21. Mischief
382 words
"Don't you dare, Odango," Mamoru said sternly, eying the girl suspiciously. They were both in kayaks that were not far enough apart for Mamoru's comfort. Usagi, caught, froze with her paddle in the water poised for splashing. Mamoru sighed in relief.
Kayaking had not been part of his weekend plan. Motoki had been forced to take another shift to cover for a sick employee, and the girls had been heartbroken that with their only ride otherwise employed their kayaking trip would be cancelled. Mamoru, sitting quietly in a booth nearby as the news had been broken, had volunteered before he realized what he had done. So he found himself now with Ami, Makoto, Minako, and Rei off at a little distance, and Usagi looking over at him with innocent eyes. Too innocent.
Splash!
Mamoru gasped and looked at Usagi in disbelief.
"I can't believe…you just…" Mamoru trailed off.
Splash!
Usagi was just as wet. She had to be the cutest drowned rat ever, Mamoru thought admiringly. There was little time for thought as a full-fledged splashing war ensued. Usagi leaned a little too far forward, however, and her kayak tipped. She gave a startled cry before she was submerged.
One second passed. Usagi did not come up. Another second. Still no Usagi. Mamoru clutched the edge of his kayak and peered anxiously into the water. Panicked, he was just about to dive in after her, when his kayak suddenly lurched beneath him and he found himself in the water as well. Coming up quickly for air, he found himself face to face with a grinning Usagi.
"Gotcha!" Usagi crowed, missing the grin that was slowly forming on Mamoru's face. If she had seen, she might have known to be afraid.
Wordlessly, Mamoru scooped her into his arms and dunked her under the water. Quickly bringing her back up, he leaned really close to her and whispered, "Don't mess with the master."
"Hey you guys!" Makoto yelled. "What's going on over there?"
"Uh oh! Looks like we have a little romance!" Minako sang out, pronouncing "romance" in a heavy French accent.
Mamoru and Usagi glanced first at the girls, and then at each other. They blushed. Still, Mamoru did not relinquish his hold of Usagi, and Usagi never once tried to free herself.