Free Play 2
Midterm results came back on the day of their next PE class. At lunch they shared their results. Rei and Makoto did as well as they usually did and Ami naturally aced everything. Even Minako and Serena passed everything. Rei feigned surprise when Minako and Serena shared their results and Minako tossed a piece of broccoli at her.
"I can't believe I don't have to take any retests or anything. I think this is the first time I won't have to take one," Serena said happily.
"Amazing what studying well can do for you," Rei said with a touch of sarcasm.
"I know," Serena said. "I'll have so much free time now."
"Until finals come around," Rei said.
Serena looked affronted. "Why would you say that?"
Minako shook her head and patted Serena consolingly on the back. She mock-glared at Rei. "Can't you let us enjoy our success without bringing us down?" she asked.
"No."
"Finals don't have to be a negative thing. If you start studying now and do it a little bit every day then you won't have to worry about finals either," Ami pointed out. Serena and Minako blinked at her.
"Why would we do that when we could just panic study the week before?" Minako asked.
"That's what we did for midterms and we passed everything," Serena said.
"You know you had some help with that?" Makoto asked.
"And we can count on your help again," Serena said. She clasped her hands in front of her and put on her best pout. "Right?"
Ami laughed. "Of course, but wouldn't you feel better if you didn't have to panic at all?"
"That's a problem for future me," Serena said. Minako nodded in agreement.
"Then make sure future you doesn't complain to us about past you," Makoto said.
"You know they will anyway," Rei said. "I think it's their favorite thing to do."
"Then we're all on the same page," Minako said brightly. "Me and Serena will procrastinate then you guys will help us out."
"Sometimes I wonder why we put up with you," Makoto said laughing and shaking her head.
"Because you love us," Minako said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Serena nodded along enthusiastically.
Rei leveled a studying look at Minako. "You know I'd've thought you'd be excited for an excuse to invade my shrine again," she said.
"Invade your shrine, huh? Is that a euphemism?" Minako asked with a smirk. Makoto almost choked on her food but Rei only rolled her eyes. "But that's actually a pretty good point. Maybe we should look into getting together to study. Maybe we can do it every week."
"You sure you can study that much without your brains falling out?" Rei asked.
"Depends on the subject," Minako said her eyes traveling down and back up Rei's body. Rei stuck her tongue out at Minako when their eyes met again.
"And if we need to take a break from studying I know just the place we can go instead," Serena said.
"Oh? Where's that?" Ami asked.
"There's this arcade I've been going to recently that is so. Much. Fun!" Serena said.
"I've never been to an arcade before," Ami said. Serena gasped.
"Then we absolutely have to go," she said. "This one is great, it's called Game Center Crown and it has everything, fighting games, racing games, ball games, dancing games, music games, old games, new games, picture booths, prizes-"
"Take a breath Serena," Minako said laughing, "we get the point.
"And there's a cafe right above it too," Serena finished.
The bell ending lunch interrupted their conversation. They packed up and headed to PE where they were supposed to play softball again. However rain kept them inside, so the teacher shrugged and scattered a bunch of different equipment on the ground of the gym and declared a free day. They could do whatever they wanted as long as they were up and moving. Minako snatched a volleyball and Rei, Makoto, Ami, and Serena joined her to one side of the gym. They formed a circle and tried to keep the ball in the air for as many hits as they could.
"If we're getting together every week what would be a good day for everyone?" Minako asked as she passed the ball to Ami. "Me and Mako have volleyball practice most days after school, and sometimes we have games on Saturdays. Would Sunday work for everyone?"
"I only have cram school on Saturday afternoons, so Sunday works for me" Ami said. She hit the ball up towards Makoto.
"Serena?" Minako asked. Makoto gently floated the ball to Rei.
"Usually I sleep in and catch up on anime Sundays," Serena said. Rei hit the ball towards Serena. The ball sailed past the blonde who hadn't been paying attention.
Makoto laughed as Serena chased it down. "I can't tell if that means you're busy or you're free. Knowing you, that's a busy day."
Serena cradled the ball as she returned to their circle. She sniffed in Makoto's direction. "How rude. Maybe you don't want me there at all," she said haughtily.
"Of course we want you there," Ami said smiling.
"Yeah, who else would make sure we take breaks when we need to?" Minako said.
"And sometimes when we don't," Rei added. Serena stuck her tongue out at Rei forgetting the airs she had put on.
"Well we're all in," Minako said. "How about you Rei?
Everyone looked expectantly at Rei.
"I never should have opened my mouth about the shrine. We're busier Sunday mornings but I can probably be free in the afternoon," she said.
Minako clapped her hands together. "It's settled then. We'll meet at Rei's shrine on Sundays to hang out."
"You mean to study?" Rei prompted.
Minako stared at her blankly.
"What about the Crown?" Serena asked.
"Of course, sometimes we'll go to Serena's arcade," Minako said. Rei sighed.
"I think you've actually broken her," Makoto said looking at Rei.
"Oh she's just being dramatic, she secretly enjoys hanging out with us," Minako said.
"I've just learned to pick my battles," Rei said.
"Speaking of battles, our playoffs are starting in a couple of weeks and we have a volleyball here," Minako said. She took the ball from Serena. "Would you guys mind help us practice for a bit?"
"You think playing against us will help? How bad are the other teams?" Rei asked.
"You don't have to be good to help, though I remember you seemed to have a knack for volleyball," Minako said.
Rei shook her head. "So what do we have to do?"
"You guys can take turns throwing this up at me, and I can practice setting Mako up for a spike," Minako said. She tossed the ball to Rei.
Rei caught it and arched an eyebrow at Minako. "'Throwing it at you' you say?"
Minako held her hands up in front of her and laughed nervously. "Did I say at? I meant to. Or near. Around?"
Rei smirked. "Alright. Here I go."
They spent the rest of class drilling Minako and Makoto. Rei was impressed at Minako's ability to gauge where the ball was going and react quickly enough to be in the perfect position to redirect it. It didn't matter who threw it or how they did, Minako didn't let a single throw hit the ground. Makoto also seemed to know exactly where to be to best take advantage of Minako's setups. She would take a few long steps and leap into the air to meet the ball at the perfect height for a spike, though they decided she shouldn't actually swing as they had only a corner of the gym to practice in. Rei could tell that both girls took their sport seriously and played at a high level.
Class ended and the girls returned to the locker room. While they changed Serena babbled about how cool Minako and Makoto were.
"You guys look so cool when you're playing, and the way you work together is so amazing, I can't believe it," she said. "Is it always like that, even in your games?"
Makoto laughed. "Well the other team hits the ball a little faster than you guys were throwing it, but I guess the concept is the same."
"It's much cooler when we can pull of a great spike against a good team," Minako said.
"Oh, now I want to see you guys in a real game," Serena said. "When's your next one?"
"This Friday," Minako said.
"I'll be there," Serena said. "Ami, Rei, you guys should come to."
"Do you have cram school?" Makoto asked Ami.
"Not on Friday, and I'd love to see the two of you play," Ami said.
"Sorry," Rei said, "but since my grandfather is alone at the shrine on weekdays there's a lot to do when I get back. I won't be able to make it."
Serena pouted. "Could you can make a weekend game?"
Rei hesitated and Minako cut in. "When the playoffs start games take place only on weekends, and those are our important games. I know I'd like to see you there."
"You'd like to see me anywhere," Rei said. She wasn't sure if she wanted to go to a game. She had seen Minako play volleyball already, and while it was impressive, Rei didn't know what else she would get out of the experience. Besides, she had just committed to spending Sundays with Minako and the others, she wasn't sure how she would handle even more. She sighed.
"I guess, if it's so important to you," she said.
Serena cheered and Minako grinned at her. Makoto and Ami were pleased to hear she would attend a game as well. Rei shook her head. She couldn't lie to herself anymore. She had to accept that she really did enjoy spending time with everyone.
AN: If you're reading as this story updates you may have noticed chapters have been coming faster. I had a strong set of outlines for the past few chapters which helped immensely. Good news is I just finished outlines for the remaining chapters and I'm looking at about 8 chapters left depending on if I split any up. Hopefully I can keep a decent pace.
Thanks for reading.
