Blind Kiss 4 -- Pearl Konichiwa minna-san! Thanx for waiting SOOOOOOO long for me! I'm really sorry that this part had to come out so late. I have three reasons: <1> I'm trying to do really good at school so the time I used to spend with fanfiction has been moved to French, English, and Mathematics. It can be VERY boring! <2> I've become obsessed with reading real romance novels. They're really great to read and take a lot of time because I don't put the books down until I finish them. It's a bad habit; bad on the eyes. Please don't try to read eight hours straight. You can get really dizzy. Trust me on that one. <3> I've switched from being a Sailormoon fan to being an Anime (All Japanese animation in general) fan!!! So, you may blame Fushigi Yuugi for my lateness. I've been watching and reading so many FY mangas and videos! They are so good! Plus, Rurouni Kenshin is really addictive too! Gomen nasai people! Anime is just too time consuming!!! Okay. I won't bother you guys with any more of my gibberish. Please ignore all the typos and mistakes. I did this in a hurry. So, here's my story... Rated L: This fanfic contains scenes dealing with love, dramatic emotions, and love triangles. Viewer discretion is advised. "This is someone talking" <> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Hi, Seiya!" Both Minako and Usagi said at the same time. Seiya looked at Minako meaningfully but she didn't get the message. Seiya became really uneasy. "Um, Minako-chan, could you please excuse me? I would like to speak to Usagi alone." Minako shot a look at Usagi and gave her a thumbs up sign. Usagi didn't know what Seiya was up to but she didn't like it. She became really nervous. "Of course, Seiya-kun." Minako said. She quickly left and closed the door then leaned on it. Usagi knew that Minako would be listening to them from outside but Seiya didn't so he continued. "Odango, I mean, Usagi, I have a really important question to ask you." "Ask away." Usagi said. Minako listened from outside the door and gasped when she heard what Seiya asked Usagi. She had thought that Seiya would ask if Usagi wanted to go steady with him. Minako got up and ran to the elevator. She wanted to tell somebody, ANYBODY! By luck, the first person she ran into was Mamoru. "Mamoru-san! You WON'T believe what I just heard!" She said excitedly. "What did you hear, Minako-chan?" Mamoru asked. Minako, not being here for almost two months, did not know about Mamoru's feelings towards Usagi, and being Minako, she told him what Seiya asked Usagi. "Seiya-kun just asked Usagi-chan to marry him!" Minako beamed. "Isn't that just fantastic?" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru stood stunned as Usagi's office door opened and Seiya walked out. Seiya noticed Mamoru glaring at him and secretly laughed inside. He smiled as he passed Mamoru and nodded to Minako. Minako gave him a victory sign as he stepped into the elevator to leave. "See you around, Mamoru-san," Seiya said. Mamoru didn't even acknowledge him. He just stood frozen in his spot. "Bye, Seiya-kun!" Minako yelled before the elevator closed. She sighed and looked at Mamoru. "Mamoru-san? Daijoubu?" Mamoru ignored her then shot her a hateful glance as he made his way to the main office. As he neared the door, he got really uneasy. He felt like his world crashed around him and he didn't know how to react when he saw Usagi. Mamoru slowed down to a halt just before the door and took a deep unsure breath. <> Mamoru looked at the door and in a very slow motion, he opened the door slightly. The moment he did that, he regretted it. <> Too late. Mamoru opened the door fully and found Usagi busy sketching in her book. She was humming some kind of tune and didn't notice him come in. Mamoru cleared his throat purposely and caused Usagi to look up. "Oh, hello, Mamo-chan! You're late." Usagi said. "Yeah. I saw Seiya-san outside and he stopped to say something to me. Usagi paled visibly and gulped. "Yeah, Seiya-kun. He came to ask me something." "Oh, really?" Mamoru faked interest. "What did you say?" "Huh? You don't even know the question, Mamo-chan, and you're already asking for the answer?" Mamoru grew really impatient. <> He said, "Well, I figured that it must have been important for him to miss a concert rehearsal to ask you a question." "I don't feel like talking about it now, Mamo-chan." Part of Mamoru died at that moment; that statement hurt like a stab. Usagi shared everything with him! She had almost no secrets from him. <> "Listen, Mamo-chan, why don't we get to work? I have some really good ideas!" Usagi suggested in a happy tone. "Sure. Are you in a happy mood right now?" Mamoru asked, half-afraid of the answer. "Yeah! Why not! I'm happy to have found my idea!" Usagi stated. "Oh." Mamoru was confused. He couldn't figure her out. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Noon. Mamoru looked at the clock and sat back in his chair. "So, Usako, where do you want to go for lunch today?" He asked. It was only two hours after Seiya proposed to her. Mamoru still couldn't tell if Usagi accepted or not and he was VERY frustrated. He intended to get the answer out of her during lunch. "Um, I can't have lunch with you today, Mamo-chan. Seiya-kun asked me to go with him for a quick lunch today. Gomen." Usagi replied apologetically. Mamoru winced. <> "Oh. That's okay then. I'll just stay here." Mamoru said. "Are you going to be okay?" "Yeah, sure. Forget me. Go with Seiya-san," Mamoru said sourly. "Thanx, Mamo-chan. I'll make it up to you." Usagi said as she opened their office door, revealing an eavesdropping Minako. "Sure you will." Mamoru said to himself as he watched Minako drag Usagi away and try to get the answer out of her. Mamoru watched as Minako pleaded Usagi for something and Usagi whispered something in her friend's ear. Mamoru nearly died when he heard Minako screech with delight at what Usagi said. He kicked the office door close to shut himself in and turned around in his chair to look out the window at the park. He sat there like that until lunch ended, lost in his thoughts. He was just plain confused. He didn't know why he would feel so upset that Seiya asked Usagi to marry him. Seiya was a good person and he really liked Usagi. <> Mamoru sat motionless in his chair. When Usagi came in, Mamoru was still looking out the window. His chair was turned so he didn't see her. Usagi watched his profile for a while before sneaking up on him. She dangled a newspaper in front of him and shook him out of his thoughts. "Usako!" "Hello! How was lunch? Look, we're on the front cover!" She pointed to the picture of them. It was from the night of their successful show a few months ago. She was in her princess dress and he was in his tuxedo and cape. It looked like a fairy tale. In fact, the caption labeled them 'Prince and Princess of the land of fashion'. "Neat." He said. "Only neat? I think it's great! It's been months and people are STILL talking about it!" "Yeah." "Hello? Mamo-chan? You listening?" Usagi waved her hand in front of Mamoru's face. Mamoru looked at her. "I'm listening. May I keep the paper?" "Sure." Usagi was confused by his aloofness. Mamoru took the paper from her hands and tucked it into his folder. <> Mamoru looked at Usagi and smiled. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi stepped out of the limo when Seiya held it open for her. She smiled at him before walking to the front door of the restaurant and looked around. It must have been the fanciest restaurant she had ever seen! With glass walls surrounding the whole building which took up the whole block, it was monumental. "Like it, odango?" Seiya asked. "Wow!" Said Usagi. Seiya chuckled then lead her inside through the massive front door. They were soon seated on the fifth floor that had been kept empty because of Seiya's reservations. There was a grand piano sitting beside an artificial waterfall and candles were lit around the room. Usagi was stunned by all the elegance. She had never seen anything like it and was almost pressured by all the exquisiteness. <> "So, odango, how do you like it?" "It's so wonderful! So beautiful!" "Glad you like it." Seiya smiled at her. Usagi smiled back at him then relaxed into her seat. She felt really awkward because there was no one else eating with them, it didn't feel like a restaurant. "It must have cost you a fortune, Seiya-kun." "It's worth it," Seiya said while giving her a weird look. <> "So, Seiya-kun, how are Yaten and Taiki?" Usagi asked, quickly avoiding Seiya's stare. "They're fine," Seiya answered disappointed, having lost his control of her. "Why?" "Oh, just wondering." "Oh." Awkward silence. Usagi felt really bad because she didn't know how to act around Seiya anymore. She had always regarded him as just a close friend. But now... <> Usagi took a sip of her water and glanced at the menu. <> Seiya noticed Usagi fidgeting in her seat and smiled secretly. <> "Don't worry, odango atama, it's only me and you in here." <> "O-ok-ay, Seiya-kun. I'm not worrying! I just have to make a quick stop to the washroom, okay?" "Sure." Usagi let out a breath as she leaned on the wall. "Why do I feel so weird? It's not like I haven't been out with Seiya before! Why does he make me feel so stuck? Okay, Usagi, calm down, you can do it!" She checked herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. "Here I go!" Usagi said to herself then exited the washroom, leaving part of her uncertainty behind. The evening passed normally. Usagi and Seiya talked about everything. Seiya asked her about her work and Usagi asked him about his. Overall, it was a decent meal. The food was top class and so was the actual restaurant but Usagi just didn't feel comfortable enough to really enjoy herself. After the meal, Seiya took Usagi home. "Thank you, Seiya-kun. I had a really good time tonight!" Usagi said. "That's good, I wanted you to have a good time. So, see you tomorrow at lunch then?" "Hmm, actually, I was going to-" "See you tomorrow, odango. I gotta get back before Yaten and Taiki start complaining." Seiya cut her off and gave her a small kiss on her lips. He left without letting her say anything and he was gone before she could finish her statement. "-spend the time with Mamo-chan." Usagi finished while she covered her mouth with her hands as she realized what Seiya had just done. <> Usagi stood frozen until Minako opened the door for her. "Hey, Usagi-chan, don't just stand there! You have a key, use it!" Minako teased. Usagi blinked, "Huh?" "What happened, Usagi-chan? You look dazed." "Um," "Why are you covering your mouth? Did Seiya-kun-" "Kiss me? Yes, he did." "Took him long enough!" Minako said sarcastically then patted her friend on the back. "Congratulations, Usagi-chan. You are the first girl Seiya-kun ever kissed!" "How do you know that?" Usagi asked, interested. "Well, unless he had a very close childhood friend who left him when he became famous, he was never seen with another woman but you!" (Major foreshadowing here ^_^) "Really?" Usagi asked, not really understanding and not really caring either. "You lucky girl!" Minako giggled. "Yeah, whatever." Usagi ignored Minako's questioning look and went to her room. She sat down on her bed and thought. She felt like she violated something important. <> She felt really bad for a reason she didn't understand. Usagi got up and changed into her nightgown then lied down on her bed. For no reason, may be because of the strange feeling of guilt that had come over her, she began to cry. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru sighed as he exited the restaurant by himself. He had gotten used to the fact that Seiya picked Usagi up everyday for every single meal. It seemed like Seiya was shielding Usagi from Mamoru. Mamoru could only see Usagi while they were working together. It was painful for him. He admitted that his feelings for Usagi were no more than strong liking. He wouldn't let himself believe that he felt anything stronger for Usagi. Mamoru walked quietly to the park and sat down. It was a routine for him. Everyday he would go to work, go for lunch, go to the park, go back to work, go home, and sleep. He was living in a repetitive pattern and he was losing all trace of emotion. <> He picked up his Tuxedo Kamen pencil and looked at it. It brought back memories but he ignored them. He began to look around the park for an object to sketch. His vision rested on a couple sitting happily on a bench across the lake. He smiled for them; they looked so content. <> When Mamoru started sketching, he closed his mind to everything else around him. He was totally absorbed into the art. As he had learned, losing sense of reality brought him a feeling of serenity. <> He abruptly changed his thought. <> Mamoru put down his book. It just wasn't working. Everything he did lead to her. He felt like he had lost his best friend in the world even though he didn't even know if she cared that he existed. He gave up of sketching, it wasn't very entertaining anymore. He leaned back on the tree and just stared at the water. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi giggled. "That's not funny, Seiya-kun. Minako would never do that!" "Oh yeah? Remember when she wore neon yellow to the dinner party?" "Yeah. But... she wouldn't go THAT far!" "It's Minako we're talking about." "Oh, right." Usagi casually glanced at her watch. She had ten more minutes to get back to work. "Don't worry, odango. We still have ten minutes." "I know. I just don't want to be late." She continued walking down the street beside Seiya. They had gone out for a simple lunch and were now heading back. Usagi had persuaded him to walk to the restaurant instead of taking a taxi. Usagi took a deep breath as they neared the park. "See, Seiya-kun, wasn't walking much better than driving?" Seiya took a deep breath, "May be." When they neared an entrance to the park, Usagi looked in. "You want to go in?" Seiya asked. Usagi stopped walking. She looked right through Seiya at a lone figure leaning against a tree. She suddenly got a gross feeling inside. She felt like she was evil. "Odango? Hello?" Seiya asked, waving a hand in front of her face. He had his back to the park. "Huh?" Usagi looked at him. She didn't know that she had been standing like that for a whole minute. Seiya smiled. "Good. You're still with me. What's in the park?" He started to turn around to look. Usagi grabbed his arm and dragged him away before he could look. "It's nothing. Let's get back." "Okay. Sure." They walked back in silence. Seiya really wanted to start a conversation but he was at a loss of ideas. Usagi didn't want to talk, she had a weird emotion running through her. <> She was really confused. She admitted that she felt sad seeing Mamoru sitting in the park, alone. Alone. That's what bothered her. <> Usagi looked intensely at the ground for an answer to her problem. She kicked at rocks and clutched at her purse until it was scrunched up tightly. <> She thought about how peaceful her life was before everyone else entered it. She longed to return to that stage in life. She longed to go back in time to where things were a simple yes or no. <> She realized that tears had fallen down her face. She quickly brushed them away and shot a look at Seiya. He wasn't looking. He was talking on the phone with a producer. Usagi sighed in relief and cleaned her face up a bit. Seiya hung up and looked at her. She looked away. They walked back to the office without one word said between them. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi looked up as Mamoru walked in. "Konichiwa, Mamo-chan. How was your lunch?" "It was fine." "Oh. That's good. Where'd you go?" He ignored her question. "So, have you thought up anything new for the Spring season?" Usagi frowned but let it go. "Actually, I didn't have much time. I have a tight schedule." "Right. Seiya-san takes you out everywhere, ne?" Usagi winced at the seriousness of his tone. It was almost like he didn't care. "Hai," She said in a small voice. "We'd better get to work. Haruka-san wouldn't be happy if we wasted our time talking." He declared. "But she has never gotten mad at us before." She stated. Mamoru sat down and started to go over some documents. He was very efficient these days. He worked like a robot. He smiled silently at that thought. <> As he sorted through some files, a ring fell down onto the floor. He automatically leaned to pick it up but froze when he realized what ring he was picking up. "Oh! That's mine." Usagi quickly picked it up and put it into her purse. Mamoru resumed sorting. "I know." Usagi thought about the ring for a moment. It was the one Seiya had given to her when he proposed. It was a crystal shaped like a diamond and lined with silver. She never really wore it but kept it around at all times. She STILL didn't make up her mind about Seiya yet though he just assumed that she accepted. It had been almost two weeks and she wasn't able to decide whether to marry him or not. He had been really patient but he kept a close distance to her. It was almost like he was watching her every movement. She felt confined by this ring. Usagi switched back to reality and looked at Mamoru work. He was very fast at sorting out the documents. <> Usagi started to feel guilty. <> She tried to tell herself. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru entered the office to see Usagi already there. She was busy jotting down notes into a notebook. She looked up when she saw him enter. "Konichiwa, Mamo-chan," She said with little enthusiasm. "Good morning." "We have to work on our commercial coming up." "Yeah." "So, why don't we get to work?" Usagi and Mamoru discussed things and facts. They were both unmotivated by their work. Mamoru was still in his state of uncaring and Usagi was extremely tired of not knowing what to do. As time went by and lunch came closer, Usagi and Mamoru got more into the commercial they were working on. "Yeah. Then, we could have her walk up and say something really cool." Usagi suggested. Mamoru nodded. "My thought exactly." Usagi smiled. "This is getting fun!" "Yeah." "What kind of clothes should we advertise though?" Usagi asked. She was happy now. By working on the commercial with Mamoru, she felt more relaxed and at ease. "I don't know. What are your favorites? May be the new skirts we came up with?" "Hai! I love those skirts!" "I can tell. You're wearing one." Mamoru stated. He was feeling better than he did the last two weeks. <> "Oh yeah. I like this color. What do you think?" Mamoru looked at the skirt she wore. It was pink but appeared almost purple under different angles. "It's very beautiful." Usagi laughed. "Thanks. I'm glad I designed it." "You come up with brilliant designs. How did Minako-chan ever find the material you wanted?" "She didn't. I designed it." Mamoru patted her on the back. "You're a wonder, Usako!" Usagi froze for a second. <> She noticed Mamoru smiling at her and smiled back. "Of course. Was there any doubt?" "I forgot. How many different colors did this design come in?" "Eight." "Really? That many! May be we could use the material for some other thing." "May be." Mamoru held up the hem of her skirt. "We could make something like a casual dress." Usagi looked down at the skirt Mamoru was holding. "What are you doing, Mamo-chan?" "I'm feeling the material." "Oh." Seiya stopped when he saw the scene in front of him. "What are you doing!" He pointed to Usagi and Mamoru. Usagi was looking down at Mamoru with a wide smile and Mamoru had his hand on her skirt. Usagi turned to him as Mamoru stood up. "Oh hello, Seiya-kun." Mamoru nodded his head in acknowledgement. "What were you two doing?" Seiya asked again. "Mamo-chan was just feeling the fabric I designed." "Why does he need to hold up your skirt?" "Well, he was looking at the material." Seiya strode up to her and looked at the skirt. "I'd say it's a bit transparent, odango." "Of course not! The skirt is double lined!" "Whatever." "Don't you like the material?" "It's just material, odango." Usagi had a hurt look in her eyes. "I designed it," She said in a small voice. "Oh. So? Anybody can design a piece of cloth. I just don't want you being seen with someone's hand on your skirt." "Nani? Mamo-chan was just looking at the material closely, okay?" "Mamo-chan, Mamo-chan. What kind of a name is that?" Seiya blurted out. Mamoru cleared his throat. "Umm... hello? I exist too!" "Who cares about you!" Seiya was getting quite upset. He wanted Usagi all to himself and was afraid of losing her to Mamoru. "Seiya-kun! That was rude!" Usagi warned. "A person like him doesn't deserve better treatment." "What!?! You're no better than me." Mamoru said. Seiya turned to him. "No? At least I don't sit around all day and doodle!" Mamoru couldn't keep his cool anymore. Seiya was really getting on his nerves. "What wrong with that? I love what I do." "I would too, if I was as sissy as you." "Whatever you think, I am NOT a sissy and I work! Unlike you, I don't skip work just to have lunch with a girl. I care about what I do. I'm not like you." "Mamo-chan!" Usagi protested, "Not you too!" Seiya ignored her. "Unlike you, 'Mamo-chan', people love me. I'm famous. You are an unknown person lurking in the shadows of people like me." "I don't need your opinion on my status." "What? Too afraid to listen to the truth? Admit it, Mamoru-san, you're NOBODY!" "Well, I'm not self-absorbed and arrogant!" "You're just stupid and spineless." "You're a selfish snob, Kou Seiya." "You're a joke, Mamoru. I don't see why Usagi-chan would want you as a friend." <> Mamoru couldn't take this anymore. "You are so immature." Mamoru said in a slow stone-like tone; no feeling, no emotion, zero compassion. Both Usagi and Seiya were shocked by his tone. It was so cold. Usagi felt a shiver go down her back. "At least I have Usagi-chan! You have nobody!" Seiya shouted out loud in an attempt to shake the coldness Mamoru gave him. Mamoru looked at him with a blank and unreadable face. "Usako does what she wants. I don't control her. You don't control her. She's not yours." "Ha ha! That's what you think. You know what, Mamoru? You're just a stiff and jealous idiot!" "Guys, stop!" Usagi pleaded. She watched her world fall apart. All her problems were happening right in front of her face and she couldn't stop it. She saw the two people she cared a lot about try to shred each other to pieces and stood motionless, unaware of what she should do. Mamoru tensed a bit when Seiya accused him of being jealous. <> Seiya chuckled. "What? You have nothing to say to me? I thought you were smart. I guess a doctor's degree in university didn't do anything to you." "It's better than anything you'll ever achieve." "I don't think so! I can beat a weakling like you any day." "Who said anything about fighting?" "What, you scared?" "No." "Okay, let's see how good you are," Seiya challenged. Usagi could take it anymore she had to stop them. "I do not wish to fight you," Mamoru stated. "Don't worry. I won't hurt you that much." Seiya snickered. "It's not me I'm worried about." "STOP!!!" Usagi yelled. Mamoru and Seiya looked at her. She was on the verge of tears. "Odango?" "Usako?" "Kenneko-chan!" Haruka said as she entered the office. "Argh! ENOUGH with the nicknames! I'm Tsukino Usagi! I can't stand you guys anymore!" With that, she ran out the door. Mamoru shot Seiya a glare then quickly followed Usagi. "Bad time?" Haruka asked. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mamoru ran out of the building as it started to rain. The sky had gotten visibly darker. It was noon but the sun was nowhere to be seen. He saw Usagi run into the park and quickly followed. <> As the rain got heavier, Mamoru sped up. He stopped when he saw Usagi crying in a bench by the greenhouse. He quietly approached her. "Don't come closer," Usagi warned. "I don't feel like talking to you." "Usako, listen. I didn't mean to say all those things. I was just upset." "You? Upset? Do you know how upset you two make me?" "Usako, gomen. Seiya-kun started it. I didn't want to argue with him." Usagi looked up at him. "How can I trust you? How do I know you and Seiya won't fight the next time you see each other?" Mamoru winced at her question. He didn't know the answer. "See? You can't promise me not to fight. You can't." Mamoru took one more step towards Usagi. "Usako, I'll promise not to fight with him if it means that much to you." "Really?" "I'll do anything for you. I can even stop being your friend just so Seiya-kun would feel better." Usagi gave a frustrated sigh. "You don't understand! You don't know my problem." "I'd disappear out of your life if it could ease your pain." "You don't get it, Mamo-chan! You are so clueless. You are not my problem! It's more complicated than that! I just want you and Seiya to get along." Usagi shouted over the rain. They were both drenched to the bone. "I'll try." "No you won't! You'll just back out. I don't want you to back out! I want you to stay and be friends! Can you promise me that?" "Friends with Seiya?" Usagi nodded. Mamoru shook his head. "I'm sorry. I could try but I could never be friends with him." <> Usagi let out a broken sob and wrapped her arms around herself. She knew what Mamoru was going to say before he even opened his mouth. She knew that he could never really like Seiya. They were too different. She raised her head towards the pouring sky and screamed. "Why me?" Mamoru touched her arm. "Usako, what exactly is your problem? May be I could help." Usagi turned abruptly to him. Her open tears were running freely down her face along with the rain. "I don't know what to do." "What?" "I don't know what to do! I try to do everything right but nothing works my way! I don't even know how I feel anymore! I'm so confused. I don't recognize myself anymore. I wish I could just go back to being a young student in school with no worries. I wish for it everyday and I ask myself why I can't understand myself. I've lost track of my being." Usagi shook with the power of her crying. New tears mingled with the rain and soaked her even more. Mamoru stood there motionless. He didn't know what to do. He never knew that she felt this way. He always thought that Usagi was always happy and things always worked for her. She was just a happy person. Usagi's crying died down a bit but she was shivering from the rain. Mamoru went up to her and wrapped his arms around her. She looked up at him questioningly. Mamoru smiled at her. "Even though I can't solve your problem for you, I just want you to know that I'll always be here if you ever need me. I'll be nice to Seiya and I'll try to be friends with him. May be you'll choose Seiya over me but I'll always be here for you. No matter what. Your problem is for you to solve. It's a matter of your own heart. I'm sorry I cannot help you. All I can offer is the promise that I'll always listen to you." Usagi grew silent as she listened to Mamoru. It was comforting to know that she could lean on him whenever she had any problems. "Arigato, Mamo-chan." Mamoru remembered Seiya's remark about his nickname but set the thought aside. "Hey, what are friends for?" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Aren't you going to go chase her too?" Michiru asked. Seiya shook his head. "I'm sure Mamoru-san can find her by himself." "But don't you care about her?" "I do care about her but I don't feel like seeing Mamoru's face again." "Oh." "Plus, it's raining." Haruka interrupted, "So? What if it's raining. You should should still go find her if she means a lot to you." "Nah. She won't get lost." "Suit yourself, Seiya-kun." Haruka glowered at him. <> Seiya looked up from staring at the ground. "So, I guess I should leave then. It looks like Usagi won't be going out for lunch with me." "Wait a sec, Seiya-kun," Michiru started. "I have someone I want you to meet." "Meet? Another fan of mine?" "You could say that." Seiya groaned. "Okay, fine." Michiru went out for a second and came back. "Seiya, I'd like you to meet..." She pulled the woman in the door. The woman had bright red hair tied up in a Chinese style and wore a black and red dress down to her ankles. She wore a slight smile on her face and beamed when she saw Seiya. "Konichiwa, Seiya." She said. Seiya stared at her. "Kakyuu!" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "You okay now?" Mamoru asked. Usagi nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for staying with me. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here." Mamoru held her close to keep her warm. "You know, I never knew that you could have problems. I always thought that you were the most carefree person I knew." "Really? Well, now you know." "Do you want to go somewhere? I don't really mind hanging out in the park but I'd rather take a shower at home than here." Usagi giggled and extended her hands out. "It's quite fun, actually." Rain dripped onto her hands and slid down her arm. It wasn't raining as hard as before but both of them were already freezing. Mamoru just stayed there, holding Usagi in his arms, trying to keep her warm in vain. "Okay, let's go somewhere to clean up. We'll both be sick if we stay here." Usagi decided. "Where do we go? Your apartment is quite far away." "We can go to yours." "Fine." Mamoru lead the dripping Usagi to his car and opened the door for her. "We'll get your car all wet!" "That's okay. I can dry it up later." "You sure?" "Yes." "Okay then." She sat down in the passenger seat and Mamoru drove them to his apartment. Once they got in, Mamoru grabbed a towel and wrapped himself. He turned to look at Usagi's shivering form. "Usako, you go in the shower. Throw your clothes out so I can dry them." "Don't you want to take a shower? You look pretty cold yourself." "You go first." "But..." "I insist." "Hai. Thanks." Usagi went into the bathroom and Mamoru waited outside. Half a minute later, she threw out all her clothes. Mamoru quickly put Usagi's clothes in the dryer and changed into something dry. He was working in a business suit so he had to put on a different one. "Shoot!" He said when he realized that his other suit was being cleaned. He looked around in his closet for something else to wear. He didn't want to wear anything casual because he was the head of the office. His eyes rested on his old university uniform. "Why not?" He asked himself. He put it on and looked into the mirror. "Not bad!" He commented on his black turtleneck, gray pants, and the green jacket. He remembered wearing this outfit everyday while he was still a student. He had gotten so tired of it. Mamoru turned around as he heard knocking on the bathroom door. "May I come out now?" Usagi asked. "Yeah, sure. Your clothes are still in the drier though." "I know." Usagi opened the door and let out a wave of steam. She was wrapped in a large towel toga style and her hair went down straight to her knees. She looked very adorable at that moment. Mamoru smiled. "I'll wait for your clothes and bring them in when they're done." "Arigato." Mamoru exited his room and went to sit in the living room. He turned on the radio while picking up a magazine. When the drier rang, he glanced at the clock. "Whoa! 12:45 already!" He quickly got Usagi's clothes and handed them to her. She put them on and came out. The suit was wrinkled but there was nothing they could do because they didn't have enough time. Usagi looked down at herself. "Oh well," She sighed. "I can't always look decent." "Don't worry, Usako. You look okay. At least you're dry." "Good point. My hair'll take forever to dry though." "I know. Do you want to put it in the dryer?" "Humph!" "We have fifteen minutes to get back to the office." "But we didn't even eat yet!" "Why don't we go for a drive-thru?" "Great idea! Let's go!" Mamoru and Usagi left his apartment and drove to a fast food restaurant. Mamoru treated Usagi for lunch and they ate on their way back to the office. It was altogether a very happy lunch. Mamoru was glad that he could eat with Usagi and Usagi was just really comfortable. It was a change from all the uptight places Seiya took her. She liked the places they went but she just felt uneasy somehow. "We're here. Let's get back before Haruka gets mad." Mamoru held Usagi's hand as they sprinted back to the office. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Seiya-kun," Haruka started. "I'm glad you still remember Kakyuu-chan." "How could I forget? She was my best friend from when I was a child." Kakyuu smiled. "It's nice to see you again, Seiya." "Same here." Michiru and Haruka started to leave. "So, we'll leave you two alone to remember the old times. We're going to go eat." Seiya nodded. "Sure." After Michiru and Haruka left, Seiya turned to Kakyuu. "So, how have you been?" "Fine." "How long has it been?" "Three years." "That's long!?!" "I know." "You wanna go somewhere to eat?" "Sure." "I know a really nice place. Come." Seiya lead Kakyuu out and they left in the Light mobile. Seiya took Kakyuu to the fancy restaurant he took Usagi to before. They ate lunch there and discussed lots of things. Kakyuu was Seiya's best friend until he became famous. She was very smart and was a teacher. When Seiya left her and moved to Tokyo to sing, she went to China to teach. She really liked Seiya but he never knew. So, they ate and went over things. Seiya felt really comfortable around her so when she asked what was bothering him, he told her about Usagi. "So, she hasn't answered you yet?" Kakyuu asked. "No." Seiya sighed. "Well, may be she just needs more time." "Don't you think that two weeks is enough?" "May be she's thinking really hard on it." "I hope so." "Are you losing hope?" "No. I just want a direct answer from her. I don't want to sit around and put myself into her hands." "She's not controlling you though." "No. I've been taking her out very often and keeping a close eye on her." "How close do you mean?" "Well... I try to let her spend as less time with her friend as possible." "Her friend?" "Mamoru-san." "Oh. But don't you think that you're taking away her freedom?" "Her freedom? I thought she'd be glad to spend time with me." "But you did let her go where she wanted, right?" "Hmm..." "Seiya-kun!" "Well, I made up the decisions most of the time." "You shouldn't do that. May be you pressure her too much. That's why she can't make up her mind." "You think so?" "Quite positive." "Oh. Okay. But I don't want her getting too close to Mamoru-san." "Is he a threat?" "A big one." "I see. But you can't limit Usagi-chan to only seeing you. You must let her make up her own mind." "Yeah, so what should I do?" "Back off a little for a few days then ask her. By then, if she still doesn't make up her mind, get ready to wait for a looooooong time." "Thanks, Kakyuu-chan! You're so good at these things." "I always solve problems for my students." "You know what, Kakyuu-chan? You'll always be my best friend." Kakyuu smiled but got mad at herself. <> "Daijoubu, Kakyuu-chan? You look mad all of a sudden." "I'm fine." "I can't believe you're the same girl who climbed trees with me and sneaked into theaters!" "Me neither." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Usagi and Mamoru were now thinking of the commercial they were working on. Mamoru suggested that Usagi pose for it but she declined saying that she was the designer, not the model. It was the end of the day so it was almost time to go. "We're all set then?" Mamoru asked. "Hai." "Okay. We have five minutes until we're allowed to go. Do you need a ride home or may be to the dry cleaner's?" "I'd like to go to the cleaner's but I'd have to go home first." "I can drive you." "Really? Arigato." They both looked up when they heard the door open. "Hi. I thought I'd catch you before you left." "Seiya-kun." "Hello, Mamoru-san. Umm... I'm sorry about earlier I didn't know what I was talking about." "That's okay. Apology accepted." "Great. Then, I want you guys to meet Kakyuu-chan." "Konichiwa." Both Mamoru and Usagi greeted. Kakyuu nodded her head and smiled. Seiya continued, "Kakyuu-chan is my best friend. We grew up together. When I began singing, she left for China to teach. She's back to visit." "How wonderful!" Usagi exclaimed. "It must be nice seeing Seiya-kun again ,ne?" Kakyuu nodded. "Really nice." Mamoru extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Kakyuu-chan." Kakyuu took his hand and grinned. "Same here." They looked each other in the eye and stayed like that for a moment. In that moment, they understood how each other felt. They were in the same position. Seiya and Usagi watched Mamoru and Kakyuu hold each other's hand. They grew really uneasy. <> Seiya thought. <> Usagi tapped her foot. Mamoru broke the trance by smiling. "See you around, Kakyuu-chan." "Certainly." Mamoru stepped back and winked at Kakyuu when they noticed the annoyed look on Usagi and Seiya's faces. Mamoru switched back to reality when he got ready to hear Seiya ask Usagi out once again. Seiya always loved to ask her out in front of his face. Seiya found pride in doing that. Mamoru tried to shut his ears for the next statement. "So, odango, see you later!" Seiya said. "Let's go, Kakyuu-chan. I'll take you around town and see what you've missed." The statement surprised Mamoru. <> Seiya and Kakyuu left and Usagi and Mamoru were alone in the office again. Mamoru turned to Usagi. "So, shall we go?" "Of course!" Usagi was equally surprised that Seiya didn't ask her out but she was glad that she didn't have to spend another nervous and uncomfortable dinner with him. She packed up all her things and followed Mamoru. <> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Good bye, Mamo-chan!" Usagi yelled back to Mamoru. Mamoru waved. "See you tomorrow at the office." Usagi nodded. "Yup! Thanks for everything." "No problem." Usagi turned and walked into the building. She opened the door to her apartment and was greeted by Minako. "What took you so long, Usagi-chan?" Minako asked as she heard the door close. "Seiya doesn't usually take this long." Usagi smiled and put down her things. "Oh. I didn't go anywhere with Seiya today." Minako looked up. "Nani? You DID NOT go anywhere with Seiya?" "Nope." "What happened???" Minako started to panic. "Did you refuse him? Did he give up on you? Did he get into an accident? Oh my God! Is he okay??" Usagi laughed out. "No! It's nothing like that. He just didn't ask me to go anywhere." "Why?!" "You don't have to get so upset, Minako. It's not the end of the world!" "Of course it is! How can he suddenly loose interest in you?" Usagi sighed; Minako always assumed the worst. "He didn't suddenly loose interest in me," She started in a slow patient voice. "I just went out with Mamo-chan. That's all." "Mamo-chan?" Minako was really confused. "Yeah. You know, Mamoru-kun. The one who works with us? The one that helps me design everything?" "Mamoru-kun?" Minako thought for a moment then sorted it out slowly. "Oh! That Mamoru!" "Right!" Usagi agreed, happy that Minako was finally thinking. "Why him?" Usagi collapsed onto the floor as Minako's stupidity hit her full on. Minako gave up thinking. Usagi was acting really weird. "Ah, forget about it. I'll never understand you. Anyway, did you eat already?" "Yes. I did." Usagi danced around the room and hummed. "What's gotten into you?" Usagi stopped in front of the sofa and turned. "Oh nothing. Just really happy." "Oh? Anything good happen?" Usagi plopped down of the sofa and said in a cheerful voice, "You could say that." "May I ask what happened?" "Nothing special," Usagi answered as she made her way into her room. She sat down on her bed and looked at her desk with the two framed pictures on it. One was of her and Seiya. It was from a magazine. The other was just a sketch. It was one of Mamoru that she had drawn one day when he was busy doing something. She had felt very unproductive that day so she just decided to draw him. The drawing was really good actually. Usagi laid down and thought. <> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Minako looked down at the sleeping Usagi. <> Minako straightened Usagi out on her bed and covered her up. She looked at the two photos Usagi kept and smiled. <> Minako quietly closed the door to Usagi's room and sighed. She had thought that Seiya and Usagi would work but she was slowly losing hope. <> She went into her own room and fixed herself up. Ten minutes later, Yaten rang the bell and Minako left with him. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ For the next month, Seiya left Usagi alone. Instead of taking Usagi everywhere, Seiya spent his time reliving the past with Kakyuu. They had a lot to catch up on and they enjoyed each other's company a lot. Usagi's life returned to normal and everyday was a pleasant experience for her. She had no worries and Mamoru returned to being her best friend (tied with Minako of course). *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Gomen nasai people! I really wanted to finish the whole story in this part but I couldn't. The story plot is more complicated than I thought it would be. I wanted to just make everyone marry each other and write "The End" but I figured that it wouldn't be very interesting that way. So, sorry for this short part. I'll come up with a longer one sometime. (Or, if you want, just create your own ending to my fanfic while you wait endlessly for my ending.) Sit tight till then! Pearl ^_^