Written for Usagi and Mamoru: A Love Like No Other. Link on bio page.
12. Present (315 words)
He watches her and thinks she doesn't notice.
Usagi bounced up to the counter of the arcade and grinned at Motoki. Out of the corner of her eye she could see that the baka was watching her again. He had his cup of coffee raised and she knew that if she turned and looked toward him then he would immediately take a gulp from his cup, pretending as if he hadn't noticed her appearance in the arcade at all. Usagi repressed a frown, determined not to let the baka know that she was watching him watching her. She directed an even larger smile at Motoki as she ordered her usual milkshake before moving to sit down with Naru.
He watches her and thinks she won't understand.
Naru was chatting away about Selene knew what. Usagi blinked in surprise at her own thoughts. Selene? Why did she- Usagi shook her head trying to rid herself of unwanted thoughts and focus on the conversation with her best friend. But it wasn't working. The baka was still watching her, she could feel it though she could no longer see it, and his eyes on her were too distracting. Usagi couldn't understand why he was always watching her when he was meant to dislike her so.
"Naru," she interrupted, "I'll be back in a minute." Usagi had to know. She needed to know why he watched her. She needed to know if it was because- But Usagi stopped herself before she could hope. Taking a deep breath Usagi stood and returned to where he was seated at the counter. He wasn't looking at her now that she was openly looking at him. Usagi took another smaller yet far shakier breath, preparing herself to speak. There was only today and there was only now and she desperately needed to know.
"Mamoru-san."
He watches her and thinks she'll never love him.