Minako sighed as the rain beat a steady rhythm over Juban Public High School.
She was already exhausted from volleyball practice and didn't look forward to running home in this weather, especially since she'd neglected to bring her umbrella. The fact that almost every other student was 'umbrella-less' was of little consolation to her. After all, she was one of just four people who'd been given fair warning about the bad weather.
The official reports had stated that, at worst, the sky might be a little overcast but that'd be it. However, Mina and her friends had been informed that there would be at least a 75.483721% possibility of rain. Whilst they hadn't exactly dismissed Ami's claims, Mina and the rest of the gang also didn't want to come off as overanxious dorks by bringing in umbrellas on a day that didn't seem to warrant it. Well, now Mina would be paying the price for her moment of vanity, just as Usagi had earlier when she'd left at the end of official school hours.
Bracing herself to battle the elements, Minako started to make her way out of the locker area and towards the exit. Any hint of bravado soon dissipated when she finally glanced the heavy rainfall. She saw it all too clearly through the windows imbedded into the doors that led outside. Well...Maybe she could afford to wait a little while for the rain to abate.
It was when her gaze drifted from the doors that she noticed she wasn't alone in the locker area. A petite blunette girl was also standing by an open locker and also staring out through the windows.
Minako was vaguely surprised to find Ami still at the school. She didn't keep abreast of all of her friend's extracurricular activities but she was pretty sure that none of her after school clubs were running today. And shouldn't she be at one of her (several) cram school sessions by now? Minako's puzzlement however was overwhelmed by her delight at finding her friend…and the blue and green umbrella she spied in her locker.
"Don't look at a horse's gift," she muttered to herself.
Minako composed herself and prepared to butter up Ami, hoping to convince her to share her umbrella. The smile she'd adopted soon began to fade though when Ami continued to stare out the window, clearly captivated by something. Curiosity getting the better of her, Mina followed Ami's gaze.
Her heart sank at the sight of the figure sitting outside in the rain. It sank yet further as she closed in on Ami and got a better look at her face. Her features were a mixture of sadness, regret and, most of all, apprehension. She was so lost in the moment she hadn't even noticed Mina.
Minako shook her head and leaned against one of the lockers.
"For goodness sake Ami, stop torturing yourself and get out there!"
"Huh!? Oh, Mina! I was just…I don't know what you…"
"Ami. Please. Just stop okay. All the time we've spent together. All the stuff we've been through. Did you honestly think I couldn't tell? After all…" Mina cocked her hip and placed her hand on her chest somewhat pompously, "This is the Senshi of Love you're talking to." She threw Ami a wink. The blunette fruitlessly tried to cover up her rapidly reddening cheeks.
"Was it really that obvious?" squeaked Ami.
"I wouldn't say that. But that isn't really the issue here. The issue is you're in love. And this is finally your chance!"
"Wh-What do you mean?"
Minako rolled her eyes. "Gee, Person A is in love with Person B. Person B is currently heartbroken and getting soaked in the rain. Person A has the only umbrella in school. C'mon, you're supposed to be the smart one. Do I really need to connect the dots for you here?"
Ami looked almost horrified. "I can't take advantage like that!"
Minako shrugged. "All's fair in love and…"
"I'd never do a thing like that!" There was a slightly hard edge to Ami's tone.
"Okay, okay, okay!" Minako raised her hands in surrender. "But you know, you've got to do something," Minako's face softened, as did her tone. "I don't like seeing you like this Ami. And you two," she nodded towards the figure outside, "If you became each other's sweethearts you could make each other so happy. Don't you both deserve that?"
For a moment Ami seemed lost in thought, her eyes drifting back to the figure outside. Then she lowered her head, obscuring her face.
"Whether we deserve it or not doesn't matter. What I feel, it's totally one sided."
"I don't believe that Ami!" insisted Minako.
Ami shook her head slowly.
"It's a simple equation. Person A is in love with Person B. Person A observes the types of people Person B falls for. Person A is nothing like them."
For a moment Minako thought the roof might've sprung a leak. Then she realized the tiny water droplets by Ami's feet had nothing to do with the rain.
"So you see, for Person A and Person B, becoming sweethearts cannot happen," Minako began to motion forward, intent upon comforting her friend, "But…"
Minako halted.
"…But what?" she asked tentatively.
Ami gently wiped her eyes before raising her head up, a small, sad smile adoring her face. "But I can still be there. As a friend. I think…I think I might be able to keep doing that."
Ami's eyes were still glistening slightly. The sight of them almost made Minako tear up too. However, for Ami's sake, she controlled herself. Instead she extended her arm into the locker beyond Ami's shoulder.
"In that case…you shouldn't forget this," Minako held out the blue and green umbrella.
Ami looked genuinely surprised, apparently having forgotten the item was even there.
"Mina…if you don't have one we could all share th-"
Minako shook her head. "I'll be fine. I felt like getting in some extra volleyball practice anyway. By the time I'm finished I'm sure the rain will have let up."
"Mina…Thank you." Ami barely spoke above a whisper.
A minute or two later Minako and Ami had waved goodbye to one another, the latter having finally left the building. Though Minako had retreated further into the locker area she could still just make out Ami amidst the rain. She watched as the blunette reached the rain soaked figure and leaned over to shield them with the umbrella. Slowly, the figure gazed up at Ami and, with her assistance, got back to their feet. Their shoulders remained slumped and they merely nodded at whatever Ami was saying. It wasn't long before the pair set out together.
As they neared the gate Ami's companion took the umbrella from her, holding it higher up to better shield them from the downpour. The more romantic part of Mina took this as a tiny sign of hope. However, the more rationale part of her pointed out the gesture didn't mean anything. It could've been a purely practical thing.
After all, Ami wasn't quite as tall as Makoto…
