Just an FYI: Anytime you see a Sunday, it will be an interlude with Mamoru & Usagi spending time apart.
Chapter 4 (Sunday, Interlude)
INTERLUDE
Usagi
"Momma?" called Usagi.
"Yes, darling?" her mother responded, popping her head out of the kitchen.
"Are you and Daddy still going out this afternoon?" At her mother's nod yes, she continued. "I think I'm just going to stay in. Minako had wanted to go shopping, but I think Makoto's going now which inevitably means all the others will be going as well."
"Alright, dear. You are more than welcome to come with your father and me if you would like."
"No, you two go and have fun. I'll probably study some for finals and then start on one of my new books."
"Okay. I will let you know before we leave; just make sure you call Minako to let her know."
"Yes, Momma," Usagi called as she headed upstairs. Entering her bedroom, Usagi grabbed her cell phone and shot Minako a quick text before drawing her textbooks from her bag. She took a seat at her desk and began working on her note cards. She was about thirty minutes in when her door opened and her father stuck his head in.
"Hey, Princess. Just wanted to let you know Mom and I are on our way as soon as she gets her shoes on. Call one of our cells if you need anything and Shingo should be home around 4:00."
"Okay. Bye, Daddy," Usagi said, coming from her desk to give him a hug goodbye. She returned to her desk and just moments later heard the front door close.
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Two hours later, around 3:30, Usagi decided to call it quits for the day. "I have almost four sets of note cards done. I just need to finish the last of my Art notes and then do a history set which won't take long with the study guide," she told herself. Packing away her stuff, she was surprised to notice the steady rainfall outside her window. "Perfect!" she breathed.
Leaving her room, Usagi headed downstairs and into the kitchen. She filled the kettle with tap water and moved to the stove to heat it. As it got hot, she gathered a mug and her favorite tea bags to steep. It wasn't long before the kettle was whistling and she took it off the stove to pour the water into the mug where she had already placed the teabag. While the tea was steeping, she grabbed a small plate out of the cabinet and put some candy and cookies her mother had made that morning on there.
Grabbing her stuff, Usagi headed back upstairs. She placed her goodies beside her window seat and went to find her new books. Her grandmother on her mom's side had sent her a gift card for her favorite bookstore chain. She was so glad Usa and Shingo liked to read that she sporadically sent them gift cards. The salesgirl had recommended a newer author to her and the gift card was just enough to cover all four books the author currently had out. Figuring out which book came first, Usagi grabbed it and flipped on her lamp before curling up in her window seat with a blanket and pillow.
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"Hey, Usagi, I'm home," Shingo said sticking his head in the door.
"Hi, Shingo. How was the game?"
"We won it at the very end. Of course, it rained there most of the day, so I need to get showered."
"Okay. Just let me know when you're done and we'll order in something for supper. I don't think Momma and Daddy will be back until later."
"Got it!" Shingo called already heading down the hallway.
Taking a break, Usagi headed downstairs to reheat what was left of her tea. She stared out the window as the tea reheated, wondering if Mamoru had been for a run yet and what movie he was watching.
Mamoru
"Hey, Motoki," Mamoru answered his cell. "I'll be down in just a minute; gotta finish tying my shoes." Hanging up, Mamoru finished with his shoes and grabbed his lightweight, water-resistant jacket before heading to the elevator in the hallway.
Stepping off at the lobby, Mamoru waved to his neighbors who were headed upstairs and walked towards Motoki. "Hey, man. Ready?"
"Yep. Let's do this. What do you think? Three miles?"
"Sounds good!" Mamoru told him as the two headed for the door.
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Trying to shake off the worst of the water as he waved goodbye to Motoki, Mamoru re-entered the lobby and headed back upstairs. As he rode up to the ninth floor, Mamoru smiled as he wondered if Usagi was reading then. He hoped it would rain like was called for all that coming week. Just not on Monday, he hoped; Monday he wanted to make it to the festival at the park.
He stepped off the elevator and dug out his apartment keys. Stepping inside, he dropped the keys on the table in the entry hallway and took off the jacket to hang it on the back of a chair at the dining room table. He went to take a shower and decided he would figure out what movie to watch while he was in there.