Makoto Kino hummed as she baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies,
her mouth watering at the delectable smell. In fact, the aroma wafting from
the oven was so strong and delicious, that Makoto soon heard shouts coming
in through her open window.
"Excuse me, Miss. Kino? I hope you don't think us too impolite, but may we have some of what you're baking?" Shiori, a cute kid that always hung around her apartment in case she had food to give away, shouted politely.
Makoto laughed, and shouted back.
"Of course you can! After all, what would be the fun in cooking if I couldn't share it with others?" She opened the oven to reveal eight perfectly round, perfectly crisp golden cookies.
While the boy ran up to collect the, Makoto wrapped the hot cookies in a pink cloth and tied it with a red ribbon. The effect was simple yet stylish.
"Here you go." She gave the package to him kindly. Shiori's eyes widened in appreciation. He thanked her, and then ran back down again quickly to share the treasure with his friends.
Suddenly the phone started ringing. Makoto picked it up reluctantly, not in the mood to talk. She still wanted to bake that chocolate mud cake and the elaborate roast pot dinner.
"Hello?" she answered politely.
"Mako- chan! How are you? I'm sooooo bored. Usagi- chan just ditched me for Ami- chan, and I need someone to talk to urgently." Moaned a very distressed Minako.
Makoto groaned inwardly. Now she would have to listen to endless gossip about the latest singers and idols, and about how much Minako- chan wanted to join them.
"Why didn't you call Rei- chan? I'm sure she would have been more than happy to advise you about anything. She's a very logical and intelligent girl, far more than I am." Makoto asked pointedly.
"Oh, Mako- chan, I DID call her, but she said she was busy with her fire stuff. And you know how she gets while she's in one of those trances. So I called you as a last resort." Minako bubbled happily, her boredom completely forgotten.
Makoto frowned at the subtle insult, then reminded herself that this was Minako- chan. The ditzy blond never insulted anyone on purpose. She thought the world was all sunshine and daisies, and that everyone loved everyone etc. Well, come to think of it, Minako WAS the Senshi of Love, but still.
Makoto was interrupted out of her reverie by loud squealing.
"Mako- chan, are you even LISTENING to me? Hello? Oh, doesn't matter. Anyway, do you want to go rollerblading with me? I saw this TOTALLY hot guy there. I bet ya if you saw him he would remind you of some old boyfriend or other. Please come with me!" She beseeched the quiet Makoto.
Makoto sighed. There was no way out of this one. Minako- chan would never leave her alone unless she agreed.
"Yes, I'll come. I'll meet you there in about fifteen minutes."
"YES!" Minako shrieked, and hung up the receiver. Makoto shook her head, laughing. Once again Minako- chan had dragged her into something extravagant that Makoto hadn't even though of.
************************************************************************
"Oh, excuse me, I couldn't help but comment on you superb skating. Are you a professional?" an elderly man asked Makoto admiringly. The brunette blushed, and shook her head shyly.
"Sure she is! I mean, look at her style! Who else is this good?" Minako hit poor Makoto on the back, sending her sprawling on the hard ground. She grinned at the man, blissfully unaware of the pain she had just caused her friend.
Makoto got up painfully, clutching her stomach.
"You know, you could be a LITTLE gentler, Minako- chan." She muttered darkly. Minako merely smiled at her, and continued to list all of Makoto's good points to the stranger.
After a few minutes, the man excused himself politely and left the two girls alone.
"Minako- chan, please don't say all these things about me. I don't have any real talents, I'm only good at a few things. You always make me sound like some sort of genius." Makoto told the blonde.
"Oh, don't be silly! Of course you're a genius. I mean, who else can cook and skate that well at sixteen?" She waved the reprimand away with her delicate hand. Makoto was about to continue, when Minako shrieked.
"Oh, WOW! Look at that hottie! We are so going to say hi." She dragged Makoto towards the poor, unsuspecting stranger across the arena.
As they neared the gorgeous guy, Minako got an even better look at him. He had thick, dark brown hair, adorably rumpled, and a classically handsome face. The expensive sunglasses he wore only added to his mysterious allure.
"Hi Jerry! I haven't seen you for SOOOOO long. Anyway, how are you- oh, I'm so sorry! I though you were someone I knew!" Minako covered her face in mock embarrassment, while Makoto covered it from REAL mortification. Where did Minako- chan find courage to say such absurd things?
"That's alright. Many girls 'mistake' me for their lost friends." The guy responded cockily, cleverly letting them know he knew exactly what they were up to.
Minako simply grinned.
"Oh, they do? I wonder why?" she answered conversationally, leaning back against the wall, staring at him from under her long eyelashes. Makoto, sensing a major flirt session coming on, quickly excused herself.
"Minako- chan, I'm really thirsty. Do you want a drink as well? I'm sure you do. I'll be back in a second."
Minako shrugged, not even glancing at Makoto. She was too engrossed at checking the guy out. Makoto sighed. Whatever. She would just get Minako anything she got for herself.
After Makoto left, the young man spoke again.
"So, your name is Minako, huh? It's gorgeous. Is there a last name to it?" He asked slyly, his dark peering at her over his sunglasses.
Minako shivered with delight. He was actually responding to her flirtatious behaviour! Although Minako was a beautiful girl, she didn't get many admires. But, as the Senshi of Love, she was always looking out for that one, little four letter word.
"Aino. Minako Aino. What about you?" She asked boldly.
"That's irrelevant. I was just wondering, do you model?" He asked, swiftly changing the subject to Minako again. Of course, she didn't mind in the least. If the guy was so infatuated with her beauty, let him be.
"No. Why?" Came the intelligent response.
Suddenly he reached into his pocket, and whipped out a professional looking card. It was made from expensive, cream quality paper, gold words and numbers engraved into it delicately.
"I am an agent from the Tokyo Modelling Enterprise, and I think that you have real potential as a model. I was watching you before, and I honestly think you have what it takes." He smiled at her shocked expression, handing her the business card.
"Now, I am afraid I must leave. But please think about my offer. We are open any time. If you decide to take me up on my proposition, just come to the Tokyo Modelling Enterprise building and ask for James Williams. From then we'll figure out your portfolio, etc. OK?" He flashed her a sexy grin, and prepared to leave.
Minako nodded dumbly and waved. As she watched him walk out of sight, she couldn't believe her luck. She had come on to a hot, young modelling agent who basically promised her a successful career in the business. Oh, wait until everyone heard this news!
"Minako- chan, Minako- chan?" She was suddenly aware of a hand moving up and down in front of her face. As her eyes slowly began to focus, she spotted a very impatient and worried Makoto.
"Finally. I thought you had a concussion or something, you were out for so long. So, where's that hot guy?" Makoto looked around, trying to get a look at him.
"He- he left. But guess what?! It turns out that he is actually an agent from the Tokyo Modelling Agency, and he thinks that I have a real chance of making it as a model! How cool is that?" Minako screamed, her excitement getting the better of her shock.
Makoto blinked. All this had happened on their little trip to the rollerblading centre?
"Are you serious? Wow, Minako, I'm so proud of you! I always knew you were destined to do great things. Oh, wow, wait until all the girls hear about this! Rei- chan's going to die of jealousy." Makoto snickered, then got a hold of herself. After all, she didn't want to see Rei unhappy.
"Come on, we got to call them all up now." Minako dragged her friend out of the roller skating building, and into the waiting tram across the road.
************************************************************************
"Are you serious, Minako- chan? You're really going to be a model?" Usagi shrieked, and jumped up to hug Minako. Minako responded enthusiastically, and the two girls started jumping around the small room.
"Hey, will you calm down? I don't want the temple left in total disarray!" Rei Hino shouted.
Minako and Usagi calmed down, looking sheepish.
"That's better. And let me say, congratulations Minako- chan. You're a beautiful girl." Rei added sincerely, giving Minako a big smile.
Minako returned it, glad that Rei wasn't upset. After all, it had always been Rei's dream to be discovered as a singer, and Minako's dream had become a reality much sooner.
"Yes, I also congratulate you. You deserve it. But remember to study as well. It is very important to maintain your schoolwork. After all, you never know when it may come in handy." Ami told the overexcited blond. This was typical advice from the quiet, studious genius.
"Are you going to go for it?" Usagi asked.
"Well, of course, Usagi- chan. Wouldn't you?" Minako answered impatiently.
"Yes. But do u know what I think? It's shopping time! You need to buy some cool new clothes to wear to the audition or whatever it's called. We can go right now!" Usagi shouted excitedly, her blond meatballs bouncing up and down. Minako was about to agree, when she was interrupted.
"Girls, I realize that you are immensely stimulated, but we have yet to finish our homework. Now, please open up your mathematics notebooks and start working on tomorrow's problems." She sat down, shooting each girl a repranding look.
"Ami- chan! How can you think of studying at a time like this?" Usagi and Minako groaned simultaneously, sitting down reluctantly.
"We will have a full discussion on this matter as soon as you have completed your work." Lately, Ami had taken on the role of making sure Usagi and Minako passed. They have already been issued a warning that if they did not pull up they're grades within four months, they would have to stay back a year. The ironic thing was, Ami worried about this much more than Usagi and Minako did themselves.
The two blondes groaned once again, and set of to work, knowing that if they decided to contradict gentle Amy at a time like this, she would be gentle no more.
"Excuse me, Miss. Kino? I hope you don't think us too impolite, but may we have some of what you're baking?" Shiori, a cute kid that always hung around her apartment in case she had food to give away, shouted politely.
Makoto laughed, and shouted back.
"Of course you can! After all, what would be the fun in cooking if I couldn't share it with others?" She opened the oven to reveal eight perfectly round, perfectly crisp golden cookies.
While the boy ran up to collect the, Makoto wrapped the hot cookies in a pink cloth and tied it with a red ribbon. The effect was simple yet stylish.
"Here you go." She gave the package to him kindly. Shiori's eyes widened in appreciation. He thanked her, and then ran back down again quickly to share the treasure with his friends.
Suddenly the phone started ringing. Makoto picked it up reluctantly, not in the mood to talk. She still wanted to bake that chocolate mud cake and the elaborate roast pot dinner.
"Hello?" she answered politely.
"Mako- chan! How are you? I'm sooooo bored. Usagi- chan just ditched me for Ami- chan, and I need someone to talk to urgently." Moaned a very distressed Minako.
Makoto groaned inwardly. Now she would have to listen to endless gossip about the latest singers and idols, and about how much Minako- chan wanted to join them.
"Why didn't you call Rei- chan? I'm sure she would have been more than happy to advise you about anything. She's a very logical and intelligent girl, far more than I am." Makoto asked pointedly.
"Oh, Mako- chan, I DID call her, but she said she was busy with her fire stuff. And you know how she gets while she's in one of those trances. So I called you as a last resort." Minako bubbled happily, her boredom completely forgotten.
Makoto frowned at the subtle insult, then reminded herself that this was Minako- chan. The ditzy blond never insulted anyone on purpose. She thought the world was all sunshine and daisies, and that everyone loved everyone etc. Well, come to think of it, Minako WAS the Senshi of Love, but still.
Makoto was interrupted out of her reverie by loud squealing.
"Mako- chan, are you even LISTENING to me? Hello? Oh, doesn't matter. Anyway, do you want to go rollerblading with me? I saw this TOTALLY hot guy there. I bet ya if you saw him he would remind you of some old boyfriend or other. Please come with me!" She beseeched the quiet Makoto.
Makoto sighed. There was no way out of this one. Minako- chan would never leave her alone unless she agreed.
"Yes, I'll come. I'll meet you there in about fifteen minutes."
"YES!" Minako shrieked, and hung up the receiver. Makoto shook her head, laughing. Once again Minako- chan had dragged her into something extravagant that Makoto hadn't even though of.
************************************************************************
"Oh, excuse me, I couldn't help but comment on you superb skating. Are you a professional?" an elderly man asked Makoto admiringly. The brunette blushed, and shook her head shyly.
"Sure she is! I mean, look at her style! Who else is this good?" Minako hit poor Makoto on the back, sending her sprawling on the hard ground. She grinned at the man, blissfully unaware of the pain she had just caused her friend.
Makoto got up painfully, clutching her stomach.
"You know, you could be a LITTLE gentler, Minako- chan." She muttered darkly. Minako merely smiled at her, and continued to list all of Makoto's good points to the stranger.
After a few minutes, the man excused himself politely and left the two girls alone.
"Minako- chan, please don't say all these things about me. I don't have any real talents, I'm only good at a few things. You always make me sound like some sort of genius." Makoto told the blonde.
"Oh, don't be silly! Of course you're a genius. I mean, who else can cook and skate that well at sixteen?" She waved the reprimand away with her delicate hand. Makoto was about to continue, when Minako shrieked.
"Oh, WOW! Look at that hottie! We are so going to say hi." She dragged Makoto towards the poor, unsuspecting stranger across the arena.
As they neared the gorgeous guy, Minako got an even better look at him. He had thick, dark brown hair, adorably rumpled, and a classically handsome face. The expensive sunglasses he wore only added to his mysterious allure.
"Hi Jerry! I haven't seen you for SOOOOO long. Anyway, how are you- oh, I'm so sorry! I though you were someone I knew!" Minako covered her face in mock embarrassment, while Makoto covered it from REAL mortification. Where did Minako- chan find courage to say such absurd things?
"That's alright. Many girls 'mistake' me for their lost friends." The guy responded cockily, cleverly letting them know he knew exactly what they were up to.
Minako simply grinned.
"Oh, they do? I wonder why?" she answered conversationally, leaning back against the wall, staring at him from under her long eyelashes. Makoto, sensing a major flirt session coming on, quickly excused herself.
"Minako- chan, I'm really thirsty. Do you want a drink as well? I'm sure you do. I'll be back in a second."
Minako shrugged, not even glancing at Makoto. She was too engrossed at checking the guy out. Makoto sighed. Whatever. She would just get Minako anything she got for herself.
After Makoto left, the young man spoke again.
"So, your name is Minako, huh? It's gorgeous. Is there a last name to it?" He asked slyly, his dark peering at her over his sunglasses.
Minako shivered with delight. He was actually responding to her flirtatious behaviour! Although Minako was a beautiful girl, she didn't get many admires. But, as the Senshi of Love, she was always looking out for that one, little four letter word.
"Aino. Minako Aino. What about you?" She asked boldly.
"That's irrelevant. I was just wondering, do you model?" He asked, swiftly changing the subject to Minako again. Of course, she didn't mind in the least. If the guy was so infatuated with her beauty, let him be.
"No. Why?" Came the intelligent response.
Suddenly he reached into his pocket, and whipped out a professional looking card. It was made from expensive, cream quality paper, gold words and numbers engraved into it delicately.
"I am an agent from the Tokyo Modelling Enterprise, and I think that you have real potential as a model. I was watching you before, and I honestly think you have what it takes." He smiled at her shocked expression, handing her the business card.
"Now, I am afraid I must leave. But please think about my offer. We are open any time. If you decide to take me up on my proposition, just come to the Tokyo Modelling Enterprise building and ask for James Williams. From then we'll figure out your portfolio, etc. OK?" He flashed her a sexy grin, and prepared to leave.
Minako nodded dumbly and waved. As she watched him walk out of sight, she couldn't believe her luck. She had come on to a hot, young modelling agent who basically promised her a successful career in the business. Oh, wait until everyone heard this news!
"Minako- chan, Minako- chan?" She was suddenly aware of a hand moving up and down in front of her face. As her eyes slowly began to focus, she spotted a very impatient and worried Makoto.
"Finally. I thought you had a concussion or something, you were out for so long. So, where's that hot guy?" Makoto looked around, trying to get a look at him.
"He- he left. But guess what?! It turns out that he is actually an agent from the Tokyo Modelling Agency, and he thinks that I have a real chance of making it as a model! How cool is that?" Minako screamed, her excitement getting the better of her shock.
Makoto blinked. All this had happened on their little trip to the rollerblading centre?
"Are you serious? Wow, Minako, I'm so proud of you! I always knew you were destined to do great things. Oh, wow, wait until all the girls hear about this! Rei- chan's going to die of jealousy." Makoto snickered, then got a hold of herself. After all, she didn't want to see Rei unhappy.
"Come on, we got to call them all up now." Minako dragged her friend out of the roller skating building, and into the waiting tram across the road.
************************************************************************
"Are you serious, Minako- chan? You're really going to be a model?" Usagi shrieked, and jumped up to hug Minako. Minako responded enthusiastically, and the two girls started jumping around the small room.
"Hey, will you calm down? I don't want the temple left in total disarray!" Rei Hino shouted.
Minako and Usagi calmed down, looking sheepish.
"That's better. And let me say, congratulations Minako- chan. You're a beautiful girl." Rei added sincerely, giving Minako a big smile.
Minako returned it, glad that Rei wasn't upset. After all, it had always been Rei's dream to be discovered as a singer, and Minako's dream had become a reality much sooner.
"Yes, I also congratulate you. You deserve it. But remember to study as well. It is very important to maintain your schoolwork. After all, you never know when it may come in handy." Ami told the overexcited blond. This was typical advice from the quiet, studious genius.
"Are you going to go for it?" Usagi asked.
"Well, of course, Usagi- chan. Wouldn't you?" Minako answered impatiently.
"Yes. But do u know what I think? It's shopping time! You need to buy some cool new clothes to wear to the audition or whatever it's called. We can go right now!" Usagi shouted excitedly, her blond meatballs bouncing up and down. Minako was about to agree, when she was interrupted.
"Girls, I realize that you are immensely stimulated, but we have yet to finish our homework. Now, please open up your mathematics notebooks and start working on tomorrow's problems." She sat down, shooting each girl a repranding look.
"Ami- chan! How can you think of studying at a time like this?" Usagi and Minako groaned simultaneously, sitting down reluctantly.
"We will have a full discussion on this matter as soon as you have completed your work." Lately, Ami had taken on the role of making sure Usagi and Minako passed. They have already been issued a warning that if they did not pull up they're grades within four months, they would have to stay back a year. The ironic thing was, Ami worried about this much more than Usagi and Minako did themselves.
The two blondes groaned once again, and set of to work, knowing that if they decided to contradict gentle Amy at a time like this, she would be gentle no more.