Chapter 3

Usagi arrived at the arcade exactly at 6, and surprised her date. Motoki stood up and away from his seat in the booth, a smile on his lips, as she made her way toward them. Mamoru sat across from him. They'd been discussing their latest physics paper when his blond-haired friend had stopped mid-sentence. With a frown, Mamoru turned his head, and followed his gaze.

That's when his heart stopped.

A blue cornflower dress clung to her tiny body, hugged her breasts, and cinched at her waist before flowing freely just past her knees. White strappy heels laced halfway up her calf, giving her a few inches. A silver heart locket lay around her neck with a bracelet on her wrist to match. She wore light makeup that highlighted the natural beauty of her eyes, cheeks and lips.

She was stunning.

"You look gorgeous!" Motoki praised when she reached them, as he eyed Usagi appreciatively. The motion didn't pass over Mamoru and he glared in response. She smiled at the compliment. "Doesn't she look beautiful, Mamoru?" Motoki asked his friend, elbowing him in the ribs. Mamoru's eyes widened at being put on the spot and his breath caught in his throat. He looked toward his friend as Motoki tilted his head to Usagi, expecting an answer. Mamoru quickly concealed his shock with a look of indifference, stood, and crossed his arms.

"I guess you clean up all right, Odango." He sneered with forced nonchalance. Motoki rolled his eyes, and Usagi sighed with disappointment and turned her attention back onto her date.

"You look great too, 'Toki." She responded softly with a dazzling smile. Motoki blushed a little, which caused Mamoru to roll his eyes.

Motoki wore a pair of khakis and a white button up shirt. His hair was slightly gelled and dressy shoes donned his feet. He was very handsome.

"The necklace isn't mine," she said, as if it needed explaining. She touched the heart and looked down at it. "Minako let me borrow it."

"I didn't think it looked like something you would wear, but it is very pretty," Motoki commented, picking her necklace up from around her neck and looking it over before letting it drop back onto her chest. Usagi smiled and blushed again, as she nibbled her bottom lip.

"So…what's the plan?" Mamoru asked through gritted teeth. Usagi and Motoki both looked at him with confusion before Motoki turned back to Usagi, telling her the answer.

"I thought we could go get something to eat and then maybe go to the amusement park?" He asked hopefully. Beside him, Mamoru stiffened. Usagi lit up, her blue eyes widening with excitement.

"That sounds fantastic!" She said excitedly. Motoki grinned at her enthusiastic response, and Mamoru rolled his eyes again.

"That little Italian place by the park sound good to you?" He suggested, and she nodded with excitement.

"Isn't that place a little expensive for a first date?" Mamoru spat venomously. Usagi rolled her eyes, and Motoki's head snapped up to him, his eyes wide with shock. Mamoru shrugged indifferently. "I'm just saying. Kinda makes it look like you're trying too hard." Motoki's jaw dropped at his friend's audacity.

Usagi huffed and moved to link her arm with Motoki's. She looked up, a gentle smile on her features. "I think it sounds lovely," she said softly. He smiled back down at her.

"Let's get going," he said. She nodded with agreement. "Bye, Mamoru," he waved to his tall friend. Mamoru gave a flick of his wrist in response and annoyance as he watched the two leave.

Internally, Motoki was laughing. He had expected a response from Mamoru but not quite to that extent. Trying too hard? Really? What a rude thing to say! And to his own friend! Motoki wasn't quite expecting that.

He was enjoying the spark of anger and jealousy that seemed to be emanating from his best friend. Maybe this could actually work! He would have to admit that Minako was right. There would be no living this one down.

He looked down to Usagi as they walked down the sidewalk. Suddenly, he felt extremely guilty. What happened if Usagi did fall for him instead of realizing her feelings for Mamoru? What if Mamoru admitted his feelings to her and Usagi has fallen for him instead of his best friend? How hurt would Usagi be when she found out all of this was a ruse? That Motoki was using her to try and get his two best friends together? He suddenly felt sick.

They reached the restaurant and Motoki seriously considered telling Usagi the truth. He would wait until dessert, when she would be at her happiest. It would be easier to give her this news when she was eating something sweet.

"Table for two?" The hostess asked.

"Please," Motoki answered.

"Right this way." She led them to a private table in the back and sat them down with menus. Motoki pulled out Usagi's chair for her, like a gentleman should. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"We will take two glasses of your best sweet wine," Motoki smiled. The hostess nodded with a smile and left. Usagi looked around in wonder.

"Mamoru was right. This place is fancy shmancy." She said.

"Fancy shmancy, huh?" Motoki laughed.

She giggled and blushed slightly. "This isn't too much?" She questioned. He smiled sweetly at her.

"It's perfect," he answered. Her blush deepened and she looked down at her menu. Motoki decided then that he would enjoy this date while it lasted.

They ordered their food, Usagi generously did not pick the most expensive thing on the menu, spoke animatedly about random things, as they laughed at each other's jokes and commented on mutual experiences and stories. Things were going great and they both seemed to be having a great time.

After dessert was ordered, Motoki prepared himself to reveal the truth. "Usagi," he started slowly. "I have something I need to confess." He took a deep breath, as Usagi took a bite of her chocolate cake.

She smiled knowingly. "That you're using me to make someone jealous?" She asked nonchalantly and took another bite of her cake. "This is so delicious! Want a bite?" She exclaimed and Motoki choked on his drink and looked at her with a shocked expression on his face.

"What?!" he choked, sputtering hoarsely in disbelief.

She glanced up at him, startled by his reaction. "Isn't that what you were about to tell me?" She questioned and tilted her head to the side with confusion. "That you just took me out on this date to make someone jealous?"

Motoki was speechless. "How…who…I don't…" He stammered, and forcibly swallowed around the lump of embarrassment that lodged in his throat.

Usagi laughed and arched an amused golden brow as she took a sip of her drink. "Minako told me," she confessed, her eyes glinting conspiratorially. Her date's eyes grew to an unimaginable size as the blood drained from his face. "It's okay, 'Toki." She reassured and reached for his hand across the table. "I don't mind at all."

"You don't mind?" he muttered, astonished. Was she interested in making Mamoru jealous? He wondered in disbelief as he studied her face.

She graced him with a dazzling smile and nodded. "This will be fun!" She proclaimed brightly and took her hand back.

It felt like he couldn't breathe; he was so confused. "Fun?" He murmured, slack-jawed, and eyes wide with disbelief.

Usagi blinked, long lashes fluttering as she watched him closely. "I mean, I know how much you love Reika…"

What? "Reika?" He was completely confused now.

"…And you two really are meant to be together. And if I can somehow help by pretending to be your girlfriend and making her jealous, I'm all in!" She sounded extremely excited as she took another bite of her cake.

"Reika…" he pondered. He truly hadn't thought about how this would affect his beautiful ex. He did indeed desperately want her back. Could this plan work with Reika, too?

"Motoki," she spoke softly, drawing his attention back to her as she took his hand again. "This will work. I promise," she reassured with firm conviction and a comforting smile.

He swallowed nervously underneath her innocent stare. "Usagi…" he trailed off, uncertain how to proceed. Minako had clearly come up with a different way to keep Usagi in the dark, though the infuriating blonde had clearly forgotten to keep him in the loop.

"I wish you would have told me instead of keeping it a secret," she scolded with frown, though it quickly melted away and was replaced with another bright smile. "But I understand," she said, and comfortingly squeezed his hand. Motoki returned her smile and linked his hand with hers that was already grasping his.

"Thank you, Usagi," he said with a genuine sincerity for his blonde-haired Odangoed girl, whose tender heart made her such an amazing friend.

"It's true..." came a soft voice from beside them. Usagi and Motoki both turned to see the subject of their conversation, Reika, standing in the middle of the restaurant with a shocked expression on her delicate facial features. Out of instinct, Motoki automatically jerked his hand away from Usagi's and stood abruptly, nearly sending his chair skidding backward.

"Reika?" He breathed in disbelief, his heart racing at the sight of her. "What are you doing here?"

"You really are on a date with Usagi?" she asked, pain laced the tone of her voice. Usagi looked between the two as they stared at each other. "Mamoru called…"

"Mamoru?" Motoki asked, his eyes widening with surprise. It couldn't be. His best friend wouldn't really run to his ex like this, would he?

"He said you were seeing someone new already, but..." she trailed off, her mouth opened then closed soundlessly. She seemed at a loss for words.

"Reika...listen..." Motoki started, his tone apologetic as he took a tentative step towards her.

Reika took a step back in tandem with his step forward. "No," she insisted, and straightened up as she brushed off her shirt as if adjusting her attitude with her clothes. "It's fine, 'Toki." She smiled a forced smile. "I'm really happy for you." She turned to Usagi and took a deep breath. "Hey, Usagi." Usagi waved timidly, clearly feeling super uncomfortable. Reika quickly glanced back at Motoki. "See you later, Motoki." With that, she spun on her heels and waltzed out of the restaurant.

Motoki stood, rooted in place as he stared at the spot that she'd been standing in with dismay. He felt dizzy, pale and sick to his stomach.

Usagi stood and made her way around the table, lightly placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Go after her, 'Toki," she murmured gently. "It's okay." Motoki stood still for a moment longer before looking at Usagi. Her sweet smile pulled him from his daze.

He could go after her. Seeing him with Usagi may have been enough to convince her that they could work things out. But this mission was supposed to be about Usagi and Mamoru; not him and Reika. He desperately wanted to get his two best friends together. His brows drew together in a contemplative frown. Reika would understand.

She had to.

Motoki took a shaky breath, turned, made his way back to the table and sat back down. He gestured for Usagi to rejoin him. She took her seat slowly, and an uncomfortable silence echoed around them.

Motoki took a deep, cleansing breath before looking up from his plate at Usagi and offering her a hesitant smile. "Ready for the amusement park?" He questioned softly.

She frowned, chewed her lower lip nervously as worry flashed through sapphire blue eyes. "Motoki, we really don't have to-"

"Yes, we do," he interrupted her, a little louder than he'd meant to. He looked away and took another deep breath. After a moment, he looked back to her and smiled again. "We do have to," he replied calmly. "I promised you a fun date. That's what we're going to have."

Usagi shook her head in confusion, "But if this plan was to get Reika back, I think you should go after her now. This might be your chance," Usagi insisted. Motoki smiled a genuine smile at her. Usagi was always thinking of someone else, even if it ruined her night.

"If it's going to happen, it will happen later. Tonight is about us." He called the waiter over to get the check and Usagi felt herself blush slightly at his remark. He really was a sweetheart.

Motoki paid for their meal and led Usagi out of the restaurant with a hand on the small of her back. Men around the restaurant were eyeing his date up and down. As her friend, he suddenly felt very protective.

He led her to the car, opened the door for her like a true gentleman. She smiled gratefully as she climbed in. He closed the door and walked around to hop into the driver's seat and headed for the amusement park.

The rest of the night was spent riding rides and playing games. Motoki won Usagi a stuffed penguin and she won him a goldfish. He, in turn, gave the goldfish to a little girl who didn't get one. The kind gesture warmed Usagi's heart.

As the night ended, Motoki drove Usagi back to her apartment. When they pulled up, he jumped out of the driver's seat to open her door. Usagi smiled. Always the gentleman.

He walked her to the front door of her apartment complex where he could see the doorman that would make sure she made it into the elevator to her floor. He always wanted his best friend safe.

Usagi turned to face him, a smile on her lips. "This was so much fun, Motoki. Thank you for a wonderful night," she said warmly, as she grinned, cheeks flushed with pleasure.

He smiled back, a slight roll of his eyes as he joked, "It was only fun because that kid spewed on the Ferris wheel earlier onto that other kid below him." He chuckled as he remembered the event from the amusement park. Usagi covered her mouth as she laughed, bending over just slightly.

"Oh my God, that poor kid!" She laughed. Motoki smiled at her giggles. "His face..." she said before mimicking the kid covered in puke. She snorted in her laughter, causing her to laugh even more. After a few moments, she calmed down, wiped the tears from her eyes. "Oh man, that was priceless." She looked back up at Motoki, took a deep breath and smiled at him. "I'd like to do this again," she said sincerely.

"I would too, Usagi." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you at the arcade tomorrow." She nodded, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. "Goodnight, Usagi."

"Goodnight," she replied and headed into her complex.

From inside, the doorman looked to Motoki and gave him a slight nod. Motoki returned the gesture and headed to his car, a smile on his face.

From the street, an onlooker kept a close watch on the two as they parted ways. He sighed deeply as the girl entered her building after receiving a kiss on the cheek from his friend. Running a hand through his messy black hair, he wondered to himself what he was even doing here. Angry at himself for turning into a sneaky spy, he spun on his heels and headed home.

oOo

Sorry I went MIA there for a few weeks. I had to have surgery and recovery time took much longer than expected. I hope I didn't make your wait time too bad! Please let me know how you're liking this fic by reviewing. Writers love reviews!

Thank you, once again, to my amazing, beautiful, talented bae-tas! Beej88 and Revy679. I couldn't write this without their support…and also their fixing of my story. Hehe

Please take the time to go read Beej88's fic It's Always Been You.

And if you are a Gundam Wing fan like I am, you MUST go read Revy679's story Resurrection.

Both of these ladies have writing abilities like you wouldn't believe. If you support me, please support them. They are my very best friends and deserve so much support and fan base.

One more thing, our joint group, Elite SquadB, just posted the second half of our Wonderland chapter for What Dreams May Come. Please let us know if you're liking it! We have many more chapters in the works!

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Oh, oh! Seriously, one more thing. I'm looking for an artist to draw Elite SquadB a specific kind of picture. If you can draw, please pm me for more details!