Once everything had smoothed out, Minako was fully back to work as was Rei, with check-ups between. According to Saeko, everything had healed fine and there wasn't any permanent damage that she could see. It really had taken four months time to get back to full force, but to both Rei and Minako, it felt good.
Even so, Rei had gotten used to the new jackets to her suit. Though she never said it out loud, she was also relieved to have them and she found herself more nervous at Minako's occasional public events. People seemed to have finally forgotten her as a hero and went back to focusing on their idol which was also some relief. She had never been able to bring herself to watch the video at the mall that went viral online.
More so was the fact that she was at another archery competition, sitting on her stand and getting her bow set back up again. Minako was watching in silence, but Rei knew the woman was irked by the people that were laughing that she even bothered to come back. The articles had been brutal. Many talked about how a nationally ranked archer must have cheated back then or that she really was just...that bad. She was the laughing stock of many archery worlds.
"Minako quit listening to them. Letting them irritate you isn't going to get us anywhere."
"Ugh, how do you ignore them? It's awful."
"The same way you ignore the lies in the paper about you. I prove them wrong." Rei stood up, making sure her bow was good to go as she clipped the belt around her waist with her quiver and arrows. "I told you I would return and prove them wrong. It's the last one I can get in for a while so I intend to make it count."
"Aiming for number one then?" Minako grinned at her from under the hat.
"No. I'm just aiming to showing them what happens when you run your mouth under a series of assumptions." Rei smirked back at her as the whistle was blown and she turned towards the target with a serious face. She knew people were watching her but at this point, she didn't care. Enough of Minako's fans spent weeks doing that, so it became much easier to block these things out than it used to be.
The sound of a second whistle marked the start of everything and Rei was more than happy to let her first arrow go, hearing a thunk as it struck a solid ten. Last time had been a seven when she did this for her first shot. Then she let arrow after arrow release in a timely manner before lowering her bow to the stand, people staring at her as she looked over her shoulder at Minako.
"I think you made a point." Minako was grinning again, having paid more attention to the people around them that were left stunned as the man returned with her arrows and count.
"Out of the possible one-hundred points, you scored a 91. You may rest until everyone is done and scores are submitted to the board. Top twenty will go into one-on-one face-off challenges in a random draw sequence until there is one overall winner."
"Thank you." Rei took her arrows back, always happy to see the red and deep purple feathers returned to her as she slid them into her quiver and sat back down, watching her score go onto the board as second place for the time being. Minako sat down next to her.
"I didn't think you'd really do this archery thing."
"No?"
"No. See, I remember when I hired you that you didn't enjoy it anymore because they thought you couldn't do it. Especially the men. I just thought...maybe if you had something different that was also the same, it would give you the enjoyment back."
"Mm.." Rei didn't admit it out loud, but she was glad to hear why Minako had gotten her the bow and arrow set. She ran her hand over the arrow that was engraved across the front of one of the limbs. The whole set was so much of her that it was startling almost. The two of them sat in a comfortable silence while others finished.
Rei would go on to place first by the end by one point. She had done what she came to do and she could feel the pride radiating off of Minako as she accepted the gold medal around her neck and the left in peace.
Rei sighed as she sat in Minako's office, flipping a page in her book while everyone else was running around. They'd been stationary for a solid week almost, preparing for this upcoming awards show that Minako was performing in and up for a top tier award in. Rei had read into it, it was the top award for the country and the one award Minako was missing off her wall it seemed. She was sure she was to get it this time given how much her popularity had gone up.
"Man, people are going crazy." She looked up when Haruka walked in, which was unusual.
"Didn't you have a race today?"
"So you do pay attention. It was rained out and Michiru kicked me out for the day for some 'alone time,' whatever that means." Haruka grinned taking a seat on the couch next to Rei.
"Perhaps she means your constantly flirtatious attitude." It was harsh, but it was the truth all the same. Haruka flirted with women relentlessly at times. "And thus has kicked you out as punishment."
"Have you been talking to her?"
"I wouldn't even know where to begin to look for her. I just know you well enough." Rei closed her book and put it into her jacket. "Do you need something today?"
"Just bored and thought I would swing by to see how things are going. There's a lot going on with this awards thing. Serious people this year."
"It's serious every year."
"Yeah, but Mio has really exploded recently." Rei watched Haruka almost moved away from the look that crossed her face without thinking. "What the hell was that?"
"What's going on?" Minako had appeared and Rei bit back a huff. Great, this isn't what she wanted to talk about.
"Mio, of course. Seems like Rei isn't exactly a fan of hers." Haruka grinned.
"Why's that? She's just another idol."
Rei wanted to protest that had she not been in the video, she was sure Minako would have kissed the woman who blew her off to work for Mio. "She's egotistical beyond belief. After she got her 15 minutes of fame and exploded, she had disregarded every single idol on the scene, refusing even collaborations claiming she doesn't need them. Nevermind she practically stole the girl who was supposed to work in your music video and delayed the whole thing and almost ruined the release of the CD."
Minako gave a timid smile at her as if to ease the tension. "It's okay, Rei. That's this world, it's very cut-throat like that. We're both up for the same awards so we will see how it goes."
It didn't really make Rei feel any better at knowing there was a chance Mio could outdo Minako. "Mm..."
"Anyways…" Haruka spoke up to break the tension. "I'm gonna head on out, let you guys do what you need to do. I'll be back on the day of to drive you there. Take care."
Rei watched Minako wave the racer off as she sank back into the couch. She really did hate Mio. "How much is left today?"
"We're almost done downstairs. Finalizing some paperwork. Probably still a couple hours. Going to stay tonight?"
Rei debated it, rubbing the back of her neck and looking at the clock in the office. It was already ten at night. "I don't know…"
"It's getting late, Rei." Minako sat next to her and Rei tried not to tense up. "And we have an early morning too with starting rehearsals for the performance. Stay, please."
God, it was hard to deny that. "Alright. I'm going to get Natsuna to order in some food though."
"Probably a good idea. We haven't eaten in a while. I'm going to head back downstairs and help out some more though." She flashed that thousand-watt smile and disappeared out of Rei's sight. What she wouldn't give to get just a little closer without the risks involved. By staying the night, it was going to be hard to keep things to herself.
Regardless, she had agreed to it tonight. With a heavy sigh, she stood up and walked to Natsuna's desk downstairs, requesting her to order the office in something to eat since it would be a while still before moving into the kitchen and making a cup of coffee to keep herself up a little longer.
As she sat at the island in the middle of the kitchen, sipping slowly on her coffee, she let her thoughts wander about. It was hard to keep them straight with the lack of sleep anyone had been getting as of late. She was less thrilled and yet more ready for this awards ceremony. Minako had attended a smaller one about two months ago while Rei was still considered medium duty.
It had been heavily requested that Rei do double bodyguard duty for The Three Starlights. It had been a massive pain in the ass and if Minako hadn't asked her to do it, she never would have. First was how much they flirted with women. Rei included. She had gone from growling guard, down to one that snapped and barked at that. The smallest one tried to keep his distance at that point.
But it also meant more efforts focused on Minako being hit on and that had been even worse to deal with. If she stood up against it, she feared her feelings maybe would be too obvious at that point. Thankfully the fans hadn't been too bad and she didn't have to get physical because at that point, she was hurting more than she had admitted.
Seiya seemed to have caught on and stopped hitting on Minako and it terrified her to no end that the other two would as well and tell Minako. Rei had been lucky on that front. Still, it had been so insufferable to sit still in a chair when she was unable to get comfortable without looking like a mess of a bodyguard. Then it was all the flashing cameras, the interviews, the everything that was endless. Top it off with Mio being there...it was nightmare fuel. At least she kept away from Minako.
Letting out a sigh, she finished her coffee and rinsed her cup out, setting it on the counter. One more week of eternal hell, then it was the nine circles of hell to sit through at the actual event. She could only hope it would go better and without any complications.
Finally, the day had arrived for the Japan Record Awards ceremony and Rei couldn't drink enough coffee in the world to prepare for this day. She had even had an energy drink before the drive there. It had only served to make her more antsy in the long run as she glanced at Minako out of the corner of her eye.
There was something to be said about the sparkling red dress she was wearing with slits up to the upper thigh on it to allow for movement. Not to mention the cleavage it showed and Minako had pinned her hair up too. Rei swallowed hard, it wasn't hard to admit: Minako looked stunning. She was already very good looking, but this….this was almost too much to be near.
Next was how loud everything got once the car pulled up to the carpet. Rei never understood why a red carpet was such a big thing across the world for these events. Or the high end fashion either. Minako hadn't heard back from a few of them so she went out and dealt with it herself, giving a shot to a small time designer in the hopes they could grow like she had.
Rei pulled her sunglasses on before they stepped out. She would have to lift them in the actual auditorium during dimmed out lights when they showed videos to keep her eyes open, but she couldn't let things slip. Minako had talked to her about wearing contacts, but Rei worried that it would draw unwanted attention, and people would either realize that she was the woman from the music video or that Minako hadn't bring her bodyguard this time.
"Ready?"
"Not really. I'm never ready for all this nonsense, but it's part of the job." She was blunt and to the point and Minako just grinned at her as the door opened the screams amplified as they stepped out. Lights flashed from every direction and she was thankful for the sunglasses to at least dim that down.
A fair bit down the line, they were stopped for an interview and Rei kept close as they asked about Minako's dress, glancing around. Suddenly the fans off to the side exploded as a car door opened and Kuroki Mio stepped out. The applause was louder than Minako's arrival and it took all Rei had not to react in the form of a frown or a scowl as the woman walked towards them. She did not need this today.
"Minako."
"Mio. Good luck tonight."
"Well, I think luck is a bit overrated." It was a hidden smirk and Rei did her best to stay still. Then she realized the dress Mio had on was one of the one's Minako had requested. They had denied her for Mio? "You look good - for your age, I mean."
She saw Minako almost flinch at that one and her smile falter the smallest bit. Unable to help herself, Rei leaned over towards Mio and whispered. "Then it might do you some good to check out her makeup line. Maybe you'll stand half a chance of looking half as good." Without allowing a word edgewise, but reveling in the look she got, she ushered Minako towards the hall.
"What did you say to her?"
"Oh, nothing. I just put her in her proper place, just as you will tonight when you win."
"Rei...I'm not guaranteed anything."
"Please. Her music lacks anything. Come on, let's just get seated for now. It's going to start soon and then you'll have to do your performance." Rei guided them down to the seats they were to be in, memorizing them. Closer to the front end but not so much they would break their necks. She was just glad to be seated.
Things progressed smoothly to start with, at least, after the encounter with Mio. Rei was still proud of that one and the look she had gotten in return. Minako had already won one award over Mio for best original song and was up for two more. Best music video and top artist overall. For now, she had to perform and Rei walked with her towards the stage to get ready, helping put her earpiece in.
"Holding up okay?"
"Me?" Rei seemed surprised she had asked her. "Yeah, I'm fine. How about you?"
"Great." It was a genuine smile as she smoothed her dress out.
"These lights are awful. How do you deal with them?" She was already burning up in her suit.
"I dress lightly, Reiko." Minako reached up and undid her jacket, motioning it off her shoulders, though it made Rei nervous. "Relax, they have high security here. And we're gonna be up here for about ten minutes before I even start."
Rei sighed as she gave it and had Minako hold her jacket before pulling her hair up into a ponytail and taking the jacket back, folding it across her arm.
"Not a bad look, you know."
"Not a professional look." She was still hot, but this was better. Rei figured that it was the layer of kevlar giving the jacket the extraweight that made it worse. That and these lights were far more focused than the ones at her normal concert. "But thank you. Go finish making sure everything is set up."
Minako smiled as she walked off and Rei let out a sigh. This was going to be loud, but at least there weren't fans inside to scream this time. She was content to watch Minako make sure everything was ready when the call was given. Rei made sure she was off to the side as she pulled her sunglasses up and Minako started to sing. It was one of her more pop like songs Kiss!2Bang!2. It was well suited.
What Rei didn't expect was Minako to look at her from the side and wink and Rei was sure she went red in the face as she pulled her sunglasses down. She had been caught bobbing her head along a little, she knew it. Once the song was over and the curtain came down, Rei pulled her jacket back on and pulled her hair back down.
"How was it?"
"Good."
"Only good?"
"Minako." Rei didn't feel like playing this game with a still long night ahead of them as she helped her down the stairs towards the seats. If nothing else, Minako got to perform tonight. Mio did not.
There were a few more awards given out in different areas that Rei zoned out of until they started talking about the music video award. Then she sat up straight and paid more attention as they started to show the different music videos as they announced who was up. Mio's popped up and all Rei could think about how lackluster it felt.
Then they said Minako's name and Rei found herself steadily trying to disappear into her seat. She knew which video it was, but what she didn't think they would show was the scene of Minako straddling her lap and leaning down, almost kissing her on a fifty-foot screen. Rei knew she was red in the face and she was not prepared. To this day she had not watched that video up until this moment before it stopped and she heard someone whistle and she knew Minako was grinning next to her. What a way to see yourself. Seeing Minako turn her head up and come so close like that before smirking...anyone would kill for that chance.
After a few moments of jokes and Rei trying to regain some form of composure, Minako's name was read out as the winner. Except this time she pulled Rei to come up onto the stage with her and she was so confused by that. Why on earth was she pulling her up onto the stage for this award? She hadn't for the first one.
Rei watched as Minako took the award with a smile and walked up to the microphone to give her small speech. "I really appreciate everyone voting for my video tonight, it means a lot. I'll admit we had some hassles with it, but it came out even better than I had expected. I want to give a very special thanks to the woman who helped out with the video as well, as if it were not for her, I believe the video would either not be done or not be as good. Thank you."
It made sense now. Minako had pulled her up here to thank her for playing a part in the video. She was part of it so she deserved to be on the stage. What also shocked her was Minako passing the award to her, which she passed off to the stagehand. It felt...weird to be the center of attention without being the actual center of attention. She helped Minako down the stage and back to their seats.
"You didn't have to do that…"
"Of course I did. You're as much a part of that as I am." Minako flashed her that thousand-watt smile once more before turning back to the stage.
Rei leaned back into her seat with a small breath. Somehow, she appreciated what Minako had done. She was making a point to recognize Rei's work she had done, even if she hadn't liked it at the time.
The rest of the show went rather quickly, all things considered, though Rei could have taken a nap by the time it was about to finish. Three hours seemed like such a long time to give out a fake award that would have to be mailed back later, but the speeches and in between performances covered probably half that time, really.
This last award should have been Minako's. She had already claimed two of the three awards she had been up for. There was no reason for not to be decided as top artist for a variety of reasons. She was public, she appreciated her fans and her workers, and she was one of the longest lasting pop idol stars around now and days.
"And the award for top artist goes to…" Rei watched the man fumble with the envelope for a minute before pulling out the card and seeming to hesitate. Every hair on Rei's neck stood up at that and she clenched her jaw. "Kuroki Mio."
The whole hall seemed shocked as Mio walked up to the stage to take the award and Rei swore when she got up there, she made direct eye contact with Minako, as if rubbing it in. "I would like to thank all my fans for voting hard for me and this award. As a newer artist, it's nice to win this award so quickly, though I feel bad for all the older pop idols. I wish you luck next year."
A shot at Minako as she walked off, she was so sure of it. Rei would have punched her if given the chance. She shifted and looked at Minako who was forcing a smile as she applauded and Rei could see the heartbreak in her eyes this close. "Minako…"
"I told you I wasn't guaranteed anything." Then people were moving and leaving, but Minako didn't stand up as people left and sat there for a while when the hall was mostly empty. Rei was glad Mio didn't make her way over.
"Let's go to the dressing room for now, instead of the party. I made sure Natsuna got you one so you could change after out of the dress." Rei gently pulled her up and lead her down the halls to the one with her name on it, stepping inside. She had never seen Minako so defeated, it was agonizing to see. Even just watching her sit in her seat, staring at the counter.
"Maybe it really is time to quit."
"What?" Something about that was so painful to hear. Minako loved her music.
"Tonight proved it. I'm losing my fans. You saw how few were here, especially compared to Mio's…" Minako looked ready to cry.
"That doesn't mean anything." Rei was starting to panic. If Minako quit...not only would Rei not have a job, there was a good chance she would never see the woman again. "You sing for-"
"My fans. And if I don't have fans, I don't have a reason to sing."
"Your fans?" That confused her. "Mina...shouldn't you sing for yourself?" Rei took her jacket off and put it on the coat hanger in the room before pulling a chair up next to the woman.
"I have no reason to sing for myself, Rei. It's always been for the fans." How could someone always so positive suddenly sound so negative? Every word was troubling to hear coming from Minako of all people.
"You can't quit. Not now."
"Why not? It's as good a time as any. I knew my career was bound to burn out anytime now. Mio was just the nail in the coffin."
Something about that made Rei angry and she forced Minako to turn and look at her. "You cannot let someone like Kuroki Mio be the reason you stop singing. You cannot use the excuse you are losing fans when you are not."
"There is nothing, no reason, for me to keep going. I should stop now before I'm a simple laughing stock. I-I suppose I'll make an announcement in the morning."
It was too much and she was too scared to lose Minako and the trust she had given and gained. The next thing Rei knew she was kissing Minako before her body caught up with her brain. She forced herself to break it and stood up, knocking the stool she was on over in a panic. She had just kissed Minako. Rei raised her hand and covered her mouth, sure she was red in the face.
"I-I...sorry, I…" She had to get out. This was most certainly a way to mess up their boss to worker relationship, and she turned for the door, making it all of two steps before Minako had grabbed her free arm and pulled her to a stop. The next thing Rei registered was her back being shoved against the door and Minako looking up at her. She was sure she was about to be fired on the spot and maybe slapped.
"Why?"
"W-why?"
Minako rolled her eyes. "Why did you kiss me?"
"I uh...I don't know."
"You don't know?" Rei shook her head. "You don't just...randomly kiss a person. Especially you. You don't…" Suddenly Minako's eyes went wide. "That's why you took off after the video finished filming…"
"What?"
"Rei...be honest with me, please. What do you think of me?"
That was such a loaded question that it made Rei swallow. Minako was incredibly vulnerable in this moment and Rei could have lied. Could have said anything simple and vague just to escape, but all the same...she knew if she lied then Minako would quite possibly stop performing forever. If she told the truth, would it keep her going? And as she recalled, laying on the floor of the mall, her attacker standing over her, she swore she would tell her if she lived.
"You are incredibly talented and kind. More than you probably should be, even to those against you. Even to a nobody like me."
"You aren't a nobody…" She could tell that had hurt Minako the smallest bit and that it wasn't what she was looking for as an answer as she let go of Rei.
"Compared to you, I am." Rei pulled her back as Minako started to walk away in defeat. "So I kept things to myself because out of everyone in the world, why would even consider returning how I feel when you could have anyone you so desired."
Minako was quiet for a while as she just looked at Rei. "The thing about being an idol is that anyone would do anything to be with you. For the fame or the money or to say I got that chance, even if they ruined it. But you...You are very different. You didn't come to work for me for the fame, not really even for the money. You had almost no idea who I was, I could tell. Just did research. To you, I was just some person who sang for others. I was normal."
"Normal is a uh...strong word. You have some quirks…"
"Maybe I do. But the point is that you weren't here for that. You just wanted your shrine back, you still do. You didn't answer my question though. What do you think of me?"
Rei took in a breath and slowly let it out, feeling the heat rush to her cheeks again. She had spent too much of today embarrassed. She looked away as she ran a hand through her hair. "I like you."
"And you mean that? You aren't saying this out of sympathy for me?"
"No. You know I wouldn't lie about something like this. I don't...I don't get close to people, Minako. It scares me to be this close, if I'm being honest." Finally, Rei looked at her. "So maybe...if not for the fans, then for me?"
"Huh?"
"If you don't feel you can make music for your fans, do it for me. Or for you. You love to sing, it's your passion in life and it pains me to hear you're thinking of giving up, much less because of someone like Mio. Remember the archery tournaments I did?"
"Yes...what about them?"
"What did I tell you?"
"I don't know. A lot? Don't smack yourself in the arm with the string, it'll hurt?"
"No-well yes. I said the first time I would go back and prove everyone who laughed at me wrong, and I did. So prove Mio wrong. This isn't the last year you have to get the award and if you ask me, I feel she did some dirty deeds to get that. You know I research things...new pop stars almost never win this award, you didn't win the award. So make next year your year. If you quit here now, you're only proving her right."
Minako seemed stunned by it all, as if taking it in as Rei continued. "Regardless, I want you to keep performing and I will continue to protect you with my life. You are in no way obligated to return how I feel for any reason. I...S-sorry about kissing you like that."
"Don't be." The words were firm as Rei looked at her, eyebrows raised. "That makes this much easier." Suddenly Minako's mouth was on hers and Rei almost panicked again, unsure of what to do before her body relaxed. One hand moved to Minako's lower back and the other to her shoulder.
Rei nearly jumped out of her skin when someone pushed on the door she was up against and she broke the kiss off.
"Minako, are you changed?" Natsuna, right. They had been taking a while.
"Not yet, sorry! Give me like five more?"
"That's fine but uh...you have some fans here that asked if it was possible to get a group photo with you."
"She'll do it." Rei spoke up for her. Minako needed to do this for a variety of reasons. To remind her she does have fans and to show her fans she was better than Mio.
"Okay! I'll let them know in about ten you'll come out for the photo."
Rei let out a shaky breath as Natsuna walked off and Minako smirked. "Help me with the zipper?"
Doing this now felt odd compared to any other time she had helped Minako. Her hands shook a little as she pulled it down to her lower back before stepping away and picking up her own jacket and sliding it on, buttoning it up. She kept her back turned as Minako changed into some jeans and a t-shirt.
"So why did you tell her I would do it instead of letting me answer?"
"Because, you need to show your fans you do care. And I think right now, you need a reminder you also have fans that are your fans, dedicated to you. Besides…" Rei turned around with a smirk. "What better way to start off showing Kuroki Mio how a real idol does it, right?"
Minako grinned as she pulled Rei out of the dressing room and down the hall as she pulled her sunglasses out of the pocket and put them on. "You are becoming a bad influence."
"Me? Have you met yourself? You have no restraint."
"Says the one who kissed me first."
"T-that…" Rei mumbled as Minako laughed but hearing that sound brought relief to her. Minako was getting better and she was part of the reason why. Things were going to be okay in more than one way. Rei just hoped that getting this close to someone….maybe this time it wouldn't hurt her.
