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As each of Rei’s friends gathered up their things after their last study session before entrance exams, Rei stared at Minako, who was the last to finish packing up. Rei knew she herself, Ami, and Mako might pass to varying degrees, Ami probably with flying colors. Usagi was the outlier, and Rei was concerned for her. But Rei, with her crush, was most worried about Minako. If Minako didn’t get into college, what would happen to their friendship? They had agreed to go to the same college, and Rei was somewhat holding Minako to that despite the other girl being less than scholarly. Rei must have been staring too hard, because suddenly, Minako was very close to her, looking at her quizzically.
“Earth to Rei,” Minako said, her mouth curving up when Rei snapped out of her trance.
“Sorry, were you saying something?” Rei asked.
“Just wondering why you’re staring at me.” Rei made a face at the accusation.
“I wasn’t staring…” Rei replied weakly, but her words faded when Minako looked unamused.
“Are you worried about me, Rei?” Minako smiled again. “You’re sweet.” Rei sighed.
“More about Usagi than you,” Rei lied, “but yeah.” Minako picked up her backpack and shook it in front of Rei.
“Know what’s in here?” Minako asked. Rei got the impression Minako’s question was somewhat rhetorical, but she still answered.
“Books?”
“And then some,” Minako started. “I’ve been studying even when we haven’t met up with the others. It’s gotten to the point where my parents have started to worry about how much sleep I’m not getting. I’m trying to make up for years of not trying, because I really want to go to the same college as you like we promised.” Rei smiled, somewhat reassured by Minako’s speech. Her face turned indignant when Minako reached up to ruffle her hair. “So don’t worry! It’ll be fine.” Rei removed her best friend’s hand from her head and patted it.
“Then we’ll see how it goes,” Rei said, the two of them going back to their respective homes.
***
The wait between everyone taking entrance exams and getting their results was one of the hardest waits Rei had ever had to go through. She tried to pretend everything was normal, but as the days went by, her anxiety about Minako’s results increased. Then Rei’s results arrived in the mail, and she almost tore her letter trying to open it. Rei and her grandpa cried in relief when they saw Rei had passed.
“What about Minako?” Rei’s grandpa asked. “I know you were worried about her.” Just as her grandpa finished speaking, Rei’s phone rang. It was Minako.
“I should take this,” Rei said, somewhat apologetically for breaking the mood. Rei’s grandpa waved her off in understanding, and Rei picked up. “Hey,” Rei greeted, walking to a more private place.
“Meet me at our cafe,” Minako said, and hung up. Rei made a face. She explained the situation to her grandpa, and walked to the cafe she and her friends usually hung out at. Rei saw Minako by herself, wearing a casual expression. As she went to sit down, Rei wondered why Minako was so brief, but hoped it was nothing terrible.
“Hi,” Rei said. “So?”
Minako slid a letter to Rei, and Rei took it. Rei inhaled and exhaled before reading the letter. At the top was the header of the exam proctor company, so Rei knew it was Minako’s exam results. Rei slowly moved her eyes past Hello, Aino Minako, and her gaze shakily landed on the next words. Our sincere congratulations for…. Rei’s chest flooded with relief, and so did her eyes.
“Minako!” Rei exclaimed, quieting down when the people near her and Minako glared at her. “Come here.” Rei stood up and opened her arms. Minako threw herself into them, Rei stumbling back a bit.
“Yep, I passed.” Rei could feel Minako smile against her before she pulled away. “I told you not to worry.”
“I always worry about you,” Rei replied, and blushed when she realized how her words might have come off. “I mean—”
“It’s okay,” Minako said, still smiling. “I know what you meant.” Rei sat down, and Minako did too.
“So, what do you want to do to celebrate?” Rei asked. “Aside from graduating.”
“Well…”