T-Minus Four Days

A/N: I hope what you're looking for is dreadfully cheesy, dorky, and out of character Mamoru as you prep yourself for the Valentine's Day season. Cause that's what I'm looking for. Please enjoy!

. . .

I peer over my friend's shoulder and look at the mess of cardstock and glitter he's made all over the counter. Several drafts of cards scatter the cool surface-his newest attempt currently being held up to the light of the arcade. He watches the glitter reflect under the flourescent lights before sighing. Tossing the card aside. Starting again.

"Mamoru-san, you know Valentine's Day is a girl's day, right?" I point out, my lips pulling into a smirk as the guy in question flinches and turns his attention to me with narrowed eyes.

His jaw sets and he sets the cardstock down carefully. I have to stifle a laugh. "I know that."

Even as he continues his stare down with me, it's obvious his heart isn't into it. His heart is in...whatever it is he's doing with that cardstock and glitter. I nod, trying to appear as sagely as possible-as if Mamoru isn't about ten times smarter than me. "Then you should know that you shouldn't be worrying about trying to woo Usagi-chan for another month." My voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper. "That is if Usagi decides you're good enough to offer chocolates."

Shock crosses his face and in the moment I see it before he turns away, I feel bad. Maybe I crossed a line? Tossing the towel in my hand down to the clean part of the counter, I sit carefully on the stool beside him.

"Did you know in other cultures both males and females celebrate Valentine's Day?" Mamoru whispers, pulling a finger through the glitter that has taken a new home on the white surface. "It's considered a couple's day. A day for budding relationships. A day for old relationships."

"A day to confess to the girl you've been teasing for months that you actually love her?"

His face tightens and his finger ceases its trail. He was halfway through a heart. "It's stupid, isn't it?"

I don't know what it is-I think it's seeing the ever-great, ever popular Mamoru Chiba all down in the dumps. Here's a guy in love and I have the audacity to stomp all over his feelings. Especially when I do know about Usagi's plan for Valentine's day. I sigh and awkwardly lift an arm to pat him on the back. "It's not stupid, Mamoru-san. It's actually...kind of..." I practically choke on the word. "Sweet."

Mamoru looks up, his eyes dazzling in the same sort of wonder that he normally gets when he's talking about Usagi-chan. If he ever had the audacity to ask-she talks about him with the same look on her face.

"Really?"

I smile and nod. Pushing myself up from the counter, careful to avoid the red glitter that spills out all over the surface. I fail. Reika is going to have a lot of questions tonight. "I'm positive."

The look on my best friend's face lets me know that I did the right thing. Thank god. If I had to nurse a broken-spirits Mamoru tonight, I would probably need a drink. Or two. I elbow him as I make my escape and look back just in time to see his surprised face.

"Gotta hurry up, though. You only have 4 days left!"

And with that, Mamoru dives back into his card project. Or whatever it is he's working on. This time, he's not groaning in frustration.

He's humming with happiness.

~TBC~

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