That Special Magic
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com
-or- http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Chapter 11 - Dinner <
Usagi sat with Mamoru in his apartment.
"Mom's still bringing up the question of them meeting you, Mamo-chan," Usagi said.
He nodded. "Well, we might as well try to arrange something as soon as possible, Usako, so they don't think we're stalling."
"OK," Usagi said, still not sounding entirely certain. "Mom has suggested that I invite you to dinner."
"That's what I was thinking too," he said. "Either dinner at their house, or invite them out, but they'll probably be more comfortable with dinner at their house."
"Alright," Usagi said. "I'll let Mom know."
He drew her into his arms and kissed her. "Don't worry, my love. Everything will be fine."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Special dinner plans? Why?" Kenji asked Ikuko. "I thought you just said Shingo was having dinner with one of his friends."
"This was Usagi's request," Ikuko said. "And under the circumstances, I thought it would be easier to let Shingo go to a friend's house."
"Just what are the circumstances?" Kenji asked.
"Well, you know that Usagi is growing up," Ikuko said.
"But she's still very young," Kenji interrupted.
"Perhaps," Ikuko said. "But not so young as you might like to think, dear."
He sat down. "Why do I have this feeling I'm not going to like this?"
"Your daughter is growing up, dear," Ikuko said again. "And she has a boyfriend."
"A boyfriend?"
Ikuko nodded. "And she has invited him to dinner so that we can meet him, which I think is a very positive sign."
"Is this some boy she met at school?" Kenji asked. "Boys that age usually aren't ready for anything serious. How serious can this be?"
She smiled. "Oh, I think it's quite serious," she said softly. "And this is an older boy."
"You know him?" Kenji asked.
"Only by reputation," Ikuko answered. "I haven't met him yet."
He looked at her, confused. "How much older?" he asked.
"Nineteen, I believe."
"Nineteen?! That's ridiculous! She's much too young to be dating a nineteen-year-old," he declared.
"Kenji, please. It's not going to help any of us if you lose your temper," she said.
"But she's too young," he said again. "And she's been out running around with her friends all the time... or has she?"
She held up her hand. "Have you seen her most recent test scores?"
"What does that have to do with this?" he asked. He saw she was determined to have an answer. "Well... no. Why?"
"Her grades are going up," Ikuko said. "She's becoming more responsible, and she's the happiest she's been in quite some time. And this dinner was her idea. She could have just made up stories until we caught on."
"What about that recent episode where some boy had gotten her so upset?" he asked. "Surely that wasn't the same one."
"I don't know for sure, but I suspect it was," she said. "I think it was a growth experience for her. She stormed away in tears, which we might expect from a young girl, but if this is the same boy, they worked things out and their relationship is probably stronger for it."
"How much stronger?" he asked, his face showing clearly that he was not looking forward to the answer.
"I'm not completely sure," she said, deciding that telling him of what she suspected would not be helpful. "But she obviously cares quite a bit for him, and given how happy she is, I would say he must feel the same for her."
"This boy is still too old for her," he said. "Do we know anything about him, and does she know what a boy that age might be looking for?"
"I'm told that he is very intelligent and respectable," Ikuko said.
"And who told you that?"
"You did," she said with a smile.
"Me?!" He looked at her, stunned. "Do I know this boy?"
"That's what you've told me, dear."
"I can see you're really enjoying all this," he quipped. "Please, put an end to my suspense. Just who is this boy?"
"His name is Chiba Mamoru," Ikuko said.
Kenji slumped back in the chair. "Chiba Mamoru... who owns...?"
Ikuko nodded.
"Oh, gods... Do you know how awkward this is?"
"That your daughter is dating the owner of the company you work for?" Ikuko asked. "Are you seriously saying that is a factor in this?"
"Ah... Well, no... Of course not," he said, shaking his head.
"You've met Mamoru," she said. "Ignoring the age difference for a moment, is there any reason why you wouldn't want him dating Usagi?"
He sat there silently, then finally shook his head. "No, I guess not... But the age difference remains."
"I'm aware of that, but I just don't think it is that big a deal on its own," she said. "I want to meet him and see how they treat each other. That will be the true determiner for me."
"You would consent to her going with him?" he asked.
"If he makes her happy, and they care for each other, then why not? As long as it doesn't interfere with her school work, and they can treat each other as equals, I don't see a real problem with it," she said.
"I'm not sure I would be inclined to be so nonchalant about it," Kenji said.
"I know," she said softly, moving behind him and gently rubbing his shoulders. "But I think it's better for us to let her know we understand and approve, than to have her run off and see him behind our backs. And it sounds like Mamoru is definitely a gentleman, so we should be able to rely on him as well."
Kenji sat there, staring ahead blankly.
"She's not a little girl anymore. We can't try to hold on to her forever," Ikuko said. "It won't work for any of us."
He nodded slightly. "I know... I just didn't expect this to come so soon."
"I understand," she said. "But let's meet Mamoru, and see what he's like with Usagi."
"Alright," he agreed, still not sounding overly enthusiastic.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ikuko and Usagi stood together in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Ikuko kept a close but admiring eye on what her daughter was doing.
"You're doing very well, Usagi," Ikuko said.
"Thanks, Mom," Usagi replied. "Makoto-chan has been giving me some lessons." She hesitated for a moment. "Uhm... How is Daddy reacting to this?"
"Fairly well, I would say," Ikuko answered. "Fathers don't like the idea of their little girls growing up, but he seems to at least be accepting it."
Usagi nodded. "It was Daddy's reaction I was most concerned about."
Ikuko laughed softly. "Well, he wasn't pleased to hear you're dating a nineteen-year-old, but it works in your favor that he's met Mamoru and knows he's gentleman."
"Mamo-chan is the most wonderful man ever," Usagi sighed, a dreamy expression on her face.
Ikuko smiled at her daughter's happiness.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The doorbell rang, and Kenji answered it, opening the door to find Mamoru standing there, holding a pair of boxes.
"Good evening, Tsukino-san," Mamoru said with a bow.
"Good evening, Chiba-san," Kenji replied, returning the bow. "Please come in."
"Thank you, sir," Mamoru said, stepping inside.
Usagi and Ikuko stood there, as Mamoru put down his boxes and removed his shoes.
"Chiba-san, this is my wife," Kenji said. "Ikuko, this is Chiba Mamoru."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Tsukino-san," Mamoru said to Ikuko.
"And a pleasure to meet you," Ikuko replied. "But please, we aren't usually so formal. You may call me Ikuko, and my husband is Kenji."
"Thank you, Ikuko-san," Mamoru said.
Usagi stepped forward and gave Mamoru a hug. "I'm so happy to see you, Mamo-chan."
"I'm always happy to see you, my love," he said softly and lovingly.
As Usagi stepped back, Mamoru turned to the boxes he brought.
"I brought you some gifts to thank you for the honor of being invited to your home," Mamoru said. He opened the first box. "Usagi has told me that you are more Western in your home customs, but I thought you might appreciate this."
From the box he produced a small display box of lacquered wood in the shape of a house. Setting it down on a table, he opened it, revealing the Tsukino name ornately displayed at the top. He then unwrapped four small porcelain figurines, each with one of their names printed on the base. Kenji's figure was painted in a tuxedo, while Ikuko's was in a stylish dress. Usagi and Shingo's figures were done in kimonos appropriate for their ages.
"It's lovely, Mamoru-san," Ikuko exclaimed.
"I'm told my grandfather created one very much like this," Mamoru said. "Behind each figure is a space to put a small picture or other memento. It's meant to be a family memory shrine."
"Thank you very much," Kenji said, his eyes lingering on it thoughtfully.
Mamoru opened the second box. "And this is an English tea set." He unwrapped one of the cups, showing it to be fine china with a hand-painted flower pattern.
Ikuko took the cup from him, looking it over. "This is exceptional," she said. "And obviously very expensive."
"Sets of this quality are hard to come by," Mamoru admitted. "But they do make a nice addition."
"Yes, indeed," Ikuko agreed. "Let's take these into the kitchen for now, Mamoru-san. I'll unwrap the set and find a place for it later."
He picked up the box and followed her into the kitchen.
"Well, Ch... uhm, Mamoru-san," Kenji said. "Thank you for these gifts. You honor us."
"And you have honored me," Mamoru replied. "Thank you."
"You two sound like an etiquette book," Ikuko said. "Please sit down at the table. Usagi and I have dinner ready."
They all sat down and began to eat.
"This is very good," Mamoru said. "My compliments to the chefs." He glanced over at Usagi, who smiled at him happily.
"Tell me, Mamoru-san. Just how did you and Usagi first meet?" Ikuko asked.
"Well, actually, she hit me in the head," he said.
"Mamo-chan!" Usagi protested.
"Hit you in the head?" Kenji asked. "What happened?"
"It was a wad of paper," Mamoru explained. "She tossed it behind her without looking, and I just happened to be in the way. We clashed for a while, but eventually I came to discover that she was the most wonderful person I've ever met."
"I hope I'm not prying," Ikuko said. "But Usagi came home one evening feeling just miserable..."
"I think I know what you're referring to," Mamoru said softly. "It was all just a serious misunderstanding, and I handled it very badly, I'm afraid."
"No, Mamo-chan," Usagi interrupted. "It was at least as much my fault."
He placed his hand gently over hers. "That was when we each realized just how serious it was," he explained. "I couldn't bear to see her that upset again, and would do anything to prevent it."
"I overreacted as well," Usagi admitted. "But I discovered it hurt much more not to be with him. It took a few tries, but we worked things out, and I'm so glad we did."
He squeezed her hand, then leaned over and kissed her cheek. Ikuko glanced over at Kenji and placed her hand on his.
"Usagi has been incredibly happy recently," Ikuko commented. "And even her grades are starting to improve."
"Mamo-chan's been helping me," Usagi said brightly.
Mamoru nodded. "I've been educated at private schools. Even the orphanage I went to was more of an upper-class boarding school. It made for an overly sheltered upbringing, but they taught differently than the regular schools do. I've just been able to show Usagi some different approaches to the subjects that have given her trouble."
"Tell me, Mamoru-san," Kenji said. "Are you concerned about Usagi's age?"
"I was to start with," Mamoru replied. "But she has regularly demonstrated that it's not an issue."
Kenji seemed a bit surprised. "Really?"
"Oh, yes," Mamoru said. "Not only has her personality matured from when I first met her, but she is absolutely the most loving and caring person I've ever known. I know I've learned at least as much from her as she has from me. After spending so much of my life alone in an institutional environment, I really welcome the joy of living she's brought to my life."
Usagi leaned forward. "Once I took the time to get to know him, it felt like I'd known him forever. It's just so wonderful."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ikuko had taken Kenji with her into the kitchen to serve dessert.
"They seem very happy and comfortable together," she said.
He nodded. "Yes, they do," he said quietly.
"Do you still have problems with it?" she asked.
"Just her age," he said, shaking his head.
"You can see how much they care for each other," she said. "They really do remind me of us when we started going together."
"But you weren't that young," he said.
"Mamoru's said that Usagi has demonstrated to him that it isn't an issue," she said. "Do you have any reason not to believe him?"
"No," he said. "I don't."
"Then I see no reason to stand in their way, my dear," Ikuko said. "I think meeting Mamoru is the best thing to ever happen to her."
Kenji opened his mouth to say something, then thought better of it, and simply nodded.
"I'm very proud of you," she said, kissing him.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru kissed Usagi as they sat there.
"It seems to be going fairly well," he said.
She nodded. "I think Mom likes you, and Daddy is just trying to remain stern."
"Well, that's understandable," he said. "He's concerned about his little girl."
"But you don't think I'm a little girl, do you?" she asked, giggling softly.
"Of course not," he said with a smile. "I know from experience that you are a very loving and very passionate young woman, my love."
"And I love you more than anything," she said softly, leaning over to kiss him again.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After dinner, they all sat together in the living room. Usagi sat beside Mamoru, with his arm resting behind her shoulders.
"What do you plan to do after university, Mamoru-san?" Ikuko asked.
"I haven't entirely decided," he replied. "I'm going through the business program so I can handle the Chiba companies if necessary, but as long as Kobayashi-san is willing to continue, I wouldn't dream of suggesting any change in management. I have thought of perhaps doing some traveling, but that will have to wait until Usagi can come with me, because I certainly wouldn't want to go without her."
Usagi leaned closer to him and smiled. "You're so sweet, Mamo-chan," she said softly.
"She needs to finish school," Kenji said quietly.
"Certainly," Mamoru agreed.
"And it's nice having his help," Usagi said.
Mamoru glanced at the clock. "I hope you will forgive me, Kenji-san, Ikuko-san, but Usagi and I each have classes in the morning, and I'm afraid I must be going."
"Of course. We understand," Ikuko said, as they all rose to their feet.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Ikuko-san," Mamoru said, bowing to her. "And a pleasure to see you again, Kenji-san."
"Thank you for coming, Mamoru-san," Kenji said.
Usagi hugged Mamoru again. "Yes. Thank you for coming, Mamo-chan."
He smiled at her and kissed her. "It was my pleasure, Usako." He turned to the others. "Thank you for inviting me."
"You are quite welcome," Ikuko said. "We're happy to meet the young man who has made Usagi so happy."
"Well, she has made me incredibly happy too," Mamoru said. "She is the best thing ever to happen to me."
Mamoru stopped in the hallway and slipped on his shoes.
"Good night, Usako," he said. "Good night, Kenji-san, Ikuko-san."
"Good night, Mamoru-san," Kenji said.
"Let me walk you to your car, Mamo-chan," Usagi said, glancing at her mother, who first looked at Kenji then nodded.
Mamoru bowed, then stepped outside, with Usagi walking next to him. As they reached his car, she slipped her arms around him and kissed him.
"I wish I could come with you, Mamo-chan," she said softly.
"Not tonight, I'm afraid," he said, holding her in his arms. "Now that they know, we're going to have to be careful for a while."
She nodded. "I think Mom's fairly accepting of this... but Daddy... still seems to be less certain."
"I know," he said. "And I have an idea what part of that may be."
She looked up at him quizzically.
"His daughter's boyfriend owns the company he works for," he explained.
"And that's part of his problem?" she asked. "You think so?"
"I think it's at least a possibility," he said.
"But what can you do about that?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I'll have to give it a lot of thought." He leaned down and kissed her. "Good night, Usako. I love you."
"I love you, Mamo-chan," she said softly.
He kissed her again, then opened the door of his car and climbed in.
"Good night," she said, as he started the engine.
She stepped away. He waved his hand as he slipped the car into gear and pulled away.< To be continued >
* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: A bit shorter installment this time, but I needed to focus just on Mamoru meeting Usagi's parents. Still more to come.Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.
-08.10.2001