Before I get to the story, I want to thank everyone who's taken the time to read these short stories, and especially to those who left a review. For the past while, I've really been stuck in my writing, and doing this challenge and seeing your comments have really helped motivate me. I'm all fired up for more! :D

For the last day of Mamo Chiba Week the theme was up to us! This little ditty I started a couple of years ago, but never developed into anything else. I figured this was the perfect opportunity.

Drops

"Dammit!" Mamoru swore, slamming his fist down on the counter in protest. He placed his phone down and closed his eyes, jaw clenching as he took a deep, controlled breath.

"What happened?" Motoki asked, bemused at the rare sight of Mamoru losing his cool.

"Nothing, it's just this stupid game," he huffed. "I was this close to beating the level." He squinted at his fingers which he held about an inch apart. Sharking the frustration out of his hands, he scooped up the device, ready to try again.

"What game?" Motoki wondered, trying to peer over from his position behind the counter.

"Forget it." Mamoru hastily pressed the home button as a slight blush rose to his cheeks. "Can I get another coffee?" He slid his empty mug forward.

Motoki leaned in and before lowering his voice and checked over his shoulder to see if any patrons were listening. "Is it one of those adult games?"

"No!" Mamoru scowled.

"It's just you haven't had a girlfriend for a while, so…" He shrugged, finding complete enjoyment in watching his friend squirm.

"It is not and adult game," he insisted, forehead knit and eyes darkening with irritation.

"Sure it's not." Motoki winked. "Don't worry, I won't tell."

"You're annoying," Mamoru growled and rolled his eyes, adeptly navigating back to the game, and handing over his phone.

"A Sailor Moon game? Really?" Motoki asked, brow cocked as glanced at the colourful graphics.

"It's addictive" Mamoru said, running his fingers through his hair. "You have to collect the five Senshi, and Tuxedo Kamen," he explained as Motoki handed back his phone.

"How many do you have?"

"Here." He turned the screen towards his friend, showing off his impressive collection of characters – five heroines, and one hero. "I've already got them all."

"Everyone but Sailor Moon is level one," Motoki noted, a ridiculous grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Your infatuation knows no bounds."

"It's not an infatuation," he argued, snorting at the thought.

"Whatever. Let me try this." Motoki took the phone and leaned against the counter. Mamoru instructing him how to play, and coaching him as he battled through, matching colourful gems and collecting pieces. They groaned in unison when the timer ran out, cursing their lack of luck.

"I get it now, that was just practice," Motoki said, shoulders hunched, and fingers hovering over the screen as he waited for the next round to start.

"What are you boys looking at?"

At the sound of a familiar blonde's voice, Motoki and Mamoru leapt out of their skin. "Nothing!" they chorused, fumbling to set the phone on the counter - screen down. They pasted on innocent smiles as Usagi and Minako joined them at the counter.

"Tinder?" Minako assumed, nodding in understanding as Usagi bit her lip, forcing down the twinge of jealousy that flared in the pit of her stomach – not that it mattered to her, Mamoru could date whoever he wanted.

"What? No!" Mamoru said, feeling the heat crawl up the backs of his ears.

Minako narrowed her eyes, looking at them before guessing, "Grindr?"

"It's not a dating app." With a heavy sigh, he flipped the phone over and showed the girls the screen.

"Sailor Moon Drops? I love this game!" Usagi beamed, mood instantly changing. "Add me on it!"

"Me too!" Minako chimed.

"Add you on it?" Mamoru echoed, completely unaware of the game's social aspect. He had only downloaded it to see what they made of Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon.

"Yeah, you add friends and then send them hearts every day…"

Mamoru cleared his throat. "I don't know how to add you…" he admitted.

"Give me your phone," she ordered, palm out flat. He handed it over as Usagi grabbed her own device and pulled up her credentials. "You play as Sailor Moon?" she asked, glimpsing at his character list.

"Mamoru here has a bit of a crush on Sailor Moon," Motoki said, busying himself by drying glasses as soon as he caught Mamoru's steely glare. Usagi's ears perked, and she couldn't tell if she was excited or disappointed; would he still like Sailor Moon if he knew her true identity?

"No, I don't." Mamoru gritted his teeth, already having suffered enough embarrassment for the day.

"He does," Motoki mouthed over his shoulder, nodding fervently.

"I can see you." Mamoru's lips pulled into a white sash.

"Sailor Moon is great, but wouldn't you say that Sailor Venus is the prettiest of them all?" Minako said, flicking her golden locks over her shoulder, and flashing a charming smile.

"Sailor Venus is okay," Mamoru said, his indifference causing Usagi to hide a giggle behind her hand.

"Just okay?" Minako's cheek twitched; she knew she got a bad feeling from Mamoru for a reason.

Usagi swallowed a lump her throat, gathering the courage to ask, "what do you like about Sailor Moon?"

"I admire her determination," he said, unable to count the number of times she persisted, even when the odds were bleak. He knew from her encounters with his alter-ego that she feared stepping onto the battle grounds, but her desire to protect outweighed her instinct to run. "I mean, all of the Sailor Senshi are brave, but there's just something about Sailor Moon."

While appreciative of the praise, Usagi frowned.

"The short skirt also doesn't hurt," Motoki joked, and the girls rolled their eyes.

"Motoki," Mamoru scoffed; her choice of clothing had absolutely had no bearing on his feelings towards Sailor Moon. "I mean, she's attractive, sure," he babbled, gaze dropping as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"So, you do have a crush on her!" Minako clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling at the gossip.

"It's not like that," he insisted.

"Come on, Mamoru, it's normal to have a crush on idols," Motoki said, causing Mamoru to sink into his seat. "Or… superheroes," Motoki corrected. "Heroines?" He stroked his chin and mentally debated the proper terminology.

"Yeah," Minako flicked her wrist, "I mean, Usagi has a massive crush on Tuxedo Kamen." Mamoru jerked back ever-so-slightly, trying to hide his surprise.

"MINAKO!" Usagi cried, turning a brilliant rose.

"What? I was helping Motoki prove his point," Minako said, and Motoki nodded.

"I can't believe you just announced that to the world." Usagi slumped onto the counter, face buried in her arms, and legs curling around the stool's base.

"It's not like it was a giant secret." Minako shook her head; Usagi was being dramatic.

"Tuxedo Kamen, huh?" Mamoru said, brow raised as a smile tugged at his mouth. The idea that Usagi liked his alter-ego fueled the possibility that maybe, she could like him. An entire scenario of him confession and her running into his arms played out in his mind.

Minako watched the glimmer of hope play across his expression, and her forehead wrinkled in thought.

"Shut up," Usagi mumbled. "He's cool."

Not one to miss a beat, Minako added, "dreamy, I think the was the word she used the other day." She gave a saccharine smile as Usagi glowered at her from the corner of her eye.

"Can we talk about something else now, please?" she begged.

"Fine," Minako relented as she took out her phone, and typed herself a note – a reminder of their conversation to file away for her Mamoru is Tuxedo Kamen theory.