UsaMamo: 100 Examples of Everyday Love

theme #2: Masks

by a quirky little tune

disclaimer: I sadly do not own Sailor Moon in any way, shape or form. However many of the ideas and the words behind this fanfiction story are of my own creation, so at least I have those!

One afternoon, Chiba Mamoru walked into Crowne Arcade with a whole group of high school students following. They all carried books and backpacks with them and, as they entered the restaurant section, headed straight to the back of the room and connected several tables together. They folded themselves into chairs and into the surrounding booths, prying open their books and pulling out papers to study.

"Looks like a study group," Ami said, a little wistfully as she sipped her water.

"We've got midterms next week," Motoki elaborated as he brought Usagi and Minako's ice cream orders to the table. He reached behind his back to untie his apron and he placed his order notepad to the side.

Usagi made a face. "Ugh, studying." She stared at the huge gaggle of people and wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, studying with Mamoru-baka."

Motoki made a sound of amusement. "Actually, Usagi-chan, Mamoru is really popular at our school. He's got the highest grades in the whole school."

Rei gasped. "Really? I knew he was intelligent, but he's that smart?"

"And that blazer," Ami said quietly, glancing over to the man that tortured her best friend on a daily basis. She suddenly seemed to see him in a new light. "Azabu High School?"

Makoto's brow furrowed, then her eyes widened. "Azabu? That super elite school for the academically gifted?"

"Mako-chan, how do you know that?" Usagi and Minako exclaimed, scandalized. The tall brunette blushed and laughed.

"Old boyfriend," she explained sheepishly, ducking her head a little bit.

"He's also fantastic at sports, volunteers at the children's hospital, and is known as the best tutor at Azabu - he can explain anything to anyone. He's also very polite and courteous to all students, regardless of grade."

"WHAT?" Usagi jumped from her seat and slammed her small hands down on the table. She sputtered rapidly at Motoki, "H-him? Polite? COURTEOUS? To students of all ages? What the heck am I, then, chopped liver?"

The son of the arcade owner chuckled with an amused glint in his soft green eyes. "I'm not sure how or why, Usagi-chan, but he's only really a jerk to you."

Usagi reared back, trying to ignore the sharp stab of hurt that made her eyes sting. She struggled a moment to collect a witty remark. "Then that nice guy persona must be an act - a, a, a mask!"

Mamoru laughed genuinely, charmingly, from across the room.

Motoki winked as he began moving to join his school friends. "Ah, but which Mamoru is the mask? The one that teases you or the one that everyone loves?"

Eyes wide, Usagi sat stumped, not knowing from the crazy thumping of her heart which option she preferred.

Here we are with theme #2! Just so you all know, I am planning on going through the themes in numerically order, and with a certain amount of continuity involved - so hopefully they all read like slightly separate chapters of one big story.

Please drop me a line if you liked this chapter, I'm happy to hear from everybody and anybody! LoveInTheBattleField and Crashing Into the Sea - you two are my first reviewers for this story, and your kind reviews have made me smile all day. Thanks for being awesome, and I hope you continue to read and enjoy!

Next up is - theme #3: Hair

Much love,

a quirky little tune