You're Hired
Chapter 10
Disclaimer: I do not own Haruka and Michiru of Sailor Moon.
"Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change – this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress." – Bruce Barton
While strolling at the city's park, Haruka sees a familiar face – a man around 6 feet tall with short jet black hair and blue eyes. He is with a woman around 5 feet tall who has a blonde odango hairstyle. Together, they are strolling with their cute little pink-haired infant, who's around 6 months old and heavily resembles the blonde woman's face.
Michiru sees Haruka looking at the distance. "You suddenly stopped. What's wrong?"
"You see that guy there? He was my best friend back in college… until he went abroad that is. We drifted apart since then…" Haruka points at the direction of the black-haired man.
Michiru sees the "best friend" that Haruka was talking about. She also sees his picturesque family. "Okay…"
Haruka turns her attention to Michiru. "Hey, stay right here. I'll go and talk to him. Maybe he can help us get a job or something…"
When Haruka was about to go, Michiru grabs Haruka by the wrist. "I'll go with you Haruka."
Haruka tries to let go. "Uh… it'd be better if you stay here."
Michiru raises her eyebrow. "Huh? Why?"
Haruka looks at Michiru straight in the eyes. "No time for questions. Just do what I say and we're okay. Okay?"
"But why Haruka? Is there something that you're hiding from me?"
"Well… no… but…" Haruka looks away.
"You're still not answering my question…"
"Well… I… uh… okay I give up. You can go with me." Haruka fidgets and takes a big gulp.
Michiru glares at Haruka and at the black-haired man's female companion. "That Haruka is definitely keeping something from me. I don't want to be paranoid but something tells me that Haruka and that girl had a past. I have a feeling that that girl was the one who caused the rift between Haruka and her best friend. And because of that, Haruka's best friend went abroad. Because of guilt, Haruka had no choice but to break up with her. With Haruka out of the picture, the girl went back to that guy. Because the guy was a good guy, he forgave the girl and gave her one more chance. Now, they're married and have a kid together. The reason why Haruka couldn't get a job is because she messed with her best friend's girlfriend. Now everything has come in full circle and she's begging for him to help her find a job…" She shakes her head. "Oh god… what am I thinking? You, Michiru Kaioh, have some crazy imagination."
Haruka snaps her finger in front of Michiru's face. "Hey, I thought you were going to go with me? Why are you still standing there?"
Michiru finally snaps out of her paranoia. "Uh… yeah…sorry."
Together, Haruka and Michiru walk towards the black-haired man's direction.
"Chiba!" Haruka modulates her voice enough to reach the black-haired man.
Chiba stops and turns around. He recognizes the familiar blonde in a suit. "Tenoh? Haruka Tenoh? Hey, it is you! Long time no see!"
The two share a quick friendly hug.
"Same here, Chiba. How are you?"
"Hey, I'm good. How 'bout you? I see we have a lovely female companion. Who is she?" Chiba looks at Michiru.
"Well, she's Michiru, my girlfriend. Michiru, he's Mamoru Chiba, by the way. He was my best friend back in college."
"Nice to meet you Michiru." Mamoru extends his hand to Michiru. They share a quick hand shake.
Mamoru turns to Haruka. "Ain't she a beauty? She looks like the aristocrat type, Tenoh. Where'd you meet her?"
"Eh, I'll tell you some other time."
"Awww… bummer!"
"Look, we could catch up some other time with life and stuff like that but first, please help us out, will you?"
"Hey, no prob. What kind of help do you want?"
"Do you happen to know any job openings right now? Where do you work by the way? To tell you the truth, we're in desperate need of a job right now."
"Oh yes, the perils of job hunting… I can relate to that. To answer your question, yes, I do know some job openings. I happen to work as a secretary for a financial corporation. You're lucky. Just yesterday, one of my friends from the HR department asked me if I knew someone who can apply for the vacant positions in the company. You came in at the right place at the right time! My friend is going to be really happy to see you two!"
"What vacant positions do you have there?"
"Let's see… they have lots of opening at the sales department, one opening at the marketing department, HR department, general services department, and administrative department. The administrative department is where I'm at. We're looking for one more secretary to complete the roster. They have a full list posted at our company's website. Check that one out when you have the time."
"Whoa. That's great!"
"Look, if you need me, here's my calling card." Mamoru hands his calling card out to Haruka. "I'll help you out. Just get your resumes ready."
"Wow Chiba! Thanks a lot!"
"Hey, anytime! You helped me back then. It's just right to return the favor to you!"
The baby in the stroller cries. Mamoru unfastens the stroller's belt and picks the baby up. Everyone suddenly becomes overwhelmed by the baby's cuteness. They all say "awww…"
"Hey Tenoh, Michiru, by the way this little cutie here is Chibiusa, my daughter, and this lovely lady right here is my wife Usagi."
"Hey Usagi, nice meeting you!" Haruka and Michiru extend their hands to Usagi.
Usagi shakes their hands. "Nice to meet you guys as well!"
Haruka turns to Mamoru. "I see you finally found the love of your life?"
"Yeah, I'm definitely the luckiest guy alive! The techniques you've taught me back in the days came in handy. Oh god, what's that smell?!"
Usagi taps on Mamoru's shoulder. "Uh, Mamo-chan… it's the baby…"
"Awww you dropped another bomb Chibiusa! Hey Usako, hold her for me will you?"
Usagi nods and takes Chibiusa. She places Chibiusa on the stroller and secures the belt around her waist. She searches for a diaper somewhere in the stroller. There were no diapers. She searches in her bag but there were no fresh diapers as well. "Uh Mamo-chan, I'm afraid we ran out of diapers."
Upon hearing this, Mamoru excuses himself from Haruka and Michiru. "Hey guys, we'll be heading out. Let's meet Monday at the office."
"Yeah, thank you so much Chiba!"
"Yeah no prob. As much as I'd like to talk to you guys, I just can't. We need to head back home for a while. Bye!" Mamoru and Usagi bids goodbye to Haruka and Michiru.
After Mamoru and Usagi were gone, Haruka turns her attention to Michiru. "Hey, if you're wondering who Mamoru is, I'll tell you the truth."
"He's your college best friend right?"
Haruka scratches her head. "Actually… before we became best friends, we briefly dated."
Upon hearing this, Michiru felt as if a bucket of cold water fell on her.
Haruka sees a nearby bench at the park. "Hey let's sit there. I'll tell you the full story."
Michiru nods. They sit at the nearby bench.
Haruka then continues the story. "But we never became official boyfriends and girlfriends and we never even kissed nor reached the second base. Back then, I was still figuring myself out. I knew I liked girls but I never had the guts to admit it. Mamoru was the first guy who approached me and confessed to me that he likes me. I was impressed by his bravery. I wish I could be like him. I wish I had the guts to say to the world who I liked and never be ashamed of it. Do you know what Mamoru looks like back in our college days?"
"What?"
"Look at this." Haruka gets her phone and scrolls at her college picture gallery. She shows Michiru a picture of Mamoru as a college kid.
Michiru got all wide-eyed. "Seriously? That's Mamoru? He doesn't look like that now."
"Yeah, I agree. Back then, Mamoru had bad fashion sense and he weighed around 200 pounds. He also wore those thick glasses which basically made him look like a total loser. He doesn't even know how to style his hair properly. My classmates back then were shocked when they heard the news that I agreed to date him."
"So if you knew that you liked girls, then why did you agree to date him? Weren't you giving him false hopes?"
"Well, I wanted to see if my feelings could change. Mamoru was a nice guy. Even if back then, he looked like a total wreck, he was a gentleman and he treats you like the most special person on earth. He was so nice that I couldn't lie anymore. I had to let him know that I can only be friends with him."
A long-haired Haruka, who's wearing a fit pink t-shirt and skinny jeans, approached then 18-year old and chubby Mamoru who's sitting at the bleachers. She had just finished changing her clothes after her track practice. "Hey Chiba, I have something to tell you."
"What is it, Tenoh?"
Haruka sits beside Mamoru. "I know we've been dating for 3 months now… I don't want to break your heart but I have to be true to myself."
Mamoru lets out a heavy sigh. "You don't like me, don't you? Is it because I'm fat?"
Haruka laughs out loud. "You dummy. I like you… but only as a friend. You're a great guy. Throughout the months I dated you, you managed to make me feel like I'm the most special girl who existed in this planet. If I liked guys, I would definitely marry you on the spot. But… I like girls…"
"Is that so? I never knew… why did you agree to date me then?"
"I wanted to see if my feelings could change. But no… Even if you're the most handsome guy on earth, I still wouldn't like you… not in a romantic way. Sorry bro."
"Hey, thank you for giving me the chance to date you. You're the only girl who agreed to go out with me. Whenever I would ask a girl out, they would always reject me without knowing who I am first."
"You know, some girls are jerks but don't lose hope. You'll find the right one, trust me. She will come at the right place, at the right time."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Tell you what, I'll help you out. Even if you're a great guy on the inside, you have to work on your outside as well. You know what they say 'first impressions last'. Girls better watch out for Chiba version 2.0."
"I can't wait for that to happen!"
"If you're willing, come and train with me at the track after school. I also have mixed martial arts sessions on Saturdays. If you're interested, then I can introduce you to my MMA coach. We'll also work on your diet and I'll have my friend fix your wardrobe. If you're lucky I can even teach you certain things that can capture the hearts of girls."
"Yes, I'm willing. Thank you very much Tenoh! Even if we never became a couple, I feel like a winner because I gained a friend in you." Mamoru bear hugs Haruka.
"Hey Chiba, I can't breathe." Haruka is almost turning blue.
Mamoru quickly releases Haruka from his "death clutch". "Sorry about that."
"After I confessed to Chiba that I liked girls, I began to cut my hair short and dress more masculine... except on certain occasions when the school requires you to wear gender-specific clothes that is. For the first time in my life, I felt free. For a year, Mamoru and I became best buds because we hung out together for the most part. I never had a sibling. He pretty much became my brother. Within a year of training, Mamoru lost a lot of weight. He closely resembled the Mamoru today. From then on, A LOT of girls, and I mean, A LOT, began flocking around him."
"Seriously?" Michiru cannot believe she has heard.
"Yeah. A gang of girls would approach him day by day and I'm not exaggerating that one."
"Wow."
"But time came when things between us had to end…"
Haruka and Mamoru are hanging out at the cafeteria. Girls are looking their way, checking both of them out.
"Hey Tenoh, it worked. It really worked! Because of you, I don't have to work twice as hard as I have to anymore. I didn't even have to ask girls out. They're the ones who are approaching me now."
"See, I told you!"
"Hey, tell you what. You can order everything you want and I'll pay for your food."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah."
"Well, okay. Thank you, man."
"By the way, Tenoh… I have something to tell you."
"Eh, what is it?"
"I know we've only known each other for a year. You definitely made my year in this college really fun. You're the best bud I've ever had, no kidding. I wanted to stay and graduate here but my parents are urging me to go abroad and finish my studies there."
"So you're transferring to another school abroad? Is that right?"
"Yeah. I'm also going to shift to another course – biology. My parents wanted me to become a doctor. Well, they're doctors so they expect me to follow their footsteps."
"Hey, so is this going to be our last time together?"
"I have a month to prepare for things. We can still hang out and stuff while I'm here."
"I'll be honest. I'm sad to see you go but you're lucky to have parents who push you to greater heights. It's for your own good and I'm happy for you. Plus, going abroad, I envy you Chiba. You're going to meet lots of girls there. God, I wish I could switch places with you."
Haruka and Mamoru laugh out loud.
"Hey Tenoh, by the way, thank you for everything. If anything, I hope God gives you the most beautiful girl who'll love you for who you are. You're an awesome person Tenoh. I'm very lucky to have been best friends with you. I don't know if we can still stay best friends once I'm abroad. My world will definitely change and I'll probably meet a bunch of other friends there. But hey, I'll never forget you because you changed my life. I lost weight, gained self-confidence, and had a new perspective in life. I owe you a lot, Tenoh!"
"Hey, don't make me cry, Chiba. I'm definitely going to miss you."
"Me too."
"So uh, you're sure you're going to pay for everything today huh?"
"Yeah."
"Okay." Haruka stands up and orders at the cafeteria's food counter. She orders a whole tray of food and goes back to her and Mamoru's table. "I told the cafeteria lady that you'll pay for everything."
"Whoa, that's a lot Tenoh! You're going to get me bankrupt."
"I thought you told me to order everything I want?"
"I never expected you to order a lot."
"It's my cheat day. Plus, it's going to be one of your last treats! I can't stand to lose this opportunity. I worked hard to transform you to who you are today so I deserve some treat."
The two laugh out loud.
"Hey Chiba, I hope God listens to you."
"Why would God listen to me?"
"He better give me that beautiful girl that you're talking about. That's the nicest thing someone ever wished for me."
The two laugh out loud even more.
"Hey Chiba, thank you as well. You taught me to be brave. You didn't even try to force me to change even if you found out that I liked girls. Everything good that's happening in your life right now, you deserve it. Thanks man. I mean it."
"Geez Tenoh. I feel like my tears could fall anytime."
"I'm sure we'll meet again someday, somewhere. Mark my words Chiba, mark my words."
"Chiba is set out to be a doctor right? How come he told us he's working as a secretary for a financial corporation? What's he doing there?"
"Quite frankly, I don't know. He owes us a story. Maybe I'll ask him one of these days about that." Haruka looks at Michiru and smiles at her.
Michiru raises her eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You know what Michiru? I think God might have listened to Chiba after all."
"Huh?" Michiru tilts her head slightly to her left.
"A month before Chiba left, he wished that God would give me the most beautiful girl who would love me for who I am. I think I found that girl in you."
Michiru blushes. "Hey Haruka, I- uh… I'm really sorry. Just this day, I became too paranoid. When I saw Chiba and his wife, I thought that maybe you and that girl, Chiba's wife, had some sort of a past that's why you didn't want me to go near them. Turns out that it was you and Chiba who had a past. I bet you were embarrassed to reveal that past but thanks for being so open about it."
"Were you jealous and all?"
"Slight. I was relieved though when you said that he never kissed you and that you two never reached the second base. At least I beat him. I already kissed you and it won't be long before I get to the second, third, and fourth base."
Haruka gets all wide-eyed. "You never fail to surprise me with everything that you say."
She and Michiru laugh out loud.
"But seriously Michiru, I want to thank you for standing by me. Even if I have no job just yet, you managed to put up with me. Thank you."
"I could say the same thing. I'm happy with this journey that we're taking on together. With you, everyday is an adventure. Hey, speaking of our journey together, aren't you forgetting something?"
"Huh? What?"
"You've forgotten, haven't you?"
"What's it?"
Michiru lets out a heavy sigh. "Our anniversary is coming soon."
"Oh yes… time flies so fast, doesn't it? Quite frankly, I can't believe we're going to celebrate our first anniversary. If we get hired at the company where Chiba's working, it'll be the best anniversary gift ever!" Haruka already imagines herself receiving her first ever paycheck.
Michiru, on the other hand, has a doubtful look on her face. "Well, we'll see about that. I pretty much lowered my expectations this time so I won't get disappointed."
"Same here. Hired or not, life goes on." Haruka has an optimistic smile on her face.
Michiru is happy to see Haruka smile. She suddenly becomes infected and her doubts suddenly disappear. "So uh, what's our plan for our anniversary?"
"Hmm… I don't know. Let's see..." Naughty thoughts suddenly enter Haruka's head.
"Okay Haruka, better surprise me with something. I'll wait for it."
Haruka gulps and tries to snap herself out of the naughty things she's thinking.
Haruka's POV
Maybe we can level things up this time. After all, it's been a year, isn't it? Snap out of it Haruka! Michiru is an angel. It will be her call if she wants it or not!
"Honestly Haruka, I envy Chiba. He has this picturesque family. I hope we could have one in the future. You, me, and our future child. I don't know how that will happen but… I can already picture my life with only YOU."
Haruka suddenly felt like falling from the edge of the bench. "Whoa, wait, what? Michiru, isn't it too early to think about that?"
"Hey, I know it's too early but it's not bad to dream, eh?"
"Y-yeah. It's not bad. I'm just not ready yet for that kind of commitment."
Michiru looks at Haruka straight in the eyes. "It's really good that we're a gay couple. If we're a straight couple, I'd definitely have you impregnate me right away so you'll have no other choice but to marry me."
Haruka takes a big gulp again. She doesn't know if Michiru's statements frightens or excites her. She can definitely see right through Michiru. Michiru means business.
Michiru giggles at Haruka. "Sorry Haruka. But remember, I'll wait for you when you're ready."
Haruka is at a loss as to what she'll reply to Michiru.
Haruka's POV
The future frightens and excites me at the same time. I don't want to talk about it just yet. It's risky to set your future early on in the relationship. What if you break up and things don't work out the way it should? You'll end up disappointed and probably scared to pursue another relationship. But hey, if my future will be spent with Michiru, I'm sure it'll be a hell of a blast! I just hope it'll last 'til death do us part.
Michiru's POV
I can see myself in the future with no one else but Haruka. I hope she's running the same pace as I am. I know it's too early to plan for a future but having a plan is better than having none at all. Plans give you direction. Your sights are all set towards a certain future. I'm determined to go to that direction. I will work hard so this relationship will turn out the way I pictured it in my mind.
To be continued…
Author's Notes: Another chapter after 9 months. Sorry to keep you waiting. In this story, yes, Haruka and Mamoru dated. Take note: DATED. They never had an "in a relationship status" because Haruka was too gay to be in a relationship with a guy. Some lesbians do start off that way because they wanted to be "normal" or at least want to test the waters first. In Haruka's case, she just couldn't stand being "normal" so she had to break things off with Mamoru. Michiru's pretty much happy because nothing happened between Haruka and Mamoru. She's definitely marking Haruka as her territory and will do what it takes to make her relationship with Haruka last. She definitely is CEO material. ;)