The radio behind the countertop began to crackle and spit static as, outside, the rain grew heavier and the storm clouds darkened with fury.
Motoki cast a worried glance out the window. There weren't many customers left at the arcade this late in the afternoon, but if the weather got as bad as the forecaster said, then —
The lights flickered and went out. Mamoru watched, or rather, listened, as Motoki cursed and ran to check on the arcade's power source and machines. He heard the panicked whispers rising and falling in the room like a wave crashing into the surf. But his ears did not pick out Usagi's voice from among them.
He spun on his stool, his eyes already fixed on Odango, sitting in a booth with her friends. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, her silhouette slowly took shape.
Lightning flashed, making the dark building shine for a brief moment with an eerie light before thunder rumbled. Usagi clenched her jaw, fighting to keep her breathing even as Rei, Makoto, and Ami laughed at a story Mina was telling.
She heard someone approaching their table, and warily guessed, "Baka?"
She'd meant to sound tough, or even bored, but instead her voice was shaky. She closed her mouth so hard her teeth clacked together.
"Odango," Mamoru returned, biting his lip to try to stop his hands from shaking. He wanted to tease her about something, anything, but he just couldn't. Lightning flared again, and for an instant, Mamoru could make out Usagi's pale face, her blue eyes wide and . . . scared?
Thunder boomed, closer and louder than the last time. Before Usagi could stop herself, she whimpered. She heard Mamoru's breath catch and with a rustle of movement, he knelt in front of her.
"Are you scared?" he whispered softly, his face close to hers.
Usagi thought that her fear must be making her hallucinate; there was no way Mamoru could be gentle. She shook her head, nostrils flaring. Mamoru probably couldn't see her, but she didn't trust her mouth.
"I have a secret," he continued, leaning in so close that Usagi could feel his warm, sweet breath on her ear. "I'm scared too."
Mamoru couldn't believe he had just admitted that. What was he, stupid? But something about the darkness made him brave, and he knew she was scared, as foreign as the concept seemed. The Odango he argued with everyday was bold and fierce.
Usagi stiffened. Mamoru was scared of the storm? Like she was? As much as she liked yelling at the arrogant, infuriating baka, she also liked this side of him, the brave and gentle Mamoru.
Mamoru, driven out of pure instinct, wrapped his arms around Usagi's waist and put his head in her lap. He heard Usagi sigh in relief, finally starting to relax, and hesitantly stroke his hair. The third and final time the thunder cracked, neither so much as gasped, having finally found their safe place — each other.