Chapter 4: We Don't Talk Anymore
Michiru's spring tour was coming to an end tonight in Japan. Everyone was invited to Michiru's after party concert at the mansion of her agent. Everyone was separated into their own mingling groups.
Haruka walked over to the group of familiar faces. "Hello everyone I see you all came to support Michiru's final day." She smiled greeting everyone.
The group looked awkwardly back at Haruka. "Hello Haruka-san." They said in unison. "Um Haruka? Why do you look so happy to be here. Have you and Michiru got back to being on good terms?" Usagi slightly smiled looking back at Haruka.
"Michiru and I? We don't talk anymore ever since the day of her birthday party I haven't seen or heard anything about her. I had to do what was best for her and did as she requested to leave her along but I'm hoping tonight we can be friends again." Haruka smiled looking around. "I'm going to go get a few drinks at the bar. I'll see you later." Haruka waved 'later' to her friends making her way over to the bar.
The group of girls huddled around with each other. "Do you think she knows about what happened?" Rei looked around to the other girls. "I don't think she does but someone has to tell her." Ami chimed in. "We can't tell her about it now she will freak out." Usagi whispered looking up to see how far Haruka was. "Well she is going to freak when she sees Michiru that way." Minako practically screamed. "SHHH!" They all stood up from their huddle to watch Haruka make her way to the bar.
Haruka made her way over to the bar as soon as she was seated the bartender made his way over to her. "Good evening sir. What can I get for you?"
Haruka chuckled looking up at all the drinks. "Let me have two shots of the strongest thing you have."
"Right away sir." The bartender made his way to another customer for their order.
Haruka looked over to her left where she heard two girls whispering rather loudly. "Did you hear what happened to Michiru overseas?" One girl at the bar whispered to another one.
"Yeah I did that was so sad to hear. I'm surprised she continued doing the tour. If it was me I would have came home and avoided everything." The second girl whispered back taking a sip of her drink.
"I heard that she couldn't do it or her career would be over and she dropped the charges so that creep still could be doing that to her." The first girl continued their gossip.
Haruka stood up and walked over to the girls. "Excuse me but can you tell me what you two are talking about?"
Both girls looked up at Haruka. They both took a sip of their drinks before one of them spoke. "You didn't hear? Well I assume it is just American gossip and we do not want to promote that. Just ignore us." They girls jumped off their seats and power walked away from Haruka.
The lights in the room began to dim down and a spotlight turned on hitting the stage perfectly. Haruka walked back over to her group of friends before having her drinks.
Usagi noticed a figure by her side giving her a slight heart attack. "Oh! Haruka you're back in time Michiru-san is about to perform her final piece of the night."
The roaring room of people chattering grew quiet as Michiru made her way to the stage. Without even giving the people a chance to applaud her she began playing.
Haruka leaned down closer to Usagi. "Hey why is Michiru wearing a mask and longest long sleeved dress I have ever seen her in? Is this an American style?"
The group looked over to Usagi each giving a simultaneous nod. "Ahh..okay." She mumbled under her breath, "Why does it have to be me?" Usagi looked up at Haruka. "Haruka-san we have to talk."
"Can't it wait till after the performance." Haruka objected looking away from Usagi.
"It can't plus you heard this song over a thousands times on your Michiru compilation cd. We need to talk now." Usagi grabbed Haruka's hand before she could object, pulling her through the crown until they made it outside.
"What is this all about? Why did you bring me out here? I wanted to hear her play." Haruka frowned leaning against the wall.
Usagi turned away from Haruka taking a few steps away from her. "Haruka. We've all been keeping something from you about Michiru. It's really hard to explain but I rather you hear it from your friends before anyone else."
"Come on bun head spit it out. I rather go back inside." Haruka responded disgusted.
"Okay, okay." Usagi gulped down what could have been air. "There's a reason Michiru is wearing that dress and a mask. It's not an American style at all. It….Um….this is going to be harder than I thought." Usagi smiled nervously, scratching the back of her head.
Haruka shook her head turning away from Usagi. "I'm going to go back inside."
"Haruka, wait!" Usagi leaped over and grab Haruka's hand before she could take any further steps. "Michiru has marks...yeah we can say that."
Haruka turned around looking back at Usagi, "What the hell is that suppose to mean? You are not making any sense right now and you are wasting my time."
Usagi sighed deeply. "A few nights ago when Michiru made her final performance in America she didn't do so well in sales. Hardly anyone showed up that night but it wasn't her fault. The ticket guy working printed the wrong dates on the tickets. When nobody showed everyone was given a refund. Michiru's agent was upset and blamed her for it….that night he brutally beat her. No One has seen the damage she took the next day it happened she just wore a mask and long dresses for the rest of her concerts. " Usagi looked down from Haruka's eyes. "Many people think this happened more than once on her tour because one time she fainted right on stage. Who knows what could be true, people really love to gossip. That's why we kept it from you until we all found out the truth for ourselves. I'm sorry Haruka…I know we shouldn't have kept this from you but we thought it would be for the best."
Haruka looked back at Usagi, anger building up in her face. "Let me go."
"Haruka you shouldn't do anything drastic. Knowing you, you could ruin the party." Usagi saw the look on Haruka's face and released her grip.
Haruka walked back inside for the last note of Michiru's performance. Everyone stood in silence as the last not echoed through the room. When Michiru bowed the audience clapped in an uproar giving her a standing ovation.
"Haruka-san wait!" Usagi shouted running behind Haruka. "Let's all greet Michiru-san together." Usagi smiled taking Haruka's arm as they walked back to the group.
"Did you tell her Usagi?" Rei bent down whispering for only the people in the group could hear.
"I did Rei-chan but she hasn't said anything yet." Usagi whispered back and looked up at Haruka who did not pay any of them any mind.
"Welcome back, Michiru-san." Ami waved to Michiru interrupting the girls from their whisper. "You played so beautiful as always. I've always loved hearing you play." Minako chimed in cheerfully. "You always knew how to play to make us feel emotions. The whole room was quiet I could hear anyone breath." Makoto smiled brightly.
"Thank you everyone. I'm glad you all could come tonight." Michiru responded still wearing the mask.
"You're dress is so kawaii Michiru-san and your mask is beautiful!" Usagi leaned closer examining Michiru. "We have to plan a day so you can tell us all about your American trip."
"USAGI!" The entire group shouted and glared at Usagi.
"AHHHHH! GOMEN GOMEN! Michiru-san I didn't mean to." Usagi stepped back nervously scratching the back over her head.
Michiru giggled, "It is alright Usagi. I'm going to have to get use to it, that's all everyone seems to be talking about."
Haruka looked down at Michiru looking into her eyes. Haruka's heart shattered seeing the pain in Michiru's eyes.
Usagi stepped back, grabbing Haruka's arm. "Look Michiru-san, even Haruka-san came tonight."
"Umm..you played nice, Michiru." Haruka responded nervously with a smile.
"Thank you, Tenoh Haruka. Congratulations on winning the race cup. The men on my trio could not stop talking about you and making bets to see if you would win."
Haruka looked at Michiru confused. "What? No creep? No, I never want to see you again. I thought you didn't want anything to do with me but Thank you."
Michiru giggled seeing Haruka's confused face. "If you only knew I never hold a grudge for so long. I'm sorry for calling you those names. Maybe we can start over."
Haruka smiled putting out her hand to Michiru. Tenoh Haruka, nice to meet you."
Michiru hesitated before shaking Haruka's hand. Kaioh Michiru, Nice to meet you." Michiru quickly released from Haruka's hand shake. "If you all excuse me I have to speak to some other guests."
"Okay go on Michiru-san we will talk to you later." Usagi waved, seeing Michiru off. "Look at that Haruka-san you guys might be friends again."
Haruka smiled watching Michiru leave. She looked down at the hand Michiru shook. "I don't know Odango she doesn't seem right. Something about that handshake bothers me."
Michiru spoke to a few guests until she made her way to the bar. "What can I get you Ms. Kaioh?" The bartender asked politely cleaning some glasses with a towel.
"Oh, I really just came here to take a break." Michiru sighed. "Tonight has been very busy."
The bartender smiled, "I know what you need. I'll make you one of my special martinis it will help you relax." The bartender looked away and saw Haruka, "Oh sir, you're back. I have your shots right here." He placed the two small glasses onto the counter.
Haruka took the empty seat beside Michiru. "Would you care to join me? Martini is a good drink but this will help you feel at ease." Haruka slid one of the glasses to Michiru.
"Thank you." Michiru looked down at the glasses. "Let's take it together. 3...2..1." They both quickly took the shot gently placing the glass back down on the counter top. "That was something I needed. Thank you."
"No problem." Haruka looked at everyone dancing in the ballroom. She stood up bowing before Michiru. "Michiru would you do me the honor and dance the Waltz with me?"
"Umm…" Michiru hesitated flinching her hand back. "A dance can't hurt." She gently place her hand on top of Haruka's. They made their way to the dance floor, Haruka gently placed a hand on Michiru's waist. Michiru jumped slightly from Haruka's touch. "I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?"
"No, no, You're fine it's just…. it's nothing." She gently placed a hand on Haruka's shoulder.
Haruka remained silent, taking the first step she began their dance. They waltzed their way around the ballroom floor. The crowd stopped their mingling and just watch the two dance in awe. "They are like to dancers in a music box." Usagi whispered not taking her eyes off of them.
Minako clasped her hands together, "It like they never fell out of love." She turned to face the rest of the group behind them. "I have an idea! We have to get them back together."
Rei raised and eyebrow, "Hey bonehead, did you forget that Michiru doesn't know who Haruka is? She's probably only dancing with her to have fun. She doesn't even know that Haruka is a girl."
Minako sighed, "You're right but that won't be a problem. If Michiru fell in love with Haruka once she can do it again."
Once the song was over the two women stopped dancing. The crowd around them cheered, whistled and clapped loudly. "Beautiful! Marevelous! I haven't seen anyone dance like that in years!" the crowd continued to shower them with compliments.
"Um.. thank you for the dance." Michiru awkwardly stepped away from Haruka. "I have to go now."
"Michiru wait." Haruka held Michiru's hand. "Is that really it? Did you feel nothing."
Michiru looked back, pulling her arm away from Haruka. "I have no idea what you are talking about." Michiru responded in the tone of voice she used when she lied. "I really do have to go." She ran through the crowd and made her way out of the mansion.
"Haruka-san! Haruka-san!" The group of girls ran to Haruka in the middle of the dance floor. "Haruka don't let her go. You both were connecting." Minako pointed to the front of the mansion. "Go after her."
Haruka looked down at her hand. "I can't. She doesn't want me and the last time I tried She pushed me away."
"Snap out of it!" Usagi yelled, smacking Haruka across the face. "This is something you wanted to happen for months. Michiru was taking a liking to you. We saw her the day she got back and she wouldn't stop flinching from guys around her. She thinks you're a guy too but she wasn't scared. Now go to her!"
Haruka rubbed the side of her cheek. "You're right, Odango but maybe next time don't hit so hard." Haruka smiled, "Thank you for putting some sense in my head." Haruka sprinted her way to the crowd and out of the mansion.
"So Minako what is this plan of yours exactly?" Rei crossed her arms over her chest, looking to the other girls.
Minako winked and blew a kiss. "You will just have to wait and see."