The Real Prize

By: Liv-x-Case-Benson

Ch. 3: Her Passion

The next Wednesday, Haruka showed up at the concert hall. She wasn't sure which aspect surprised the valet more: the fact that she'd ridden a motorcycle in a tuxedo or the face of the people who saw her walk in. Surely, someone who rode such a vile looking vehicle couldn't be interested in hearing a famous violinist? She just brushed it off, walking inside.

Having virtually no concept of what went on, Haruka walked in and up to the man at the front. He was the stuffy-looking type: tall, gangly limbs, his tux was prim and proper and his white shirt looked like it had never seen a single stain, his hair grey and balding. He had beady little eyes, his pointy nose pointed upwards. "Name?" he asked.

"Haruka Tenoh," she replied calmly, though she could tell she already hated the guy.

His eyes darted through list of guests. Upon finding her name he smiled and was about to say something, when another man came up to him, explaining something.

Though the racer knew her motorcycle wasn't appropriate, she doubted anyone would have a problem. Boy was she wrong.

As soon as the second man left, the first pulled the clipboard to his chest, replying snootily. "We don't allow your kind inside."

Haruka's mouth fell open, dumbfounded. "My 'kind'?" she repeated, calmly, though her anger was rising. "But my name is on your list right? You have to let me in," she insisted.

He cleared his throat. "No, I'm afraid I don't."

Haruka stepped to the side to let the people behind her in, sizing the guy up. She could take him. Easily. But the last thing she wanted was to be thrown out. "But I'm a friend of Michiru Kaioh's. I thought she made the reservation," she argued.

"That doesn't matter I'm afraid. Security!"

Haruka sighed, holding up her hands. "No need for that. I'll go peacefully," she said.

But as she was about to walk away, she heard a familiar voice. "Haruka, you're leaving?"

The sandy-blonde turned, swallowing multiple times. Michiru was dressed in a deep red gown that went past her knees, the dip just enough to show a hint of cleavage, with a slip up her left side, her hair laid elegantly on her shoulders. She struggled for words. "I..I can't..they..he.." she pointed to the man with the clipboard.

"Maurice!" Michiru said sternly, walking past him and taking her friend's wrist. "I specifically informed you that I had a special guest tonight, didn't I?" she asked, anger seeped through her teeth.

He jumped, nodding frantically. "Y-yes, miss. Yes," he said, shaking a bit.

"Gave you her name?"

"Y-yes."

Michiru turned to Haruka, whispering in her ear. "Motorcycle?"

Haruka nodded.

The aqua beauty turned to him. "Haruka is to be let into any and all of my performances. Is that understood?" she seethed.

Maurice nodded. "Yes. Sorry miss."

Haruka nodded, letting Michiru lead her to her dressing room. "Why are we here? Don't you go on soon?"

Michiru shook her head. "I have about twenty minutes and, not to say I would ever disapprove, but you may want to run a brush through your hair and touch up your face."

Haruka turned a light shade of pink, nodding.

The violinist released her wrist. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's just that I'm high in the social circuit," she said as the racer walked into the bathroom to freshen up.

"I understand that," Haruka replied, washing her face and applying as minimal makeup as she ever wore as well as fixing her hair. "It's an image," she said, walking back out to join her on the small couch.

She nodded. "You don't mind that, do you? It's always like this."

Haruka shook her head. "I don't mind. How long have you played?"

Michiru sighed. "I've played the violin since I was a child. I started playing at five, though it took time and patience to master."

"How long have you been painting?" the racer asked.

The violinist smiled, unconsciously linking their fingers on the cushion. "For about two years," she said.

Haruka turned light pink yet again, but when Michiru realized her mistake and went to pull away, the racer, held her hand in both of hers, kissing each knuckle and smiling as the violinist's cheeks got redder each time. "For luck," she answered.

A knock suddenly came from the other side of the door as well as a man's voice. "Five minutes, Miss Kaioh."

Quickly, the aqua beauty pulled her hand away, but just as soon missed the warmth of the racer with the rough edges but soft middle. "..Ok," she said, barely able to be heard.

Haruka heard him walk away, standing and offering her hand.

Surprised, Michiru took it, happy to feel the warmth of their skin colliding. "Well, I, uh, I better go," she said, grabbing her violin case and walking toward the door, behind Haruka, who insisted on opening the door for her.

"Good luck," she whispered as they parted ways right before Michiru took the stage and Haruka found her seat in the front row.

As everyone settled into their seats, the blonde racer couldn't help noticing how everyone here was of important status. The police chief, the fire chief, the mayor from the town. It seemed like every important person in town was present.

It was hardly anyone she knew and, obviously, everyone had heard about the slight altercation that Michiru had inexplicably fixed. People were murmuring, wondering why such an elegant, pristine woman would ever fix such a happening for someone so out of their circle.

The audience quieted as Michiru took her place on stage, her violin and bow in hand, standing behind the microphone. She rested the instrument on her shoulder, supporting it with her neck and left hand as she expertly glided the bow across the strings playing a beautiful, lyrical piece. She didn't look anywhere but at her instrument, expertly keeping focus. Nothing about this performance was long. Generally, they were about half an hour long, but she would suspect, being as Haruka had never been to one, it would be long for her, so she tried to keep her performance interesting, though nothing out of the ordinary.

Generally, music without lyrics put the racer to sleep, especially when the music was so soft and peaceful. But, fortunately, the violinist was easy on the eyes. Haruka's eyes were focused on the beautiful woman, finding herself more attracted to her than ever before, but she wasn't sure she was ready to admit her feelings to the aqua beauty being as they'd just met a little over a week ago.

Haruka didn't want to scare her off. Not someone so beautiful. Someone she could consider a lifelong friend...and possibly more. The way Michiru guided the bow gently over the delicate strings, the way she made it sing, entranced the racer even more.

While the violinist expertly played the instrument she had known since she was a child, her attention couldn't help but be split. Oh, she knew she should put everything into her music and she did, for, to her, it seemed the instrument sang even more beautifully, but with Haruka in the front row, she couldn't help being distracted within her mind.

What was Haruka thinking right now as she watched her?

Did she like it or was she only here because she was invited?

Would she want to come to another performance?

And did she own that tuxedo, the one she looked so…impressive in? Yes, impressive. Michiru refused to think any unladylike words, lest she blush and lose her place and leaving people wondering.

Before the racer noticed, Michiru's performance was over, but she only knew it was over because others around her were clapping. She had been paying attention, but after a few minutes of listening to the beautiful melody, her eyes and mind were taken up by the beautiful violinist herself. Haruka stood, clapping with the others.

Michiru's eyes opened slowly as the piece came to an end, her attention focused on the racer, who was smiling widely and clapping. Taking her instrument out of the position she'd been playing it in, she walked off stage, nodding and flashing a brilliant, pearly white smile as a silent gesture for the racer to follow once the aisle was clear.

Haruka sat back down until her row began to clear then, instead of going out the way she had come, she made her way back to the violinist's dressing room.

The aqua beauty placed her instrument back into her case before walking over to answer the door. Only one person would want to talk to her after a performance.

She was completely stunned when, upon opening the door, instead of seeing the blonde racer, a hand squeezed her neck and forced her backwards into the room, cutting off her airway. As she struggled to break free, the door was locked…

Author Note: By the way, I know basically nothing about violins or concerts or any of this stuff. I hope I got a little bit right.

Reviews are always appreciated.

Reviewers: Keeper Aki, Dark-Huntress Sam & Guest