Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

10

The soft morning light filters through the trees as Usagi wanders through the park, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets, her footsteps slow and unhurried. The air is cool but inviting, a perfect Sunday morning that seems to cradle the world in a quiet, peaceful embrace. Birds sing from the branches above, their cheerful chirps adding a melody to the otherwise calm morning. Usagi sighs, letting the sounds of nature wash over her, her thoughts wandering in tandem with her leisurely pace.

Her body ached from the previous night's bachata lesson—if you could even call it that. The final moments of the class had been filled with cusswords, a few harmless threats of bodily harm toward Rei who was very pleased Rei herself, no doubt savoring the "victory" of forcing her to participate.

She winced slightly as she adjusted her posture, feeling the sore muscles in her legs and back. "Why did I ever think that was a good idea?" she mutters to herself, her lips curling into a faint, resigned smile.

Her mind flitted back to the chaos of the other night—the way her body refused to move in sync with the music, her frustrations bubbling over as Rei's voice cut through her muttered curses, "You'll get it, just focus!" The parting words still echoed in her head: "You'll thank me later."

Not today, though. Not after all the twisting and turning that left her feeling like a human pretzel.

As she continues walking, Usagi glanced around the park, watching as joggers passed her by and children running freely through the grass. The peaceful rhythm of life seems so at odds with the chaos of last night's lessons, but that was part of its charm. And, in some strange way, she'd learned to love it.

With a contented sigh, she leaned against the trunk of a nearby tree, gazing up at the clear blue sky. A little sore, she thought, but that was just part of it. She was living in her hometown again, with her friends, with Mamoru—her heart swelled slightly at the thought. Even with the chaos, the awkwardness, and the laughter, everything felt... right.

She closed her eyes, the warm morning sun kissing her face as she breathed deeply, inhaling the fresh, crisp air. Despite her sore body and the stubborn memories of last night's lesson, there was something undeniably comforting about these moments—when the world was quiet, and everything around her was at peace.

In that moment, Usagi was content, with no urgent thoughts or pressures weighing on her. She was simply here, in the park, alone but feeling the warmth of the world around her. And maybe, just maybe, she'd survive her next bachata lesson with fewer threats and curses.

As Usagi leaned against the tree, letting the peacefulness of the park soak into her, her thoughts drifted lazily. The rustling of the leaves, the sweet melody of the birds singing, and the warm sunlight on her face made her feel at ease. She was just starting to let go of her thoughts from the chaotic bachata lessons when—

Bam.

Her eyes flew open, and before she could even process the moment, a deep voice came from above her, apologizing profusely.

"Ah! I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."

No way! I recognize that voice.

His dark hair was tousled, but in the kind of way that seemed intentional, giving him a casual yet handsome look. His eyes, a striking shade of deep brown, widened as they met hers.

"Imagine that we meet again." He was handsome. Like, really handsome. The kind of handsome that made Usagi's heart skip just a little too fast. His presence was a stark contrast to the quiet park around her, drawing her in like a magnet.

For a moment, Usagi could barely register his words, her cheeks flushing at the sudden close proximity. No, no! Not again! She mentally cursed herself. She was totally fine—just a little startled, but fine. She had to get a grip.

The man's lips curl into a smile, and Usagi couldn't help but notice how effortlessly charming he was. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I didn't mean to interrupt your peaceful moment." His eyes softened as they met hers again. "I hope I didn't ruin your day."

A quiet laugh escaped Usagi, though it came out more like a nervous giggle. "Oh no, it's fine! I was just... thinking." She awkwardly shifted, suddenly feeling incredibly self-conscious. Thinking about how you seem to have found me twice now.

"You're the woman I bumped into the other morning, right?" He asks trying not to sound awkward.

"Yes, coffee went all over the sidewalk and pavement." She answers gently.

"The man seemed to sense her discomfort, his smile turning more genuine and friendly. "I'm really sorry again. My name's Hiroshi." He extended a hand, and Usagi found herself hesitating only for a second before she took it.

"Usagi," she mumbled, still a little dazed from the encounter. Her hand felt tiny in his, and his firm but gentle grip sent a strange, pleasant warmth through her.

Hiroshi's eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement as he notices her slightly flustered state. "Well, Usagi, I promise to be more careful next time, and I'll ensure I replace that coffee that landed all over the sidewalk."

Usagi could barely meet his gaze, her cheeks still pink. "No problem at all. Thank...thank you."

He smiles again, a soft, almost teasing smile. "I will." Then, with a nod, he stepped back, but not without offering one last warm look. "Enjoy your day, Usagi."

As he walked away, Usagi's heart is still racing, and her mind is completely scrambled. What just happened? She blinks a few times, shaking her head to clear the flustered thoughts swirling inside her.

The park around her seemed to be just as peaceful as before, but now, with that brief encounter hanging in the air, everything felt a little... warmer.

She wonders how the girls would take this development. Hiroshi. Twice now she's met this man. What does it mean? If it means anything at all.

The soreness in her muscles was a sharp reminder that she'd let Rei talk her into something she definitely wasn't cut out for. The mental image of Rei's unreasonably pleased expression after the whole ordeal made Usagi groan internally. She did not have time to ponder as another familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Did you get lost on your way to the gym, or are you just enjoying the scenery, Usagi?"

Mamoru's athletic frame is covered in a simple, fitted workout shirt and joggers, sweat already beading on his forehead as he slows down to a walk. His dark eyes crinkled with that familiar amused glint that always made her feel like she was caught in some sort of trap.

"Mamoru!" she squeaked, momentarily forgetting to act normal. She quickly cleared her throat, trying to compose herself as she waves in greeting. "Good morning." That was so lame. You're the queen of lame today.

Mamoru chuckles, stepping closer to where she is sitting, his gaze softening. "I wasn't expecting to see you here either. You're not the type to go for morning jogs, so I figured something must've brought you out." He raises an eyebrow, eyes scanning her relaxed posture. "Let me guess—you're here recovering from... shenanigans?"

Usagi's cheeks instantly turned pink, and she groans in frustration, flopping back against the tree with a soft thud. "Don't remind me," she mutters. "I can still feel the twists and the turns, and my feet are about ready to revolt after Rei and Jadeite talked us into it." She throws her hands up dramatically. "I thought I was going to die by the end of it! I've got bruises on my ego and my legs."

Mamoru's smile deepened into something that was part amusement, part sympathy. He knelt down in front of her, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.

Usagi groans again, slumping her head back against the tree trunk. "I don't know how Rei does it! She's so into it, but I was this close to throwing my hands up and walking off the floor. And Jadeite—don't even get me started on him. He was actually helping her, making sure we didn't escape! I swear, I'm going to be sore for the next week, at least."

"It did feel like they were conspiring." Mamoru chuckled, leaning back on his hands, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just been running. "You do got a bit of a natural rhythm—you're just too stubborn to admit it."

Usagi gives him a playful glare. "Are you saying I'm a natural at dancing?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, maybe not dancing exactly," he teases with a wink. "But I can see it in you. Besides, at least you've got the determination, if not the grace." He gave her a friendly nudge, his smile teasing but still full of warmth.

Usagi felt a familiar warmth spread through her chest at his words. She let out a soft, embarrassed laugh. "You know, you're really good at teasing me."

Mamoru grins and shrugs, standing up and offering her a hand to help her to her feet. "Someone has to. You make it so easy."

As Usagi took his hand, she feels something settle in her chest. Even with all the awkwardness, the sore muscles, and the embarrassment from bachata lessons, it feels... nice to be in his company. The quiet morning, the fresh air, and the playful banter—it made everything feel a little lighter.

She can't help but feel something is definitely different between them now. Almost like none of the past drama ever happened. Her thoughts center to the brief exchange with Mamoru—his teasing, the easy way they interacted, the casual way he could make her feel both exasperated and at ease all at once. There was something about his presence that lingered in her mind, even as she tried to push it aside.

But even as she tried to concentrate on the ache in her legs from the dance lesson, her mind kept returning to Mamoru. His smile had been easy, his laugh warm, and despite the teasing, there was always something... in the way he speaks to her. Something that made her feel like maybe, just maybe, he cared more than he let on. Maybe he never stopped.

Okay, okay. Stop it, Usagi. Stop thinking about that.

She let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing her temples. The truth was, Mamoru wasn't just the annoying, asshole she'd known for years. He wasn't the bad guy she used to believe he was in high school, or the one who drove her crazy with his know-it-all attitude. Lately, especially after all the time they'd spent together at the wedding planning and with their renewed friendship, Usagi was starting to realize that there was something else there. Something deeper that she couldn't ignore.

But I can't like him. I shouldn't even be thinking about liking him again. It's Mamoru. She groans internally, but the thoughts keep coming, like an unwelcome tide that refuses to recede. I mean, he's always there... The way he is looking out for her, even when she didn't ask for it. How his playful banter somehow made her heart race in a way it hadn't in... well, years.

Her fingers absently trace the edge of her phone, trying to distract herself. But the feeling—the fluttering in her chest whenever he teases her or when they shared a moment of quiet—was undeniable. And it was all so familiar. This weird, warm feeling that she'd buried away for so long. Was it possible?

She bites her lip, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks as she considered it. But I'm not that type of girl. She had told herself over and over again that the relationship she shared with Mamoru is in the past, nothing more. Their history was tangled enough, and she'd spent enough time convincing herself that there was nothing romantic there—at least, not anymore.

And yet, every time their eyes met, or when he laughed at one of her ridiculous jokes, it felt like there was something more in the air between them. That easy camaraderie wasn't just friendship; it was comfort—a comfort that she hadn't realized she'd been craving for a long time.

Her mind wandered back to their walk in the park earlier. The way he'd joked. She could still hear the playfulness in his voice, the way he always made her feel both exasperated and cared for at the same time.

But it wasn't just the banter. She remembered the gentleness in the way he looked at her when she mentioned her frustrations, the way he was there to help when she stumbled—not just physically, but emotionally, too.

Stop it, Usagi. Her inner voice protested, but her heart wasn't listening. You're just overthinking it.

But even as she said the words, she knew deep down that it wasn't just overthinking. Her feelings for Mamoru were a mixture of history, warmth, and a kind of safety she'd never truly experienced before. And in that moment, now sitting alone on the bench, the realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

She liked him all over again. She adores who Mamoru has become after all the years apart.

There. She admitted it to herself, the words floating quietly in her mind. She likes him. It was something that had slowly been building, creeping up without her even noticing, until it was impossible to deny. She wasn't sure when it happened, but it was undeniable now. And to be honest, it was both terrifying and... exhilarating.

What do I even do with that? she wondered, biting her lip in frustration. The thought of confronting those feelings, of acknowledging them out loud, made her want to crawl under a rock. It felt both too soon and too complicated to figure out.

But one thing was for sure: Mamoru wasn't just her past anymore. He was someone who made her feel things she didn't know how to explain. And despite the overwhelming wave of emotions that washed over her, there was a tiny part of her that was curious to see where this would go if anywhere.

Mamoru picked up his pace as he continued his jog, his steady rhythm carrying him further down the park's winding path, but his thoughts lingered behind with Usagi, still sitting on the bench. The warmth of the morning sun and the quiet rustling of the trees couldn't quiet the storm brewing in his mind.

What the hell is happening? he thought, his breath coming steady but his pulse betraying him.

His jog had been an attempt to clear his mind—something about the movement, the consistency of his steps, had always helped him think through things. But today, it was like the rhythm wasn't enough. There was something else gnawing at him, something he couldn't quite shake off.

Ever since Usagi came back to Juban, it felt like she was everywhere—constantly popping up at moments when he least expected, pulling him into her orbit like gravity. It was both frustrating and... fascinating.

He couldn't explain it. All these years, he'd told himself that their paths had diverged (no thanks to his immaturity), that the time they had spent together in high school—those confusing, tumultuous moments—had been closed chapters in a book he never intended to revisit. Did not believe were able to be revisited. He had his life, his work, his friends, his routines. Usagi had gone off to pursue her own path, and he had figured that was the end of it.

But now, every time he turned around, there she was, in the most unexpected places. Part of it was their friends, that he is sure of. She was back, not as a fleeting memory from the past, but as a living, breathing presence that somehow made everything feel different and so familiar.

The way her laughter had rung in his ears earlier, how her face lit up when she'd laughed at his joke—he couldn't forget it. And yet, the thought that she was sitting there, in the park, just existing so near to him, made his chest tighten in a way he wasn't prepared for.

He feels the heat of her presence even when she is not around, like she was silently pulling him back into her orbit without even trying. And as much as he told himself that this was just the result of her sudden reappearance, deep down, a small voice asked: Was it really just that?

His thoughts flickered to the earlier exchange between them. Her frustration spilling out in that familiar, exaggerated way that only Usagi could pull off. But behind the frustration, there was something else—a kind of vulnerability that made him want to reach out, to be there for her the way he once was.

I'm not sure how I got here, Mamoru thought with a sigh, slowing his pace just a little, letting the air fill his lungs deeply. She's not the same Usagi I knew, but then... maybe she is.

Her fiery, spirited nature hadn't changed, not in the slightest. But there was something else now—something that made him notice the way her hair caught the light when the sun hit it just right, the way her eyes softened when she wasn't trying to be dramatic, when she just looked at him.

It all felt... too familiar and too new at the same time. He never expected this, not after all these years. He never expected to find himself here, on a jog through the park, lost in thoughts of her—the same girl who had driven him crazy in high school, and now... well, now she was driving him crazy in new ways.

Mamoru huffed out a breath, almost frustrated with himself for overanalyzing things. Get it together, Chiba, he scolded himself.

But deep down, the part of him that had always been quietly protective of her, the part that had held on to something unspoken even after their high school days, was now stirring again. He couldn't deny it anymore—he wasn't just annoyed by her presence, nor was he indifferent. He was thinking about her in ways that he shouldn't.

A sudden jolt of clarity hit him, and his steps faltered for a second. He missed her. There was something deeper, something more complicated there now—something he didn't know how to deal with.

As he neared the edge of the park, Mamoru slowed to a stop, hands on his hips, and took in a deep breath, trying to make sense of everything that had been stirring inside him. What is it about her that makes everything seem so... unsettled?

He shook his head, chuckling softly to himself. I should've known this would happen eventually. She's always been this way. Always finding her way back into my life, no matter how much I try to convince myself it's different.

Mamoru stood there for a moment longer, staring at the path in front of him, before he let out a slow exhale and turned around to make his way back. He knew there was no easy way to navigate this newfound confusion, but one thing was clear—Usagi had a way of getting under his skin, whether he liked it or not.

And this time, he thought with a small, reluctant grin, I think I might just be okay with that.

That evening, Makoto invited everyone over to her apartment for delicious food and cake tasting. The atmosphere in Makoto's apartment was warm and inviting, the familiar scent of freshly baked pizza filling the air as the group of friends gathered around the kitchen table. Makoto almost immediately replaced the small one for a bigger table. The soft glow of the overhead lights made everything feel cozy, and the sound of laughter and chatter bounced off the walls, echoing with the kind of comfort only close friends could bring.

Makoto, as always, worked her magic in the kitchen, and the girls were ready to indulge in not only her famous homemade pizza but also the selection of sample wedding cakes she'd put together for that evening. She outdone herself, of course, baking multiple flavors to sample—carrot cake, chocolate, red velvet, and even a lighter lemon cake with blueberry, each one perfectly frosted and looking like little works of art.

"Alright, ladies, time to dig in," Makoto says with a smile, sliding a large pizza onto the table before joining them. The moment she sat down, her eyes immediately fell on Usagi, who was unusually quiet, her gaze fixed on the pizza in front of her.

Rei, sitting across from Usagi, raised an eyebrow. "You've barely said a word since we got here. Everything okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern, though her expression remained neutral.

Usagi gave a small, distracted wave of her hand. "Yeah, yeah, just... thinking." She smiles weakly, her thoughts far from the pizza in front of her. There was something about today, some quiet tension that she couldn't shake, even with the laughter of her friends filling the room. Part of it was still the lingering embarrassment from the bachata lesson, and the other part was, as always, Mamoru. The quiet stirring in her chest that she didn't know how to sort out was keeping her quieter than usual.

Minako, sitting next to her, grins mischievously, clearly in a playful mood. "Mmm, I don't know what's more distracting—the pizza or the thought of someone getting extra quiet," she teases, raising an eyebrow at Usagi.

"Yeah, what's up with you, Usagi?" Ami adds, her tone gentle but still curious, as she helped herself to a slice of cake.

Before Usagi could even respond, Minako leans forward, her expression full of drama. "Well, I guess I'll just have to tell you all about my morning instead," she said coyly, her voice dripping with mischief. The girls all paused, eyes on her, intrigued by what she was about to say. Minako, always the flirt, wasn't one to shy away from sharing her escapades—whether they were wild or just plain funny.

She leaned back in her chair, giving a small smirk, her eyes sparkling with a secret. "So, Kunzite and I had quite the morning. Let's just say, the shower... wasn't just for washing off the sleep." She raises an eyebrow, letting the implication hang in the air.

Ami's cheeks flushed instantly, a bright pink hue creeping up her neck as she choked on the cake she was eating, quickly taking a sip of water to recover. Rei's eyes widened for a second, her usual composed demeanor slipping just slightly, before she crossed her arms and let out a low chuckle.

Minako grinned widely, clearly enjoying the effect her story had on the room. "It was so satisfying," she continued dreamily, stretching her arms over her head as if recalling the pleasant memory. "Like, so satisfying. You know the kind of day where you're so... content after?" Her smile was a mix of playfulness and smug satisfaction.

Usagi blinks a few times, trying to process the very visual image Minako had painted in her mind. Her face flushes a deep shade of pink, and she quickly picks up her slice of pizza, using it as a shield as she looked down, her eyes focused on anything but the group. "I—I didn't need that image in my mind right now," she mutters, trying to regain some sense of composure.

Rei, not missing a beat, glanced at Usagi with a smirk. "What's wrong, Usagi? Got a little flustered there?" she teased.

"Shut up, Rei," Usagi grumbles, feeling the heat in her cheeks only intensify. This isn't what I need right now, she thinks to herself, trying to ignore the fact that her mind couldn't help but wander to images of her own... potential morning scenarios with a certain someone. She quickly takes another bite of pizza, hoping it would silence her thoughts.

Makoto chuckled at the playful back-and-forth, "Don't mind them, Usagi," she said kindly. "They're just trying to get a rise out of you." She slid a new cake flavor onto the table. "Here, try this lemon cake. It'll help cool you down."

Ami, still flushed but managing to speak, chimed in with her usual calmness, though she looked a little embarrassed herself. "I think we've all had our share of awkward moments, but maybe... we could keep it PG for the rest of the night?"

Minako rolls her eyes dramatically, though the playful grin never left her face. "Fine, fine. But can we at least agree that a good morning does set the tone for the whole day? You all should try it sometime."

Usagi made a face at her, but there was a soft chuckle bubbling up from her chest. "Maybe I'll try that when I don't have two left feet from trying to learn bachata."

The group burst into laughter, the tension in the air breaking, and Usagi felt herself relax. Despite the embarrassment from the earlier teasing, the lightheartedness of the conversation—along with the comfort of being surrounded by her friends—made her feel a little lighter.

"Oh, speaking of bachata, how were the lessons?" Makoto asks taking a sip of the strawberry lemonade.

"Oh, you girls have to try it," Rei says casually, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Bachata is so much fun! The rhythm, it's all so intoxicating. I'm telling you, once you get the hang of it, you won't be able to stop dancing!"

She leans back in her chair, a little too pleased with herself, as she paints a picture of her own flawless dancing experience. "It's honestly so exhilarating. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can pick it up once you get past the awkwardness of the first few steps."

Usagi, however, had none of it. Her eyes narrow, and she slaps her hand down dramatically on the table, cutting Rei off mid-sentence. "Oh, please!" she practically shouted, causing a few heads to turn. "That's not even what happened! You are just trying to make me look like a complete fool, Rei! Bachata is awful!"

The girls blinked at Usagi's sudden outburst, but Usagi wasn't finished. She went on, flailing her arms as she spoke, making a bigger scene than even she intended. "I had two left feet, okay? I literally fell over my own feet during the first lesson! Do you have any idea what it's like to just—plop—onto the floor like a complete idiot while Mamoru is standing there watching?!" She slumped dramatically in her chair, her voice escalating with every word. "And then, to top it all off, I'm supposed to dance with him while you—" she pointed at Rei, "—are secretly plotting against us!"

The room fell into stunned silence for a split second, and then... the laughter exploded.

Minako nearly chokes on her slice of pizza, her laughter coming out in snorts. Ami has her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles, but they came out anyway in soft, almost snickering bursts. Makoto is bent over, trying to keep it together, but it was clear she was losing the battle too. Rei, who had been expecting this reaction, was already doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach.

"I told you this was going to happen," Rei says between giggles, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry, Usagi. You're just too adorable when you're frustrated. You should've seen yourself trying to keep your balance. It was hilarious!"

Usagi, though flustered, couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh of her own. She could feel her face turning red, but the sight of her friends laughing so freely made the embarrassment feel a little lighter. She crossed her arms, pouting dramatically. "It's not funny! I'm telling you, it was a disaster. A total disaster!"

Ami, still chuckling softly, shook her head. "I'm sure you looked... graceful," she responds, her eyes twinkling with kindness.

Makoto, wiping her eyes from laughing so hard, nodded. "I bet it was the cutest thing ever. If only I'd been there to see it—your dramatic fall would've been priceless."

Minako, her face practically glowing from her amusement, adds, "I can just imagine it! You trying to dance, all graceful and serious, and then—wham—straight onto the floor! And then poor Mamoru, trying to save you and probably getting tangled up in your mess."

Usagi rolls her eyes, sinking lower in her chair, utterly defeated by the relentless teasing. "I'm never doing this again," she muttered, but her voice was a mix of exasperation and a reluctant smile. "I'm going to tell Rei she's never allowed to sign me up for anything ever again."

"Don't be such a sore loser, Usagi!" Rei teased, still grinning. "You'll get the hang of it, I promise. Maybe next time, you'll manage to stay on your feet longer than ten seconds." She winked at her, clearly enjoying the playful jabs.

Usagi stuck her tongue out at her. "I hate you."

"Aw, come on, Usagi," Minako said with a cheeky grin, "maybe we can put that as a highlight in the wedding video—'Usagi's Dance Disaster: The Bachata Chronicles.'"

Another round of laughter erupts in the cozy apartment. "Alright, now we're talking," Minako says sobering up from the laughter with a wink, grabbing another slice of cake. "Let's focus on something that actually matters—which wedding cake is the best?"