9. Button
Sailor Raspberry
411 Words

She stared, dumbfounded, at the newest arcade game.

There were an array of colorful triggers, switches, and knobs, all who were flashing and beeping to the nth degree.

"How did I miss playing this game?" She wailed, dropping her black schoolbag to the floor and plopping noisily onto the stool in front of the machine. "Motoki-san is going to get it for not telling me," she mumbled with a scowl.

After depositing her silver coin, she rotated her shoulders a few times in preparation. This game was going down!

She leant forward, nose almost touching the screen, fingers poised carefully above the red button.

The screen flashed white briefly, and then a green, slimy monster flew down from the sky.

Usagi screeched, jumping away and clasping a hand over her heart.

There was an amused chuckle from directly behind, and she frowned. "You're distracting me, Mamoru-baka," she hissed, digging out another coin and pushing it forcefully through the slot.

Mamoru cocked an eyebrow as he watched her pull furiously at the handles, little fingers slamming down loudly on the buttons.

She wailed, pounding a fist down on the edge of the game. With a few muttered words, she began digging around in her pockets for another coin.

Her face adopted a defeated look, her form slouching back against the chair with an exaggerated sigh.

"Out of money, Odango?" Mamoru asked, approaching her and resting a hand against the back of her seat.

Usagi threw him a warning glance, and he chuckled.

She watched as he pulled a coin from his trousers and placed it into the slot. "Let me help you so I don't end up giving you all my money," he muttered, leaning across her shoulders and resting his palms atop her hands.

Usagi sucked in a quick breath, goose shivers trembling throughout her body as his hot breath tickled the sensitive skin of her neck.

"I can do it myself," she forced out as he began to lead her through the game's obstacles, her voice shaky and jumpy.

He laughed softly against her ear, eyelashes brushing across her temple. "Somehow, I highly doubt that."

Usagi felt a blush stain her cheeks, but she didn't pull her hands away. Gulping, she licked her lips, "He had better not die, or you're going to get it," she whispered, continuing to allow him to guide her hands across the buttons.

Needless to say, together, they were able to get past level 10.