"You know, I can't even be mad at you today," Usagi chirped, clambering to her feet.

Mamoru rolled his eyes as he dusted grit off his palms. Ever since he'd met Odango, he'd found that the sidewalks in Jûban were in terrible repair. Or maybe they just were in bad shape because he and Usagi kept falling onto them. Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.

"Why, is the —" he started sarcastically, but Usagi talked right over him.

"I got a new bottle of perfume, and it smells beautiful! I got it at a really good price too," she added, beaming.

Mamoru scoffed. "A scent can't be beautiful."

"It can too!" Usagi protested, her attitude coming back in full force as she place her hands on her hips. Then she turned her head, exposing the delicate, graceful curve of her neck. "See for yourself."

Mamoru refrained from teasing her about her word choice in that last sentence, and considered her offer. Could he pass up an opportunity to spend a few more minutes close to her? Or the opportunity to prove her wrong?

Mind made up, he heaved a sigh, as if bored, though inwardly, he was bubbling with excitement. He bent closer, his nose brushing past her ear, and shivered.

Hyperaware of the minute distance between his face and the creamy skin of Usagi's neck, Mamoru inhaled deeply.

The scent of her skin was sweet and bright, but Mamoru couldn't pick out any individual scents; his brain was too busy thinking about how close her face was to his. Oh, he'd never wanted something as much as he wanted to kiss her right now. Never.

"Usagi," Mamoru breathed, voice low. She slowly turned her head, making eye contact with him. She was so close he could see her eyelashes flutter.

"What," she murmured shakily, "did you think of my perfume?"

Mamoru was unable to tear his gaze away from her perfect face, watching as she swallowed nervously.

"It was beautiful," he whispered, and then he was kissing her and she was kissing him back, and Mamoru's world imploded and he didn't notice, didn't care, she was his whole world, she was beautiful and perfect and his, and he wouldn't want anything ever again as long as he had her.

They drew apart, shaking. Usagi's arms were wrapped around his neck, her fingers threaded through his hair, and when she didn't pull away, Mamoru tightened his grip on her waist.

"I have to confess something," Usagi mumbled, unable to look him in the eye. "I didn't buy new perfume at all. It was just a lie to catch your attention."

Mamoru smiled. "I lied to you too," he told her. "When I said the perfume was beautiful. I really meant to say that you were beautiful."

Usagi looked up at him then and smiled, a stunning, radiant smile.

And Mamoru found he'd told himself a lie. He wasn't satisfied with his one kiss. He wanted a second one even more.

But Usagi had already beaten him to it.