Chapter 9

About Her

Disclaimer : I own nothing.

We are at the living room again right now.

Haruka lies down on the biggest sofa and I sit down on the other sofa. Some random classical music can be heard from the CD player. On top of the table in front of us, two cups of tea and a jar of cookies are readily available.

"Do you live alone?" I try to open a chat.

She smiles. "What do you think?"

"Umm.. Alone?" I say with a child-like tone.

"Correct! You can have one cookie for you correct answer." Delighting laughter comes out from her mouth.

"Where is your family?" I say while opening the cookie jar.

"Here and there." Her answer makes me raised one of my eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that?"

"My parents divorced. My father is in France. My mother lives in Kyoto. My father is an architect and my mother is a fashion Designer. Both of them are workaholic, they did not remarry." Haruka picks up her tea and sips it. "I'm the youngest child of five siblings. My oldest brother is with my father, he's continuing father's business after all. My second brother is in America, I don't know what is he doing right now. My third brother is in Tokyo, he's a manager of Niwa hotel. Actually, that's why I'm at Three Lights' press conference that time. I was assigned to monitor the event by him. And I don't know where my fourth brother is, he travels a lot."

"So you are the only daughter in your family? You must be spoiled.." And, now I know why is she so boyish.

"I can't deny that, but I would rather say that I was.. Naughty." She adjusts her sitting position. "People say that I was a weird kid. Mischievous. Annoying." A smirk creeps on her lips.

I bow down my head. There is so many questions that I want to ask her. Haruka is like a big mystery that I want to solve so bad.

"Sorry, what exactly is your job?" First point.

Haruka looks to me. Her grin turns into a smile. "Ah! My bad, I've just realized that I never told you about what I do." She scratches the back of her head. "I'm a formula racer. Well, I'm not yet a Formula One racer though. It's just a junior-level feeder formula, but I do aim for Formula One of course."

No wonder she controls a very expensive sports car easily. She is used to it.

"How come I never heard about you before? I mean, I am a reporter and I have interviewed some racers and came to some races before.."

"Actually, I was changing my course recently. Before becoming a racer, I was an amateur pianist. My mom forced me to be one, but I realized that I don't really want to pursue a career as a musician. I do like playing piano, but only as a hobby not more than that." She ruffles her already messy hair. "I've just moved from Kyoto two months ago and started my career as a racer."

Now that is shocking!

"Next time I'll come to you when I need someone to interview."

She chuckles. "Sure, I always have time for you."

Oh God, her remarks make me blush..

"Why do you choose to live in Tokyo?"

Haruka falls silent for a while. Her legs stop moving. Her eyes pierce mine. "Actually.." She groans. "I don't really know either! You know, Tokyo has a weird charm for me and I'm sure many other people feel it too. Somehow.. I just can't leave Tokyo. I've moved several times. To Kyoto, to Paris and to many other places. But Tokyo is the place that really feels like home to me. Back then when my parents are still together, we used to live in Tokyo. Maybe that's why.."

After that, we just sip our tea quietly without saying any words.

Later on after some moment of awkward silence, Haruka finally breaks the ice.

"Michiru, do you have any boyfriend right now?"

I shake my head.

She gives an uncertain smile. "I thought so.."

The awkward silence recur, but for not long this time.

"Then, have you ever loved someone?" Haruka finishes her tea.

Instantly, Seiya's image passes by. I think whether I should let her know or not. Haruka needs to know, but not the details..

"I am, right now.." I say with a nod.

"You are?" Haruka's eyes swell.

I nod again.

"You must be happy right now." She smiles mysteriously.

I sigh outwardly. She doesn't know, I'm betting with my own imagination right now. Seiya is like my dream..

"Haruka," finally I manage to say something, "actually, I want to thank you.."

"Eh? What for?" She sounds sincerely confused.

I'm struggling, searching for words to say. "Ever since I know you… I don't know… It is as if miracle happens to me. You may laugh hearing this… But… This is the truth. I've become a braver person. More confident. What I mean is… I feel that I'm slowly changing, changing for the better of course… If I may be honest because of knowing you, now I dare to love someone." Woah.. I never thought I would tell Haruka all these top secret matters. Oh well.. Haruka deserves to know anyway. It seems that we are on a comfort zone to tell each other about ourselves.

She stares at me. Somehow I can't read her expression..

"It's kinda late right now, do you want to stay over?" She doesn't even give a single comment about my revealed secrets. Maybe it's unimportant for her, or maybe she thinks that it's only a stupid topic.. Or maybe.. Ugh, I don't know! She's the one who started asking weird questions!

I see a dim glow in her green eyes.

"I didn't bring any clothes.."

"Hmm, I think my clothes will fit you just well. It may be slightly oversized though. Tomorrow you can just wear my shirt and jeans.."

I am speechless.

"If you want to, of course. I don't want to make you feel forced. But it's already late, and you need sleep, and.." Haruka mumbles unclearly.

Subsequently, I nod. Again, I'm being hypnotized by Haruka. Will I ever be able to reject her offer?

xxx

I finally be able to get known about Haruka a little bit and in exchange, I told her about my biggest secret. My head is in a whirl.

What a weird night..

Currently, I am lying down on a massive super-soft bed that is very different from my somewhat small bed. I can smell the aromatherapy, which makes my mind relaxed.

Haruka is just beside me. She sleeps really close to me. I can feel her soft breath moves my hair gently.

My eyes are half closed and I'm nearly falling asleep when I feel Haruka's long fingers slowly stroking my hair.

You know? I let her do it. Yes, I let her. I don't find any reason to repel her.

After all, it does feels nice..

AN : Huzzah! The long-awaited chapter about Haruka is finally here! I hope I satisfy all my readers curiosity about the mysterious Haruka. And I want to apologize about the late update. Final projects and preparation for presentation are forcing me to finish them.. Anyway! Please tell me whether do you like this chapter and Haruka's back story or not. (Or about Michiru's stupid confession that ruined the mood). And... I'm back with cookies for Vientocortante, PeaPrince, AleWindT, Lylian, Keeper Aki, and RoseCriss today~