As Rinka arrived inside the theatre, wearing casual clothes and a baby blue shoulder bag, she immediately spotted Minako practicing on the stage and waved at the pop star who smiled and waved back, then went back to dance like she wasn't bothered at all Then Rinka searched for Rei, whom she found mumbling behind a piece of paper on her seat. She merrily approached and greeted the busy co-agent "Ohaiyo Rei-sama! What are you reading?" Rinka asked It seems Rei didn't heard her "Yuhoo! Rei-sama, get back to earth!" Rinka said in a little loud voice that is enough to startle Rei "Gyah! Rinka-chan? When did you get in here?" Asked the still startled Rei "About twenty-five years ago! And you were really a great view with that paper" Said Rinka in a mix of a cute and sarcastic tone "Oh...sorry. You know paper works drive me mentally insane" Rei said as she quickly hides the paper back to her pocket 'I'll deal with this later' "Head chief gave you a paper work? How can he do this to you? He knows you were suppose to be busy guarding Aino-san and—" "Relax Rinka-chan. This isn't that important to give attention to. I'm just reading it to study and entertain myself" Rei cuts in "Oh. I see..." Said Rinka Rei looked at the younger agent "It seems that you are not here for just a visit ne?" Rei asked Rinka shrugged then nodded as she sat beside Rei's seat "Rei-sama, I watched TV this morning and found out some news about Aino-san. The host stated that they have read it from a local news paper and..." Rinka took a newspaper out of her bag and gave it to Rei "It's about you and Aino-san" Rinka finished Rei was stunned after reading the front page of the paper it read: "More than a bodyguard?" With two pictures beneath the large font. First one is a picture of her and Minako hugging inside the hotel the very first day they met. The second one is a picture where Rei is wrapping her uniform at Minako to warm her body in the channel six studios 'Crap' "I'm really mad at those media who took this picture! They'll do anything even false issues just to make money out of it. Not to mention that they're doing a good job at ruining your noble name Rei-sama" Rinka said "And even if it's true, they could've at least just made it as a blind item" Rei smiled at the younger agent's defense "Hey calm down, what else can we do? Media has the freedom of speech, and although we have that too, I can't risk ruining the name of the TNPH if I react against this non-sense issue" Rei explained Rinka nodded "Hai, you're right! But I'm still defending you no matter what, Rei-sama" Rinka pouted "...Thanks Rinka-chan" Rei said "...Uh, Rei-sama?" "Yeah?" "Please don't get mad if I asked you this?" "I Promise I won't break a single nerve, what is it?" Rei asked Rinka looked around her and made sure no one is around in their area before she whispered to Rei "Are you and Aino-san...er...lovers?" Rinka asked cautiously Rei blinked few times, Rinka is alert whatever reaction she may show "I-I mean...you see...Aino-san asked me to...and she-she...er well...she just...argh, gomen Rei-sama! I should've asked you that, gomengomengomen!" Rinka closed her eyes to avoid what she thought Rei-will-kill-me-this-time look. She was completely pale in fear and blushing at the same time Rei gently patted Rinka's head "Hey, hush Rinka-chan, I won't eat you alive" Said Rei as she laughed Rinka sighed in relief that Rei wasn't mad "Now, breathe slowly and after that you can calmly tell me the reason why you asked that okay?" Rei said Rinka did what she was told, she breathes slowly and then continued in a calmer tone "Well, you see, when you were away in the general's meeting yesterday, she kept asking me questions about you like what is your favorite color and favorite food and many more while we were at the hotel. Then when she got tired of waiting for your arrival she secretly left the studio with me and asked where general Satoshi's office is...and..." Rinka paused "And then what?" Rei asked "When it rained I saw you two...hugging, and you kissed her forehead. Even after I called a taxi she is still hugging you...I just want to confirm it directly from you Rei-sama" Rinka said Rei observed the young agent for a while first then she sighed and laid her head at the back support of the seat, making her face the huge ceiling of the stadium "Do you believe me if I say that 'love for a stranger chooses no time or gender'?" Asked Rei Rinka gasped softly "So...it is true...oh, Rei-sama, I'm so happy for you and Aino-san" Whispered Rinka excitediy Rei shook her head "Nobody knows except for you, Ms. Wendy and—" Rei paused "And who?" Asked Rinka "No, just the two of you knew" "Wait, you mean the head chief doesn't know?" "I doubt that he'll accept the news in a calm manner" Rei said Rinka stood up and looked directly at Rei's face "Rei-sama, you can count on me. I'll keep my mouth shut, I promise. I understand you and Aino-san's situation, I know you don't want to ruin her career" Rinka said in a soft tone so that no one could hear Rei smiled. She was very relieved that Rinka is still the same after she admitted everything "I'm really glad I have a friend like you, Rinka-chan" Rei said Rinka waved her hand "Nah, that was nothing compared to all the help you gave to me whenever I'm in need. No matter what, I'm there for you. Remember that" Rinka said as she walks her way outside the theatre "W-wait, that was it? This is all you've come for? To ask me that?" Rei asked in disbelief Rinka winked at her then ran to escape immediately "Oh—why you little—" Rei wasn't supposed to let that slip but she just changed her mind and let Rinka run outside...along with her secret Rei stared at the fading image of Rinka out of the exit. She smiled as she went back to her seat and watched her love Minako practice their dance, making her forget the riddle from Sanctuary for a while After a few minutes Rei decided to join Wendy on her seat "Ms. Hino, are you feeling better now?" Wendy asked "Me? I guess so" Rei said as she relaxes at her seat ----- -Few hours passed- "Okay everyone break time, come back at four!" The director shouted to all his crew "Ms. Aino, get back in time okay?" Said the director "Get back in time, got it" Said Minako as she excitedly jumps down the stage and went in Wendy and Rei's direction Wendy hands her a towel while a utility personnel hands them each a mineral water "Hey Wends, did you mention that we were going to visit the Minister before we go in here?" Asked Minako "The Minister and his wife invited us in their house for lunch, that's why they changed the schedule here in the theatre" Wendy said "Okay, I'll rest for a few minutes then we'll go there" Minako said then she turned and sat next to Rei, who is playing with her mineral water absent mindedly "Hey, Rei-chan! How are doing? You look bored" Minako asked Rei awoke from her thought as she heard her lover's ever gentle but lively voice "Wha—me? No, I'm just thinking of something" Rei said "Thinking of something ne? Does that involve a beautiful blonde named Minako in it?" Minako asked "Of course, I need that for inspiration" The two lovers looked intently at each other. Wendy sweat dropped "If I were you I would get a room" Wendy commented Rei blushed while Minako smirked "Twenty minutes Wendy" Minako said, Rei didn't get what Minako meant, but Wendy does "Okay, your twenty minutes starts now" Wendy said "Follow me Rei-chan" Minako said as she hands Rei her wardrobe and started walking away from Wendy "Huh? W-Where are you going Ms. Aino?" Rei asked as she quickly followed the pop star to whatever direction she goes, she told the two agents who watched Minako for a while that morning to take care of Wendy and they both nodded in response They both end up in the private dressing room reserved for Minako. As they went inside the pop star locked the door, while Rei hang Minako's wardrobe at the back of the door They looked at each other for a while. Then they started to lean against each other and kissed each other's lips passionately As they parted breathlessly "...So this is the twenty minutes you're talking about" Rei said teasingly "It's not just that" Minako said After giving her lover a quick peck on the cheek Minako squeezed Rei's cheeks mercilessly with her right thumb and index finger "Ooooouuuccchhh!" "Starting now don't call me Ms. Aino ever again okay, Rei-san?" Minako said "But didn't you realize what the people around us would think if I call you 'Mina-chan'?" Rei asked "They can think whatever they want to think, just call me that okay? Even my bodyguards in Europe called me Aino-chan" "Alright, alright Mina-chan is settled! Just let go, it really hurts!" Pleaded Rei, then Minako finally let go the squeeze on her cheeks "Where did you get all the strength to squeeze that strong?" Rei asked as she rubs her squeezed cheek "My strength comes whenever I needed them to use for you" Minako teased Rei smirked then kissed her pop star lover "I missed you already" Rei said "I missed you too" Replied Minako "How is the rehearsal going?" "Hmm, just fine. The new steps were easy so no need to worry about the concert I guess" "Did it make you tired?" "Just a bit...Oh, Rei-chan I have something to show to you!" Minako pouted as she raises her left hand and showed her fingers to her lover Rei quickly noticed a small cut at the tip of Minako's index finger "Mina-chan, what happened here?" Rei asked worriedly as she held her lover's hand and gently caresses the cut on the finger "I got it when I held one of the props for my concert" Minako whined "Want me to call the medics?" Rei asked Minako lifted up her left hand equal the length of Rei's lips. Rei didn't need to be told what to do; she started licking Minako's cut finger and sucked it gently. Minako removed her finger from her lover's mouth and she kissed her once again Minako parted her lips "Crap, why did I only asked twenty minutes? I should've asked for an hour!" Minako complained "You have a Minister to visit to Mina-chan; you can't let them wait for you. So stop talking and we'll make the remaining minutes worth" Said Rei as she continue kissing Minako After the twenty minute time limit the two of them went back to where Wendy is waiting patiently. Wendy asked some of the theatre's beauticians to give Minako a make-up. Then they proceeded towards the exit to go at the parking lot where they wave farewell to the head chief The head chief sent five of his men to help Rei along their way to the minister's house. Now there are two black vans running at the front and back of Minako's limo, making them sandwiched at the middle They have arrived at the Minister's house five minutes early from their meeting schedule. As they usually expected, there are media men waiting for Minako's arrival. The Minister's guards were lined up at the entrance to assist Minako's arrival. As Rei parked the limo in the front of the gate, she went out and gave the car keys to the house valet; one of the guards opened the door to assist Minako and Wendy out Rei was surprised when the media approached at her and fired her hundreds of questions while they took pictures of her "Is it true that you have a relation with Minako Aino?" "Some say that they saw you hugging her" "If you are not involved with Minako Aino then why are you so close to her?" "Are you really aware that you are in a same sex relationship?" Those questions were driving Rei insane. The flashing of the cameras grew worse when Minako appeared at beside Rei and their noise became louder as they now asked Minako almost the same questions they asked Rei "What are you people talking about? This person is my best friend when I was in my elementary days. I was really surprised to meet her again and of course we were best friends, that's why we're really close to each other" Lied Minako as she held Rei's shaking shoulders "Then can you explain to us why you hugged her back then at the hotel?" A reporter asked Rei "Uh...er...I...I was doing my job?" Said Rei with uncertainty 'Good answer Rei-chan' Minako thought as she continued Rei's answer "I was really scared that day because you guys managed to slip from the security and madly approached at me, so I find someone to hold on to. Then she caught hold of me and hugged me so that I won't get hurt from the people trying to get near me" Minako explained. It was true after all "Well gotta go, the Minister is waiting for us" Wendy interrupted as she passes by the media. Minako and Rei followed inside "Best friend eh? You didn't even answered the first question" Rei whispered as she smirked at Minako "What? That we have a relation? It's alright. I didn't even say that we didn't right?" Minako winked at her Rei just shook her head "You're amazing" She whispered The guards closed the gate after they have entered inside. The Minister and his wife went outside the front entrance of their house to greet Minako personally "Welcome Ms. Aino" The Minister greeted Minako bowed and shook hands with the Minister and his wife "Thank you for inviting us in your house sir" Minako said Rei was looking around inside the Minister's House. It looked like more of a rest house, quiet and peaceful. She was amazed when she saw how many collections of antique plaques with different kinds of classic and orchestral music "Wow, I wish I had a collection as big as this" Rei mumbled "The Minister loves all sorts of classic and instrumental music, it was really odd that he liked Minako's music" Wendy whispered to Rei then she let out an uncontrolled giggle The Minister and his wife guided Minako and the others at their dining table. Rei stood at the corner and observed the whole place while guarding Minako at the same time. Minako and Wendy sat at the table chair beside the Minister's chair and opposite his wife. The hired chef delivered the food at the table and served each of them on their plates. After eating lunch hey talked for about thirty minutes in the Minister's guest room After the visit with the Minister and his wife, Minako asked Rei to drop by at her parent's house to visit them for a short while "So, how's your rehearsal doing, Minako?" Mrs. Aino asked as she enters their guest room with a tray containing tea cups "It's easy and tiring at the same time. After this I have to get back to the theatre to continue our rehearsal. Tomorrow will be our final rehearsal so I won't have the time to pay a visit starting tomorrow" Minako stated "It's alright baby. We can still reach you by cell phone right? Don't worry about us we're doing fine here" Mr. Aino said, and then he looked at Rei "I watched the television and saw you and Rei-san" Mr. Aino added Rei almost sprayed the tea she was drinking when she heard Mr. Aino. Minako's dad stood up and approached her. Rei gulped Mr. Aino held Rei's hand and... "How could they accuse crimes to such beauty? Did they hurt you Rei-san? Are you feeling alright now?" Mr. Aino said, babying Rei's hand All girls in the guest room sweat dropped "Dad stop that, you're over reacting! Besides, Rei-chan didn't do any crime" Minako said with her hands on her waist "But you said that you and Rei-san were best friends there" Mrs. Aino said "I just said that because that's the first thing that came from my mind. If I stay silent after that issue, they'll just quit bugging me about that" Minako explained "Well, that's always the answer to that problem. Stay silent" Mrs. Aino said Wendy's cell phone rang "Hello, this Wendy speaking...Heather? I thought you and the others will arrive tomorrow?...Oh, I see. We'll see you at the hotel tonight then...bye and have a safe flight" Wendy folded her flip top cell phone "Is there any problem Wends?" Minako asked "There's no problem Aino, it's just your make-up artists and your fashion designer. They said no plane going to Tokyo will be available today so they decided to take yesterday's flight. They will be arriving tonight" Wendy explained "Is that so Ms. Wendy? Do you want me to call some agents to escort them to the hotel?" Rei offered "Yes please, Ms. Hino" Rei nodded and contacted the head chief through her ear phone. Wendy looked at her watch and then looked at Minako knowingly. The pop star nodded "Mom, Dad, we'll go back to the theatre now" Minako said sadly Mr. and Mrs. Aino stood up to kiss their daughter good bye and bowed at Wendy and Rei who bowed back "Don't push yourself too much to work okay, Minako?" Mrs. Aino said "Be careful out there" Mr. Aino said "Thank you very much for the hospitality" Wendy said "We will be going" Rei said as she bows again "Bye Mom, bye Dad! Thanks for the tea!" Minako waved her hand then quickly catches up with Wendy followed by Rei As they reach the limo Rei assisted them inside. Then before Rei could enter the driver's seat, she saw a handsome hazel haired young man looking at her twenty feet far from their position The young man was holding a long white feather. He placed the feather on his handsome face, caressing his cheeks and chin then he looked directly at Rei's cerulean eyes "Rei-chan, what is it? Did you see something or someone?" Minako interrupted Rei's eye contact Rei glanced at her lover then went back to the man's direction but he was gone already "Rei-chan are you alright?" Rei nodded her head "I'm alright. I just thought I saw someone" Said Rei as she sits inside the limo and started the engine As the limo faded from the streets the same young man reappeared from behind the telephone booth where he hid ----- What a boring chapter hehehe... My mind is focused at our incoming volleyball competition so I couldn't daydream...Imagine me playing volleyball while daydreaming? I'll probably end up being out of the game or at the bench because I kissed my cute opponent :p
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