It was a few days before everybody was available to meet up. Minako and Makoto had volleyball practice, and Ami was studying at a cram school on her own. When the day of the study session finally rolled around, Rei found herself more nervous than she had expected. The only classmate who ever visited had been Minako. While she knew she kept the shrine in good condition, she couldn't shake the idea of potential judgment.
While she waited for the other girls to arrive, she kept a sharp eye out for her grandfather. When she told him friends were coming over he jumped for joy. Rei knew he remembered Minako- who wouldn't?- and was anticipating more girls to ogle. Despite her many warnings to leave them alone, she was certain he would involve himself as much as he could.
She was surprised when she saw Minako alone at the entrance of the shrine. She was early. Rei was even more surprised when a nearby bush spoke.
"I thought more girls were coming."
Rei stalked over to the bush. "Just couldn't help yourself, could you old man?" She reached in and pulled her grandfather out by his collar.
"Is this any way to treat a priest?" he squawked indignantly.
"Is that any way for a priest to act?" Rei fired back. "Staring at girls the same age as your granddaughter?"
"I'm just appreciative of beauty in all its forms," he said. He dusted himself off and straightened his clothes indignantly.
Minako spotted them and jogged over, smiling and waving. "Hello Hino. Nice to see you again, Head Priest," she said with a bow.
"And you as well," he said, returning the bow. He opened his mouth to continue, but Rei cut in.
"Yes, good you could meet again. Now I believe the grounds need looking after," she said, pointedly staring at her grandfather.
"Oh, I can visit for a few minutes," he said, not even looking at Rei.
She dropped a hand heavily on his shoulder and squeezed. He finally looked her way. "You could use the physical activity. It'll be good for your health."
He gulped at her tone.
"Well, I seem to recall some pruning I could do."
"On the other side of the shrine," Rei forcefully continued for him. Her grandfather nodded quickly and took a few steps back.
"Right, the other side of the shrine." He turned back towards Minako. "It seems she's running me off again. But please, if you need anything, I'm more than happy to help. Rei can be a terrible host."
He and Minako shared a laugh that ended abruptly when Rei took a threatening step their way. He scurried away, though Minako continued to smile.
"You're so rough with him," she said.
"He's usually harmless, but he's troublesome when he's around a pretty girl. Then he has to be reminded he's a priest, not an animal."
"All I heard was you think I'm pretty" Minako teased.
"I didn't- he thinks that, that's all," Rei said. It sounded weak to her own ears.
"Mmhmm."
Rei took a breath to collect herself. "Where are the others? I thought you'd be coming together."
Minako hesitated and looked away. That was different. Usually she had an answer for everything.
"Let me guess," Rei said. "You told them not to come so you could have me to yourself?"
Minako flashed a brief, tight smile. A fake smile. She looked down and stood awkwardly. Her feet shuffled as she looked at them. Rei was unsettled by the dichotomy between the blonde's usual self and what she saw before her.
"I wanted to talk to you about something. I know it's bothersome… I'm bothersome to you." She was quiet for a moment. Her face was serious. Rei frowned, uncertain where Minako was leading the conversation.
"I've teased you a lot, and… provoked you. You react to me in such a unique way, I can't help myself. After our first game together I asked about you. There wasn't much to hear except how you're so reserved and unapproachable. That and... well, I heard about your mother. I heard who your father is."
Rei stayed quiet. No one, not even her grandfather, had tried to talk to Rei about her parents. Normally she would have cut the other girl off and sent her away. But the serious subject and something in Minako's tone warranted Rei's attention. This was clearly something very important to the other girl. She would hear her out. Minako took a deep breath, gathering herself as if for some ordeal.
"I don't know what it's like to lose a parent, but I do know about having a distant one. After all, I have two." Rei blinked. She hadn't expected that. Minako continued.
"My parents met when an English company opened a branch in Japan. My mother came over to help set it up, and I guess they hit it off. They got married, but they're both very… driven people. They both wanted to advance. So, they transferred to the main branch in England. Then they had me. My dad wanted me to have a Japanese upbringing, so when I was 'old enough', they enrolled me in a boarding school here. But they… they stayed."
Minako took a breath to steady herself. Rei released the breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
"It was hard, growing up like that, separated so much from my parents. When I was young I would see them for big things: school meetings, some volleyball games. Of course, we spent school breaks together. But as I got older, they visited less and less. Until- until one time I got in trouble. I was doing so bad in my classes the school called for an academic meeting, and both of my parents showed up. They were angry, and they yelled and screamed, but they were there," Minako said with a crooked smile.
"Minako..." Rei trailed off. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but that melancholy tone from the blonde just wasn't right.
"Don't worry, Rei, I'm going somewhere with this."
"That's not- nevermind. Go on."
"So I got worse. I'd skip class, and when I did go I acted up. I was a regular delinquent. I got so bad they transferred me. Here. They thought it was influence from other kids, friends at my old school. They thought this school would be better for me, but warned me that if it happened again, if I started acting up again, they'd transfer me to a school in England. As if that were a threat."
Rei was lost for words. Minako was sharing so much with her, and she didn't know how to react. This was unexplored territory, and not just with Minako- no one had ever shared anything like this with her before.
"Part of me wanted that to happen- I'd be closer to them, they'd have to see me more, right?" Minako paused, looked uncertain if she should continue. Rei almost didn't want her to, for Minako's own sake.
"The rest of me knew it wouldn't matter. If they wanted to see me, they would." Minako's smile turned painful. "Sometimes I wonder if my parents really love me."
Rei swallowed hard. What she was hearing was familiar. The creeping doubt, the questions she posed to herself; why isn't father here, why doesn't he see me, does he care, am I not good enough… the thoughts that hit her at her lowest, late at night when sleep wouldn't come. And Minako was laying them bare, admitting to having the same. She lowered her head in the face of such intimacy. Minako breathed out deeply, like she was freed from a heavy weight.
"So I was stuck. I didn't know anyone here, I didn't have anyone I could count on. But I got lucky- so lucky, in the people I've met here. The friends I've made. Makoto and Ami. The girls in the volleyball club. Serena," she said with a sincere, if small smile.
"It's only been a couple of months but I can't imaging life without them. They're so kind, so open. Especially Serena- she opens her heart to everyone, it's amazing really. It can't replace a parent's attention, but I'm not lonely anymore. I never even realized I was- or at least, I never wanted to admit I was."
"When I heard who your father is, heard you live apart, I started to wonder. At first I was just having fun, but the more I pushed, the closer I got, the more I realized how similar we are." She reached out then to grab Rei's hands. Rei met Minako's earnest gaze.
"The difference is that I acted out, enough for my parents to notice, to do something. But you haven't done that. You wouldn't. You're not that kind of person. All that loneliness, all that pain; you've kept it in, haven't you?"
Rei's feelings were in chaos. She had never wondered about Minako's history, and never suspected how dark it might be. The girl who had caused her so much trouble had just laid her soul bare, told her things she probably hadn't told anyone before. Yet it was so familiar. Every emotion the blonde expressed rang true. To think that the loud, energetic Minako felt the same pain that she did was mind-boggling.
Rei couldn't speak to answer Minako's question. She seemed to know the answer anyway.
"I'm nosy, and a little pushy, so I wanted to help. Serena, Makoto, Ami… they're special. They really are, and they helped me, without even knowing they were, without meaning to. They can help you too. I just want- I guess I just want you to give them a chance. And not just today- let them keep coming over, study with them, have lunch, talk. I don't have to be there. I can make some excuse or see them some other time, but please, give them a chance." Minako looked at her again with imploring eyes.
Through all of Rei's muddled emotions, through all the turmoil and upheaval one thing stood clear.
"You don't have to go," she said quietly. Minako was silent. Rei squeezed her hands briefly. "You don't have to go," she repeated louder.
"Ah- are you sure?" Minako asked. She sounded nervous. Who wouldn't be after showing as much of themselves?
"Yes." Rei tried to convey… something, everything, to Minako. She didn't herself know what it was, but she knew it was important. Minako's gaze was heavy, but she wouldn't look away. After a few moments, she blinked, swallowed, nodded. She let go of Rei's hands.
Rei wanted to do more for Minako. She wanted to show Minako that she was truly okay with her, that she wasn't paying lip service or being polite. She wanted her to understand that Rei knew how hard it was to share such deep feelings with another person. But she wasn't very good with people, and trying to find the right words was difficult. She especially didn't know how to handle Minako. Their relationship was an odd one, built on Minako's teasing and Rei's remarks. But then, maybe that would do.
"I guess you haven't been as annoying as you thought you have," Rei said.
A small, hopeful smile opened on Minako's face. "I guess," she said slowly, "I'll just have to try harder."
Voices floated over from the shrine stairs. Ami, Makoto, and Serena had arrived. Minako turned and waved them over.
It was strange how quickly her world could shift. She had been dreading their study group since it had been decided, especially having Minako invade her home again. With Minako's revelation… well she would probably still get on Rei's nerves, with her constant pushing and prodding. But knowing what the other girl went through, and that it was something Rei struggled with… she could give Minako a chance.
A/N: I've got a solid plan set for the rest of the story. This is about the halfway point. I update pretty slowly, but maybe it'll be a little faster now. No promises though.
Thanks for reading.
