YOU CAN FIND A MOCHI BUNNY IN AISLE 5, NEXT TO THE CEREALS

The next morning, Mamoru was putting out a fresh brew of coffee when unexpectedly, he felt a pair of arms wrapping around his waist. He looked down to find Usagi beaming a smile at him, "Hi,"

Mamoru squeezed her knot bun and smiled. He was growing to love her new staple in her repertoire of hairstyles since it paid good homage to her famous odango style whenever she wanted to change it a bit.

Usagi stood on her tiptoes and pulled Mamoru's gray sweater to bring him closer and be able to kiss him fully on the lips. "Good morning, My Love," she whispered giving him a quick peck on his lips again before stepping back. "Are you making coffee?"

"Yes," Mamoru pinched her chin softly and turned to look for his black mug, "But you steer clear from caffeine for a while,"

Usagi giggled and leaned on the counter, following his every move with curious eyes, "Not even for the sake of science?" Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him turning to look at her with a shy grin. "Well, if you put it that way..."

"I mean… It worked," Usagi grinned, nibbling her lower lip. She knew what she was doing, and she loved every bit of it. "But I think the study might need further testing, you know... Just to be sure,"

Mamoru put his mug down and turned to his girlfriend, putting his arms around her waist, "As many times as needed, Buns," he kissed her, and let her take her usual stool by the kitchen island, "How are you feeling?"

Usagi smiled, "Much better. Having insomnia is the worst, seriously."

"I know," Mamoru leaned his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, savoring every second with her by his side, "But I'm glad it's over. Please don't ever do that again,"

"Never, unless…"

Mamoru chuckled, "That's a different story,"

Usagi wrapped her arms around his neck and turned to look out the kitchen window, "It's a beautiful day outside,"

"Yeah, it is. It's warm, too."

The blonde let go of her boyfriend and saw him pour a cup of coffee into the mug she gifted him last Christmas, "Really? Did you go for a run?"

"After last night, I didn't think it was necessary," Mamoru took a sip, "I went out to get the paper and check my mail, though,"

The comment made Usagi blush as she remembered how her dreaded insomnia turned into one of the steamiest nights of her life. She tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear and tilted her head, "You're so cute. I can't wait to live with you,"

Mamoru smiled, "Me too, Buns."

A light ping alerted Usagi to look for her phone, and jumped with excitement, "Yes! My wedding dress is on its way! So excited!"

"That's great, Usa-ko," Mamoru smiled and took another sip of his coffee, "You'll look beautiful, I'm sure."

"You haven't even seen it,"

"You made yourself very clear on how I am not supposed to,"

"They say it's bad luck!"

"Who does?"

Usagi shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know... People, fate... Heaven?"

"Heaven?" Mamoru scoffed and put his mug down. He crossed his arms and leaned on the counter with an arched brow, "I think we've gone through many things together to believe in superstitions."

"You don't believe in superstitions?"

Mamoru took a sip of his coffee, "After everything that has happened in my life?" He chuckled, "Why bother?"

"It's true, but I really don't want to risk it." Usagi understood where he was coming from with his response. "I really want to marry you, you know?"

"We will," Mamoru nodded, "We've waited long enough,"

"Have you worked on your vows yet?" Usagi went to open the fridge to grab the bottle of almond milk to make herself a fruit smoothie. Mamoru turned to grab the paper and pulled a stool to sit at the bar and started looking through the pages, "No,"

Usagi turned over at her boyfriend, "You haven't?"

"You have?"

"I'm working on them..."

Mamoru looked at her and pressed his lips in a tight line for a second. Usagi frowned, "Mamo-chan, I really don't want the same incident at Motoki's wedding to happen again," she turned to grab a glass to pour her thick and fruity concoction; Mamoru laughed, "I'll ask him to bring a box of tissues just in case,"

"Please don't, he'll totally forget," Usagi giggled, "That reminds me, the priest asked to bring him a copy in case we forget,"

"I'll work on my vows, promise."

"But, do it with time. Don't improvise this time, okay?"

"You said my speech to them was lovely!"

"And it truly was!" Usagi took a sip of her smoothie and chuckled "But what if you get nervous and cry in front of everyone just like Furu-chan did?"

"He didn't cry, he was a mess. And I am a robot, remember?" Mamoru turned the page of his paper and gave the page a quick scan before looking at his fiancé again, "I'm joking. Of course, I'll write them down,"

He finished his coffee and put the paper away. Usagi was startled by his sudden change of pace, "Are you going out?"

"Yeah, I need to go buy groceries; the bleach you asked for too,"

"You're going alone?"

"I won't take long,"

Usagi blinked, "But you know I enjoy doing these things with you,"

"I assumed you wanted to stay,"

Usagi chuckled, "Are you kidding? And miss a good trip to the supermarket where I can get a good dose of cheesy music? Never,"

Mamoru blinked "Aren't you tired?"

"I'm fine," Usagi waved her hand and leaned closer, "Besides, I am planning to stay the whole weekend. Minako-chan just came to my rescue. I can sleep when we come back,"

Mamoru tapped her nose, "You naughty girl,"

"No more than you," Usagi chugged her smoothie and put the glass in the sink, "I'll just go get my shoes. Have you seen my leopard loafers?"

"They're in the closet in the bedroom," Mamoru patted his pants' pockets to make sure he had everything with him and turned over his shoulder, "Usa-ko, can you bring me my—" he blinked when he saw her walking back with her animal print loafers in one hand and his watch on the other, "Here you go,"

"How did you know I was going to ask for it?"

"I've noticed you never take it off," Usagi smiled. "I love to see you wearing it,"

Mamoru gave her his hand so she could secure it around his wrist, "Of course, I treasure it." He turned to grab his phone and gave it one last glance to make sure he didn't have any new messages and turned to her with a smile, "Okay, let's go."

Usagi slid on her favorite pair of shoes and paused for a bit, "Wait, are we going far?"

Mamoru tied his trusty black Converse; "We'll take the car this time, Buns. I haven't gone shopping in a while and we need to buy more than usual," he searched for his keys on the big plate by the door. Usagi pouted, "You're driving, right?"

Mamoru chuckled and opened the door for his girlfriend, "Yes, Usa-ko, I'm driving."

-O-

Mamoru parked outside the supermarket and turned the engine off. It became a custom for him whenever he needed to buy more than the usual bag of rice or bottle of milk, to drive to the other side of Juban where the neighborhoods were less crowded and more mellow. He really liked to do his shopping in peace.

They walked hand in hand, and Usagi was fast to grab a cart and pushed it inside the store with a wide smile as they were welcomed by the music playing in the background, "Ah yes, a supermarket is not a supermarket without the cheesy music," she nudged Mamoru with her elbow, "Eh, eh? Get it? Cheesy—we're at a supermarket... Cheese is something you buy at a supermarket,"

"Oh god," Mamoru burst out laughing and followed behind, "You've been telling that joke since we walked out of the apartment,"

"I know! But you have to admit it's funny," Usagi laughed and turned, "Okay, so... Where to first?"

"Here's the list," Mamoru handed her a piece of paper "Want to split and conquer? Or do you want to stroll aisle by aisle?"

"We can split and conquer for the basics," Usagi read as she pushed the cart to one of the aisles and sweat dropped, "Gosh, I'll never get over you have better handwriting than I do,"

"What are you talking about? You have lovely handwriting, " Mamoru mumbled as he turned to his blushed girlfriend, "My talents are more creative..."

"No doubt about that," Mamoru chuckled, "What's on the list?"

"Rice,"

Mamoru looked for the grains aisle and started looking at the many options to choose from, taking his time to decide which one was best and putting a heavy bag in the cart, "What else?"

"Uh... Flour,"

"I think flour is going to be in the next aisle," he turned to glance at his smiling girlfriend, "The magic aisle," Usagi gasped, "The pancake aisle!"

Mamoru nodded and turned, "What else?"

"Oatmeal, linseed, poppy seeds, almonds..." Usagi widened her eyes and picked a bag, "Oh oh, can we take these?! We have to take these!"

"What are those?"

"Chocolate-covered alm—" Usagi fluttered her long lashes, Mamoru nodded "Sure. Just don't pick anything that will trigger your insomnia,"

"Yes, Isha-san," Usagi looked down at the note, "Poppy seeds, really? You like those?"

"Yeah," Mamoru walked down the aisle looking for the small package, "They're good for concentration... they're packed with good stuff for your brain,"

"Huh, interesting," Usagi pursed her lips and followed her boyfriend, "How do you know all this?"

Mamoru chuckled and turned to mimic Usagi's little game of basketball and threw the small bag in the cart, "I like to read," he leaned to grab the pack of oatmeal and linseed and put them in the cart.

Usagi was instantly infected by the rhythm of the music playing in the background, "I like this one,"

Mamoru smiled, he was instantly pulled back in time when he found Usagi dancing alone in the middle of the hallway for the very first time and humming a pop song, looking so devoted to her craft.

Usagi woke the kid in Mamoru he didn't how he still had in him, she just did. As someone who was always trying to find a middle point in everything, and oftentimes acting older than he really was, it made him feel very lonely. But Usagi made all of it vanish away, being with her was different, a whole new experience. Their relationship was never boring, that was a fact. There was always something to talk about, something to bring to discussion and debate, a song to sing, a tune to dance, a treat to eat, a secret to tell, and a silly joke to laugh about.

Usagi was the fire and Mamoru was the lantern that kept it safe, always together, always needful of each other but at the same time, feeling free on their own.

"Bread,"

"Eh?"

"We need bread," Usagi turned to her boyfriend, "Divide and conquer. I'll go get it, where do I meet you?"

"I'll be at the produce section,"

Usagi winked at eye at him "It's a date,"

-O-

"I like the bunny much better..."

"I don't think I've ever bought the one with the bunny,"

Usagi scrunched her nose and turned to Mamoru, "Why? It's so cute!"

"I don't know," Mamoru shrugged one shoulder, "I always buy the snuggly bear..."

"Wait a minute..." Usagi narrowed her crystal blue eyes, "You have a bunny for fiancé, but you don't buy the fabric softener with the happy bunny on it?"

Mamoru chuckled, "When I think of you I don't think of fabric softener, or, laundry whatsoever,"

"What do you think about then?"

"Sprinkles. Lots of sprinkles,"

Usagi blushed, "Really?"

Mamoru squeezed her knot bun again, "Of course," He took a sniff at the bottle in his hand, "This one's okay. What do you think?"

"Hmm..." Usagi pursed her lips in thought, "Let me smell the one with the bear again,"

Mamoru popped the cap open and leaned the bottle closer to her, "Do you realize we've been discussing this for over twenty minutes as if it's a matter of life or death?"

"I think it's one of those things you think are silly but in reality, are important. This is how all of your clothes and linen are going to smell for a considerable amount of time. You don't want to buy just any scent. Each perfume is different! For example, I highly doubt you would want everything to smell of vanilla all the time,"

"Ugh, no. I can't stand the smell of fake vanilla," Mamoru leaned closer to take another sniff at the bottle in his hand, "I don't like that one,"

"Well, have you seen the creepy label? He clearly doesn't like the scent either," Usagi darted a glare at the bottle and shook her head, "Poor kid, he's miserable,"

Mamoru threw his head back in laughter, something Usagi always thought it was like music to her ears. It was so rare to hear him laugh so loud and carefree; it was like he was keeping such an unexpected gesture secret from the world. The blonde grabbed the bottle with the baby's face on it and took another small sniff, "Oh, nooo, this smell is miserable!"

"But you like sweet scents!"

"But this one is like it's chugging its sweetness down your throat! It's forcing me to like it."

"Okay, so... Snuggly bear or the hopping bunny?"

"Hmm... Tough call," Usagi bit her thumb, thinking about her options. "The bunny looks promising, it's so happy hopping over the green grass but..."

"But?"

"The snuggly bear is how you smell all the time and I really like it. When I stay over, your sheets smell like the snuggly bear,"

"Snuggly bear it is," Mamoru turned to put two large bottles of fabric softener in the cart, Usagi pouted her lips "But... On the other hand, the bunny..." She gave the product another sniff, "It's so hard to choose…"

"Okay, how about we do this," Mamoru took one bottle from the cart and put the one Usagi was holding, "We'll take two bears and one bunny and see which one we like more. That way, next time it will be easy for you to decide. Bunny vs. Bear."

"Oh my god, you're a genius," Usagi's eyes lit up with excitement, "The battle for softness!"

After conquering the basics, they joined and stopped right where the bleach was; Usagi tug his sleeve "I was forgetting about the bleach! Which one should we take?"

Mamoru pointed to the one with the same creepy baby on the label, "Let's take the one with the creepy kid. We don't have to worry about the smell, all bleach stinks the same."

It was Usagi's turn to crack in laughter and put the bottle inside the cart, "I am going to fix that shirt no matter what!" She put it in the cart, "This kid better vanish my laundry mistakes,"

Mamoru grabbed a gallon of his usual choice of laundry detergent and put it in the cart, "If not, it's fine."

Usagi smiled and wrapped her arm around Mamoru's as they walked out of the aisle and went to the dairy and frozen goods section. They almost had everything they need but it was inevitable to take a look around and see what else caught their attention, like the cinnamon rolls Usagi had picked on her way to meet Mamoru at the produce section.

"Why do you think stores use the cheesiest music in existence?" Usagi mumbled as she read the contents of a chocolate ice cream pint, "It's always the oldest music, the one-hit wonders, the ones that come and go and we never got to say hello or bid farewell. Like this one," she pointed a finger up, "It's like the industry divided their music into categories."

Mamoru laughed and looked around before pulling her close and kissing her fully on the lips; another glorious perk of not being in the most popular area of Juban. As they stood in the middle of the frozen goods aisle, between ice cream and frozen pizza, Usagi wrapped her arms around Mamoru and stayed completely locked in their little romantic world and swaying to the music in the background. She opened her eyes and watched Mamoru mouthing the words of the song and laughed at how on point his gestures were on each high or low note, "How on earth do you know the lyrics to that song?"

"You don't know it?"

"No!" Usagi laughed again, "Why do you?" She flicked a piece of hair away from his face, "Is this an age gap thing?"

"Excuse me?! I'm not that old," Mamoru laughed, "This song is a staple for corniness."

"So popular you get to know how it goes..."

Mamoru kept mumbling the lyrics under his breath with impressive accuracy, then held her hand and did a twirl. Their coordination was impressive and their timing was spot on. Their little ballroom dancing session changed as the song ended and started a new one of the same cheesy caliber but this time, and now in a new aisle, the couple started doing a robot dance followed by a running man move that made them break in laughter while choosing what snacks they should buy to watch a movie after dinner.

Whenever they walked into a different aisle, there was a different dance: the moonwalk in the cookie aisle. A waltz in the drinks section, a tango close by the cleaning section, or a silly chain of techno dance moves by the pharmacy. As long as they had the whole space for themselves, they put a new move into practice and if they walked into an aisle with people on them, they would go back to being a civilized couple trying to look for a can of peeled tomatoes or a pack of dry pasta.

After a few successful tries, they got caught by an old lady while they were goofing around the disposables aisle and quickly tried to fake being in the middle of a serious discussion of what they later realized was about toilet paper.

The couple brushed off the awkward glance from the woman, but after many attempts, it seemed she wasn't happy to be doing her shopping next to a couple of dancing weirdos and would get the same creepy judgmental glare every time they met on a different aisle in the store.

"Is she gone?"

Usagi whispered close to Mamoru's ear as she put another paper bag with groceries in the cart; not even when they opted to pay at a self-checkout station, did the woman's judgmental gaze stopped piercing their backs.

Mamoru turned slightly over his shoulder and put another bag in the cart, "No," he sighed, "She's coming this way,"

"I'm telling you... She started following us after the toilet paper incident. She's stalking us,"

"She didn't appreciate our killer dance moves,"

"What a killjoy lady,"

"Yeah..."

"I feel chills…" Usagi mumbled and widened her eyes when she spotted her standing next to her, "She's coming closer!"

"Yeah... I feel the vibe," Mamoru swiped his card and tapped his password to approve the purchase before putting it back in his wallet while Usagi moved ahead and pushed the cart out of the store. She leaned her head on Mamoru's arm as they walked to their car and put her sunglasses on, "You okay, Usa?"

"Just a little tired. That lady totally stole my mojo,"

"She did, huh? We'll be home soon,"

"That's okay..." Usagi smiled, "I can always rely on coffee to keep me up,"

"That's quite of a risky move, Usa, we would have to stay up all night again..." Mamoru closed the trunk and opened the door for his girlfriend; Usagi smirked with mischief as she got in the passenger's seat, "If it is for the sake of science, trust me, I don't mind at all."

-O-

-Two months later-

-O-

"Ah, that was a good brunch,"

"It was good,"

"I was starving..."

"Feeling better?"

Usagi let out a heavy sigh, "Much better..." She turned to her husband and smiled, "To the Moon and back. Thank you for everything."

"Of course," Mamoru cupped her cheek, "I love you too,"

"I hope Megumi likes apple pie," Usagi turned to put the box in the back seat and turned to adjust the rear-view mirror, "She's been so nice to me, I wanted to give her something sweet to balance out all the things that have been happening,"

"I'm sure she'll love it,"

Usagi leaned closer to kiss him on the lips and pulled back to turn the car engine on, "Well, this has been quite the day. I quit my job and get fired at the same time, we went to the hospital to get you settled with your medical leave, then we came to have some good brunch, and now, are we done? We're going back home?"

"Not yet, Love," Mamoru put his ray ban's again and checked his phone, "We still have one last stop to make," he put his phone back into his pocket and turned to his wife with a playful grin, "We need to go to the supermarket,"

Usagi grinned, "Ahh! Is it time for me to practice on more kiwi-ng moves?"

Mamoru laughed, "Ah, you're a hoot, they never get old,"

Usagi pulled the car out of the café's parking space and into the street, "So, where should we go this time?"

"I think there's one a couple of blocks from here, let's go there so you don't have to drive all the way to the one we usually go," Mamoru grunted lightly, "Also, please remind me to buy some pain-killers while we're there..."

Usagi stopped at a red light and turned to look at him, "I can drive you home and come with Megumi, Mamo-chan. I don't want you to hurt yourself,"

"Nah, I'm fine, Buns," Mamoru gave her a reassuring smile, "I like doing these things with you and we both needed to get out of the apartment for a while,"

"We should have asked Megumi to come. I was so upset I couldn't think of something else... I feel bad," Usagi pouted, Mamoru pulled her cheek, "I asked her, don't worry. I told her we were going be out for the day, but she preferred to stay."

Usagi turned the car around another corner around Roppongi and spotted a store in the distance and parked at a small lot across the street. She was the first to get out and went to help Mamoru with his crutches and went to grab a cart all while making sure her husband was left behind, "They don't seem to have those little electric carts for you to sit on," she pursed her lips, "And you're too big to fit inside this one,"

Mamoru laughed, "I don't even think it's allowed, Usa," he turned to grab a sheet to read whatever specials they had; Usagi kept walking and smiled, "This place seems to be much more upbeat with their choice of music,"

"Yeah," Mamoru picked good apples to put in a bag; Usagi noticed his usual playful mood was slightly toned down to what she was used to, and tilted her head with worry, "Is your leg hurting too much, Mamo-chan?" She widened her eyes, "Oh, painkillers! Don't forget the painkillers!"

"I'm fine, Buns," Mamoru smiled "Thanks," he turned to grab a pack of strawberries and more bananas for Usagi's fruit smoothies and put them in the cart as well, "It's nothing I can't take,"

"That is so you," Usagi frowned, "Trying to prete—"

"What is lovee? Baby don't hurt me... Don't hurt meee... No mooore!" Mamoru turned, taking Usagi by surprise when he started singing the song playing in the background. She watched him wide-eyed while he continued singing with deep sentiment as if he was the artist itself and moved his head to the beat of the song while picking a few packs of vegetables.

Usagi couldn't contain her laughter and joined him in his intense head-banging and started singing the chorus with him without a single care to whoever might be giving them strange looks.

She had to admit a part of her was worried on how much Mamoru was doing this for fun, and how much of it was to make her feel better from all the crap happening around them. It was so him, to put a brave face to everything, no matter how bitter, painful, or discouraging. He was her rock, now and ever and she couldn't be more in love with him.

"What do you want to do, Buns?" Mamoru leaned on the cart for support, "Divide and conquer or do we go from aisle to aisle?"

"I want to stay with you." Usagi smiled at him, "Let's go aisle to aisle this time,"

The couple continued doing their little routine, putting the product in special bags while they kept singing without a care in the world. They had gone through their debate about which softener they should take, which paper towels were best, and how Usagi had a strange fascination for scented candles until they finally stopped by the pharmacy section.

Among the many brands and options of pain relievers available, Mamoru had to take his time to decide which pill could work best for the type of wound and level of pain he had.

"Oh! I almost forget!" Usagi snapped her finger, "I'll go check if they have protein powder. I'm almost out," she turned to him, "What kind did you say I must look for?"

"Just one that says it gives you at least 15 grams of protein," Mamoru kept reading the label of the small jar he had in his hand, Usagi nodded, "Alrighty Isha-san, I'll be right back,"

"Okay, I'll be here," Mamoru put another bottle back in the shelf and grabbed another one, and started reading its contents completely unaware that he was being watched for the past couple of minutes.

"Mamoru...?"

Mamoru blinked a little taken by surprise and turned to look over his shoulder at a young woman, around her late twenties standing at the other end of the aisle. She had long dark hair styled in loose waves and pulled back with a light blue scarf. She looked at him, still a little hesitant to believe whether he was the same person she thought, "Is it you?"

Mamoru took a moment to respond, trying to find a resemblance. His dark blue eyes turned wide when he recognized that toothy grin and gaped with genuine surprise, "Keiko..."

"Oh my god," Keiko brought her hands to her face in complete awe. "Oh my god!" She walked toward him with the same shocked face, "It really is you!" She stepped closer to give him a hug but stopped halfway,

Mamoru chuckled, "You okay? We meet again and treat each other like strangers?"

Keiko blushed, "Well, you know me, I don't want to be invasive of other people's personal spaces,"

"Come here," Mamoru gave her a quick hug and Keiko responded with tremendous joy, "Oh wow. You are even taller than how I remembered you!" she pulled back in complete awe, "Oh my god... How long has it been?!" Keiko tapped her chin.

"A very long time," Mamoru chuckled, "I barely recognized you with your hair this long,"

"I get that a lot, you know?" Keiko ran her hand through a long lock of hair, "I really liked having short hair, but I decided to try growing it. I thought it was time for a little change but my god, look at you all handsome!"

Mamoru blushed a little, "You never change,"

"I have to confess, I saw you around the dairy section but I wasn't sure if it was really you until I spotted that boyish grin I remembered seeing before. When I saw you here, I couldn't help myself from asking,"

"I'm glad you did. How have you been?"

"Very good," Keiko propped her arm on her cart's handle, "You know, life comes with its ups and downs... But I've been doing well."

"How's your father?" Mamoru chuckled, "Did he finally retire?

"He did! Finally!" Keiko laughed, "I took over the business and we managed to open two meat and cheese boutique stores but we are keeping it more local and friendly." She brought her hand up showing the sparkling ring on her finger, "In the process, I met someone and got engaged,"

Mamoru chuckled and looked at her diamond ring, "Wow, look at you!"

"I know right? Who would have thought,"

"Who's the lucky guy?"

"His name is Watanabe Riku. His family manages a local farm in Kyoto that produces cheese. One day he went to introduce their products, and I don't know, we clicked. We have many things in common, books, music, ideology... It reminded me a lot of how we were back in the day. So, basically, he's one of us."

Mamoru chuckled, "That's great, Keiko! Congratulations." The corner of his lips curved up in melancholy, "It sure brings me back in time. Seeing you reminds me of–"

"Mao-san," Keiko smiled with that same melancholic feel, "Yes. Me too." she patted Mamoru's arm, "I can't believe it's been so long. My father told me she had passed not long after I left." She gave her a small smile, "I'm very sorry, Mamoru. I know you were close with her and her family."

"Thanks," Mamoru nodded, "She helped me go through a lot of hard times."

"I bet you miss her,"

With a sigh, Mamoru answered with a nod. "Very much,"

"She was very kind-hearted." Keiko chuckled, "Remember how she always baked the most random pie combinations and made us try them at the store?"

Mamoru smiled, "I still can get over them. Especially the blackberry and sweet potato one she baked for her birthday,"

"Oh, yeah! Holy smokes... That one stayed in my palate for weeks!" Keiko cracked a hearty laugh, "I think that pie made me step away from anything sweet for years!"

"Me too, still am," Mamoru smiled, "I am truly happy for you, Keiko. I wish you all the best in your marriage,"

"Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it coming from you." Keiko gave him a sweet smile, "We're marrying this fall at his family's ranch in Kyoto." She smiled shyly, "I would love it if you could come,"

"Really?" Mamoru blinked, Keiko grinned, "Of course! I know it's out of the blue since it's been a while without seeing each other, but I would truly love to see you there."

"No, not at all! I am truly honored to be invited," Mamoru looked searched his wallet, and pursed his lips, "Hmm... I don't have a card with me but—"

"Oh, here—" Keiko typed her number in her phone and showed it to Mamoru, "Send me a text at this number so I can add you to my contacts!" She narrowed her eyes with curiosity, "So... What's been going on with you? Am I sending an invitation just for one?"

Mamoru chuckled and handed Keiko her phone and showed her his left hand, "Two,"

"WHAT?!" Keiko's round brown eyes widened "You're married!"

"I am,"

"I shouldn't be this surprised…" Keiko giggled, "But when did this happen?!"

"Three weeks ago,"

Keiko grinned happily, "Aww, you're a newlywed!"

Mamoru chuckled and nodded, "Very much,"

"That is so sweet! Congratulations!" Keiko's smile quickly faded with slight concern, "...Was it with Shimuta-san?"

The way in which the young woman was asking made Mamoru break into laughter, Keiko pursed her lips "What's so funny?"

"The look on your face is priceless,"

"Well, did you?" Keiko's smile completely dropped, "You really married her, didn't you?"

"No!" Mamoru laughed again and shook his head, "Goodness no..."

"It didn't work out in the end?"

Mamoru laughed again and shook his head, "It never did,"

"Aw... I'm sorry,"

"Are you?"

Keiko tried to hold her laugh, "Y-Yes..."

Mamoru arched his brow "Really?"

"Okay, no," Keiko sighed with relief, "I truly am not sorry." She gave him a curious glance, "Please pardon my invasion of privacy but, may I ask what happened?"

"It's been 12 years, Keiko. It's fine," Mamoru chuckled, "It wasn't anything that could come as a surprise to you. We wanted different things, we lived different lives, and we thought differently."

"You haven't changed," Keiko grinned, "You're always so polite,"

"It's better than saying everything went straight to hell," Mamoru chuckled.

"I always had the feeling that she held some sort of grudge towards me," Keiko frowned, "She was always so aggressive and strange when I was around. To be honest, you had a lot going on… Then you completely vanished. By the time I came back to Tokyo, I went to the store to ask for you but Benjiro-san told me you had moved out of your place right after Mao-san's passing but he couldn't tell me where,"

"I don't know if it still means something after all these years, but, I am sorry for everything, Keiko." Mamoru sighed, "I'm truly sorry; it wasn't you. I just... Disappeared. I stepped back not just from you and our friendship, but from everything and everyone; even Mao-san. I always felt guilty about it, you were truly my only friend and I neglected you because of my problems with Chieko."

Keiko patted his arm in support, "Mamoru, don't worry about it. I never thought of you as someone that neglected me or our friendship. I totally understand. To me, we never stopped being friends. I was bummed because I didn't know where to look for you now that you were not working at the store,"

"She fired me."

"What?"

Mamoru's chuckle held a hint of sadness, "The day before she passed, Mao-san fired me,"

"You're kidding, right?"

"No," Mamoru chuckled again, "I felt awful. I was having the worst of times and Mao-san cut right through it. After one hour of brutal scolding, she finally made things clear for me and fired me. I think it was her way to say goodbye. Soon after, I ended things with Chieko, packed my things, and left."

"That sounds like Mao-san. She looked after you until the very last breath of her life; what a marvelous woman," Keiko blinked with interest, "So, what's been of your life since then? But most importantly... Who's the girl that got to keep your heart?"

Mamoru smiled, "I finished high school and went straight into Med School. I work at Tokyo Hospital now."

Keiko's eyes widened, "You did it! You're a doctor!"

His smile widened, "As for my wife, her name is Usagi. I met her while I was still in high school and after so many years together, we finally got married."

"Your face lit up just by saying her name," Keiko grinned "You married your high-school sweetheart, can you be any cuter?"

Mamoru chuckled, "I am a very lucky man, she's—"

"Okay, Mamo-chan, how about this one? I don't know how to feel about this 'neutral' flavored one, but it's the only one they have in stock right now, should I take it home?"

Keiko and Mamoru turned to Usagi who was walking towards them while reading the contents of the bag. She looked up and widened her eyes when she saw him talking to a young woman, "O-Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt,"

Mamoru turned to Keiko, "And she's here. Meet my wife, Usagi." He turned to Usagi with the same sweet smile, "Usa, this is my friend, Nomura Keiko,"

"Oh!" Usagi's eyes lit up with glee, "It's so nice to meet you! It's always so nice to meet Mamoru's friends,"

Keiko blinked with genuine surprise at her that she didn't act all jealous by seeing her talking to her husband with so much familiarity. Keiko quickly responded to Usagi's kind gesture and bowed her head.

She paid notice to her beautiful face, not to mention the lightness of her character. A complete opposite of Mamoru's much more reserved personality. She didn't need much to understand why Mamoru felt like the luckiest man in the world, it was clear to her that she made him very happy, which for her, that's all that mattered.

"It's so very nice to meet you too, Usagi-san,"

"It's so nice to meet you too, Keiko-san!" Usagi waved her hand and chuckled.

"Please excuse my blunt behavior but, you are one gorgeous lady, Usagi-san," Keiko's smile widened, feeling much more relaxed, and looked up at Mamoru, "You truly are one lucky guy,"

Mamoru smiled, "I am."

"Thank you, that's so sweet of you," Usagi blushed and tilted her head, "How is it that you two know each other? Are you a doctor too?"

"Oh, no, I wish!" Keiko chuckled, "I have a small meat and cheese boutique shop outside of Roppongi." She turned to Mamoru, "That's where I live now,"

"Oh, that's so nice," Usagi smiled with awe; Mamoru put his hand on his wife's shoulder, "Her father worked as a butcher and Keiko used to supply the store I worked as a clerk when I was fifteen. That's how we met and became friends."

"Oh, so you go way, way back! That's so cool!" Usagi's smile turned into a large grin, "We should go have dinner sometime, I'm curious to know more about your adventures."

Keiko smiled, "That sounds like a lovely idea. Actually, I was telling Mamoru that I am getting married this Autumn and that it would be lovely if you two could join us."

Mamoru smiled as he watched Keiko interacting with Usagi with the same lightness she talked to him. If he didn't know them, he would have guessed they were friends.

Things were finally falling into place; his life was suddenly taking a new leaf, a brand new start that was closing all the loop holes that at the time didn't make any sense. If there was something Mamoru had known since day one, is how Keiko was a genuine person inside and out. He could tell that if given more time, they could become really good friends, even closer than how she and Mamoru once were.

"Mamo-chan?"

"U-Uh, yes?"

"Did you find the pain reliver you were looking for?" Usagi looked at him; Keiko widened her eyes when she realized her longtime friend was holding onto a pair of crutches and covered her mouth in shock, "Oh goodness! I was so engrossed in our little reunion, I didn't even notice you were hurt! What happened to you?"

"Oh," Mamoru chuckled, "I had a little accident."

"You? An accident?" Keiko arched her brow and crossed her arms in blunt disbelief, "Since when are you the clumsy type?"

"I may have something to do with it," Usagi joked, trying to lighten the real reason behind his injury. "I'm super clumsy, and he's always trying to save me from crashing my face on the ground,"

Keiko laughed, "Ah, I see..." She tilted her head and looked down at her phone when it started ringing non-stop, "Oh my god I'm so late! I had to meet with my fiancé for a wine tasting for the wedding like twenty minutes ago! Aww too bad I have to go!"

"Ah, it's perfectly understandable..." Usagi waved her hand, "Planning a wedding is a lot." She turned over her shoulder, "Right, Mamo-chan?"

"Mhmm..." Mamoru nodded and let out a soft sigh, "A true test of patience,"

"Oh my god, right?! Who knew it could become such a nightmare at times? It's supposed to be a happy time and all I do is stress," She laughed, "It was so lovely meeting you, Usagi-san." She smiled shyly "Is it okay with you if I give him a quick hug goodbye?"

"Of course," Usagi stepped aside. Keiko leaned over to give her longtime friend the heartiest of hugs and felt close to tears, "I always wondered how you've been... I'm so glad to know you are in such a wonderful place in your life. Please don't be a stranger,"

Mamoru responded to the hug the same way, "It's so good to see you too, Keiko, I promise I won't. You have my number."

"She's a jewel, take good care of her." Keiko patted his back and pulled back, "Or else, you won't hear the end of it." She turned to Usagi, "I gave your Mamoru my number. We should totally go out for dinner, there is so much to catch on!"

Usagi beamed with glee, "That would be lovely,"

"See you soon!" She waved her hand and turned to walk away.

Usagi waved and turned to her husband, she saw a gleam she could tell was loaded with nostalgia. She didn't need to ask much to know this meeting was fated to happen and that deep down, it was something he needed to have some sort of closure.

Her crystal blue eyes widened when she felt his warm hand taking hers and looked up to meet him in the eye, "She is very nice," she smiled, "I really hope we can get together soon," she turned and cupped her husband's cheek lovingly, "I could see happy to see you too, where you close?"

Usagi's simple question made Mamoru reconsider his stance when it came to talking about his past.

It wasn't a secret, Usagi did know many things not many did. Slowly, over the course of ten years of being together, she had patiently waited for him to open up and had taken every little glimpse of that part of his life with much respect and care. Without ever asking, Usagi has always been supportive, attentive, and respectful of Mamoru's limits.

Mamoru looked at her and answered first with a nod. "We were very good friends."

Usagi sighed with relief, "Oh, I'm so glad…" She brought her hands to her chest, "It makes me happy to know you weren't always alone. That there was someone who didn't make you sad…" She held her tears, "I know I'm silly… But it really touches my heart,"

Mamoru pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her temple, "I went through hard times, but I'm not lonely anymore, you're my family. You're my best friend; my everything."

"You're my everything too, Mamo-chan," Usagi tightened her arms around him, almost as a gesture of panic."I love you, I love you madly…"

"I love you too, Usa." He put the small bottle of pills in the cart and cupped his wife's cheek, "Ready to go home?"

Usagi smiled, "Yes, Sir, I am." She giggled and intertwined her fingers with his as they headed for the self-checkout cashier. Usagi scanned all the items while he slid his card to pay and typed the pin on the screen when he found her with a serious look on her face, "You okay Buns?"

"Yeah," Usagi put the things in paper bags, "I was just wondering how is it that you lost touch with Keiko-san if you were such good friends…"

Mamoru put his wallet back in his pocket and walked with her out of the store towards their car, "My busy schedule at work, school, and my problems with Chieko made me lose sight of our friendship. Keiko moved out of town to help her father expand the business and we lost touch. We never got to say goodbye and we never see each other again."

"Until now,"

"Yes." Mamoru opened the trunk of his car and helped Usagi put the bags inside, "Soon after she left, I moved to Juban, got the apartment, and started over. In the process, I became a thief and continued my search for the girl of the hair of moonbeam,"

Usagi blushed and tried to keep her tears at bay. She put her hands on each side of his face and looked into his eyes as the golden hour tainted their faces with the intense and wonderful colors the Sun painted in the sky. "Say, Endymion... If I ever lose sight of you, would you look for me?"

"Usa-ko..." He looked at her, puzzled. "What kind of a question is that?"

Usagi looked at him almost worried, "Would you?"

Mamoru leaned down until he was close enough to brush his lips with hers and took a deep breath, "I would go to the very depths of the Universe to bring you back if that is what it takes. Wherever I need to go, whatever I need to do—whoever I need to fight against, I would not stop until I find you and bring you back home with me."

"Do you promise?"

"I swear,"

Usagi stood on her tiptoes and closed the space left between them with a deep and loving kiss. Her hands curled in his hair and took a deep breath as she gave everything in her soul to take over the intimate action. "To the Moon and back..."

Mamoru combed her long silvery fringe aside, "...To the world, we belong to."

I don't own SM. But the Divinity series belongs to me entirely, plot and development.

Thank you for your support throughout all of these years.