Opening her eyes as the scent of the ocean invaded her senses, she had the blink a few times at the sight of the teal haired artist before her. More like under her... Smiling at the company welcoming her, she begrudgingly removed herself from under the blanket, tucking the artist back under the blanket. Stepping into the bedroom, she checked her bandages as well as a fresh set of clothes. She was grinning to herself when the knock at the door came, signaling the arrival of the room service. Moving the trays to the kitchenette, she took to work to set up the plates as she heard the light padding of a particular artist across the floor. Her eyes raised to meet curious ocean blue ones.
"Hungry?" She smiled at the teal haired woman.
"That smells delicious..." peering over the counter at the containers that the racer was shifting on the counter workspace.
"Go and get freshened up, and breakfast will be ready when you are done," Michiru giggled as she slowly sauntered towards the bedroom, teal eyes intently watching her the whole way. The thought crossed her mind to turn off her phone and spend the day with the mermaid, but she begrudgingly jerked the idea away. She wanted to devote her time to the mermaid, but there would be too many responsibilities that she couldn't shake today. Accepting the perfect nights sleep she received in the artist's company as sufficient enough for now, she heard a knock at the door.
Gazing curiously at the door as to whom it could be. Glancing hastily over her shoulder to ensure that Michiru was safely tucked away in the bedroom, she made her way towards the door. Barley opening the door enough for her to peer out, she was met with a pleading midnight blue leer. Groaning lowly, she opened the door and watched Seiya silently move towards the sitting room. Moving to continue her task in the kitchenette, her stare never leaving his form, waiting for the explanation for his presence this early.
Although he didn't dare say anything, the midnight blue stare conveyed more than enough. Releasing a deep sigh as her only response, she proceeded to pour herself a glass of water.
"You seems in a better mood this morning. I really hope she had something to do with that," Seiya chimed in from the far side of the sofa as he made himself comfortable. Not wanting him to elaborate on that thought, she just shook her head as she tossed a muffin over the edge of the sofa at her unseen friend. "Thwak Twoo," came from the sofa.
"Seiya, what a surprise to see you here this morning..." a melodic voice greeted from the bedroom door where the artist paused before continuing towards the sofa. She met the ocean blue eyes from across the room and attempted to offer reassurance as she brought a breakfast plate over to the artist. "This looks delicious..." she blurted out as she glanced at the plate in front of her.
"Some assembly required, as it's not on the normal menu... but it is a post race tradition," the racer offered as she moved back towards her plate in the kitchenette. "I first came across it after a race in America. It is way too heavy to have with any regularity, but it is good comfort food," picking up her own breakfast sandwich, she assembled with the mini pancakes stacked with eggs, cheese, and mini sausages, taking a greedy bite.
Her eyes moved back and forth from the artist on the sofa to the midnight blue eyes that watched her from the side of the room. Nodding her head to the artist, she raised both her hands towards Seiya in a not so subtle 'What the fuck?' gesture. The raven haired man just shrugged with a smirk on his face. She knew better than to assume he didn't know what he was doing when he showed up this morning. Then again, Michiru wouldn't have been here at all if it wasn't for him. She had so much concern in her eyes last night, I could see why bringing her here was the only option. But he could have called first. She narrowed her eyes at him as he continued in a questioning gesture towards the artist and wrapped his arms around his own torso in an idiocy attempt to suggest she should embrace the smaller woman. His hands became slightly more vigorous and his motions more vulgar, and she growled at what he was insinuating. Luckily, the whistle from the kettle interrupted his dance with himself, and she was able to focus on making the cups of tea.
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"When do we need to head back?" Michiru unhappily asked Seiya, assuming the assistant arrived as promised to return her to her home. He was much earlier than she anticipated.
"No need to be angry, Hime," obviously catching her cold tone. "We can leave when you are ready... however, I came this early with purpose. I need to help Haruka prepare for the press conference." She turned to look at the racer, who held a curious look of her own on her face but quickly switched to a serious tone. "Since I had to deliver the directions to her, I figured I could hang out with you, Hime, until she was done so that you wouldn't get bored," he continued with a wink. She wasn't sure if it was directed at her or the racer.
"That is thoughtful of you, Seiya." Turning to the racer, "do we have enough breakfast to offer him a plate as well?"
"I already ate. Besides I am the one who intruded..." Smiling in thanks to the artist as he stood and walked towards the racer. Pulling a folded paper from his pocket he handed it to the racer, taking a step back as she read it. She raised an eye brow at him before she folded the paper and placed it in her pocket.
"Will it be satisfactory to wait here with Seiya? I should not be too long..." her eyes not raising to meet the artist as she apologized.
"I will be fine. I am sure Seiya will entertain me," sending a smirk in the raven haired man's direction. "Please go take care what you need to, and we will be here when you return." The racer smiled briefly in thanks before she headed to the bedroom, adding a jacket to her attire before she left the hotel room.
Turning towards the raven haired man with the coldest start she could muster, surprised midnight blue eyes stared back at her. Looking around the room in attempt to avoid her, he must've known he was caught.
"With as much time as I have spent with you at the office, I am offended that you expect me to believe that you needed to hand deliver the notes for a press conference when you email her everything else..." pausing to take a shallow breath. "I will make you a deal, Seiya. I won't ask where Haruka really had to run off to..." peaking his interest as he watched her intently. "As long as I can redeem one of the questions you promised me." Releasing a breath, he simply nodded in agreement. Michiru gave a slight smile, as she had been thinking of this question since the accident.
She saw the look yesterday on the raven haired man's face, the concern apparent on his face even as he tried to convince her that everything would be alright. As they made the tediously long drive to the hospital, after her mind could not handle any additional thoughts about the racer's condition, it drifted instead to wonder how deep Seiya's bond was with the racer.
"How did Haruka save you?" Midnight blue eyes blinked at the bluntness of the question. "Before, you said she has come through for you, the reason you think of her as an angel."
"Am I really that transparent?" He groaned as Michiru smirked in agreement. He paused for a moment, as if searching where to start with his story. "When I was teenager, my family was in a crash. Haruka happened to witness it..." taking a deep breath and closing his eyes as if reaching deep into his memory. "A truck hit our car, and it caught on fire. I am not sure how she did it as she was only 15 herself, but she pulled my brother and myself from the car. I have no idea how she was able to move so fast as the flames licked our skin. After the emergency services arrived, she went along with us to the hospital. I guess she convinced the doctors there that she was a sibling," he chuckled at the memory of a very determined blonde. "That was one of the reasons I knew she would be alright after we saw the crash. I swear she had reflexes like a cat, and the nine lives to go with it." Smiling at the artist before his features turned somber again. "My younger brother got the worse of it... she sat by his bedside with me for countess hours, until... " he trailed off, as Michiru took his hand.
"Seiya, I am sorry... I didn't realize." He glanced up at her, a small smile on his face at her gesture. He paused for a moment, seemingly contemplating with himself.
"Has she mentioned anything to you about her parents," he asked offhandedly. Michiru hesitated for a moment before she shook her head. She mentioned her Obasan in the atrium, but I do not think she had ever said anything.
"When her parents died, Haruka was sent to live with relatives. She ran away, deciding that she didn't need anyone. Determined to do it on her own, just typical of the stubborn blonde we know now, so she did... I am not sure how long. She doesn't talk about it much... but eventually her Obasan found her and convinced her to come home with her and her mother's brother." He paused as he noticed the tears in the artist's eyes. He squeezed the hand that was still on top of his. "Once I was alone without my family, she convinced her Obasan to take me to live with them. She was my support through the whole thing, and she wouldn't let me feel like I had to do it alone as she did. Whenever I would stagger thinking I couldn't make it, she would have this way to push all my buttons... To make me succeed despite her criticisms. She is tough inside and out. But has a soft spot that most people don't get to see."
Michiru just leaned back into the sofa, assembling everything she learned so far. She knew the blonde could be teasing and stubborn, but she can intense and caring simultaneously. Now she had a better understanding and a better grasp on the emotions she can see in the teal eyes she has come to love.
"I understand why you say she's your angel. And why she would be irritated by it," she added with a giggle. Seiya released a chuckle as well.
"She hasn't let anyone get close to her in sometime... that's why I was worried when you first showed up. I can see that you care for her. I can only hope she continues to let you in." An honest smile on his face as he watched the artist process his words.
"Apparently I misjudged your relationship with her at first as well," nudging his shoulder. "You both have the weirdest friendship ever."
"That we both actively try to annoy each other to death but manage not to punch each other?" Rolling his eyes as Michiru just chucked as the depiction. "I guess it was forged out of a common pain. If you don't understand that, it can be hard to get close enough." Michiru gave a large smile in gratitude for the story he shared. She wanted to better understand the blonde, to get closer to her. And Seiya just gave her the first set of keys. She just hoped that when she eventually broke though the sadness she could see in the blondes eyes at time that she could be enough to bring the blonde's genuine smile. Enough to make her happy.
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As the note given to her dictated, she quickly made her way down to the hotel's cafe. Scanning the room, she quickly spotted the chairman seated at a table near the back of the room. Frowning for a moment as for why he was there, that Seiya's suspicion could be correct.
"Good Morning, Ojisan," she greeted, taking a seat opposite him before he could object. "It's a surprise that you would make the trip all the way out here to check in on your investment."
"Would hardly call it that after yesterday, you should know that it would come to this if something happened, Haruka-chan," snide words coming from his lips despite his outwardly calm visage.
"I already handled the damage control, as agreed," teal eyes narrowing dangerously at his thinly veiled threat. "You know as well as I do that if the sponsorship was pulled now, it would only draw more press in front of the launch. We would be seen as to pull out immediately after the first problem. Accidents are not that uncommon in the world of racing, especially if our driver wasn't at fault. That is not the image associated with confident variegating in the current market as well as new endeavors." Smirking slightly as the chairman took his turn glaring at her. "Go and remove the hold on the account..." her smile widening slightly as he was considering her words. "I am sure it was a culpable accounting error on the sponsorship account. I appreciate you coming all the way out here to ensure that it was resolved in light of such a tragic accident. It is exceptional that you would also take the time to ensure your racers are recovering well." Standing from the table, she offered a shallow bow to the chairman. "Your assistant has the details if you wish to visit Fuminori-san in the hospital. The press is still there so I am sure you can get a proper publicity shot," she offered as she started to walk away from the table.
She seethed the whole ride up the elevator, Seiya was right about the account being cut off... Ojisan didn't deny it. But why did he make the trip all the way out to the track... he could have cut the tie from his office and not risk crossing paths with me until I returned. Her thoughts froze when she reached the door of her room. The artist melodic laugher carrying through the door, washing a calm over her like an ocean wave. As she made her move to open the door and return to the artist side as every fiber of her being was earnestly craving, her eyes widen with realization. Michiru... he was here to try to catch them. A deep set frown formed on her face as the thought settled over her. Entering the room and drawing the attention of the two other occupants, she knew she had to protect the artist more than ever.
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Raising her eyes to greet the blonde at the door, she was flooded with concern at the perturbed look set on her face. She glanced quickly to the raven haired man noting the same concern on his face at the site of the blonde.
"Press conference turn out alright?" Coaxing the blonde to share what was troubling her. Teal eyes glanced up to me her, almost as if they were surprised to find her there.
"Everything will be fine, just some unexpected complications, but nothing serious," her features softening as she spoke. "I hope I was not gone to long."
"Not at all, Seiya was just telling me the story about the first time you managed to sneak yourself behind the wheel of a car..."
"Oi! Oi! That is not appropriate story!" Red blooms starting around her cheekbones as she shot a glare at the raven haired man.
"Which part? When you crashed 5 minutes later... or when you had to bribe Obasan to keep you from being grounded until you were 30!" He called out as he cowered behind the teal haired artist.
"What did she have to offer as a bribe at that age?" Michiru asked curiously, ignoring the raging blonde lunging towards the raven haired man in an attempt to silence him.
"You should see the photos, Michiru!" He cried as he was ripped from her grasp and both plummeted to the ground. "She had to wear... the girl's school uniform... for the entire year..." he managed to get out between the fits of laughter and the repeated hits from a pillow.
"I would have loved to see that..." the artist commented seemingly to herself, but the blonde halted her assault at the words. Seeing his chance, Seiya squirmed from under her hold and back behind the teal haired woman.
"Save me and I will give you a copy..." he pleaded. Michiru looked like she was contemplating his offer when she shifted her eyes to the blonde.
"Do you have anything to counter?" Pointedly directed at the blonde. Teal eyes shone with mischievousness as she considered her answer.
"I'll take you swimming," complete with her trademark smirk.
"Sorry Seiya..." solace evident on her features as she stepped aside, exposing him to the racer who already was upon him pinning him to the ground.
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Taking a seat upon the sofa as the raven haired assistant was holding a cold pack to the bruises on his arm, she laid her palm over her eyes in frustration. Front the outside, she looked like she was still annoyed with Seiya's antics... hopefully. Haruka knew she needed to send them both on their way shortly. Frustration that she would have to tell the teal haired woman to go home, devastated that she was not able to go with her, and irritated that she would need to figure how to avoid the chairman whom was likely still waiting downstairs.
Slowly lifting her palm from the edge of her face at the sound of a throat clearing, she caught a glance from the raven haired man next to her. She nodded when he mouthed 'chairman' to her, indicating that he was already planning their escape.
"Michiru, we will need to get on the road soon..." he called out as Haruka winced slightly at the thought. "Haruka is too polite to excuse herself to help the team prepare for the trip back. It will be troublesome to drive the distance if I allow my elbow to stiffen," nodding to where he was holding the cold pack.
"Gomen, Haruka. I did not mean to keep you unnecessarily," the artist apologized suddenly. Her eyes turned soft as the racer approached her.
"I am the one whom is sorry I cannot return with you... the mechanics are not nearly as fun to travel with," offering her trademark smirk as she softly traced the artist arm with her fingertips.
Michiru simply stood onto her tiptoes to gift the racers cheek with a soft kiss. "I am just glad that you are not injured too badly. Will you be alright until you return to the city?" Concern evident in her eyes as she watched the racer's smile grow on her face.
"I'll make you a deal. I will do as little lifting as I can," taking her racing jacket from the back of the sofa and draping it on the artist shoulders. "As long as you are careful to avoid the press until you make it home." Michiru softly smiled, gripping the edges of the jacket as she nodded in acceptance.
"Call me when you get home," the artist pleaded before she turned to head towards the door. Haruka followed her movements with her eyes as she moved out of sight to the entryway. She caught the spectacle of the raven haired man holding his thumb and finger to his face to mimic a phone. Call me, he mouthed as he exuberantly flipped his ponytail off his shoulder. Returning a gagging face at his suggestion, Seiya just laughed at her antics before following the artist out the door.
Even though she much rather be the one escorting the artist, with the chairman lurking around, it would be troublesome to do so. A sudden smile came to her lips as she recalled the Artline gala coming in a few days, which she ensured that an invite was extended to the artist. Assuming Michiru's manager did as expected and confirmed the artist acceptance to be featured, she will be able to attend with the artist.
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Returning to her home from her unexpected trip, she finally checked the messages on her phone that she knew were waiting for her. Setsuna wanted to know when she would be by to try on the dress she were to borrow for the Artline gala this week. Sending a quick response to the designer, she carefully laid the jacket from the racer over the edge of her loveseat before she moved to receive her long-overdue shower.
A short while later, revived from the exposure to her element she found herself in front of Setsuna's studio. "Good afternoon, Setsuna," she offered as she passed by the empty receptionist desk.
"So nice to see you, Michiru," the warm but always mysterious smile of her friend greeting her. "I trust you had an enjoyable morning..." she added as a single green eyebrow went up, almost to question what exactly she had been up to.
"I am not sure what you are suggesting, but it was enjoyable... so we can leave it at that." Setsuna just gave a smirk before she wordlessly moved to pull the selected garment from a waiting garment bag. "Please take this to the room on the side to try on and let me adjust it for you." Nodding in agreement as she made her way to the pointed room. Emerging a few moments later dressed in the deep purple gown.
The mermaid cut dress hugged her curves generously. The top appeared to be a wrap that left a small amount of her midriff exposed, yet wrapping around in a conservative sweetheart neckline complimented the open back with simple crisscross straps. Setsuna only needed to adjust the straps slightly that counterintuitively tightened the waistline to 'enhance her assets' as she put it. Once she had it pinned, she stood to admired Michiru. "I can take a picture if you would like to send to Haruka," she grinned wolfishly. "Then again, if she catches a sight of this outfit, she may put a stop to this whole escort business. How did she take the idea of you being on someone else's arm for the evening?" Garnet eyes watching intently as the teal haired woman only lowered her head. "Your silence implies that she doesn't know..." she concluded aloud, the stare never wavering.
"With the events at the race, there was never a chance..." blabbering in attempt to halt the judgmental stare.
"There's always a chance, Michiru. I can be sympathetic if you were having a special moment with her that you didn't want to ruin, but you will need to give her a heads up. It's the right thing to do," offering a reassuring smile to the artist.
"I know, Sets... I know... As always, your observations are inimitable, so I will take you up on the offer to take a picture for me so I can send it to her. It may take the news slightly more palpable," the artist requested with a mixture of a giggle and a sigh in her voice.
After a long goodbye in which she hugged her designer friend, thanking her for her help, she was able to head home carrying the additional garment bag and the pictures on her phone. Even though she was dreading the inevitable conversation with the racer, she had a slight bounce in her step at the thought of the reaction she may receive to the picture.
Entering her apartment, she released a deep relaxing breath as she hung up the garment bag. Glancing around she began to ponder what to do with the rest of her free afternoon. Idle time tended to avoid her like the plague, leaving an unusual feeling when she had to think of what she could do to occupy herself actively. Haruka wouldn't be heading back with the team until the evening, and she felt it wrong to interrupt her with bad news.
Selecting a book from her self, she settled down onto the love seat, turning to a long forgotten page when she last picked up the novel. Relaxing deeper into the sofa as the chapters steadily moved along, until a alert sounded on her phone. Placing the book down, she smiled at the message from the blonde.
/It's time to beautify with the goddess of beauty - I got us appointments at the salon, see you there! /
She smiled at how enthusiastic the model could be as she checked the time. Seeing that she would need to head out shortly, she put the book back upon the shelf until the next time. She gathered a few things for her bag, and paused as she reached for the racer's jacket. Her hand hovering over the garment, thinking of the racer until she turned and pulled a simple cropped jacket from the closet and headed out the door.
As she entered the salon, the spirited blonde model jumped up to greet her. "Michiru! It has been forever!"
"Minako, I am starting to believe that you greet everyone as if it has been years when it has been days. I'm starting to question the perception of time in that blonde head of yours."
"Time flies over us, but is worth two in the bush" the blonde model confidently replied as she lead Michiru to the bench to soak their feet.
"I think you are mixing your proverbs again, Minako." Giggling at her companion's confused face. Slipping her feet into the warm water, she sighed lightly as the relaxing sensation that moved through her body.
"Oh! If you need another outfit to borrow, I am heading to see Setsuna after this. You are welcome to come along... It may be last minute, but she seems to be able to stop time to come up with a creation, I swear..." she continued to babble.
"Thank you, but I am all set for tomorrow. I actually have an appointment to meet my date later." Curious blue eyes looked at her, as if she wanted to say something but decided to hold back.
"I have never heard of getting introduced to your date the night before... and as the goddess of love, I thought I have heard all the weird ones."
"I thought you were the goddess of beauty?"
"Love and beauty go hand in hand because love is beautiful... and don't get me off topic."
"That was not my intention, Minako. It's not like that at all... it's strictly a work arrangement. My manager asked me to introduce the publisher's new artist to some of the important investors, and the Artline exhibit is the perfect place for a new artist." Her friend seemed to consider the explanation for a moment, before a confused expression came to her features.
"So... about that... I am confused. Not that I am against a party, but how can you have an auction for art that exists on the internet?" She asked with a quizzical look on her face. Michiru just shrugged in response, which did not elevate the confused expression. "I guess I am glad I am not the only one stumped by that one," a smile finally gracing her features while the artist just giggled.
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Exiting the salon with freshly painted nails, she walked alongside her artist friend as they made their way down the street to the coffee shop nearby. "So I am still confused on why you are going with someone else besides Haruka," she continued to ponder aloud.
"It is a favor to my editor... and I guess it is just more cleaner," Michiru added in a somber tone.
"So you haven't met him before? What if he's a creep?"
"That is the point of meeting him today at a coffee shop. If he's a creep, then I can back out."
"But you don't like guys... doesn't that mean they're all creeps to you?" Michiur couldn't help but to laugh at the model's naivety.
"Just because we arrive at the gala together does not mean I need to date him. And there are a few men who do not creep me out... we will have to see if he counts as one," a wicked smile on her face at the ways she tortured some of the poor boys that didn't know how to keep their hands to themselves.
They entered the coffee shop and placed their order at the counter. Minako was beyond curious on seeing this guy and was not going to come this far to leave before Michiru meets him. She watched her teal haired friend glance around the shop apparently looking for her associate. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a tall man with long white hair freely flowing over his shoulders inescapably staring at her. She met his light blue eyes as he gave a shy smile in her direction. Smiling back and going so far as to give a subtle wink as he rose to walk in her direction. Her eyes never leaving his as he stopped in front of her.
"Hi... I'm Minako..." she offered as he gave a curious glance at her.
"Hello Minako, I am Kazuki," smiling back as the blonde felt the heat in her cheeks. "I think I am set to meet your teal haired friend over there. Do you mind introducing us?" His enchanting smile softening the words he just uttered.
"Oh, yes... of course..." she managed to mutter out as she picked up their drink orders and headed in the direction of Michiru. "Michiru, I'd like to introduce you to Kazuki," she offered as she gestured to the handsome man beside her before setting her drink in front of her. "Kazuki, this is my friend, Kaioh Michiru." Ocean blue eyes met her quizzically as the two took seats opposite of hers.
"Sato-sama sent me here to introduce myself to you and gain your approval to attend the gala tomorrow night. He mentioned that I would be meeting an artist with teal hair, forgive me but I was certain you were her," he offered with an honest smile upon his lips.
"I am indeed whom Sato-sama sent you here for. Gomen, I did not realize you two knew each other." Glancing at the oddly quite blonde model.
"I apologize for any confusion. I have just met Minako as well, but I am hoping to change that," gifting a warm smile in the direction of the blonde model. "First, my initial task. What is it that you would like to know of me Kaioh-sensei?" Michiru just smiled as she shared a look with her friend.
"Well, why don't you entertain us with your current projects."
"I secured my first publication this summer, and Sato-sama has been working on introducing me into the right circles. I would like to hold my own art showing, but have only had the honor to present a few side pieces at other's shows. I do have a long road ahead for myself," he added with a humble tone to his voice.
"Then the Artline gala will be ideal for you, as it caters to those who have smaller digital collections. I would be honored to have you as my guest," Michiru offered with a warm smile. "If you don't mind, I think Minako here would be interested in hearing some of your other recreations," gifting the blonde with a warm smile as the white hair man's focus returned to her.
"Yes, that would be pleasant to get to know her passions as well," he spoke softly with eyes solely fixed upon the model.