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#19 - Liar
474 words

"You're driving me insane," Usagi muttered under her breath, concentrating on sipping her milkshake, trying to keep her thoughts away from the man who sat so dangerously close.

She had walked into the arcade with the resolution that she had gotten over him, but her mental discipline and the internal mantras of 'he will not affect me' dissolved like the melting of fairy floss when his gaze caught hers, and she once again felt the familiar exposure and awkwardness. Dismissing the feeling, she ordered her usual afternoon treat and used it as a focal object, silently pouring her thoughts to the understanding glass of chocolate goodness. Well, almost silently.

"Are you talking to me?" She jumped slightly at his unexpected question, which was carried out in a soft murmur that sent her heart racing. She tried to swallow subtly, and clung onto the possibility that perhaps, he had not heard her careless slip after all.

"Excuse me?" She feigned indifference, keeping the tremors from her voice as she stared at him boldly.

"'You're driving me insane'," Mamoru quoted, leaving Usagi to regret her lack of control when it came to voicing her thoughts. "Was that for me?"

She looked away from him, feeling a sudden heat rushing to her face. Her stomach seemed to have disappeared, and her heart was pounding so irregularly in her ears that she was overcome with dizziness. Knowing that any further delay would make her response suspicious, she braved the terrible consequences bound to take place, and tried to resume a neutral tone.

"Um, no... Why would you assume that?" She was rather proud at her attempt to sound both confused and nonchalant – if only it would convince him.

"Just wondering," Mamoru replied with a shrug. She felt all the hope which had subconsciously built from his question fade, and berated herself for the disappointment she wasn't supposed to feel.

"Okay, if you say so." She finished the last of her milkshake, somewhat relieved that he had dropped the subject and returned to his reading. To her annoyance, she felt the uncomfortable nagging of guilt growing within her, along with that tiny spark which wasn't satisfied with his answer as to why he thought she had a crush on him.

'Denial...' She cringed, and realised that despite his arrogance and insults, he still deserved the basic amount of courtesy from her. Hastily, she found a pen from her bag and grabbed the nearest writing surface, scribbling frantically with a flushed face.

"Hope you'll have a nice day then," she smiled with forced cheerfulness, flinging the folded 'note' onto his book before dashing out the arcade.

Surprised and curious at Usagi's strange behaviour, Mamoru reached for the white cloth, finding himself anticipating whatever message she had left him.

He unfolded the napkin, and stared at the bubbly scrawl.

'I lied.'