Morning came fast, but at 6:30 Rei dragged herself out of bed and squinted at the clock. Why did it say 6:30- didn't she set it for six? She tried to think back and a sneaking suspicion came over her that it might not have been a dream, and Aino Minako might actually be sleeping in the next room. And that was why she had given herself an extra half hour- she had someone to help out, or at least she had said she would.
Rei quickly got dressed and dug her old miko outfit out of the drawer. She glanced at it and let herself grin just a little bit. Minako in a miko outfit, what universe had she fallen into? She walked over to her old room and slid the door open.
Minako was still asleep, sprawled over the futon, looking thin and small and innocent. Rei felt her breath catch in her throat and knelt on the futon and quickly checked her breathing and her pulse. Minako started to mumble at the touch of a hand on her wrist. Rei let her breath out and quickly wiped her eyes before Minako started to blink. She climbed back to her feet and dropped the miko outfit next to the bed.
"I've left you some clothes. If you want to help out, get right up, there's work to do."
She headed down to the kitchen. First order of the day was breakfast. Usually she would only eat after she had finished cleaning, but- she shook the thought of Minako's arms out of her head and put some water on to boil.
She was buttering the toast when Minako came down the stairs, tying the ties on her hakama. Rei went over to help her with them. When they were finished Minako grinned at her.
"How do I look?"
Rei scanned her from top to bottom. Then shook her head. "These recording artists, always so vain."
Minako smacked her. They sat down to eat. Then Rei gave Minako the broom and set her out to sweep the stairs. She went off to do more of the intricate work.
At 8:57 she saw her prospective sponsors come up the nice clean stairs. Minako was now sweeping the pathway to the shrine where the lattice walls were hung with the prayers of mostly students. She approached the businessmen, and they smiled. "Hino-san." Rei winced; they didn't respect her. "How are things going?"
"I think I'm beginning to get things under control."
"Why Hino-san, it seems that you have found a volunteer to be a miko."
"Minako! Come here."
Minako carried her broom over to the three men and Rei.
"What is it, sensei?"
"These men are thinking of assisting the shrine. Introduce yourself."
"Ah- pleased to meet you. My name is Kouno Minako."
Rei glanced at her, hearing the change in her name.
"Are you working here?"
"I am trying to assist Rei-sensei in anyway I can."
"Do you live nearby?"
"I live here."
"Oh, really! So you intend to stay and work fulltime at the shrine."
"If Rei-sensei permits me."
"But you're such a pretty girl. You aren't planning to run off and get married or anything?"
"No, sir. I've had- a complex life so far, and I feel that I can find some peace here. As far as I can see into my own future I see my self by Rei-sensei's side."
The lead man blinked at Rei. "To tell you the truth, we were doubtful that you would get any help. This shrine is too much for one girl to handle. But if you have steady assistance-" he smiled. "We'll fund you for a few months and see if you can make a go of it."
"Th-thank you sir."
The youngest one smiled at Minako. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
Minako looked down. "I don't think so, sir."
The leader slapped the youngest on the back. "Our accountant will get in contact with you soon. Good luck."
Rei let herself breathe out as the men disappeared down the stairs. Minako shook her head. "They don't think we can do it."
"But at least they're giving us a chance." Rei glanced at her and scowled a little. "Thank you."
Minako grinned. "You're welcome."
"Where, may I ask, did the 'we' come from?"
Minako grinned again. "Well, let's just say it's nice to know you need me. And- and I didn't lie. Everything I said, I meant."
"Great, now I'm stuck with you."
"Hey! Don't dis me! I got you funding."
"Yeah, yeah, and now I've got to give you room and board."
"I can pay- you know, if you'll let me stay, I can help fund-"
"I'm not taking money from you."
"Hey! I just want to help!"
Rei looked away. "You help by being here. Your money isn't worth anything, compared-"
She couldn't go on, but Minako could fill in the last two words. She smiled at the ground. "Thanks."
"Shut up and get back to sweeping, you bother me."
Minako stuck her tongue out at Rei and marched off to where she had left off sweeping. Rei watched her, smiling a little bit.
"Hey- Do you want to go out to lunch?" she called after her.
Minako looked back, with a dazzling smile. "Sure!"