"This was really a good idea."

The two women sat opposite of each other in an elaborate restaurant, waiting for the meals to arrive, just enjoying the quiet environment and their time together.

"Thanks," Minako told Mizuki. "I thought you'd prefer some place a little more low-key. Soma mentioned this place a few times, and I thought it'd be a great place to start."

"A great pick, definitely." Rajoshin said as she sipped her tea. "I'm just glad gramps decided to let me go. Asuka sure helped me convince him, though."

"Still worried about your health?"

"Yeah. I'm fine, though," Mizuki told her. It had been nearly a month since that hectic battles against Yoko and Loretta Brauner, and half of that time had been spent in the hospital. "I fell. From really high up," had lost some of its potency when she couldn't follow up on the details. "And this might sound crazy, but I'm... really glad we can just do things like this. You know?"

Minako laughed. "Me too. It feels like forever since I've had the freedom to go from day to day without worrying about a monster attack." The could've delved deeper into the issue, but many of those subtopics involved tragedy and personal loss. They were not for this time. This was a time to be happy. "I think the last time was... wow... it must've been years ago. Can't tell how long."

"Better late than never." Mizuki smiled as she raised her cup in a mock-toast. Minako returned the favor, and they both down the remainders of their beverages. Their meals were coming, and they both got to discussing much more light-hearted issues.

"You know, it means a lot to me that you came out of your shell for tonight," Minako said as they walked down the moonlit street. Minako's home was closer, and Mizuki had offered to take her home a little early and catch up with Hokuko and make sure she was accustomed to her new life as, well, as Hokuko.

"Well you deserve it," Mizuki responded. "You've got your life back at long last, and I want you to enjoy it. All of it."

"Oh, stop being so serious." She gave Mizuki a playful push. "This is supposed to be a great time for us. We've got our whole lives ahead of us, after all. Provided you and Asuka don't kill each other, but that's not going to happen, is it?"

"... Far from it."

"Oh? Any reason you say that?"

"Well... our relationship is... complex. Like two sisters trying to kill each other. Except not really."

"That makes absolutely no sense, you know that?"

"Oh, come on. Half the reason I can pass math is because Horoki tutors me. The other half is because Asuka pushes me and makes a great rival."

"Awww..." Minako smirked. "Mizuki's got a rival."

"Yes, yes I do. Now please don't make a big deal about it." She laughed in amusement before hugging Minako. The streets were pretty bare, and even if some idiot got funny ideas, she had the Dai Makai. That was like a billion times more effective and versatile than mace. "You're great, you know that?"

"Sure, but why-"

"You get me, Minako. I don't think I ever bothered telling you that, but it's something you deserve to know." She planted a kiss on Minako's forehead. She blushed almost immediately afterwards. "On the spur of the moment, did I just-"

"Yeah."

"You're going to tell everyone, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"Even if I give you another?"

Minako smirked coyly. "How about you try it, then we'll talk."

"Sure thing."