Motoki was wiping down the counter when he heard Mamoru mumble, "I need to clear my head."
The clerk nodded in acknowledgement. Apparently this was satisfactory to Mamoru, as he slid off his stool and exited the arcade, presumably to get some fresh air.
Motoki was just finishing with his task when a flurry of giggles caught his attention. Looking up suspiciously, his eyes fell upon Usagi, whispering to Mina and eyeing Mamoru's deserted textbook. Before he could even open his mouth, Usagi was wrapping her arms around the heavy book and tumbling clumsily off her stool. Mina laughed as she watched her friend run past rows of games, heading to the back of the building.
Motoki was just starting to grin when Mamoru came in. Alerted by Mina's laughter, Motoki's smile, and the absence of Usagi, Mamoru's eyes fell on the empty stretch of counter which his textbook had previously occupied and put two and two together.
"ODANGO!" he yelled, starting to chase after Usagi. As he tore around a corner, he hit his knee on the corner of a game and howled in pain. The sound of Usagi, giggling madly, filled the air.
Motoki cracked up, and by now, Mina was laughing so hard she was gasping for air. A few minutes passed, the sounds of pursuit faded, and silence fell upon the arcade.
Mina and Motoki shared a quizzical look, then Mina asked, "You wanna go look for them?"
"Yes," Motoki said firmly, patting the pockets of his apron to make sure he had his keys. They searched methodically through each row and aisle, in every nook and cranny. They reached the back of the arcade, and Motoki wondered if Mamoru and Usagi had left. There was no way the both of them could be this quiet. They came upon the storage room, the last place to look.
Raising a finger to her lips in a signal to keep quiet, Mina gently moved the paper taped to the door aside, revealing the small window set in the wood.
Motoki's jaw dropped at the sight that met his eyes.
Usagi and Mamoru, kissing against the wall. The errant textbook lay abandoned on the floor.
Smiling widely, Mina took Motoki's sleeve in her fingers and dragged him back to the counter. Perching once more on her stool, she said happily, "Took them long enough."
"Agreed," Motoki grinned, his shock fading. "Let's enjoy the peace and quiet while we still can."
For knowing Usagi and Mamoru, it wouldn't last long.