Chapter 4: A starry night
Next morning, both seemed to have forgotten what had happened, they were nice to each other and that was all.
« What? Haruka, are you mad? » said Elsa during their usual morning practice.
« Hey! I didn't mean that to happen. I'm not in love with her, all I did was… I don't know, it was weird. There was a kind of sexual tension in the air for a while and when I fell on her… »
« What would have happened if someone had stepped in? And do you think about Michiru-chan? She's not supposed to be a lesbian, if I were you, I'd just let her come to me. »
« How many times will I have to remind you this: I'm not interested in her. She's a friend, that is all. But she's sexy and if she's not a lesbian, I am; and there are times when I simply can't resist. This is time for me to find someone. I wouldn't want to do something stupid with Michiru because I feel lonely.»
Haruka spent the whole day avoiding eye contact with Michiru who did the same. She remembered all too well what almost happen and what scared her was what would have happened if no one had stepped on them. She remembered how it had felt, how she was unable to move, how she had abandoned all will and strength in Haruka's arms. She was feeling weird… Was she desiring Haruka?
« Kaioh-san? Kaioh-san? Is everything alright? »
Michiru jumped. Class had ended and Elsa and Haruka had quickly left for their training. The classroom was almost empty but she was still there with another girl who had tried to catch her attention for a while.
« Class has ended, you'd better get going. »
« Oh… sorry I was lost in my thoughts… »
« I saw that. By the way, I'm Mizuno Ami. »
« Kaioh Michiru. »
« I know. You're everyone's talk lately. »
« Really? Hey… haven't I saw you at the swimming pool the evening before yesterday's? »
« Probably. I'm on the swimming team. »
« There is a swimming team? »
« Sure. »
« I'm a newbie, I hadn't time to check the school's activities. I know that Haruka and Elsa-chan are on the racing team but that is all. »
« Haruka? You are already so close to Tenoh-san that you don't even use honorific? »
« We're roommate, so as we are to live together we chose to drop it. »
« I see, I did the same with Mako. »
« Who's that? »
« My own roommate, Kino Makoto. Hey… What if you went with me at the swimming pool? Would you be interested in joining the team? »
« You think I can? »
« If you want to. I think that if you're a good swimmer there will be no problem.»
« It would be great. »
So Michiru went to pick her swimming suit and went with Ami to the swimming training. The coach found out quickly that she had a high level and almost begged her to enter the team.
« Kaioh-san, with you joining we're going to win every contest! Please tell us you're joining! »
« Why not… » said Michiru, blushing.
She had always been good at swimming but never had time to enter any team, in fact she had never entered any sport team or club, she had focused on school and arts. Now, she was seriously grateful to her parents who had the idea of making her follow this year of normality. She was enjoying to be a simple student, able to talk to people, to make friends, to join a team… And for once, the students were the same age as her, which make a huge different. She was feeling less apart.
« What about having tea in my room? » asked Ami after the training.
« I thought you couldn't cook in the rooms… »
« Making tea is no real cooking, it's allowed, as well as coffee and all kinds of drinks, well except you aren't allowed to bring alcohol. »
« I don't like alcohol so it's alright. »
Michiru had tea with Ami in her room. It was similar to hers and Haruka's, but decorated differently. There were many cushions on the beds, lamps, candles… a very feminine room. It was decorated with taste, Michiru liked it. It was more personalized that hers. She hadn't time to care about the room for the moment, and Haruka… well Haruka was clearly not into those things. Michiru didn't really know her, but she had quickly made her mind. She had the impression they knew each other for years. And she was almost sure that if she let the blonde decorate the room, there would be pieces of motors and naked girl's portraits everywhere. The thought amused her.
That night, at dinner, Haruka was picking her meat with her fork nervously and was eating nothing.
« Where's Michiru? I didn't find her when I got back from practice. »
« Hey, calm down, she probably went out… »
« To do what? »
« That's her business. »
« But… »
« Look, here she comes. »
Haruka raised her head from her meal and watched as Michiru crossed the dining room with Mizuno Ami. Her face went white.
« What is she doing with Mizuno-san? »
« I don't know… We're in the same class, maybe they worked together. »
« Michi-chan doesn't need to work. »
« Maybe she helped Mizuno-san. »
« Mizuno-san doesn't need to be helped. »
« You're right. Maybe they just… got friends. »
« What I'd like to know is where is Mizuno-san's girlfriend. Wait until Kino-san sees that! »
« Haruka… You're not in love with Michiru-chan, right? »
« No! How many times will I have to tell you? »
Michiru went to sit with them while Ami joined Mako.
« What's up? Haruka… Is everything alright? »
Michiru had noticed the blonde's cold face.
« No… But… what were you doing with Mizuno-san? »
« Nothing… She's just an acquaintance. I met her today. »
« I searched for you after the practice. »
« I was having tea with Ami-chan… »
« You have tea with people you barely know? You go to their room, alone ?… Michiru, you're too naïve. »
« Ami-chan dragged me to the swimming team before that. I did well I think, now I'm on it. It will be great, you two have the racing team and I have swimming team. » said Michiru, ignoring Haruka's comment.
« Great… So she got see you in your swimming suit, and she'll get to see you in it every Tuesday I guess. »
« Yes… everyone wears one, you know. »
« And I'm not stupid either, you all must be changing in the same room. So she's even going to see you naked. I bet she already did. »
« Not naked already but she probably will one day or another, but we're all girls, there's nothing to hide… »
« Michiru, she's a lesbian! »
« So are you. »
Michiru was confused. She couldn't see where Haruka's attitude was leading. In another part of the dining room, two girls were having an argument rather similar.
Next morning, Elsa scolded Haruka during their usual morning practice.
« What's up with you Haruka? You can't just do things like that! She's not your property, and she's not your girlfriend, she has the right to make friend with anyone! »
« You know who Mizuno-san really is! It's a matter of time before she leaves her girlfriend for Michiru. I'm trying to protect her. »
« Haruka! Protect her from what? Michiru is an adult, more adult than you think. She has the right to choose who she wants to hang out with. It's none of your business. Besides Mizuno-san is dating Kino-san for years, they won't break up that easily. Come on, tell it, you're deadly jealous because Michiru-chan is seeing another lesbian and you fear she'd escape from you, you fear that she'd fall in love with Mizuno-san. »
« Surely not. »
« You're so stubborn! »
The next weeks were really weird for everyone. Haruka and Michiru got closer and closer. Michiru loved it, they were developing a special friendship. She had never felt anything like that for anyone, but she never had friends to begin with. She and Ami were getting along well, Ami loved to hear about Michiru's studies, she loved her music and they had installed a kind of competition between each other regarding their swimming skills. One problem that grew over the weeks was Ami's girlfriend's jealousy, though Michiru had made it clear that she was not a lesbian several times. Haruka too was still jealous, but she tried to hide it, and in compensation, she flirted with more and more girls. Michiru finally got used to it, she knew Haruka never was serious so she never worried.
Now it was a month since Michiru had entered the school. Autumn was coming and the weather was getting worse and worse. It was the week end and for once, Michiru didn't go back home. Lately, it had been painful to go back home, she missed Haruka when she did. They had truly become close.
Haruka for once was in a good mood. There wouldn't much people in the school, Ami was coming back in her family for the week end so she'd have her Michiru for herself for two long days. She knew she had been acting silly lately, but fortunately it didn't influence their friendship. Michiru was taking it alright, in fact she hadn't guessed yet that it was jealousy, she just thought that she didn't like Ami.
But that Friday's eve before Ami's departure still reserved her some surprises.
Michiru was in her room, drawing a bit. She had called her parents earlier, saying she was not coming back. Her parents had been glad to hear that it was to stay with a friend. Her calmness was suddenly broken by someone knocking at the door. Michiru got up and opened it. It was Ami and she was in tears.
« Michiru-chan! She dumped me! »
Ami fell into Michiru's arms and cried louder.
« How did it happen? »
« She thinks I'm cheating on her with you. »
« But you're not, and I told her so much times that I was not a lesbian, she should know better than that! »
Michiru tightened her grip around the crying girl's shoulders. But suddenly, she heard the door open. It was Haruka. She stepped into the room then froze. She stood there a second, her face unreadable then she ran away.
Haruka couldn't believe it. Her suspicions were founded, Michiru was having a thing for Mizuno Ami. It had been so painful. For a second she had stood there, looking Michiru in the eyes, she had wanted to stay, to do as though everything was ok but she had ran away like a thief. The vision of Michiru and Ami haunted her. It had been an hour since it happened, but it haunted her. She had driven her motorbike for a while, at full speed. It had calmed her a bit. Then she had stopped on a bridge in town, not far from the school. The river ran under it. She watched the scene for a moment, then the night fell. Why was it hurting her? Michiru was a friend, the best she had, she had never been so close with someone, even Elsa. Why the vision wouldn't leave her mind, why was it so painful? Right now she wanted to hold Michiru, to talk to her, to beg her to forget about Ami, but she had her pride, she would never do such things… It was mere desire, she had to let Michiru be happy if she loved Ami. But was it really desire? What if Elsa was right?
Michiru let go of Ami as soon as she saw Haruka running outside. She felt guilty, though she didn't why, she had nothing to reproach herself with, she was comforting a friend, that was all. She had apologized to Ami and ran to catch up with Haruka, even if she didn't know what she'd tell the blonde. Was there something to say? She felt she owed her an explanation, but why? She felt she couldn't let Haruka all alone, she felt she was hurt… probably their friendship was more deep than she thought it was. She felt a urge to be near Haruka, to hold her in her arms… to kiss her lips… No that was not it, she couldn't kiss her. That would be nonsense. She was not a lesbian. Maybe it was just because she knew Haruka was a lesbian, maybe it was because she knew it was what her girlfriend would do. Since she was surrounded only by lesbians lately, maybe it had an influence on her, that it brought confusion in her mind. As soon as she'd have a fellow it would be alright.
Michiru searched for Haruka for a while, she asked everyone around. She quickly understood that the blonde had took her motorbike and left, later on, in town, she asked everyone if they had seen a black and dark blue motorbike. It was difficult since they lived in a big town and that she was walking, but a dark green-haired woman in a dress-maker shop told her something interesting.
« There is a person with a motorbike on the big bridge, look it's on your right. »
Michiru looked in the direction that the woman had indicated her and sighed in relief, the person was Haruka, she was sitting on her motorbike. Michiru was happy she had found her at last, the night had already fallen. They weren't supposed to hang in the streets.
« Haruka! »
Haruka looked up from the running water to see an angel. Michiru was there, wearing a white summer dress that was too cold for the season. She wore no coat, but she wasn't shivering. Her hair were blown lightly by the wind. The moonlight made her face whiter than usual. She could see a lot of concern in Michiru's eyes, and relief too. Michiru ran to her and held her close. Haruka felt all weird, she suddenly admitted it. She was in love. It was so obvious, so natural, and it was there since the very beginning. Suddenly the cold air outside seemed to be warmer, she passed her arms around the turquoise-haired girl, it felt so right to be held by those tender arms.
« I'm sorry Haruka, I'm sorry… »
« I shouldn't have run as I did. Sorry, I see I made you worry. Look, you went out without anything, you're going to catch a cold. »
« I'm ok. It was not what you think it was… I was just comforting Ami-chan cause Mako-chan dumped her. »
« I see… Please forget what I did, I'm just silly. I had no reason to run like that. And take this, you're going to be ill. »
Haruka took off her jacket and placed it around Michiru's shoulders. Michiru felt weak and tired all of a sudden, and an impression of comfort invaded her, the scent of Haruka was everywhere on the jacket. She instinctively held it closer.
« Wow you really were cold. » said Haruka as she embraced her again, as though to keep her warm. Michiru placed her head in Haruka's neck and close her eyes. Haruka caressed her hair slowly. Then she passed a hand on her cheek, making her look up into her eyes. Michiru was completely lost. She knew what was going to happen. She'd have run away, but the look on Haruka's face made her feel so good… especially the sparkle in her eyes as she was looking at her. She was mesmerized, she knew she should let go of Haruka, to indicate her it was not ok… But she just couldn't. Their faces grew closer and closer. Michiru's thoughts were racing… And she quickly came to a decision… She could give it a try, only once. She had desired it so much. Every time she looked at her, she wanted this to happen. So why wouldn't she give in? It was not… wrong, was it? If it was just trying, if it was just an experience… Michiru closed her eyes and felt something smooth and sweet touch her lips. The feeling she got at that moment was overwhelming. She had never been kissed before. It was quick and tender. Haruka loved the feeling it gave her. It was the first time a kiss made her feel like that… When she broke the innocent kiss, Michiru felt a need to grab her lips in another kiss, more passionate. Haruka had been awaiting a slap, but not something like that. Michiru had lost control, her hands held Haruka tight and she felt the blonde hands tightening their grip too. Michiru felt free, felt good, felt desired, felt… loved. It was something new for her, but definitely something she liked. She wanted to hold this woman and never let go. But suddenly, reality hit her like a slap in the face. She broke the kiss and the embrace and stared at Haruka in terror, afraid of what she had just done, afraid of her own feelings, afraid of herself.
« Michi… »
What was happening, Haruka didn't understand, she had felt so good, and thought Michiru too. The girl had been relaxing, she had been kissing her back for sure, she still felt her arms that had been holding her tight… What was the matter?
« I'm sorry Ruka… I didn't mean to… sorry I'm not… like you… I'm into men, you know…»
« No… I'm the one who is sorry. You kept saying you were straight, I shouldn't have tried… It's just you are… you know… cute and attracting, I simply didn't resist, sorry again… Let me bring you back school. »
Haruka was feeling pain, a huge pain, stronger than anything she had ever experienced. Michiru nodded and sat behind her on the motorbike and held Haruka's waist tight. She felt suddenly calmer as she felt Haruka's body near. Haruka too felt better, but her heart still laid on the bridge, and it was broke into pieces.