The Client

Summary: Makoto is Minako's new client and hopes to be with Mizuno Ami. Will Minako fall in love with her client? Probably.

Disclaimer: I own nothing that is mentioned in this fic.

Chapter One: The Client

"Kiss me."

"N-nani?"

"You want to know what to do when Rei kisses you, right?"

Usagi stared at me with disbelief. I knew she wanted to save her first kiss, but a kiss is a kiss no matter what. Besides, this wouldn't even count. I crossed my arms and gave her a pout. I didn't say anything, as I wanted Usagi to give into me. She's been my friend for a while, so I know what makes her tick; I know her faults (she has a lot of those). She can't resist anyone pouting at her and vice versa. It'll only be a matter of time before she cracks.

"I won't do it."

I almost frowned. If I were really an idiot, I would have expected Usagi to give into me. However, she said what I hoped she would say. "Rei will think you're a horrible kisser," I said with a teasing grin. "And if you're a horrible kisser, then you could turn out to be a horrible lover." Usagi crossed her arms and stuck her nose in the air. "Rei loves me for me! This will be our first kiss anyway, so the other stuff doesn't matter right now."

I clapped my hands together with a smile. "Great job, Usagi!" I exclaimed. "You passed my test!" Usagi stared at me blankly for a second. The next moment, she jumped up from my bed and cheered. The reason why I made up such a test was to see if Usagi could remain faithful to Rei after a certain amount of time. For once, someone actually passed my test.

The door opened slightly, making Usagi quiet down. I turned in my chair to find my mom smiling. It wasn't one of her sweet smiles, but it was a happy smile nonetheless. "Girls, time's up," she announced. Usagi immediately dug into her pocket, hoping to find enough money. My mom left as I waited for my pay. Finally, Usagi handed me my money and bid me farewell. As I counted and recounted the money, I grinned to myself. I don't need to get a real job; I already have one, and the pay is just right.

My name is Aino Minako, and I am the Goddess of Love. Well, that's the title I use all the time, but people will catch on at some point. I help those in need of love. Want to confess your undying love to your crush? Come to me and I'll tell you what you need to do. Having some trouble in your relationship? Depending on your issue, I'll help you out. I wouldn't want to make things worse. I'm serious about what I do, no matter how unprofessional I can be. Just make an appointment, make sure you have enough money to pay me, and I'll do the rest.

However, my job comes with its cons. Some of my clients are guys. They always seem like the good ones that are cute, smart, and caring. After a few of my sessions, they forget about the girl they wanted and trying hitting on me! In my own house, too! That puts me in a tight spot with my social status at school. The girls who hate me think of me as a slut; the boys think they can hit on me, and they practically think I'll throw myself at them. I don't try to prove myself because I don't have to. Degrading myself and giving people what they want would ruin everything. That wouldn't be such a good thing, would it?

Usually, girls come to me and it's almost the same thing. The confident straight girls either get shy when they develop feelings for me or flirt with me. Even if they were exactly like the guys, they know that hitting on me in public is a big no-no. Not only would my social status sink even further, but theirs would be ruined entirely. At least the girls can use their common sense.

I do all of this for a price. It's just 1,120 yen. Think about it. I do this almost every week. Think of all the money you'd get weekly for something as simple as this! Too bad my mother takes most of the money. I could really care less about that, but there are still times when I need it.

"Hi, Minako-chan!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Usagi entering the room. I sighed. "You know you have to pay extra for my services after business hours." Yup. I have a schedule. Usagi laughed and rubbed her head. "I know, I know," she explained. "I went out the door and came back inside." I didn't understand what she meant. I asked her to elaborate. "Your client left, but your friend came inside," she said. I thought about for a second. That actually made sense. "With that kind of logic, how can I can I kick you out?" I asked with a grin.

"I know! That's what your mom told me, too!"

Great minds think alike.

---

You know how your friends have other cliques you don't really talk to but have to associate with before they ask if there's something wrong? Well, that's Usagi and her friends for you. She has a few other friends like Mizuno Ami, Kino Makoto, and Osaka Naru. I don't really involve myself with them. Even though they stand up for me when someone talks behind my back, I just feel like I should keep to myself. I guess I'm kind of a loner. Usagi tried to get me to talk to others, but in a school where everyone knows your name and what you do, that's impossible. How? The naïve ones who believe what people say stay away from me. The ones who claim to like me after our sessions watch me from afar, and that's annoying; so I just don't bother talking to them.

So now, it's lunch and I'm on the roof. Usagi saw me sitting under a tree by myself. It was a nice day and the occasional breeze was just lovely. No one was bothering me for a change. The moment had seemed so perfect. Then Usagi ruined it. She told me to meet her at the roof and gave me a pen. I stared at it, but mentally shrugged. I walked through the halls, ignoring the whispers I heard. I just continued walking. When would these people understand that whatever they said wouldn't bother me? Talk about being hardheaded. Finally, I find myself on the roof. Guess who I found? I found one of Usagi's friends, Kino Makoto.

She noticed me immediately. Our eyes were locked in an intense gaze. At first, it seemed as though she were glaring at me. Then, she stared at the other students on the school grounds. "You do that thing after school, right?" she asked. I put my hands on my hips, knowing what she meant. This is what I call being in professional mode. "I do a lot of things after school, Makoto-san," I sighed. Makoto made no attempt to speak again, so I sighed again. "Yes, Makoto-san, I do. Who do you need help with?"

"Ami."

A grin almost made its way across my face. I thought those two were kind of cute. Makoto would do something nice, and Ami would blush. Ami would do something nice and blush the whole time, and Makoto would blush. It's kind of weird, but it was a sign of young love.

I kept a straight face and walked up to Makoto when I remembered the pen Usagi gave me was in my hand. I grabbed the taller girl's hand and wrote my number in her palm. "Don't wash your hands or get nervous and start to sweat," I instructed. "If something like that happens, ask Usagi-chan for my number. Call me whenever and I'll set up an appointment then, but not today." I looked up at Makoto who stared at me with concern. I knew what she was thinking: how can she talk like that when her grades suck for almost every subject?

"Well, if you haven't noticed, I'm not like Usagi. I have better grades than her, you, and Naru combined." Uh huh, that's right! P.E. isn't my only strength. I've actually gotten good grades. Makoto and Naru have their highs and their lows, while Usagi is on the verge of getting kept back. Well, Usagi's been lucky so far…

"Minako, I never said you were like Usagi," Makoto laughed. I crossed my arms and turned away from her. "That's what you were thinking," I defended. Makoto patted my head. She better hope that wasn't the hand with my phone number on it…

"I know you're smart, Minako," Makoto smiled. "You found a way to steal money from other people without actually stealing at all." I thought about what she said for a moment. I smiled, seeing how much sense that made. Then, I glared at her. "Hey, I don't steal money!" I exclaimed. Makoto laughed as she ran towards the door. I would have chased her if the bell hadn't rung. Makoto winked at me and left me on the roof. Damn her. I should make her pay extra.

---

"So, Minako-chan, you did it?"

"Hai. She's gonna be a pain in the ass, though. I just know it."

"Mako-chan's not as bad as you make her seem."

I laughed, causing myself to stop walking. I knew I didn't know Makoto that well, but I just couldn't believe what came out of Usagi's mouth. If Makoto was coming to me about confessing to her crush, then she had to be a pain in the ass. Maybe I was the crush or something. I bet she was lying about crushing on Ami. That was always the case with my clients. It was becoming an expected thing nowadays.

Usagi frowned at me. "Come on, give her a chance," she told me. "You two can be great friends if you just to talk to her." I shrugged. That meant I might take it into consideration. If I don't, then things will stay the same. "So, you have another client today?" Usagi asked. I nodded. I had my reasons for telling Makoto to call another day, and this was it. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have let Usagi walk me home…but we live close to each other anyway, so what the hell.

When we got to my house, I found Rei waiting outside. Hino Rei's the miko of the Hikawa Jinja. I have no idea how she and Usagi met, but they seemed pretty close after that. They actually got together two months ago. From all of Usagi's detailed rants about their dates, they seem happy together. I envy them.

Usagi smiled excitedly and embrace the miko. Rei smiled slightly and kissed her forehead. They got all lovey-dovey, and it was actually sickening to a certain degree. But I grinned anyway. I invaded their personal space and bit my lip. "Chikane and Himeko have been reborn," I snickered. While Usagi had no idea of what I was talking about, Rei did. She glared at me. I laughed nervously and backed away.

"Gomen, gomen," I said. I opened the door and invited both girls inside. I told Usagi to stay in the living room for a little while. She nodded and made her way to the living room. Rei followed me to my room, scolding me about not locking the door after I left the house. I ignored her since I never listen to anything she says.

I told Rei to sit on the bed once we got to my room. I grinned as I closed the door. Rei's test was about to begin. And the best part about it was that her test would last for an entire week. Call me a home wrecker, but I absolutely love getting Rei flustered. She's just too easy.

---

"Ja ne, Usagi," I smiled as Usagi passed me by. She waved and smiled back. Rei rushed passed me, hoping I wouldn't touch her. "Ja ne, Rei," I called. I leaned against the doorframe and almost laughed. Rei had only been in the house for twenty minutes. She was paranoid already. "She's doing okay so far," I sighed. "That's all that matters." I closed the door and entered the kitchen. I'm always hungry after school. On the fridge, I found a note from my mother.

Dad and I won't be back until later. No more food or snacks left. The money is on top of the fridge. Ja ne!

I groaned. I hate grocery shopping. And knowing that Mom and Dad won't be back until I'm asleep made me more irritated. They were probably choosing sex over their own daughter. How cruel! They didn't need another child. Wasn't I enough? I reached for the money on the fridge and got ready to go.

I walked a short way to the drugstore. I stopped in front of it and sighed. The drugstore had all the ramen and good snacks. I mentally shrugged. There was a place that sold food right in front of me. Mom can do all the grocery shopping when she gets home. I walked into the drugstore with a sigh. I had already planned out what I would have for the rest of the week. Ramen for the rest of the day, a few bags of Doritos tomorrow and the day after that, Pocky that would last for the day after all the Doritos are gone and the day after that, and a lot of SunnyD. Mom won't approve of that, but who cares? I sneak a lot of things into the house.

I walked through the aisles as if I hated being in the drugstore. In reality, I kind of do. I only do this for the ramen, Doritos, Pocky, and SunnyD. I swear, this is like a crack house. You just get this eerie feeling from this place. I just feel so…dirty when I walk in. But then again, it doesn't seem so serious after you come here for a long time…

"Hey, Minako, did you have detention?"

I looked up at the sound of my name, and guess who I found? Kino Makoto, of course! Wow, it really is a small neighborhood. I would have made an attempt to retaliate, but I couldn't. The aura of this place just drained me. "Why would you say that?" I asked dully as I picked up a cup of ramen. Makoto pointed to my school uniform. I shrugged and picked up another cup of ramen. "Just because I'm not wearing something else to be seductive, doesn't mean I can't improvise," I said. I flashed a grin.

Makoto raised her eyebrow and watched me walk passed her. "So, you couldn't see me today because you were here trying to buy ramen?" she asked, following me to the next aisle. She changed the subject quickly, but her question was a bit idiotic. "If I remember correctly, I just got here," I said as I turned to her. "I bet you were watching me, too." She patted my head once again, trying to tell me that I wasn't that special. We carried on as we walked through the aisles, trying to get enough stuff to last all week. Makoto held my stuff as we bickered.

We stopped when I decided SunnyD wasn't necessary. I think I had enough juice. "Hey, Makoto-san, why don't you come home with me?" I asked. She raised her eyebrow again. I playfully slapped her arm. "No, you hentai, I mean for your appointment. Mom and Dad won't be back for a while, so it'll be just you and me." She still didn't say anything. I grinned. I went on my tiptoes since she's so tall. I whispered, "I won't bite if you don't want me to." I went down the aisle with Makoto trailing behind. I knew she was blushing.

My new client is Kino Makoto, and I know she won't last for very long.

To be continued…

1,120 yen – 10 U.S. dollars

Well, I need a new distraction since I became hilariously addicted to webcomics. They have inspired me to make one before I graduate high school. Yeah, you read that right! So anyway, this is a new fic and I think it'll be about five chapters. And don't worry, I'll update my other stories sometime soon…hopefully. Til next time

Serenity101