Chapter 13: Motoki, Motoki, Motoki…

[Scene: biology class. The lecture has already started ten minutes earlier, but Kunzite is sitting alone. He is tapping his pencil on the desk and glancing at the empty chair next to him. Occasionally he glances at the door. Eventually, he narrows his eyes at Neffy, who just gives him a shrug]

[Five minutes later the door flies open. Kunzite looks, and Zoi comes running in, sweaty and out of breath.]

Zoi: Sorry I'm late Mr. Tomoe. We were in the media center in the library studying for a test, and we lost track of time.

Mr. Tomoe: [pulls out his roll sheet] Tardy and disruptive. Go take your seat, Zoi, while I make a note of this in your attendance record.

[Zoi goes to his seat and gives Kunzite a quick grin. Kunzite gives him the cold shoulder.]

[Later, Zoi and Kunzite leave class at the same time for once]

Kunzite: Where were you today?

Zoi: What do you mean? I've been here at school all day.

Kunzite: You weren't in the cafeteria at lunch, and then you showed up fifteen minutes late to class.

Zoi: It sounds like you were worried.

Kunzite: I'm always worried.

Zoi: Like I said before, I was in the library with Umino. We have a big French test coming up so we were going over our flashcards. I guess we lost track of time.

Kunzite: You and Umino were off in the library talking to each other in French for nearly an hour?

Zoi: Correct.

Kunzite: I must be losing my mind.

Zoi: [looks at Kunzite] Why's that?

Kunzite: Because that shouldn't bother me nearly as much as it does.

Zoi: I take you are not a Francophile? [gives Kunzite a sly grin] Bonjour, Je m'appelle Zoi Midori. Je voudrais un café au lait , s'il vous plaît

Kunzite: [smiles] Stop that.

Motoki: Zoi. Can I have a word with you? [peers over each shoulder] In the faculty restroom?

Kunzite: [steps in front of Zoi] Why do you need to talk in the bathroom?

Motoki: [lowers his voice] I don't want Usagi or any of her friends overhearing us.

[Kunzite holds open the door and the three of them walk in. Motoki looks at the empty bank of urinals, then looks under the stalls for shoes. Kunzite is watching Motoki like a hawk. Motoki stares at Kunzite for a moment, then shrugs.]

Zoi: What's up, Motoki?

Motoki: I wanted to ask you something.

Zoi: What is it?

Motoki: Would you like to go with me to the Spring Dance?

[Zoi and Kunzite's jaws drop]

Zoi: Motoki, it's a Lady's Choice dance.

Motoki: Yes, I know, but since neither of us is a girl, I thought it would be ok for me to ask you.

Zoi: [gobsmacked] …I thought you had to work that day.

Motoki: That's just something I said to Usagi to let her down easy.

Zoi: *blinks*

Motoki: So how about it?

Zoi: Wouldn't Usagi get upset if she sees you there with me?

Motoki: [shrugs] I'll tell her that I got the day off at the last possible minute, and you're the only person I could find on such short notice.

Zoi: …I thought you liked her.

Motoki: I do like her. It's just that my girlfriend made me promise her I wouldn't go to any school dances with other girls. But she said nothing about other guys.

Zoi: …your girlfriend? Which girlfriend might that be?

Motoki: The one I live with.

[Zoi is going red in the face. Kunzite is just kicking back and enjoying the show]

Zoi: I take it she doesn't go to this school?

Motoki: She's already in college.

Zoi: This just gets better and better… Just so I'm clear: you have a live-in girlfriend, who goes to college, so you want to go to the dance with me instead of Usagi?

Motoki: [nods] Yes, exactly. It's not like they'll let me bring a twenty-eight year old.

[Zoi flushes. Kunzite has to cover his face with both hands to hide his laughter.]

Motoki: So how about it?

[Zoi punches Motoki in his good shoulder]

Motoki: Ow, what did you do that for?

Zoi: [so angry he can hardly speak] That was for Usagi! Because…you're…already in an adult relationship…with a grown woman…and you're letting Usagi carry your books around!

Motoki: Oh, don't worry, I already told my girlfriend all about the Usagi situation, and she's fine with it.

Zoi: Clearly, nobody has told Usagi!

Motoki: Why should anyone tell Usagi? It's not like I'm in a real relationship with her.

Zoi: I don't think Usagi realizes that!

Motoki: Oh, come on. Usagi's like a sister to me. Besides, she's too young for me. [chuckles] It's not like I'm some pervert who goes around dating fifteen year old freshmen.

Zoi: I'm a fifteen year old freshman!

Motoki: Yes, but for us it would be strictly platonic. A boys' night out. I wouldn't be looking to score with you.

Zoi: [facepalms]…I…really…thought you were a nice guy, Motoki.

Motoki: [confused by Zoi's outburst] I am a nice guy. So does this mean you aren't going with me to the Spring Dance?

Zoi: No!

Motoki: Why not?

Zoi: I'm taking a bus to Seattle that day!

Motoki: That's cool. [heads out the door] We still have prom.