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“So, Usagi, what did you want to discuss?”
Across the table, Usagi let out a nervous chuckle. “What do you mean? I just wanted to hang out with you Michiru, it’s been so long.” Before Michiru could ask another question, Usagi used her milkshake as protection. She brought the glass up, shielding her face, and began to take loud slurps from the straw. Michiru just sighed in her seat.
This morning, Usagi had called her and asked that she join her at the Crown for lunch today. It was an odd request, Usagi didn’t usually ask to be around Michiru alone. Typically, Haruka or the other girls were with them. Not that they didn't occasionally spend one-on-one time together if they ran into each other by chance, but it was never planned beforehand. At first, Michiru was feeling hopeful about getting more alone time with Usagi. Thoughts of potential girl’s days together and even drawing together made Michiru feel happy. Though, as their meeting continued, Michiru realized that Usagi had come here with a mission in mind. So hopefulness became replaced with curiosity, especially since it was clear Usagi was trying to hide
something.
The two of them had sat down at the Crown nearly a half an hour ago - and it had been a long half an hour. For starters, Michiru wasn’t a big fan of the Crown. The food was far too greasy and fatty for her tastes. The waitstaff was pleasant and nice, but they paled in comparison to the waiters that usually served Michiru. And the tables were always sticky. Then, to add to Michiru’s displeasure, Usagi had been acting extremely annoying the entire time. She forced awkward conversations and laughed obnoxiously loud - there was no doubt in Michiru’s mind that Usagi was trying to avoid talking about something she desperately needed to talk about. It only made her curiosity grow, but Michiru wasn’t sure how long she could take sitting in this diner.
Once Usagi had sucked her milkshake dry, Michiru began a new round of questioning. Hopefully, one of her questions would help Usagi open up. The quicker Usagi spilled her guts, the quicker Michiru could escape Crown.
“How has school been going?”
“Oh,” Usagi seemed to relax at that. She placed her glass down, shoulders perking up. “Good, actually. I really like the community college! Everyone is so nice there!”
“And your classes have been going well?”
Usagi nodded. “Yeah!”
“That’s good, I’m glad to hear it.” What else could be bothering Usagi? Michiru pursued her lips, gently tapping at her chin in thought. An idea popped into her head. “Has everything been going alright with you and -” Michiru had to think of the girl’s name. “- Seiya, recently?”
That got a reaction.
Usagi’s face morphed into one of worry and discomfort. Her lips became thin white lines as her eyes shifted away nervously. A finger came up to scratch at her cheek while her shoulders tensed.
“Oh, yeah.” Usagi half-heartedly blustered. “We’re fine…”
“But?” Michiru prompted. Usagi let out a big sigh, bringing her hand down to rub at her arm. She glanced around the restaurant nervously, making sure no-one was close to their table. After that, she leaned in, getting close to Michiru. All of the fanfare had Michiru interested, so she leaned in as well.
“Really, Seiya and I are fine, but…” Usagi’s eyes darted around again before landing on Michiru. “I just...the other day, we were making out and things got....intense.” Before Michiru could ask, Usagi continued. “And, so, like ...I took off her pants and stuff and-” Usagi swallowed “-she was wearing
boxers
.” She said the word boxers in a hushed tone and with the same weight someone would use for government secrets.
Michiru blinked slowly before breaking out into a fit of giggles.
“Hey!” Usagi sounded hurt, but Michiru was too busy laughing to care. “What’s so funny?” The blonde leaned back into her seat, crossing her arms with a pout. Michiru reigned in her giggles, wiping small tears from her eyes.
“I thought you were in real trouble.” Michiru giggled again. “But here you are, just worried about her wearing
boxers
of all things.” She shook her head. “Haruka wears those too, you know.”
Usagi let out an exasperated sigh, flinging her arms out. “I know that! That’s why I wanted to talk!” A streak of genuine fear and hurt filled Usagi’s voice. It made Michiru stop her giggling entirely. “Are...girls who like other girls...are they
supposed
to wear boxers?”
“Usagi, do I look like the type to wear boxers to you?”
It was almost insulting how Usagi had to scan Michiru’s body and double check. “Um…no?”
“So why would you need to wear them then?” Michiru asked. “If I, a girl who likes other girls,” Michiru repeated Usagi’s earlier phrase, “don’t wear them.”
“I dunno!” Usagi said, looking very red in the face. After realizing she had almost shouted that last line, Usagi ducked her head into her shoulders and glanced around the diner again. Once everyone had looked away from their table due to the outburst, she turned back to Michiru. “I’m so new to this liking other girls thing, Michiru. I was just afraid I wasn’t understanding the rules properly.”
“Usagi,” Michiru said kindly, reaching out to rest a hand on top of Usagi’s hand. “There aren’t any ‘rules’ to liking women. You just need to be yourself. That’s why Haruka and Seiya wear boxers, to be themselves.”
“To be themselves…?” Usagi repeated, looking a bit thoughtful. “Why does wearing men’s underwear make them feel like themself? I get they’re both boyish but…”
“It makes them comfortable and feel secure,” Michiru said. Usagi tilted her head, almost looking like a cute little puppy, as she tried to understand Michiru’s meaning. “You know how you like dressing in very cute clothes?” Usagi nodded. “Well, imagine if someone made you wear your dad’s clothes. All the time. And you weren’t allowed to wear makeup or accessorize. How would that make you feel?”
“Awful!” Usagi exclaimed. “I would feel so ugly - no offense to my dad or anything - and like, I wouldn’t be able to express myself at all.”
“That’s my point.” Michiru said. “That’s how they would feel if we forced them to dress up like us.” The imagery of Haruka dressed up in one of Michiru’s dresses entered Michiru’s mind. Even in the vision, Haruka was trying to play it cool, but Michiru could tell she was uncomfortable.
“I think I get it,” Usagi said, nodding her head. She sighed in relief. “Well, I’m just happy
I
don’t have to wear boxers.” Her shoulders were no longer tense and color had returned to her face. The idea of wearing boxer’s must’ve been heavy on poor Usagi. “Thank you for coming to talk with me today, Michiru. I, um, really appreciate it. And I know you said there aren’t rules to the whole dating women thing, but, I’m still really new to it and, uh, can I call you again if I have questions?”
Michiru smiled. “Sure.”
“Great!” Usagi said with a beaming smile. “Well, I actually have one more question. If that’s okay.”
“Go ahead.” Michiru encouraged her.
“What’s a strap?” All it took was one question to make Michiru regret offering help.