Chapter 4:

The two girls approached the door, Michiru was breathing deeply as she tried to calm herself and regain her composure. She looked Haruka up and down, the tall blonde runner was looking as good as ever, she was nicely dressed, even if she had just been outside shoveling snow and hopefully her mother was upset enough she would overlook any indicators that Haruka was a girl. Haruka raised her hand to knock at the door, but Michiru pulled it down and pulled out her key to unlock the door. Before they entered they brushed off their shoes and walked in removing their boots. A maid came hurrying to the door to take the women's coats. Haruka eyed Michiru to make sure she was invited to stay, to intrude in such a sensitive time, Michiru's eyes begged her to stay. Haruka silenced her phone in her pocket, knowing if her father came home and she was not there he would be furious. As the maid hung the coats Michiru guided Haruka into the house, it was not much bigger than the house Haruka had grown up in and it appeared to have a similar layout. A shrill woman's voice echoed through the house as she appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Michiru, where have you been?" Haruka heard Michiru's deep breath.
"Hello Auntie, how was your drive?" The politeness sounded just as faked as Haruka's when she spoke with her father.
"It was awful, my brother has passed away." Michiru nodded.
"He was my father, we will miss him." Michiru's Aunt met them half way down the stairs, they hugged even though it was uncomfortably forced. "Have you seen mother yet?" Michiru asked.
"She is in her room, I set her to preparing herself to make arrangements." Michiru nodded. "So, are you going to introduce me to your friend?" Michiru turned around remembering that Haruka was right behind her.
"I am sorry Auntie, this is Haruka a friend from school that lives just down the street." Haruka made to reach out for a hand shake, but instead she was offered an hand to be kissed. Fortunately Haruka caught on quickly enough she did not miss a beat in bowing her head to kiss the older woman's hand.
"I appreciate your kindness in bringing Michiru home, will you stay with us for tea?" Haruka looked at Michiru and then back at her Aunt.
"It would be a pleasure. I will need to call home so someone knows where I am, if you will excuse me." The Aunt nodded, granting Haruka a chance to head back downstairs and into the hall to use her phone. Her mother answered and listened carefully, granting her permission to stay however long she needed to. Haruka returned to the stairs to stand by Michiru, she longed to reach out and touch her hand, to hold it so that she could strengthen the beautiful woman who was acting so strong. Haruka was soon off in her own little daydream, where her and Michiru were the only two people in the world and they had all the time in the world. Haruka awoke from her day dream as Michiru's offered her a seat. Haruka looked around the room and had noticed the tea was on the table, but Michiru's Aunt was waiting, Haruka sought her cue from Michiru who nodded to her. Haruka moved forward and poured the tea in each of the four cups, before she could continue however Michiru jumped to her feet indicationing she should do the same. Haruka jumped to her feet as she noticed the beautiful older woman enter the room.
"Mother," Michiru moved to hug her mother, again it was forced, but Michiru led her mother to the couch where the two women took their seats. "This is my friend Haruka, she lives just down the street from here." Haruka handed the lady a cup of tea with one lump of sugar on Michiru's gesture. The woman took it with shaking hands.
"I am terribly sorry for your loss." The older woman nodded.
"It is nice to meet you Haruka, thank you." Haruka offered Michiru's aunt the next cup with two lumps of sugar. Michiru was signalling her quietly, but she did not need Michiru to tell her how to prepare her cup of tea. Haruka did not even look as she stuck three lumps and a hint of milk, stirring it three times beforei before handing Michiru the cup, before taking her own.
"Haruka, will you be staying in town for the holidays?" Mrs. Kaioh asked.
"Yes ma'am," Haruka answered.
"Good, good, Michiru is going through a rough time right now. She needs a good friend and a shoulder. I am glad she has found one. You are welcome here when ever."
"Thank you ma'am." Haruka grinned, Michiru moved her hand to touch Haruka's leg as she sipped her tea, Haruka touched her hand reassuring and could feel warmth filling her body.

Haruka took a deep breath before she turned the door knob, she had spent the entire afternoon at Michiru's house and was now late for dinner. Opening the door she was met by one of there many maids, she helped Haruka off with her coat as Haruka kicked off her shoes and slipped on her indoor shoes. She then walked intently and cautiously towards the dinning room where she entered. Her brother, sister, mother and father all looked up from the end of the table where they were eating. Haruka's father stood up, Haruka braced for the blow;
"Haruka, come here my daughter." Haruka walked towards the head of the table noticing that her seat on the right hand side of her father had been left open and her place set.
"Father," she sighed in relief, "I am so sorry to be late. Please forgive me." Her father nodded as he embraced her tightly.
"Your mother told me, one of your school friends lost her father today. How is she?" Haruka smiled as she moved to take her seat as rightful heir to her father's business.
"She will make it, I think, thank you for being so understanding." The servents brought her out a dish and set it before her.
"You stick by her, and make sure she has everything she needs. Friends are very important Haruka." Haruka nodded as she took a bite of food. Her brother winked at her from across the table next to their mother.
"I will father." She knew he was watching her carefully, her every move had always been managed carefully.
"Well then now that we have settled that tell me about your new school, are we going to stay enrolled in this one?" Haruka bowed her head as she took another bite of her soup.
"I am truly enjoying it father, it is a fine school. Although I still feel an all girls school is a bit excessive." Haruka smirked as she took another bite and caught her brother's eye.
"Now Ruka, boys seem to be the problem at the other schools so it only makes since we eliminate the distraction." Haruka nodded again, not wishing to argue the matter. In fact boys were the problem at the other schools, they were all jealous that Haruka's good looks had turned all the girls' heads.
"Yes father, I understand, tell me then how is the company?" Turning the conversation to the company was a safer topic, Haruka and her brother both understood the business well, they had grown up as board members. Haruka yawned as they entered desert.
"It sounds as if you have had a long day, maybe you should go up to bed after dinner." Haruka's mother suggested.
"Thank you mother, I will. The funeral for Michiru's father is tomorrow so I will be gone all day. Her mother asked that I keep her company."
"Do what you must, just keep in touch." Haruka nodded and as she finished her dessert she excused herself from the table and headed to bed.