Disclaimer: I do not own Haruka and Michiru's characters, they belong to Naoko Takeuchi. All other characters and this story belong to me. This story is fictional. Any references to real life companies, places and events are weaved into a web of fiction and do not have any connection with reality.

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AN: Oh wow, so I had to re-read the whole fic to get back in the groove… it was kinda fun, except that it took a while. Again, thanks for all of your reviews and sorry that I didn't reply for the last 2 chapters.

YourDarkLover: Why thank you. I'm not intending to stop writing for a little while. It's like an addiction of mine. After I'm done with this there will be a semi-sequel to IAAU and then there is a sequel to ID. Then I have another short story in mind. So trust me, I'll be writing so long as someone cares to read :)

ilovemichiru25: I think the real drama will start with the next chapter. I've set out all the relationships I wanted to set out, time to mess everything up :P You know, I've been looking for anyone wearing a bikini in Time Square, but saw no one… only in Central Park and High Line… but there was no Pikachu anywhere :( So, if this link works, this is what I was imagining when Haruka was messing with Michi (Stuart Jones' rendition of Toccata and Fugue):

http : / / www . Youtube . Com / watch ? V = QuYrD3wwVxU

petiyaka: Oh come on dark cold water… what can be more romantic than that… all those creatures you can't see crawling up to the heated bodies to join in on the fun… yum

qwerty/Bleacher27: It's like dealing with a dual personality there :P Yeah, there was a bit of a plato in the story for H&M to figure out their feelings and get it out of the way. Now I have to remember what I was going to do to them when I wrote all those italicized and bold thoughts of theirs… and put it all together. I'm on it though. Evidently I also have spurs of philosophical thoughts… oh well.

SeraEris: I envy you sooooo much. I'm glad you had fun though. You'll have to share more about your trip. (How can my fic be refreshing when you're in Japan? It still makes no sense to me whatsoever my dear friend o_o)

Mantaray: I postponed the departure from Eden. Hell is the next stop. Well, Michi didn't miss out on the three words, but she is completely missing out on something. Did you pick it up? SeraEris did and I know she will be kind enough not to mention it to everyone, right dear?

Tenoh and Kaioh: So yes, Michi is moving in, mother and daughter came to terms, love is all around. Too peachy. Unfortunately I'm neither frustrated nor angry, so it's rather hard to write drama, but I'll manage :)

imjce: Hey, your psychiatrists and I should get together for a drink! Having the same sense of humor, I'm sure we'll have a blast. Haruka is adopted. She said that a while back, so it is entirely possible to forget that ;) They talked about it in CH 11 I think. At the end. I watched "Boondock Saints 2" last night, so I know exactly what you mean about the thick Italian accent, even if I don't live in NYC. Counselor, I agree, Mary's argument is weak, but I'd imagine people don't think logically when met with situations like that, they think with their hearts or other anatomical places. And hey, I don't know about Toronto, but being gay around here might as well get you discounts at Starbucks… most of the baristas are gay… you'll get a free cookie along with a milk bone for your pooch. I do get it, don't you know by now? Regarding the two most significant words in English language, you know, sometimes I get bored with them. Like in my native language you can say 'fck' at least ten different ways. There's a scale of menace and meaning to each, plus add the variation in intonation and you have a whole vocabulary. In English… it's all left to the circumstances and intonation, which you can't really portray in text. Yeah, I'd get a doughnut at Timmy Ho's if they adopted your slogan. I'd go to that one in Ontario I mentioned some time ago ;)

Mm-Burnt-Toast-mM: Yes, Michi still has a skeleton in her closet. And when the shit hits the fan… it stinks. So her and Alan will not be friends in the future, no matter if someone hopes otherwise.

Fusionmix: I dunno, I've never played violin in my life. Would it? I think I mentioned that it was a bit out of tune and needed new strings… I think the getting to be scene was meant as Haruka jabbing Michiru about being married before. A little lighthearted jabbing all couples enjoy.

Sorry I took so much space again… but I like doing it and you can always skip over it :) Ciao...

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Chapter 20

"Who's to Blame"

"The Real Reason They Kept it a Secret"

"She Used Me"

"What Happens Now"

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The rays of sunlight brightened the room illuminating the smallest particles of dust floating in the air. Michiru's lids slowly rose, revealing her ocean blue eyes. A silly smile played on her lips. She had the most vivid and utterly pleasant dream. In it, Haruka confessed to loving her. Still filled with dreamy thoughts, she turned to the other side of the bed to find it empty. Michiru sat up, finding the absence of her object of affection not at all to her liking. She found a robe at the foot of the bed, which she put on, and went in search of her girlfriend.

"I know, if it's not one thing, it's another. How the hell did it get out?"

Haruka's voice reached her from the kitchen.

"Yeah, we're in New York, thankfully not the city. This is going to create a fucking mess."

Michiru heard a grunt as Haruka came in her vision. She was sitting on a chair, her elbows propped on her knees, staring through the glass door. Her back was to Michiru, who just leaned against the wall, wondering what was going on.

"No, I'm going back to Italy at the end of the week, I'll take her with me." "Obviously you don't know how stubborn I can be." "Thanks. Yeah, she'll call you back once I tell her, I'm sure." "Yeah. You too, bye." Haruka disconnected the phone and muttered something Michiru could not distinguish under her breath. She put the phone on the table, at which point Michiru noticed that it was her cell phone.

Haruka turned around, startled by Michiru's sudden appearance. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to be completely confused. Who were you talking to?"

"Max."

"Why?" Michiru disconnected from the wall, her posture a lot more rigid.

"Because your phone kept ringing and I didn't want to wake you up, so I took it with me. When your persistent friend called for the sixth time, I picked up."

"Is she alright?"

"She is. She was worried about you."

"Why?"

Haruka grabbed the magazine that lay on the floor in front of her and threw it on the table. Michiru walked up closer, freezing in her tracks as she saw herself on the cover of the periodical. In the front-page photo she was smiling at the photographer next to her soon to be ex-husband. It was a picture taken after one of their joint performances in the past. Under the photo in bold print it read: "Exposed."

Michiru quickly thumbed through the pages with her shaking fingers, finding a full spread article announcing that Kaioh Michiru and Alan Carey have filed for divorce. She dumbly read through the text that was full of speculations and only two facts: they were married and now they were getting a divorce.

"How do they know? Alan wouldn't do this… would he?" She looked up at Haruka unsurely.

"I'm not married to him, how would I know?"

Michiru shook her head. "He kept it a secret for my sake for so many years, he's not that revengeful. How did they find out?"

"Court filings are a public record. You filed for divorce, you opened a can of worms." Haruka extended the phone to violinist. "Your agent called a number of times too, you need to call her to do damage control, then call Max."

Michiru took the phone, her earlier happiness replaced with escalating anxiety. "What do I do now?" She looked at Haruka, afraid to even make the call to Anne and find out what kind of damage was done to her reputation.

Haruka brought her into an embrace, stroking through her messy hair. "You make the calls while I make breakfast, then we eat it together and enjoy the beautiful day outside, away from paparazzi and people who ask questions."

"Okay." Michiru forced a smile. Haruka gave her a reassuring kiss and walked to the fridge. Michiru dialed her manager's number.

"Finally. Are you still in Canada?"

"Good Morning to you too. No, I'm not in Canada."

"Sorry, Michiru, I've been dealing with reporters since that damn magazine hit the stands, I'm not in a particularly jovial mood. Where are you?"

"I'm in New York. Western New York."

"With Haruka?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I want you to stay away from anywhere reporters can find you for as long as you can. Without any word from your camp or Alan's, I'm sure they will start all kinds of speculations. The most important thing for you is not to lash out. Don't pay attention to them. You don't react, they will lose interest. Also, try not to appear with Haruka in public. You don't want to add fuel to the fire."

"But -"

"I think you're fine where you are for now, I'm not saying that you should stay indoors. I mean traveling and big cities, stay out of paparazzi's way and don't dangle your new relationship in front of their faces."

"Do you have anything good to tell me?"

"I'm sorry Michiru, there is nothing good about this situation. You've managed to avoid attention for a very long while as it is. With Paradigm's comeback and your new album about to hit the stands, this story is like a drug to the addict. Media will eat it up."

"Great."

"You just do what I told you and I'll take care of the rest."

"Anne, I decided to move in with Haruka."

"…"

"Rendering you speechless is a first." Michiru pointed out as the silence stretched.

"Now may not be a good time."

"I've never let media control my life, I'm not about to start doing so now."

"Media was kind enough to play by your terms until now. That's no longer the case. You hid something from them, they're no longer your friends. They are vultures that will take your life apart. It's about taking care of yourself, not about being stubborn."

"I'll be careful."

"Oh, now you will?"

"Excuse me?"

"Michiru, do you know how many photographs of you and Haruka I have sitting on my desk? The ones I bought before they reached the media? I'm sure there are many more. It's inevitable."

The color drained from Michiru's face. "What photographs?"

"I'll send you a link. Just don't do anything stupid."

"I'll try."

Michiru hang up, staring unseeingly at the table in front of her. Over the years she gave dozens of interviews, attended talk shows, fended off reporters when she got out of her concerts, but she never once was portrayed in a light not to her liking. There was nothing personal that was known about her. Until now.

Haruka set the plates with omelet down and walked to her entranced girlfriend. She wrapped her arms around Michiru's waist and whispered in her ear: "We'll get through this. You'll be fine."

"There are photographs of you and I."

Haruka's arms stiffened. "What kind of photographs?"

"I can only venture a guess. Anne is sending me a link."

Haruka never really thought past her desire to be close to Michiru. She never considered that the two of them being together a lot would make people notice. As she considered the possibility, she did not find it too troublesome, on the contrary, she wanted people to know that she was dating Michiru. The only problem was, Haruka knew it would bring attention to her. The kind she did not have before, now that Michiru herself was drawing attention. They both just stepped onto ice that was quickly melting in the June heat.

"I guess we should stop having sex in public places. Ow!" Haruka let go of Michiru and rubbed her upper arm, where the violinist slapped her.

"Shouldn't have done it in a first place." Michiru mumbled.

"I'm sorry, I don't remember you ever complaining."

Michiru shook her head and dialed Max. "Hey."

"Hi, I can't talk right now, I'm about to board a plane."

"Is everything okay? I thought you were hanging out with your parents for a week."

"Yeah, well, a friend of mine just got herself in a whole lot of trouble. I think she might use my company. Besides, she has this awesome girlfriend I'd like to hang out with, so I invited myself over."

Michiru smiled, despite herself. "You're something else."

"Tell me. Bye darling, I'll see you… actually I forgot to ask Haruka to pick me up. Can you be a dear and arrange that?"

"Sure. Call us when you land."

Michiru put her phone down and looked at Haruka across the table. "You didn't tell me she was coming."

Haruka shrugged. "I figured she would."

"And you don't mind?"

"Why would I mind? Eat your breakfast before it gets covered with frost."

They ate in silence for about two minutes before Carol flew into the kitchen with a wave of heat from the outside. "Have you seen the magazine?"

Haruka almost chocked. "Unfortunately."

"I'm sorry, I tend to forget that you are celebrities. I guess it's just second nature to you."

"Not really." Michiru sipped on her tea. "It's just the downside of success."

"I'm sure it will be fine. It's not like there is any controversy in your divorce. Is there?"

Michiru shook her head. "No, but my agent seems to think that that's exactly why the media will come up with something creative."

"Oh, just don't pay attention to them sweetie."

"Yeah, like you paid no attention." Haruka pointed out.

"You know me, I'm gullible." Carol took a seat. "Are you feeling better?"

Haruka shrugged. "It's not like anything changed since last night."

"Your dad dropped by while you were running. I told him that you'll be staying here for now."

"No, we'll go back today. There's no need to escalate this into a third world war. Besides, our clothes are there."

"You're always welcome to come back."

"Thanks auntie." Haruka got up and kissed her aunt on the cheek.

x x x

Michiru got the e-mail from Anne when they reached the Tenoh house. Using the computer in Haruka's bedroom they both looked through an assortment of pictures of the two of them in public. They ranged from innocent photographs taken in the early days, such as of them walking down the street in LA, to more compromising ones. Such as the snapshots of numerous make-out sessions they held over the past few months all over the world.

Michiru brushed a hand against her flaming face and looked away. Haruka closed the browser and sighed heavily.

"It's not that bad."

"Can you imagine what would happen if they got any of those… more explicit pictures?" Michiru whispered, feeling completely flustered. "Haruka, it's not just me I'm worried about, it's you."

Haruka sat on the corner of her bed and stared out of the window. "You can't tell I'm a woman from any of those."

"All they have to do is look closer. If they get the wind of our relationship, you'll be put under a microscope. It's all my fault."

"Michi, none of this is your fault. People would have found out about you and Alan eventually whether you filed for divorce or not. They just as well may find out about me… I mean I've been living in fear for the past six years, and miraculously it hasn't happened yet. Once it does… well, I'll deal with it then."

Michiru turned to her girlfriend, blinking away her tears. "Maybe if we don't live together and don't see each other as often… maybe it will prolong that…"

"No." Haruka got up and wiped the small tears away with her thumbs, cupping both of Michiru's cheeks. "We are not going to change our life just so that the lie keeps on going. Whatever is meant to happen will happen."

"Haruka, we can't be so careless. We're talking about your career… and possibly mine." It was yet another time Michiru felt she was almost at the crossroads. Personal life or professional. The traitorous tears would not stop.

Haruka hugged her, setting her chin on top of the aqua head. "I've sacrificed a lot for my career. It's just a matter of coming to a point where I'm no longer willing to make sacrifices. We're not there yet, so there is no need to make premature decisions. We'll cross the bridge when we come to it."

Michiru just stifled a sob, burying her face deeper in the crook of Haruka's shoulder.

x x x

They picked up Max at the airport shortly after. Haruka and Max both tried to distract Michiru from the article, but it was Mary who finally achieved that goal. Michiru and Max went for a walk after another painfully long family dinner, while Haruka stayed behind. Charlie excused himself under the pretense of having to check on his car.

They sat in silence for a while, each trying to find words and set pride aside. Finally, Haruka took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have sworn at the table last night."

"No, you shouldn't have. After all, it's very inappropriate in front of your family and your obviously cultured girlfriend." Mary looked in Haruka's eyes. "I'm sorry, I overreacted. It's just new and hard to accept. Even harder when you give me so many reasons not to believe in it… but if you're happy, then you're happy."

"I am happy. And I don't mean for right now, I mean I never want to let her go."

Mary nodded. "Just make sure that that's how she feels too."

Haruka's eyes found the magazine that lay on a side table and she stared at it in deep thought.

x x x

"What's on your mind?" Max nudged Michiru in the ribs.

"Do you even have to ask?"

"It's not about the article, I can tell."

Michiru sighed. "Haruka's mom hates me."

"No she doesn't."

"She also thinks that Haruka is not gay."

Max burst out laughing. She was going to make a very inappropriate comment about Haruka not being gay when Michiru's scowl stopped her. "Oh come on, you and I know she is."

"That's not the point. The point is that she thought that her family was going to just accept me. Can you imagine how my parents will react?"

Max looked ahead, considering the possibilities. None seemed promising. "If you care enough for your relationship with her, you'll make it work."

"Been there, done that, didn't work out in my favor."

"Sure it did. Last I remember they did come to your wedding."

"Max, this is different. She's a woman."

"I still think they will come around." They walked in silence to the end of the street, then turned back. "Will you stay with her if they don't?"

Michiru sighed deeply. "I've never felt this close to anyone before, Max. I mean both emotionally and physically at the same time. Not even to Alan. I know this sounds stupid, but I feel like she completes me."

"That's not stupid, sweetie, that's romantic." They both chuckled. "Then stop worrying. So long as you're together, you'll be fine."

"There's more to it than that."

"Such as?"

"Such as my fans. Can you imagine what will happen if the press finds out that I'm dating a woman? I'll be banished from the world of classical music. My fans will leave me. My career will be over. It's my career or the person I care for all over again."

"Don't be so dramatic. I'm gay and people are okay with that."

"You're a member of the band of undefined style and a deejay. Being gay is hip in your circles. It's unheard of in mine."

Max stopped walking altogether. "Oh my god, Michiru Kaioh, you've turned into a total drama queen. You need to figure out what's more important to you: career or Haruka. You're not in the same place you were two years ago. You've made a name for yourself, people see you as a violinist, not just some random person. Have some faith in your colleagues and your fans. And then your girlfriend - you're saying how she completes you and then you compare her to your ex not even five minutes later. You were the one unhappy with being alone, despite your successful career. Figure out what's more important Michiru and stick to it."

Michiru could not even look Max in the eyes. She kept staring at the ground, feeling like a schoolgirl being reprimanded by her teacher. It was, however, exactly what she needed. Someone to tell her exactly how shallow and cowardly she was acting straight to her face.

x x x

"I still can't believe you came across that filing." Chelsea chewed on her french fries.

"Having court clerk as a friend pays off." Kate sipped on her milkshake.

"You can say that again. So what's the scoop?"

"What scoop?"

"Why are they getting a divorce?"

Kate shrugged. "I don't know. It's pursuant to a separation agreement. They've been separated for over a year, they don't need any grounds. I think they just parted as friends, there's nothing more to it."

"Right. Come on, there must be a reason."

"Like what?"

"Someone cheated."

Kate shook her head. "There was no mentioning of adultery."

"Maybe they wanted to keep it quiet, like they did with their marriage."

"I really don't think so."

"You should look into it. Maybe she cheated on him with someone else from Paradigm. Maybe that's why Mark did drugs. He slept with his friend's wife and couldn't deal with it. Yeah, that's it. Timing is perfect."

"Chel, your imagination is wild. And timing is not perfect, he overdosed almost a year after they separated."

"Sure, it takes time to get there."

"Please stop. It's over the top."

Chelsea shrugged. "Either you write about it or someone else will."

"I'm not writing anything unsupported by the facts."

"Suit yourself."

x x x

Alan sat in the living room of the Tribeca loft, staring dumbly at the article he now knew by heart. Other magazines on the coffee table proclaimed all sorts of obscenities, claiming to have the details of why their marriage was secret.

"It's not as bad as it seems, it's good publicity." Mark sat down on the opposite couch.

"Good publicity?" Alan finally came out of his stupor. "This is bullshit. Each and every story. There's no substance to any of these claims."

"None of them show you in a bad light."

"Yet. Right, for now it's all Michiru's fault. I don't know why, it seems more reasonable to blame it on me. I'm the touring bandmate."

"Maybe the media is smarter than you think. Maybe they know that your soon to be ex-wife is a heartless bitch."

"Watch it." Alan warned.

"It's true. At least it was the last time I found your sorry drunken ass. I don't remember her crying over you."

"Like you were there to see it if she did."

Mark shrugged. "I doubt she cried that much if she's been banging someone since December. Maybe even before then. Maybe the whole time."

"Oh, seriously, will you shut it?" Alan got up and walked to the kitchen. He was rinsing his glass when the front door opened and their newest band member walked in, pulling a suitcase in her tow.

"Evening boys." She disappeared in the bedroom, previously occupied by the spouses and belonging to her since Mark and Alan agreed to share Mark's. Kyle reappeared shortly with a couple of magazines. "Here's for your collection." She threw them on top of the ones that already lay on the table. "Looks like the media in Europe prefers Michiru over you. They're saying it was all your fault."

Alan looked at the magazines in rising annoyance. "Good publicity my ass, Mark."

x x x

They piled out of the black Honda Civic. Haruka popped the trunk open and started taking out the gear.

"I never even imagined you driving something with a trunk." Max jabbed.

"This is my baby. Dad and I rebuilt it back in '02. It's the first car I won a trophy with."

"You should've seen her drive it all over town as soon as the paint dried." Mike pulled out the last mat and closed the trunk, careful not to touch the spoiler. "She thought she was starring in one of those drag racing movies. Thank god she had the taste not to put lights under the car. It looks nothing like the original as it is." He pointed at the body kit.

"What's wrong with lights? I mean I grew out of that stage, but it would've been sexy back then."

"The only person other than you who found it sexy was Karin and that's only because you both were stupid teenagers."

"Wow, look who's talking. Like you didn't go through that stage a decade ago." Haruka shook her head and walked ahead of the group to the park grounds. They spent the previous day at the local wineries and it was time to work some of those carbs off. Haruka was waiting for her cousin to get back to town to do the only activity the two of them had in common: rock climbing. To her surprise, both Michiru and Max were up for the new experience. As they walked deeper into the state park, Haruka spotted the rocky wall that was to her liking. They set the mats on the ground and pulled out the chalk.

"Okay, we'll go first, then we'll come down and spot you."

"Works for me." Max took a seat on the grass across from the wall. Michiru joined her. They watched the two blonds climb up the vertical rock formation, their moves calculated and careful. "Close your mouth."

Michiru turned to Max, slapping her on the knee. "She's my girlfriend, I can drool."

Max laughed. "Sure, I mean look at those strong arms, the definition in that back and the abs… mmm… the abs."

"Maaaax! You can't even see her abs from here."

"Yes, but I can see how she maintains them. That hobby alone coupled with running probably puts her in the shape she needs."

"She plays tennis a lot too."

"The secrets to a perfect body."

"Right. Speaking of perfect bodies. I didn't realize how much weight you lost until… now that you're wearing sports top and pants."

"Are you saying I was fat?" Max forced on her best offended expression.

"No! But you do look very good."

"Why, thank you darling. I've been working out with our new vocalist. That asshole we call manager made her feel bad, so now she's following a routine."

"Do I sense an interest in the new vocalist there?" Michiru batted her eyelashes.

Max smiled. "No. Besides, she's a bit more interested in our songwriter than she is in me."

"Really? What about Alan?"

Max shrugged. "I don't know. He doesn't really share his feelings with me."

"Ready?"

Michiru turned to Haruka, who unexpectedly appeared at her side. "I didn't even notice you come down."

"Evidently you were too encompassed by your conversation." Haruka gulped down the water. "Come on, I'll spot you."

As they made their way to the wall, Michiru tentatively held on to the protruding rocks. She slowly made her way up, holding on with her fingers and suddenly feeling tension in the areas of her arms where she did not even know she had muscle. By the time she came back down, she was ready to take a break.

"Hey, you're good for someone who's never done this before. I mean this requires a lot of upper body strength, most people give up half way." Mike praised both women.

"You're talking to a violinist and a drummer. We exercise our arms every time we play." Max chuckled.

"Good point."

Haruka surveyed the wall to find other areas of interest. They climbed for another hour, then she decided to move to an easier spot. "So, you think you can follow me?" She turned to Michiru, pointing at the cave-like indentation in the wall a couple hundred feet up. "We can climb up, take a break and climb down."

"I can try."

Haruka chose the easiest way up, pointing out to Michiru the protrusions to hold on to or to step on as she followed. Once she came to the coolness of the shaded indentation, she brought herself up and sat down, turning to see where Michiru was. She was slightly behind, but steadily making her way up. Soon her hands appeared at the edge of the rock Haruka was sitting on.

"I don't think I can move anymore." Michiru breathed out, one of her hands slipping off of the rock.

Haruka caught her wrist. "Come on, don't give up on me now." She pulled the violinist up, bringing Michiru to the safety of her embrace.

Michiru sat down and tried to catch her breath. "That was exhausting. What do I get for following you here?"

"Did you only follow me here to get something?" Haruka's eyes laughed as she tried to act serious.

"Hard work is usually followed by a reward."

"Oh really?" Haruka kissed Michiru on the nose. "How's that?"

"I wouldn't even get in the car for that."

"Really? Then this?" Haruka gave her a peck on the lips.

"That would get me in the car."

"Ah huh." Haruka's lips found Michiru's again, pressing harder, but avoiding the invasion.

"Better, but still not enough." Michiru held on to Haruka's neck, deepening the kiss. Their tongues fighting in a pleasurable duel, she felt the heat rise. A wave of desire washed over her as Haruka bit on Michiru's lower lip, then brought the smaller woman on top of her, lowering herself backwards on the bed of rock. Michiru supported herself with her aching arms, to make sure that she did not press Haruka into the hard surface. She knew that Max and Mike could probably see them, she knew that other people may come across them, but as it always happened when she was with Haruka, she lost herself in the moment. That was when she realized that Max was absolutely right. She was miserable alone, despite her glorious career, the one she sacrificed her marriage and her unborn child for. Even if the cost of having a relationship with the blonde was losing what she had otherwise, it was worth it. Because the more time she spent with Haruka, the more she felt like she could not live without her.

"Haruka?"

"Hmmm?" Haruka opened her eyes, catching the wanton mouth again.

Michiru let the kiss last for another minute before she pulled away, catching the reflection of the sun behind them in Haruka's eyes. "I love you."

Haruka smiled, tucking the strands of aqua hair that fell in Michiru's face behind her ears. She felt like she was dreaming, but the hard surface beneath proved that she was not. "I love you too, Michi." She pressed her lips against Michiru's mouth again, showing exactly how much she loved her violinist.

x x x

Have you ever stood on the edge of the cliff, preparing for a dive several hundred feet down? Watching the waves crash into the rocks and knowing that if you did not calculate right, you would bash your scull open? That feeling of extreme nervousness and anxiety, when you try to stretch every second for as long as you can until you realize that all you're doing is prolonging the inevitable? That's exactly how I felt for six and a half years while waiting to see an article on the front page announcing to the world that Haruka Tenoh is a woman.