This either post-S or post-stars, depending on when you feel like having their friendship begin. (translation: I can’t decide between the two whoops)

—

The crowd had finally dispersed. Rei began packing up the
unsold charms and double-counting the money. “I’m sorry,” she said
automatically as someone approached. “You’ll have to come back tomorrow if you
want a charm.”

“Ara, how unlucky for me.”

Rei looked up. “Oh, Michiru. I didn’t—is anything wrong? Why
are you here?”

“Well, I was so hoping to buy one of your charms.”

Rei blinked, unsure if Michiru was teasing her.

“Also,” Michiru continued in Rei’s silence. “I booked a spa
day for two next week. Haruka most unfortunately has a race she wants to watch
that day, which she assures me is too important to miss. I thought I would ask
you to join me in her place.”

“In her place?” Rei felt her cheeks warm. “Are you flirting
with me?”

“I believe the right word would be propositioning, and no.”
Michiru smiled in that mysterious way she had. “You’re not my type, I’m afraid.”

“Then why are you asking me?” Rei realized too late the
question was rude.

“We’re friends, are we not?”

She hesitated. Rei had not thought of Michiru in such terms,
though she supposed that of all the outer soldiers, she did like Michiru best. “Yes,
I’d say so.” It only occurred to her then that a different answer may have hurt
Michiru’s feelings, that Michiru had feelings that could be hurt at all.

“Well then, isn’t it natural we do things together?” Michiru
pushed her hair back behind her ear. “Have you ever been to a spa? They’re very
nice.”

For a moment, Michiru’s smile seemed less mysterious, and instead
almost shy. But in a blink the impression was gone, and Rei felt silly for
having the thought. “Yeah, sure, I’d love to go with you.”

“Most excellent. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” Michiru’s smile
changed for real then, from something practiced to something genuine. Rei
had the strangest feeling she had experienced a great and rare privilege, and smiled back.