It had been rather odd at first, with Rei and Minako being together and still trying to keep it hidden, even from most of her workers. Rei hadn't felt comfortable letting others know and was worried someone would let it slip to the public and it could create issues for both parties. Natsuna and Haruka had been allowed to know given their level of contact with the two.

Natsuna had smirked as if she had known for a very long time. Haruka had been surprised and it seemed like every time they were in the car to go somewhere, they were getting glances back at them to see if they were doing anything, but they never were. The racer admitted it was disappointing. They kept it strictly to after work hours when Rei stayed over.

After being together for two months, they hadn't done much more than kissing and sharing the same bed, only not on opposite sides now. Minako often cuddled into her arms and it had been odd at first, but somehow, Rei found it a comforting part of her routine if she knew she was staying the night. But all the same, she could tell Minako wanted more.

Rei let out a sigh as she took her jacket and tie off, laying them over the back of the chair to the vanity in Minako's room and sat on the end of the bed. It had been a day of going around town for events and to Rei, that was some of the most exhausting work they did. Not to mention the summer heat made it worse when wearing a suit. Thankfully she had already taken her socks and shoes off for comfort.

"You okay?" She looked up when Minako walked in, closing the door behind her.

"Yeah, just a long day is all. You?-"

"Good." Minako sat down next to her and held Rei's hand with a small hum.

"What?"

"Hmmm?"

"You hum when you're thinking about something and given it's just us...it's something not work-related."

"You pay far too much attention." Minako grinned at her for a moment before it fell to a more serious face. "I dunno I just...I feel like we haven't moved forward?"

"You mean because we haven't slept together…"

"Sort of. I don't want to rush you into it by any means…" Minako was playing with her hand and Rei could tell she was guilty by bringing it up. "I can easily take care of myself when time permits so it's not really a need as much as a want."

Rei made a small noise. "But you're aware it's something I've never done?"

"Sleep with someone? Yes, it's...a bit obvious, Reiko."

"Reiko?"

"I...I know it's the fake name I gave you on your badge, but I really do like it. Kind of like when you call me Mina, instead of Minako. That aside, I haven't wanted to make you uncomfortable. I know this already has been a lot more than you're used to having."

It wasn't that Rei was worried about having a bad time, it was more that she was in the dark about the matter. She hated not knowing something about a situation or what to do or say and this would completely be out of her grasp. If she were being honest, she hardly did any kind of care for herself with the intense work schedules. In reality, she just hated not knowing what to do.

"I trust you." She entwined her fingers with Minako's as she said it. It didn't make sense to put it off at this point. It wasn't that she didn't want it. It apparently surprised Minako based her reaction.

"Are you sure Rei? It's not that I don't want to it's just...so sudden."

"I've thought on it a bit...I just don't know what I'm doing. Or what to do. But I trust that you do."

"And you'll tell me to stop if you get uncomfortable? You swear to it?" Minako was being serious, she could tell. It was sweet how worried she was.

"Absolutely. You know I would…"

"Okay." She could tell Minako was still unsure as she slowly pushed Rei to laying back on the bed and straddled her waist. Then suddenly Minako was kissing her and she felt herself immediately relax into it, resting her hands on Minako's waist. There was something very different about this and Rei wasn't able to place what the feeling was.

Slowly Minako moved down to her neck and instinctively, Rei tilted her head back with a slow intake of air, letting it go with a gasp when Minako suddenly bit at her neck playfully. It wouldn't leave a mark, she was aware. They had set rules about those kinds of things. Minako couldn't afford the rumors and Rei didn't need people thinking she had a distraction in her life.

Finally, Rei came to realize what was so different. Everything about this felt so...soft. Caring. Things she hadn't experienced often in her life. Minako had even somehow made her feel safe as she slowly unbuttoned her shirt, pushing it open and to the sides. It was still nerve-wracking to be laid out like this below someone like Minako. There were hundreds of thousands of people that probably wished they were Rei right now.

It wasn't that the performer hadn't seen her in a bra with no shirt on, but it was the idea of what they were doing this time rather than a change of clothes. Rei didn't even know where to put her hands, she was so lost. She opted for gripping at the comforter below them as Minako slowly started to kiss her way down her chest towards her stomach.

Suddenly Minako had stopped and pressed the most gentle kiss to the scar on her abdomen from when she was shot. Rei reached down and pulled her back up, slowly kissing her. "Don't feel bad about it…"

She could see the guilt still on Minako's face as the woman gently stroked her thumb over it. "But if it weren't for me, this would have never happened."

"Perhaps, but that also carries a much heavier downside to it."

"Hmmm? What's that?"

"I'd have never met you." Those words eased the tension as Minako smiled and kissed her again. It was true and she had meant it. Rei would take being shot again to have a chance once more in her life to be close to someone. To love, even.

Maybe Rei was being too bold, but she reached down and tugged on Minako's top, pulling it off. She felt a little self-conscious as the only one being half dressed. Her hands shook a little as she let it drop to the ground. She was completely out of her element. There was always something about how toned Minako was due to her workouts. How flawless her body seemed without a mark on it. It was overwhelming.

The way Minako's hair brushed up against her side sent shivers down her spine as well, each touch bringing an unexpected sensation. Rei was sure she was breathing slightly heavier. Minako leaned down and kissed her again and she knew she shuddered at the feeling of skin on skin. Then Minako's breath was against her neck again and she tilted her head back, sliding her arms up Minako's back.

She knew that people always talked about sex and how good it was supposed to feel, but this...was nothing like she had heard or ever read about in articles she'd seen online. It felt like everything was rushing into a pinpoint and exploding outwards at every graze or touch. To a point, she would say it felt like Minako was almost worshipping her with every soft touch.

"You okay?"

Rei wasn't even aware she had closed her eyes as she opened them to look up at Minako. She reached up with a hand and pulled the woman down for a kiss, hoping that it would answer her question because words were too difficult to manage. Her mind was becoming muddled with nothing but pleasure. Rei didn't think she could handle it if Minako stopped now.

Slowly, Minako pulled away and coaxed Rei to sit up and she took her shirt off, letting it fall to the ground next to Minako's own. There was something about sitting this close to the other woman in a moment as intimate as this. Rei found herself drawn into the depth of her deep blue eyes as if she were drowning in them. Slowly she slid her hands up Minako's thighs, pushing her skirt up a little. She had imagined doing this before, but even so, her imagination could never picture how smooth it would feel. Leaning forward she pressed a few kisses to Minako's neck, getting a heady moan in response and it sent shivers down Rei's spine. It made her feel powerful for no reason at all.

Her eyes trailed down and she stopped all movement, her eyes breaking to the side as she mumbled something under her breath.

"W-what?" Minako looked at her, confused by the stop.

"A-Artemis. Can you put him in the office or something? It's weird...He's watching."

Minako looked over her shoulder to see the cat sitting on the chair to her vanity, getting fur all over Rei's jacket and tie before taking a shaky breath and standing up. Gently she picked him up and opened the door, placing him outside and closing it quietly. Rei would have to remember to let him back in so he didn't cry all night.

Rei moved up further on the bed, adjusting the pillows against the headboard, still nervous, noticing how her hands shook. The break gave her time to breath and think about how it all felt, a chance to really take it all in so far. She couldn't believe she had taken Minako's top off like she had, couldn't imagine where the confidence came from.

"Do you want to stop?"

"No." The word came out automatically and she swallowed as Minako climbed up between her legs. "What makes you think I would?"

"Nothing. I just didn't know if having Artemis get in the middle made you feel uncomfortable."

"J-Just...I'm just nervous."

"You're doing fine, Reiko." Minako kissed her swiftly and Rei nodded, letting out a breath she had been holding. For a moment, she worried that Minako didn't want to continue this with the way she had asked. She felt Minako's hands come up her back and heard a snap as her bra came undone and she felt her face heat up as it was removed. She started to raise her hands to cover herself but Minako stopped her. "Don't, please.."

Rei hesitated for a moment before slowly lowering them to the comforter, but avoiding eye contact. She was positive the tips of her ears were red. It was common sense that her bra was eventually going to be removed, but it still didn't prepare her any better for it.

Minako started to kiss her again and she felt her body slowly relax once more. It was amazing how something so simple was able to erase tension and calm nerves. She appreciated that patience was given and the care that was provided to her. The kisses moved from her mouth back down her neck and to her chest where she felt her nerves starting up again.

A warm hand cupped her right breast and somehow, immediately sent shocks through her body without anything else even being done. Then Minako's mouth was on her other one and she let out a sharp gasp, her back arching almost immediately at the provided warmth and wetness. Rei felt like sparks were shooting through her body and her hands gripped the comforter hard.

She couldn't say how long Minako did it for, only that it felt incredible and that her mouth and throat were producing noises she didn't think she could make. After more playful teasing, the other woman pulled away, but not without a playful bite to her nipple and Rei whimpered. The warmth was gone and replaced by cool air and she fought to catch her breath. Then it was all repeated on the other side and her whole body arched into it, hands moving up to grip a little at Minako's back and shoulders, needing something more solid to hold onto.

Finally, it all stopped and Rei felt very dazed, her mind swimming with pleasure as the kisses moved back down lower, Minako shifting down and Rei's hands having to slide back down to the mattress with her being almost out of reach. Suddenly she realized Minako was taking her belt off and she grunted as she reached down to pull her up.

"What's wrong?"

"This isn't fair…" She felt out of breath as she spoke, her brain trying to function.

"What's not fair?"

"I'm..I'm the only one getting anything, really. That's not fair to you."

"Reiko...you don't have to do anything." Minako gave her that stupid thousand-watt smile and she huffed, flipping them over so she was above her. It surprised the other woman based on her stunned look as she tried to process what happened.

"Maybe not, but...I-I want to." She wanted to be able to give Minako even a fraction of what she had felt so far. It didn't seem fair she was the only one to feel good, to let Minako do all of this work. Rei knew if she didn't do something now and things progressed, she would never get the chance, not this time. Maybe it wouldn't be good, but she could at least try.

Not allowing another word in, she leaned down and kissed Minako for a moment before reaching down to undo the zipper on her skirt, shimmying it off. Here she was, Pop idol-no, that wasn't right. It wasn't right to bring that matter to what they were doing. This was simply Aino Minako below her, in just her underwear. She let the skirt fall off the edge of the bed as she let out a breath she was unaware she was holding as she took the other woman in. "You're perfect."

Rei leaned back down over her, kissing her again. She really had no idea what she was doing, but she was going off what her body and mind told her to do. Really, if she thought about it, she knew Minako could and would guide her as she needed help. She continued to kiss her as her right hand slowly slid up Minako's thigh, trying to keep the shaking and nerves under some form of control. When Minako was the one calling the shots, Rei was too out of it to think or process any shaking. It was all pure reaction.

It really took all she had to gather the courage to slide her hand to the inside of Minako's thigh and upwards. She wasn't sure what shocked her more, made her feel like she was doing something right: the moan that Minako had let out, or the dampness she felt on her underwear. The best she could do was try and use her own experiences with herself from here on out. The moment she carefully used her nail to evoke a reaction, Minako instantly had her hands on Rei's back and she could feel the other woman's nails digging into her. She didn't regret it.

After a few more strokes of her fingers, she moved her hand upwards and hesitated at the edge of Minako's underwear, as if unsure it was okay, or that Minako was even enjoying herself despite the noises the other woman had been making in those few short moments. What if it was all fake? Minako was a performer, it wouldn't take much to make it seem authentic to Rei.

"D-dont…"

"What?" Rei snapped out of her daze of questions to look down at Minako, meeting half-lidded eyes and a breathy voice.

"Keep going, please." Minako sounded so desperate to the point that Rei knew this was very real. Adding to the certainty was Minako reaching down to Rei's hand and moving it herself, fingertips sliding in and Rei continued the movement on her own as she watched Minako take in a sharp breath and her head tilt back the moment Rei's fingers grazed her the slightest bit, hands moving back to where they were moments ago on Rei's back.

Now she could really feel how much impact she was having on Minako, could feel how wet she was with each passing slow stroke, could hear it in every breath, every moan. Rei didn't feel so lost or nervous anymore. She leaned down to press kisses along Minako's neck as she slid her index finger in, feeling nails rake across her back, causing her to hiss a little. They would leave marks; Minako didn't even realize it.

"More. Gods, please more, don't stop…"

It was astonishing to Rei how well she was doing for her first time, but she suspected it helped that she herself was also a woman, and had an idea of what to do at least. She gave Minako what she wanted and inserted another finger, moving her hand at a steady rate as the woman thrashed under her in pleasure, called her name out, begged her for more until she peaked and let out a short yell, her body trying to curl inwards as she twitched. Rei continued to move her fingers until her orgasm subsided, slowly sliding them out in an almost disbelief that she had just gotten Minako off.

"Fuck…"

"You uhm...you okay?"

Minako took in some air as she took Rei's hand and lifted it to her mouth, cleaning her fingers off. Rei had to swallow at that, at the feeling of Minako slowly cleaning each finger off slowly and finally spoke. "I haven't felt this good in years."

Suddenly Rei felt herself on her back and blinked as Minako was straddled her waist again. She felt like prey suddenly under the other woman based on the look in her eyes as she still tried to get her breathing back under control.

"I…"

"Yes?"

"You mean that though? You're not uh...just saying it to make me feel better?" It felt stupid to try and confirm that now, with what they had been in the middle of. But Rei had to know or she felt the rest of this would be hindered by her own thoughts.

"Reiko, no one, in any point in my life, has ever made me feel that good. If I had known that was going to feel that incredible, I'd have let you have me back at the awards ceremony in the dressing room right then and there."

Rei's face heated up immediately at the image that entered her head of Minako in that red dress, on leg hooked up onto Rei's hip, as she did as she pleased with the artist. It physically made her shift to alleviate the pressure she felt building in the pit of her stomach.

"Now, you just lay back and let me give you a good time." Minako leaned down and gave her a quick kiss before sliding back and removing the belt she never managed to get off and snapping the button open on Rei's slacks and slowly pulling the zipper down, but applying the smallest bit of pressure down as she did it, creating a spark of pleasure once more.

Rei lifted her hips to help Minako take the pants off and felt the nerves start to return. She wasn't perfect like Minako, scar aside. The idol spent time doing daily workouts, sometimes three times a day. Rei had been slacking lately at the gym as of late and knew it, Makoto had even emailed her to make sure she was okay because she hadn't been showing up.

"Bend your knees."

"What?"

"Bend. Your. Knees. C'mon."

Shifting some, Rei did what Minako requested of her, wondering what she was doing. The kisses started at her stomach, they were slow, with a few playful bites followed by the swipe of a tongue. She tried to stay still the lower that Minako went when she suddenly realized what Minako was about to do and tried to speak up, but what came out instead was a gasp and a moan jammed into one as her hands gripped at the blanket beneath her at the first stroke of Minako's tongue across her. Even with her underwear still on, the heat, the pressure, the wetness...it was intense for someone who had never experienced it.

And Minako wasn't slow or gentle like Rei had been, no. She was putting force behind her jaw, not allowing her to process anything for a while and then stopped, right as Rei felt her peak coming on and she let out a frustrated grunt at that and when she opened her eyes, she was met with a playful look. Minako knew what she was doing, wanted to push Rei to the edge of her limits like that and stop.

The singer reached up and slowly removed her underwear off, letting it drop to the ground with a small hum. Rei wasn't even sure she could feel embarrassed any further, really. She had already gotten Minako off, now Minako had gone down on her, what did this matter? She did find it a little funny that while she was undressed, Minako still had her bra and underwear on. It spoke of her confidence levels.

This time, Minako slid her arms around Rei's legs and that confused her immensely as Minako lowered herself back down and it only took a split second to realize why when Minako's tongue came back into contact with her. Her thighs instinctively tried to close, but Minako's arms kept them in place. Her arms twisted out of the blankets and instead, tangled into Minako's hair as her back arched up and Minako's name left her mouth. Had she given Minako even a fraction of this pleasure?

The combination of pressure and speed was enough to keep her simply on edge and she tried to twist, pulled Minako closer against her in the hopes that she could finally erupt with pleasure, but the other woman was in total control.

"Fuck, Mina, please..!"

Everything stopped for a moment as Minako shifted and Rei let out a whine before her tongue was back only she felt a pressure as a finger entered her and she was sure she had never moaned like that in her lifetime and was never this loud when she did take care of herself. She was always quiet, kept things down to a low volume. Here she was open, letting Minako take complete control of her, her emotions, her voice, everything anything she would want of her. Rei would give it without a second thought.

It was when Minako slid a second finger in and hooked them just right that everything exploded as she all but screamed Minako's name, feeling everything go black for a moment, everything coming back as though it was slowly being painted back in as her body convulsed through the waves of pleasure. When she fully came around, Minako was above her as she fought for air. Her body felt so at peace for the first time in at least a decade.

"You okay babe?" Minako brushed some hair out of her face as she nodded. "Let me go get you some water."

Rei watched her walk off towards the fridge in the room as she tried to get coherent thoughts going. Her thighs were still trembling some. For a moment, she was sure her legs would never work again as she fought to sit up against the headboard as Minako returned with a bottle of water, opening it for her.

"Thank you…" She hadn't realized how thirsty she was as she drank half of it in one go, her hands even shaking from how intense it all was to her. Not even just what Minako had done to her, but what she had done to her as well. She offered the water to Minako who drank a little before closing it and putting it on the nightstand.

Part of Rei wanted to get up and put some kind of clothes on, but she also felt too...at peace to even care. When she looked over at Minako, she had stripped down and it made sense given what Rei had done to her. Normally, Minako cuddle into her arms, but it went the opposite this way as she found herself encompassed in a warmth she hadn't felt since her mother. Not even her grandfather had been able to provide this comfort to her.

Tears tried to come, but she fought them back. This was not a moment she wanted to cry, afraid it would make Minako scared she had messed up. Fumbling for a moment, she pulled the blanket over them, settling down as Minako ran her fingers through her hair and it was quickly lulling Rei fast to sleep.

For the first time since she was a child, Rei felt safe enough to let go of her walls if only for Mina.

A week later found them getting ready for another performance, though this one was smaller in size than most had been since it was for the fan club only. The lottery style helped limit the volume of people to make it easier while things were in motion for a new song or album being discussed.

Rei buttoned up her jacket, still on edge around large crowds though she still hadn't admitted that to Minako despite how close they had gotten. When she had awoken the next day, she was shocked to see it was the afternoon and that Minako was up before her. She needed it though, she knew it. Thankfully she wasn't teased over it as she got up for a shower.

When she turned around, she was met with the sight of Minako taking a small handful of pills again and frowned. She opened her mouth to say something, but decided it was better to remain quiet. This was later in the day than usual, and she was about to go on stage to perform. It was too risky at the time, they could have some argument over it and she didn't want the fans to have a disappointing performance. It would have to wait.

"Are you sure it'll be okay without a break in the middle?"

"It's a shorter performance so it should be fine. Just five songs is all." Minako gave her a smile as Rei walked over towards her seat.

"Yes, but five songs back to back is still a lot on a stage if you're moving around and dancing." Rei worried about Minako overworking herself too much. The woman never really stopped.

Minako reached up and tugged Rei's tie out of her suit with a small smirk. "Just trust me." Before Rei could muster a response, Minako tugged her down by way of her tie and kissed her and it was hard to deny that as she returned it, pulling away with a blush. Minako seemed to enjoy doing that with her tie when they time alone. She adjusted it back into her suit as a knock on the door told her it was show time.

Rei followed her out and stopped at the edge of the stage where she took a seat to still see the audience and see Minako as well. They had other security always present at her concerts that had to pass a check through Rei. She hated the idea of someone lazy being present and another shooter possibly appearing. She was content to watch until suddenly Minako's movements weren't sharp like they should have been. Hesitantly, she stood up, hearing words start to turn into mumbles right as Minako started to go down.

Her head felt like it was exploding as she struggled to open her eyes, met with a dark room and all too familiar ceiling she had seen one too many a time as she tried to recall what happened. A figure was next to her bed when she looked over and she had to blink several times, trying to clear her vision.

"Rei…?"

"Sadly, no." The voice told her it was Natsuna and after a moment longer, she came into view. She looked worried.

"What happened?"

Natsuna sighed as she looked away for a moment. "You collapsed in the middle of your performance. Rei was able to catch you and get you off stage before anyone could dare get a photo of anything."

Fuck it all. She was sick of that happening, the passing out uncontrollably despite her medication. "Wait, where's Rei?"

At that, Natsuna went quiet and pressed her lips into a hard line. "I think...it best you talk to the doctor first."

"Natsuna…"

Her secretary stood up and pressed the button to call the doctor in, ignoring the plea as she sitting back down.

"Good to see you awake." A smile greeted her as the doctor walked in.

"Mizuno-san."

"You were taking the medication properly, yes?" The blue-haired doctor looked down at a clipboard with a pen in hand.

"I-I took it right before I performed. A little later than usual."

"Hmmm…" That frown wasn't a good thing. "Headache right now?"

"Yes."

"I was afraid of that. Your condition is progressing." The clipboard was set down as the blankets on her legs were lifted to show compressions on them. "You temporarily regained consciousness, though I'm sure it was too short to recall. You stated you couldn't feel your legs and struggled to move them. I fear it's starting to cause nerve damage. We'll have to run a new scan once the headache eases off."

Worse? Minako had feared that for years, but it had remained steady up until now.

"And we can't really increase the dosage on the medication any further either. You're at the maximum amount legally able to be prescribed and even if you took additional on your own, there are problems. One being you would run short and have none left to take and the other being advanced side effects that would leave you just as impaired if not worse. I know you've been avoiding it, but surgery is now the only option I can provide to you. And if I had to guess, without a scan, based on today...if you don't do it within the next few months, permanent damage will be done and possibly we may not be able to actually help."

Minako raised her hands to her face, running them over it. This was too much and she felt nauseous, moving her legs some. She could at least feel them. "Can I get something for the headache, please? And time to think?"

"Of course. I'll get you some Fioricet which will work rather quickly. If that doesn't work, I have some Cambia to put in water and drink."

"Thank you, Mizuno-san."

"Ami, please. I think we've seen each other enough to be on a first name basis at the very least." Ami gave her a small smile as she left the room.

"Rei?"

"You don't want the medicine first?"

"Please, Natsuna. If this is bad news, just drop it on me at this point. I'm already basically dying in the next few months, it can't get much worse."

"...Rei put in her resignation with the office two hours ago."

Things could indeed get worse, as it turned out.