my breath the moment I saw those flowers falling around you last week." Usagi looked down and smiled faintly at the memory and Mamoru took his index finger, placed it under her chin and lifted her face until his eyes met hers. "The more I was around you; the more I noticed your incredible intellect, grace, beauty, and happiness. I knew the minute you laughed at yourself when you were covered in chocolate shake at the Crown that you were a woman that I needed to be around; to get to know and love. Ever since that first day, I've wanted to ask you just one question." Mamoru nervously ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath. "W-would you like to go on a date with me, Usako?" Mamoru shyly met Usagi's eyes and smiled slightly at her shock. She opened her mouth to speak and he held his breath. He had no idea what to expect and mentally prepared himself to be rejected.
Usagi was in shock. She couldn't believe all of the things he said about her. He liked me. He. Liked. Me. Not Koan. Usagi took a breath to speak and felt her body shake. "Usako?" Mamoru smirked. "Is that name ok? I can't help but feel that it suits you." Usagi shook her head playfully and smiled, "I like it." Mamoru smiled widely. Usagi looked down and kicked a rock that was near her right foot. "I'd love to go on a date with you, Mamo-chan."
Elated, Mamoru happily wrapped his arms around Usagi, picked her up, and spun her around. Usagi giggled loudly and when Mamoru put her down he kissed her forehead. Usagi closed her eyes and enjoyed his touch. Mmm. Mamo-chan. I can't help but feel that this is meant to be.
Author's Note: This is not the end of my story. It's probably only halfway done now, if that. I want to dive a little deeper into Usagi living with Makoto and her relationship with Mamoru. I'm going to be writing purely for happiness and insane amounts of fluff. If you read for the drama, it pretty much ended here. Everything from now on will be going in Usagi's favor. :)