Makoto loved a lot of things about Ami, but her intellect was definitely at the top of the list, especially in this situation. She would have never thought of Setsuna's new ink as a clue, but her beloved genius had. Ami explained that Setsuna probably received the tattoo at a nearby shop—if they found that shop, perhaps they could get more information.

It was a surprise to them all that there weren't very many tattoo parlors nearby, or at least not too many within walking distance. Makoto hoped that they hadn't caught a bus or taxi to go anywhere—if they had, there's no way they could feasibly find where Setsuna's tattoo came from. Ami mapped out three parlors that were the most likely suspects while reminding the group that even if Setsuna had gotten her tattoo at one of these places, it wasn't a given that anyone there would remember. It was a slim chance, but their only option.

The senshi set out and began knocking shops off the list. The first shop was incredibly trashy, and Makoto could tell that Setsuna was crossing her fingers that this wasn't the place she got her tattoo. Either it wasn't the place or no one could remember, but they left without success. The second location was much cleaner, but they still had no luck. As they walked into the third shop, Makoto was crossing her fingers along with Setsuna; Ami went up to the counter and asked a woman covered with piercings if any artists from the previous night were there.

"She said one of them just walked in. She's going to get him." Ami reported as the woman disappeared behind a curtain behind the counter. In the few minutes she was gone, the senshi couldn't help but begin looking around the store. Setsuna was eyed products while Rei and Usagi tried guessing what certain piercings were for. Ami patiently remained at the counter while Makoto stood further back. Finally, the woman returned with a skinny young man with slicked back hair and tons of tattoos. He stood behind the counter and began to look Ami up and down. He began talking to Ami, but continued to make it clear he was letting his eyes roam. Makoto could tell Ami was uncomfortable and was doing her best to keep him at a distance.

"You gonna let him disrespect your lady like that?" Minako whispered to Makoto. "He's basically eye-fucking her, and he's hitting on her pretty hard-you gonna let that slide?" Makoto knew that Minako was just teasing her and trying to get under her skin, but she was right. The guy was a total creep. She saw him reach over to try to touch Ami's arm, who jerked away, shaking her head. She instantly found herself next to Ami with an arm on her shoulder.

"What's he saying, Ami?" She shot the guy the meanest look she could muster, hoping he would get the message. It had been awhile since Makoto picked a fight, but she couldn't ignore her protective instincts. "I can't understand him, but it looks like he's making you uncomfortable."

She thought she saw Ami blush before nodding. "I'm fine, Makoto. I don't want to leave without answers though. I asked him if he had seen Setsuna before, and he said he had tattooed her last night. He said she had lost some kind of bet, as had Minako. He's the one who cut her hair too."

"A bet? What kind of bet?" Makoto asked, then added, "Let me know if he says anything inappropriate."

Ami nodded and posed the question to the artist, who seemed like he had an answer.

"He's not completely sure, but apparently there was a contest nearby or something—Minako and Setsuna lost, and they had placed a bet that if they lost they would do something." Her eyebrows furrowed. "He knows the name of the place, but doesn't want to give it to me unless I give him my number."

"Ah," Makoto said, keeping her temper under control. She slide her arm around Ami's waist and pulled her close. "Tell him you're spoken for." She couldn't believe what she was doing- maybe she'd be able to laugh this off later, but for her, it was the only alternative to getting in a fight.

Ami looked up at her and turned bright red, but Makoto noticed that she didn't pull away. Instead, she slid her arm around Makoto, saying something short and curt to the artist. Makoto nearly flinched from surprise, but managed to keep her body language under control. He waved his hands in front of him and Makoto thought she caught an "I'm sorry". He turned around and walked over to a display board covered with business cards. He searched for a moment, then plucked off a card and handed it to Ami. Ami bowed slightly and thanked him, then the pair walked away from the counter and out the door, still arm and arm.

"So… what'd you tell him?" Makoto asked as soon as they were outside the door. The other senshi had yet to follow, so she had a moment alone with Ami. She slowly took her arm from around Ami, noticing Ami was a little slower to let go—her heart quickened at the thought. "He gave the business card up pretty quick."

Ami blushed again, which Makoto noted she had been doing a lot on this trip. "Well… I told him I wasn't interested in men. He was quickly dissuaded."

" Ahh… I see." Makoto murmured, wishing that really was the case. "Well, you must've been pretty convincing."

Ami looked down at the ground, shuffling her feet. She looked so nervous—like she wanted to say something. After a couple of awkward moments, she looked up at Makoto.

"Mako, I was convincing because I wasn't lying."

Heat filled Makoto's face as she processed what Ami was saying. Was Ami saying… was she saying she liked women? Was she coming out, and here, of all places? She couldn't help but let her heart flutter at the thought. Was… was she saying there's a chance? If that's what Ami was really saying, Minako would have complete rights to a lifetime of "I told you so"s. At that thought, Makoto let out an audible groan.

As if the thought had summoned her, Minako and the other senshi exited the parlor.

"Where to next, gang?" The now short-haired blonde asked. "We get any new leads?"

Makoto shrugged. "I think so. The guy said he was the one who cut your hair and tattooed Setsuna. Apparently, you two lost a bet; he gave Ami a business card, which seems to be as good of a clue as any." She looked over at her crush, still trying to figure out what Ami meant. She noticed a change in Ami's demeanor—she now looked like someone had kicked her dog, if she had one. She hadn't looked like that when they walked out of the shop.

"At least this place was decently clean. They at least sell sanitary products to clean tattoos. I really don't want an infection." Setsuna gestured to a small bag in her hand. "So Ami, where to next?"

Makoto could tell that Ami was doing her best to hide whatever had come over her from the other scouts. Ami held up the card for the entire group to see.

"There's no way to get-around it. Gang, we went to a strip club last night."