Notes: Episode 138, "Drive to Heaven! Love Riding on the Car of Dreams". Or, "The one where Ami helps the widow rebuild a car."

Episode 138

Haruka's experience with machines was in punishing them. Whether it was a car, a hair dryer or her own body, Haruka was a firm believer in discovering the limits of a machine and then figuring out how to push beyond them.

She wasn't allowed to touch Michiru's hair dryers anymore.

Cars were still well in her purview, however, and cars were her primary focus today. She had a new car, an indefinite "loan" from a company hoping to woo her into an advertising campaign. It was never going to happen. Their cars were overpriced pieces of shit, and Haruka didn't connect herself with shit no matter many zeroes were in their offer. But if they wanted to ignore her answer and keep throwing gifts at her, well that was on them.

Haruka liked new toys.

She tapped her finger against her chin and considered the range of parts on the wall. She'd decided to play with the fuel injection system first. That was always fun, and would be a good indicator of what else she might be able to squeeze out of the damned thing. She was torn between a few options though, and in her concentration, she didn't notice that someone had joined her.

"You should go with that one." From the corner of her eye, Haruka saw a hand extend and indicate a specific part.

Humming a noise of indecision, Haruka gestured to the one closest to her. "I was leaning toward this."

"Not a bad choice," her new companion agreed, "but only for the short term. If you're looking at greater effect overall, it's important to consider …"

Haruka continued to browse parts while listening. The girl knew what she was talking about, that much was clear, and while Haruka enjoyed the mechanical side to cars and motorcycles, she knew she was no mechanical genius. A user far more than a builder, Haruka never turned down the opportunity to learn from an expert. Experts like this girl, who was clearly—

"Ami-chan?"

It was impossible to disguise the surprise in her voice. No, not surprise. Surprise was a word reserved for unexpected gifts and sudden rainstorms. Haruka was stunned. Shocked. Flabbergasted. But there was no denying it. Ami Mizuno – quiet, cowed, insecure Ami Mizuno – was telling Haruka all about the intricacies of cars, AND WAS MAKING SENSE. Haruka wouldn't have been so taken aback if it was about computers or something. But this was cars. CARS.

The question tumbled out of her mouth. "What are you doing here?" She'd meant it to sound cool, like a nonchalant passing inquiry. It didn't.

Ami didn't seem to care about the delivery though, and she flashed Haruka her gentle smile. "I have a friend restoring a car and she asked me to pick some things up for her. When I saw you, I thought I could offer advice."

"Oh." That was all Haruka could think to say.

She'd never considered Ami much. Of all the Inner Senshi – and she definitely had her share of thoughts and opinions about the Inner Senshi, make no mistake – Ami was the one that impressed Haruka the least. Whenever they encountered the Inners as a group she was always just there, in the back, saying little. The only two instances Haruka could recall of dealing with Ami directly were when she threw the swim race to Michiru (a gesture Haruka understood but couldn't respect) and when she'd stood alone between them and the Messiah of Silence (a gesture Haruka respected but couldn't understand). Otherwise, Haruka simply didn't think about her at all.

She was thinking about her now, though.

Michiru often chastised Haruka, in her infinitely amused way, for not giving the Inner Senshi a chance. It was Haruka's staunch opinion that the Inners should be the ones to earn that chance.

As Ami bowed and excused herself, to Haruka's distracted thanks, it occurred to her that this was exactly what Ami had done.

"Wait!" she called out, and wondered faintly at how badly she hoped Ami would.

Ami did, and turned back to Haruka with a question plainly written on her face.

These Inners. Sometimes you could read them like a book, but just when you thought you knew how it ended …

"We should talk more," Haruka told her, sliding back into her charm like putting on a comfortable jacket. "A cute girl who knows all about this stuff is someone I definitely need to know better." She extended her arm, and when Ami giggled and took it, Haruka's smile was genuine.

This BtL's big hurdle: Having one character impress another character with car stuff when you know absolutely bugger all about car stuff.