Moonlit Melodies

By: Lady Anaira

Prompt#26 Telephone

Chapter 23

Unazuki took the orders of the girls around her, and as a waitress she could discern the air around her regulars was slightly strained from the usual carefree atmosphere they displayed. "What's going on?" she asked, Usagi and the girls were hardly so restrained in their smiles.

"Nothing…" Usagi said as she bit her lip, she was slightly embarrassed. She knew that her mother was only trying to help her but still it was embarrassing for her.

Ami shot a sympathetic look at Usagi, she knew how hard her friend was struggling with her classes, she had tried to help out but her method of teaching had not been conducive to her friend's study. She knew everyone had a unique way of learning and it seemed that Usagi hadn't found someone who could teach her in the way she needed.

"Usagi's mom is looking for a tutor for Usagi." Rei said softly as she watched her friend's face flush in embarrassment."

"Rei…" Makoto said, her voice expressing displeasure that Rei had divulged something that made Usagi uncomfortable.

"Don't Rei me, Makoto, I'm saying this because maybe Unazuki knows someone who might be able to help Usagi. You know how hard it is to find the right kind of tutor. Usagi needs someone who can really help and not someone who will treat her horribly." Rei's eyes were filled with concern as she glanced at Usagi but then she swung her violet eyes towards Unazuki. "Do you know someone who could help?" Rei's voice was slightly pleading.

It was a tone that Unazuki was sure Rei hadn't realized that she was using. However, she knew why, these three girls revolved around Usagi almost like she was their sun. She had seen how they would adjust their schedules to accommodate Usagi, whether it was study sessions or outings. Unazuki was lost in her thoughts.

"It's okay if you don't know anyone, Unazuki, mom is asking her friends if they know any tutors. Dad, is also asking his coworkers, it's kind of embarrassing really that now so many of their friends know how bad my grades are." Tears shimmered in her eyes at the thought of so many people knowing this.

"Give me a minute. I have someone in mind but I need to make sure it's okay with them before I give you their information." Unazuki said as she walked towards the telephone in the manager's office.

Once Unazuki shut the door behind her she called the Crown Arcade. "Motoki?" She asked as the other line picked up.

"Yes. Unazuki is that you? Why didn't you come downstairs?"

"I can't at the moment, Is Mamoru in the arcade."

There was a brief silence as she was sure her brother had left the office to check. When suddenly there was a new voice on the line, "Hello, Unazuki? Motoki said you were looking for me?" Mamoru's voice came through.

"Ah. Yes… Mamoru how would you feel about having a chance to sway your lovely Usagi's affections."

"How do you mean?"

Unazuki was almost positive that Mamoru was blushing at her slight ribbing. "Usagi needs a tutor, her mother is looking for one for her." Unazuki could already see the wheels turning and suddenly stopping in Mamoru's face.

"So what exactly are you saying?"

"Mamoru, I've seen your school uniform, I know you go to Moto Azabu High School. Plus Asanuma has told me that if you were considered number two in your grades at school then no one could be seen as number one."

"I don't know Unazuki. Tutoring Usagi means being in close proximity to her."

"Which means that you have an extra chance to be able to help her dispel the notion she has of you being a jerk. Gives you an extra boost that when she actually finds out you are her secret admirer she won't run in the other direction." Unazuki decided to give him an extra initiative, "How would you feel if her parents got her another tutor and if he was a guy… well we know how beautiful Usagi is… would you really like to give her a chance to develop feeling for someone other than you?"

"That was low Unazuki." Mamoru's voice dropped a couple octaves as concern laced his tone.

"It is the truth though. What do you say Mamoru? Can I give them your contact information?"

"...Yes…" Mamoru's voice came out faintly.

"Good. This will be your chance to change her idea of you. Work hard Mamoru." Unazuki giggled as she hung up the phone, she was sure Mamoru was probably just as red as Usagi had been a while ago.

Unazuki took a piece of paper and wrote down Mamoru's information but instead of using his full name she used his surname Chiba hoping it would throw off Usagi. She walked out to find that only Ami had stayed behind. "Where are the other girls?"

"Ah… as you can tell by Usagi's mood she's not really doing so good today. Rei and Makoto took her shopping hoping to lift her spirits." Ami said as she put away her book. "What did the person you have in mind say?"

"They said they were willing to tutor her." Unazuki handed the paper over to Ami, "You think you can deliver this to Usagi's mom?"

Ami glanced at the piece of paper with suspicion. "Why is there no first name?"

Unazuki smiled of course she wouldn't be able to get anything past Ami, "The tutor I have in mind is Mamoru."

"Mamoru, why would you think he would be the best fit? I am not sure about this."

"Motoki has told me that Mamoru regularly tutors other students, his grades are top of his class.

"I feel like this is mixing oil and water."

"It's a job for Mamoru, he wont be mean to her. Besides who better to help her, think about it maybe by her sheer desire to one up him her grades will improve."

Ami still looked doubtful but then she conceded, "Who knows maybe this will work. Her grades can't get any worse that's for sure. I'll take it to her mom, I don't want Usagi to get wind of who her potential tutor might be." She gathered her back and slipped the paper inside it and left the Fruit Parlor.

Unazuki let out the breath that she had been holding. She was glad that Ami seemed to agree with her way of thinking and hoped that she had waylaid any suspicions Ami had. "You owe me big time if this works Mamoru…" Unazuki whispered as she went about her work routine.