REI

They made it to the training facility at 10:58, which was just enough time for Minako to sprint into the building, shouting a hurried thanks over her shoulder.

Originally, Rei had planned to go to the gym later in the day, but since Minako's poor planning had brought her here, she figured she might as well get some circuits in.

The soccer team had already done their physical assessments the day prior, before they'd gotten the news that their coach's arrival had been delayed.

Apparently, he'd been bumped to a flight this morning and thought he'd make it just in time for practice, but that one had gotten delayed indefinitely as well.

While it made sense to have his assistant coaches run the team in his absence, it was Jadeite's first year as head coach for Stella Nova, and he'd wanted to personally be involved in getting the pre-season up and running.

Despite a rather successful five years as an assistant coach in the pro leagues, he was still on the younger side and brand new to the college scene.

The assistant coaches had said that since they'd taken their physicals, the team was free to use the training facility as desired for individual practices or workouts.

Then, the veterans on the team had looked between each other conspiratorially and declared there'd be a mandatory team event on Saturday. They'd collected all the rookies' contact information and Rei had been added to yet another group chat.

"Meet us tomorrow at 1:00 at the Phi Delt gates," one of them had said, grinning wickedly.

Rei had a sinking feeling about that.

She'd lingered in the car for a few minutes after Minako rushed in before grabbing her spare gym bag from the trunk.

If the volleyball team's physicals followed roughly the same procedure as the soccer team, they'd be using one of the indoor courts for their physicals and the weight room should be relatively free to use.

When she entered the facility, she could see the volleyball team gathered at the nearest court. Rei found her eyes instinctively searching the sea of height and long legs for a flash of blonde hair.

She spotted Minako, chatting amicably with other members of the team as they waited their turns for whatever exercises the trainers were having them do.

Rei considered herself tall, and Minako was about the same height, but many of Minako's teammates towered over her.

Another woman, this one only slightly taller than Minako, with auburn hair draped an arm over Minako's shoulders.

The two of them shared a laugh and stayed that way.

Rei felt a twitch of irritation and twisted her heels toward the basement stairs.

When she emerged from the changing rooms, she decidedly ignored the volleyball team and made her way to the workout room.

She didn't have a specific plan in mind going into it, but her mind leaned towards it being a leg and core day.

Rei was sure there would be plenty more leg days coming up, but this way she could get a proper two days of rest before training intensified. She could always focus on her arms outside of practice when the season started ramping up.

Sure enough, there were only two other people in the workout room. Both of them looked like football players.

By the time she'd finished her warmup, Rei had decided on what sets she wanted to accomplish for the day.

The football players didn't pay her much attention and were surprisingly diligent about putting away weights when they were done with their own exercises.

Rei was in the middle of a set of leg presses when she felt someone hovering in her peripheral. She completed her set and rolled to her feet.

She nearly fell back over in surprise as her gaze locked onto the woman standing above her.

"Michiru?" All she could do was gape.

The woman was wearing a ridiculous sheer scarf around her head and ridiculously large sunglasses as if she was in disguise. She tucked a strand of teal hair that had escaped the scarf behind her ear and smiled warmly.

"That's hardly an appropriate way to greet a dear friend," she chided lightly, pulling Rei fully upright and immediately into an embrace.

Rei tried to protest that she was sweaty, but Michiru buried her head into her shoulder nonetheless.

"You've gotten taller," the older woman grumbled, drawing back to poke an accusatory finger into Rei's shoulder.

Rei laughed, "No, you're just not in heels today."

Michiru pursed her lips as if she might argue.

"Why are you here?" Rei's initial surprise was replaced with curiosity.

She hadn't seen Michiru in almost three years, the Stella Nova training facility was hardly the reunion spot she'd pictured.

She must be dreaming because Michiru was suddenly blushing. THE Michiru Kaiou was blushing like a little school girl. That was certainly something Rei had never seen before.

"Just popping in to see my fiancé," Michiru replied, a dreamy look floating across her face.

"Oh?" Rei furrowed her eyebrows, "Haruka works here?"

She'd heard about the engagement through mutual contacts, but only flittingly. Most people in their overlapping circles were hesitant to bring up Michiru's longtime relationship with Haruka Tenoh.

Rei had mailed them a gift for Michiru's bridal shower, but she didn't recall the mailing address being anywhere near Stella Nova.

Michiru nodded. "Didn't you know she graduated from Stella Nova?"

It was Rei's turn to blush this time, though hers was more out of embarrassment.

"I knew she played volleyball, didn't realize she coached here," she admitted.

"She started last year, but we just finally bought a house here a couple months ago," Michiru explained.

Michiru had been on tour the better part of the past two and a half years. Most of it was solo performances, but she'd make guest appearances with certain orchestras if they invited her.

It made sense they hadn't had time to house hunt until recently.

"Speaking of the house," Michiru's eyes lit up, "We're having some people over for a little housewarming party and to celebrate the engagement with more of Haruka's friends and family!"

Rei sighed. "I hate people," she said plainly, knowing that Michiru knew what she was like.

They'd both grown up in the same high society, elitist circles.

Michiru had been one of the few people Rei could reliably talk to at all the gaudy parties and superficial fundraisers. A few years older than Rei, she'd broken through her icy demeanor effortlessly.

Michiru had also lost a parent at a young age, her presence felt like a welcome relief amongst all the false platitudes Rei had received after her mother's death.

Michiru had been the only one to ever acknowledge the cruel way Rei's father paraded her around after her mother's death, attempting to cash in on people's pity.

"Don't worry, they're good people, mostly old teammates and professors that Haruka liked," Michiru brushed some of Rei's bangs out of her eyes.

Rei rolled her eyes at the motherly action, but didn't stop her.

"When should I be there?"

Michiru's smile shifted into a self-satisfied smirk.

"Next Sunday, 2:00 PM for the pool party," Michiru giggled as Rei scowled, "And 4:00 PM if you love me at all."

Rei supposed she could make it work. Her weekend practices all wrapped up around 3:00 and she had to admit she'd missed Michiru's presence in her life.

A sudden chill ran up her spine and Michiru's eyes flashed at the same time, darting toward the glass wall that looked out toward the courts.

"Oh my, are you aware you have a fan?" Michiru's voice was low and teasing.

Rei followed her gaze, already guessing what she'd see.

Sure enough, Minako was staring them down from where she stood on one of the sidelines, teammates chattering around her.

Rei frowned, but neglected to comment, increasingly aware of her own hands still resting on Michiru's hips from their embrace that hadn't exactly ended.

"Rei, why does that girl look like she wants me dead?" Michiru arched an eyebrow at her that definitely meant she wouldn't be hearing the end of this.

Rei sighed.

"I don't know," she lied, for she had a fairly good idea.

Just because she was an extremely private person didn't mean she was a complete idiot. That was Minako's job.

"So you don't know her?" Michiru's tone was flat with disbelief.

Rei knew there was no lying to Michiru. They both had a sixth sense for these things and Michiru knew Rei.

"That's my roommate," Rei grumbled. She was never going to hear the end of this.

Worse, Michiru was definitely going to tell Haruka, and then Rei was going to suffer consequences she couldn't even imagine.

Michiru made a knowing "mhmmm" noise and glanced back towards Minako.

"Rei, I'd highly suggest clarifying to her that we're just friends," Michiru was nearly shaking with laughter, "Actually I think you need to tell her we're cousins, or you'll be picking out engravings for my tombstone."

Rei didn't need to look over to see the expression on Minako's face, she could feel the heat just fine.

"We've just met," Rei glowered, "I barely know her name."

Michiru's eyes widened and she clapped a hand over Rei's mouth.

"Does she know that? Because I'm afraid if I go out there right now, she'll drop kick me," Michiru hissed.

Rei rolled her eyes and removed Michiru's hand from her mouth.

"Stop being ridiculous."

Michiru laughed airily and clasped Rei's hands in hers, finally breaking their embrace.

"So I'll see you next weekend?" Her cobalt eyes blinked prettily.

"Fine."

Michiru gave her hands another squeeze and her smile brightened.

"Excellent," she said, eyes glinting. She leaned in quickly and pressed a kiss to Rei's cheek.

"I'll be expecting you no later than 4:00."

Rei rolled her eyes again, but returned the smile.

"Say hey to Haruka for me," she called as Michiru made her way toward the door.

The other woman waved in response, "Already on it, darling."

A/N: If I wasn't the biggest fucking Reinako shipper, I'd be the biggest fucking ReiMichi shipper. They're so canon to me I don't even care. Is it really queerbaiting if they're just long lost lovers?