Disclaimer: The SM Cast is not, and never will be my property.

AN: To be honest when I started writing this chapter I'd intended to publish it in a week or so. I didn't get as many reviews as I'd like to. But it was such fun to write! Also! I'd like to encourage you guys to tell me what's wrong with the story. Oftentimes I can't see my own mistakes. As always you're welcome to compliment as well!

Coffee Princess

Fourth Cup

"Rei-Chan!" Usagi said breathlessly as she ran into Coffee Princess. "I'm so sorry! I had to make a trip to the dry cleaner's, then I had to stop off for lunch, then I had to eat it and on the way here there was traffi-" Two fingers on her lips cut off the remaining flurry of excuses. "My shift was over an hour ago, Tsukino." Rei's violet eyes narrowed in the direction of the silent girl. "Look!" Usagi said, already becoming erratically defensive. "I said I was sorry!" Before the fight that was brewing could begin, the phone rang and Usagi took the opportunity to escape.

It was true that they hadn't been unusually busy that morning, but the girl's constant tardiness was grating. In a gesture betraying her frustration Rei rubbed her temples just as Ami meandered in through the swing doors that separated the employee area from the rest of the building. The tension in the air did not go unnoticed and ever-vigilant, Ami offered Rei a comforting smile. "Would you like to have dinner together? My shift is over in a few hours." Grinning, the former shrine maiden motioned towards their garb. "Where in Japan are we going to find a place that'll let us walk in like this?"

Minako had completed her latest costume creation and the girls were dressed in the flowing organza gowns of planetary goddesses. "Why don't you head home and I'll change here? We can meet up at…" With a giggle the two began making their plans for later in the night. This left Usagi and Minako to serve while Makoto worked fervently to prepare the drinks as quickly as they were ordered.

"Oh, Mako-Chan." Ami called out absently as headed to the front to ring up some customers. "I forgot I had to stay late to help you with the interview, today. I've promised to have dinner with Rei. Will you be all right by yourself?"

"Since Odango over here was late today, I volunteer her to stay past her shift to help out," Rei said. Usagi sent a glare to the raven haired girl. "Figures you'd hold something little like that against me. It's not my fault I had to take the angel costume to the dry cleaner's! I couldn't have gotten those stains out myself, all right?" Before the curious glances of her companions could be answered the bell signaling more customers rang and they each parted ways to complete their respective tasks.

The rest of the day went on quickly. They had decided to close two hours early in order to give themselves time to clean up and interview the potential barista. Trying to stop Usagi from complaining, Minako opted be the one to stay late. This ended up being more trouble than it was worth; after some particularly klutzy moments Usagi was sent home and Minako still hadn't changed when the bell rang again.

To say that Mamoru was nervous would have been a grossly incalculable understatement. In the past Mamoru's gender neutral name, toned legs and fine bone structure had been a point of contention for him. Now it was those two things that were saving his fiscal life. Motoki and Unazuki had given him a brief pep talk, assuring him that he would easily pass the interview so long as he remembered to "act the part." At one point he considered backing out altogether, but thinking of the mailbox full of bills at home was a motivating factor if there ever was one. Picking up the purse which Unazuki had let him borrow, he gave himself one last glance in the mirror.

When he had first seen himself, a part of his male ego didn't want to admit that he could pull off such a convincing transformation. But there it was staring him in the face. His hair was still black, but went past his thighs in one smooth length, save for fringy bangs draped across his forehead. Unazuki had carefully crafted a pair of fake "assets" and he adjusted them under his black turtleneck. Trying not to let Motoki's indiscreet snort bother him, he gave his legs (highlighted by a purple pencil skirt) and heels once last look. A pair of non-prescription green contacts completed the illusion and, apparently, really went well with his skin tone. Inhaling deeply he grabbed his borrowed purse, résumé, and began the harrowing drive to the address which Motoki had jotted down for him.

He practiced his feminine voice on the way and had to force himself to abstain from the chocolate covered espresso beans "the angel" had given him the night before. They were over-roasted, but only by a few minutes. The dipping had been done skillfully and he had become delighted with them instantly. It was with a jolt that he realized that the direction printed on the bag of the espresso beans matched the one in which he was headed. At once he made up his mind to be hired there. If nothing else, maybe he could score a few more bags of the addictive treats. The thought that he wanted to see "the angel" again crossed his mind, but was banished with an ardent sense of pride. No. It was the coffee that he was interested in. Not a girl.

Maybe it was the anxiety, but the sound of the bell ringing at his entrance startled him and he had to take a second to gather his senses before moving forward. When he saw her he wondered if he hadn't instead gathered a whole lot of insanity. The girl was glowing as she hopped around the seating area, dressed in gossamers of orange and yellow, humming pop songs and wiping tables. Her long blonde hair whipped around her and he was absolutely sure that the graceful creature was the one he had run in to the night before. She stopped mid twirl when she saw him and flashed him a dangerously flirty smile.

"Hiya!" She gave him a wink and he could feel the color rising to his cheeks. He was just about to shuffle over to flirt back when he realized who exactly he was supposed to be. "MAKO-CHAN!" The girl said, suddenly not as graceful or delicate as she had been a few seconds ago. "THE NEW GIRL IS HERE. GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE!" With a resumption of her humming the girl told him to take a seat and headed towards the back.

So there Mamoru sat, nervously crossing and uncrossing his legs. The girl from the night before had left him with a warm feeling he couldn't quite place but this time had been different. Had the electricity he'd felt when their hands had met been imaginary? "No. Nothing else matters.," He said, thinking out loud "Only the coffee."

Just then an Amazonian brunette took her seat in front of him and thrust her hand out in greeting. "Kino. Kino, Makoto. I'll be interviewing you today and I couldn't agree more. Let's begin."

AN: Hey all you invisible favorite-rs! Review!