[Scene: Honors English shortly before class. Zoi decided if Mamoru came back to school he wouldn't have to keep his promise to Usagi. Unfortunately, Mamoru wasn't back in school.]

Zoi: [to Umino] Have you seen Mamoru today?

Umino: From a distance.

Zoi: A distance?

Umino: They were standing on the road near my house this morning before school. I tried to follow them…he was with Ami. I know they saw me, but they turned and disappeared into the trees…I don't think they were alone. I think they were with Minako and her gang.

Zoi: So Minako did get him to join her cult, after all. Even though they wanted nothing to do with one another.

Umino: You knew about that?

Zoi: Mamoru told me about it. Before.

Umino: [nods] Before.

Zoi: Mamoru's as bad as the others now?

Umino: Never leaves Minako's side.

Zoi: And is he acting upset?

Umino: [nods vigorous] He is completely freaked out. What do you think it is? Drugs or something?

Zoi: I can't see Mamoru getting involved with anything like that.

Umino: Me neither. But it is definitely something. Mamoru hasn't been himself lately.

[Later that evening. Zoi approaches the door of the Chiba apartment.]

[He narrows his eyes to dim his human sight and switch to thermal sensing. He can make out shifting red blobs near ceiling that make up the light fixtures, as well as a human shaped orange and yellow blob typing at a computer next to a mug that is glowing red. There are no other human shapes in the apartment.]

[Zoi rings the doorbell and waits. The blob rises and goes to the door, its face pressed to the peephole. Then it turns around and walks softly back to the computer and resumes typing.]

[Zoi grins and rings the doorbell enough times to be annoying.]

[The figure rushes from the computer and yanks the door open without unlatching the security chain.]

Aunt Sue: [frowning through the crack in the door] What do you want?

Zoi: [smiles angelically] I'm here to see Mamoru.

Aunt: [terse] I'm sorry, Zoi. He's not in.

Zoi: What a shock. Do you know where he is?

Aunt Sue: He's out with a friend.

Zoi: [cock one eyebrow] Oh, yeah? Anyone I know?

[Aunt Sue doesn't respond]

Zoi: …Like Motoki?

Aunt Sue: [uneasy] No. I don't think he's with Motoki today.

Zoi: Usagi?

Aunt Sue: Yeah, he's with Usagi.

Zoi: That's funny. Because it was Usagi who sent me over here. She said you won't let her talk to him either.

Aunt Sue: I'll have him call you when he gets in.

[She tries to close the door but Zoi blocks it with his foot.]

Zoi: Oh, well. I'm glad he's feeling better. Last I heard, you wanted me to stop calling him over and over and over again while he's bedridden with mono.

Aunt Sue: Turns out it wasn't mononucleosis after all. Just another virus.

Zoi: Oh?…So where is he?

Aunt Sue: He went to the movies. He'll be gone for the whole evening.

Zoi: Well, that's a relief. I've been so worried. I guess he must be up for having visitors again. Mind if I come inside while I wait for him?

Aunt Sue: I think you should leave.

Zoi: [twirls a lock of his hair] And why is that, exactly? [winks at her] I thought we were friends, you and I.

Aunt Sue: Is there anything in particular you wanted?

Zoi: No, not really. I was just coming by to check up on Mamoru.

Aunt: Well, I'll tell him you came by. Goodbye, Zoi.

[She tries to push his foot out of the doorway with her own. Zoi won't budge.]

Aunt Sue: You really need to go. Right now. Before I call your father to come get you.

Zoi: Oh, yes. Call my father. I'd love to see the look on his face when he realizes your poor, pitiful, invalid nephew, who is too sick to go to school, is out seeing a movie with his friend…Look. I just need to make sure he's okay… His girlfriend is worried sick. If he's in trouble, I can help.

Aunt Sue: You've got a lot of nerve. Coming over here and pretending to care about anyone but yourself. My nephew has just recovered from a terrible illness. He has seen enough heartache in his life already. He doesn't need you coming in here and hassling him after what you did.

Zoi: Oh? What did I do?

Aunt Sue: You know damn well I'm talking about your little side adventure in his bedroom a few nights ago!

Zoi: [suddenly wide-eyed and serious] Oh, is this because I slapped him?

[Aunt Sue gasps, kicks his foot out of the doorway and slams the door shut.]

Zoi: Fine. I'll wait for him downstairs.