A/N: Hi everyone! I'm back with another chap for this lovely project that still has so many chapters plus some more planned, so stick around because it will get even more interesting. I will update around next week if my internet stops being a pain.
Dinnca: thanks for reading, here's another chap.
Shirayuki12: Yup, each couple is different. I've always seen Ami x Makoto as an undeveloped Haruka x Michiru, that is why is easier to make them different. I just started a Maria-sama ga miteru story and an original one that is why I was a little behind with this one [which is my beloved baby], but no worries I have a summary for the next two chaps so I know where I'm going, enjoy this chap too.
Guest: thanks for reading I hope you continue reading and reviewing.
Enjoy!
26.- The road ahead
Michiru had been seeing her mother frequently and their bond started strengthening. She still had some memory issues but with her family's help she almost recovered all of her memories. Several weeks have passed like bliss for the Kaioh and Tenoh twins and, finally, Dr. Mizuno's appointment came. The aqua haired teen wanted to go alone but after a big argument, that Haruka won, the couple decided to go along with Haruka's mother. Their families respected their decision.
Tsuki Hospital was a private institution reserved only for the wealthiest members of society. Being a Kaioh in a current relationship with a Tenoh easily opened the doors for the young, and talented, violinist. It also helped that she was referred by a well-known American physician. So, in a sunny morning of April, Kaioh Michiru with Tenoh Haruka with Tenoh Yagai entered Dr. Mari Mizuno's office.
"Good Morning Kaioh-sama, Tenoh-sama and Tenoh-sama" Dr. Mizuno bowed respectfully at the two teenagers and the racer's mother. "Just call us by our names Mizuno-sama" Michiru added smiling.
"Only if you do the same Michiru-sama" Dr. Mari added taking a seat behind her desk.
"Why 'sama'? I feel old, like my mom" Haruka replied and seconds later rubbed the back of her head "Ow, mom come on that hurts"
"I'm sorry for my daughter Mizuno-san, my husband dropped her when she was a baby and never recovered. She just inherited his dumb treats" Yagai added smiling while Michiru giggled.
"Anyway" Dr. Mizuno started smiling "talking about Michiru, we've had several cases even more severe than hers so I can predict that, after the surgery, she can regain total function of her hands"
"Will I be able to paint and play the violin again Dr.?" the aqua haired teen looked at her hopeful.
"Sure, but let me give you a recommendation and a warning"
"Let's hear the recommendation first, ne Michi-chan?" Haruka suggested squeezing Michiru's hand reassuringly while the young violinist smiled at the blonde teen and nodded.
"I recommend you to have surgery on both hands at the same time so you don't have to endure twice the same procedure and could do rehab for both hands at the same time but…" Dr. Mizuno sighed deeply
"And here comes the warning…" Yagai sighed
"Exactly Yagai-sama" Dr. Mizuno glanced at the teens "let me warn you Michiru-sama that you will suffer excruciating pain even with pain killers. I know Dr. Smith explained you the procedure but let me remind you that we will be breaking six out of your ten fingers and realigning them, you will have rehab for, at least, three months which around half of them you will be in major pain, so I want you to consider your options. If you have surgery on only one hand first it would be almost the same time and you would also have to endure everything again for the second hand".
"So that means a year of pain if I have two surgeries" Dr. Mizuno nodded "Of course it would be less pain because it would be one hand at a time".
Michiru nodded and then exchanged glances with Haruka that smiled at her sweetly and nodded.
Whatever you decide I'll be with you every step of the way Michi-chan…
That smile and nod was all Michiru needed to make a decision. "I will have only one surgery Dr. Mizuno" the aqua-haired teen decided.
"She will have the support of her and my family, right Haru?" Yagai stated.
"I agree with mom, everything for Michi-chan" Haruka added nodding and wrapping an arm around Michiru's shoulders who blushed slightly.
"Perfect, I have her medical history already so we just need to rerun some tests and the surgery can be scheduled by the end of next week, is that alright with you Michiru-sama?"
"It is Dr. Mizuno-san" Michiru nodded
"I also recommend that she has a nurse at home to help her with her basics needs because both hands will be with hand braces so you will need assistance for essential things such as eating, bathing, dressing" Dr. Mizuno continued "at least for the first month"
"I will talk to Nami-san, Michi-chan's mother and we can also provide some extra help" Yagai offered while Haruka smiled at her thankfully.
"Well that settles everything; I only need Michiru-sama's signature along with her mother's for authorization and I'll call you some days before the procedure to let you know exactly when you are supposed to be here"
"I will call her mother so she can come by the end of today to sign whatever you need, is that okay Dr. Mizuno-san?" Yagai offered
"Excellent, if you have any doubts or questions" Dr. Mizuno handed a business car to Yagai and another two to Haruka and Michiru "don't doubt and give me a call"
"Thank you doctor, we'll be in touch" Haruka stood up and offered Michiru a hand to stand that gladly she took and stood while Yagai did the same.
"Have a nice day Dr. Mizuno-san and thank you" Yagai and the teens bowed before leaving.
The drive to the elder Tenohs home was silent, each one of them were just lost in thought. Haruka was trying to figure ways to explain certain facts to Michiru. She hadn't told her about the racing season beginning yet, it was supposed to start in less than a month, three and a half weeks to be exact.
That meant that the young racer was going to be with her during surgery and the first weeks of rehab but after that she would leave for around eight months straight. She would be traveling all over Japan during half of that time and she knew that Michiru couldn't join her. Sure, she can take short breaks up to a couple of days any now and then but that wasn't enough for them. Besides this year she would spend the remaining four months racing with other talented teenagers in Europe. It was actually a busy year for the blonde teen.
Yagai's thoughts were almost on the same trail. She knew that Haruka's dream was coming true when she got actually invited to join a racing team in Europe as long as she won this year's championship in Japan, that she knew already, that was going to happen. The problem now was Michiru's surgery and rehab. She was aware that the aqua-haired teen wasn't totally familiar with Haruka's racing career but that was something her daughter had to talk over with the young violinist. She, on the other hand, would provide as much help and assistance to the Kaiohs as possible.
Michiru was worried. Having a major surgery in not one, but both hands was enough reason to be on the verge of tears. She had been brave all this time. She had lived with this pain long enough to have it gone. She wanted to be completely happy with Haruka and her passions. She could not live any more time without her music. The violin and the brush were extensions of her. She could not bear being without her art. She would endure the pain, she would become stronger.
Several days had passed since Dr. Mizuno's appointment. Nami and Yagai talked and came to an agreement to release a new album together so Michiru could be surrounded by music. They talked to Setsuna who hired a stay at home nurse for the aqua-haired teen as soon as she gets out of the hospital. Makoto and Ami promised to support Michiru in any way they could. While Haruka decided it was time to tell the aqua-haired teen about her racing time so she planned a romantic date. She even bought her roses.
They had dinner in an exclusive and beautiful restaurant with view of the bay. They danced and enjoyed each other company. It was almost eleven when they got home. When Haruka opened the door and stepped in the living room she found Makoto lying on the sofa with Ami on top kissing her deeply. Haruka just blushed deeply and Michiru giggled slightly.
"Ahem" the blonde racer cleared her throat and Ami jumped out of Makoto's reach and stood next to the couch blushing all over "and here I thought that my sister would be the one on top" Haruka teased while handing a couple of bills to Michiru.
"See? I told you Ruka-chan" the aqua-haired teen took the bill and put it in her purse "it is always nice to do business with you".
"You bet on us?" Makoto glared at her sister and Ami at hers.
"Such an innocent bet that I naturally won" Michiru smiled innocently and Haruka groaned.
"What was the bet about Michiru-chan?" Ami spoke with gritted teeth
Uh oh, Ami is mad at me…
Michiru swallowed "Nothing much Ami-chan just if you were the dominant one, and I won" Makoto blushed deeply
"Normally it is Mako-chan" Ami stated
"Aha! That means that I won" Haruka shouted
"No, because we saw Ami-chan on top so I won" Michiru pouted
"How about WE take that money" Ami approached her sister and opened Michiru's purse to withdraw the bills. She handed one to Makoto and she pocketed the other one "and no more betting at our expense, understood Michiru-chan?"
"Yes Ami I understand" the aqua-haired teen nodded smiling.
"But…" Haruka pouted while Michiru approached her and whispered "it is better this way, you really don't want to see a mad Ami. I assure you that".
"Well I'm tired so good night everyone" as the aqua-haired started to walk Haruka took the hint and followed her muttering "night" to the other two teens.
As soon as Haruka closed her room's door behind her she got assaulted by Michiru who pinned her to the wall and kissed her hungrily. It took only two seconds for Haruka to react and answered the kiss softly attempting to calm Michiru down; the racer still had a mission to complete tonight before diving into deeper waters. She had to tell the violinist about the racing season and its length.
"Michi-chan, wait"
"What's the matter Ruka-chan?"
"We need to talk"
"Did I do something wrong?" Michiru voiced cracked slightly
"Not at all Michi-chan is just that…" Haruka didn't know how to start
"That?..." the aqua-haired teen was getting anxious.
"My racing season starts soon and…"
"Ruka-chan we talked about this. I won't make you choose between me and your dreams" Michiru continued "I will have the surgery and you will be by my side until you have to leave and I will work hard to get better soon, but promise me something"
"Anything you want Michi-chan"
"Promise me that you will call me as frequently as you can"
"I'll call you every night even if it's only for a few minutes" Haruka hugged the violinist from behind "and I will visit you as soon as I have some days off even if I have to plead Sets-chan" the young racer chuckled.
"I promise to follow all doctor's orders to get better as soon as possible" Michiru leaned her head on Haruka's shoulder and sighed.
"Everything's going to be okay trust me Michi-chan"
"I trust you Ruka-chan" the aqua-haired teen turned around and kissed the blonde tenderly for some minutes until they separated gasping for air.
"How much time?"
"Four months around Japan and then…" Haruka hesitated
"Go on" Michiru encouraged the young racer
"Four more months in Europe" Michiru gasped and then smiled "I will work hard Ruka-chan I promise you that so when you have to leave for Europe I will join you"
"Are…are you sure Michi-chan?"
"We are meant to be together after all Ruka…chan" Michiru smiled sweetly and Haruka blushed. "I'll convince my mother to let me go" the aqua-haired teen stated "and I will also talk to Setsuna-san to go on tour or have some art exhibition that way we can be together, just have a little faith, ne Ruka-chan?" the violinist smiled and Haruka nodded. That night they slept holding each other tight and with a loving smile gracing their faces.
Several days later Michiru had surgery on both hands. It was a success. Now the road to recovery just started. Yagai bought new phones to her daughters and the Kaioh twins so Michiru could send voice notes to Haruka instead of texting. The aqua-haired teen was in pain most of the time but didn't complain. She had a goal and she would reach it. A week later Haruka left for the beginning of Japan's Junior racing season and Michiru would watch all her races that the blonde promised to win.
A/N: I know is very fluffy but sometimes we need hope and life's tough as it is that's why I rather write about things that can make you smile. This chapter wasn't as funny as the others but next one will have all Michiru's rehab that would have some drama/fluff/humor. See ya...