Chapter Two: The Impossible Love
The two best friends stumbled over to a white table, to rest from their long walk. Haru managed to sit in a clear seat, but saw Hiromi try to repeat her own mistake from several months before.
"Don't sit on Muta, Hiromi. That puts him in a bad mood."
"Eh?" The light brunette looked at the cushion she was about to sink into, surprised to see a head appear on the farther side. "Eep, it's a fat cat!"
Haru giggled as her old friend hissed at the girl, but snuck her a wink for stopping her friend. She reached over to scratch his brown ear, making him purr as the other girl took a different seat.
"Sorry, but he just looks so much like a cushion. He seems nice though," Hiromi said as she hesitantly reached over and started petting the soft fur, getting the cat to lean into the soft touch, purring up a storm. Haru smiled softly, knowing that Muta was nice enough underneath his rough manners. The dark brunette sighed sadly.
"I guess it's just as well that I haven't found a job yet. Mom and I are going to Greece again in a few days, and it wouldn't make much sense to ask for a vacation before even starting work."
The other girl sighed enviously.
"It must be so cool; seeing all those old ruins."
"Sometimes it is. Of course, sometimes I get treated to a description of what went on inside them. Not as nice. Trust me; you don't want to know what used to get sacrificed, back in the day." Haru saddened further, thinking about the strange distant relatives she lived with, for a whole month, every year without fail.
Especially Paul. She had a light crush on the family friend, at one point, before getting one on Machida. And a heavier one on Baron. That one hadn't faded yet, making her wonder if it ever would.
"Well, what about boys?" Hiromi suddenly asked. "There have to be some pretty cute ones somewhere."
"Hey, I thought you were after Tsuge!"
"I am, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the scenery."
Haru giggled and shook her head at her best friend.
"There are cute boys everywhere, if you know where to look." Her mind trailed off, still scratching Muta's ear. "The real trick is finding one worth keeping, and then, actually pulling it off."
Muta looked at her, smirking to himself as he felt certain of whom the girl was thinking of. Hiromi's eyes flickered dangerously, and she smiled evilly.
"Spill."
Haru looked up.
"Beg pardon?"
Her friend rolled her eyes.
"Hmm, let's see; first, you stop crushing on Machida for no apparent reason, then you're suddenly on time or even early for everything, you don't talk as much, since you're too busy dreaming, you gained sudden obsessions like tea-making and British movies, and, strangest of all, you haven't provided a real explanation for any of it." Hiromi grabbed the little vase of flowers on the table and carefully pounded it against the white-painted wood like a judge about to pronounce a sentence.
"You, Haru Yoshioka, are in love!"
The brunette paled, but couldn't think of any words to say. Her best friend squealed with delight as the fat cat grinned wickedly at the human caressing him, having known the little fact for months.
"Come on; what's he like? Is he hot? Why haven't you ever mentioned him?"
Haru sighed, wondering how much she should tell.
"You remember Wesley from The Princess Bride?"
Hiromi's jaw dropped.
"You're crushing on that actor?"
"No, hear me out; if Wesley had a twin brother that was more of a gentleman than a pirate, he would be close to my crush, hot accent and everything."
Hiromi whistled appreciatively.
"What's his name?"
"It's a bit on the long side, but everyone calls him Baron. He's…" Haru sighed, wondering how to put it. "… also sort of off-limits."
"What, is he older?"
Haru blinked.
"I actually have no idea how old he is." She snuck a peek down at the cat that had moved to her lap. Muta grunted.
"Eighty-three, and still young."
Haru's jaw dropped with disbelief, but then realized that was why he was such an old-fashioned gentleman. Because he had been born in an era where men went around all the time with bow ties, if they were of a high-enough class. Back when chivalry thrived. Dang; she would have pegged him at twenty-five or somewhere around there. Hiromi didn't notice anything strange about the talking cat.
"What's up, Haru?"
"N-nothing much. Uh, would you say that something strange about now?"
The lighter brunette rolled her eyes.
"Besides your mood swings? Not really."
What? Hiromi couldn't hear the large cat talking? Muta smiled at her, and patted one hand.
"Don't worry about it, Chicky. Only a small handful of humans have ever been able to understand us felines." The fat cat hesitated. "Baron's been thinking about you too."
She sighed sadly.
"Don't feed me false hope."
"Haru, what are you talking about?"
The slim brunette gave a final scratch to Muta's ears before standing up.
"I was talking to myself. It doesn't matter how much I like Baron; a relationship like the one I want could never work. And I'm 'just a friend' to him anyway." She stole a glance at her watch, and sighed again.
"I promised Mom I would be home within ten minutes anyway. I'll catch you around?"
Hiromi nodded, as did Muta, although subtly.
"Have fun in Greece, Chicky."
"Thanks."
"Thanks for what?" Hiromi asked as Haru sighed, wishing life wasn't so complicated.
"For listening to me. See you in a few weeks."