"Sorry to keep you waiting Hotaru-chan!" Chibiusa said as she came out of the kitchen. She set the tray she was carrying down on the coffee table in front of Hotaru. The tray held two cups of tea and a plate of cookies.
Chibiusa held up a cookie "These're gingersnaps," she told Hotaru. "We learned how to make them in class today. And I did a great job, if I do say so myself!"
Hotaru took one as well. She delicately took a bite. And then another. Chibiusa was glad to see the usually-somber girl's expression brighten. "They're delicious!" praised Hotaru.
The two girls chatted while they had their tea. Though they knew it was only a lull between battles they both were enjoying this time of peace. They'd been attending school, seeing friends, and enjoying the life and beauty of this Earth that they worked so hard to protect.
"Oh!" Chibiusa exclaimed, "I just remembered, I wanted to show you something else too!" She jumped up, rushed down the hall, and came back carrying a long, slender object.
"A recorder," Hotaru observed. "I didn't know you played."
"Yup!" she replied, "we have a recital coming up soon at school. But I've been teaching myself some other things too. Watch!"
Chibiusa lifted the recorder to her lips and began to play cheery, repetitive melody.
"Ah, it's the theme song from the anime we've been watching?" Hotaru guessed. ""Can you show me how to play it too?"
The small lady agreed and coached her friend through the fingering until she was also able to play a decent replication of the theme song. "Great job!" she said.
Hotaru looked thoughtful and set the recorder down beside her. "You know," she said softly, "just now, sharing the recorder … that was like an indirect kiss."
Chibiusa glanced out of the corner of her eye at her friend, whose expression was hard to read.
Hotaru leaned over and hugged her slender shoulders. "I like you a lot Chibiusa."
She replied, "I like you too, Hotaru-chan," returning the hug.
The seconds ticked by and the hug became awkwardly long. Chibiusa's brow wrinkled as she shifted in her seat. "Uhhhh Hotaru-chan, didja fall asleep or something?" she asked.
Hotaru responded by hugging Chibiusa closer and murmuring, "You're my best friend…. I want us to be together forever."
Her friend's already big eyes got even wider as the lightbulb went off.
"B-but we're both girls," stuttered Chibiusa, her face beginning to turn as pink as her hair.
Hotaru pulled back and looked at Chibiusa, her eyes solemn. "Haruka-san and Michiru-san are both girls and they're dating. Is something wrong with that?"
"Ah, no that's not what I was saying. I don't know what I'm saying." She began to nervously flail her arms. "I was just surprised that's all."
Chibiusa's face turned serious. "Helios is my prince," she said, tucking several strands of dark purple hair behind Hotaru's ear. "Hotaru, I am sure someday you'll meet that special someone you're meant to be with. But I am not that person."
Hotaru's face fell.
"But you are my precious friend," Chibiusa assured her, leaning over and gently placing a kiss on Hotaru's cheek.