Week 1B: Friends
Sailor Raspberry
340 words
"We're friends, right?"
The question took Mamoru by surprise. His hand paused, halting the cup's trip to his mouth. An eyebrow rose as he peered over at her. "Friends?"
Usagi nodded, swinging her feet back and forth against the stool's leg. "Yes, friends. I want to know."
Mamoru slanted his body to look at her fully. "I suppose you could call us that." He placed the cup back on the countertop, refolding the creases of his newspaper. "Is there any particular reason you're asking me?"
Usagi had the dignity to blush, twirling a pigtail between her fingers. It took her a moment to come up with something to say. "Summer is close, and I want to start fresh."
At his questioning gaze, she fidgeted around in her chair. "I'm going to get out of school soon, and we're going to go on vacation and everything. And I want us to be... not mean to each other when I come back. I want to start fresh."
Mamoru picked up his cup again and took a meaningful sip. "So I can't make fun of you anymore?"
She perked, glad to see he was catching on to the idea. "No, you can't. No more 'Odango-atama' and making fun of my grades and stuff. Because that would be mean and that's... mean."
His mouth twisted into a smile. "But I like calling you Odango. It suits you so well."
Her nose crinkled, and she wondered if she was supposed to be flattered or annoyed with the comment.
Mamoru sighed, pushing away his cup and standing. "Alright, I agree." He expended his hand. "Deal."
"Deal?"
"Deal."
Usagi jumped up and flung her arms around his neck, squeezing tight. "This is great! Wonderful!" She jumped away and twirled toward the door. "See you tomorrow... Friend!" With a brief waggling of eyebrows, she beamed a grin at him and disappeared through the doors.
Mamoru blinked, drawing back his hand and lifting it to scratch his neck. "Friends, indeed." He sat back down, unfolded his newspaper, and smiled.