T-Minus Two Days

A/N:Dear Harrtemis, yes! Usagi! Still playing from Motoki's POV because why not. But Usagi! *heart eyes* Hope everybody else who's somehow still clinging onto this is being at least somewhat entertained. Please Enjoy!

. . .

This was getting dreadfully out of hand.

First it was Mamoru creating a glittery mess on my counter. And now it's the blonde girl of his affections moping with her face pressed against the counter that I haven't quite been able to clean of Mamoru's attempts at card making. The result? A very sad, slightly glittery Usagi pouting as she refuses to touch the chocolate milkshake I slid over to her as soon as she sat down.

Screw it. I sigh and put down my trusty wash towel and trudge my butt over to where she sits. Soon enough this whole Valentine's ordeal will be over and things will go back to normal. Don't they know it's not fair to be all in love when Reika is on a business trip? "Usa-chan, are you ready for the big day?"

I'm met with only a long groan and I feel a bit of my resolve fading. Is this really the girl who I spent almost an hour with weeks earlier trying to convince her to tell me her plan? Who bubbled on and on about how she's finally going to do it. She's finally going to tell Mamoru about her feelings, she relished with a huge grin on her face.

For the next week she happily spun and laughed whenever the topic of Valentine's day was brought up to discussion. "It's a secret," she would whisper not so quietly to whomever had asked her the question.

When did it fall to this glumness?

Time to put on my overbearing friend pants that I thought I put away on Wednesday. "Usagi-chan, is everything okay?"

"I can't do it," moans a muffled, garbled voice, her bright blue eyes closing in frustration.

Are you kidding me? I run a hand through my hair and lean down over the counter so I can look her in the eyes whenever she decides to open them. "What do you mean," I whisper softly. "It's not that hard. Just go up to him and say: I love you, Mamoru! Would you accept these chocolates I slaved over just to give you?."

Another frustrated groan. Tears rush to the edge of her blonde eyelashes and I think I've managed to make things worse in her mind. "It's not that easy, Motoki!" She hisses, her blue eyes flying open. They shine with tears. Great. I messed up.

"I can't just go up to Mamoru and profess my love!" Her voice hiccups and she wipes at the tears beginning to make their way down her face.

If this was a TV show-Mamoru would have been behind her in the midst of her profession of love and he would dumbly stare at her before saying "I would never laugh at you" or some other equally nauseating cute thing. Then they would kiss and fall in love and I would call Reika and tell her to stay in Africa. I'm going to meet her there and live with her and pretend I didn't witness my two best friends maul each other's mouths in the middle of my grandfather's homely arcade.

But this isn't a TV show. Mamoru is safely tucked away at home, continuing in his frenzy of coming up with his "perfect plan" for Usagi on Valentine's Day. I take one thankful glance at the entrance, just to make sure the guy in question doesn't mysteriously show up before diverting my attention to the crying Usagi in front of me.

"Sure it's that easy, Us-ag-i-chan," I rebutt, trying my best to sound like a know-it-all-older brother. The sage friend works well with Mamoru-not so much with Usa. "In fact, that's exactly what I did with Reika after Mamoru introduced us and I realized how dreadfully I was in love." I laugh, thinking of the look of surprise on Reika's face when I marched right up to her and professed my feelings. "I said something like I can't stop thinking about you-please go on a date with me."

Usagi sniffs and glares at me. "Stop lying."

I'm about to hold up my hands and profess my trustworthiness when a voice interrupts me. My blood runs cold and I flinch as soon as I recognize the voice.

"I believe that was Reika's reaction to him, too," the voice laughs. Instantly I see the recognition and regret flit over her features. She whips around, not quite believing the sight in front of her. I mean, I don't blame her. I did say this wasn't a TV show. But this is some romantic comedy quality bullshit.

Because Mamoru Chiba stands behind her, a large smirk splayed over his face. The smile, however, flickers when he notices Usa's tear stained face. "Decided I was late and make her cry yourself, I see." His smile says it's a joke. But there are daggers in his eyes.

Furiously shaking my head, I open my mouth to refute his claim but Usagi beats me to the point. "N-No! I'm just..."She wipes quickly at her eyes and puts on one of her million yen smiles. "Being stupid, that's all." Her attention turns back to me, making sure Mamoru can't see her as she once again addresses me. "I'm gonna do it." Usagi takes a deep breath and nods at me in one quick motion. "I'm gonna do it. Just like I said I would."

It doesn't take much to feel the questioning gaze of Mamoru. I can't bring myself to look him in the eyes and lie about Usagi, though. Instead, I just nod at Usagi and pick up my cleaning towel. "Good," I remark, deciding it's an appropriate time to make my leave. I'm pretty close to intruding on Usagi and Mamoru time. No good.

Two more days, I remind myself as I walk away. Two more days. Then this is all over.

I hope.

~TBC~

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