DAYBREAK

Episode 35

Michiru screamed while the motorcycle's brakes squealed. Both girls shut their eyes tightly until more seconds went by than should have. Michiru was the first to open her eyes and found herself on the opposite side of the street and Haruka lying next to her. "Huh?" Michiru looked over to Haruka, who stared back blankly.

"What happened? And where's my bike?" Haruka demanded. Michiru shrugged and an engine roar was heard from around the corner.

"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-hooooooooooooooooooooo!" The motorcycle came out of nowhere and went roaring past. Haruka quickly jumped up and ran after it.

"Give me back my motorcycle!" She sprinted after the bike, but it was going too fast. Haruka finally stopped chasing it and watched as it drove out of sight. "You bastard, come back here!"

"Haruka you'll never catch it!" Michiru hoisted herself up and saw there was an imprint left where she had lain, as if someone had thrown her…

"Damm it! Now I'll never get it back!" Haruka turned back to Michiru and recalled what had just happened. "Um…sorry for almost running you over…"

"It's alright, Haruka. I shouldn't have jumped into the street like that."

"Yeah, but I still don't get what happened. One minute I'm heading straight for you, the next we're lying on the grass. And that person who stole my motorcycle looked really familiar…" Haruka tried to envision the person again, as if by doing so she could figure out who it was.

"Well, since we don't have any transportation, I guess we'll just have to walk home." Michiru grabbed Haruka's hand and started leading her down the street.

"Uh-huh…"

"I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The motorcycle was speeding through the city, its driver obviously enjoying the speed. An intersection came into view and the motorcycle stopped at the sight of the red light. The driver took off his helmet and glanced around. He shook his hair, grinned, and put the helmet back on. The light turned green just as the driver slipped the helmet on and he was off once again…

"I hate living so far from your high school," Rei whined.

"Hey, at least I'm walking with you," Minako reminded, expecting gratitude.

"Yeah, I just wish Makoto didn't live so close," Rei answered, not exactly giving Minako what she wanted.

"It would have been nice if she had stayed with us…" Minako lowered her head and kept walking. But Rei stopped and glanced off in the other direction. "What's wrong?"

"Do you hear something.?" Minako strained to listen and could quickly hear an engine approaching.

"I hear a car coming…"

"That's weird. No one really drives on this road." Suddenly, a motorcycle came speeding around the corner and came to a stop right in front of the two bewildered girls. "Uh…"

"Hey, there, pretty girls." Rei and Minako both blushed as the driver put the kickstand down.

"Um, do we know you?" Minako, with still-red cheeks, was staring at the person suspiciously.

"Of course you do, Blue-Eyes." Minako couldn't help blushing and bit her lower lip.

"But the only person we know who can drive a motorcycle is Ha…" Rei stopped, thinking she shouldn't say anything about someone else. "You're definitely not her, considering your size."

"Ooooooo, feisty. What makes you so sure? Aren't I a good enough driver to impress you?" Rei could see the person grinning even under the tinted helmet cover.

"Well, isn't someone a bit flirtatious?" Rei squinted her eyes at the driver, who simply crossed his arms.

"Hey, comes with the package." Minako smiled at the remark but Rei stood her ground.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"Can't a guy follow two beautiful girls around a corner?" Rei stood speechless, as did Minako. "I simply saw you two walking together and thought I could strike up a conversation with at least one of you."

But, Rei didn't want to delay her arrival at the temple any longer. "Well, we're in a rush and…"

"That's a really nice motorcycle," Minako interrupted. The driver got up off it and looked it over.

"I think so, too. Care for a ride?" Minako feverishly shook her head yes but Rei glared at her and she stopped.

"She doesn't need one. We're walking home together," Rei quickly snapped.

"You mean to the temple?" the driver questioned.

"How did you know?" Rei's eyes took on a look of bewilderment.

"Oh, I know more than you think…" Rei gulped at the solemn statement.

"I demand that you tell me who you are right now!"

"I'm sure she would like to know, right?" The driver pointed to Minako, who hid behind Rei with embarrassment. "Alright, fine." The driver took off his helmet, revealing…