The cement floor was cool and damp against Ami Mizuno's bare feet. She wandered along the edge of the pool, the smell of chlorine lingering in the air. Tossing her towel aside, the girl sat down on the ledge and slid her two smooth, pale legs into the water to test the temperature. Not another soul was around and it gave the blue-haired girl a sense of tranquility. She so rarely pulled herself away from her studying for any activities but Usagi and Minako had insisted. It was summer, after all. School wouldn't start for another three weeks. The pool was "officially" closed for the night but Ami was welcome whenever she wanted because of her heritage and connections. There were large windows on either side of the room, overlooking the lighted cityscape from the height of the building.
Gripping the rails, Ami lowered herself into the water until it was up to her shoulders with a sigh. It felt good to be in the water, it felt natural to her. She'd always been a rather strong swimmer and as much as she didn't care to admit it, Usagi and Minako had been right to make her take some time off. Ami bobbed in the water for a minute or two then curled to the side of the pool like a ribbon. She bent her knees and pressed her feet into the side then pushed off and shot a little more than halfway across the pool. She was off and swimming. She submerged under the water and for an instant the sounds of the surface were muffled and far away. The only sounds she registered were the thick noises of bubbles rushing past her.
Ami broke to the surface again to breathe, her short hair now limp and wet and with the illusion of being slightly longer than it was. She swam to the other end of the pool then pushed off across in the opposite direction and repeated the process several times over the span of 15 minutes. When she finally pulled herself from the water, she was dripping wet and huffing slightly. A puddle began to gather at her feet. As she raised her head, her towel was suddenly held under her nose. Ami took the towel in her hands and looked up to see a brown-haired girl with a ponytail smiling at her. Ami looked back at the towel, her face flushing a little.
"Hi" Makoto said, holding up a hand as if to wave. She didn't though, and instead let it drop to her side again after a second.
Ami smiled down at her towel then began to rub her hair with it in an effort to get it dry. She looked at Makoto again. "Hi. How did you get in here?"
The brunette smirked and jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "They let me in when I mentioned we were friends." She chuckled then walked past Ami, looking around the pool area and whistling a bit. "They let you have the whole place to yourself… definitely a sign of being rich, eh Ami?"
"I guess" the shorter girl answered, shrugging and dabbing her face with the towel.
"Heh, just the norm to you I suppose. I confess I'm actually here on official duty of Princess Usagi." Makoto turned back to face Ami, a goofy grin on her face. "They wanted me to make sure you weren't doing something…"
"Something that involves work?" Ami offered when Makoto trailed off. "I know, I know. But having a swim doesn't count as work does it?" She gestured towards the rippling surface of the blue water where both girls were standing close enough that their reflections could be seen in it.
"No way, its leisure, not studies!" Makoto agreed. "Unless you're planning on being a professional swimmer. Than it counts as studying. Not that you'd really need much practice…"
Ami's face reddened again. "Oh, you saw me swimming?"
"You're a great swimmer!" Makoto looked towards the change room doors where she spotted a blue duffel bag with the name 'Mizuno' clearly written on it. "Buuut just to be on the safe side…" She strolled over to the bag, kneeling next to it and unzipping it to examine its contents. Ami swung the towel over her shoulder and hurried towards Makoto.
"W-wait!" Ami protested. "You can't just…" She stopped when Makoto stood up, holding a book in her hands.
"Aha! A book! Planning to sneak in some studying are we? Not on MY watch!"
Ami swiped her hands, trying to make a grab for the book but Makoto dangled it just out of reach of the shorter girl. She turned her shoulder towards Ami and tried to peek inside the book while Ami helplessly tried to reach over her friend's shoulder for it with no avail.
"What is it…?" Makoto said flipping through pages. "Physics, math, science? …Err… romance?"
Ami leapt at the book a final time, snatching it from Makoto's hands and jumping away from her, blushing. "It's not a textbook, so it's not work. Reading relaxes me."
Makoto rubbed the back of her head, feeling awkward. "Yeah but… a romance novel? You just didn't strike me as the mushy type."
"I'm not!" Ami leafed through the book, trying to find her page. "Usagi lent it to me. 'Summer reading' she called it. I have to summarize it for her when school starts to prove I read it."
"Ah. Shouldn't be too hard. Those kinda books are all the same. Girl meets guy, guy falls in love with girl, girl falls in love with guy, happily ever after. The end." Makoto looked at the ceiling. "Typical fictional romance. True love is a fairy tale."
Ami nodded quickly in agreement. "Yes but um… the two characters… you got them off a little. They're both female."
Makoto blinked then coughed with embarrassment. "Well, same principle right?"
"More or less." Ami put the book back in her bag and zipped it closed again. "I hope you're satisfied now, Mako-chan. You can report back to Usagi and tell her I wasn't doing any work. Just some harmless swimming and reading."
"Well that's no fun" Makoto huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Straight-laced Ami through and through."
Ami picked up her bag and walked off to the change room, trying not to let the last remark sting. Makoto followed her much to the blue-haired girl's dismay. She hung around in the change room while Ami brushed her hair in the mirror. She then crossed past Makoto to shower. The shower area was a large, open, tiled space with twelve showerheads and very little privacy. Ami peeled off her bathing suit and turned on the tap to the showerhead furthest away from where Makoto stood. Steam began to rise and Ami tilted her head back, closing her eyes and washing the stickiness of the chlorine from her hair and skin.
Makoto leaned against the tile wall near the entrance, staring at the showerhead facing her as it dripped every other second. "Are you mad…?" she asked quietly. "You know I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything, Ami-chan."
Ami glanced at Makoto over her shoulder then shut off the water. She wrapped her towel around her middle and walked out again, letting Makoto follow her. "I can be spontaneous" Ami said flatly as she went back to where the lockers were to change into her clothes. Makoto looked away from her as she changed and instead shifted her gaze to the clock on the wall. Almost 11. Awfully late to be out for a swim in any case.
"I know" Makoto sighed.
"I mean it!" Ami said, wrestling to get her shorts on while her bra dangled from between her clenched teeth. "Just as spontaneous as Minako or Usagi!"
"I didn't mean it as an insult. I just meant it's so unlike you to be wild and reckless and daring. You know? You're always so logical."
"I'm sorry I bore you, Makoto" Ami mumbled, pulling her shirt over her head.
"Now wait a minute! I didn't say that!"
Ami walked past Makoto, now fully dressed in her summer attire. "You were thinking it though, weren't you? And it's true. I'm so dull, so average."
"You're neither!" Makoto answered, trailing after Ami yet again. "You're not dull. Just… predictable. Reliable. We've all come to rely on you because we know you wouldn't do something irrational or stupid." Makoto smiled, apparently pleased with herself at thinking up such a nice description in such short time.
Ami didn't look convinced. "Oh. Reliable, is that what you all call me?"
"You're overreacting" Makoto said. "…As I thought you might." She immediately wished she hadn't said the last part.
"Yes! Just as you thought I would act!" Ami fumed.
"Come on, Amiiiii" Makoto groaned, rubbing her temples. "What's with you? Are you just cranky because you haven't gotten any schoolwork done in the middle of summer?"
Ami's anger faltered and she was tempted to tell the truth. But caving in, wouldn't that be just like her? "N-no. It's not that at all. It's something completely unrelated to the matter."
Makoto's eyes flickered with interest. "Aaaand?"
Ami walked out of the change room with the taller girl at her heels. They strode across the concrete, around the pool and out the two glass doors that led into the hallway of the hotel. The hall was filled with doors and it was dimly lit so as not to disturb the sleeping guests. Ami went to the elevator, pressing the button. The doors opened and Ami stepped inside. Makoto went in after her and the doors slid shut behind them.
"Tell me!" Makoto said, standing in front of the button panel so Ami couldn't press any.
"You're in my way, Kino-san" she said in annoyance, trying to somehow get past her friend. Easier said than done.
"Tell me what's got you so worked up" Makoto answered.
"I don't have to tell you anything!"
"Alright. You think you can move me?"
Ami, though logical, predictable and dull was not physically strong. And compared to Makoto… well, it was almost unthinkable. The taller girl could snap her like a twig if she wanted to. No exaggeration. Ami sighed, reverting to her normal, mature self and spoke as though dealing with a child. "That book got me thinking…"
"What book?" Makoto interrupted, blinking numbly.
"The romance book! It got me thinking… how… how completely alone I am!"
"What!" Makoto leapt back a little as Ami fell to her knees, sobbing hysterically and covering her face in her hands. The brunette was overcome with guilt for pressing the matter. She looked around nervously, as if she could somehow get out of the situation. "A-Ami… I'm sorry…" she stuttered.
"No you're not!" Ami howled, curling up into a ball. "I really don't need this right now! I'm loveless! My studies are the only way I can distract myself from the cruel reality! And then Usagi and Minako tell me I can't study! Then you come in and tell me how boring and predictable I am! No… no wonder no man will ever want me!" She was bawling similar to Usagi and by now poor Makoto was beside herself with disbelief.
Makoto stepped away from the panel, kneeling down to try and comfort Ami. "I'm sorry! I- I didn't know it was like that for you! I..."
Ami raised her face, her eyes dry with no signs that she'd ever been crying. Makoto stared, too shocked to speak or move. Ami stood up, pressing the button on the panel that would take them to the lobby. The elevator rumbled and began to descend, gravity briefly changing in the confined space.
"Was that predictable? Clearly not."
Makoto blinked several times, realizing she'd been tricked. It was quite out of character for Ami to be sobbing and in hysterics over a non-existent boyfriend but it was a clever plan only she could've come up with and played out so beautifully. Makoto stood up and looked at the panel of buttons. She smirked. "I'm not convinced" she said finally. "So you've proven to me you're a good actress."
The elevator stopped moving and opened. The two girls stepped out into the well-lit hotel lobby. A man at the front desk barely spared them a glance and they walked through the automatic front doors and outside into the warm, summer night.
"Really a fancy hotel" Makoto remarked as they walked along the sidewalk while cars drove past on the streets.
"Isn't your house the other way?" Ami asked.
"I'll walk you home. It's late you know. All kinds of people come out at night, just waiting for girls like us."
"So then I'm assuming you'll be spending the night?" Ami asked, smiling. "That's alright. Mama's working late. She won't mind if I have someone over to keep me company."
The two walked in a comfortable silence for a while. "So… is there something bugging you?" Makoto finally had to ask.
"Just what I told you before. But not as bad as that."
"Even if you're loveless, it doesn't mean there's something wrong with you."
Ami sighed in response so Makoto continued, determined to make the girl happy.
"You're… smart, kind-hearted, talented…" Makoto began listing off traits and Ami looked at the taller girl with her large ocean-blue eyes. "You're understanding, mature, a good swimmer, pretty…"
"You're saying that because we're friends" Ami said, sadly. "I've never been very good at showing my feelings for other people. When it comes to romance, I wait too long. Then it's too late to confess my feelings. They've found someone else and I'm alone again."
"I have a different problem" Makoto said, tucking her hands behind her head as she walked. "I do everything too fast and I end up scaring people away. But look. I'm a firm believer in true love. Everyone is destined to find love if they choose to and if they're willing."
"Makoto, you may as well be quoting directly from the book!" Ami laughed. "But I thought you said true love is a fairytale?"
"I did. I still believe it, but I wanted to make you feel better."
"Ah. Well thanks…" Ami nodded a bit, forcing a smile that she didn't really feel like showing. The two turned onto a lonely, empty and quiet neighborhood. They approached her house, or rather mansion. Ami walked to the front door and opened it with her house key. She stepped into the parlor and punched in a code on the alarm system. Makoto stood outside, mouth a-gape. Ami went back to the front door, giving her arm a little tug to break the girl from her trance.
The door closed behind them once they were both inside. Ami stifled a yawn, the first real sign that she was tired. "It's so late… I may as well set you up right now then go to bed." Ami slipped off her sneakers and set them neatly by the door. Makoto did the same. She followed Ami as they ascended the long spiraling staircase. Upstairs was full of rooms and Ami padded down the hall to the very last door. Makoto followed, completely in awe at the sheer size of the interior of Ami's house. Ami's bedroom, though she'd been in once before quite some time ago, was still surprising to her. So neat and grown-up looking. Not like Usagi with her bunny sheets, pink wallpaper and endless stuffed animals. Not like Rei with her simplistic and somewhat empty room. Makoto herself had a room that was both simple but also reflected her tastes and lifestyle, the kind of person that she was.
Ami's room had a professional look to it, if Makoto could think of any word. It was like Ami was constantly being judged and even in her own home she wanted to make an impression on people. Ami went to her drawers, opening them and taking out a pair of neatly folded pajamas. She held them to her face then paused, blushing. "Um… Mako-chan?"
"Hm?"
"I don't think my pajamas will fit you."
Makoto snorted then laughed. "Oh, Ami. You're a riot. I'll sleep in the nude!"
Ami's face went bright red and she had to fight the mental image that threatened to creep into her mind.
"I'm just kidding" Makoto said, laughing again. Ami breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good because I was going to put you in my bed with me and that would have been… odd…" She poked her index fingers together, blushing.
"Odd? Yeah maybe a little." Makoto snickered and approached the bed. It was large, plenty big enough for the two girls to lie side by side without ever touching. She sat down on it and it sunk down a little. Makoto grinned and flopped onto her back, her arms spread out on either side of her. "It's so soft…" she murmured. She felt a slight pressure in the back of her head and sat up again, prying her elastic out that held her ponytail in. Makoto's long brown hair flowed around her like liquid and Ami was quite surprised at the smoothness and shine it had.
"It's a special mixture I use to wash my hair" Makoto said when she felt Ami's eyes on her. "Rei made it for me. She's got beautiful hair too."
Ami changed into her pajamas and crawled onto the bed with Makoto. "Yes, she does. But I'm not used to seeing your hair looking different. Rei always wears her hair long."
"I guess" Makoto answered, not quite sure what she was getting at.
Ami lay down next to her friend, staring at the ceiling with disinterest. "It's nice…" she said quietly.
"What?"
"It's nice with you here. Just… the two of us together."
"Oh. Uh, yeah." Makoto's eyelids fluttered closed.
Ami closed her eyes too but her mind was wide awake with troubled thoughts. "I can be spontaneous, you know."
"Mmmhmm…" Makoto was drifting off into sleep on the comfortable bed. Ami watched her intently then flicked off the light switch by the bedside.
"You have to believe me, Mako-chan… There's something about me…" Ami's voice had dropped to a whisper and she lay back, closing her eyes. "…that you never would've thought."
Makoto began to wake up and she faintly smiled. She felt well-rested, comfortable, ready to take on whatever the day threw at her. The sun filtered through the large window over the bed and warmed the girl's face. That's when it came to her. She wasn't in her own bed… Still, she wasn't alarmed by this. The previous night's events came back to her and she sat up. Ami lay curled up on the other side of the bed, still fast asleep. Moving carefully, Makoto slipped out of bed and crept across the floor. The room was so silent. Leaning over the dresser, Makoto examined the digital clock. 12: 30; she'd really slept in.
With a muffled sigh, Ami rolled over in her sleep behind her. Makoto straightened, wondering what she could do to occupy herself before Ami got up. It would seem rude to simply leave while Ami slept without so much as thanking her for the hospitality. But, the brown-haired girl reasoned, it would be equally rude to poke around her friend's house where she wasn't invited too. Makoto finally settled it with sitting on the floor in the sun with her back against the wall, next to the bed. She pulled her legs up to her chest and set her chin on the top. She reckoned she wouldn't need to wait too long. How long could Ami sleep in?
"Forget it, Usagi, it's no use" Minako sighed, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. "Mako-chan can't be bothered with us anymore…"
Usagi rang the doorbell a forth time and fumed a little. "That Makoto… Where could she be?"
Minako shrugged but she was obviously bothered by their friend's absence from her home. "Running errands?"
"What if she didn't get home safely?" Usagi asked, worriedly.
"Baka! Don't say things like that! Makoto is more than capable of taking care of herself!" Minako replied. The blonde-haired girl pondered a bit then snapped her fingers. "Ami! We'll phone her and ask!"
Moments later, the two girls were outside and crowded into a payphone, Minako dialing the number carefully then holding the phone to her ear. Usagi leaned in to try and listen as well. There was ringing on the other side than a click and a voice.
"H-hello?"
"Makoto! There you are!" Minako said, grinning. "You stayed over at Ami's! I figured as much. Well? What's your report?"
Makoto had only answered the phone because the ringing might disturb Ami's sleep. She was standing in the hallway, just outside of her friend's bedroom, facing the wall as she spoke. "Report? Are you for real, Minako?"
"What?" the blonde asked innocently. "I'm only worried about our dear friend Ami. She's been awfully distant lately. If it isn't the workload, than what?"
"She seemed fine to me, Mina" Makoto sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "Perfectly fine and happy. You're just being paranoid." At that moment, a drowsy looking Ami padded out of the room, rubbing one eye.
"Who is it, Makoto?" Ami asked, stifling the urge to yawn.
Makoto rolled her eyes, handing the blue-haired girl the phone. "Minako and I think Usagi's there too. She's apparently very worried about you; maybe you should talk to her."
Minako. Ami took the phone from Makoto and held it between her chin and neck. "Hi, Mina" she said calmly.
"Ami! How did it go?" she asked excitedly. Makoto strained to hear Minako's words but could only make out that she was giddy about something. Although, that was nothing new.
"Ami, I gotta use the facilities" Makoto said quietly.
"Of course, just down the hall, the second last door, you can't miss it" Ami answered and Makoto walked past her.
"Weeeeell?" Minako said. "Did you… do anything?"
Ami heard the bathroom door close down the hall. "No!"
"Amiiiiiiiii" Minako sighed, exasperatedly. "We made this little set up so the two of you could be alone without us or Rei or senshi problems to bother you. Don't let it go to waste."
Ami gripped the phone tighter. "I'm scared. I really value Makoto's friendship and I wouldn't want to lose her to some… some… stupid feelings!"
"Love is NOT a stupid feeling!" came Usagi's somewhat distant voice over the phone. Minako switched places with her so Usagi could speak better. "Even if she doesn't feel that way about you too, it doesn't mean she'd just dump you as her friend! Mako-chan's more understanding then you give her credit for!"
Ami winced a little. "Then I need more time."
"Don't take too long" Usagi said, shaking her finger at the phone as though Ami could somehow see her. "Keep us posted."
"Yes. Bye." Ami set the phone back in its cradle just as Makoto was strolling back across the hall, her face freshly washed and her bangs a little damp from it.
"Well? What did the two stooges have to say?" Makoto asked.
"Just wanted to see how everything… was…" Ami answered, glancing away from Makoto's questioning gaze.
Usagi hung up the phone and turned slowly, crowded by having Minako in the booth with her. She faced Minako, sighing. "Nothing yet."
"Ami's losing her nerve. She'll never tell Makoto that she loves her at this rate!"
Usagi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You knoooow… we could help them along a little bit. You ARE the senshi of love! And tampering in other people's love lives happens to be a specialty of mine."
"You think?" Minako asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But you're on to something there. These two need help! It's up to us, Venus and Moony to save the day!"
"…Moony?"
The two blondes squeezed out of the phone booth with minimal difficulty. "Alright then!" Usagi said, pointing dramatically at nothing. "To Ami's house!"
End of part one.