Chapter 5 (Monday)

"Hey, Mamoru," Usagi greeted, sliding onto the barstool beside him.

"Hey, Usa. How was school?"

"Pretty good; Rei was absent today. Hi, Motoki. Can I get a glass of Pepsi?" Usagi asked.

"Comin' right up," Motoki told her as he refilled Mamoru's coffee. "You want anything else, Mamoru?"

"Nah, I'm good," he assured Motoki. "So the evil one was gone for the day? Sounds like cause to celebrate if you ask me."

"You bet. And, even more so because according to Makoto who heard when she stopped by the shrine, Rei's grandpa said she went to visit with her dad. Apparently, he called on Thursday saying he wanted to move up her visit, so she had to go to Saturday School to take all her finals early."

"Wow. Too bad for her," Mamoru commented.

"Don't worry," Usagi told him. "Rei loves going because her dad travels all over the world and she gets to go with him. They really don't even spend time together; it's the fact he gives her tons of money to shop or do whatever with. She ends up spoiled and then gets to brag when she gets back."

"I like this girl less and less," commented Mamoru.

"I don't even have a clue about it and I hate this girl," Motoki chimed in, having brought Usagi her Pepsi and staying to hear the rest of the story.

"She just doesn't know how to feel about her relationship with her dad, so she acts like she doesn't care to hide it."

"And that is why we like you," Motoki informed Usagi.

"Huh?" she questioned, looking lost.

"You see good in everyone, and no matter how bad she is to you, you still care and try to understand what her actions are caused by," Mamoru said, explaining Motoki's comment. "Now, Motoki, how soon are you done?"

"Ten minutes, actually. You still want to go?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Sounds good. I'll go get finished up," Motoki replied.

"So, Usagi," Mamoru started, turning towards her. "Have you ever been to the park festival?"

"No, Rei really didn't ever want to go after school last year and junior high didn't get half days at this time like the high school does."

"Then please allow Motoki and I to show you what it's like," he said. "As soon as he gets off his shift, we can head over there."

Usagi smiled, thrilled to finally get to go to the festival and to spend time with Mamoru. She jumped when her cell phone went off in her back pocket. Her smile grew even larger as she checked the caller ID and answered. "Hey, Mi-chan! What's up?" Listening intently for a few moments, Usagi asked the other girl to hold on and put her hand over the mouthpiece to muffle her question. "Would you care if Minako tagged along?" she questioned Mamoru.

"As long as you're happy with her being there, it's fine," he answered.

"Thanks, Mamoru. You're the best," she said, giving him a one-armed hug. "Mi-chan, I'm going to that festival at the park with some friends. Why don't you join us?" she suggested. "Okay. Call me when you get to the park," Usagi instructed after a moment.

"She's coming then?" Mamoru inquired once Usagi had hung up.

"Yup. Thank you, so much."

"I take it this is the Mi-chan from Saturday?"

"Yeah. You guys will like her," Usagi assured him.

"If she's anything like you say she is, I'm sure we will," Mamoru replied as Motoki walked up dressed in more casual jeans and a t-shirt. "Now, let's get outta here," he instructed, offering one arm to Usagi and grabbed her bag with his free hand. The three companions headed out of the arcade and across the street to the park.

*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*

As they reached the festival, Usagi's phone rang yet again. "Hey, Mi-chan," she answered. "How about we meet at the giant purple tent in the middle?" Usagi suggested, pulling the boys in that direction. "See you in a few," she said once Minako had agreed. "Now, I can't remember if I already told you or not, but there's something you need to know about Minako," she warned.

"Surely it can't be too bad," Motoki joked.

"No, not bad; just, it shocks most people. We could basically pass for each other, we look that similar. And that makes things worse when it comes to Rei. Minako doesn't like her, but, because Mi-chan has always been so popular with playing sports and cheerleading, Rei has always been very careful not to cross her."

"And you weren't popular?" Motoki asked, sounding confused.

"Not like Mi-chan was. I was too klutzy for sports and too shy for cheerleading."

"And now?" Mamoru asked, catching her use of past-tense.

"I would be okay cheerleading now. The klutzy part disappeared after a while in gymnastics classes, so I wish I had done cheerleading. However, it's too late to get involved. Now, I just compete in gymnastics, but I took a break this semester. I haven't decided if I'm going to go back to it or not."

"Why wouldn't you?" Motoki asked, sounding astounded.

"My guess, the amount of training and how it takes over your life," Mamoru said as they reached the purple tent.

"Pretty much," Usagi agreed. "I had work-outs before school and then arranged my schedule so I had study hall and P.E. the last two hours of the day. I would get pulled out of school to start afternoon work-outs then. Last part of freshman year I even had another study hall in the morning so I could keep up on my homework," she told the two.

"And the excuse she gave almost everyone for why?" came a similar, but slightly lower voice than Usagi's from behind them. "She couldn't get into what she needed to, so, instead of a filler class, she got two study halls because her parents requested it."

The three turned as she spoke and faced the speaker. Usagi smiled widely; glad to see her best friend. Mamoru who had adjusted to the idea quickly just shook his head. Motoki, however, was speechless, his mouth hanging open. "Wow!" he murmured.

"I tried to warn you," Usagi teased.

"I thought you were exaggerating," Motoki protested.

"You'll get used to it," Minako assured him.

"Yup. You will. It's only gotten worse as we've gotten older. But, Motoki, Mamoru, this is Minako. Mi-chan, this is Motoki and this is Mamoru."

"It's nice to meet you both," Minako said.

"You too, Minako. Now, do you girls want to eat or look around first?" Mamoru inquired.

"Up to you, Mi-chan," Usagi said. "I don't care either way."

"How about we grab something small and wander around instead of doing one or the other?" Minako suggested.

The others nodded agreement, splitting up to find food. Motoki led Minako off with a hand on her lower back. Usagi stopped Mamoru as he went to follow them by grabbing his hand. She then led him the other direction, still holding his hand. "Nope. Let's leave them be."

"Let me guess," he said after studying her. "You think they should be set up?"

"I think the attraction is there. Why not see what happens? Though, I don't believe in pushing people together."

"Fair enough," he answered, grabbing her hand as she went to let go of his and tucking it through the crook of his elbow. "Motoki needs to get out there. He spent far too long pining after a girl that not just broke his heart, but threw it on the ground and stomped on it."

"Doesn't sound good."

"No. She used him and then strung him along while she started seeing someone behind his back. She broke up with him rather publicly and spread all sorts of rumors blaming him for the break-up."

"Sounds like they would have a lot to talk about then," Usagi told him. "Mr. Star Baseball player wanted to date Mi-chan earlier this year. She said no, but he pushed until she gave in to get him off her back. When he tried to get her to put out on the first date, she walked away from him. Because he got mad that she wouldn't do what he wanted, he spread all sorts of rumors saying she slept with tons of guys and he broke it off because she was bad in bed and other stuff like that. Thankfully, most people are smarter than to believe that. However, people that are jealous try to use it against her."

"I hate guys like that. Has she coped with it okay?"

"Yeah. Mi-chan really doesn't care what people think, so she ignores it easily. It only gets to her every once in a while."

"My guess is you're the best friend that watched for when she crumbled."

"Yeah. Same with you and Motoki, huh?"

"Exactly. So, yeah, I see the wisdom in seeing what ends up happening with the two of them," he admitted. "It sounds like they would understand quite a bit about each other."

"I think they'll be cute together," she told him, pointing the two of them out across the crowd through a gap. "For her, I know she needs to get away from the drama of high school boys."

"And he needs someone sweeter and slower that doesn't play all those games and doesn't want to jump in bed immediately, if at all."

"Hopefully they'll figure all that out now," she wished.

"Yeah…" he commented as she finally pointed out a food vendor to try. Dragging him along, she got in line and tried to decide what she wanted. They ended up both ordering a noodle dish before heading to find Motoki and Minako. They met back up on the other end of the tent, food in hand, before heading out to see what was for sale in the booths set up in the area.

"Ooo, paintings!" Minako said, pulling Usagi into an artist's booth. "These look like pictures from fairytales!"

"Oh, I love that one," Usagi told her, pointing to the picture of a silver-haired princess lying in a field of flowers with her dark-haired prince. "It looks like they escaped all their duties and the people around them to just spend some time alone. How sweet!"

"I like where the two princesses are playing in the fountain there," Minako said, pointing out the one she was talking about. "How about you guys?"

"I like the shadowed pictures," Mamoru told Minako pointing to a series of five done in grayscale and filled with shadows. "They're very understated. The work is amazing, but I bet people tend to overlook them because of their lack of color."

"Very true, sir," said the woman in charge of the booth as she joined them. "My name is Setsuna Meioh; I'm the artist."

"Your work is amazing," Motoki told her. "Where do you find your models?"

"It is rare that I actually work with models. Usually I just paint the faces I see in my dreams. For some reason, I have a tendency to remember my dreams and the faces of the people in them. So, I paint them. However, I know this is rather forward, but I would love to use all of you as models sometime; I'll even pay you."

"We would love to!" Minako exclaimed. "Or, at least I would. I've always wanted to model."

"I would as well," Mamoru added, "but you don't need to pay me. I sketch and so I understand finding someone to pose for you."

"How about this instead then?" the artist suggested. "I could use you for two paintings and in exchange, you can have two of the paintings you admired. I would love to give them to someone who seems to appreciate them. As for the other three, depending on the quality of the work, I would be willing to trade them to you for three sketches. Sketches are the one thing I could never master. I've always been more a painter."

"Sounds fair to me," Mamoru answered, "but I would need some time to do the sketches."

"Two weeks?"

"Deal."

"Wonderful!" she exclaimed. "And you two?" she added, turning to Usagi and Motoki.

"I would need an idea of when to tell you if I could even get off work for it," Motoki volunteered.

"I'm flexible," Setsuna answered. "As long as you're interested," she directed to Usagi and continued upon her nodded yes, "I'll give you my business card and all of you can contact me there to see if this is legitimate and then set-up an appointment of a trial sitting before we do the actual painting. Sound good?" At their chorused yes, she left to retrieve business cards and then came back to pass them. "Just write down the titles of two paintings each of you wants, and all five for you, then give me the paper before you go," she instructed, leaving a paper and pen with Usagi before leaving to help another customer.

They quickly jotted down painting titles and returned the paper before heading on to other booths. The four wandered in and out of stalls and booths containing all kinds of knick knacks. Before long, Mamoru wandered into a used book stall. Calling for the others to join him, they hunted through the piles of books sometimes laughing at the selections they had found. Readying to leave, Mamoru purchased a few books for himself and two for Usagi. Motoki sweetly bought an old fairytale book for Minako as well.

*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*

After a venture through a candle stand, they stopped to let Minako dig her ringing cell phone out of her purse. As she stepped away to answer, Usagi, Mamoru, and Motoki circled up to talk.

"I better get back to the Crown. I promised to help out over dinner because they're training the new guy and I still have to run home to pick up my sister before that," Motoki told the other two.

"Why go back to the arcade?" Usagi questioned.

"To get his car," Mamoru informed her. "See you tomorrow, Motoki."

"Bye, Motoki," Usagi chimed.

"Oh, you're leaving too?" Minako asked as she rejoined them.

"Yeah, I am. I'm working for a while tonight. Are you headed out too?"

"Yeah, Mom wants me to head home."

"Well, I need to head back to the arcade to get my car, but I can run you home. I should have enough time."

After an inquiring glance towards Usagi who nodded, Minako answered, "Yes." She stepped forward and gave Usagi a hug goodbye. "Later, love," she said. "I'll call you when I get home."

"Bye, Mi-chan, Motoki."

"Bye, guys. Nice to meet you, Minako."

"You too, Mamoru. Bye!" she called as she left with Motoki, headed towards the arcade.

"Do you want to stay for a while longer?" Mamoru asked.

"Yup. I want to check out those stands over there," she informed him, pointing towards the left.

"Alright then," he consented, leading the way. "Still think something will happen with Motoki and Minako?"

"Most likely. But, we'll see eventually. Hopefully, as we do the modeling for Ms. Meioh and maybe the four of us do more together, they'll figure out what we already have."

"You realize you do not sound like a normal high school student, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Don't worry; it's a good thing," he assured her with a smile.

She smiled back at him, looking relieved. "I'm glad you think so. Now, what do you think of my Mi-chan?"

"I like her. She is so much like you."

Usagi laughed. "The running joke is we share a brain. She's my best friend; end of story. A warning for you, though, when we're together, it won't always make sense. We're just a little odd and today was scarily normal for us."

Mamoru laughed. "Well, I can't wait to see normal for the two of you."

"I bet you can't wait," Usagi replied, laughing. "Ooo, a jewelry stand! Let's go in there!" she exclaimed, pulling Mamoru along behind her by the arm.

*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*

Usagi and Mamoru were just leaving the jewelry stall when the sudden downpour began. All of the vendors flew into action, trying to protect their wares, while Mamoru grabbed Usagi's hand and over the noise called, "This way!"

As they hurried through the rain, Mamoru explained. "My apartment is just on this end of the park. We can get there and dry off instead of fighting the crowds to find shelter or going all the way back to the arcade."

"Okay," she agreed, moving even faster as thunder rumbled loudly overhead.

*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*

"Come on, I'll show you where the bathroom is and get you some dry clothes to put on," Mamoru instructed as they entered the apartment. Flipping on the lights, he led her into the bathroom, stopping to pull out a towel from the hallway linen closet on the way. "Go ahead and take a shower to warm up and I'll leave clothes outside the door for you. I'll be in the living room when you're done. Need anything else?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks, Mamoru." Closing the door gently behind him and locking the door, she turned on the water to let it heat up while she got out of her soaking clothes. She shivered as she climbed in the shower and turned the water even hotter. Five minutes later she was climbing back out, thoroughly warmed, and reaching for the towel Mamoru had gotten her so she could grab the clothes from the hallway.

*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*

She smiled as she entered the living room to see Mamoru sprawled out on the couch with his still damp hair wonderfully ruffled. A couple lamps were on low and the stereo emitting soft jazz music. "What's your favorite song?" she questioned as she curled into a chair that sat adjacent to the couch.

"Like all-time-favorite ever?"

"Yeah."

"Probably Moonlight Sonata. I'm a big fan of classical music and jazz. You?"

"It depends on the genre and my mood really. I don't have just one favorite."

"Very nice. So, how about a movie?"

'Like what?"

"Casablanca?" Mamoru suggested.

"Apparently it's all about the classics today, but sounds good," Usagi agreed as Mamoru got up to put in the movie. He quickly located the DVD and put it in the player. He returned to the couch, sitting this time so that Usagi could sit on the opposite end of the couch, and they settled in to watch the movie.

*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*

"It's almost six; I better get home," Usagi told him, as the end credits rolled on the movie.

"Yeah. Give your parents a call and let me go grab my keys and I'll take you home."

"Okay. Thanks, Mamoru."

As he walked out of the room, Usagi grabbed her cell and hit speed dial six. After a few rings, her mother picked up. "Hi, Momma. I'm on my way home now; Mamoru is going to bring me home shortly. We went to the festival at the park with Motoki and Mi-chan and ended up getting caught in the rain." After a brief pause, she continued, "Yeah, I'll ask him to stay for supper again. Bye!"

"Ready?" Mamoru asked coming back into the room.

"I just need to change back into my clothes."

"They should be done. Let me get them out of the dryer and then you can change before we go," he told her.

*M&U* *M&U* *M&U* *M&U*

Mamoru and Usagi stepped out of the elevator into the parking garage and Usagi immediately headed towards Mamoru's red sports car. "Ooo, not that way. Come on," he told her, leading her towards his motorcycle. Reaching it, he handed her a helmet and put one on himself. Once his was on, he helped Usagi to fasten her helmet. Climbing on the bike, he helped Usagi on and started the bike. "Hold on tight," he instructed her, raising the kickstand and heading towards the exit.

Usagi wrapped her arms around Mamoru's waist and peeked over his shoulder, thrilled with her first motorcycle ride. She giggled as Mamoru sped out of the parking lot and headed towards her house.

Thoughts?