Mamoru was sitting on his usual stool in the arcade, studying as he did everyday. Time dragged, making him wonder what he was doing with his life.
Then Usagi and her friends walked in, laughing, always laughing. Mamoru instantly perked up, flicking his dark hair out of his face. However, he did not turn around, and he did not spar with Odango, pretending to be absorbed in his textbook.
He didn't have the energy to argue with anyone today, but especially not her, who had a knack for making his heart race and his breathing labored. But neither could he read, because Odango — Usagi — gave his life meaning. As pathetic as it was,she
/was the reason he got up in the morning, the reason he walked to school instead of riding the bus, the reason he spent so much time in the arcade. And when the meaning in his life walked by, he couldn't study. He couldn't focus on anything, anyone,but
/her.
The purpose of my life being to argue with a stubborn teenage girl, he thought, rolling his blue eyes at himself. And to love her too . . . But he stopped that thought from going any further.
Much to his disappointment, Usagi and her friends chose to sit in a booth rather than at the counter next to him. He didn't realize he was half listening to their conversation until he heard Mina whisper, "Tuxedo Mask," and giggle. Then Usagi's
/familiar voice chimed in, and Mamoru started fully eavesdropping.
"Yeah," she murmured in response, her voice smooth like honey. It sounded as though she were a million miles away, lost in her thoughts.
"He's pretty cute, even with the mask on," Mina continued, her voice bubbling with restrained laughter. "And that tuxedo . . . whew!" She was silent for a moment, and Mamoru pictured her fanning herself with mock delicacy. Her friends laughed at her theatrics,but
/he didn't hear Usagi join them.
"Don't you agree, Usagi?" Rei asked mischievously. Mamoru waited for her enthusiastic response; even he knew about her crush on Tuxedo Mask. The thought made his heart flutter, even as he wondered what would happen if she found out who he really was.
"I guess so," Usagi replied uninterestedly, not enthusiastic in the least. Mamoru felt his stomach sink. He knew it was only a matter of time till her crush passed, but he liked thinking that she reciprocated his feelings . . . well, somewhat.
/
Usagi tuned out her friends' dull conversation. Once the thought of Tuxedo Mask would make her heart race . . . but that was before. Now, staring at Mamoru's back, his head bent over his book, she wished he would look up. Look at her. But when she
/lefther daydreams of mysterious, masked men behind, she had to face reality. And the stark, unforgiving truth was that she was in love with a boy who would never, ever, love her back.