Usako_mamoru 3rd anniversary challenge 2009
Day 9: Carols
By Natsudori Lina
Once a year, usually in the summer months, the Crown Arcade sponsored a charitable venture. The method changed annually, as did the chosen recipient, but customers had never complained before. How nice, they thought, that the Crown wants to give back to the community. How nice it is that the owners are so giving, so sweet.
But the philanthropy had never been "Cut the Carols" before.
On June 25th, Motoki donned an elf's cap and a cycle of the most irritating Christmas carols he could think of was put on loop. 'Christmas Don't Be Late,' 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer,' and 'Wonderful Christmastime' were only a few of the gems he'd dug up.
"Cut the Carols!" the oversized blonde elf bellowed, ringing a bell and grinning maniacally. "500 yen stops the music for 5 minutes!"
Mamoru cradled his head with both hands and tried to block out the music with his elbows. "Motoki," he ground out through gritted teeth. "I will give you five hundred thousand yen if you will turn that crap off for the rest of the day."
Motoki shot him a grin and plunked coffee down before him. Mamoru sipped gratefully. "Can't do it, Mamoru-kun. I don't know how much money I'll make without your contribution. Who's to say I'm not doing the Children's Hospital a disservice by accepting?"
"You're doing my eardrums a disservice by refusing."
"Ah," Motoki said with a smirk, pointing towards the double glass doors. "But I'm doing your eyes a favor."
Mamoru turned to see Usagi bounce in, doing her best to tug down the skirt that was doing nothing to cover her long, loooong legs. The skirt was pink velvet, lined with white fur and she was also wearing a matching tank top and Santa hat.
"Where did you want me to collect donations, Motoki-san?" she chirped. He pointed to the arcade area. Her blue eyes narrowed as she shot Mamoru a disdainful look in greeting. "Baka," Usagi said coolly.
Mamoru stared wordlessly.
"Oookay," she said, turning to Motoki. Her pigtails flew. "I'm a little weirded out… Motoki-san, did the Baka finally go mute?"
"No, Usagi-chan," Motoki said solemnly. "He just got a serious shock."
"Oh." She cast him a sympathetic look and laid a tentative hand on his shoulder. Mamoru's eyebrows shot up and he straightened his spine. "I hope everything's alright Baka-san. Just listen to the music! Cheer up!" She swished her hips to the beat of the music. "Fa la la la la, la la la la," she sang under her breath, moving to her assigned station.
Mamoru's eyes remained trained on the petite blonde. Her hips were still moving in time with the music as she began to ring a bell and take up Motoki's war cry. "Motoki," Mamoru croaked. "I will pay double any donation as long as you do not shut that off."
Motoki handed him earplugs, which Mamoru gratefully accepted. "Had a feeling you'd change your tune."
"Shut up."
"You're welcome."
Mamoru ignored him, choosing instead to put the earplugs in. "Please, Christmas," he murmured, still watching Usagi. "Don't be late."