9
All too soon, Rei's visit came to an end. She and Minako had spent much of their remaining time together wandering along the busy riverfront and exploring more of the city—whenever they managed to pull themselves away from the hotel bedroom.
Her suitcase for the trip home was considerably heavier than when she'd left Japan, given that she and Minako had visited several shops the day before. Rei had wanted to pick up a few souvenirs for their friends, as well as a thank you gift for her father. He had certainly done his homework when he'd planned his daughter's trip. Minako would be departing for Adelaide for the final leg of her tour only a couple of hours after Rei's flight was leaving for Tokyo.
Rei had been at somewhat of a loss as to what to buy for him, until Minako dragged her into a sporting goods store and pointed out the bright green jersey of Australia's national rugby team.
"But when would he even wear it, Minako?" Rei had asked, wondering how much it would cost to put his name on it. Her father's attire generally consisted of suits and more suits.
Minako had scoffed and pulled a much smaller jersey from the rack to hold against herself. "All the time, of course, Reiko. Trust me. I think I'll take one of these too."
Since Minako had some time before her own flight, she wanted to see Rei off. Walking hand in hand through Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport, Rei felt a strong sense of déjà vu as they approached the gateway for departures. At least no crowds had formed around them this time.
"Well, I can definitely say that I had a memorable visit." She adjusted her carry on bag as she turned to face Minako.
The idol's eyes were downcast. "I wish you could stay longer, Reiko."
"Me too. But I've got to go back and face the inevitable."
"You shouldn't have to face it alone, though."
"But I won't. Don't forget our friends. They'll look after me. They're good like that. Hey—" Rei reached up to brush a tear from Minako's cheek. "—I'll be fine. I have your magic sunglasses for protection, remember?"
Minako laughed softly and enveloped Rei in her arms. "And I get to avoid helping you move, I suppose."
"Which I'll be demanding compensation for the minute you return."
"After we visit that ice cream shop." Minako pulled away, resting her hands on the small of Rei's back.
"Y'know," Rei said, stroking Minako's hair. "They do make orders to go."
Minako shook her head, amused. She met Rei's eyes. "I want to hear it again."
Rei blushed, more than happy to comply. She had been hearing the request regularly for the past few days.
"I love you, Minako."
She had barely finished speaking the words when Minako's mouth gripped hers, kissing Rei with quiet desperation.
"I'll be back soon," the idol whispered when she broke away.
Rei reluctantly relinquished her hold on Minako. "I—need to go. They might hold a flight for you, but probably not for me."
"I could make a quick call, if you like." She kissed Rei's cheek before letting go of her waist with a sigh.
Rei hoisted her carry on back onto her shoulder. It had slid to the ground sometime during the course of their goodbye. "Hm. Tempting." She grasped Minako's hand one last time before turning to head through the gate.
"Reiko?"
Smiling, Rei turned back around. She hadn't even released Minako's hand yet.
"I love you too."
Rei stroked the idol's hand with her thumb before raising it to her lips. "I'll see you at home, Mina."
She stepped backwards through the departure gate's sliding doors with a wink, already counting down to when she would next see Minako.
~O~O~O~O~
As Minako watched Rei disappear, her heart grew strangely light after hearing the parting words.
Rei would see her at home.
Their home.
She bit her lip, suddenly giddy at the thought. Minako wondered how infuriated her fans in Adelaide would be if she made some excuse to cancel her final show, and simply followed Rei instead. She turned away from the gate, smiling to herself for even thinking it. If a fatal illness hadn't stopped her from performing once upon another time...
Her phone buzzed with a call. She felt a small pang of guilt when she saw the display.
Given how long she was going to be on tour, her former guardian had opted to stay behind in Japan and keep an eye on Minako's apartment. Besides, Minako had a feeling he wanted to stay closer to where Luna was. She knew how he felt.
"Hi, Artemis."
"What's this about kicking me out?"
"What? Artemis, I thought that we—"
"I'm kidding, Minako. I told you before, I am so delighted for the two of you. And really, how often am I here anymore anyway? Someone has to keep Luna out of trouble."
Minako snickered as she made her way towards the departure gate for domestic flights. Shacho had been kind enough to look after her luggage so she could say goodbye to Rei.
"I hear half the trouble she causes is your idea."
"Yes, well—I did learn from the best." There was an unmistakeable note of pride in his voice. "I'll miss you."
A lump formed in her throat. "No more goodbyes today, Artemis. Rei's just left to board her flight."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Minako. Are—you worried about her return?"
"Not really."
"You know, you sure aren't honest."
Minako burst out laughing, making a few people turn and stare. She ducked her head and strode quickly forward. She had no urge to get mobbed at the moment.
"I am always honest, Artemis. Except for when I'm not." She sighed. "I've made a few calls to make things a bit easier for her. So long as she can get past the inevitable reporter horde."
"Did you give her any tips?" Artemis' voice was slightly amused.
"I told her to resort to violence if necessary."
Artemis chuckled. "Well, I'll be here waiting for her when she arrives. Not sure how much help I'll be with the packing and moving, but I can supervise!"
"Yes, you're very good at that." Minako spotted Shacho and a porter standing with a loaded trolley of luggage. "I should go though, Artemis. I have my own flight to catch."
"Okay. Good luck in Adelaide. Not that you'll need it. I heard great things about the Melbourne show."
"Wait, only the Melbourne show?"
"Have a safe flight, Minako." Artemis chuckled again and hung up.
Minako closed her phone and made a face at it. She really had taught him too well.
"Ah, Minako-chan!" Shacho waved her over. "Rei-chan's on her way?"
She nodded. "Thanks for taking care of this so I could see her off."
Her manager slung a friendly arm around her shoulder. "Anytime, Minako-chan. Anytime. Now, what say we get our luggage moved off this cart so we can take it for a spin?"
"Have I ever told you that you're the best manager ever?"
Minako was amazed to see that Shacho could actually get embarrassed.
~O~O~O~O~
During the flight Rei discovered that Minako had tucked the red baseball cap into her carry on bag, with a note containing some last minute advice for dealing with the press when she landed. Her cheeks had been redder than the cap itself when she reached the part that spoke of things that were to come when the idol returned to Japan.
Rei, for example.
She took a deep breath and pulled the hat further down her forehead. She had exited the plane, passed through customs, and collected her luggage, all without incident. Ahead of her was the arrivals gate. She was pretty sure Minako was joking about using violence, but—
She slipped on the sunglasses Minako had insisted on buying for her, and walked determinedly forward, pulling her suitcase along. Time to put Minako's latest advice to the test.
Rei fervently hoped there were no schoolgirls present.
"There she is! Hino-san!"
"Hino-san!"
"Over here!"
Rei forced an expression of confusion onto her features as she was surrounded by reporters.
"What's going on? I-I'm sorry," she said in English. "Can I help you with something? I-I don't understand what you're saying." She wasn't sure if the accent she was affecting was more British than Australian, but it seemed to be doing the trick. She had thought Minako was just goofing around when she was teaching Rei to speak with the accent during her visit.
All part of the master plan, the note had said.
One of the journalists spoke up in English as well. "You—you are not Hino Rei?"
"Who? Uh, no. My name's Nicola." She repressed a grin. "I'm here to visit my cousin. Who's Hino Rei? Is she someone famous or something?"
Anxious muttering filled the air. Some of the reporters exchanged nervous glances.
Please, Rei thought, just clear a path and let me be on my way.
"She was supposed to be on this flight. You are really not her? You look like her—"
Her bemused smirk came quite easily. "I know my own name, sir. May I please go?"
Somewhat hesitantly, the crowd parted and Rei fought the urge to sprint away. She walked as quickly as she dared, keeping her head down as the exit neared. She was so close.
"Rei-chan!"
Rei froze at the sound of her name. Usagi, Ami and Makoto dashed towards her, waving excitedly. As one, the group of reporters turned and gawped for a moment before swarming at her.
Rei swore. "Usagi! Ami! Makoto! RUN!"
Her friends halted on the spot. Rei blew past them, her wheeled suitcase nearly airborne behind her as she barrelled through the exit doors. She prayed that there was a cab waiting, or she would be in some serious trouble—
"Hino-san."
Rei's jaw dropped when she saw Minako's driver leaning casually against the sleek, black luxury car. He tipped his hat briefly before seizing her bag and placing it in the open trunk. "I was told you'd be getting back today. Did your friends find you?—"
There was a loud clamour behind them as her friends appeared, looking frantic. Makoto threw her body back against the doors, holding them closed.
"Get in the car! Quick!" she shouted.
Minako's driver slammed the trunk and ran for the front seat, while Usagi and Ami pulled the thoroughly-surprised Rei into the backseat. With a wild yell, Makoto launched herself away from the doorway and dove into the car feet-first, yanking the door shut behind her.
"Drive!" she hollered, punching down the lock. The car took off like a shot, leaving the horde of yelling reporters in its dust.
Makoto sat back with a grin, tossing her bangs out of her face. She was sprawled at her friends' feet in the car's sizeable interior. "That was so awesome."
Rei wiped a sheen of sweat from her forehead. "Are you kidding me? That was terrifying! How the hell does Minako do that?"
"Well, she has been in the business for awhile," Ami offered, smiling. "She must know some tricks."
"Maybe." Rei blinked, suddenly realizing that her closest friends were all there. "Um, so, thanks for coming to meet me. I wasn't expecting—"
"Rei-chan!" Usagi hugged her so hard that she toppled against Ami and knocked them all to the car floor, directly on top of Makoto.
"Guys! My legs! I need those to walk!"
"You can have your legs when Usagi gives me back my lungs," Rei wheezed.
"Ah! Sorry Rei-chan!" Usagi immediately loosened her hold.
"Ami-chan? You okay?" Makoto called.
"I'm fine. Thank God none of my colleagues saw that."
Rei sat up, fixing Minako's baseball cap. It had been knocked slightly askew when she'd landed. "What, afraid they'll see less than your dignified and proper self?" she teased.
"As hospital director, I do have an image to maintain—"
"Then why the hell d'you keep letting yourself be seen in public with the likes of us?" Makoto grinned and gave her a playful shove.
Ami adjusted her glasses, trying to keep her expression neutral. Then the tiniest of snickers escaped her. She started shaking with mirth before she was giggling helplessly. Soon they were all nearly hysterical with laughter.
Rei fought to catch her breath when she realized her phone was buzzing with a call. She checked the display.
Minako.
Hurriedly, she flipped it open.
~O~O~O~O~
Minako reclined on the bed in her Adelaide hotel room, rather anxious to know if Rei had safely navigated her way through the sea of journalists that were doubtlessly waiting to pounce when she landed. If someone had thought to take her name from her flight information to sell to the press, it was highly probable that someone would have spread the word as to what return flight Rei would be on.
If only Rei would have accepted Minako's offer of a bodyguard—but Rei was worried that would just make her all the more conspicuous.
So Minako came up with an alternative plan.
The suggestion that Rei pretend to be a visiting Australian tourist was admittedly a bit of a longshot, but it had worked for the idol a few times in the past. Having spent a lot of time in England, she was quite fluent in the language, so it had been easy to convince the crowd of journalists that she didn't speak a word of Japanese, and her resemblance to this "Minako" person was just an amazing coincidence.
It was lucky that Rei spoke English fairly well herself. Minako had been shocked—and more than a bit turned on—by how well Rei imitated an Australian accent when the idol had prompted her to try. It was also lucky that they had not been in public at the time, given how Minako had reacted when she'd first heard it.
She checked her watch. Rei's plane should have landed ages ago. Unable to stand it any further, Minako whipped out her phone and hurriedly dialled.
Wild laughter greeted Minako when Rei picked up. Minako sighed with relief. Their friends were with her. She must have escaped the journalists then.
"Guys, keep it down—Minako's on the—"
"MINAKO-CHAN!"
Minako cringed as Usagi's ear-splitting yell assaulted her. She was tempted to check her phone for cracks.
"Well, Usagi, we can honestly say that scream was heard all the way in Australia," Makoto's voice said in the background, to more laughter. Minako joined in, giggling.
"I guess they found you all right, Reiko?"
"Yes, and if it had been a minute sooner, we'd still be at the airport surrounded by a mob, because someone shouted my name next to a crowd of reporters—"
"I'm sorry, Rei-chan!" Usagi wailed.
Rei chuckled softly. "It's fine, Usagi. We got out in one piece." She began telling Minako of their daring escape from the airport, punctuated with occasional commentary from the others. Makoto even snatched the phone from Rei to give the idol a blow by blow account of her mad dash from the exit to the car door.
"Makoto, you did not do a front hand spring through the open window while the car was moving," Rei's voice grumbled.
"Oh hush, you act as though you've never exaggerated anything in your life," Makoto shot back. "Besides—hey!"
There was a brief scuffling noise and more laughing.
"So when are you back again, Minako-chan?" Somehow Ami had won possession of the phone.
"Just under four weeks."
"Is there anything in particular you want to do when you get here?"
Minako bit back a giggle at Ami's innocent question. Anyone in particular would have been a far more appropriate phrase.
"Maybe a party. Nothing huge. You guys could come to our place."
"That would be nice—wait. 'Our place'?"
"Didn't Artemis tell y—"
An excited screech rang through Minako's phone. It was amazing, really, that Usagi hadn't destroyed her vocal chords—or her husband's eardrums.
"YOU'RE MOVING IN TOGETHER? REI-CHAN!"
Minako grinned at the incoherent babbling that broke out.
"Wow, congratulations!" Ami said breathlessly. "That's so wonderful—hey!—Mako-chan!"
"So when's the wedding?" Makoto demanded, reclaiming the phone. "I expect to be handling the flower arrangements, of course."
"I—er—" the idol's train of thought was momentarily derailed by Makoto's suggestion.
Wedding?
She felt her cheeks flush.
"Wow, Rei-chan, you're almost as red as that baseball cap!" Usagi laughed. "Look out, Mako-chan!"
"Augh! Mother of—okay! Okay! I yield! It's yours, Rei-chan! Man, she's not as weak as she looks—ow!" Makoto's yelping was followed by a loud thud.
Rei cleared her throat, sounding embarrassed. "Um, so you got to Adelaide all right then?"
"Rei-chan, you're sitting on my kidneys!" Makoto's voice groaned.
"Actually, Mako-chan, your kidneys are further down your torso—" Ami began as Minako snickered and answered Rei's question.
"Yes I did. What're you planning to do later?"
"Recover from my flight first, and then—then I guess I need to go to the Shrine and—pack."
"I wish I was there to help you, Reiko."
Rei snorted. "Oh, you do not. Physical labour terrifies you."
"Excuse me? No one knows more than you how much I like to get physical."
So that was what someone blushing profusely sounded like, Minako thought smugly, and waited for Rei to find her voice again.
"You—you know you're on speakerphone, right?" Rei finally said, her voice mortified.
"WHAT?" Minako felt the bottom drop of out of her stomach.
"Gotcha."
"REI! I can't believe you just—" The idol spluttered incoherently as Rei howled with laughter. "Hmph. Maybe I should go if you're going to be so mean."
"I'll make it up to you when you get back. Shut up, Mako-chan."
"Didn't say a word," Makoto said drily. There was the unmistakable noise of muffled giggling in the background.
Rei sighed. "We're actually just getting back to your place now, Minako, so maybe I should—"
"Our place," the idol corrected, feeling excited butterflies in her stomach.
Rei made a pleased sound. "Right. Our place. Um—we'll talk more later?"
"Yeah. I want to hear it again, Rei."
There was a pause. "I—w-well—but—the others—"
Minako smirked. "You can say it in front of a crowd of strangers at the airport but not our dearest friends?"
"This is because of the speakerphone thing, isn't it?" There was a faint note of panic in Rei's tone.
"That, and I really do want to hear it again." Minako grinned, knowing she'd won.
"...I love you, Minako."
"Ooh-hoo, Rei-chan!"
"Aww, so cute!"
Rei's voice was low when she spoke. "You are evil, you know that?"
"Yes, I do! Y'know, if you want to shut them up, I snuck a jar of vegemite into your suitcase."
"I'm really tempted. But only if you're willing to pay my bail. I still say they'd press charges." Minako heard Rei stifle a yawn. And no wonder, Minako thought, glancing at the clock. She stifled a yawn of her own.
"I heard that, Minako. You should go to bed."
"Probably. I do have an early interview." She rubbed at her eyes, suddenly exhausted. "We'll talk again soon, love."
"Okay. I'll tell the koi pond hello for you when I go to the Shrine tomorrow."
They said a quick goodnight—the others hollered a farewell as Rei hung up—and Minako was soon fast asleep.
O~O~O~
Author notes: At long last, the return of everyone's favourite sentient plush cat! ...Unless Luna is your favourite. In which case, you will have to wait till next week to see her.
Thanks for the reads and reviews!