Notes: I do not own Sailor moon and all of its characters, I'm just a fan. Arigatou! Please enjoy reading.
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It's definitely a new day and the sun is about to rise. Most students at this very hour are still on their slumber, except for one certain emerald eyed girl. After the incident yesterday, Michiru is on her way for an early school paper duty, or else, she'll have to explain her Sensei about the incident, which is the last thing she would do. She couldn't allow a single happening would ruin her commitment with the school papers she promised to her Sensei. Still, she considers that most students have already spread silly gossips about the 'bump-incident'. 'It's so stressful', she thought.
Michiru was about to finish her reports when something caught her attention. "What's this...Rei?"
Chapter 2:
"MIIIINNNA! Move quickly or we're gonna be late!"
A certain voice echoed along the streets, yet, early in the morning. Rei waited for about a couple of more minutes at the front gate of Minako's house. The two promised to go together at school since they became classmates. And according to Minako, this is the best way to avoid being late in class.
"Alright already! Jeez Rei, we're not that late." Minako rapidly open their front door and runs towards her friend. "And please, don't shout my name. You're embarrassing me in front of my mother." Minako pouted after her statement.
"If you used to wake up early then I will stop shouting your na-…Oh! Ohayo Mrs. Aino. We'll be going now." greeted Rei, as she saw Minako's mother who peeked at both them from the front door of their house and waving her hand good bye.
"Ne Rei-chan…" Minako started the conversation as they walk along the streets.
"Hmm?"
"Arigatou for your company yesterday."
"What are friends for Mina? And I'll be more than happy to do that again for you." Rei said as she winks at Mina, and giving Mina her own V-pose version.
"Huh? I see you're learning Rei. You're getting good at that." Mina answered as she tagged Rei's arms into hers.
"Wha-? Good at what?"
"At that! I know that you're beautiful, lovable and everything but I didn't know you're sweet." Mina stares at Rei's face and pinched her left cheek. "No, I think you're getting more adorable."
"Oi!" is what Rei could give as her response. My stomach's aching again, Rei thought. "You meanie that hurts…" she said as she comfort her left cheek and followed, "…You know I'm just being honest. A miko could not lie."
'I know, that's why I like you Rei.' Minako thought in her mind. "But I can't…"
"You were saying something Mina, gomen I didn't heard it clearly."
Mina obviously didn't notice that some words in her mind slip her mouth. Good thing the street cars are loud enough and she only made unnoticeable whispers.
"Did I?" 'Oh great Minako, now what?!'
"You're spacing out again Mina."
"Oh yeah, I said I wish I can be like you, being so courageously honest every time."
Rei stopped walking as if something pops into her mind and said, "You're hiding something from me, aren't you, A-i-no Mi-na-ko?"
Sweat drops. Gulp.
"No! No! Not at all! It was just a thought, you know. Ahehehe!" Minako is now praying that Rei would accept her palpable excuse. Knowing Rei, she will not let any arguments pass, no matter how big or small the case is. 'Please, please, let it pass Rei. Let it pass. Why does she have to have that psychic thingy...? One more straight answer from her and I'm dead.''
Rei is very much aware that Minako is hiding something. But she decided to let that excuse pass today. "Just a thought. Ok then accepted!"
Jaw drops! To Minako's surprise, she was left hanging at some point after hearing Rei's reply. 'Rei let it pass that easily? Why?' Upon noticing, Rei then drags Minako into walking again.
"Don't ask me why Mina or I will not stop bugging you about it. Let's just hurry."
The two was almost at the front gate of the school after a 15-minute walk when they heard a group of male admirers cooing at them. Since that incident when Rei bumped Michiru at the west halls, the two best friends became popular with the upperclassmen at school. Their names were spread among the halls of the academy.
"Ohayo Rei-sama! Princess Venus!" the boys greeted the two.
Rei just ignored them, but Minako,
"Ohayo everyone!" she answers and winks at them. The boys are now shouting their hearts out as the two girls passed.
"Aino-san please date me! Onegai desu!" one of the boys boldly shouted.
To Rei's shock, Minako stops walking and turns her back. She wanted to forcedly drag Minako away when…
"Sorry boys, you see, I'm already dating somebody." Minako teasingly said.
"You are?!" Rei and the guy blurted at the same time.
"Yes I am. So if you will excuse us, we have classes to attend." Minako said as she gave them her sweetest smile.
The girls could only hear them say, 'What a lucky guy!'. As for Rei she still couldn't believe every single word that Minako said. 'I am so surprised. She didn't tell me one thing. Maybe that is what Mina is hiding from me all this time. But why would she hide it from me? That should explain why she's always spacing out…' Rei thought.
"Ne Rei, you should at least say 'good day' to them, you're so mean."
"What do you want me to do, flirt with them too?"
"Hey, nobody said about flirting. Greetings are enough though, besides they are our admirers. Like Usagi said, we might have some fans, and we are lucky enough we have plenty." Giggles!
"What are you giggling about?"
"Well they call me princess."
"Give me a break Mina!" she smirked. Rei is still uneasy, and she really wanted to know everything. 'Maybe now isn't the right time to ask.'
Their conversation ends when they reach their classrooms. The two then went on their respective seats as they hear the sound of the school clock signaling the start of class. Together with Amy, Makoto, and Usagi, Rei and Mina took their notes as they saw their teacher approaching.
"Today's topic is art. I want each and every one of you to draw something over your imagination."
The teacher almost heard everybody complaining about the matter.
"Listen!" The whole class silenced after hearing their teacher. "To be fair, all of you will only be using one theme – love."
"Kyaaaaaaa!!!!" the teacher heard the girls giggling.
"The key here is that your masterpiece, no matter what or who it was, should best represent your own definition of 'love'. Alright, looks like its clear to everybody. You may now proceed on your activity."
"Man! Our sensei's a lovey-dovey." Makoto said to Amy who is seated in front of her.
The five of them were seated all together since their home room teacher was not very strict with seating arrangements. Makoto is seating at the last row, corner left of the classroom, just beside the window. Amy is seated in front of Makoto. Beside Amy is Usagi. At Usagi's back is Minako, who is seated between Makoto on the left and Rei on the right.
"She's more like in love Mako-chan." Amy added.
"Love? What is love for me? Let me see, an idol, career, or - "
"I thought you were the Venus princess Minako." Rei grins.
"Of course I am! I'm just clearing my thoughts." Minako answered and noticed the silent Usagi who's starting to make some sketches. "What is that Usagi?" Minako curiously asked as she peeks at Usagi's work.
"You meanie, it's not a what, it's a who."
"A who?"
"Silly! Of course Mina, love for me is Mamo-chan!"
"Oh! That's great. Err- You should at least align the eyes or something or it might look like a what…"
Minako's POV
I turn to see everybody starts to draw something. But every single word that Usagi said is bothering me, '…love for me is Mamo-chan!'. Somehow Usagi clearly defines her love. How about me? I turn to my left and look at the windows. The sky is clear and sun shines like no other, I love it. I remember the popularity that I have since, I love it. Somehow it was all not really the love I know, not the love I felt. The love I felt? Gasp! I turn my head to my right and saw Rei. Love? Rei is now busy doing her art work. I didn't notice what it is, because I'm too captivated on looking at her alone. 'Rei-chan dai suki.' that was my last thoughts before I slept. Those words are…
"Stop that…"
"Hmm?"
"Oi M-i-n-a…"
"Re-Rei?" I am not aware that Rei was already talking to me. She was talking to me and does her sketches at the same time.
"I said stop…" I heard Rei asking me to stop again.
"Stop what?"
"Your stares are killing me you know."
"What are you talking about, I did not!"
I saw Rei raise one of her eye brow, and looks at my drawing. I quickly hid it with my hand. I knew Rei sneak a quick look on my sketch, but good thing, she didn't made any follow up comment. Instead, she quickly went on her drawing once more. What's wrong? Is my sketch that bad? I slowly move my hands, and turn to see my drawing and I almost freaked out! I absolutely made an outline of Rei-chan's image. And Rei somehow saw something. Aah my head's boiling and it's steaming out. What should I do?
That's when I decided to…
Third Person's POV
"Alright everyone, pass your masterpieces in front and let me check it."
There was an immense silence in the classroom. Everybody's waiting for the results until…
"Mizuno-san, Kino-san, Aino-san, and Hino-san, please rise." the teacher demanded. "Please explain your drawings!"
"I don't see anything wrong with my masterpiece. It clearly defines my l-o-v-e." Minako answered strongly, and winks at Rei who is blushing madly and giving her an anxious look.
"No Mina…" Rei nervously whispered.
"Gomenasai Sensei!" blurted Amy, "but, I agree with Minako."
"Tell us the problem sensei." Makoto asked.
"Okay then, everyone will judge your drawings!"
"Nooooooo! please don't!" Rei shouted.
Everyone in class stared at Rei. Rei was about to go in front on the teacher's desk until she felt two hands stopping her on her arms.
"Rei it's Ok."
"But Mina, its kinda embarrassing you know…"
"Trust me on this Rei, onegai?"
Rei gives in. Their sensei posts their drawing on the board and…
Haaaaa?! as the class reacted.
"Yes they are all the same. The four of you drew the same subjects. Care to explain?"
The four looked at each other and smile.
"It was friendship sensei!" Usagi said.
"Hai! Usagi-chan is right. One of the things that we value the most is our friendship." Amy confirmed. The three just gave a nod. Their drawings were the sketches of themselves – Usagi, Amy, Makoto, Minako, and Rei.
Mina chuckles as she saw Rei's relieved reaction. In the end, Mina decided to add her three more friends. None of them knew that they were thinking of the same thing – loving their friendship, or who knows what they are thinking, it might be even more like Mina.
"Uhm sensei, can we see Usagi-chan's work too? We are wondering how her sketch differs from us." Makoto pleaded.
"Here, see Usagi's work?"
It was almost the same except for…
"I included Mamo-chan!!"
The teacher ended their art class. It was an exhausting day. As for Usagi who whines at every home activity their teachers are giving them. At last they reach the last subject for the day.
"That's all for today's lesson. I'm expecting everybody to submit their assignments tomorrow." that was the last statement their teacher said to end the afternoon class. She was about to leave when…
"Not another assignment!" blurted Usagi. To Usagi's horror, her Sensei heard every single word she said, and was about to turn her back.
"Before I forget, I will be assigning somebody to report her assignment in front of the class. And that would be you, Tsukino Usagi-san. I'll be expecting that your assignment will be as good as your predicament." The teacher then took her leave, sending Usagi in awe.
The other girls rushed to Usagi's seat. "Usagi?" they said. There's still no response. It's as if Usagi has seen a ghost, or even worse.
'If only I can be as intelligent as Amy-chan, then it would be a piece of cake', Usagi thought to herself. 'Help?...I thought I heard help?'…
"Help? Amy-chan, help me! Onegai desu" Usagi cried out.
"Of course!" Amy-chan gave her assuring smile.
"I propose a study session at Rei's place!" Makoto suggested. "Is that ok Rei?"
"We cannot leave our princess right?" Rei affirmatively said. "You're coming too right, Mina?"
No answer.
"Mina?" Rei repeatedly asked with a worried voice.
"Huh? I'm sorry Rei, you were saying?"
Rei remembers Mina's declaration of dating somebody. 'She's spacing out again.'
"We are planning to study at my place, and I am wondering if you're coming."
"Of course I am!" Minako said immediately, "Well, that is if you promise me that you'll be my personal tutor". Minako teasingly added as she winks at Rei without minding their friends around.
"I guess you're back at your normal self again. Okaeri! Welcome back!" Rei sarcastically said.
"Oh, I did?? Give me a hug then."
"A hug?! And that is for? Quit your games Mina." Rei could hear Usagi, Amy and Makoto giggling on Minako's act. 'Mina you meanie!', Rei thought to herself.
"That is for welcoming me back, as you said." Minako proudly said. "Or did I mistakenly understand?" Minako added looking directly in Rei's lilac eyes.
"C'mon Pyro, give the girl a hug already." Makoto said laughing at Rei who has now made a beet red face.
The girls knew Rei will not fall with one of Minako's teasing. But to their surprise, Rei slowly stretched her arms and was about to move closer when one of their classmate's shouted out Rei's name.
Minako's POV
I was again stiffened by Rei's surprising act. Somehow I'm missing the warmth emotion I felt yesterday when she kissed me, though it was only on my forehead. Kami! Rei is now stretching her arms. I can see Amy-chan's blushing from here. And even Usagi widened her eyes that match Mokoto's.
"Hino-san!"
What's that?
I didn't feel her all of a sudden. That is when I notice Rei immediately took her arms to rest on her sides. Then I saw one of my classmates approaching us and said, "Kaichou's looking for you Hino-san." She points out the front door of the class room.
"Oi Pyro did you do something against the school law?" Makoto asked.
"Of course not! Jeez!"
Why would the student council president be searching for Rei at this very moment? Each one of us gazes at the door and saw…
No, not again!
Third Person's POV
"Kai…Err- Michiru?!" Rei shockingly said.
"Kaichou-san?!" Usagi, Amy and Makoto said, as they looked at Rei who is being familiar with their Kaichou. "Rei how did you-?" They are shocked as well. Well, for the most popular and beautiful senpai to be asking for Rei, they thought.
"Hi Rei! It's been a while!" Michiru said, giving her sweetest smile. Now everyone's staring at them. Rei could hear her classmates and some fan girls mumble upon hearing Michiru's teasing words.
"Calling by her first name?"
"Who is this Rei?!"
"Why is she being familiar with Kaioh-sama?" Rei could hear those words from her back. She was trying so hard to hold those glares as she's being annoyed by the muttering background.
"Ka-Kaoih-san?!!"
Michiru heard a familiar voice. "Aino-san? Why, thank you for your warm welcome!" Michiru mockingly said.
"Hmp!" is the only thing she could say. 'As if I want to do that Kaoih-san', Minako thought.
"So", Mina said as she walks in front of Rei and leaving the other three girls at the back, and she's now facing Michiru. "What do you want with Rei?" Mina demandingly asked, acting as if she was Rei's grandmother, which surprised Rei.
The three girls at the back are now staring at the scene.
"Oooh! That was a bold move Mina!" Makoto told Amy.
"Hey Mako-chan, isn't Mina's talking to the school's Kaichou? Why does it does sound like bullying, ne?" Usagi curiously asked.
Chuckles.
"It's kinda obvious Usagi-chan." Amy said and blushes.
"Obvious? Tell me, tell me!"
"It's not for a child like you Usagi." Makoto grins. "Somehow our lady Venus found her match."
"Mou! You guys are so unfair! C'mon share it with me…"
Leaving the other girls behind, Mina is now waiting for Michiru's reply. 'What is it you really want?'
Michiru look intently at those lilac eyes. "I'm here to give Rei something." Michiru answered Mina without leaving Rei's eyes and smiles. Michiru stayed as calm as her usual self and answered Minako with grace. This is one of the best qualities that Michiru have. Besides her brain and beauty, she has the skills to elegantly overcome even the toughest situations.
Minako was caught in awe. She was expecting Michiru would discuss the paper works that Rei had voluntarily accepted.
"And that is?" Minako stretch one of her eyebrow, showing much interest on what Kaichou might give Rei.
"Hmm?" Michiru grins, still not taking away her look at Rei.
Rei's attention was caught and walks toward Michiru. "What is it that you want to give me?" Rei answered back, as if she was hypnotized by those emerald eyes to answer.
"I really wanted to talk to you alone Rei, but I guess I can't help it." Michiru looks at Minako, and added, "I just want to give you this." Michiru took a piece of paper from her bag and hand it Rei.
"This is…where did you-? I thought I lost it yesterday."
"What's that? Let me see Rei!" Minako peeked on the piece of paper that Rei was holding. "It's your application for the Archery club!"
"I found it on my things." Michiru took Rei's hand. 'It was warm.' "Gomenasai Rei." Michiru didn't want to let go of that hand, and unnoticeably squeezes it.
'Gulp!' "Tha-That's ok Michiru." Rei stammered. "Your grip…you can let go…" Michiru made a sudden blush and let go her hand. And Minako saw everything clearly.
"However, did you still enter the Archery club?" asked Michiru. "I can let you enter the Student council if you want? You see, I cannot bear to see my dear Rei-chan alone without any club participation." Michiru turn to look at Minako.
"Hai! Rei-chan did enter the Archery club Kaichou." Minako swayed her right forefinger, "You can keep your proposal with you." Minako smirked at Michiru.
"Err- it's like what Minako said. Arigatou, it took your time for bringing this." Rei thankfully said. "I know Kaichous like you are busy all along."
Michiru rapidly leans towards Rei's right ear and whispers something. Minako could not do something. That was too fast. She only noticed Rei's reaction upon hearing what Michiru whispered. Rei stiffened with the sudden action and blood rushes over her face.
"Meet me next week at the Student Council office after school hours. I will need your assistance for some school documents to make up for the ones that have been ripped off. Got it Rei?"
Rei could only nod her head repeatedly.
"Good girl, I'll see you then." Michiru turns her back and adds, "I learned you've got some skills at archery, the club president will be very pleased." She waves her hand and walks off.
After the scene, fan girls and fan boys who have gathered around followed Kaichou as she walks away their classroom. Usagi and Amy then approached Rei at the front door who's still in her shocked moment.
"Rei-chan?"
"Usagi? Amy?"
"Rei, we'll be reporting at our clubs first. We'll just catch up on the shrine later."
"That's ok Amy. Where's Mina anyway?"
Without Rei noticing, Mina suddenly went to her desk and fixed her things.
"Mina dai jou bu?" asked Makoto.
"Hai Mako-chan" Mina answered and giving Makoto the best smile she could do, which is not very effective at that very moment. Makoto pats Minako's shoulder signaling her that everything would be ok.
"Tell her, or someone might take her away from you." Makoto murmurs as she passed Minako and went to the other three girls at the front door.
Snapped!
Minako twitched at Makoto's words. Does Makoto knew what I'm feeling about Rei all along?
"Oi Pyro, you lucky girl!" Makoto said as she paddles Rei's head.
"I don't understand Mako, and please cut it out!"
"Grumpy! Jeez! I didn't know you're that dense, or maybe, you're just acting like innocent? Heh!" Makoto saw Rei's death glares that shut her off, probably noticing Minako's approach. "I'm just kidding! Anyways, we'll see guys at your place, ok? Ja ne."
"Ok, we'll see you guys!"
The two girls walk home. There was silence until Rei decided to break it.
"So, who's the lucky guy?"
Minako felt that her declaration somehow affects Rei. 'Should I tell her the truth?' Then Minako remembers Makoto's exact words, "Tell her, or someone might take her away from you." Maybe it's worth a try, she thought. With all that's happening between her and Michiru, Minako thought that she might need to do something.
"Guy? Oh you still remember! I think I smell jealousy, ne?"
"Jealous? I am not!" Rei said as she crosses her arms across her chest. She turns her head so Minako could not see her blushing. "It's just that…you didn't tell me anything...I wanted to know if you really deserve that guy."
"How should I say it? Uhm, well she's like; she didn't know were dating at all. I'm on the 'like' stage of the relationship, you know."
"You mean you just like this guy and this guy didn't know you like him? Is this what you mean when you said to me that you wish you can be like me, being so courageously honest?"
"Kind of. It's kinda complicated." Minako shyly said. "I wanted to make a correction though, I thought I said she."
"Oh yeah, ok so you like her and she didn't know -…Wait! Did I hear you say…?"
"Hai! Hai!" Minako timidly said, not looking at Rei.
"Now it's getting more complicated. I didn't know you were into…girls?"
"I didn't know either, it was funny though. But I think I really I like her…So do you despise me?" Minako sweetly asked.
"No, I mean, I think its still love, you know. So who's the lucky, err, girl?"
"I don't need to give names. You perfectly know her."
Rei felt her butterflies flew on her stomach once again. 'What a lucky girl', she thought, as she sounded like the group of boys at the school's front gate that Minako rejected. 'I perfectly know her?'. Somehow I felt I wanted to be that girl. Minako…
Authors note:
I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please send me your review.
Here are some lines for the next chapter, though I'm still working on it:
"Rei…you're such a tease" whispered Minako. 'I could not take it anymore. Gomenasai Rei-chan.'