Just What I Do
#30 Business Card, 1338 words

"Why can't you act mature for once?"

"As if acting mature really means being rude to everyone you come across, Baka!" Usagi retorted.

It's like clockwork. Every morning, crash number one. Every afternoon, crash number two. After crash number two, an argument. Even though we argue with each other, I can't help getting myself a new routine. I don't know about her, maybe she enjoys this kind of stuff with guys, but it's almost comforting when we're inches apart and yelling at each other. It's kind of exhilarating.

"I am only rude to those who are rude to me, Odango," I replied.

She's beginning to turn that red color. That meant she's almost at the end of her rope. It's almost time to stop our charade. Almost.

"Do. Not. Call. Me. That."

"I didn't call you 'that', I called you Odango," I said emphatically. Mischievously.

Usagi shook from her self-control. "I can't stand that name, and I can't stand you, Mamoru-baka!" With that, she stomped out of sight, away from my taunts.

That's just what I do.

Mamoru-baka
Sarcastic genius. Witty shrew. Secret admirer.
All you need to get your blood boiling and your heart racing.

"I'll get you, you puny moon runt!" the youma hissed, heaving its shadowy body back for another attack while Sailor Moon scrambled to her feet. But I knew she couldn't get up in time.

"No!" she gasped, hurling the weight of her body off of the ground. She found she was much lighter than she anticipated.

"Are you alright, Sailor Moon?" I asked. Right in the nick of time, I leapt to her side, scooped up the petite warrior, and brought her to safety. The golden-haired girl looked up at me with wide eyes. She seemed so familiar, perhaps that's why I always want to save her. Or perhaps the fact that there's some mental alarm that goes off in my head at night that won't turn off until I find Sailor Moon and help her fight. Not that I can't go around holding pretty girls all night long.

"Yes, Tuxedo Kamen-sama," she breathed. Her words barely reached my ears, like the wind brushing against us as I tried to find a safe place for the both of us. Sailor Moon put a gloved hand on my shoulder. "I can handle it now, arigatou gozaimasu."

I hesitated to stop, but put her down behind a thick oak tree. "Are you sure you're alright?" I asked again.

She nodded, her tiara shining bright in the moonlight. "You always give me strength. If I know you're here, I can do anything," she answered so assuredly. With that, she ran off and soon enough, I heard the defeated cry of another vanquished youma. I jumped up onto one of the branches of the oak tree to check on Sailor Moon, and, to my amusement, found her looking in every direction to find me.

"Great job, Sailor Moon," I called to her from above.

She jerked her head up to meet my gaze. And cue super-hunky smile. "Tuxedo Kamen, don't go!" she pleaded, taking a step towards my tree. And cue dramatic swooshing of cape. "Who are you!"

Before I could vanish into the night, she caught my attention with that one question. She wanted to know who I was, as if she really needed to know. Or would want to know if she found out the truth. I faced her once more. "You know who I am," I replied coyly before letting a rose float into her hands. With that, cue second dramatic swooshing of cape and dashing exit. Upon my exit, I could swear I heard Sailor Moon swoon, like the wind brushing against me.

That's just what I do.

Tuxedo Mask
Mysterious soldier. Chivalrous protector. Reluctant hero.
All you need for the rescue of your dreams.

Usagi sighed, resting her head on her hands upon the ice cream counter at Crown Arcade. She sighed again, her second in less than the 30 seconds since she entered the arcade.

"I might not be a psychiatrist, but I think something's wrong, Usagi," quipped Motoki. He dried a tall glass with a dry cloth, watching his onee-chan with a degree of amusement.

"Yes, do tell what's wrong, Odango," I added.

Usagi cringed in discomfort, but was too sad to look at the third presence at the counter. "Not today, Mamoru-kun," she sighed.

Motoki and I both stared at her in wonder. This wasn't the bubbly Usagi we were used to. I, however, felt inclined to change this. After all, I couldn't tease a depressed Odango Atama, that wouldn't be any fun. I slid onto the stool next to her and put a hand on the small of her back. "What's wrong, Usagi?" I whispered softly in her ear.

Maybe I imagined it, but I felt her shiver under my hand. She sat up and stared me in the eyes. "My friends just told me that there was no way an older guy would find me attractive," she pouted.

I resisted the urge to tip her over in my arms and kiss her doubt out of Juuban. Well, it was more of me trying to stop water from an overflowing dam, but I kept my composure. I'm good like that. And definitely good enough to know that those friends of hers are completely crazy. Who couldn't find a shapely body, long flowing hair, a kind smile, compassionate soul, and many other genuine qualities that Usagi possessed attractive?

I shook my head adamantly. "And do you believe them?" I asked.

Usagi pursed her lips in thought. Then a small smile graced her face. "Not really," she replied. Her smile suddenly grew larger. "I mean, if Tuxedo Kamen didn't find me attractive, then why does he always save me at the perfect time?"

I could've shot myself. Because if I wasn't that dashing Tuxedo Kamen…I would shoot him. Then I would laugh because, ironically, that did mean Usagi liked half of me.

"What are you laughing at, baka?" Usagi asked, arching an eyebrow at my laughing state.

"Yeah dude, what are you laughing at?" said Motoki.

"Odango likes Tuxedo Kamen," I breathed between laughs. My sides are starting to hurt from my amusement.

"And what exactly is wrong with that, Baka?" yelled Usagi over my laughter.

"For one, the guy runs around at night in a tuxedo get-up. He's a weirdo." Usagi turned her nose up in the air, and I tapped her little nose with my index finger. "And you, innocent rabbit, deserve someone who will be there for you, not some night stalker."

Usagi took a long look at me before a smile emerged on her gorgeous face. "And do you know where you can find someone who will care for me like that?" she asked giddily.

Right here, Usa, I thought immediately.

I glanced at Motoki, who only shrugged his shoulders. Oi, I'm the only creative one here. I reached into my pocket and put a bill on the counter. "Right here, with Motoki-kun. He will provide you will all of the chocolate milkshakes your heart desires."

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of disappointment in Usagi's eyes. She took her seat at the counter and folded her hands in front of her. "May I have a chocolate milkshake please, Onii-san?" she asked sweetly.

Motoki smiled back at her and began concocting her favorite treat. "Sure," he said, scooping three heaping spheres of chocolate ice cream. "But I have no idea what a Tuxedo Kamen is."

And I heard her murmur, "That's alright, Nii-san. I think I know someone who does." I began to walk out of the arcade when Usagi called out to me. "Goodbye, Mamo-chan."

And I can't help but grin, for me and Tuxedo Kamen. I'm learning new ways to rescue her and put those smiles on her face.

That's just what I do.

Mamo-chan
Dependable friend. Pensive introvert. Hopeless romantic.
All Usagi needs for the rest of her life.