*
Outside of the Crown Game Center and down the Azabu Juban Shopping District, it's gotten busy.
"What about it? Hmm?"
Haruka tweaks one of Usagi's buns, smirking.
"Is this why you wanna hang out, kitten? Avoiding your study group?"
She chuckles, watching when Usagi's pout deepens. There's no answer but Haruka can guess. They've decided to stay on a public bench, Usagi with her opened paintbox and brush in hand, and Haruka leaning back, closing her eyes and basking in the warm spring air.
Usagi silently paints on Haruka's legs and knees exposed through her ripped jeans. Yellow daisies with brown seed centers?
Adorable.
"You saved the heart crystal inside someone behind the ice cream shoppe counter," Haruka points out, smirking harder. "That was very brave."
Usagi's nose wrinkles.
"It wasn't fair!" she murmurs, and Haruka also basks in the gentle indignation of Usagi's words. "She was saving her tips to leave Tokyo. With her boyfriend and her girlfriend! I don't understand why someone would want to hurt her! They take all of the goodness out!"
"Because it's goodness," Haruka reminds her, clasping over Usagi's hand clenching the paintbrush.
A wide-eyed Usagi eeps!, looking up.
Haruka chuckles again, lifting Usagi's fingers and dutifully kissing one of them.
There's the faint, sticky taste of vanilla on her…
"Go study. I'll walk you to the bus," Haruka urges, dropping Usagi's hand into Usagi's lap to close the paintbox and listening to a whine. She bought it for a confused but delighted Usagi after they left the ice cream shoppe earlier. And after they fought off the bad guy.
Usagi couldn't stop talking about wanting to own paints.
(She's not much of an artist… but it's the heart behind it that matters, doesn't it?)
"Do I haveto…?"
Haruka stands her up, embracing Usagi's waist.
"You'll get another reward if you pass your exam," she says quietly, leaving Usagi to blush and squirm furiously in Haruka's arms.
"Reward…?"
"Mhm. Like the good girl I know you are."
Usagi twirls a strand of her blonde hair, looking away, giggling.
Despite her adorableness, Haruka resists kissing her.
After all…
Haruka likes rewards, too.
*