The Real Prize

By: Liv-x-Case-Benson

Ch. 7: Real and Fake

And that particular meeting kept happening over the next few months. Even if they'd seen each other during the day, come three o'clock in the morning, Haruka would get a knock on her door. She had yet to figure out if Michiru was afraid of something or simply wanted to not be alone.

Should she be complaining about being woken up so early? Normally yes, but she had come to treasure the violinist's company and would miss her dearly during the early hours so she didn't complain.

Now the blonde racer sighed as she sat on a couch dressed in a back, formal tuxedo in Michiru's dressing room at the concert hall as a certain aqua-haired beauty was getting ready for another recital. Haruka, honestly, didn't mind listening, or even going all dressed up, something she rarely did. It was the waiting that bored her to death.

"Michiru, are you ready yet?" she whined.

Michiru smiled, poking her head out of the bathroom. "What, you expect me to finish up in five minutes? I'm not you. Perfection of this caliber takes time, 'Ruka. Besides, I do have to keep up my image."

Haruka smirked. "I don't care. I've seen you in n-" Before the racer could get the word out, Michiru had ran over and covered her mouth.

"Sshh! You can't say things like that! You know that," she said, her fingers on Haruka's cheeks to stop her from speaking.

The racer sighed, leaning back against the couch as Michiru took her hand away. "Fine," she said, crossing her arms.

"Haruka, we've been over this. It's not that I don't care, okay? I do," she said, sitting beside her and taking her hand, "very much. I trust you. But if this got out...I'd lose everything."

"And all of this is more important to you than your happiness with me?" she asked, though it was a stupid question. She already knew the answer.

Michiru shook her head. "No, of course not, but being possibly shunned, hated and outcast – not to mention never being back here – it..." she sighed. "I'm sorry."

"I understand. I mean, you've built your whole life around this, but...I don't know if I can keep hiding it and watching men hit on you. I just want to punch them."

The violinist smiled. "That's quite a compliment," she said, running her fingers through Haruka's shirt hair. "It's not like anything major as far as this relationship goes has happened yet."

"I told you: I'm never going to push anything physical. It's all up to you."

"But doesn't it bother you?"

Haruka sighed again. "Well, yes, a little, but you're so different in a wonderful way that I don't mind. Well, you better get back to getting ready. Don't want to keep your 'suitors' waiting for too long," she said with a smile.

"The only suitor I'm interested in," she said, kissing her cheek and leaving a lipstick print, "is you. That's why they don't bother me," Michiru said, standing and straightening her white robe.

"Well, guess I'm lucky then, huh?" she asked, taking her hand and kissing it.

"I should hope so. And, believe me, I don't want to hide forever – or hide you – it's just critical to this situation. It's easier to make little statements and work up to it."

Haruka sat forward. "So..does that mean you're going to start?"

"I guess you'll just have to wait and see, won't you?" Michiru teased, going back to finish getting ready.

"Hmm. Guess so," she said, going back to waiting.

Haruka stood as Michiru received her standing ovation for her performance, smiling as she caught her eye. She saw the violinist take her instrument back to her dressing room, but knew she wouldn't be long. However, the concert hall cleared and there was still no sign of her. She exited, looking for her.

"Maurice?" the racer asked, straightening her jacket. "Has Miss Kaioh left the building? I haven't seen her?"

He looked up, not daring to insult her after last time. He cleared his throat. "Not that I'm aware of."

"Thank you," she said, making her way toward her dressing room, knocking on the closed door. "Michiru?"

"You have to go," she told him.

"But Michi, come on! You know I love you! You always come back to me," he said.

"Rick, leave!"

"No! Tell her! Tell her the truth. Tell her that you found someone new. Someone you aren't ashamed to see yourself with."

"Ashamed? I am not! Not of her!" she said, standing up.

"You hate yourself then. You must!" he said, walking up behind her, caressing her cheek. "Come on. Tell me..."

Michiru walked away, pulling the door open and shoving him out.

Haruka turned, having been standing next to the door. "Michiru..."

"H-Haruka? I-I..."

Author's Note: Sorry guys, but it can't all be happiness and roses. I promise it's explained in the next chapter! Please keep reading!

But what do you think is going on?!

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