“Minako-chan! Rei-chan! What a surprise! You decided to have dinner here after all?”
Minako nodded to her manager, smiling with the innocence that her fans adored. She turned to her eccentric manager's companion and tilted her head. “I don't believe we've met. You are...?”
The woman had been watching Rei's frozen expression with amusement, but at the address turned her attention to the idol. She bowed her head with a soft smile.
“Kisekino Eika, at your service, Aino-san. I'm sorry to have not met your acquaintance before, but it's a pleasure to do so now. You see, your manager here is actually my uncle, Saitou Sugao.”
Rei stared. You can't be serious.
Minako looked between the two. Rei looked far more shocked than she had when she'd seen her pass photo, yet this time it was for a stranger. Minako tilted her head in wonder. “Rei-chan? Do you know her?”
Before Rei could say anything, Eika smoothly answered for her. “We bumped into each other this afternoon, actually. I'd ruined some of her perishables, so I had insisted on repaying her for them... Hino Rei-san, wasn't it?”
Rei met her gaze, startled. You'll keep it a secret?
Eika winked so quickly, it was doubtful that anyone else but the trained priestess saw it. I promised, didn't I?
Reassured, Rei fell into line, smiling a little. “Ah... sorry, I just spaced out for a moment. That's right. It almost seems like too much of a coincidence that we meet again in the same day... under these circumstances no less...” She bowed her head.
Sugao, not noticing the curious tension from his charge, clapped his hands and declared, “Well now, well now! After that we most certainly can't have it any other way, now can we? Waiter! Move us to a bigger table!” In a softer voice he smiled at his niece. “You don't mind, do you, Eika-chan?”
Eika smiled and shook her head. “Not at all, Uncle.”
Once the move had been made, the seating arrangement around the round table let it be so that Rei sat between Minako and Eika, with Sugao sitting across from her. This, of course, made Rei increasingly nervous as the night wore on.
Sugao was ranting about how he was finally in town again after staying overseas with Minako-chan, and when he had contacted Eika-chan, she had been busy over the weekend, which was a shame, but now they could all have dinner together and catch up.
Rei watched Eika in wonder, trying to see the resemblance between them. If Sugao was a firecracker (of the cannon shot blasted into the sky sort), Eika was a sparkler in comparison (noticeable, and nice, but far quieter).
Eika switched her generic smile over to Rei as Sugao wound down. “Yes, and much there is to catch up on. But I wouldn't want to bore our idol and priestess now.”
Minako shook her head with a smile, the epitome of polite sincerity. She sipped from her drink, their orders having already been placed in between Sugao's miniature tirade.
“Not at all. If you don't mind us listening, go ahead and talk as you will. What do you do for a living, Kisekino-san?”
Eika shook her head. “Please, call me Eika, Minako-san. Sugao talks so much about you on the rare times our schedules match up for a phone call, I feel like I know you already. As for your question... I own a jewelry store downtown. Kiseki Jewels. Have you heard of it, by chance? I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't, it's fairly small.”
Minako put some thought into it before it rang a bell. “Ah... Usagi-chan mentioned it a few times, I think. Ah, Usagi is a friend of mine and Rei's. Her friend Naru's mother is in the jewelry business as well, and they were so surprised when a new competitor started taking a great majority of their clients... Eh? Wait a minute.”
Eika smiled knowingly, like Rei had seen so many times in that single hour she'd spent with the woman. Rei kept quiet.
Minako continued, “You own that place! Have you always owned it or did you recently come into it? Because even though it's fairly new in most respects- popularity wise anyway- it opened nearly six years ago, and you don't look like you...” The idol paused, realizing the polite air had dropped, “Ah, I'm sorry.”
Eika shook her head. “Don't be. I get that a lot. Yes, I was the owner when the store received its first noticeable spike in ratings. It's a pity but, even though I was young coming into the industry, now I'm a bit...”
“Nonsense!” Sugao leaned over and rubbed cheeks with Eika, who took it with an indulgent smile. “If Eika-chan starts saying she's old- which she isn't! What'll that say about me?”
As Minako and Eika laughed lightly at that, Rei continued to stare at them all in somber silence. So how old is she?
“Hino-san,” Rei bolted upright as Eika called her name. “How is your shrine doing?”
Rei looked away. “Fine,” she muttered.
Minako watched Rei, curious at her stoic behavior, but eventually summed it up to being shy around new faces. Or faces that annoyed her (as she had once mentioned concerning her manager). So she let it go, especially as the food arrived.
Rei had been only half-heartedly listening to the conversation which involved talk of the time overseas when it had somehow turned to Eika again.
Sugao patted Eika's shoulder comfortingly as he related, “Seven years ago, Eika's parents died in an accident while they were overseas in America, too, don't you know. I'd intended to take her under my wing, but just a year later...”
Eika smiled, a little softer than she had been. “It's all right, really.”
Minako started, “I... I'm sorry to hear that... about your parents I mean.”
Eika shook her head. “I'm past it. The jewelry store was my mother's idea from the start. But she had only managed to get it kicked off the floor when it happened. Actually, she was on a business trip regarding it, at the time.”
Sugao suddenly took Eika into an exaggerated embrace and looked as if he was ready to cry dramatic anime waterfalls of tears. “And this poor little girl had to face the world alone! I was the only family she had left...!”
Eika smiled a little. “Now really, Uncle. You make it seem as if I was on my way to the orphanage. I may have rushed a few years of University, but I did graduate before taking up the store. And Rinka's been with me the whole time, too.”
That name sounds familiar... Rei finally spoke up, “Who's Rinka?”
Eika glanced over and smiled at hearing her speak again at last. “Rinka is my partner at the store. On our business cards, it says I'm the owner, but really, it's her that my mom left the store to. Before she knew I had any interest in it. I learned quick though, so it worked out alright. Ah, Rinka also rooms with me. No, I should say that I stay at her apartment and pay my share of the rent. We-”
Sugao interrupted, “Her own home sold! Her memories sold! Oh, you poor, poor, girl.”
Eika rolled her eyes exasperated. “Uncle! I told you, it's not like that! Minako-san, Hino-san, I apologize if I might have in any way spoiled your evening with my past, ah Uncle, your tie!” Eika stopped to whip Sugao's tie from out of the range of the sauce the remains of her steak had been in. “Really now, be careful! And what are you doing worrying about me when you've barely touched your food? Go on, get to eating!”
Rei couldn't help but smile, seeing this side of Eika. Not that she hadn't suspected it was there but... she let out a breath of a laugh at Sugao's sulking pout, separating himself from his niece to obey her insistence.
Eika absently fluffed her shirt out as if to prevent wrinkling, and continued, “Before you leave thinking that Uncle is doing anything aside from exaggerating, let me also say that I had a sound inheritance to fall back on, and more than enough emotional support. True, the first few years were a little hard to get used to, but I'm perfectly fine now. Really.”
Minako sighed softly, smiling into her drink. “If you say so, Eika-san, I'll take your word for it. Did you have any other plans for tonight?”
Eika shook her head. “Not yet. I'm a spur of the moment type planner. Why do you ask?”
Minako looked to Rei, as if she were gathering the materials before wreaking havoc on the kitchen. “What about you, Rei-chan? Were you going to do anything?”
Rei hesitated, having a sense of where this was going. “Sleep would be nice... but I don't suspect I'll get any better rest tonight than the last few nights anyway.”
Minako blinked, startled. “You have trouble sleeping? Why didn't you say something?”
Rei rolled her eyes. “We stayed up late with the others last night with that little welcoming party, and we were talking a while longer than I thought the night before that. I'm not an insomniac or anything. I'll be fine if I just go home.”
Minako seemed a bit disappointed at this. But, making up her mind, she looked between Eika and Rei and asked, “In that case... what if you sleep here? The beds are really nice, and my room is closer than the shrine after all.”
Rei held back her flinch, but she was still irked. She was about to use the brats as an excuse, but they didn't come until after school so that was a bit off. And it's not like Minako didn't have comfortable bedding. But...
Eika held her hands up in soft protest. “Oh, that's too much, Minako-san, we've only just met after all.”
Minako shook her head vigorously. “Anyone who is a relative of Sugao-manager is like family to me. Extended family. And if you don't mind, I'd like to get to know you better as well.”
Eika still hesitated, looking to Rei. She was aware that she made the priestess uncomfortable, and though the girl had rarely spoken, Eika already knew enough to know that she didn't want to impose. Especially not if Rei accepted.
Rei shifted in her seat, ignoring the boisterous claims Sugao made of what a great idea letting Eika-chan and Rei-chan stay over was.
Somehow, Rei knew that tonight's plans would be decided by her.
That didn't really help her decide.
Rei stood up. “I um. Need to use the restroom. Excuse me.”
“Ah, Rei-chan!”
But Rei had already left the table.
-.-.-
Rei sighed as she splashed water over her face, glad she wasn't really a fan of make-up. This was just too much... It was only this morning that she had met this woman, who caught her looking through her shop's window. Do owners usually greet customers outside their shop like that?
It was only this afternoon that she had spoken in depth to this woman, about her love interest. What in the name of Kami-sama had possessed her to do that anyway?
It was only an hour or so ago when she had learned that this woman was in a way connected to said love interest. How was I to guess that she and that idiot manager were related?
She had only just had dinner with both this woman and this love interest.
And now love interest was inviting both her and the woman-who-knew-her-secret to spend the night.
Rei fell forward, hitting the mirror with a soft thud. Why am I so bothered by this? It's a small world... a coincidence... so why...?
“You're in love with her, aren't you?” A soft whisper teased her ear.
Rei bolted so quickly around, her feet slipped, tripping the feet of the one who had sneaked up on her.
Rei stared up, up at those eyes which had captivated her so. It only just occurred to her, in the back of her mind, that perhaps hours before, she was pinning Minako in much the same way she was now being pinned.
The woman she had just been thinking about smiled down at her. “You have good taste, Hino-chan. Case Advice No. 1: If you get the chance, don't be afraid to take it.”
And then, Eika did what Rei could never have done with Minako. Or rather, had never done.
She bent down and closed the distance between them.
Rei was certain that her heart would cease to beat altogether.
Minako...
-.-.-
“They've been gone awhile, haven't they?” Minako murmured.
Sugao had already taken care of the bill, and with dessert already had, all that was left was to wait. Minako started to get up. “Should I check on them?”
“Minako-chan,” the call stopped the idol in her tracks. She looked questioningly at her manager. “Be careful around Eika-chan, won't you?”
Sugao had lost much of his eccentricity so quickly that Minako was startled. She sat back down. “What do you mean?”
Sugao looked to the restroom door, before answering in a low tone, as if afraid he would be overheard. “She has a reputation... a very well hidden one, but a reputation nonetheless.”
Minako narrowed her eyebrows. “What are you talking about? I don't-”
“Everyone who falls in love with her ends up with their heart broken. In more ways than one.”
Minako didn't get what this had to do with her, and said as much. “I'm not in love with her- though I am getting to like her as a person- so why are you telling me this?”
Sugao chirruped, trying to regain that energetic charge again, “Oh, it's probably nothing. Forget I said anything, Minako-chan. You should be safe enough.”
Minako frowned. Sugao offered no other information. Shaking her head, she stood up and headed to the restroom.
Sugao sighed. Once she was out of earshot, he murmured, “Save Eika, Minako-chan. Please, please find a way to help her.”
Minako was surprised by how sparse the restroom line was, considering the hour. Empty in fact. But perhaps since the roof restaurant was only used for VIPs and company, and there weren't any others staying at the hotel at the moment, therein lay the reason.
The restroom was small, only one big stall, apparently. Minako tried the knob, and found it locked. She was about to knock, when she heard the muffled voices.
“Y-you... you shouldn't do things like that.” Rei's voice?
“Oh? Did I scare you, Hino-chan? My apologies then.” And Eika?
“... Let me go.”
“But I'm not done yet. You see, I also have to tell you...” She must have started whispering, because Minako couldn't make out any of her words.
“W-what are you talking about? I wouldn't... Not ever... ahh... stop it... that hurt...”
“You can do this too you know... are you that afraid?”
“Can you blame me? It's like you read my mind and always arrive one step ahead of me...”
“I've heard stories of your power. You've never met anyone like you?”
“Kami-sama... nggh...”
“Favors and ignores at will. But mine is a gift of practice, not of divination.”
“It isn't... I said stop th-that!”
“Do you have a pledge of celibacy, Hino-chan?”
“What are you talking about? Stop it, Minako and your uncle are waiting for us.”
“I'm not worried. Is it yes, or is it no? I will treat you accordingly depending on your answer.”
“... 'Accordingly' how?”
“You'll know once you answer. Does your position as priestess hold you to the shrine and the shrine alone?”
“What... ah, okay, okay, I'll answer! I... I've completed my training. I don't need to stay at the shrine, not officially. I was supposed to leave it two years ago anyway. But I'll wait until I'm sure someone competent has taken over care for the shrine...”
“Is there trouble?”
“Well... there was... augh, why am I telling you this anyway? It doesn't concern you!”
“Because you know you want someone to hear you... but you're even more afraid to tell anyone else. And because you know I care to know.”
“... We should really get going.”
“Not yet. You still haven't answered my question.”
“I did! I said-”
“I didn't ask if you needed to stay at the shrine. I asked if connection to the shrine keeps you from enjoying bodily pleasures, especially before marriage.”
“That... that... why do you want to know that anyway!”
“Hi-no-cha-n. Just answer, won't you?”
“... Only because I want to.”
“But if you want to, you're allowed to?”
“...Mm.”
“Good girl. Thank you. Let's leave before we start to smell like this place, no?”
Minako took a step back, and then another. She quickly turned tail and ran- no- walked very quickly to the elevator, right past Sugao.
Her manager sighed hopelessly. “Rei is your target this time then? Your technique must have gotten harsher since I last heard, to cause Minako-chan to flee...”
-.-.-
Rei grumbled softly as Eika finally got to her feet and helped her up as well. After that first peck on the cheek, Eika had gone from whispering “simplicity-is-sweet advice” to nibbling on her ear. Not to mention the questions... it was a very weird way of getting information out of her to help her situation with Minako, even if that was how Eika explained it.
Just before they went to the door, Eika touched her wrist, bidding her to stop, before planting another kiss on her cheek. “That's for being a good sport, Hino-chan.”
“I've decided,” Rei whispered, opening the door, which she had realized should have been locked behind her. How did she get in?
“Decided what?” Eika innocently humored.
“I found out what bugged me about you.” Rei didn't look at her as she exited the restroom. “You are, in fact, more eccentric than your uncle. Just in a very different direction.”
Eika laughed. “Thank you.”
Rei muttered in return, “I wasn't complimenting you.”
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