Author Note: It makes me so happy to know that some of you were able to find this story again! And thanks for the positive reviews and supportive comments, I always look forward to reading them to help encourage me to continue.

Pop-Quiz: 1 Question

1 - In Chapter 12, what is the explanation Minako gave to Rei when she asked why Usagi decided to use 'Tsukino' as her last name?

Bento = [Japanese] a single-portion meal common in Japanese cuisine.

I don't own Sailor Moon, Girl Friends, or any songs and have tried to the best of my ability to site my references.

Takeuchi, N. (1991). Sailor Moon. Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha Ltd.

DioGuardi, K. and Stewart, D. (2007). Taking Chances [Recorded by Celine Dion]. On Taking Chances [CD], Los Angeles, California, Paradies, Nevada, and Philadelphia: Henson Recording Studio, Studio at the Palms, and The Studio.

Morinaga, M. (2006). Girl Friends. Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan: Futabasha Publishers Ltd.

The store 'Kirei' that appears in this work is fictitious. Any resemblance to real businesses, existing or defunct, is purely coincidental.

Chapter 32:

Jingle Jingle!

The clear sound of door chimes came as a certain, gorgeous makeup artist unlocked and entered the glass double-doors of Kirei. She weaved her way through a few of the product aisles with ease, pulling a couple items here and there from the shelves, before heading towards the back of the store to the check-out counter where she leaned down and switched on the store radio. She turned to the back wall and flipped on the lights of the establishment.

The store came to life from the illumination and a solemn, soft-rock song began streaming through the built-in speakers overhead as she began ringing up her purchases.

- You don't know about my past. And I don't have a future figured out. And maybe this is going too fast. And maybe it's not meant to last. But, what do you say to taking chances? What do you say to jumping off the edge? Never knowing if there's solid ground below, or a hand to hold, or hell to pay? What do you say? -

The gorgeous blonde finished her task and unlocked a door behind the check-out counter intended only for staff. She continued through the door and went to the employee locker room where she clocked in at the employee time-clock kiosk before heading to her office.

Once there, she sat down behind the desk, pulled out a compact from her purse, and began using the products she grabbed from the shelves to do her makeup. As she was applying the products expertly to her face, her mind wandered back to a conversation she had with a certain, beautiful, raven-haired woman not long before heading to work.

"I'll see you after work, ok baby?," Minako said as she quickly put on her shoes. She didn't realize how late it was by the time they got up and was in a bit of a rush getting ready to head out so she could make it to work on time.

"Mmn," Rei replied as she handed Minako her overnight bag and opened the door for her. As the gorgeous blonde grabbed her bag and was about to head out the door, the archer was reminded of something,

"Oh, Mina! I almost forgot," Rei said quickly, catching Minako's attention. The archer blushed suddenly when she was met by those piercing sapphires, "U-Ummm…Would you…I mean…," the taller woman hesitated. She averted her violet eyes bashfully as she brought a hand up to rub the back of her neck nervously, "Do you think…maybe…you could take some time off work?," she asked shyly.

Rei could feel the Curiosity swaying within Minako's warm aura. The gorgeous blonde tilted her head as she thought, her cobalt gaze going to the ceiling, "Hmmm…I'm not sure. I'll have to check," she responded. Her intrigued ceruleans returned to Rei, "I guess it depends on when?," she asked.

"…Tomorrow through Friday?," Rei replied with an apologetic tone, the inflection in her voice causing her words to come out as more of a question than a statement. Her rare, lavender eyes looked up towards the smaller woman timidly.

"…O-Oh!," Minako said with a bit of surprise, taken aback by how unexpectedly soon Rei's request was referring to.

"I-I mean, if not, then that's ok," Rei added quickly. She brought the hand she had on her neck up and began waving it quickly as if dispelling any concerns Minako might have about possibly declining, "It's just that I was talking to Grandpa yesterday because I wanted to go visit him and the shrine and he said that this week would work with his schedule. I know it's really short-notice and you don't have to come if you don't want to, so no pressure. It's totally fine if you want to say n-mmm!"

Rei's rambling was immediately silenced by soft lips pressing into her own. Her eyelids fell closed as the intoxicating scent of strawberries filled her senses. Soothing, warm, orange-gold colors began flowed gently into her.

The kiss ended too soon for Rei liking as Minako pulled away gently. Her rare, amethyst eyes fluttered open and were met by warm, playful sapphires.

"You are just too cute for words, baby," Minako mused with a lighthearted giggle. She brought a hand up to brush Rei's bangs gently out of her eyes, "I'll check the schedule to see if it's possible for me to get away, ok?"

"…R-Really?," Rei replied with slight surprise, recovering from the kiss as Minako's words sank in. Her amethyst eyes lit up optimistically. Though she didn't want Minako to feel pressured into going with her, she couldn't hide her eagerness at the thought of possibly not having to be away from the gorgeous blonde for the week.

"Mmn," Minako nodded. She smiled as she leaned in and placed a kiss on the archer's cheek, "I've got to go, but I'll text you once I know, ok?," she asked.

"M-Mmn," Rei replied with a shy nod and a warm smile. A soft blush tinted her pale cheeks. The gorgeous blonde smiled warmly at the taller woman before she waved and headed out.

Minako finished her makeup and put the products she used and her compact away into her purse. She pulled out her phone and checked the time, 6:57am. It wouldn't be long now before her morning staff would begin arriving to prepare the store for the day.

Now, with nothing else to distract her while she waited for them to arrive, she began mulling over Rei's invitation.

She didn't have a problem with visiting the shrine. On the contrary, given how unique Rei's upbringing was, Minako secretly hoped for an opportunity to visit the archer's childhood home. The bits of information she gathered from the fond memories Rei shared made it sound like such a beautiful and almost mystical place, full of nature and magic. She was eager to go and see it first-hand.

No, the thing that made her reach up and absently worry the heart-shaped locket around her neck between her delicate fingers and caused an uneasy feeling to begin settling in her chest …was the idea of meeting Rei's grandfather.

Though Minako had been in a number of relationships, they always ended before ever getting to the point where parents or parental figures would even be a consideration.

And isn't that who Rei's grandfather was? He raised her after all, trained her in her abilites, was practically mother and father to her in the absence of both figures for the majority of her life. He still was to some extent.

Minako's brow furrowed as she contemplated the situation, We've only been together for a little over a week, she thought to herself apprehensively. Isn't this what people did when their relationships were already well established and moving to the next level? Meeting the parents? Blurring the lines between casual and…serious…between them as individuals and something…more?

She shivered slightly at the thought. What would it mean for them if she were to meet Rei's grandfather? What would it mean…for her? And what if she and Rei's grandfather didn't get along? What if he disapproved of Rei dating her?

Minako's heart sank as she was reminded of Rei's promise. She couldn't stand the thought of possibly hurting Rei by potentially putting her at odds with her beloved grandfather if it came to that. She also couldn't stand the idea of Rei staying with her merely due to her promise if it meant defying the one blood-relative the archer had left in the world that meant anything to her.

But…the thought of possibly losing Rei…

The uneasiness began weighing heavily in her chest. Minako palmed the locket in her hand and held it tightly in her fist. She took a deep breath, held it for a couple seconds, and let it out slowly.

Maybe I should make up an excuse not to go, Minako thought to herself pensively. What they had was already complex enough as it was…perhaps adding this other layer of complication would be too much. Better to keep thing simple. We don't need it to get any more complicated than it already is.

Yes, she told the devastatingly, beautiful woman that she would check and see if the schedule permitted her to take time off. But…she also hadn't exactly agreed to Rei's invitation either if it did. She didn't know it at the time, but she realized it now that she had subconsciously given herself an out.

And here she was, teetering at the edge of it, deciding whether or not to use it, Maybe it's for the best if I told Rei-chan that I couldn't-

…clip…

A faint sound drew Minako from her thoughts. She tilted her head downwards towards the sound and brought her cerulean gaze to the locket in her hand. Unknowingly, she had used her fingernail to pop open the locket. She turned it towards her, carefully opening it wider, her clear sapphires landing on the photo she had recently placed in there.

Inside…was a small picture of Rei.

Minako softened as she gazed adoringly at the photo, the uneasiness dissipating at the sight of that paralyzingly breathtaking face. She sighing dreamily as she remembered when they took those photos in a photo booth by the beach in Kamakura.

Even with how small the photo was, one could see the warm and sincere smile on Rei's beautiful, alluring lips, could see how piercing her honest, intense, rare, amethysts were as she looked directly into the camera. She looked so content…and so happy. It was the same look Rei had when Minako left her condo before coming to work just now.

Minako let out a sigh and shook her head in resignation. No, she couldn't do that to Rei, not after seeing that look on her face and how hopeful the beautiful archer became at the prospect of Minako coming with her to visit her home. The makeup artist couldn't help but bring the locket to her lips and kiss it softly.

…snap…

She closed the locket and brought it back down to her chest, stroking it endearingly, "Things happen for a reason," she whispered softly to herself. She made up her mind then to let fate make the decision for her. If she was able to go, she would. If she wasn't, then she wouldn't. No matter the decision, or the consequences, she would follow the path laid before her with conviction and confidence.

As she turned on her computer and waited for it to load so she could check the week's schedule, a disturbing memory quickly flashed to the forefront of her mind, causing the uneasy feeling to begin seeping back into her chest.

I…cried again last night, Minako thought as she remembered tearing up in the crook of Rei's neck before falling asleep. This was now the second time she'd ever done that. The only other time she had ever shed tears after sex was the night before the very picture she currently had in her locket was taken.

But…what does it mean?, Minako thought to herself. She began comparing the two events: both times she had, undoubtedly, been brought to the best and most intense and extreme ecstasy she had ever experienced or even knew was possible, and both times had been with a certain, devastatingly beautiful, raven-haired woman she undoubtedly had deep feelings for.

She groaned in annoyance. Even with this new information, it just didn't make sense to her. She was baffled as to why she would weep in those moments. It absolutely frustrated her to no end not having an answer.

"Morning, Mina-chaaan!," a cheerful voice sang down the hall, interrupted Minako's thoughts. She could hear the distinct sound of someone clocking in at the kiosk in the locker room and the clicking of high-heels against the cement floor heading towards her office.

A bright smile appeared on Minako lips. She began to stand so that she could walk around her desk to greet her adorable mentee,

"Morning, Akko-ch-aah!," Minako called cheerfully before her eyes shut tightly, her hand shooting up to her head as she let out a pained cry. As she stood up, a sharp pain flashed through her head and vanished as quickly as it came, leaving only a dull ache as a reminder of its appearance. Minako groaned as she began massaging her temple, her other hand came to rest on the desk in front of her to help steady herself.

"Mina-chan! Are you alright!?," Akko's alarmed voice called down the hall before the young brunette appeared soon after, running into Minako's office after hearing her mentor's distressed tone.

"M-Mmn," Minako replied as she found her footing again and was able to stand on her own without the support of the desk. She shook her head and her eyes fluttered open, "I think I just stood up too quickly, that's all."

"Mou, Mina-chan," Akko sighed in relief, visibly relaxing in her stance, "I thought something happened. You scared me half to death!"

"Sorry," Minako giggled apologetically as she lowered her hand from her temple, "Thanks for worrying about me, though."

"Of course," Akko said matter-of-factly with a caring smile as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "You're my sempai and my friend, it's my job to worry about you!"

Minako rolled her eyes as she chuckled at the young brunette. Akko approached the gorgeous blonde and brought a hand up to Minako's cheek gently, her amber eyes filled with concern as she leaned in to examine Minako's face, "You look a little pale, Mina-chan. Have you eaten anything today?"

Minako thought for a bit, "A-Actually, now that you mention it," she stammered nervously as she averted her gaze, preparing for the scolding she knew she was going to get, "I-I haven't eaten anything since…about 6:30pm yesterday?"

"Mataku, Mina-chan!," Akko chided as she shook her head and brought her hand to her hip disapprovingly, "You need to take care of yourself! You probably got a headrush from low blood sugar or something!"

"M-Mmn, you're probably right," Minako nodded sheepishly as she brought her puppy-dog cobalts up to look at the young woman apologetically in response to her reprimanding. She noticed then that the young brunette was carrying a small, draw-string bag in her other hand,

"What's that?," Minako asked as she eyed the bag curiously.

"Oh! It's a present for you," Akko replied cheerfully once she remembered the bag in her hand. She set it down on the desk, "Mari's taking a diatetics class this semester and has been playing around with different recipes all weekend for a project. I packed some of the extras for you to take home."

"Aww, that's so sweet. Thank you," Minako said warmly as she went around her desk to hug her mentee, "Tell Mari-chan I said thanks also."

"No problem," Akko replied as she returned the hug. They pulled away and the young brunette brought her hands to the gorgeous blonde's shoulders and guided her back to her seat, "Now, you're going to sit down and eat something while I go get you some aspirin from the first aid kit. Don't worry about opening the store or anything else for the next 20 minutes, I'll take care of it," she said with playful sternness.

"Yes, ma'am," Minako giggled obediently as she sat down in her chair and the young brunette left to retrieve the promised medication.

As the makeup artist settled in her chair again, she noticed her computer had finished loading and was ready for her to use.

Alright…time to roll the dice, I guess, she thought to herself as she moved the mouse so that the curser was on the stores's scheduling software. She took a deep breath as she quickly double-clicked the application icon. A window opened on her desktop and she began analyzing the week's calendar.

"Here you go, Mina-chan," Akko said, getting Minako's attention as the young brunette returned and set a bottle of water and two aspirin tablets on Minako's desk.

"Thanks, Akko-chan," Minako said sincerely. Akko began unpacking one of the neatly made bentos from the bag she brought for her mentor as Minako popped the pills in her mouth and chased them with the water.

"Planning on going somewhere?," Akko asked casually, noticing that Minako had the schedule open on her computer.

"Maybe," Minako replied as she returned her attention to the schedule. She aimlessly fiddled with her necklace as she examined the detailed grid before her. After a moment, she shook her head incredulously, "Of course," she whispered sarcastically to herself.

"What's up, Mina-chan?," Akko asked curiously.

"Nothing," Minako responded casually, "It just that I was invited to go somewhere starting tomorrow through Friday and-"

"Oooooo, a romantic getaway!?," Akko asked with eager interest.

"Wait, what!?," Minako chuckled with slight surprise, "What makes you say that?," she asked curiously.

"Oh, sorry!," Akko giggled apologetically in response, "I just assumed from that gorgeous necklace you keep playing with on your neck that you had a new boy-toy or something."

Minako rolled her eyes at her adorable mentee as she smirked, "I'll be sure to tell her you called her my new 'boy-toy'."

"Ooooh, switching it up, I see?," Akko sang teasingly with a wink.

"Oh, hush, you!," Minako chided playfully, "Anyways, yes, she was planning on going somewhere and invited me to go with her."

"You should totally go!," Akko said encouragingly, "What's stopping you?"

"Well…at first I wasn't sure if I should or not," Minako explained superficially, not wanting to get into the details, "But I told myself if the schedule allowed for it, then I would."

"Always the responsible one," Akko shook her head teasingly at the gorgeous blonde, "So…are you going?," she probed curiously.

Minako shrugged, "It looks like tomorrow and Friday we'll be a little short-staffed so I need to be here for those days, but Wednesday and Thursday we'll be fine."

"That's great!," Akko responded excitedly, "So you can go for at least those two days, right? Just let me know what you need done during that time and I'll take care of everything while you're out!"

"I don't know, Akko-chan," Minako began apprehensively.

"C'mon, Mina-chan!," Akko whined playfully, "Just consider it part of my training as head makeup artist. I mean, it is part of my job to be your back-up in case you're out for any reason, right?"

"Why do I get the feeling you're trying to get rid of me or something?," Minako chuckled as she raised an eyebrow at the young brunette.

"Mina-chan," Akko began, her tone softening to one of sincerity. She rested her hands on the desk and leaned towards the gorgeous blonde slightly, signaling she was being serious now, "You're always looking out for me and telling me how I should take care of myself and do what's best for me, but I don't even remember the last time you took time off work or went on vacation." Her amber eyes continued to look at Minako with worry and concern as she straightened, "And I want you to take care of yourself too. I may not be able to repay you for all the things you've done for me, but at least let me do this for you? Please?"

Minako's softened as she looked at her young mentee, taking in her words and her adorably concerned face, "I guess that settles it then," she conceded with a sigh as she shook her head. She smiled softly at the young brunette, "Once I'm done eating, we'll start your training."

Akko's amber eyes lit up at Minako's words, "Great! Just grab me when you're ready!," the young mentee replied cheerfully. She quickly left Minako so she could eat and went to the front of the store to oversee opening for the day.

Minako let out a sigh as she turned her attention back to her computer and began inputting her intended time off work for the week. Once finished, she retrieved her phone from her purse, flipped it open, and quickly typed a few keys before shutting it again once the sound of a sent text message was heard.

I guess I can't fight fate, she thought to herself with a soft chuckle as she shrugged to herself. She dropped her phone back into her purse, pulled the bento Akko opened for her closer, and began enjoying her delicious breakfast as she mentally began planning Akko's training.

Author Note: Slowly, but surely, Minako's being pushed out of her comfort zone towards the unknown. Will she be rewarded for taking a leap of faith? Will it be a disaster? We'll see ;)

In case you're wondering, I kept going back and forth as to whether I should have Akko and Minako address each other as –sempai or –kohai, but in the end decided that since they're almost equal in experience now and they're so close that they've gone beyond that hierarchial kind of relationship into friends instead. So that's why they address each other with the –chan honorific instead of as mentor/mentee.

If you haven't read the manga Girl Friends yet, I hope you get a chance. It's a cute story and the two protagonists are absolutely adorable. I also love the drawing style, very well done.

Constructive feedback/reviews would be greatly appreciated.

(updated 08/2015)