Hope you all enjoy my Christmas drabble!
# 22: Christmas
He spun around in his stool to survey the Crown Arcade. Its spicy green Christmassy scent assaulted his senses. Motoki seemed to be intent upon instilling everyone with the Christmas spirit. There were plastic snowmen, holly wreaths, little icicle lights, and even some fake snow spread on the floor in strategic places. The problem with these little snow banks was that any customer who happened upon them was floored. Literally.
Mamoru's ocean-blue gaze glided over his surroundings. Then his eyes stopped at a certain someone and it was as if a flare had gone up in his head. A smile that would have put the Cheshire Cat to shame spread across his handsome face. In a few moments he'd walked to a corner of the Arcade and halted in front of Usagi's booth.
She was busily writing something in a spiral notebook, tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. She was so engrossed in her task, that she didn't even notice Mamoru standing in front of her.
The man's eyebrows went up. Since when was Usagi so absorbed in homework that she didn't even pay him any heed? Curiously, he bent down to read what she was writing and his dark head bumped with her fair one.
"Mamoru-baka!" Usagi screamed.
"My Christmas Wish List," Mamoru read calmly. "Now let's see what Odango wants for Christmas. A new brain, perhaps?" His hand went out to detach the paper from the notebook and read it properly. Like lightning, Usagi yanked the notebook away and held it to her chest as if it were a lifeline.
She was too late. In his hand, Mamoru already held the coveted piece of paper and was reading it aloud.
"A life-sized, fluffy pink bunny. Don't want to know what you're going to do with that."
Usagi made a sound of rage and grabbed at the list. Mamoru simply held it higher, far out of her grasp.
"Two: Special Platinum Edition of "Sailor V's Victory" with Outtakes. You're cultured you are, Odango."
"Mamoru-baka!"
"Three: a...cat muzzle? Is there even such a thing? What on Earth are you doing to your cat for her to need a muzzle? She's a quiet little thing, unlike her mistress."
Shows what you know, thought Usagi.
"So these are Odango's desires, eh?" Mamoru said, having come to the end of the short list. "Well, being that you've been so naughty, you're not going to—"
He was interrupted by a hand snatching the paper away. Usagi tucked it into her navy blue coat pocket. "For your information, Mamoru, I am going to get what I wish for. All you're getting, on the other hand, is a lump of coal."
With that dire prediction, Usagi flounced out of the Arcade. Outside, the wintry wind whipped her ponytails and brought an intense flush to her cheeks. She had her notebook clutched in her hands, and slowly, she opened it to the first page.
My Real Christmas Wish List
1. Mamoru
2. Mamoru with a red bow on his head
3. Mamoru underneath a gigantic sprig of mistletoe
4. A cat muzzle (still)
5. Mamoru in a sparkly green box
Merry Christmas everyone!