"Sooooo, Mamo-chan, you say you have a special Valentine's treat for me?"
"Mmm-hmm. And I'm sure you'll really like it, Usako."
"Really?"
"Really, really. I know this is probably the first time you'll be doing this, but just listen to me, and you'll be fine."
"Ohhh…That's all right. I feel okay, as long as you're with me!"
"Good to hear that. And remember: Once we begin, there's no going back."
"Don't worry, Mamo-chan…I won't! I'll keep on going, if it's for you...and is it getting hot in here?"
"That's natural. Okay, here we go - Take a good look at this."
"OOOOOHHHHHH!!! It's enormous!"
"We can handle it, sweetie. Now, when I say so, you grab this, and do your thing."
"The plastic seems to be coming off."
"That doesn't matter, we don't want that anyway. Now honey, I'm going to put this in... and you just give a little stir now and then."
"Okay!"
"Heeeeere we go."
"Ah! I'm scared, Mamo-chan…"
"Don't be. I'm here, remember? You just need a little more confidence in yourself."
"I know. It's just that...I've always screwed this up before. What if something goes wrong? I want to make everything perfect, for you!"
"Darling, I love you so much that you couldn't possibly screw anything up. Okay? Now do it."
"Okay...It's so hot in here."
"You're doing beautifully, honey. Beautifully."
"Yeeheehah! I'm doing well! Yippee, yaddee, yay. Mamo-chan, you're making me blush…"
"AHHHH!!! Oh, dear me. I was too late. I'm sorry, Usako!"
"Oh no!!! There's white stuff all over me! Ohnoohnoohno...I need a shower. Quick!"
"Hang on, honey, I'll clean you up...Oh maaaan, now it's on me too!"
*****
Making a tremendous effort to push herself up with one hand, Usagi found herself sitting on the kitchen floor, face contorted in a mixture of pain and disappointment. Two bubbling streams, one of hot water and one of white melted chocolate, flowed out of the overturned saucepan and glass bowl next to her. She looked down, surveying the state of her pink and white apron – it was no longer only covered with floral print and cute bunnies, but an enormous glop of now-solidifying white chocolate as well.
Mamoru bent over her, tenderness in his eyes, trying to wipe the chocolate away with a damp cloth. He was now holding the wooden stirring spoon. "Are you okay, Usako?" He asked.
A tear welled up out of the corner of her eye. "I'm...I'm sorry, Mamo-chan. I knew I'd knock the pan over, sooner or later."
"Don't blame yourself, honey. It was my decision to do this - Okay, Makoto told me, but I really liked the idea of the two of us making chocolates for each other. It just sounded so romantic."
"Yes, it does...and it would have worked out great, if I wasn't such a clumsy crybaby like Rei always calls me...WAAAAAHHHH!!!"
"Oh, don't cry, don't cry." Mamoru reached out, broke off a piece of the now cooled chocolate on Usagi's apron, placed it in his mouth and smiled appreciatively. "It's more delicious this way."
"Really...?"
"Yes, because it's been on you."
"Oh, Mamo-chan..."
He extended the wooden spoon to her mouth. "Here."
Usagi bit into it eagerly.
"Hey!!! You're so rough."
"Sorry! When it's food, I just don't think!"
"That's why I love you, Usako..."
The giggles and nibbling continued for a long time amidst the puddles of water and chocolate on the floor. Both of them knew that the cleaning up would be delayed for a very long time, but somehow, the mess just didn't seem that important any more.