Minako's Story
Usagi-chan
Usagi@tuxedomask.com
I don't own Sailormoon or anything pertaining to
This story was written for my own, very dear
(not a werewolf) Minako-chan.  
This is an alternate reality story.
E-mail me!

~~~
When I was young, Everyday after school, Usagi 
and I would wander to the arcade and stare happily 
at the various guys that filtered through.  Monday, 
it would be the cute blonde playing the Sailor V 
game.  Tuesday, it was the dark haired guy sitting 
in the booth behind us.  Wednesday, a red haired guy, 
but oh wait... He's with his girlfriend.  Thursday, 
it was back to a blonde, albeit a different one this
time. 

We never really stuck to any one of our crushes,
until I noticed the man behind the counter, and
Usagi noticed his friend.

"Oh kawaii..." Usagi whispered as her eyes fell
on the tall, dark haired man.  He was absorbed in
a small book he was reading as he entered Crown.
Both of us followed him with our eyes as he walked
towards the counter and sat down, ordering something.
It was then that my gaze transferred to the man
behind the counter.

He was tall, blonde, and older.  Much older.  I
sighed, and rest my cheek on my palm.

"Minako-chan?" Usagi asked, tearing her gaze
from the man to look at me.

"They're older, Usagi-chan.  Much older.  We're
only sixteen, in high school!" I exclaimed.  Usagi
smiled.

"Love hath no bounderies." She told me, confidence
in her voice.

"Usagi-chan...  You are such a hopeless romantic."
I told her, shaking my head, but she had restored
some of my faith with her simple statement.

"So are you, Minako-chan." She replied, turning her
attention back to the man.  Suddenly, without
warning, Usagi stood up and headed towards the 
counter.  Shocked, I watched her as she spoke to
the blonde man.  She said something, and gestured
to the table I sat at.  I almost died as he looked 
over at me.  He nodded to Usagi, who smiled brightly
in return.  

"What did you do?" I hissed as she came back.  Usagi
smiled.

"Ordered a sundae.  He's going to bring it over after."
She replied.  "His name is Motoki."

"Motoki..." I repeated softly, then smiled.  "Arigato
Usagi-chan."

Usagi just smiled back and sat down. Then she giggled.

"Oh Minako-chan!  He's so handsome!" She exclaimed, and I
knew she was referring to the dark haired man.  "He has
the bluest eyes..."

Usagi sighed dreamily and stared off into space.  I
laughed at her foolish expression.

"One triple chocolate fudge sundae." A nice voice said,
setting the dish down in front of us.  I looked up to
see Motoki standing there.  He was even cuter than I 
had imagined he could be.

"Ari... Arigato..." I told him.

"No problem." He smiled, and I swear my heart stopped.
"I've seen you here before."

"Yeah, Usagi-chan and I come here afterschool." I replied,
happy that he had noticed me before.

"Usagi-chan?" He asked, looking at Usagi.  I nodded.
"Well, I'd better get back to work.  It was nice meeting
you, ..."  He looked at me quizzically.

"Minako-chan." I supplied.  

"Minako-chan..." He repeated, smiling again.  "See
you around."

Motoki turned and walked away, leaving me alone with
the still spaced Usagi.

"Usagi-chan?" I asked, shaking her shoulder gently.
"Usagi-chan!  Ice cream!"

That worked almost instantly.  She turned to look at
me, but the sundae in front of her caught her attention.

"Yummy!" She exclaimed, devouring it.  I laughed.

"Oh Usagi-chan...  You haven't changed at all since we
met!"  And it was true.  Usagi still acted like the girl
she was when I met her at fourteen.  Now, two years later,
she had matured slightly, but not more than she needed
to.

"So, did you talk to him?" Usagi asked, ignoring my
comment.  I nodded.

"Yeah, he said he's seen me here before, and now he
knows my name..." I smiled and turned to look at them
both. 

The dark haired man turned slightly in his seat,
and glanced at our table.  I watched carefully, and
saw the word 'Usagi' on his lips.

"Usagi-chan, maybe, just maybe, your right.  Love 
has no bounderies..."

The next afternoon, Usagi and I sat at the counter
instead of our usual booth.  Motoki was there, but
the other man, Usagi's crush, was no where to be
seen.  

"Hello Minako-chan!  Usagi-chan!" Motoki greeted
cheerfully.

"Hi Motoki-san!" I chirped.  

"What can I get you two?" He asked.

"A sprit?" I asked, and turned to Usagi.

"A milkshake.." She sighed.  Once Motoki was out
of hearing range I turned to her. 

"Don't worry Usagi-chan, I'm sure he'll be back!" I
told her.  "It looks like Motoki and he are friends."

"You think?" Usagi asked, looking up at me.

"Uh-huh." I nodded.  "And if not, I'm sure you'll
find him, for love hath no bounderies."

Usagi giggled and nodded, her odango bobbing slightly.

The arcade door opened, the bells above it jingling to
announce the presence of yet another customer.  I paid
little attention to who ever it was, until the seat next 
to Usagi was suddenly occupied.  It was the same man as
yesterday.

"Mamoru-kun!" Motoki exclaimed as he came back with
my soda and Usagi's milkshake.

"Hi Motoki-kun." I felt Usagi nearly melt at the sound
of his deep voice.  I giggled slightly.

"Mamoru-kun, I don't think you know Minako and Usagi."
Motoki made quick introductions before excusing himself
to see to other customers.  I occupied myself with my
soda, but listened carefully to Usagi and Mamoru's 
conversation.

And listened. 

And listened...

They weren't talking.  Usagi was sitting there as still
as possible and Mamoru had opened one of the books he
had brought with him.  I sighed, and decided to return
Usagi's favour from yesterday.

"Mamoru-san?" I asked, and he looked up from his book.
"What school so you go to?" I asked.

"The Azabu Institute of Technology." He replied, glancing
at Usagi as if to gage her reaction.

"What are you studying?" I asked, noticing that Usagi
was listening intently.

"Neurosurgery." He replied.  I noticed that he wasn't
the most talkative man.

"What's neurosurgery?" Usagi asked, turning to look at him.

"Basically it's brain surgery, but I intend to do studies
in the area as well." He explained to her.

Well, it seems he is rather talkative, when the right
person asks the questions...

"Oh..." Usagi nodded her understanding.

"What about you?" He asked, now facing her completely.

"I go to Juuban High School." Usagi told him.

"What do you want to do after high school?" He asked.
Usagi shrugged, and blushed.

"I dunno." She told him, staring at her milkshake
intently.

I knew that Usagi had no direction, and felt like a
failure because of it.  Mamoru had unknowingly hit a
sore spot for her.

"That's okay.  I mean, you have plenty of time to
decide." He told her, smiling.  Usagi looked up at
him and smiled back.

"I guess so." Usagi sipped her milkshake.

"So, what's up Mamoru-kun?" Motoki asked as he 
returned.  He set a cup of coffee down in front of
Mamoru.
"Thanks.  Not much." Mamoru shrugged, then sipped his
coffee.  "You?"

"Nothing really." Motoki laughed, and I sighed at 
the happy sound.  Glancing at my watch, I saw that
Usagi and I had five minutes to get home.  Screeching,
I grabbed Usagi's arm.

"We're gonna be so late!" I wailed.  Usagi looked at
her own watch as well.

"Oh no!  Mom's totally going to kill me!" She exclaimed.
Without another word, we grabbed our school bags and were
headed towards the door at mach three.

"Wait!" A voice called.  Usagi and I skidded to a halt
and turned.  Mamoru was dropping a few bills on the 
table and heading towards us.  

"I can give you both a ride." He told us.  Usagi and
I glanced at each other.

"I live in a totally opposite direction, and much closer
to here than Usagi.  I'll make it if I run!" I told him
before dashing out the door.

The next day after school, as Usagi and I were headed towards
Crown, I made her fill me in on everything that happened
once I had left.

"Mamoru drove me home after you left, and he has the
coolest car!" Usagi exclaimed.  "Anyway,he didn't really
say anything, except asking for directions, until we got
to my house.  Then he asked when he would see me again!"

"Oh!  What did you say?" I asked, anxious to hear what
she had said back.

"I told him I'd be at Crown after school today." Usagi
replied.  No wonder she had been walking on clouds
all day!

By the time she had finished her story, we had reached
Crown.  The bells jingled announcing our arrival, and
I immediately scanned the arcade for Motoki.

"He's here!" Usagi whispered, clutching my arm tighly.

"Go talk to him." I replied,extracting my arm from her
grip.  

"No, I'm too..." Usagi began, but Mamoru had turned and
was now looking at her.

"Usagi-chan..." He smiled at her, and Usagi nearly melted.

"Hi Mamoru-san..." She smiled and sank onto the stool next
to him.

"How was school today?" He asked, closing the book he had
been reading.  Boy!  That guy was always reading.

"Fine..  How was your day?" She asked.  

"It just got better." He replied, smiling at her.  "Do
you want to go get a booth?"

Usagi glanced at me, and I nodded.  I certainly didn't mind
being alone with Motoki.

"Okay." Usagi nodded.  Mamoru took her hand in his and led
her to one of the booths near the back of the arcade.  I
smiled, glad for my friend.

"Hi Minako-chan." Motoki stepped in front of me, the counter
between us.

"Hi Motoki-san!" I smiled at him.

"Those two seem to be getting along quite well." Motoki
chuckled.  "I'm glad Mamoru finally took my advice.  He's
been crushing on Usagi for ages now."

"Really?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah, but he was too chicken to talk to her." Motoki
told me.  I turned to see the two in the booth.  Mamoru was
sitting close to Usagi, one arm wrapped around her slim
frame.

"They seem rather close now..." I commented, as Mamoru
leaned down and kissed Usagi's cheek.  Usagi blushed
a bright red hue, and Mamoru laughed gently.

"Yeah...  Its really great.  Maybe Mamoru will get
out more now.  Oh!  Did you want anything?" Motoki 
asked, as though he finally realized I was just a
customer, and not a friend.  Sadly, I shook my head.

"No thanks." I turned away from Usagi and Mamoru.
"I'm going to go now...  I'll see you tomorrow..."

I slid off the stool and left the arcade, heading home
alone.

The next day, Friday, Mamoru was waiting for Usagi
outside of the school after classes ended.  She
dashed over to him, and launched herself into his 
arms.  Mamoru caught her effortlessly, bringing her
close, and claiming her lips.  I sighed wistfully,
wanting that kind of love for myself.

Walking alone, I headed to Crown, hoping that seeing
Motoki would cheer me up.  I pushed open the door
and walked in, sitting heavily on the padded stool.

"Hi Minako-chan!" Motoki greeted cheerfully.  I thought
I was perpetually cheerful, but this guy takes the
cake.

"Hi." I grumbled in response.

"What's wrong, Minako-chan?" He asked, instantly 
concerned.

"Nothing really..." I replied.

"Where's Usagi?" He asked.

"Mamoru picked her up after school today." I told him.

"Oh.. No wonder I haven't seen him either." Motoki
laughed.  "He called me last night, positivly gushing 
over her.  He's really in love."

I sighed, hearing about how much Mamoru loved Usagi.
I already heard Usagi talking about how much she
loved Mamoru. They were the perfect couple, no doubt
about that.

"Something's bothering you, Minako-chan.  What is
it?" Motoki leaned on the counter to look at me.

"Its just that...  Usagi and I used to come here
and gossip over guys, and now she has one, and I'm
all alone." Tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke.
"Its not that I don't like anyone, its just that he
doesn't know!"

I froze, realizing what I had just said, and more
importantly, who I had said it too.

"Tell him, Minako-chan.  What have you got to
lose?  Your a gorgeous blonde with a good heart."
Motoki smiled.

"I don't know if he has a girlfriend or anything!'
I exclaimed.  Motoki grinned.

"If I were the guy, I would dump anyone else to be
with you in a flash." 

I thought about what he said as Motoki turned to another
customer.  Was he just saying it to be nice and get my
spirits up, or did he really mean it?  I couldn't be sure...

The door bells jingled, and I turned to see Usagi and
Mamoru walking in.  Usagi was giggling at something
Mamoru said, and she spotted me and waved.

"Hi Minako-chan!" She exclaimed, dragging Mamoru over
to where I sat.

"Hi Usagi-chan, Mamoru-san." I nodded.

"What's wrong?" Usagi asked, releasing Mamoru's arm
and sitting next to me.

"Nothing." I replied.

"Minako-chan..." Usagi said in her I-know-you-better-than-
that-and-I-don't-like-being-lied-to tone.  

"Its really nothing, Usagi-chan." I smiled.  She 
looked doubtful, but accepted what I said.

"Guess what Mamo-chan told me!" She exclaimed before leaning
closer and whispering.  "A certain Crown emplyoee is simply
fascinated with you.  Positively smitten."

"You can't be serious..." I whispered back.  Usagi nodded,
her blue eyes wide.

"He's always staring at you, Mamo-chan said so and he's
Motoki's bestfriend." Usagi exclaimed.  My face broke out
in a wide smile.

"Should I tell him?" I asked her.  Usagi nodded her head.

"Do it now, Minako-chan!" She encouraged.

Jumping off my stool, I headed towards the video games,
where Motoki stood.  I tapped him on the shoulder and when
he turned around, asked him if I could speak with him.

"Of course, Minako-chan.  What's up?" He asked, leading me
into an isolated corner.

"You remember how you said I should just tell him, if I
like him?" I asked.

"Uh-huh.." 

"Well, I'm telling him.  Motoki-san, I really like 
you." I blurted it out.  Motoki's soft brown eyes flew
wide in surprise.

"Really?" He asked.  His voice was so full of shock
I couldn't tell if he was happy or not.  I nodded,
holding my breath.

"Minako-chan!" He exclaimed, before hugging my tightly.
"I like you too, and I was going to tell you today when
you told me you like someone...  I thought it was someone
else..."

"Nope!" I smiled and hugged him back.  "It's you!  I like
you!"

And he liked me back.

Thinking back on it, I don't know if what Motoki and I
had was love.  We never did say that we loved each other,
it was always like, but even know, I think about him.
I wonder, and hope, that I'll run into him again.  And maybe,
just maybe, we can see if what we had as teenagers, was
the real thing.

~~~