Chapter 2 (Saturday Part 1)
The glass doors to The Crown Arcade slid open to reveal Usagi shortly before eleven. Mamoru shared a smile with Motoki upon her entrance and swiveled on his barstool as she and the younger brunette boy approached.
"Hi, Mamoru, Motoki."
"Hey, Usagi," both boys greeted.
"This is my brother, Shingo."
"Hi, Shingo. Nice to meet you," Mamoru said, offering his hand. "What grade are you in?"
"Seventh."
"Awesome," Motoki commented. "So, then, you still like video games, right?" Motoki commented, coming from behind the counter and leading Shingo away towards the video games.
"How are you doing today?" Mamoru questioned as Usagi slid onto the barstool beside him and dropped her backpack on the floor beside her.
"I'm doing better; thanks. So, what's good besides the cheeseburgers?"
"Today they have soup, salad, and subs," he informed her, while handing over a menu. Usagi looked over the menu until Motoki returned.
"Your brother said to tell you he'll have a cheeseburger and fries whenever you want to order lunch," he told Usagi as he rejoined the two.
"Okay. If you don't mind, can I order now?"
"Sure, Usagi. What do you want?"
"A small chef salad with lemonade to drink."
"Pink raspberry or regular?"
"Pink raspberry, please."
"And I'll have my usual," Mamoru added.
"Okay, I'll go get the order in. Do you want your drinks first?"
"Nah. Thanks though, Motoki," Mamoru told him.
As Motoki left, Usagi turned to study Mamoru. "Mamoru?"
"Yes, Usagi?"
"I really don't know that much about you."
"Well, I may know more about you, but it's still not that much."
"That's true."
"Don't worry, Usagi. We'll get there. But, how about this? We do one question a day and we'll take turns."
"Okay."
"You can go today if you want," he offered.
"Umm, favorite rainy day activity?"
"Alright," he agreed to the question with a laugh. "If it's possible, I go for a run. Then, I usually get home, shower, and watch a movie."
"A run in the rain? I may have to try that."
"Next time it rains, we'll have to go. Finals are next week, right?"
"This week of classes is all half days and then finals are the next Monday and, for some people, Tuesday."
"Do you have to go Tuesday?"
"No."
"Just keep Monday night free if you can."
"Oooookay."
"Now, I believe you still need to answer your own question."
"Huh? Oh. I usually just curl up in my window seat with a good book and a mug of hot tea."
"That sounds good, too. You like to read?"
"Love to; not that my friends know that."
"I still say they seem to be missing out on one heck of a person," Mamoru started, but was cut off by the ringing of Usagi's cell phone.
Pulling out her smartphone, Usagi glanced at the screen. Seeing Minako's name there, she answered quickly.
Mamoru bit back a chuckle as he observed Usagi interacting with 'Mi-chan.' He was surprised to see her laughing and joking with the other girl as she tried to convince her that she just had to do homework today instead. This was what he expected when it came to her friends.
Usagi cringed part way through her conversation with Minako as she heard the other girl trying to tell Rei she couldn't take the phone, knowing what would happen. The smile dropped from her face as she heard Rei take Minako's phone anyway. Glancing at Mamoru, she knew he heard as the yelling began when his eyes widened momentarily before hardening. She was surprised when Mamoru held out his hand for the phone, but hesitantly handed it over, hoping he wouldn't talk to Rei. And the last thing she heard before he snapped the phone shut was Rei yelling, "Well, if you're so stupid you have to spend Saturday doing homework, we don't want you here anyway!"
"She's gonna be ticked I hung up on her," she murmured.
"Tell her you were at the library and the librarian threatened to make you leave if you didn't get off the phone immediately," he suggested. "Believable, and, from what I understand, she'll enjoy the thought of getting you in trouble. And, hey, it looks like our food is ready," he added as Motoki emerged from the kitchen.
"I better go grab Shingo then. One second," Usagi said, sliding from her stool and heading towards the games. Together they returned and joined Mamoru and Motoki at the counter where the latter was unloading four meals. Giving Shingo his cheeseburger and Usagi her salad, Motoki handed Mamoru an iced coffee, a bowl of soup, and a small sandwich. Then, to the side, he sat a plate with three slices of pizza and a soda. "I need to deliver three more meals and I'll be back to eat," he informed them.
"So, are you planning to stay all afternoon?" Usagi asked her brother.
"Nah, I'm going home after lunch. Mom's letting Ryu come over and play Xbox this afternoon."
"Sounds like fun. Is Ryu staying for supper?"
"No, but Mom said something about you're supposed to invite someone."
Swiveling, Usagi turned to Mamoru with her sweetest smile on her face. "Oh, Mamoru… Do you have supper plans?"
"I couldn't impose," he protested.
"Oh, you wouldn't be, so that's no problem, she assured. "Please come," she added. "My Mom would love to meet you. And, considering Shingo likes you, Mom will too."
"Will you keep asking until I agree?" he questioned almost warily.
"Uh huh!"
"Alright."
"Thank you, Mamoru," she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. "And, don't worry about Daddy; he's out of town on a business trip."
"Why would I be worried about him?" Mamoru questioned, sounding slightly nervous.
"Oh, it just takes Daddy a little while to get used to any guy being around," Usagi evaded.
"More like he'll probably threaten you with a shotgun," Shingo interjected. "Mom will keep him at bay. If she likes you that is."
"It'll be fine. I promise," Usagi told him, shooting Shingo a look.
"I'll let mom know he's coming," Shingo told her. And it'll be fine," he assured Mamoru.
"What'll be fine?" Motoki inquired as he rejoined them.
"Mamoru's just a little worried about coming for supper," Usagi answered nonchalantly.
"How'd you convince him?" Motoki questioned, shocked.
"Let's just say that I don't give up easily," Usagi answered with a toothy grin.
"For some reason, that doesn't surprise me," Motoki commented.
The four talked and joked as they continued to eat lunch before Shingo headed home to meet his friend.
*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*
"Okay, Usagi, let's get started on that Calculus homework. Hopefully, Motoki will be able to help since things are slowing down."
"Alright. I'm not sure I even begin to understand this stuff."
"You will by the time we finish," he reassured her. "Hey, Motoki!" he called towards the young man busing tables. "Come here when you're done."
"Sure thing; give me just a minute to finish up here."
"You guys are the best!" Usagi cheered, taking turns hugging both of them. "I finally get this stuff! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"No problem, Usa," Mamoru chuckled. "Now, if you can stand us working on our project, we should get started."
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Preparing a presentation based on a Shakespeare play for our final."
"Which play?"
"A Mid-Summers Night Dream," he answered.
"Oh, that's my favorite!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, but I also really liked The Tempest."
"You've read them?"
"Yes; I've read a lot of his plays and even seen those two."
"Wow," Motoki breathed.
"Where'd you see them?" Mamoru questioned.
"My parents took me to see both in Kyoto, one about four years ago and the other last summer. My parents are very big on being cultured."
"So, what else have you attended to make you 'cultured'?" Mamoru questioned.
"Do you know of the violinist and pianist who play here every winter?" Haruka and Michiru?"
"Yeah," both guys answered.
"We've been the last three years to see them perform. And, we usually attend at least four art exhibits a year."
"I'm very impressed with your parents," Mamoru commented.
"Do you enjoy going to all these things?" Motoki questioned. "I would think it would be boring."
"Yeah, I like it. Minako has tagged along a bunch of times because she stays with us when her parents go out of town. She gets bored sometimes, but other times she doesn't."
"Wow, I still can't believe it," Motoki murmured.
"Well, do you have any suggestions on how we should present the play to a class where the majority of people haven't read it?" Mamoru questioned, trying to get the discussion back on track.
"Do a modern day equivalent story," she told him.
"You're brilliant!" Mamoru told her. "So much easier for everyone to understand. We should even use pictures."
"Stills from the movie?" Usagi questioned.
"No way," Motoki answered her. "Mamoru will draw them."
"You can draw?" she questioned.
"Yeah. My uncle taught me, when I was young."
"I wish I could draw. I took an art class for a little while, but it got canceled. So, I only know very basic skills."
"Maybe Mamoru can help you," Motoki suggested.
"Sure," Mamoru agreed, knowing it would mean more time with Usagi, but unwilling to admit yet why that was so important to him.
"Oh, crap! Mamoru, we have to go!" Usagi said, worried when she'd finally noticed the time. "Mom said to be home by six and itss a quarter 'til." Grabbing her bag, Usagi hurriedly pulled Mamoru out of the arcade, waving goodbye to Motoki.
Thoughts?