Hey, guys! It's been a while since I wrote something that wasn't for the Hot and Heavy Chronicles, but that time has finally come! I actually started the fic a while ago and lost it. But I found it again! And with the help of my beautiful baetas, Beej88 and Revy679, I'm finally ready to bring this to you!

Side note: go check out Beej88's fic, It's Always Been You. It's beautiful fluffiness!

Also, Revy679, Beej88 and I have started a group called Elite Squad where we post stories we're collaborating on. Our current project is called What Dreams May Come. Go check it out and let us know what you think!

oOo

"They really are ridiculous," Motoki muttered with exasperation, and shook his head as he watched his two friends incessantly fighting at the back of the arcade.

His scowl of irritation deepened, and he couldn't keep his eyes off of them as he diligently wiped down some splattered milkshake off of the counter. They were probably arguing about something stupid, too. He inwardly scoffed, before he was distracted by a swish of blonde hair in his peripheral vision. His gaze fell onto Minako who'd plopped herself down in a swivel stool on the other side of the counter. She was watching the spectacle over her shoulder with as much irritation as he was. The silken blonde locks of her hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the ridiculously oversized red bow bobbed as she nodded in response to the whispered comment that he hadn't really meant for her to hear.

She propped her elbow onto the counter, and sighed loudly, with a dramatic flair that was very much a staple of the blonde-haired girl's personality. "They just need to rip each other's clothes off and get it over with," she stated, in a matter of fact tone that shouldn't have, but scandalized Motoki, nonetheless.

He rolled his eyes, as the heat rose in his face. "Minako!" he reprimanded reproachfully. She finally pulled her gaze from the pair at the back of the arcade, turned back to him, and blinked up at him with wide, innocent blue eyes.

She jutted out a tiny chin with a haughty snort. "What?! It's true! Look at them!" She chimed with barely restrained frustration as she twisted her body, and dramatically gestured to the couple. "They can't go more than one minute without somehow touching each other!" She exclaimed with an indignant huff.

Motoki frowned, his eyes narrowing as he looked back at them, and carefully scrutinized their actions. Well, Minako wasn't lying. It was definitely true. One of them was always touching the other. It was like some kind of strange, contrived dance of anger. Usagi poked Mamoru in the chest, then Mamoru played with a bun on her head. Usagi smacked his hand away, then Mamoru poked her shoulder. Usagi pushed him away and then… they went on and on like that. They really couldn't keep their hands off one another.

As he watched them, Minako studied his reaction. "See!" She proclaimed triumphantly, practically bouncing up and down on the stool. Motoki sighed, and fought the urge to roll his eyes. Instead he nodded thoughtfully. "I wish I could think of a way to get them together, for all of our sakes." Minako scoffed and snorted with irritation.

Motoki chuckled, while moving to the sink to rinse off some dirty glasses. "Ha! Right. Only an act of extreme jealousy could ever get those two together," Motoki said jokingly, silently musing the ridiculous thought when he finally noted that Minako had remained silent for a moment. Which, if you knew Minako, you would know was very unusual. Especially mid-rant.

He glanced up at the blonde furtively, his brow furrowed as he watched the array of expressions that crossed over her face. You could practically see her pondering, the cogs of her mind turning as she mulled something over in her head. Suddenly, and very slowly, she focused her eyes on Motoki, and a wicked grin cascaded across ample pink lips. The blood drained from Motoki's face. It was never good when Minako had an idea.

"What are you thinking?" He asked hesitantly, almost afraid to hear her answer.

She tilted her head to the side and drummed manicured fingers along the scuffed oak countertop. "Didn't you and Reika just break up?" She asked slyly, her question laced with a double-meaning that he had yet to understand. He frowned, swallowed nervously, and slowly and deliberately nodded.

He didn't need a reminder of Reika. The whole breakup was recent, raw, and it had not ended well between them. He fixed his eyes onto Minako's with a suspicious scowl. "Yeah. So?"

Minako's smile widened. "Soooo…you're on the market?" She asked, her tone playful as she winked and tossed the glistening locks of her golden hair over her shoulder. Her eyes twinkled brightly, as she arched a golden brow expectantly. It took a moment, but Motoki's heart dropped into the pit of his stomach. He had a feeling he knew where this was going and with Minako at the helm of this crazy plan, he knew it couldn't be a good thing for him.

"I guess," he murmured, his tone surly and his gaze wary.

It appeared that Minako was tired of tiptoeing around the topic and she sighed loudly, once again. "An act of extreme jealousy, Motoki!" She exclaimed with another overly dramatic hand gesture. "What if you dated Usagi?" She said with a white-toothed grin.

Though he'd suspected that the statement was coming, it still caught him off guard, and Motoki dropped the glass he was drying. It crashed to the white laminate flooring and shattered, sending shards of glass skidding across the floor. He inhaled sharply, and cursed under his breath as the whole arcade turned to see what the commotion was all about. The fighting duo included.

Motoki blushed, cleared his throat, and waved their audience's attention away. His face felt like it was on fire by the time everyone, including the couple, went back to what they were doing.

The blonde man quickly grabbed a broom, and furiously began to sweep up the mess while Minako tried, unsuccessfully, to suppress her laughter behind the fingers she'd pressed to her lips in amusement. Once the disaster on the floor was taken care of, the shards carefully disposed in the trash, he turned his attention away from the disaster on the floor and back to the disaster sitting in front of him. Minako had the audacity to grin.

The look on her delicate features was knowing, and she propped a delicate chin onto the palm of her hand as she watched him. "You know, it's not a bad idea," Minako said, smiling coyly.

"It's not a bad idea? How is that not a bad idea?" Motoki whispered heatedly, as he leaned across the counter in order to avoid being overheard. Minako leaned in as well, delighted, as if this was a big secret. Which it was.

Her wide eyes were twinkling merrily. "Think about it, Motoki! Mamoru sees his best friend dating the girl he's been pining for?" she chimed with unfettered excitement. " 'An act of jealousy' will help him realize his feelings! Then he'll confess to her. She will, in turn, realize she's in love with him too!" she said with a confident smile, even as he shook his head with disbelief. "And then they'll live happily ever after!" She finished, with a gleeful squeal, and a dreamy, glossed over look in her eyes.

He took a deep cleansing breath, and pinched the bridge of his nose, silently praying for patience. "Did you forget that Usagi used to have a crush on me?" He hissed, hoping that the reminder derailed this ridiculous plan. He vividly remembered the days when the bouncy blonde had fawned over him, leaning over her milkshake while batting long eyelashes with a soft giggle over something he'd said that wasn't even funny. But Minako shook her head, undeterred, with a "pft" and a casual wave of her hand.

He couldn't believe the blonde was still arguing her point, but she waved a slender finger in the air, with a determined look on her face. "The key words there are 'used to'," she said brightly. "It was a silly, school girl crush! Come on, Motoki! She doesn't feel that way about you anymore. She's 19 now. She's grown past all of that," she said in defense of the best friend that she was currently trying to set up with him in an attempt to make the hard-headed Mamoru Chiba come to his senses.

He was unconvinced, and he shook his head in denial. "And you don't think dating won't bring out those feelings?" He asked incredulously. Surely this point was enough to knock some sense into Minako, but, once again, she shook her head.

"Nope! Quite the contrary. I think dating you will make her realize the feelings that she has for him." She said stubbornly and shot a thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the feuding pair.

His scowl deepened, though for a different reason now. He didn't feel anything remotely romantic towards the odangoed blonde that had become his friend, but still… "Oh, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy," he said sarcastically with a roll of his eyes.

Minako frowned in response. "You want her to get those feelings back?" She questioned, and it was the first time that Minako faltered in this entire conversation.

He sighed, "Of course not! Still doesn't mean it doesn't hurt my ego a bit," he muttered, and ran a hand over his heart dramatically.

It was Minako's turn to roll her eyes. "I'm sure your ego will be just fine," she said with a grin curled onto her lips. "Especially when you see how happy they are together after my brilliant plan works," She exclaimed brightly, and he did have to admit that her persistence was beginning to wear him down. He truly cared about the stupid idiots… I mean, could it possibly work?

Motoki sighed and looked back at the fighting couple. Mamoru was tapping her forehead and Motoki could only assume it was in response to a quip about her grades or her intelligence. Or both. The fire in Usagi's eyes confirmed his suspicion. Was he really considering this? He fixed his gaze on Minako with a grimace and a resigned look glinting in his eyes. Minako squealed, and clapped her hands happily in response, and a huge smile replaced her cheeky grin.

He put the broom, that he hadn't realized he was still holding, aside and slowly wiped his hands on a towel. He had a sinking feeling that this was not a good idea, but he made his way around the counter anyway.

Minako squealed with excitement. "Go get her, stud!" She said brightly, and a suggestive wiggle of her delicately arched eyebrows.

He scowled, shooting the blonde a sideways glare as he closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep cleansing breath, and mentally prepared himself to do one of the most idiotic things he'd probably ever done. His steps were slow, unsure, as he tentatively made his way to his friends.

The telltale sounds of hushed, angry whispers grew louder as he approached. "Maybe if you weren't such a jerk, I wouldn't have to!" Usagi snapped, her posture stiff, coiled tightly with anger.

He winced at Mamoru's response. "It only takes one Odango to turn the tides," he said snidely, a sneer curled onto his lips.

He shook his head with exasperation. "Hey, guys," Motoki interjected just as Usagi opened her mouth to hurl another insult, no doubt. They both turned to peer up at him, two pairs of eyes filled with confusion, as he took another deep breath.

He could feel Minako's eyes burning holes in the back of his head all the way from across the room. "Usagi, can I talk to you for a sec? In private?" He requested hoarsely, practically choking on his words. This was such a bad idea. He swallowed nervously as his eyes finally fell onto Mamoru, so that he could carefully gage his reaction.

Mamoru was frowned in confusion, and his look perfectly mirrored the blonde beside him.

Usagi raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Uh, yeah sure. Is everything okay?" She questioned cautiously, shook her head as if to clear it, then took a step towards him. She gave her ebony-haute tormentor a sideways glance, as if to confirm that he was confused as well, as she followed him.

He offered the blonde a shaky smile. "I sure hope so," Motoki muttered to himself as he led her toward an empty booth and away from his best friend. He was pleasantly surprised to see that Mamoru couldn't take his eyes off them as they sat across from each other. Maybe Minako wasn't so crazy after all?

Usagi frowned "What's going on, Motoki?" She asked worriedly. It was probably because he hadn't met her eyes yet, and pointedly continued to stare at his hands that were folded together on the counter.

Motoki cleared his throat, "There was something I needed to ask you," he began slowly, deliberately taking his time, still feeling uncertain about putting this plan into motion. She reached across the table and took his hands in hers.

He looked up at her, and his startled chestnut brown eyes met hers. "Go ahead, 'Toki. You can ask me anything. What's wrong?" She asked gently.

He looked away for a moment, silently berating the blonde at the counter for getting him into this mess. He glanced at Mamoru, seeing the jealousy clearly burning behind his eyes already. He resigned himself to his fate. His friends needed this.

He looked back into Usagi's big blue eyes. "Usagi…would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" He blurted in one breath and watched as her eyes widened. She immediately withdrew her hands from his, and he couldn't help but flinch.

She'd paled, "Are you…are you asking me out?" She stammered disbelievingly. Motoki grimaced and nodded slowly. She shook her head in denial. "But…why?"

Motoki shrugged with one shoulder. "I think we'd have fun," he responded, trying to interject a lighthearted tone into his voice that he wasn't quite feeling. She sat back in her seat and studied his face with narrowed eyes, as if trying to discern the truth in his eyes. "We could go to dinner and then maybe a movie? Or a walk? Or…"

"Okay," she interrupted quickly, her words crisp and blunt. His eyes widened, and he swallowed nervously. He'd half expected her to say no.

He inhaled sharply. "Okay?" He asked with uncertainty, and she nodded with a small smile.

"Yeah. I think it would be fun," she agreed with a tone that he couldn't quite decipher. "You want to just pick me up from here? About 6?" She suggested, her words sounded carefully chosen.

"Yeah," he replied with a tentative smile. "That would be great. I'll see you tomorrow, then." He murmured then stood from the booth, as she followed suit.

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow then." She said briskly, then walked past him and headed out the door, completely ignoring Mamoru as she did so. Motoki watched as Mamoru's gaze followed Usagi before turning a questioning look back to Motoki. He stifled a grin and headed back toward the counter.

A firm hand curled around his arm as he passed the raven-haired idiot stopped him in his tracks. "What was that about?" Mamoru demanded, practically snarling. Motoki studied his face, choosing his words carefully. At the counter, Minako's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Just needed to ask her something important. That's all," he decided on. Mamoru frowned and released his friend from his grasp. Motoki took that as his cue and hurried behind the counter. His tall friend stood in the middle of the arcade, as if contemplating what just happened.

"Soooo?" Minako leaned across the counter in a conspiratory way.

"Sooooo, we are going out to dinner tomorrow night," he answered. Minako squealed and clapped her hands, bouncing in her seat a bit. This earned the attention of Mamoru, who turned to gaze at the two at the counter. "Calm down!" Motoki reprimanded, grabbing her hands and forcing them to the counter.

"Um, no way, Jose! This is exciting!" She grinned. Motoki couldn't help the small smile that overtook him.

"This had better work," he stated, glancing at his best friend who was still staring at him.

"Oh, it will," she responded confidently, grabbing her bag off the floor and standing. "Trust me." With a smile and a wave, she headed out of the arcade.

Mamoru watched this exchange with narrowed eyes. He watched as Minako walked out the door before turning an almost challenging look to Motoki. Then, like a bullet, he charged out of the arcade after Minako.

Motoki sighed and shook his head. At this rate, he wouldn't have to 'date' Usagi very long before Mamoru finally stepped up. He just hoped no one, especially Usagi, got hurt in the process.

oOo

Mamoru ran down the sidewalk after Minako, and a small coy smile curled onto the blonde's lips as she heard the approaching footsteps.

"Minako!" Mamoru called out. Her smile widened as from the hoarse hint of urgency she detected in his tone. She stopped, gracefully swiveled around, and turned to face him. She blinked up at him, and expertly laced a look of quizzical innocence onto her delicate facial features.

She purposefully tilted her head, "What's up, Mamoru?" She questioned, her tone soft and lilting as he stopped in front of her.

She was inwardly squealing with delight at the frown of irritation furrowed onto his brow. "What was all that about?" He asked sullenly and gestured back towards the arcade. Minako glanced back to the arcade as if the door would magically spit out the answer.

She looked back to Mamoru in faux-confusion. "Whatever do you mean?" She asked, the very picture of innocence. His frown melted an annoyed scowl, and she needed to bite the inside of her lips to suppress the amused giggle that bubbled up in her throat and threatened to give her away.

"Don't play with me, Minako," he snapped angrily. Silly Mamoru. He was always so serious. "You know exactly what I mean," he growled, the baritone of his voice low and raspy. The blonde girl couldn't help the smirk that curled onto her lips after that. Maybe this would happen more quickly than she'd anticipated?

She took a purposeful step towards him, a coy, secretive look glinting in the blue hues of her eyes. "Let's just say," she whispered slyly, "love is in the water!" She giggled and twirled with excitement.

Mamoru's eyes widened, and she watched his face flush as the blood drained from his face. "What?" He spat hoarsely, and she inwardly 'whooped' with glee. It was almost too easy. She'd clearly been the goddess of love in her previous life, because she was killing it with her brilliant matchmaking tactics!

She giggled again, "Someone has a date tomorrow night," she said in sing song voice. Mamoru's breathing hitched, and that did not go unnoticed by a delighted Minako. "I gotta go. See if she needs any help getting ready tomorrow. Bye, Mamoru!" She waved and turned to skip down the block. Just before she turned the corner, she stopped to look back. Mamoru was standing in the same spot, his eyes unfocused as he fixed his gaze on the wall of the red-bricked house beside him. He was definitely lost in thought… hopefully thoughts of a pretty odangoed blonde! Minako giggled before heading off again.

It really was a brilliant plan.

oOo

Sooo…..whacha think?!

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