"To begin our meeting, we should introduce ourselves in our traditional way...We are the men...called Sanctuary. We are the famously hired assassins back then, and became silent seven years ago" "Seven years ago because we stayed silent after the last incident in the Hydra stadium" "So what made you stop after what you've done to the Hydra stadium?" Rei asked The speaker laughed "...We really wished that it was us who did that. But we didn't, the TNPH were too lazy to investigate. But because we are always known for blowing up stadiums, they pointed us out to be the ones guilty for the crime" "So I guess you had the idea who really did that right?" Rei asked again "...Unfortunately no. And we don't really care who did it. But it was because of that incident we became silent until this year" "Then what does that have to do with Minako's concert?" Rei yelled "Aren't you going to ask what we needed from you?" The voice asked "Of course I would get to that point, I just thought that you men were only going to boast out your oh-so-noble doings and tell me that you're killing Minako" Rei said "Actually it really has nothing to do with what we are planning in Minako's concert" "Damn it, stop talking nonsense!" "Hush Hino-chan. If you really want to get to our point then please calm down. We know how much you value Ms. Aino. We are here to ask you a favor" "What is it?" Asked Rei suspiciously "...Join Sanctuary" -- -Minako's Hotel Room- Minako sat silently at the couch while ignoring other's suggestions. She looks deeply out of thought as she gazes at the window 'Rei-chan's hiding something from me. It's obvious when I tried to sneak behind her back. Rei...why can't I read your mind? Why until now that you can't tell me what you want to say? She should know by now that we could figure things out easier if we help each other' "Minako? Are you alright?" one of the make-up artists asked. All eyes were now looking at her. She looked at them with pure coldness and annoyance "I'm fine, just don't bother me" Then she turns her head back at the window The head chief sighed as she looks at the pop star with pity. Both Minako and Rei are innocent victims on what is seriously going on. They didn't have much of a choice because if they tell the truth, the pop star may panic or be stressed or worst faint instantly. But the head chief doubted the pop star would do that, for him, Minako has a strong personality in his opinion "But Minako, we can't confirm our decision without your confirmation and opinion" The fashion designer said "Do whatever you want to do. Just stop bothering me" Said Minako without even glancing at them The fashion designer looked at Wendy questioningly "What's wrong with her?" The fashion designer hissed at Wendy "Love sick" Wendy simply replied as she checks her pocket scheduler, not showing any concern The make-up artists and the fashion designer looked at each other. Even more confused than ever The head chief approached the pop star "If you don't mind Aino-san, can I talk to you for a while personally? But if you really don't feel like talking it's alright with me" The head chief asked It took five seconds for Minako to confirm and nodded numbly. She stood up and as the head chief patiently waited for her to lead the way in a place where there is privacy and no one can hear about the upcoming conversation As they got outside Minako's staff flooded Wendy with questions. But Wendy ignored them and yelled that they should be doing their job -- -Inside the Hotel Bedroom- "I see that your staff will sleep in a different room number am I right Aino-san?" The head chief started "They couldn't fit here so I suggested that they get another room" Aino replied, her face still expressionless The head chief studied the pop star for a while then... "Is it because of her?" The head chief asked "H-huh?" Minako didn't know what to answer "Is it because of Rei, that you became suddenly upset?" "I...well..." Minako could make out the words from her mouth, so she just looked away instead "I guess she said something rude to you, I hope not. Rei sometimes talks and do whatever she wants without caring about anybody's feelings. You became really close to her, and so do I and Rinka. Tell me, did you two argued? I'll punish Rei for upsetting you, she wouldn't have--" Minako couldn't control her tears and emotions anymore; she sobbed and hugged the head chief tightly "A-Aino-san..." "Oh big boss, I'm so sorry! I love her! I love her so much that I couldn't last a second without her ever since I met her...I really do...I-I...I'm sorry we hid this from you..." The head chief was shocked at the pop star's confession. So the rumor was true after all. But all that he can do right now is not to judge the pop star and his niece on what they had become. He has no right to do that; he should be helping in the situation instead "Aino-san...please calm down...I'm really sorry. I didn't expect that assigning Rei to be your personal bodyguard will lead into this" The head chief apologized Minako looked at him "Big boss, don't say such things. It was because of that, I finally met the person that will truly make me the happiest person alive" Minako said looking straight to the head chief's eyes "It's just..." "What is it, Aino-san?" The head chief asked "Rei...there is something she won't open up to me. I knew something's wrong and she thinks I believe all that she tells me, especially before she left tonight. I observed her. I always do. I may be a pop star, but it doesn't mean that all I can do is to sing, perform and sign autographs for my fans. Rei is keeping her problems to herself, and that's what I'm mad at!" Minako said The head chief sighed "...To tell you the truth Aino-san, that is also the thing that I dislike from Rei. She's too silent when it comes to problems. A lot of people in the headquarters are having difficulty in understanding her. They couldn't read her mind, yet sometimes her emotions are so obvious" He explained "But you know Aino-san, if you try hard to make Rei confess what's going on with her, she'll definitely tell you the truth. She's just having a great difficulty in trusting everyone around her; and that includes me I guess" He said as he continued but his mind flew on thoughts after that 'What the heck am I saying? I encouraged Aino-san to make Rei confess about the problems that are happening in the TNPH? Oh well, I'll face that later, I have do something about this and I had no choice' "Big boss are you okay?" Minako asked "Oh, of course Aino-san I'm okay. So, you and your staff are already organizing your outfits for the concert?" The head chief changed the subject "Yes, and did you know that there is also a bonus mini movie before the concert starts? I hope you'll see that big boss! They will be screening my past concerts from Europe in a large flat screen that hung in the center of the main stage!" Minako said cheerfully "I'll look forward to that" The head chief said, he was relieved that the pop star smiled again "I'm really excited in this coming concert, so I must keep my self extra busy starting tomorrow...I'll...keep my self busy-" A tear escaped from Minako's eyes. The head chief quickly noticed this "Aino-san..." The head chief wiped Minako's tears with his hanky "...Thank you for listening and understanding me big boss" The pop star said as she leans her head to the head chief's shoulder, the head chief patted her soft blonde hair -- -Back at the abandoned place- "Join you? I'm not crazy enough to do that! What makes you think I that I'll easily agree and join you?" Rei yelled at the man in front of her Four of the men including the one in front of Rei laughed, which irritated the police woman "Tsk, tsk, tsk...Hino-chan-" "I said stop calling me that! And what the hell are you laughing about?" Rei asked "We're laughing because it's something that we know and you don't. So if you join us you'll probably understand why we were laughing" The fourth voice spoke Rei couldn't stand them anymore. She took out her hand gun and pointed it straight to the heart of the man in front of her "Bullshit the conditions! You guys are totally insane!" Yelled Rei One of the men behind stood alert to take his gun when the man in front of Rei raised his hand to signal his companion to stop drawing his gun "Hino-chan...What makes you think we are insane?" Asked the first voice, Rei can tell the man is smirking by the tone of his voice "Well that's easy. First you have your companion there who looks like he was deeply in love with his feather. Next the other one who talks nonsense and tries to make waste of my time, and whoever wrote that stupid poem, is stupid and insane enough for me, and then there's you, who keeps calling me Hino-chan, for some odd reason that you really sound gay and it irritates me...I guess those reasons are enough" Rei answered breathlessly There was short silence before the first voice spoke "...I see that you observe the most little things we do. You are correct. We all have our own deficiencies. But have you seen your own? You are just like us Hino-chan, and everybody is just like us. We all have our deficiencies. It's just that ours are easily noticed while some hide it" "But even though we have this kind of deficiency, we do have something that other people don't. We call it 'Special Gifts'" He continued while taking out something from his pocket. Rei alerted herself He took out a silver necklace with a round pendant crafted with a Lion with white wings with a long sword pierced through its wings. He held the necklace by its chain and showed it in front of Rei "W-what is that?" Asked Rei "Look at what I can do Hino-chan...Hmm...What should I do first? I see that my life is threatened because your gun is pointing at me. Perhaps I should make it point to you?" he said as he waves the necklace, making a pendulum At that instant Rei felt her hands turn numb and moving involuntarily against her will. Now her own hands are pointing the gun on her heart "What the-you can-" "Control my victims. I can also hypnotize them, I call it Curse. How does it feel now that you are threatened by yourself? I am one of those few lucky ones who learned this skill. I am also not just an ordinary hypnotist. My curse can last as long as I wanted it to remain" He explained 'Damn it, not now' Rei thought "As for you, I just want you to see what I can do" "So do I have to avoid looking at your pendant?" Rei said sarcastically "Look at it or not, the curse will still take effect. As long as the person is few meters near me and I can make a perfect pendulum. I can command anyone by whisper. Now I'll have to make you throw your gun" He said while dowsing his necklace Rei's hand involuntarily threw her gun few meters away "Now I release you from the curse Hino-chan" Rei can now move herself and her hands. The agent was shaking and speechless but she tried to make out the words from her mouth "W-w-why are you telling and showing these things to me?" "...Because we want you to realize something. The poem we sent to the TNPH. Have you recalled the last sentence?" The second voice asked Rei tried hard to recall the last sentence although she's still quite shaky 'The last one... "We do hope you understand this, because it's-"' "...Useless anyway...'Useless' is the title of the fifth song in Minako's special edition album" She said absent mindedly "Right. You figured it out as sooner as we expected. Perhaps do you know how the Sanctuary can be stopped from doing it?" Replied the man who recently spoke "...Minako's life...is at sake here right?" Rei asked "Uh-huh" The first voice replied as she places back his necklace this time around his neck "...and because you want me to join Sanctuary...You'll...so the condition is...If I joined Sanctuary, Minako will be spared?" Rei asked with disbelief "Straight to the point bright girl...But if you don't..." Rei's heart is slowly sinking "You'll...kill her...and many other people" -- -Back at Minako's Hotel Room- "Okay everything is fixed. And we're so ready this Saturday" The fashion designer said "Maybe I'll go shopping tomorrow and I'll compare the textures of the blush-ons and lipsticks here in Tokyo. Want to come with me?" The make up artist said "I'd love to, but we'll do that in the afternoon, after we try all the wardrobes and test make-ups on Minako tomorrow morning" The fashion designer replied "Okay it's settled. I wonder if Minako's coming too" "Save your dreams, even the media men from Europe came all the away here just to get a scoop from Minako too, so I can't take the risks of exposing Minako any further. It might be too dangerous" Wendy replied "Yeah, you're right" Minako came out of the room together with the head chief "It seems that Hino still isn't here" The head chief said "She'll be back as soon as possible" All of the eyes turned to the pop star as she started to speak "Aino..." Wendy whispered "She'll be back...I have to trust her, right big boss?" Minako asked as she looked at the head chief The head chief nodded "Yes, of course she will" The make-up artist stood up from her seat "Anybody wants to sleep now? I'm a little tired because were from a flight you know" "I'm still not sleepy. But if you are then let's go to our room. Are you sleeping now too, Wendy?" The fashion designer said as she looks from Minako to Wendy who was getting something from the fridge. She took out a can of ice cream. Minako was a bit confused on what her manager is doing "I don't think so. We'll still have our midnight snack" Wendy said as she winked at Minako who nodded cheerfully -- -Inside the taxi- "Hurry up mister, someone's waiting for me!" Rei demanded "Hey, cool down missy! We'll get to your destination, and I can't just go over speeding on the road even in the midnight, you know?" The taxi driver said "...Yeah, you're right. Gomen...Thank you for being patient and waiting for me" Rei apologized as she massages her temples "You seemed so stressed out with your job as police, hmm? But I'm glad you're safe, I was scared that something might happen to you and it might bother my conscience. Besides, no one will pay for your fare right?" The taxi driver said as he let out a smile Rei looked at the taxi driver from the rear mirror and saw the sincerity in his face. She smiled back 'At least a taxi driver like him cared, thank you. May the kami bless you' -- -Few minutes passed- "You didn't eat much ice cream, Aino" Wendy commented "It's because I'm reserving my hunger" Minako reasoned as she plays dreamily on her cup of ice cream "How about you head chief sir, don't you want a cup of ice cream?" Wendy asked the head chief "I'm sorry but I don't really eat that kind of food. I think that food doesn't suit my age" The head chief chuckled "You're a little sensitive when it comes to age hmm, head chief sir?" Wendy teased "Wha? It's not really that-" The doorbell sounded. The head chief stood up and checks the door to see who it was, but all of them in the room predicted that it was Rei behind the door As the head chief opened the door they saw a very sweaty and breathless Rei "Hino, what on earth did just happen to you?" The head chief asked Rei grabbed the head chief's arm for support while her other hand on her chest. She took a fast glimpse at Minako, the pop star's face was miserable. She already knows something's wrong. Then she whispered to him "I'll--tell you--tomorrow...okay? First thing's--first" The head chief didn't press the issue and nodded Rei stood straight and fixed herself from being breathless from running back to being a professional agent "I'm sorry for making you worry. I went out to fix something and uh...I 'kinda forgot the about the time" Rei said, but she couldn't look at Minako. She can only look at Wendy and the head chief There was another deafening silence in that room. They are looking at each other's faces. Except that Rei can't look at her pop star lover. Wendy sighed and stood up from her sofa seat and walk towards the door "I'll visit Heather and the others on the other room to check their condition in there. I'll bring the ice cream with me, there's another one in the fridge" Wendy said as she opens the door. The head chief catches up with her "I'll accompany you there Ms. Wendy. I'll be going off anyway. Hino, take care of Aino-san, okay? I'll lock the door for you" The head chief said. Rei just nodded, still standing at her place The door behind the agent closed with a soft click sound. Silence conquered the room between Minako and Rei The pop star looked at the window where she was looking at before. Her thoughts deep, at the same time she is waiting for Rei to say something. But nothing sounded, not even a whisper "Rei...do I always have to be the one to make the first move?" Minako weakly said "Minako...I..." "I can't read your mind Rei. That's why when it comes to something that involves you, I became an outcast. I just thought that you'll tell me everything because you love me and you trusted me so much" Minako said as another tear escaped her eyes Rei winced at Minako's voice, it was full of heartaches "I admit. I really wanted you to tell me everything that's happening on you. Especially this morning and before you just left a few hours ago, Rei I'm not numb god damn it! Can't you still feel that I needed you this much?" Minako yelled as she looked at Rei Rei stood silent. Then tears started flowing down on her cheeks. She walked and approached the pop star "Minako...please don't say that...I know how you feel...but...telling me this...it hurts" Rei said as she tried to hold back her tears "How come you're telling me it hur-" Minako was stunned when Rei hugged her fiercely and rather a bit tightly "R-Rei?" Is all that Minako can say "...I just want to save you...I don't want to lose you Minako...I need you so much too, I even need you now! They...they want to...I won't let them take you away from me! I'm so sorry if I once again ignored you...I just want to make sure you're safe...that's all...that's all...Oh, I'm so sorry Mina-chan, please don't get mad at me, I can't stand you being mad at me" Rei said as she tightens her hug to her lover Minako's mood changed from anger to worry. She never heard Rei talking like this, or imagined her to be like this scared. Rei is afraid of something...or someone "Hush Rei-chan...I'm here for you. And no matter how angry or mad I am to you, I'll never let you go. I'll never leave you, because I can't live without you and I love you so much..." The pop star said Minako held Rei's chin and kissed her lover's lips mildly and long enough to calm her down. They looked at each other's eyes and leaned each other's forehead "I love you so much that I would do anything for you...even joining them" Rei said absent-mindedly as she clings to Minako "Them? Rei-chan I guess you're hungry, you're already saying odd things...How about a midnight snack?" Minako offered her lover Rei nodded as she lean on Minako's shoulder "Hey, how about you rest in the sofa for a while, I can't prepare our snacks with your head leaning on my shoulder. Although I really wanted it, I think you needed a rest" Said Minako as she assists her lover to the sofa to sit and rest "Oh, and Rei..." "...What is it?" Rei asked "Tell me what happened when you feel better okay?" Minako said "...Okay"
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