Chapter 102: Something Better Than a Parfait

[The next song plays, a lot more up-tempo than the one before. Zoi is yanked from behind by his wrist and smiles to find himself chest to chest with Kunzite]

[They dance close.]

Zoi: Feeling better?

Kunzite: [terse] Not really.

Zoi: Don't be angry at Mamoru. He was just worried about me. It's nothing personal.

KunzIte: I'm not angry at him. But that doesn't mean he isn't irritating the hell out of me.

[Zoi pulls back to look at him. His voice is serious, but Zoi can detect a hint of a sly grin and a twinkle of merriment in his eyes.]

Zoi: Ooooh….[smiling as he strokes Kunzite's tie with one finger] Why's that?

Kunzite: First of all, he made me break my promise.

Zoi: [resting his cheek against Kunzite's chest and gazing up into his eyes] And what promise is that?

Kunzite: I promised myself I wouldn't let anyone steal you away from me tonight. And then that brazen rascal has the balls to poach you, right in front of his girlfriend.

Zoi: [heaves a heavy sigh and bats his eyes at him] Oh. Well, I forgive you.

Kunzite: Thanks, but there is something else.

Zoi: What's that?

Kunzite: [frowning deeply] He called you "pretty".

Zoi: So?

Kunzite: Saying you're "pretty" is practically an insult! You're beyond beautiful. Usagi is "pretty". You have the sort of beauty that makes random passerby's feel lucky to be alive, just because they got to catch a glimpse at someone like you.

Zoi: [giggles] You might be a little biased.

Kunzite: [grins] I don't think that's it. Besides, I have excellent taste. And eyesight.

Zoi: I know…I know… [winks] It's the dress, isn't it?

Kunzite: [looks Zoi over a bit] That dress does look good on you… but it'll look even better when I rip it off you and toss it on the floor.

[Zoi gasps in delighted outrage and Kunzite draws him close again and they continue dancing.]

[From a distance Umino watches them dance together, Zoi held very close to Kunzite, and both gazing at each other adoringly, as they twirl around the dance floor.]

Umino: Look at those two. They seem so happy together. It's like they fall a little more in love with each other every day.

[He wishes Naru would like him that much but he knows it's a lost cause. Even as they dance, she won't even bring herself to smile at him.]

Naru: [a bit cool, but still gracious and vulnerable] Thanks for asking me to dance.

Umino: I wasn't doing it to be nice.

Naru: [sighs] Yeah. I know.

[Naru's mood darkens and her face is an unflattering mix of gratitude, mild discomfort, and pity.]

Umino: [sadly] I'm sorry I'm not as cute as Neffy.

Naru: [Matter-of-factly] You're cute.

Umino: I am?

Naru: Yeah. Like really cute. One of the cutest boys in the school.

Umino: Really? …Then why do I always get the sense you're trying to avoid me?

Naru: Because I am always trying to avoid you.

Umino: Why? Because I'm too nice?

Naru: [clucks her tongue is disgust] Oh please. Not the 'I'm too nice' act. Every creep pulls the 'I'm too nice' act. It just makes you come off as even more of a creep.

Umino: I'm a creep?

Naru: Uh-huh.

Umino: Why do you say that?

Naru: Because you're creepy. You do weird things.

Umino: Huh? Like what?

Naru: Remember when we were in the fourth grade and I was I was collecting the Mermaid Princess Dolls out of the Happy Meals? And you went online and ordered all seven of them. Then you snuck into the school, broke into my locker and posed them all inside.

Umino: [smiles at the memory of one of his finest moments] Yeah, that was cool, wasn't it?

Naru: No, that wasn't cool. That was scary. It looked like something a serial killer might do… Why do you think I've gone out of my way to avoid being alone with you after that?

Umino: [lowers his head in shame] Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't realize…

Naru: Not to mention that the whole fun of collecting those dolls was in opening the box and seeing if I got a doll I didn't already have. In one day, you completely ruined it for me…And that wasn't even an isolated incident. Though if it had been, it would have been enough.

Umino: I just wanted to get your attention.

Naru: Oh. You have my attention… believe me…Of course, you act that way all the time, around ALL the cute girls, so I used to think you couldn't help it, because you're just a colossal spazz. But you seem to have no trouble pulling it together whenever Zoi's around.

[Naru's being harsh, but he can't help but feeling a tinge of joy because he detects a very strong undercurrent of jealousy]

Umino: Zoi's my friend.

Naru: [hurt] I thought I was your friend, too.

Umino: You are, but I feel comfortable around him. He treats me like a normal person. I don't get the sense he's constantly judging me.

Naru: Well, I wouldn't be judging you, if you'd stop acting weird.

[They face off, but then can't help but smile at each other]

Umino: You…really think I'm cute?

Naru: Yeah…

Umino: Cute enough to go have coffee with?

Naru: How about Friday?

[Umino smiles bashfully]

Naru: [holds out her hand] Let's make a fresh start. I'll try to forget all the weird stuff you've done in the past, if you try not to do anything weird in the future. Deal?

Umino: Deal.

[They shake on it, but when Naru's arm returns to her side, she seems puzzled by a lump in her handbag.]

Naru: What is in here?

[Naru screams as she reaches in and pulls out a necklace with an exquisite ruby pendant]

Naru: OH MY GOD! THE NECKLACE! THE NECKLACE! HE GAVE ME BACK THE NECKLACE! [hugs Umino] NEFFY'S THE BEST! HE REALLY DOES CARE ABOUT ME! OH MY GOD! I'VE GOT TO GET HOME!

[Umino is utterly confused as to what just happened as Naru goes sprinting off like a young gazelle]

Umino: [sighs] I guess she's just not that into me.

[Umino looks back to Zoi and Kunzite to see what they're up to and just catches sight of them as they stroll off together, out the door to the rose garden.