Disclaimer: Rei and Minako are not mine...
Greetings, people… This is just another one of my SM fanfics that just recently got its way into a word doc… This is mostly inspired by a Korean movie called "Innocent Steps", which I used for the title… You can look it up on the net if you have time, maybe even search for the movie on youtube? Haha… Anyways, Minako and Rei are senshis here still but I won't be concentrating on their "senshi-ship"…
I'll leave you now to the story… Peace…
Innocent Steps
Chapter I: Step Forward
Minako
This is my mom's fault. I swear if we were not related, I would have pushed her off the nearest road and let the cars go over her. Okay, I guess that was too evil of me. I know that I cannot do that.
But still, I wish I was anywhere but here in front of this dance studio. Yes, my mom enrolled me here so that I could dance properly 'like a lady' (as my mom said) at the grand formal party my parents just threw. I had to perfect my dancing form and learn some dances like rumba, waltz, samba and all that. I only have one month to prepare.
My mom said I lacked the grace of a woman when I dance… Me? Minako Aino, the embodiment of Aphrodite herself, lacked the grace of a woman on the dance floor? That's one big punch from reality. Yes, I admit, I have two left feet and I cannot dance to save my life. I turn down most offers to hide my secret and up until now, no one has ever discovered this yet.
Maybe dance lessons won't hurt. Soon enough, I would take the offer of other people to dance. Right… Here we go…
I opened the doors to the studio and I was greeted by the sight of people using their bodies as an expression of intangible art. They are so graceful, so beautiful to look at; I was mesmerized with the sight before me.
"Hi, you must be Minako, right?"
A voice pulled me back into reality and a woman, about a few years older than me, was standing next to me.
"Yes, yes, I am…"
"Great! Your mom told me you are having your first lesson today. By the way, I am Fuyuko… I'm one of the instructors here."
I shook her hand and she led me towards the other students. They were all cool and friendly. I feel that Lady Luck is smiling down upon me.
"Now, I'll just get the CD player then we can get started, alright?"
"Yes!"
As I went to the side to drop my bag, a familiar voice ringed in my ears, "Minako? Is that you?"
I turned around and saw Rei Hino, the senshi of fire and passion. What the heck is she doing here?!? My big secret will be blown! I need to keep cool…
"Rei? Fancy seeing you here at a dance studio!"
Rei crossed her arms and said, "Fancy seeing YOU here… May I know why you're here?"
I huffed and tried to veer away from the question, "Why are you asking me that? The question should be why are you here? Is shrine work already boring you to death?"
"Actually, yes… I'm here because I teach dancing to these people as a little sideline."
"Hah! So the great Rei Hino can also be known as Twinkletoes when she's on the dance floor?"
"Twinkletoes? Haha, very funny, Minako…" Rei laughed dryly. Soon enough, she fired the question again at me, "Why are you here? You haven't answered my question…"
Oh no…
"Ah, Rei-san! I see you've met Minako…" Fuyuko stepped up between the two of us. Oh no, more trouble…
"Yes, we actually know each other."
"Really? Then that's good! You can help with Minako-san's dance lessons. I'm sure she would learn faster if she trains under a familiar person…"
My world seemed to crash down around me when those words rolled out like beads from Fuyuko's mouth. Now that the secret is out, I just want to crawl under a rock and stay there for the rest of my life.
"Of course, I'll help her. It'll be a pleasure…" Rei said ever so kindly.
"Great!" Fuyuko then walked away to turn on the music.
I sighed out loud and said, "Alright, I admit… I'm here to learn how to dance… I need to learn how to dance so that I won't look bad during my parents' party… There, happy?"
Rei then walked towards me and took my left hand in her right and used her left to pull me close to her. I cried out a little, shocked at the sudden closeness of her. She smiled at me and whispered, "There's nothing to be ashamed about if you can't dance… That's why you're here… to learn how to move your body gracefully along with the music… I'll be here every step of the way… Now, place your hand on my shoulder…"
I was speechless. I found myself obeying Rei and relaxing in her arms. I was suddenly getting warm all over and my cheeks felt like they were on fire.
"Okay, people, places!"
Fuyuko pressed the player and soon, a moderately slow music resonated through the room.
"Now, step forward then back… step left and back…"
Rei slowly taught me the steps and guided me in the dance. It was a bit tricky but I managed to follow her a bit eventually. She really is a great dancer. I feel so inferior to her.
"Concentrate, Mina… You're losing your timing…" she said.
"Oh, sorry…!" I drifted off. Not good, not good at all. I attempted to follow her lead again but the music ended there. She let go of me and stepped back.
"How did I do?" I asked.
Rei placed her hands on her sides and said, "Not bad… Not bad for a beginner… But still rough around the edges…"
I bowed my head at what she said. She turned around and continued, "But it's alright… This is just the first day. It's still a long way to go before you can really achieve the perfect form."
She turned her head towards me and asked, "You should concentrate more, Minako… You're flying off somewhere and your mind leaves the dance floor. You can't do that when you're dancing with a partner. You should be serious and alert; also, you have to be one with your partner…"
I listened closer as she continued, "Both you and your partner are two bodies but you two should move as one when you dance. One with each other, okay?"
"O-Okay…"
"Good… We still have a long way to go…" She offered her hand to me and I shyly held it.
"I only have a month to get this right…" I said.
Rei held the side of my face and made me look straight into her wine-colored eyes. "One month is all you need when you have me…" She paused for a while and sighed.
"…and Fuyuko to teach you… Chin up, okay? You can do this…"
I got lost just looking into her eyes, those kind and beautiful eyes. As the music started again, I never forgot to heed Rei's advice. Concentrate and be one with my partner. Her…
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First chapter finished... Tell me what you think... Reviews are most welcome…