The Final Stretch.
Maybe she's a missionary from KAmi-sama. Sent to kick me off my comfortable bum.
She leaned down, unclasping Eika's hair clip and setting it to the side so that it wouldn't hurt when she rolled over. Eika continued to sleep.
Rei stood up, and with one last look, closed the door behind her. I guess it's true what they say; people resemble angels most when they're sound asleep.
A silhouette disappeared down the stairway out of sight just as Rei turned the corner to see the entrance.
What...?
Rei ran after it. She was sure she had seen... that hair, floating like a wedding train behind a runaway bride, she'd seen it all too many times...
She was too late. By the time she got halfway down the stairs, she heard the quiet rush of a car speeding away.
Rei fell back, landing with a thud on the cold, hard steps.
-.-.-.- Friday Morning -.-.-.-
“Where's Motoki-san today?”
Makoto set down the flower pot she was bringing out front, fixing the stray bits here and there before feeling satisfied. Going over to Ami, who was enjoying a glass of fresh lemonade, she smiled offhandedly.
“I gave him the day off. I really have been absent too long, but when certain customers insist...”
Ami nodded in acknowledgment. “Have you planned any other wedding flora?”
Makoto shook her head noticing that the plant beside Ami could use some trimming. As she fished out her shears from a pocket in her apron, she murmured, “Weddings are too hectic. I had a case last month- from a client that I'd known all year? She was completely different when her wedding was closing in. She calmed down after it was over with though. I did get two offers for the course of this next year though.”
“Are you taking them?”
“Well... one's planning on having her wedding in Okinawa, but she insisted that she wanted, um, my hand in the decoration matters... and the other... well... is from a really famous person... I don't know if I'm supposed to be officially calling it a 'wedding' though. They insist, but...”
“Where's that one?”
Makoto coughed, blushing slightly. “It hasn't really been decided yet. They were talking of Holland, but I'm not sure if it was a joke or what. They did laugh a little at that.”
“Ehh... Holland, hm? Interesting...”
“Is it?” Makoto continued her daily scan of shrubbery perfection.
Before Ami could say more, her cell phone went off. She apologized before taking the call, which berated that she was long since due back at the hospital.
“You're going?”
Ami nodded, standing up. Makoto held out a hand for the glass, and Ami smiled and gave it to her, pausing a moment to wrap her other hand around Makoto's extended one. Softly, she requested, “I'll see you at the concert tonight, right?”
“That should be my line. Don't overwork yourself to the point of being dead on your feet, promise?”
Ami casually withdrew, grinning happily. “I'll be okay, don't worry! I'm used to it already, so it's fine. Take care. And see you tonight then.”
Makoto nodded, a small smile on her face. She waved as Ami got into her car, slipping into the easy traffic like a marble down a binder. She then shook her head, amazed that things had gone as well as they did.
If only Rei and Minako...
She shook it off again. They'd find their happiness. Sooner or later. They were meant to.
They just were.
-.-.- Friday Night -.-.-
“What do you mean 'I can't see her'! She gave me the pass!”
The bodyguard was gruff, coughing hard but short. Every time he did that, he seemed to grow an inch, even though he already towered over Rei, who wasn't intimidated in the least. Not by him anyway. “Those were her orders.”
Rei growled, “Why? Why would she do that?” Though she already guessed the answer. No, she had already been told the answer.
The bodyguard puffed out his broad chest again. “No one is authorized to disturb Aino-san before her important concert.”
“I am! How can a best friend wish her luck from here!”
“Her orders were very clear.”
“And since when have these 'orders' been given!”
“... Since I was assigned to duty on Wednesday. Now please leave the premises, or else I shall be forced to...”
Rei's heart sunk, not even registering the open-ended threat. It was that. She cursed and turned on her heel. “Fine! I got it! Geez. Of all the stupid...”
Further down the hall, the dressing room door closed the crack that it had been open to.
-.-.-.- Thursday Night -.-.-.-
“I'm home! Motoki? You there?”
The lights had been off, but when Makoto switched them on, she'd recognized not only Motoki's usual pair of loafers, but another with green stripes... ah, the twin turtle otaku. Makoto smiled a little. Well, good to know he brought company over while I was out of town. Wouldn't want him to be withdrawn into his shell all alone or anything. Though my services hadn't been needed after all, so I got shipped back on the express way... Makoto chuckled to herself, remembering the fluster of the client who had apologized profusely for calling her over for nothing, insisting that they go out for an early dinner at the very least before she went back. Makoto hung up her coat and walked over to check that the nearest plant had been watered. It had. That settled, she wandered over to the bedroom, where she heard very hurried rustling. Curious, she opened the door.
Well, would have if it wasn't locked.
Makoto knocked. The rustling froze instantly, as if by magic. “Motoki?”
No answer.
“I know you're there- I saw the shoes you know.”
A flustered reply. “Ah, hold on, I um... I'm changing!”
Makoto rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You don't have to rush so much then, geez. It's just me.” Why does he lock the door? It's not like I've never...
Makoto shook her head as she casually watered the hallway plant using the nearby glass pitcher.
She winced as she heard the closet door almost slam shut. Did he have a bad day with the customers or something?
And then the door was open, and she was looking at a husband who looked like a mini tornado had hit him. His hair was a mess- okay that wasn't so much of a difference- his shirt was askew... and... he had forgotten to zip up.
Makoto rolled her eyes, giving him the customary hug she always did when she came home (or when Motoki arrived home after her). Motoki's hands on her back felt... oddly clammy.
“Hey, are you all right?”
Motoki's body froze as Makoto held him at half an arm's length. He tried to laugh nervously. “O-of course I am! Why wouldn't I be?”
Makoto traced the base of his neck from behind. She looked down to hide her smile as she closed her eyes. “Motoki...”
“Eh? What? What is it?”
She flicked the little bit of evidence she had uncovered. “You put on your shirt inside out.”
As Motoki tried to chase his own tail to find the telltale tag, Makoto patted his chest in hopeless reassurance and moved past him in his distraction.
“W-wait, what are you doing?”
Makoto ignored him, looking around at their room. It was a complete mess. She sighed. She really had to make use of her cleaning instincts when living with Motoki... turtle merchandise everywhere, the bed messed up since she made it this morning, and in the corner of her eye, she noticed several balled up tissues.
She turned back around. “Are you sick? Your hands did feel clammy...”
Motoki flushed and looked away, hiding the incriminating hands behind his back. “Ah, ah, no, I'm fine. Really. Have you eaten dinner yet?”
“Yeah, actually, I did. And...” she took another sweeping survey of the room. “Where's your friend? I saw his shoes in the front too.”
Motoki had a shell-shocked expression on his face, almost... like a child trying to hide a stray pet in his room... “Uhm... uhm... He's in the bathroom!”
Makoto frowned. He's acting way too weird. Even for him. She glanced behind his shoulder, and noticed what she had coming to the room. “The bathroom light isn't on. Nor... is the door even closed... I didn't see anyone there before, Motoki... What's going on?”
Motoki seemed to be permanently shell-shocked, at least for tonight. “Well... I... um... that is... you see... AH! What are you doing!”
Makoto had reached for the closet door. “You dumb-bum. I'm getting new clothes so I can change out of this after my shower- I've been wearing it all day. You can go on playing hide-and-go-seek with your fri-” She stopped, looking at the closet's contents in confusion, shock, and whatever one might normally call that feeling.
“What the he...?”
Or you could go that way.
Makoto stared into those terrified, dark, beady eyes. Eyes that looked back at her whilst the body only wore a shirt and briefs, the pants balled up in front of privates.
Makoto stared.
The 'friend' hiccuped.
-.-.-.- Wednesday Morning -.-.-.-
The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please hang-
Rei hung up the phone. Apparently a bit too vehemently, because the boy who had been trying to 'nonchalantly' pass by jumped clear off the ground.
She glared at her closest target.
He cowered in on himself, squinting up through a cocoon of limbs.
Rei rolled her eyes. “Kentaro!”
Kentaro squeaked and fumbled to straighten up military style, excluding the salute. “Y-Yes, Rei-sama!”
“Have you done your morning meditation yet?”
“N-n-no, Rei-s-sama...!”
“Then go do it!”
“Y-yes, Rei-sama!” He bowed quickly and tried to scamper off as if he was just given an arbitrary delay of execution.
Rei sighed. Softer, she called, “Kentaro.”
He squeaked again and stopped. “Y-yes, Rei-sama?”
She put a hand to her forehead as she walked past Kentaro to get to her room. She ruffled his hair in passing with her other hand. “Concentrate on meditating and calm down.”
“Y-yes... Rei-sama.” Kentaro took large gulps of air as if this would help the process. However, it was likely the act of Rei closing her bedroom door behind her that really allowed Kentaro to relax.
Rei came out, dressed to leave, to find Sakura and another one of the students talking in whispers as one fed the crows and the other swept the front walk. Before they had a chance to notice her presence, Rei caught the lesser student informing Sakura, “Rei-sama is in one of her moods again. I wonder what got up her-”
“Ryou!”
The speaker instantly silenced himself and stood up straight, as did Sakura, albeit more calmly.
Rei mumbled under her breath a curse of some sort or whatever. “Aren't you supposed to be on duty at the store? With Kenji?”
Ryou stiffened. “Uh... you see... that...”
Rei rolled her eyes again, not even looking at the boy anymore. “If you intend to get to it, then get to it already.”
“Yes, Rei-sama.” Ryou bowed and quickly scooted off.
Sakura hesitated, as Rei never made eye contact with her and had yet to address her. But... her worry overrode her 'common sense'. “Rei-sama? Are you all right?”
Rei blinked back into focus and sighed, looking at the girl. “Just annoyed, that's all. Maybe a bit worried. I'll never be able to leave this place if you guys can't measure up.”
Sakura bowed her head with a small smile, knowing that her own level of dedication put her in a better light than the boys. a.k.a. She could talk in a non-martial way with Rei and not be chastised for it. “Are you planning on going anywhere, Rei-sama?”
Rei scratched the back of her head, letting out another tired sigh. “I was... thinking of it. Like I always do.”
Sakura rocked back on her heels, broom still in hand. “I can watch over the place for you, Rei-sama.”
Rei blinked, remembering why she was out here like this in the first place. “Ahm. Well, for the time being, I'll just be gone for the day. Maybe not even that. I'm still counting on you, alright, Sakura? Do not open my bedroom door this time.”
Sakura laughed nervously. “Yes, Rei-sama. Of course.”
Rei smiled a little. “I'll try to be in a better mood when I get back.”
Sakura, surprised at first, gave her a smile in return. “They'll appreciate that.”
“They better, for all I'm going to have to berate them even when I'm in a good mood...”
With that, Rei waved and went down the walkway, passing a few school girls on the way. She would have greeted them, but they might question why she was leaving, and she didn't want to bother with that.
The train ride passed by without much event, excluding giving up her seat for an old lady who looked worn already from carrying her one large shopping bag.
And then, suddenly, there she was again, in front of the store. She looked through the window, puzzled at the lack of light from within. She then checked the town square clock, and realized she was very early.
Wait, aren't they open in the mornings?
“Hino-chan! You came to see me? I'm honored.”
Rei turned quickly to find Eika standing before her... once again looking incredibly incongruous, a grown woman innocently licking an ice cream cone. A double-scoop one.
Eika noticed her glance and grinned, licking her lips. “Mint chip and vanilla, yum. I was just down the street checking the competition and couldn't help myself.”
Rei blinked, not quite understanding. “Since when did jewelry stores and ice creameries compete?”
“Eh?” Eika looked down at her indulgence, and then a light bulb came on. “Oh, no, no, that's not what I meant. I saw that today was a free-cone morning as I walked past the ice cream parlor, and I got one on my way back from the other jewelry stores.” Eika extended the cone. “It's good. Want to try?”
Rei flushed, looking away. “That's alright. I don't really like sweet things.”
Eika shrugged, linking together their arms on her ice-cream-less side. “If you say so. Come on, what do you say we go walking? It's a beautiful autumn day, you know.”
Rei looked down at the linkage. She pointed at it with her free hand. “Must we?”
Eika frowned. “You don't do this with your other girl friends?”
Misinterpreting, a flustered Rei protested, “W-who has other girlfriends? You're not even my girlfriend. Wait- I don't even have a girlfriend. (Right now.)” She finished in a whisper.
Eika laughed, tugging her along anyway. “That does have misleading connotations, doesn't it? I apologize- I was referring to the normal friends- that happen to be female- sort of 'girl friend'. Well, don't you?”
Even more embarrassed to find that she had protested even when wrong, Rei looked away, muttering, “Not usually. And especially not recently.”
“What a pity! And this arm is so strong and caring too...”
Rei flushed and looked around with darting eyes. “Stop saying such misleading stuff! What if someone overhears us?”
“Who's going to bother with that?”
And it was then, that Rei noticed a fAmiliar car pass by.
-.-.-.- Friday night's concert -.-.-.-
The crowds screamed and raved for their favorite idol, the one for whom passionate fires would never be entirely extinguished. If the thousands of fans crowding the stadium, countless more watching from their home TV, having been too late to purchase concert tickets, were any testament to the success of the week's revival advertising, tonight, it would come to a head.
And what an anticipated head it was. That of their adored, precious, more-than-just-any-idol-or-voice-or-face, Aino Minako.
The girl who loved all, yet had no lovers.
The girl who all loved, yet could never come near.
The girl who seemed to perpetually represent the very essence of Love.
Aino Minako, Goddess of Love.
The cheers were deafening as the smoke effects began, signaling the long-anticipated arrival of Her.
From the front row, three young women, two less enthused (but still excited) men, and four young students, made their own cheers known.
“Where's Rei!” Usagi shouted, looking around, but especially at the empty seat beside her.
Makoto shook her head, yelling back, “I never saw her come in!”
Ami frowned, watching as the crowds were silenced in waves to correspond with the angelic voice that shone down among them from a height relative to Heaven.
Silenced as well, of course, in order to revere the angel herself, appearing out from the clouds of smoke, her eyes flashing even brighter than her smile.
Ryou, now that everyone else had quieted, said under his breath, “I can't believe Rei-sama is missing this! Ah... Aino, aishiteruze!”
It was then that Ami finally noticed something, during an absent look up at the lighting arrangement. Her gasp of surprise went unheard.
-.-.-.- Thursday Night -.-.-.-
“M-Makoto!”
She ignored the call, shutting the apartment door behind her.
Talking it out in length was an absurd thought. It was obvious, to her, what they'd been doing. I honestly hadn't thought that Motoki... that Motoki would be the kind of person to cheat.
Makoto laughed harshly at herself, bulldozing through the heavy double doors of the apartment's front entrance.
Then again, if I had known Motoki better, if I'd known he wasn't really that interested... I just wouldn't have married him.
No one was coming after her.
Well, of course no one was coming after her. She distinctly remembered telling Motoki to stay behind and let her cool off.
'Cool off' had been the wrong term to use.
“I'm not mad,” she whispered to herself, stopping under a tree. She touched the thick trunk, bringing her forehead to touch it. “I'm not mad. It's not that. It's just...”
Makoto laughed softly to herself as she slumped down, first to her knees, then curled up, sitting underneath the comforting presence of her favorite neighborhood park oak tree.
I just... feel so... stupid. It's not that hard to tell, right? I should have been able to see something, anything, right?
Motoki had said, in the living room sitting next to his old friend turned lover, “It... when it first happened... when I realized how I felt... it was the night before the wedding. The bachelor party that Mamoru-san had recalled from his abroad studies.”
Makoto bent down her head, hugging her knees. What the hell is up with that? If both of us knew that we were destined to love others more than each other, then why wasn't something said! Why... why did it have to drag on this long...
She hadn't confessed about her own feelings about 'a friend'. She instead had asked how long they'd been seeing each other... like this.
Off and on... the whole time. Makoto repeatedly tried to ram her forehead between the gap of her knees, with no real success. Was that why he was so nervous around me? Was he distracted around the customers when I was away, not because he didn't know what to do (that couldn't have been it, I drilled him into how to do everything at the start; when I'm there, he does everything just fine), but because he was visiting whenever I wasn't there? Why didn't my customers say anything about it?
A night sprinkler started to drench her in cold water meant for the tree. But she didn't want to move. She didn't know where to go.
The thing is... I don't even know if I deserve to feel betrayed. My feelings for Ami have gone on just as long, and when she visits... A horrendous bark of laughter ripped itself from Makoto's throat. Lower even, as if the action had been a vain attempt to free her heart from the confines of her body in the same breath. I always had Ami visit when Motoki was out for the night. The so-called 'guy's poker night' he'd been invited to, that I had insisted he at least tried. Was that when the lies began? When we both waited until the other was away to see the ones we really loved?
“Mako-chan... is that you?”
Makoto looked up and finally realized that tears were streAming down her cheeks.
-.-.-.- Wednesday Night -.-.-.-
Calm down. Her leg fidgeted, and her eyes fidgeted watching her leg fidget.
I said calm down! She thrust both hands over the offending leg, which stopped it, until the other leg started to fidget.
She sighed warily, giving up for the sake of not wasting her energy on trying in vain to conserve said energy. “Are we there yet?”
Obviously not. If they had arrived the taxi would have stopped already.
“It's two blocks more, ma'am.”
Rei tsk'ed and propped her elbow on the door, watching the buildings meticulously roll on by.
Why didn't I take a taxi that first time? I would have been fine the whole way through straight up to my doorstep. I didn't need to be driven by Eika.
“Ma'am?”
Rei blinked. Sometime in the period it had taken for her to conjure that thought and more, they'd arrived. She quickly paid the driver and got out.
Rei sucked in a soft, careful breath, looking up at the awe inspiring structure.
She then shook her head vigorously. This is no time to be admiring it! I did that before already!
The fire priestess pounded up the steps, not thinking to take the elevator for some absurdly nervous reason, knowing that she wouldn't encounter guards until she'd reached her floor. Which made things easy.
“Halt! State your name and business!”
Rei rolled her eyes. What is this- medieval ages?
She pulled out her pass, though she wasn't sure if it worked for the hotel authority. “Hino Rei. A close friend of Minako's. She... I'm here to see her.”
“About what?”
None of your beeswax, bub.
“Visiting. Plain and simple. Excuse me if I haven't seen her for more than two years and want to just talk.” That's not why I'm coming tonight, but it's close enough.
The bulky man called over an associate. Rei stood there, defiantly. Would they try to kick her out? Forbid her from seeing the idol? What?
The backup demanded that she hand over her pass. Confused, but obedient, Rei did just so.
And was immediately lifted off the ground.
By her cheeks no less.
Being pulled apart, at the seams, Rei imagined.
“Wahl uh hehl oo yoo ihn yooe ooin! (What the hell do you think you're doing!)”
The associate looked up, looked over, then looked down. Then he nodded.
Rei was released and the pass handed back to her. Rubbing her sore cheeks, she guessed that that was what Minako had really meant by having a secure pass. The men started to walk away, and Rei followed them.
They stopped in front of a door. One of the men knocked loudly. “Aino-san, Hino-san is here to see you.”
There was nothing from beyond the door.
The man knocked again, even louder. “Aino-san, are you there?”
Well it is a bit late, I suppose, but not that late...
There was a responding knock on the other side. “I was in the shower. Is there something wrong?”
Rei stepped up. “Minako, I want to talk to you.” Maybe I should have said that in a more friendly manner.
It was silent for a moment. Then, “Suoh, Takashi, return to your stations.”
“Aino-san...?”
“It's all right.”
The two guards hesitated a moment, before nodding and making their departure.
Rei stared at the door. “They're gone. Aren't you going to let me in?”
“Why are you here?”
Rei's eyebrow twitched. “I wanted to see you!”
“Why?”
I really don't like how detached that sounds...
“Because I want to! Unless...” Rei paused. No, even if it wasn't true, she would still want to know why. “Monday night. Did you visit the shrine after I left with Eika?”
“How is Eika-san doing?”
Rei growled softly, leaning against the door. Fine, if Minako wouldn't let her in (which was senseless, considering she had done nothing that should offend the idol), Rei would just make do with talking through a door. At least Minako was talking to her. “Don't change the subject. She's fine, last I saw. Now were you there?”
“What makes you think I was?”
Rei counted it off her fingers. “I saw your shadow, your hair, and your car drive off.”
Silence.
“Well?”
“You and Eika-san are hitting it off rather well, aren't you?”
Rei stopped. “What the heck does that have to do with anything?”
“I wouldn't want to get in the way of fateful encounters.”
Rei seriously frowned now. Just what was she trying to imply? “Minako...”
“What?”
“Just what are you trying to tell me?”
Rei could almost see Minako's smile through the door.
“If you want to... go out with Eika-san... you don't have to wait until after I leave Saturday, you know.”
Rei's heart stopped.
Neither of them were smiling happy smiles.
-.-.-.-.- Friday Night -.-.-.-
“We can't do this, it's so... it goes against everything I believe in.”
“Does it? But you've done this before, haven't you? I know you have.”
Rei shook her head vehemently. “Not like this. Not to get to her. Not...”
She felt a caressing hand on her ear, a warm breath on the other, and so she jerked forward, being trapped by every other side. “It'll be over before you know it.”
“I still... does it have to be this way?”
“I'm only here to help you achieve what you want to achieve, the likes of which I have honestly never seen before. It's a good thought, I assure you, but you have to be willing to make sacrifices.”
“I was! But... but this...”
“What are you afraid of? Don't you want to let her know?”
“Of course I do! But... but... If this goes wrong, I might... I really might never see her again!”
“Nothing will be gained from being too afraid to earn what you deserve.”
Rei shook her head. “There has to be another way.”
“They refused you once. She didn't come to you. So you have to go to her. Right now.”
“Now! She's on stage!”
“Where better to confess than in front of millions?”
“... You aren't serious are you?”
Eika sighed softly, patting Rei's back before stepping away to lean against the railing beside the younger. “Too dramatic for you?”
“Yes! Did you just get that?”
Rei glared as Eika chuckled. “But it would solve all your problems at once.”
Rei frowned. Grudgingly, she demanded, “Explain.”
Eika's eyes were closed, listening to the soft melody of Minako's current song. “You wouldn't do this if you wanted to be involved with me.”
“I would be doing only because I'm involved- because you told me to!”
Eika placed a gentle finger on the tip of Rei's nose. “I meant intimately involved. You're doing this for her, after all.”
Rei bowed her head. “I'm not doing it.”
“What would you rather do then? We both know that if you don't do something, she will leave tomorrow morning.”
Rei bit her lip. “The dressing room.”
“What about it?”
“She'll return there afterwards anyway, right? So I'll just talk to her in the dressing room.”
“The same guards that refused you earlier will still be there. They don't want bombs, much less fanatics, to sneak into that very place, for that very reason, you know. Are you going to beat them into letting you? Minako won't be allowed into the dresser room if the hall leading to it is littered with the bodies of her security personnel.”
“... And your idea is any less suspicious!”
“How in the world is it suspicious?”
Rei's cheeks finally gave in and betrayed her deep blush. “It just is! It's stupid too.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Eika shrugged offhandedly, and then continued the list she had started earlier. “If you do it right, you may cinch thousands of fans for both her and you.”
“I don't want fans! And people... even if she were to accept... me... it wouldn't even need extra paparazzi- it's already being televised worldwide! Her... her career could end as we all know it!”
“Didn't you want that? Didn't you want her to not use her work as an excuse anymore? For her to be able to be with you, live with you, here?”
“But this... this... my father wouldn't be happy about the publicity either!”
Eika frowned. She straightened, signaling Rei to do the same and face her. “Rei... If she returned your feelings in the first place... location of confession aside... don't you think she would help you through the publicity stunts? She's been doing this a long time... and she'll have a reason to cooperate.”
Rei glowered. “On the other side, I don't want people all over the world to be able to recognize me as the woman Aino Minako rejected at her hometown concert.”
“You know even better than I do that if something like that were to happen, you wouldn't be the first- you would be forgotten easily by the masses.”
“My father won't forget. My friends won't forget.”
“Why haven't you told them about your feelings before? Your father is your father- if you know, he deserves to know. It's not as if you're a child anymore either. And if they're really your friends, not only would they understand, but don't you believe that they, on some level, already know?”
Rei flinched at the idea, flashbacks of all the mishaps and near-chances she had had in the past, some grazing far too close for comfort. She hadn't always been alone with her either, those times.
Eika placed a light but firm hand on Rei's shoulder. “Isn't it about time that you just believed in yourself and in the future? Even if you weren't in love with someone as famous as Minako, you would still have to deal with this sort of possibility with any love you have. You're famous too, don't forget. You just have to get used to it, and go with the flow.”
“What flow?” Rei planted her feet for emphasis.
Eika reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind Rei's ear. “The flow of living in the moment. You told me before that you used to be afraid of the past's consequences didn't you? But you learned to override that. Override your fears again. Live and love in the here and now, and laugh at yourself once its all over.”
Rei hesitated, looking over at the stage. “I don't know... it still...”
“If I told you that Minako would die if you weren't on that stage by the time her last encore draws to a close... would you go?”
Rei whipped her head around. “What are you talking about! Why would she...? What do you know?”
I haven't gotten any readings from the fire about that...
Eika smiled. “You'll know once it happens. But only you can change history tonight.”
“Change... history?”
Eika nodded. “The history that will come to be when Aino Minako is either saved or neglected by her protector.”
Rei frowned. “The guards...”
“They'll never get there on time to stop it, let alone detect it. That's why you have to be on stage, near her.”
Her eyebrows narrowed. “You aren't planning to do something, are you?”
“Go on stage? Of course not, I wouldn't dare. I have no reason to.”
Rei advanced on that all-too-innocent look of hers. “You also wouldn't dare to attack Minako, right? You have no reason to, right?”
Eika simply smiled. “Come now Rei. Sugao is my uncle. And Minako is popular. These sorts of things happen all the time.”
Rei didn't believe it. “Would someone really try to hurt Minako tonight?”
“She should have someone near her with quick reflexes just in case.”
Rei glared.
“And it wouldn't do for any normal civilian to be there on call to save her, now would it?”
Rei glared as hard as she could.
Eika smiled at her, holding up a large shopping bag. “Well?”
The glare was no good. She dropped it for the sake of a throaty snarl. “What am I going to do if it goes wrong?”
Eika smiled. “Smile and sing in lament.”
Rei snatched the bag from her hands, looking inside. Her face fell. More then it had already been. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“You should know by now, Hino-chan,” Eika grinned, “My jokes never last this long.”
Rei muttered as she turned on her heel and started to walk away, “I hate you.”
Eika smiled triumphantly at that. “Glad to hear it.”
Rei lost herself in the crowd. Then, finding the bathroom, she went in, looking to make sure no one was there- somehow, nobody was, all eyes glued to the idol, bladders on hold. Rei looked at the bag's contents again once she had locked herself into a stall.
She sighed. “This better work. Or else someone's hide is going to be had tonight.”
-.-.-.- Thursday Night -.-.-.-
Tears blurred her vision, but she could still make out the two fAmiliar figures. Rushing towards her.
“Mako-chan!”
“Are you alright? What happened?”
Makoto tried to smile, the effort causing twin teardrops to spill down her cheeks. “I...” She trailed off, not knowing what to say. Was she alright? Would she be all right? Or...
Ami placed an arm around her back. “Let's get you somewhere warm first. You'll get sick at this rate, Mako-chan!”
Minako nodded, taking up Makoto's other side. “Come on. Isn't your home near here? We could-”
“No.”
The two girls stopped, and looked at Makoto. “Please... not tonight... I can't...”
Ami paused. “Makoto, can you walk?”
Makoto nodded limply, almost like, she thought she could, but if tested, she would surely fail. Minako saw the doctor's conclusion as well. With a nod to Ami, they hoisted her up on either side.
Minako offered, “Come on. If not your place, then at least let's go to the car. I think I have a spare blanket in there.”
Makoto, voice distant and not at all like it usually was, whispered, “Why are you... two here... anyway?”
The two exchanged glances. Ami answered, “Usagi invited us all over for a house visit today. We heard you had come back early so we thought we would pick you up...”
Makoto was like a toddler again, stumbling and almost tripping every so often. She didn't seem to be injured, so why...?
They reached the car. Minako opened the door and Ami helped Makoto sit on the edge, her feet touching the cement, while the former fished out the aforementioned blanket. Makoto's eyes did not refocus even with the added warmth. But then, the reason why she had allowed herself to get soaked in the first place had had nothing to do with the temperature. Still, she hugged the ends of the blanket after it was draped over her back.
Minako watched her a moment, before deciding. “We'll go to Usagi's. Ami, get in.”
Makoto lifelessly shifted her feet so that she was fully inside the car, and Ami carefully closed the door for her. Going around to the other side, Ami did not hesitate before she slipped into the back rather than the passenger seat. Minako started the car and they were on their way.
“Mako-chan...” Ami whispered, cringing as a more stable stream of tears started to flow down the woman's smooth cheeks. “What happened? Did Motoki-san-”
Ami stopped as Makoto bit her lower lip, her whole face contorted to have a proper soul-searing crying fit. Ami, her mind not even reaching what had happened that weekend, quickly reached over to embrace her friend. And then the crying began in full.
After several long minutes, the crying completely subsided, which was fortunate, since they had arrived at their destination.
Makoto took a handful of deep, calming breaths, before smiling up at Ami. “I... I feel better now, thank you.”
Ami shook her head. “Are you really all right?”
Makoto nodded and then reached for the door. “I can walk by myself, promise.”
And she did. Tiredly, but by herself. And she was resolved to do it, as if that was the only way left for her. Minako and Ami kept to her like gloves to hands the whole way to the door though. And when they arrived, they didn't even have to knock before the door flew open, an energetic Usagi welcoming them in. “You came! Come in, come in! I just- Mako-chan!” She had just gotten her first good look at Makoto's face as it came under the light. “You were in town? No, wait. What's wrong? What happened?”
Makoto smiled weakly at her. “I'll... I'll tell all of you... at once... Where's Rei?”
Usagi's face was downcast even as she went through the motions of ushering them in, closing the door behind them. “She just called and said a student of hers had taken on something that she was supposed to do herself and ended up bungling it. She can't afford to come over tonight. Mama and Papa and Shingo are out watching the newest thriller. I told them I didn't need to be scared for nothing, so I'd stay home. Ah, I'll go get some, um, hot cocoa, yeah! Just sit down in the living room, okay?”
They did as asked, Makoto waiting until Usagi returned before saying anything.
She took a sip of the cocoa once it was offered to her, and smiled. “It's delicious, Usagi.”
Usagi rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. “It's just instant mix, Mako-chan...”
Makoto shook her head. “I still remember the days when you burned the simplest things. You've really really improved since then. You should be proud.”
Usagi bowed her head, and they lay in wait.
Makoto lowered her mug, looking down at the ripples the motion had made.
At long last, she began.
“I think... no, I know... my marriage is officially over as I knew it.”
-.-.-.- Friday Night -.-.-.-
Minako let out a quiet, shuddering sigh as the music heightened, overwhelming any small sound she might make in the mean time.
Just one more song...
She looked out into the crowd, and somehow, wasn't really surprised that Rei hadn't taken up her seat in the last five minutes since her last check. Still... She looked up at her countless fans, and smiled brightly.
For them. For all of them. Not just one person.
The last song in her planned line up was done before she could really cope with it. It was sink or swim now. She... if she was going to do anything, now was the time. She looked over to the place offstage where her manager was. Behind her back, she gave him the signal. She wanted to do it. Sugao nodded and called up the person in charge of the music accordingly.
Then, with one final long breath, she announced, “Thank you for coming to support me today, and all the time before now. I hope... I hope you'll continue to support me in the future as well. This last song... I've never publicized, because, well, I can't take the credit for it. But it was written and last sung for me by the biggest fan of mine that I happen to know very well. So this is a tribute to her, and her song, 'Hoshi Furu Yoake'.”
Minako listened to the music beginning, closing her eyes to properly get a feel for the music. There would be no high paced choreographed dancing to go with this song. It wasn't how she had sung it, so Minako wouldn't either.
With the window left open, I gazed at-
“Hold up just one minute there!”
Minako stopped abruptly, just as startled as the crowds were. When the idol glanced at Sugao however, he was smiling, though the music had stopped like a record player being interrupted at just the right instant.
And like magic, She appeared, enter stage left.
Minako had her back to a third of her live concert visitors, but she didn't care. What she cared about was the entity that was now walking in to steal her stage.
The woman smirked, which was incredibly fitting with her outfit, which was best described as an earthly devil of fire in comparison to Minako's angel-on-earth look. The details were unimportant to anyone who wasn't seeing it for themselves. For those that did, no words were necessary. By the time she had stepped side by side, everyone was secretly convinced that they went hand in hand, despite the public stereotype that angels and devils were at odds.
These two were a whole other category by themselves.
Still not used to the microphone being so close, Rei's soft voice boomed, “You didn't think I'd really let you sing my song when I'm still around, do you?”
Minako stared at her still, the crowds somehow having faded away into oblivion. Only the person in front of her mattered. She whispered, “Why... why are you here?”
Rei winked on the side that was away from the cameras. “Can't a girl just sing a song with her friend?”
Minako stared.
And stared.
Rei patiently smiled at her. That was the only way it could work after all.
And finally, Minako cracked, letting out a long, gentle laughter, that captured another thousand hearts that would later see a video of this from their zealous friends.
Wiping tears of unrelenting joy in her eyes, she whispered, “What am I doing, protesting? It's your song for a reason. I would have it no other way than to sing it with you.”
Rei nodded, smiling. “That's what I thought.”
She then took a step back as the song began again.
Her body was facing their audience, but it was clear that her heart and attention were on one person, and one person only.
And Minako's diehard fans, those who truly believed in love the way Minako did, and had been disheartened at all her rejections of love in the past six years...
... they didn't mind at all.
After all, now they knew the reason why Minako had rejected them all.
The answer was right there in her eyes as she smiled a new smile for her fans to at last see. A smile that wasn't directed at a generalization.
That reason, that answer, and that smile, were more than enough for them.
-.-.-.- Thursday Night -.-.-.-
Makoto sipped quietly from her cold mug. She had just finished relating all the details that she knew. And because these were her comrade-at-arms, the same ones she had died and been reborn alongside so long ago, she told them her feelings that went with them. After all, all of them had heard loud and clear her own feelings for Ami, including the intended.
The room was silent, still digesting everything.
The clock chimed the hour.
Usagi licked her lips, not being inconsiderate enough to not take this seriously. It was still too fresh a wound to laugh about. “Did he say what he wanted to do?” Usagi suddenly shook her head. “No, first, there's something more important to ask. Do you know what you want to do now?”
During the retelling, a few more tears had been squeezed out, but she was in general steady now. Makoto leaned her head over the back of the couch, a small smile touching her lips. “I think the problem was that it was kept a secret. Motoki... he's still my partner. I want to continue working for him at the shop. I still... love (suki) him... knowing that he... he didn't love (ai) me... I don't know... I hate to say it... but I actually feel a bit... relieved, you know? Like... if he was guilty all this time, I just have to tell him my side... and then we'll be even. Right?”
Ami frowned. “But... But Mako-chan... we never...”
“The thought was there.” Makoto closed her eyes, the smile growing, despite its sad nature. “The thought was firmly there, in my mind. Possibly even more than his is, even now. That's enough to me. I'm sorry.”
Ami shook her head. “You don't need to be sorry, Mako-chan.”
Minako licked her lips, knowing the response required delicacy, but knowing asking the important questions were still needed. “Mako-chan... will you keep living with him? Now that you know?”
Makoto snorted softly, the smile growing. “If we do, it'll be after some seriously long winded conversation, involving a sign on the door when it's not a good idea to barge on in.”
Minako blinked. “You... other than that, you don't mind that he's... you know... into guys?”
Makoto opened her eyes just a little bit, just enough to look at Minako alone. “Did you not catch the part where I'm still very much in love with Ami here? I'm hardly in position to start being bigoted.”
Minako bowed her head, berating herself for not having realized that.
Usagi picked up the slack. “Is that your plan then? To just talk it out and have nothing change?”
Makoto now turned to her. “Everything has changed. That matters. I'm not about to revoke my marriage license or lose a partner in this business when I haven't approved anyone else for longer than three months. Nor am I about to kick him out, or kick myself out, since really, like I said, we are equally in the wrong- he just got caught... first. Why should either of us be any more punished than how much we already have been? That won't make anyone happy.”
Ami smiled uncertainly. “Are you sure you can be happy with this arrangement?”
Makoto hesitated, looking down. After a long pause, she looked up at her last, most important, friend.
And smiled.
“This is the way I am- stubborn and proud of it. Motoki has always been there when I come back from work, even if that work was once Senshi duty. If I'm not what he really wants, I won't get in the way of that. Not anymore. As long as he doesn't mind staying... staying...” Makoto stopped, scrunching her eyebrows in thought. Finding the word, she smiled brighter, “As long as he stays my irreplaceable friend. Like all of you.”
An appreciative silence followed.
-.-.-.- Friday Night -.-.-.-.-
The moon glows in the sky, guiding my wandering dreams
I can't sleep, shined upon by all the stardust
Rei smiled as she managed to pass by Minako yet again, their routine only requiring simple walking (an art form to many practiced ladies) and heart-rendering looks at each other, caught for the big screen by cameras at every angle imaginable. There was something about the way Minako had looked at her from the moment she had taken up the stage. Something that Eika knew would be there, which was why she was goaded into seeing it for herself.
Honestly, in my warm heart I want to wait for dawn, but
I have no choice but to proceed from here with my own feet
Minako shook her head softly even as she sang the words. She had felt alone for fourteen years, half filled for one special year, and on a downward spiral for the next six. But now, now she was most certainly not alone. Even if it was just for a single song's length.
Oh how she prayed time would stop for them.
That time, you gave to me the strength to go through life alone
Everything came from your smile.
Rei inwardly laughed at the lines she had sung so long ago. That time, so long ago, she hadn't ever recalled Minako smiling. But there was something about her eyes... was it just her eyes? Yes... yes it was. She looked across the way at those eyes again. The eyes that once longed to smile.
Smile like they were now.
If the stars shine through the darkness and answer my prayer
Minako looked over to see if Rei would sing the very last line with her, but was startled to find no one standing there. There hadn't even been a hurried “Look out!” before she felt a solid force tackling her to the ground. Oddly, the force that had tackled her also prevented her from getting hurt in the fall, using its own body as a buffer.
And that was when she saw more than heard the loud kerthunk that broke a plank of the stage floor in half (though not completely).
“Minako, are you alright?”
Minako stared at the place that she had been standing just seconds before, and then down at her savior.
She smiled. “I told you I would need Mars Reiko-san to save me. And I'm thankful for it. I'm fine.”
Rei stared at her, and then shook her head, slipping out from under Minako like she realized she could have all those times before but didn't. “Any self-deserving privately-trained fan would have done the same. For you.”
Minako saw the guards rushing up, and quickly stood up to stop them. While staring at the box, she had managed to recognize the logo poking out from the side, half hidden by the floor. “It's all right. I think I know what it is.”
Rei slowly stood up, not realizing that they were essentially putting on an unrehearsed skit for the crowd, who had refrained from cheering so that they could hear what was being said. “You do?”
Minako nodded, who gestured for Rei to follow her in going over and bending down next to the package that had fallen.
Rei muttered, “It smells of gunpowder. The blast that made it come down must have been that. Or else...”
Minako shook her head, smiling. “Look, see, it's addressed to us. Don't you recognize that handwriting?”
Rei squinted, and then jolted her head up, an intelligible curse on her lips. Minako quickly put a finger to the woman's lips, along with a private smile. “You think it's safe to let the audience see?”
At that, Rei flushed profusely, something that many a otaku found entirely adorable. But she muttered softly, “If it landed on stage, I would think someone thought it appropriate for an audience.”
Minako smiled and nodded. She waved over one of her most trusted cameramen who had been laying in wait near Sugao, who was startled and yet at the same time unsurprised. The things that man denied about not knowing...
And with that, Minako and Rei pulled the box out of the broken plank and set it down on a clear plank nearby, rearranging themselves so that the cameraman's body was facing the box, and the two young women were crouching to his left and right.
They opened the lid together.
And found a note, which they had to twist their heads to read properly, though the cameraman had the perfect view of it.
Rei knew she didn't have to read it aloud, but she did anyway, lost in the moment. “'I told you I'd give you a signal. Here it is: Tell her. Now. (And then flip the page for Minako-chan)'”
Rei looked up at Minako.
Who smiled softly. “You apparently go first. Tell me what Rei? I'm assuming, that is, that it's referring to me.”
Rei smiled shyly. “It is.” Nervously, she reorganized her legs so that she was sitting in the traditional (stiff until it hurts) crouched position.
She looked very odd like that, considering what she was wearing.
But Minako nevertheless unconsciously mirrored her.
Rei took a deep breath.
And exhaled.
She frowned.
Why can't I start? She went over with me the basics that I needed to get out from the get go... so why...?
“Rei?”
Rei shook her head, and looked directly into Minako's eyes.
And remembered how she felt during all those dreams, all those mishaps...
During every single second that Minako so much as crossed her mind.
She smiled, and it left her mouth effortlessly. “Aishiteru, Minako.”
Minako instantly bit her lip. But she was smiling. As if she had been given a surprise she'd learned about beforehand. But what she actually said was, “I'm not sure if I should say anything, in case the next page tells me to do something different.”
Rei, her part over, and largely uninterrupted by the massive crowds, which was amazing in and of itself, peeked under the page, and then ripped the top one off when she realized it was a cheap sticky note.
Rei read again, “'Minako-chan, feel free to answer. Honestly. And when I say honestly, I mean anything you feel up to.”
Minako laughed into her microphone. Then, reaching up to push it farther away from her mouth, she whispered, “If it says so, then I guess I must. Rei-chan, could you do me a favor and lean over? I'm not sure if this will work with you so far away.”
They weren't sitting more than two feet away from each other, tops, but Rei leaned over as she was bid, supporting herself over the open box by two carefully placed hands on either side of the box, ruining the cameraman's view of said box.
But that didn't matter, because the normal straight-on angle camera caught perfectly the moment when Minako leaned over, her hands cupping Rei's jaw, and kissed the woman soundly, warmly, and as an example to all unrequited-lovers preparing to confess in the near future.
When she leaned back five seconds later, her eyes were unbelievably softened, as if all her years of living “in the real world” had done nothing to kill her soul, which was shining brighter now than ever before.
“I love you too, Rei.”
And with that, Minako took off her own note, and removed the handle-attached top of the box. It was exactly as she had thought.
Two perfectly pillowed platinum silver promise rings with ruby and topaz stones embedded into them, run through with a metallic chain to form necklaces.
The final note, resting between the two cushioned rings, was read by Minako.
“'Yay, the hard part's over. Congratulations. This is my last present to you both, so enjoy it, because it's free. Yes, free. I wish you the best of luck. Cheers.'”
Minako looked up at Rei, at the same time that Rei looked up at her. They smiled away the shock. “I don't know if I'm ready to marry you, but...”
Rei smiled, bending down to let up the ruby ringed necklace. Unclasping it, she whispered, “The hard part is over. We'll worry about the details later. Bend over.”
Minako obediently did so, freeing the topaz ring while she waiting for Rei to finish putting the first on her. When she was done, Minako silently returned the favor.
They looked at each other once it was done. They both quickly side glanced at the crowd. And then without the slightest outward signal, they both stood up.
Their hands found each other's on the way, as they stepped forward, closer to the crowds.
The crowd was held breathless, expecting more even if they didn't know what. Even the front row spectators didn't know what to say.
Minako suddenly glanced at Rei with a frown. “Did I ever introduce your full name?”
Rei looked baffled, and then, as if a sudden dangerous idea had flown into her head, she broke off her grip with Minako's hand, and took a large step to the side.
She then put her hands in front of her and bowed, the next words she spoke making her out to be a man asking a woman's parents for their blessing.
“My name is Hino Rei, and I am an honest and hardworking young priestess at the Hikawa Shrine. Those of you who know me but not from there, likely have heard of the deeds I foresaw while meditating, and prevented, such as the attempted assassination on the prime minister sometime in the recent past.” She paused, as if trying to remember a speech she had never written down. “I swear that as long as she lets me, I will take even better care of her than I do myself. I also swear to do the very best I can to make her happy- in a sensible way- because that, not coincidentally, that is also what makes me happiest. It would make the both of us, I believe, truly happy indeed if we were to gain your blessing before we embark on this journey before us, a hopefully long but peaceful one, so...”
Rei took a deep breath, her head having been slightly bowed in the whole process, and looked up at the same time that her hands went behind her back. Her whole body from her pose, to her unnerving stature, and puppy eyes that totally superseded Minako's famous one, in addition to a dazzling smile the likes of which have never before been seen, on TV or elsewhere, all of it went into her childish, unbelievably simple question.
“What do you say?”
The place was dead quiet for a single moment.
Then, Kentaro of all people jumped up and shouted, “Will you sing for us again?”
The look was completely destroyed as she looked down at her student, who thought he was about to get publicly humiliated.
Instead, Rei let out a defeated sigh. “Only on my terms.”
A random person shouted, “I'm all for it! You guys deserve it!”
A group somewhere else started clapping. Another set started shouting agreements and whistles.
Before long, the whole crowd was giving them a standing ovation, everyone yelling their encouragement, and, as Rei had put it, “their blessings”.
Which Rei was honestly shocked by. She hadn't actually expected it to work. Well she had, and yet she hadn't.
But Minako was grinning at her.
Which made Rei want to kiss it off of her. Or make it so wide that she'd stop.
And so she did.
Kiss her, that is.
And that following week, every paper, magazine, and Minako-documentary had put out something as a tribute to the couple, a couple that even the bigots or the mass media couldn't bring down.
If you think about it, how could they?
This is the Goddess incarnates of Love and Passion we're talking about here.
And it's them that they'll all be talking about for ages.
Finite
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