22. Christmas
Sailor Raspberry
576 Words
Scowling, she flopped onto the stool and set to peeling off her mittens. Throwing them down, she wrenched off her earmuffs and tossed them across the counter. Mumbled words drifted from her tongue and sat heavily in the air.
Mamoru peered at her over his newspaper, brow arched. Usagi caught him looking and stuck her tongue out. "What do you want, baka?"
He shrugged and disappeared behind the paper again.
Usagi fidgeted with the salt shaker and threw him a glance, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Finally, after frustration ate into her mind, she pounded a tiny fist onto the counter. "Well? Aren't you going to ask me what's wrong?"
He reappeared, folding the newspaper gently. "If it has anything to do with world issues, then no. I've gladly read my share of it."
"What?"
"Nothing." Sipping a bit of coffee, he turned to look at her. "So, what's wrong?"
Her momentary confusion slipped away and she thumped another fist. "I hate Christmas!"
Mamoru choked, nearly dropping his cup. "Hate Christmas? Odango, you're the only girl I know who lives like it's Christmas everyday."
She gave another scowl, cheeks flushing. "This year is different." She huffed and crossed her arms.
He waited patiently for her to continue, but when it was evident that no further explanation was coming, he sighed. "Tell me, Odango, why is this year different?"
"Because! Stupid Rei decided that she was going to throw a stupid party on stupid Christmas Eve and she said that I should bring a stupid guest and I don't have one! Besides, the whole thing is just plain stupid!"
His forehead crinkled in momentary confusion. "Why don't you just ask someone?"
"Baka!" She squeeled, slapping at his newspaper. "Because I don't know anybody to take! Motoki is already taking his girlfriend and I'd die if I have to take my dad! Can you imagine what everyone would say if Kenji Tsukino showed up at a Christmas party with his daughter! I'd die of humiliation!"
Mamoru nodded slowly and silently ignored her continuing rants. Minutes tinkered by, and finally, she stopped with a huffing chest and pink cheeks.
"Well, Odango," he said with an easy shrug. "Why don't you just take me?"
Usagi looked at him uneasily, teeth biting at her lip. Her eyes hooked onto his, and her neck reddened. "Are you sure? I mean, everyone might think that we're-"
"Don't worry about it. So, Christmas Eve, right?"
She nodded, and a sudden smile flooded her face. "Thank you, Mamoru! You're great!" Standing up, she grabbed her mittens and made a dash for the door. "Pick me up a seven, okay?"
She twirled on the sidewalk, giddily excited to find snowflakes clumping on her hair. But whether all her enthusiasm was from the falling snow, or something else, she wasn't quite sure.
"Hey, Odango!" She turned to find Mamoru striding towards her. "You forgot your earmuffs!"
He stopped in front of her, and she marveled at how well the snow suited him. Catching her gaze, he pulled the muffs over her ears with a smile.
Patting her bun, he stepped away. "See you Christmas Eve."
Usagi flashed him a stellar smile and pulled on his arm. "If you plan on picking me up, I'll have to show you where I live."
She dragged him along, glad at discovering that, after her heart slowed to a normal pace, Christmas wouldn't be as bad as she thought.